The next day was better.  I didn’t really get anything accomplished, but I did do a lot. 

Last night was the girls’ next –to-last t-ball game.  They have both grown so much this season.  I’m not sure though if we are going to do this next year.  It’s a lot of hard work to get the kids there on time, and it’s really hard to sit in heat indexes of over 100 degrees to watch the games.  Oh well.  We will do what we do.

I have a doctors appointment this afternoon.  Doubt we will have a look at the gummy bear, but hopefully there will be an easy heartbeat to be found!

It’s not going to be a good day.  I started off so well.  I got up, worked on laundry, got the twin’s sippies readdy and got the girls dressed.

Then I got the babies up.  Kaci had pulled her diaper off in the middle of the night and…well, I’ll let you use your imagination.  I’ve been vomiting for the past 30 minutes as a result. 

He is at a conference today and since we couldn’t find a babysitter, I’m staying home to watch the kids.  I don’t have the patience for this!  So now, I’ve had to sterilize the babies’ room, sterilize the bathroom again (I just did it and it is a job I loathe) and do a couple more loads of laundry that I wasn’t planning on doing.  Yuck.

On top of this, Kalyn and Keali WON’T stop talking!  Or getting in my way!  Moms, you’ll understand.  Everywhere you need to be…there is a kid there instead.  Augh!!!!

I didn’t sleep well last night and all Kalyn wants to do is go to the park.  We have a high of 99 today.  That isn’t including the heat index.  Its going to be miserable.

This afternoon, I have to take the twins to be tested for more developmental delays.  Since I don’t have a babysitter, guess who I also get to take????  My kids behave very well for other people.  NOT for me.  I don’t know what time Heath will be home tonight, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll be here…or sane when he returns.

I don’t know why, but I seem to be surprised every year how hot it gets in Arkansas!  I always remember that it is super hot, but I forget what it actually feels like. 

I would rather be naked then wear any type of clothing.  Unfortunately, society and my self image won’t allow me to do that so I’m having to do the best I can.  I’ve gotten a number of light maxi dresses.  I always thought they looked cute and they do.  And they are super comfortable in this weather.  I love them.  The problem is getting Heath to agree to buying about 20 more.  I would like a good selection to choose from, LOL!

Speaking of the husband…He has taken to watching LOST.  I watched the show in the first season then became very irritated that I didn’t have a clue what was going on.  This time around is no different.  Hmmm.

So, yesterday at work I got what Heath is referring to as a “Promotion Demotion.”  I have the same title, same pay, and twice the work now.  My co-worker Mark is not going to be returning after June 30th and that leaves me to pick up his work.  I’m trying really hard not to panic, but the timing could be a lot better!  We will of course hire a replacement, but with the way hiring works here, and the schedule our department is going to be keeping this summer, it will probably be September before we ever get to interview candidates.  And October before they probably would start (assuming we found somebody we wanted to hire!). 

If you’ve been paying attention, I’ll be pretty pregnant right about that time.  As I said before…the timing could be better.  I don’t care what anyone else says though…I’m going on maternity leave and there isn’t anything anyone can do about it.

Kalyn and Keali spent last night at their grandparent’s house and are spending the day with them.  I can tell Kynan and Kaci are loving the extra attention from Heath and I.  By the way…I do regret naming all my babies with a K, though I will probably have to name this one like that too. 

Three day weekends were sent to us straight from Heaven!  I’m so happy to not have to work tomorrow.  I’m not on duty either!

Yesterday was nice.  The older girls went out with Brad and Melissa to Blanchard Springs and had a blast.  Heath and I went out with the younger two to the mall.  We were able to pick up some basketball shorts for the girls and some candy for me!  I’ve been wanting Runts for the longest time and the only place to get them around here is the candy store in the mall. 

