Tuesday, May 29, 2007

New member of the family

We acquired a new member of the family this morning. As I was driving the kids to school, I found a small turtle sitting on the curb at the corner. So I stopped to get it and handed it off to D for safe keeping.

After spending an exhausting hour volunteering at the school's reading carnival, I stopped by the house before going to the office. Since he was asleep when I left, Jack was excited to show me the turtle.

Jack: Mommy, look at the turtle.
Me: Wow! That's neat, isn't it?
Jack: It's not neat. It's a turtle.

Can't argue with that logic. The turtle has since been named Tortoise for the short time he/she will be with us. I have already told the kids we will let the turtle go sometime next week after taking it to VBS. But for now, they are having fun watching Tortoise.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

It's been a rough few days. Baby has been wheezing so he's on breathing treatments which are upsetting for him and exhausting for us. Hopefully, his breathing will clear up soon and we won't have to mess with the machine anymore.

My cousin and I took the older kids to see the new Shrek movie today. It was good, but I'm so tired because I haven't gotten much sleep due to baby's health that I dozed a little. Fortunately, the little kid behind me kept talking loudly, banging the seats and almost kicking me in the head. You'd think I would have a little more patience since I've taken Jack to movies before. The difference is I make sure he stays quiet even if he roams around, but I also make sure I sit away from others and in a row where he has the room to roam.

Since we still have another week of school, we can't really take any trips this weekend, so I'm planning to take the kids to see a little of my family history. While my dad's family is very extensive and is firmly rooted in Oklahoma history, my mom's family has also made it's mark on the state, settling a community between Deer Creek and Edmond. Although the town disappeared almost 100 years ago, the cemetery still remains. I know I'm morbid, but I've always been interested in visiting graveyards and wondering about the people buried there.

It's just one of my many strange fascinations.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Way to go, Anna! Soccer season is finally over and they won 2 of their last 3 games. I wasn't able to be at the game on Saturday, but I was told she took several hits for the team. She blocked shots with her head, chest and leg. The shot to the chest knocked the wind out of her and she had to come out, but she was a real trooper after the hit to the head and stayed in there. I'm not sure I can handle being the parent of an athlete...

In other news, NBC nightly news did a story on LifeChurch's virtual church. This mega church is a little too progressive for me, but I can see how it can attract people. I guess if you can get them in the door and give them genuine spiritual guidance that helps them grow in Christ, go for it. However, there is something to be said for entertainment value, and I've always been concerned that churches that make it easy and fun to be a Christian are doing a disservice to it's members.

Growing up, our youth group had a disagreement because the younger members of the group were frustrated we weren't doing *fun* things like the other churches. Their youth groups were going on ski trips and traveling to other interesting places while we were going on mission trips. They missed the point of what our mission as a youth group was. Yes, we could have fun and I had a great time on many trips, but there are people in this world who do not know Christ, who have no hope and are physically and emotionally suffering. God has called us to be a light and to go into the world sharing his Word and reaching others. I guess you could do that on the ski slope as your skiing past someone or on the beach while you're catching some rays...

Back to the issue, this second church. Again, they are reaching people where they are and bringing them into a *church service* but I don't see how those who attend this church are able to serve Him in the church. I don't know what the right answer is. It's different for everybody. I just hope the ministers in this new church are able to fully meet the needs of the thousands of people they are preaching to.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Bad blogger

I have got to work on my blogging habits. Although my schedule has been very hectic lately, I have still been able to make time to surf the web in the evening so I should be able to write a few words as well.

It has been a pretty good week, starting with a wonderful Mother's Day brunch at Sophabella's -- prime rib, pork tenderloin, omelet, Chicago-style pizza. Yes, it is a very strange mix of dishes, but I don't mind mixing up my foods and I wanted to get my money's worth. If I liked crab legs, I would've eaten those too. Unfortunately, the waitress spilled a coke down my MIL's back right off the bat. I told her we appreciated her sacrifice for a free meal.

That night we actually saw a movie in the theater! The kids *took* me to see the new Spidey flick. It was entertaining but had a lot of story lines going on.

This was also the week for bunko. I didn't win, but the food was good. In addition to a night out, winning a prize and eating are my main interests. It's a fun and diverse group and about half of them are pregnant -- not me though! I'm hosting next month, so I've been giving it a lot of thought. Some of the previous hosts have gone with a theme (Hawaiian night, pajama party, etc.). I'm not usually one to dress up (except for the pajama party - I love my pajama pants!), so I think I'm going to focus on a food theme. Actually, it's not much of a theme, but I'm going to call it a *Taste of Europe*. As for prizes, I thought about picking up some stuff in the centennial shop downstairs, but I may just go the gift card route. I'm open to any suggestions from the very few readers I have. :)

Friday, May 11, 2007

I have a confession

I ate the entire half gallon of Moo-lennium crunch ice cream. D asked me to confess it on my blog. I'm not ashamed of it. It's not like I ate it in one sitting. It took about five days. It's not my fault it took him so long to decide to eat some. Fortunately, I found the last container at the store tonight AND it was on sale - bonus! Of course, I still got the first bowl...but I gave him at least a half an hour to get some for himself. He's just too slow!

