Hello Again

I really wish I posted more. I take the time to stop once a week or so and read everyone else's blog. And think how great it is that others manage to share and keep up with their blog so well. And then I think how I suck at it.
Not that I have time to keep a blog. But it's something I like to do. Need to do. Wish I'd do. So here's a quick post. And maybe in a couple months I will do another one. Ha.
RN school is in full gear... and almost over. May 14th people! I get a knot in my stomach when I think about it. I don't think I realized when I signed on for this I might actually BE a nurse someday soon! Kind of overwhelming. I'm loving it though. Not loving my lack of sleep or lack of time with my family, but loving the experience. If you had told me ten years ago I was going to become a nurse, and actually enjoy it, I would have said you were crazy.
Kids are growing like crazy. They had a wonderful Christmas. They are completely spoiled. Sam turned 3 in January. He's as wild as ever. He's home with me today. Two ear infections again and FINALLY an appt with an ENT to get his tonsils out. Poor guy can't sleep or eat. And if he's not sleeping, well, no one else is either. Mason is doing awesome in first grade. He's reading really well and is amazing at math. If only he could sit still and lower his voice... Kooper is bigger everytime we see him. Such a little man. And my husband is as great as ever. Don't know how I'd survive without him. He is literally Mr. Mom while I'm in school. This last semester is really taking a toll on me and he's stepping up to the plate admirably. I really need to do something nice for him. When I find the time...
Needless to say I'm a little overwhelmed right now. There are a million other things I should be doing right now but I'm blogging. Maybe it's therapeutic. Lord knows I probably need therapy by now.

I'm going to close with a funny Mason story. The other night Mason was asking Mike about the really big scar on his forehead. He knew his dad had gotten it from a golf club. He asked if he got hit "before or after you & momma were married." Mike told Mason he got hit when he was 6 years old. "Younger than you are now." Mason got real serious and asked, "They had golf back then?" :)Priceless
Until next time!

A Couple Things

It's never a dull moment at my house. Tuesday as I walked into sick time at the clinic, our pediatrician Dr. S. saw me and just started laughing. Yes, we have a reputation. And we've earned it. This time it was Sam and a possible rock up the nose. He told us it was there and although we couldn't see anything and he wasn't having a hard time breathing, his nose started bleeding. When Dr. S. finally came to our room, I asked him if my life would always be this interesting. He said with the boys we are raising, it's a sure thing. He couldn't find the rock but was concerned about the bleeding, so off we go to an ENT for a thorough nose snaking to find no rock. He either got it out or swallowed it. I'm hoping he got it out...

Mason. Mason, Mason, Mason.
Last night Mike and I are going through the mail together. There's a pretty white little envelope addressed to the parents of Mason G. from his elementary school. We open it to find a bus incidence report that said, "Mason hit a freshman girl on her "backside" as she walked down the aisle of the bus." It went on to tell us that he'd earned himself a trip to the principal's office and had been instructed to sit by a window when on the bus and keep his hands to himself. This had happened a week ago. Our darling little boy never told us a word. You should have seen the color literally drain from his face when we showed him the letter. Needless to say, he was in big trouble. Afterwards, when I finally made eye contact with my charming husband, he was grinning ear to ear...a freshman girl...
We are in big trouble.

Too Cute

I've really noticed the last few weeks how much I've missed riding into town with Mason every morning! Since he started school he rides the bus and it's just been Sam and me. And Sam is usually crying about something. But Mason has always been my happy little chatterbox. This morning he was telling me about vacation bible school. (He and Kooper are going all this week.) He said last night they learned about "some guy" that had to feed like 5000 people. And he only had "like" two fish and some loaves of bread. And Jesus came along and turned all that food into enough to feed 5000 people. "Isn't that cool mom??" Very cool Mason! So proud that he's paying attention and I love hearing bible stories from my little man! :)

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Hello!