Later, Heath and I went to see Baby Jace in the hospital.  As I predicted, he was born yesterday morning and he is adorable!  It’s good for me to hold babies right now.  I think I’m starting to feel this little one.  Every once in awhile, I think I’ve felt something.  It’s still too early to know for sure, but I like the feeling anyway. 

So, Jace.  He is little, 4 lbs, 13 oz.  He is doing well.  He has a tiny little nose, lots of dark hair, and he has the most gigantic feet I’ve ever seen on a newborn!  His feet are just as long as his legs from ankle to knee!  They are precious!  I was punished though for unwrapping him long enough to take a look.  He did NOT like that!  He began crying…this sound his Daddy calls the “Raptor cry.”  I was the lucky one to be holding him when he had his first sneeze.  The most precious little sound!  April always sneezes in multiples.  5-7 times.  Jace sneezed 5 time!  So cute.  I can’t say it enough.  He is such a sweetie pie and I’m so happy he is here!

Today hasn’t been as good.  Heath is battling some type of stomach bug and I’ve started to get it this afternoon.  I just feel yucky.  Once of my new hall directors came to drop some stuff off today.  I went over to let him in.  I didn’t realize that “a few things” meant his life long collection of everything!  I was the only one over there and he had tons of stuff.  I’m limited in what I can carry, so I did what I could and recruited help for the rest.  It is HOT outside!  HOT.

Tomorrow we will spend time with family and with luck, I’ll get to take another nap.  I love naps!

Kaci has started to become more verbal.  Yesterday, while at his parent’s house, Heath sat next to his mom.  Kaci was in her lap.  Kaci pointed at Heath and shouted, “Go Way!”  She doesn’t like to share.  While driving home, I tried to get Kaci to dance.  She pointed at me and shouted, “Don’t.”  Hmmm.  Maybe sometime we will get some positive responses from her.

This is shaping up to be my most difficult pregnancy ever. They seem to get worse and worse. Any whoooooo.
My friend April and her husband Jeremy are having their first baby today! I actually think it will be sometime tomorrow, but they are at the hospital right now! I'm so excited for them. They've also suffered from infertility and Jace is really a miracle baby for them. I can't wait to meet and hold him!
The girls' t-ball season is coming to a close and I couldn't be happier. This year has been harder. I'm not really sure why. Weather, I know played a big part. We are also on an extremely young team (most of our players are 4.) I've enjoyed watching the girls, but I'll be happy when this is over. Kalyn and Keali (Keali in particular) have gotten so much better this year. Heath and I aren't sure if we will do this again next year. Kalyn would be on a competitive team at 7 years old and they have tournaments and travel away games every weekend for about 2 months. I can't handle that with Keali, twin two year olds, and a baby. We will see, but it isn't looking too promising!
I'm SO looking forward to this 3 day weekend! Can't wait to have three whole days off. I'm not even on duty!