Hello from my crazy life! We have been busy! Our boys are just growing and growing. Mason finished K. He's officially a first grader he says. He had his first track meet right before school was out. Mom, Mike, & I all went out to cheer him on. It was so cute watching all those little kids running and jumping for ribbons. Although sadly I must say Mason inherited my athletic ability. (Or lack there of.) But he tries! We celebrated the last day of school with a trip to the local water park with some new friends we've made through tball. Then the next day we went with some other friends to the lake and stayed on the boat and tube all day. It was a good weekend to celebrate the end of his first year. I also completed my first year, of nursing school. I had about a 3 week break, and now I'm drowning in pharmacology. Yuck. But, the bright side is, I will be graduating next May! Yea! Sam has turned two going on 15 somewhere along the way. That precious little boy... what can I say? I think he is our payback for anything mean we've done to our parents. And we were good kids! He is the most stubborn, hard-headed little boy I've ever met. And so stinkin' cute at the same time. We are going to have many battles with this one. He's talking up a storm these days. Mostly to tell us "no" or "I don't want to" or "I NEED to watch Lion King." He NEEDS everything. He needs to go to the water park, he needs some candy, he needs to plays outside. It's pretty funny listening to him. When he's not talking, he's sneaking into something. The other morning Kooper found him in his room, which he'd decorated with baby powder. Yep. It was everywhere. He'd sprinkled every one of his books, FILLED his laundry basket, and then just randomly dumped it after that. Not a fun mess to clean. Yes, these boys keep things interesting...
We've been getting out a little more with Sam finally getting big enough to take places. We've made some great new friends through tball. In fact, Mason's tball coaches invited Mike and Mason to a Rangers game a few weeks ago. Long story short, Mason met Nolan Ryan and got his cap signed by him! Seriously! I've got pics to prove it. Mike said when they went back to their seats, Mason wanted to know why 'that man' wrote on his cap? So Mike gave Mason a thorough education regarding Nolan Ryan. He gets it now! lol

Last weekend we loaded up, took mom with us, and went up to the Wichita Mountains. I had never been and wanted to get out of the house. We had our first Meers burger. All I can say is yum. We drove to the top of Mt Scott and looked out. I wasn't too comfortable letting my boys out of the car on top of that mountain. Just the mom in me imagining too many things! After that we drove around until we found a little beach area at one of the lakes. Mason was ecstatic. "A Real Beach!" he claimed! LOL, we explained this wasn't the ocean but it was a real beach at a real lake. Even Sam liked it. He NEEDED to get in the water with his granny. It was a real kid friendly place and even had showers to clean up before we got back in the car. Only an hour from the house, we will be going back! It was a great day out and pretty out of character for us to just go and find things to do like that. The only drama of the day was Mason getting attacked, yes you read that right...attacked, by wasps at Meers. It was quite the scene. He had about 6 stings on his arm, one on his leg, and one on his thumb. Luckily he's not allergic. We gave him benadryl just to be safe and after the Meers burger and dessert, he looked like a drunk man in his car seat. He bounced back really quickly though. We felt so bad for him. It was pretty scary!
What else? There's been lots of things going on, and things I've thought I need to put in my blog to remember, but easier said than done!
Mason has lost another tooth. Sam is still interested in potty training, but only when he feels like it. Kooper came this week for the summer. He's going to be 13 in August, which just blows my mind! My mom is about to be starting a new exciting job. We are getting a TJ Maxx here in town, and she is going to be one of the managers. I'm excited for her...and hoping for a great discount! Ha! I guess that's all for now!

Happenings

Mason has his first loose tooth! He is so excited. He's constantly walking around wiggling it now.
Sam is slowly..maybe..working towards potty training. It will be so wonderful when we don't have to buy diapers anymore!
I had a test on Monday, that I really was scared I had failed. Grades were posted last night and I made a 96, the highest grade in the class! Woohoo!
That's all I have for now..

December 31,2009

I have done a poor job of keeping up with this blog. I actually have some free time today, so I'm downloading pictures, music, and updating this neglected hobby. Here we go...
Sam: Huge.
Climbed out of his crib the day after Thanksgiving. He's actually done pretty well sleeping in the twin bed. We do have to keep the gate up at his door to contain him. One night I found him watching tv in the living room at 3 am.
He's a little weird. I know, I know, that's mean, but he is! He's terrified of the strangest things, but not scared of expected things. He is absolutely horrified by drive through car washes. I'm serious. If he weren't buckled into his car seat, he'd probably be attached to the top of my head the entire time the car is being washed.
Animals still freak him out. He won't even look at the fake animals at Cabella's or Bass Pro Shop. Even the aquarium upset him.
Bubbles. He likes bubbles okay in the bath as long as there isn't too many of them. Too many of the, and he's a shrieking terrified child.

Mason: He's six now!
He gave up his baby blanket and kitty kat for a Texas Tech Blanket. Yes, mama is proud.
Mom and I took him to Six Flags for his birthday and we all had a blast. Keenan even ended up going with us. Mason has no fear. He wanted to ride everything there was. I had poor judgment and let him ride the Shock Wave with me. (That's the one with the two loops.) It really freaked him out, but I was proud of the way he handled it. He never cried. He just told me over and over he wasn't riding that thing ever again.
Kindergarten, well it's been a challenge. He's reading! But he doesn't like it. He's been having a hard time staying out of trouble. But he's getting there. I have to keep reminding myself what a big change this is for him.
We had our yearly checkup with his nephrologist last week. We also had a renal scan done at Cook's. This time we opted for the anesthesia to have the catheter and IV placed. This made for a much easier day. The scan itself was okay. Not as good as last year, but not as bad as it has been. We'll just keep on keepin' on for now!

Kooper: He's turning into such a little man.
He just got back from Christmas at Disney World. We all got Disney World presents from him. I'm now the proud owner of some pink mickey mouse pajama pants. :)
Koop got his first gun this year. Dale, Kathy, Mike, and I all went together to buy a 20 gauge Benelli, youth model. I think he was speechless. We had been telling him he was too young for a gun. It's a beautiful gun that will be passed down to all three boys. He's dying to go shoot clays this weekend. I'm a little excited to shoot it myself, since it might fit me better than mine!
He's gotten his braces off and has a retainer now. He's learned a very valuable lesson about leaving it laying on the table in a napkin at a restaurant. He lost it recently and after having the entire restaurant staff dig through the trash, poor guy had to go home and tell his mom he lost it. Bet that doesn't happen again!
He's a cell phone junkie. He wil text people all day long if you don't tell him to put the phone up. He texted Mike the other day about something "being tite". Mike didn't respond and I think he figured out real quick that dad isn't "down" with all the lingo.
Typical teenage stuff aside, I'm really proud of the young man I've seen coming out this year.

Mike: As patient and sweet as ever. What more can I say?

Me: Finished up my first semester of nursing school. I'm actually thinking I can do this now. I ended up with an "A" in a class that they said nobody gets "A"s in. Very proud of that. I finished out with the best GPA I've had since high school. I've got a six week break until next semester. I really thought I would relax and enjoy it, but that hasn't happened yet. I'm actually ready to get back to it now that Christmas is over. Next semester is only one class and one clinical. Compared to the four classes and clinical I just completed, it sounds easy as cake.
Hard to believe it's the end of 2009. This year has really flown by. We had snow again today, 3rd time in a week. We had a freak blizzard come in for Christmas, leaving us all stranded at home on Christmas day. We actually kind of enjoyed staying in on Christmas day, but were sure glad to get out the next day to see our families. No trips to Austin this year for the New Year's. Just a quiet night at home with the kids.
As the last day of the year closes again, I'm always reminded of the wonderful blessings I have and the wonderful memories to always keep. Happy New Year's to everyone! Hope the New Year brings wonderful things to us all.

She's here!

7 lbs 9 oz, 20 inches
No name or pic yet...

Mollly's Update

Molly has had her epidural, they broke her water, and she just texted that she's at an 8.

She'll be here soon!

I know some people were waiting for updates about Molly today, so I will try to keep up!
I talked to Molly via text message this morning about 7 am. She had just got her IV in and was getting started. I'm betting baby girl will be here around lunchtime, but we'll see!

In the blink of an eye...