So now, I am 15 weeks and three days. That is almost 15 and a half weeks. LOL.
I am doing much better with the pregnancy now. At least the knowledge that I am pregnant. My morning sickness has been so much worse that it was with the twins. I've found that my morning sickness has gotten worse with each subsequent pregnancy. Kalyn was virtually non-existant. Keali, I felt horrible but never really got sick much. The twins I was nauseous the whole 7 months, and with this one, I'm nauseous all the time and actually get sick 1-4 times a day. Yuck. I'm already past my first trimester. I hope this doesn't continue through the whole nine months.
So, I've never hidden the fact that I take anti-depressants. After Keali was born, I developed post partum depression and left untreated, it progressed into a deep depression. I finally realized I was hurting my family and sought treatment. I loved treatment. I felt so much better about life and myself. I was able to be more like the mother I wanted to be for my children.
Then I got pregnant with the twins. I immediately weaned myself from my medication and within a couple of weeks hit the bottom again. I stayed that way through the pregnancy and when they were born early, I knew I needed to start back up immediately to help me handle the emotional and physical roller coaster I had just gotten on so I started the meds the day after they were born.
It took my doctor and I 18 months to get my medication right after the twins were born. I was back to being able to better control my emotions and reactions to situations (I had also been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.) And a whopping one month later was pregnant again - this time very unexpected.
Aside from not wanting to be pregnant, I was terrified about having to go off my medication again. I called my psychiatrist and told him I wanted to stay on the medication for as long as possible. He agreed I could do that until the third trimester. When I saw my OB though, he suggested that I get off that particular medication immediately and substitute another one. I agreed because beyond anything else, I want to take care of this baby. He is mine and I am responsible for his wellbeing. So I switched meds.
Now, five weeks later I have not yet hit bottom (though I am more prone to depressive states), but I have absolutely NO PATIENCE with anyone or anything. I'm kind of a...well, I'll let you fill in the blank (but it starts with a B and rhymes with witch.) I have what could be considered by an outsider, an attitude problem. Situations which in the past, even in my most depressed mind I would have shrugged off and just taken it, I am standing up for myself in a rather forceful manner. It's not me, but at times I like it. On the other hand, in addition to irritating those I love most, I am driving myself crazy. I wish I could have patience, but once I start to lose it, well...it's just better to let me go off by myself. I have a really strong urge to start cursing at everything and everone around me. I haven't done it yet, but it has been difficult.
25 weeks left. Pray for me!

Monday afternoon Heath and I went to the doctor to talk about the pregnancy.  I was terrified.  Mostly of finding out there was more than one baby.  I was fairly certain we wouldn’t find out on Monday because we weren’t scheduled for an ultrasound.  I was also very curious about a due date, and I figured that going to the doctor might help me accept this whole thing a bit better.

I was right.  We didn’t find out about the number of babies, but we made an educated guess (best chance) at a due date of November 8th.  We did confirm the pregnancy too.  That was important.  I was schedule for an ultrasound Wednesday morning.

Scheduling an ultrasound in a city half an hour away from home at 8:30 in the morning when you have to take twins to grandma’s, and two girls to two different schools was not a good idea.  We were very rushed to get there, and thank to the prerequisite “full bladder” I was very cranky.  Heath kept teasing me about twins.  I wanted to believe there was just one baby, but he was right the last time, so he could be right again. 

Luckily, I got my way and we only have one.  Unless someone is hiding. 

My due date is right on—I will have to have a c-section though so we currently have that scheduled for November 1st.  That’s one thing about my pregnancies that I’ve always liked.  I always have an end date that is prior to the due date to look forward to.  So.  After November 1st, I will no longer be pregnant!

I have to be honest.  I haven’t been at all happy about this ‘surprise.’  I didn’t really care if God wanted this or not.  Clearly He did, because I was able to do this naturally.  I just thought it extremely presumptuous to not ask my opinion first.

But when I heard that heart beat.  I wasn’t prepared for it.  Suddenly this baby became very real to me and I realized he (hoping for a boy) needs me to love and protect him.  He doesn’t have anyone else to do that for him right now.  I fell in love with this little gummy bear.  He is cute.  I can tell.

So, while I can’t say that I’m thrilled with this—I have accepted it and I’m looking forward to holding my baby in a few months!

10 weeks down.  30 to go!

Terrified.

If I had to choose one word to express my emotions this day that would be it.

I have a doctor’s appointment today.  Firstly—I’m hoping to find out a due date as that is somewhat in question (don’t ask for specifics…I just don’t know).  But I’m scared of what else they may find.  Mainly—more than one baby.  I know my fears are barely justified, but they are there and I can’t stop them.  Especially since my wonderful hubby keeps saying that he feels like it is twins.  He said that the last time and turned out to be correct.

Then there is the sheer exhaustion and discomfort I’ve been in.  I’m still attributing it to stress, but who knows?

I’m scared.

Knocked Up.

A term I usually reserve for unwed pregnant teenagers. 

But that is how I felt this week.