My, how fast things change! Just yesterday Mason had his first sleepover at a friend's house and 20 month old Sam pooped in the potty! My boys are growing up.
It's been a blur at our house lately. With all the crazy schedules, it seems like Mike and I barely get to say hello to each other in the evenings!
School is going good for everybody, myself included. Passing all classes so far. We finally got to learn something this last week...putting in catheters! Yes, I know I'm weird because I found this to be extremely exciting. Guess I am really meant to be a nurse, right? :-)
Mason has been wonderful in Kindergarten. He earned all his rainbow stripes on Friday and got to bring the rainbow bag home for the weekend. (This is a big deal!) At home however, he's been a little monster. I've decided he is wearing himself out all day long by being good at school, so by the time he gets home there is nothing 'good' left and he is totally exhausted.
Oh, and the brotherly love has begun. I told Mike the other day it seemed like just this week our boys had really started fighting all the time. Sam is such an instigator and Mason is, well, Mason. He gets pretty rough with Sam (who seems to enjoy it). But, I figure Mason only has a short amount of time before Sam is taking HIM out.
Oh! And you know how I'm always saying it's the little things?? Well this time, it was a big thing. My brand new BIG king size bed! Woohoo!! It's tall and wide and I love it. It's my little piece of heaven. Mike isn't as thrilled as I am but is adjusting. The first night we had it, he texted me goodnight saying he didn't think I'd be able to hear him from over there. Ha ha, smart-ass he is! But I love him anyway. Last Saturday he got up with the boys and let me sleep until almost 9:30. Yes, 9:30! It was wonderful. Then I got up and found out he'd cleaned the kitchen AND the boys bathroom! He has no idea that this was almost the equivalent of those diamond earrings I have been wanting for several years! (I said almost, honey.)
Sam is just growing and growing. I really feel like time is flying when I stop for a minute to look at him. He's not a baby anymore!
He's being a perfect angel at the moment...sleeping. Mike and Mason are gone taking Kooper back to his mom's. I've gotten lots of study time in today.
I keep expecting to get a call from Molly saying that Fred is on the way, but it seems like she is going to be stubborn like her momma and will be here on Wednesday. I can't wait to meet my new little niece! And I sure wish she had a better name than Fred.
Well, I guess that's all the random rambling I've got for now. Back to the books...oh, wait...I hear Sam...

Our First Week

Well, we made it through the first week. Mason's first week of Kindergarten, my first week of Nursing School, and Mike and Sam's first week of adjusting to all the new stuff!
Nursing School sacrifices hit home the very first day. I was due at orientation in Vernon, so Mike got to take Mason for his first day of school. I was very dissapointed I didn't get to make the first day. Mike called me after he dropped him off and said he did great. He said several kids were crying and Mason kept looking around at them with a confused look. The second day, Mason got to ride the bus to school for the first time. He was more excited about that than anything. When the bus got here, he didn't look back, tell me bye, or anything. Just took off running. I stood in the driveway and cried while the bus left. :(
That afternoon, Mike was home with Sam when the bus came back by...without Mason. For about 15 minutes, no one knew where my child was! Very scary! Finally we found out he had been put on the wrong bus, but was making his way home. I don't think he even realized what had happened.
This week for me was a complete 360 in my routine. I was in Vernon at school for 2 1/2 days and the rest of the week working until after 5 to get caught up. By Friday, I was feeling the pressure and very overwhelmed. It seemed like the whole week at school they were just trying to scare the heck out of us. But Molly finally made me smile, she told me to hang in there, I was going to be a NURSE! lol
Today has been a great Saturday at home with my boys. I've been doing laundry, cleaning, organizing my books, computer, and other things. I feel the need to be organized!!
Mason almost made me cry earlier. He had been in the playroom playing with his huge elmo. He had it hooked up to all kinds toys. He finally told me elmo was sick and he was taking care of him. I helped him make elmo a "bed" so he'd be more comfortable. A little later he came and told me he'd decided to take elmo's kidney out. I just stopped in my tracks. "Why would you do that" I asked? He told me elmo wanted his kidney out so he could eat salty stuff. I felt awful. I explained to him that HIS kidney was fine and no one was taking it out. And that he couldn't eat salty stuff because we were trying to take good care of that kidney since it was the only one he has.
I always wonder what's going on in that little head. You just never know if they understand what's going on or not.
Tomorrow is Molly's baby shower. I'm excited for her, ready to see all the cute little girly stuff she will get. I noticed she posted a "belly" pic on her blog. I've got a REAL belly pic. One that shows her actual belly! But, I promised her I wouldn't put it on Facebook or my blog. She's such a spoilsport sometimes! :)

I think...

...if you can motivate yourself to get up, making the early service at church is awesome.

The countdown begins!

Mason put a sticker on his Kindergarten countdown page today! The teachers sent out letters to the kids with a picture and 4 stickers to start the countdown to school.

I'm really wondering if Mason is going to make it to Monday in one piece. He has been terrible this week! His pre-k teacher had to call me at work yesterday because he was acting so bad. Even she said he was not acting like himself. Standing in chairs yelling??? So he and I had a come-to-Jesus meeting last night. I hope it worked. No calls yet today, but it is only 9 am.
I think he's getting nervous about the upcoming change, but I'm still not letting him slide on not acting right.