I’ve been asking Heath to purchase a home pregnancy test for me for about a month and a half.  I have my own reasons—at it wasn’t because I thought I could be pregnant.  Wednesday, he sprung this on me, “Melissa.  I feel like there is another baby waiting for us.”  This got my mind working and I insisted he purchase a test.

Since the symptoms of my PTSD have started to decline the past few months, I’ve been able to consider the possibility of having another baby—in 3-5 years.  I’m not ready yet—but I feel like I could be an a few years.  I’m not completely opposed to the idea.

I’ve never been secretive about the fact that Heath and I have always had to use fertility drugs to conceive.  That is most likely how we ended up with Kynan and Kaci.  Drugs.  Their birth was quite traumatic for me (hence the PTSD) and threw into question the thought of having more children.  Would it be safe?  Would it be wise?  A lot of uncertainties.  Bed rest, early labor, another abruption.  Who knows!

Imagine my horror/shock/surprise/reaction when I saw the test was positive!  I instantly began to hyperventilate, and Heath took the kids to his parents house so I could process without scaring them.  I’m not ashamed.  I cried.  I panicked.  I began to blame everyone.  In fact, I’m still blaming everyone else but me because clearly I am not ready for this.

Obviously it is Heath’s fault.

The people in my office jinxed me by saying a couple months ago that I would be pregnant within the next year.

The doctor didn’t insist on my BCPs when I decided to go off them three months ago.  I didn’t think I needed them!  I only ever began taking them as a method of controlling hormones after the twins. 

Kalyn, found a crumb on the floor a month and a half ago and put it in my belly button.  (remember the poppy seed story) I humored her because she wanted me to have a baby.  I didn’t know she was going to impregnate me!

Hmmm.

But here we are.  Pregnant.  Again.  I can’t say that I’m thrilled with the idea (or the reality), but I imagine with time, this will change.  It was weird to see a positive test and not feel excited by it.  Totally different than any other time!

I’ll go to the doctor in a bit over a week, and we will find out a due date then.  At this point I don’t know how far along I am, but somewhere between 4-12 weeks.  This explains my exhaustion, nausea, headaches, grumpiness, and a host of other symptoms that I had been explaining away with reminders that I’ve been working too much and too hard.

On a happier note, today, we went to the ASU Museum to view Kalyn’s artwork!  She had a piece selected about a month ago.  It was quite an honor to be chosen and she is certainly proud of herself!  It was a beautiful piece.  After viewing the painting (a rainbow with flowers) we went through the rest of the museum.  Kynan had a blast once Uncle Brad let him out of the stroller!  He ran from display to display squealing with delight.  He and Kaci both crashed as soon as we got back into the car.  They were so cute!

Life has been busy.  I’ve been traveling for work, and when actually here, been doing even more stuff for work.  I’m exhausted!  Luckily, I have a great Hubby who has been taking great care of the kids and a supportive extended family who have been helping out as well!

Not much in particular to say.  The kids are growing so fast!

Kalyn is practically a tween and makes us laugh daily with the witty and innocent things she says.  She has joined the Advanced Reader’s group in Kindergarten and reads all the time.  She told me the other day that she finally believes me when I say reading is more fun than tv.  She has vowed to watch less tv and read more.  She really is very good and enjoys reading us bedtime stories each night. 

Keali has the loveliest eyes.  They are so expressive.  She is really funny.  Keali has a dry sense of humor—something I’m not sure I’ve seen in a child before, but she deadpans and makes the funniest comments.  She is learning about bugs at school and loves singing me the songs the teachers share about insects.  She knows it creeps me out and she finds it hilarious!

Kynan.  Well.  He screams like a girl.  There.  I said it.  He is a handsome little boy, the apple of my eye, and he doesn’t even like me!  He loves me, sure.  But would rather have nothing to do with me.  It isn’t that girls are gross.  Mommies are gross.  I guess I’ll just have to get used to the idea.  Makes me sad though.  He is such a boy.  He climbs on everything and gets into everything.  I guess I didn’t believe that baby boys and girls were that different, but he is SUCH A BOY!!  Unfortunately for us, when he does something naughty, he flashes his grin and more often than not gets away with it.  When are we going to learn our lesson?

Kaci is Mommy’s princess.  She can’t stand to have anyone else near me—claiming her rightful spot on my lap as soon as anybody gets too close.  She snuggles in and gives the sweetest smiles.  She talks periodically.  Okay.  She babbles all the time, but every once in a while it will make sense.  Usually it is some variation of “Stop! Bubbie!  Stop!”  I guess she hears that alot LOL!  She is still a bit of a bully, but Kynan is taking up for himself better now.  She struts around the house with her glorious tummy pushed forward.  Her tummy is only surpassed in impressiveness by her booty.  She is a round little thing and so cute.  Papaw calls her “Emmer” because she walks just like my Mother-In-Law’s mother did.  She is a bit bowlegged.  I hope she grows out of it.

We’ve been blessed to spend some time recently with family we don’t often get to see, and the girls are looking forward to summer.  They just ended spring break and did NOT want to go back to school!  T-Ball will start up soon, so I’m trying to get myself excited for that. Hmmmm.  T-ball for two and two toddlers running around the ball fields.  Not my idea of fun, but Kalyn and Keali can’t wait!  I hope Heath is able to be as involved this year as he was last.  It was wonderful to see him getting to have fun with his kids like that.  I also hope we have a great coach like we did last year.  That can really make all the difference.

Heath is working hard.  Basketball season is over and we are now in baseball, softball, and soccer.  I hate the beginning parts of these sports because it is still so chilly outside—especially in the evening.  We aren’t able to visit him at work too much until it warms up, but it is fun when we do!

So basically—we are all well and trying to do our best.  Life is crazy busy, but we are happy!

Oh—and Heath bought me a Nookcolor this last weekend!  I’m so happy with it!

Wow.  It’s been so long, it took me five minutes to find the icon for Live Writer on my desktop!

Life has been busy!  A kindergartener, a 4-year old, and twin toddlers are keeping Heath and I very busy!  In the past month, we’ve had Kalyn and Keali’s birthday party, and I can’t really remember what else.  I wake up in the morning, go to work, pick up the kids, put them to bed, and collapse in my own bed exhausted—just to start the whole process over again the next morning. 

I’ve maxed out on my medication, but I think the increase is doing me good.  I feel much better than I have.  In addition to this, I’ve volunteered to help out the seniors in the Exercise Science program.  They need faculty and staff volunteers to be personal trainers to.  So.  For absolutely no money—I have my very own personal trainer!  AND I get to work out in an amazing new facility.  I haven’t been this physically active since probably seventh grade and I feel great!

I go to bed exhausted—but the tired that comes from actually doing stuff, not the tired that stems from depression and lack of motivation.  I wake up much earlier in the morning and have too much energy to go back to sleep.  I’m getting ready to start my third week of this and I am shocked and amazed by the difference I feel already!  I can’t really see a change in my body yet…but I feel much better and my clothes are fitting differently.  It is wonderful.  Best of all—I am not hating working out!  I actually enjoy the sweat I break into because I know that I’ve earned it.

A couple weeks ago, I even took part in a 4K.  I walked almost the whole thing, but I was so proud of my accomplishment (and I got a cute pink t-shirt!)  The down side of all this is that I’ve been sore for the past few weeks!  HaHa!  I’m not working out too hard—I’m actually pushing myself a lot, and I’m not injured, I’m just using muscles that really haven’t been used in who knows how long?!  It is a good pain and I am so proud of myself.  Heath has been an amazing cheerleader and extremely supportive of my efforts.  My main goal is to do this all semester (I will, because Cassie’s grade depends on my showing up regularly) and then continue the habit of going.  My University gives it’s employees 3 wellness hours a week to use and I really haven’t used them in the past.  I am now, and I love it!  I’m getting a lot of support from my supervisor and others in my office.  It is really nice.