I think...

...it's time for a new family picture.

Full Circle

I called Mike this morning and said, "Hey, I'm going to be a nurse!" He just laughed at me and said, "that's what I hear." (Then I called and did the same thing to my mom! LOL)
I had drove to Vernon first thing this morning to buy all my nursing books that I would need. I have not been to the Vernon Campus since I attended there right after high school. That was...um, let's not count, many years ago. When I got there, I had this strange feeling of deja vu. Remembering the last time I was there and how different my life is now, and I felt like I'd come full circle, right back to where I had started from. Not sure if that's good or bad, but I'm excited to be going down this path I've chosen. Now, I'm just ready to get started! However, I was not ready for the load of books that I had to purchase! I could not believe the number of books that are already required! I bought a backpack with wheels just so I could get them all to the car. So, I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Ready for a tough two years that will be worth it in the end. We are already having to make some adjustments and tough decisions. Luckily I'm married to a wonderful man who is being so supportive and telling me we will be okay and to go for it. There is no way I could do this without him.

School Clothes Shopping

The drive to Allen, Texas to the outlet mall there is way worth it! Molly and I loaded up early Saturday morning and headed that way. We were very excited, mainly because we were getting away and doing something we'd been talking about forever, but also hoping for some great deals on name brand clothes. And we weren't dissapointed. We both came home broke, but our kids will be looking great at school! I'd have to say my favorite place was the Ralph Lauren for kids. Great prices, and I stocked up for Mason. Shopping with Molly was a little different this time though. Usually we head into a store and both immediately head for the same little boy stuff. This time, I headed to the little boy section and she was off to the little girl section. She got some really cute stuff for "Fred". I can't wait until she gets here!
I bought Mason a pair of Nike tennis shoes with laces. I was determined that he couldn't start kindegarten without knowing how to tie his shoes. Mike worked with him Sunday night, and he's got it down already! I am so proud of him. (The little things :) )
So, he's all ready to head to kindegarten. But I'm not. I just can't believe my baby is going to kindegarten! I'm starting nursing school the same day and I will probably show up to orientation crying.

Busy, Busy

I can't even begin to describe how busy it's been lately! Where would I start?
Let's see...Took Mason to an ENT last Wednesday to discuss removing his tonsils, and on Friday they removed his tonsils! Saturday I had a garage sale. Finals are this week in my A&P II and Patho class. I registered for my fall classes, and will already have clinicals at URHC by October. We had a Gilmore family get-together at the water park and then steaks at the house two weeks ago. (We have ALOT of kids in this family!) I am going school clothes shopping this Saturday with Molly and the following Sunday with Christine. I haven't even found the Holliday school supply list yet. Um..what else? Oh, Sam has turned 18 months somewhere in the middle of all this. And he can count. I was getting on to him the other night, (he wasn't listening) so I pointed at him and said in a stern voice "one" he just looked at me and said "two". Kooper fell in the floor laughing while I was just dumb-founded. So, I said "three" to which he replied "four". By now I was laughing and couldn't get onto him. At least he is learning something at daycare! He is really my little handful.
Mason is recovering awesomely. (Is that a word??) We have always known he has a high pain tolerance due to the kidney stones, but he is sailing through this tonsil thing. I stayed home with him today, and he gets to stay with all his grandmothers the rest of the week. He should be good and spoiled by the weekend.
Wish me luck on all my finals and getting through this crazy time! I'll try to post more often.

Hookup

I know, I know, I have lots of catching up to do, but here's a quick little story I had to get in.
Yesterday morning, we were doing our usual dash for the door. I was all over the kitchen fixing lunches and getting everything together. Mason was taking his medicine. Out of nowhere Mason says, "Mom, I had a hookup." I stopped dead in my tracks. "What did you say??" I asked. "I had a hookup" he says. I'm standing there with all these thoughts running through my head. We are not really having a 'hookup' discussion already are we? And what is that boy at school teaching him?? Finally, I took the easy way out. I asked, "What is a hookup?" He says, "You know momma, (he makes a little noise in his chest) when you swallow sometimes and you make that hookup sound." OKAY, Hiccup! Gotcha! I can deal with that!!
So I explained to him the proper way to pronounce hiccup and off we went. I'm sooo not ready for hookup discussions yet!

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