At home, the twins keep my jumping.  We finally took the plunge this last weekend and refused to give either one a bottle.  They have been fighting the transition to sippy cup for months.  Heath and I have never had a baby use a bottle past 10 months old, and Kynan and Kaci are almost 16 months!  We made the mistake of going cold turkey Sunday morning.  Right before church.  Yeah.  It wasn’t pretty.

They are doing great now though—plenty of bribes of chocolate milk and strawberry milk (Heath’s idea) got them hooked on the idea that sippies won’t kill them.  They haven’t had a bottle since and though they still aren’t loving their sippy’s, they are doing much much better.

Kalyn is doing so well in school.  We have her parent teacher conference tomorrow and I am looking forward to it.  Keali is a joy for her teachers as well—they tell me this almost every day!  Both have attitudes the size of Texas when they want them, but for the most part they are loving and wonderful.

Happy February!

Crazy eyes! 

The first day of real life after winter break.  I’ve been awake for 13 hours and I’m about to crash!

This morning went so much better than I thought it would.  I asked Heath to get the girls ready while I took a shower.  When I was finished, Heath—and the girls were still asleep.  I woke Heath up again and asked him to take care of the girls.  He rolled over and said, “I am.”  Uh.  Really?  Then he opened his eyes and realized he had been dreaming. 

The girls didn’t wake up in the best of moods, but they certainly weren’t at their worst!  We all made it to school/work on time and even a bit early.  SHOCKING!

Work was work—just trying to get back into the swing of things.  It always takes me a day or two to catch up and feel as though I know what is going on. 

I picked up the kids and took them home.  I had to go back to work, so Patience watched them.  When I got home, everyone was either bathed, or asleep!  Kalyn was out like a light (prior to 7 pm), and the three youngest were all clean and ready for bed!

I got everyone in bed by 7:30 (I figure an early night won’t hurt them since they were so tired).  Now I’m about to fold some laundry and then I’m going to answer my pillow.  I hear it calling for me.

Good night!

My goal for the new year?  Mop my floor.

DONE

Next goal—convince Heath to let me have carpal tunnel surgery.  I am typing this with one finger.

Ahhhh.  New Years Eve.

Not doing anything!  I’m still unwell—and even fainted this morning.  I think I was just dehydrated.  Anyway, it’s rainy and yucky here and our ward New Year’s party doesn’t even begin until 9 pm.  I’m usually trying to be asleep at that time, so I think I’ll pass. 

Kalyn is really excited about moving up a class in Primary on Sunday—and has been giving Keali pointers on how you behave in Primary and what happens there (Keali will be a Sunbeam!!).  It is so cute to have this almost-six-year-old issuing directions to her ‘minion’ (as she so lovingly calls her).

I’m bummed my winter break is almost over, but it as been a very laid back break.  I didn’t get much of anything done, but I feel as though it was good to not push to work while I was off work.  There is always time to clean—but spending time with my kiddos is much more important.

Winter break has been marvelous.  Complete with a nasty tummy bug going around the family and sinus infections.  But other than that, it really has been nice being with the kids all day. 

Both Kynan and Kaci are walking now.  Kaci still more than Kynan, but both are getting better and they are so cute!  Kynan will climb on anything—and I mean ANYTHING—he can.  He doesn’t need to be getting to anything specific—just UP.  The higher, the better for him. 

In true baby fashion, the twins enjoyed Christmas—the wrapping paper was mildly amusing, but the boxes were a big hit.  The toys were okay too, but the boxes were the highlight for my little lovies.

Kalyn and Keali were pretty good for Christmas—we only had a few bratty outbursts and a couple of conversations about the proper way to receive a gift.  We tried really hard to talk about the true meaning of Christmas, but we will have to work harder on that next year.

Heath and I had our 9th anniversary too!  It was great.  We almost never do anything fancy for our anniversaries—a trip to Walmart with just the two of us is pretty amazing, so when we were able to go out for an entire evening together, I was thrilled.

I was likewise thrilled with my gifts.  We usually don’t do gifts either (or if we do they are practical).  Heath gave me a new watch—a beautiful two toned watch with diamond accents.  He also gave me a new leather jacket and He Took Me Shoe Shopping and bought me four pairs of shoes!  I was super happy. 

If you haven’t already heard what I gave Heath, prepare yourself. 

I got him a KitKat. 

He is the hardest person to buy presents for!  He always guesses or hates what I get him, so I decided to not do much of anything this time.  And BOY did I hear about it!  Luckily while we were out together, he found a book he wanted so I ‘gave’ that to him.

I did better for Christmas though.  I gave him an ice cream machine & cookbook as well as a Superman book and a soldering gun.  He has been wanting all those things, and I was happy to get them for him (though he didn’t exclaim in joy when he opened them).  Of course, he did better than I did and got me lotions, socks, and fuzzy slippers.  I also got a techno-hoodie!  It’s fun.

When Heath brought in my presents to be wrapped, he sent me to the back bedroom to hide while he did it.  He had the girls help him.  When I came out from the back, Keali said, “Mommy.  You are NOT getting fuzzy slippers for Christmas.”  Heath made an exasperated face and Keali quickly calmed him down by saying, “Don’t worry, Daddy.  I told her she WASN’T getting fuzzy slippers.”

Aw, Kids.  It was adorable.

I’ve really been stinking at this blogging thing this past year.  I am just so busy—and when I’m not busy, I’m trying to spend quality time with my family (or by myself…personal time is severely underrated).

I woke up this morning about 4 am thinking it was Wednesday.  I was really happy about this because Wednesday is the middle of the week—meaning that I only have half a week to go until the weekend (and consequently winter break from work).  I was bummed when I realized we hadn’t yet completed Tuesday.  So here I am.

I’ll be perfectly honest.  I don’t think I’ve done a single work related task today.  My heart just isn’t in it.  I’ve spoken with a few people—mostly catching up on lives and such.  Wait.  I just took a work related phone call and remembered that I did hire a student this morning.  I guess I have done a little bit.

I’m really just ready for 4:30 to roll around so I can go get Kalyn and head home.

My heart is hurting.  Bryan is leaving us tonight. 

Bryan has been living with us for the past couple of months while he completes a half semester class.  He has been such a help watching the kids in the afternoon and it has been nice getting to know him better.  He was young when I left for school so I always just remembered the little smiley blond kid.  He has grown up.  The semester is over now though so he is going back home.  I’ll miss him.  Kynan and Kaci will miss him and regardless of what they say…Kalyn and Keali will miss him too!

Alright.  Now, I am being forced to work so I better sound off.

BLAM!

Last night I went to the late night breakfast at ASU.  It is tradition that staff serve breakfast to the students the night before final exams start.  This year they decided to make it a true midnight breakfast.

Lucky for me, my boss said I didn’t have to come to work until 1 today to compensate for me being up half the night.  It was fun though and I got a cute t-shirt out of it.  There isn’t a whole lot I wouldn’t do for a cute t-shirt.  Sad, isn’t it?

Heath got up with the girls this morning to take them to school (I was very thankful because I was awake until 4:30 due to his snoring).  The girls have been begging him to take them to school for a while now, so I’m sure they were thrilled.  I helped him get them dressed, but then I went back to sleep. 

I got a couple hours in, then I got up and I’ve been hangin’ with the babies and Heath.  I have to go to work soon, but I’m certainly enjoying my morning off.

I’m so looking forward to winter break in a week and a half.  A couple weeks off with my family should be rejuvinating!

This morning, I was washing  Kaci in the tub.  I took her cup away from her to rinse off, and she wasn’t happy at all.  She gave me a look that clearly said, “When I take over the world in a few years…YOU are the first to go.”  I have to admit, I’m a little scared.

It is so hard to go back to work after a week off!  I did my best though and even got my office mostly clean!  Yay!

It is the weekend again—thankfully and I plan on spending time with my kiddos and hubby.  Maybe we will get the house picked up a little too.  I’m not the best housekeeper and things have been suffering a lot lately.

All the kids are doing well.  Kalyn is smarter than the rest of us.  Keali is a super sweetie.  Kynan is the king of whine, and Kaci isn’t far behind him.  Naturally the twins are very sweet babies, but each wants so much attention, I think they whine to get it.

What a day.

But first.  Thanksgiving.

The week of Thanksgiving I took off work in the hopes that we could spend some extra time in Hot Springs with my family.  Much to my dismay, Kalyn and Keali had school Monday and Tuesday!  This is shocking because usually Nettleton schools close when the University is closed.  Anyway…I knew I was on duty the last part of the week so this left only Wednesday to go to HS.  But Heath had to work Wednesday morning so I gathered up the kiddies and drove the three hours myself.

The kids were all very good.  The only problem with the drive down was the fog that was super thick for the first 150 of 180 miles.  We got to Moms house and ate pumpkin pie (I loved this because I usually don’t get pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving) and visited for about an hour.  Mom had to go to work and we followed her to the store to buy Kalyn some clothes. 

I got to the store and realized I left the diaper bag at my Mom’s so I left the kids with Mom and drove back to the house.  It took much longer than I wanted to, but what can you do?

I picked the kids up and we headed off to Dad’s.  To be honest, I really felt in the way at Dad’s house.  Linda had just gotten home from having surgery and Jennifer and Jeremiah had just arrived as well.  Me and four rambunctious kids were probably NOT the best thing for the Hale house!  Anyway, I got to see almost everyone and that was nice.  The kids were really good.  I staged a “baby fight” that was super funny, but I think some siblings judged my mothering at that moment.  It was funny though.  The twins always want what the other has and they fight to the death (well, almost).  Kaci is something of a bully and can totally hold her own with Kynan.

We left for home a bit early because it was supposed to rain and it gets dark early.  I have a hard time driving in the dark if it is raining.  Thanks Lasiks! 

We got home in time to see Richie, Debi, and Kylee who had just arrived, then Heath and I had a quiet night with the babies since Kalyn and Keali chose to sleep at Mamaw and Papaw’s.

Thanksgiving was nice,  I ended up sleeping through about half of it (I had a headache for about 4 days).  I didn’t do the black Friday sales.  I refuse to do that anymore!  Saturday and Sunday were nice too.

This morning I went back to work and thought I enjoy  my job, I admit that I wished I was still asleep.  It was dark and rainy all day.  That makes me SO sleepy!  I went to pick Kalyn up from Camp Raider and ended up locking my purse, phone, and keys in the car.  I had to borrow a phone to call Heath (the only number I have memorized).  He called his Mom to come pick Kalyn and I up and we finally made it home—an hour later than normal.  Thank goodness Bryan made dinner—I’m not sure I could have handled it!

My Eyes! MY EYES!!

It’s raining.

It’s pouring.

It’s frickin’ cold outside!

Yesterday I spent a good hour at work watching video cameras from one of my residence halls—trying to find somebody causing a disturbance.

Just to clear this up—I had a report of a disturbance and was looking for proof of it in the recorded footage—FYI—I didn’t find anything.

Imagine my co-workers surprise when I started screaming, “Stop!  Stop!  You are right in front of a camera!” at the couple who decided to get handsey with each other at 1:30 am right in front of the camera.  My GHD said she felt like a spy.   I felt like a voyeur. 

And I didn’t like it.

Moral of the story—If you are going to do something in front of a camera—make sure you are okay with somebody watching it.  Perhaps you should think if anyone wants to watch it.  They probably don’t.  Just a thought.