Today was mother's day for me. Jeremy gave me a potholder with his handprint on it, and he made me a card. Anna brough home several papers for me that were kept in a homemade envelope/basket/folder thing. It's always interesting to see what your kids think of you. She wrote a couple of notes that I got a kick out of. Here are some of the answers:
My favorite thing about my mother is "a big work."
I know my mom is smart because she "reads alot."
I love my mom because she works hard at "a big building for schools."
I love my mom because she taught me how to "clean my room."

If teaching her how to clean her room is to teach her to do it the way I did as a kid, she learned very well. As a adult, I don't think she's got the hang of how to really clean a room since I keep picking up trash around her room and you can't see the top of her dresser because of all the stuff.

In other news, I survived the kindergarten field trip to the zoo. At first, no other children were assigned to us, but one of Jeremy's classmates latched on to me so we kept her. Fortunately, she is a relatively easy child to manage. She probably listened to us better than our own kids. D and I were able to tag team, so while one of us sat with baby either feeding him or rocking him to sleep, the other would walk the other kids through the various exhibits. However, my body is still aching and will probably be hurting even worse in the morning because pushing several pounds of kids up hills is very strenuous.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

A good night for a hoe down

Tonight was the annual kindergarten hoe down. Jeremy has been talking about square dancing for a few weeks, so he was very ready for tonight. We've been through this once before with Anna, so we learned some handy tricks like where to sit. Fortunately, Jeremy's class was on the side of the room where everyone entered, so we didn't have to go searching across the gym for a seat.

Anyway, I'll post a pic of him later. He was very cute in his cheap, felt cowboy hat and hiking boots. I tried to get him to wear a plaid shirt, but since my cousin told him cowboys where all kinds of shirts he thought his red t-shirt would be fine.

I have to say it is very impressive that the teachers are able to keep the kids focused on these dances for such a long time (approximately 30 minutes). I was starting to yawn, but I tried to contain it. Jack got sidetracked playing air basketball under the basketball goals, while baby just wanted to have a snack and go to sleep. Fortunately, I was able to use baby as an excuse to head out quickly, so I was home in time for CSI.

Tomorrow we have a field trip to the zoo. D and I are both going or else I probably would've tried to get out of it. I have no desire to be in charge of a few other kids for a few hours at the zoo. Keeping track of my kids is hard enough.

It's official

Baby is a part of the family. We took a professional family picture today and a photo of just the kids, so now there is proof we all belong together. Of course, I'm the only one who doesn't look like she belongs.

Jeremy was a real trooper today for the pictures. He did not give me the usual grief about what he was going to wear. He accepted my decree that he could not wear jeans, and he even tried to find some dress shoes to wear. Anna was nowhere near as accommodating. Finally, I had to tell her that she was wearing THAT shirt, so she better find something to wear with it and she couldn't wear jeans. Once she had on the shirt and pants, I didn't even fight the footwear battle. She took the pictures in her ratty old faded pink tennis shoes.

I learned something from the show medium - pictures are a snapshot of what they were like at the point in time. So I calmed myself down, and just tried to relax about the whole experience. I almost enjoyed the fact that Jeremy had his leather notebook tied to his beltloop during the picture of the kids.

Other random thoughts...Jack can be so entertaining and cute. (I'm sure that will change in the next few years.) I was in the bathroom getting ready yesterday while he was playing a computer game. After I got out of the shower, I could hear him yelling for me. He wasn't calling for just mommy because that might be a little confusing. He was calling for Mommy Rowe. He'll call D Daddy Rowe also. I don't know where he came up with that.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The last major project goes to the printer in the morning. The CD has been burned and is in the hands of my co-worker who will drop it off. I could cause more work for myself by triple checking my work, but I'm going to let it go for now.

A friend of mine is going through some rough times right now, and I've tried to take time throughout the day to correspond by email with her. There's not really anything I can do other than listen and offer words of encouragement. One thing I set her straight on was my marriage is not perfect. Just like my abilities as a mother, my marriage is far from perfect and easy.

People have commented that they don't know how I handle four kids. Well, they don't see me when it's bed time and my kids have all gone deaf. I lose it sometimes -- quite a few times, actually. My marriage isn't much different, but D and I move past any disagreements. I can't speak for him, but I know that if I start feeling like he's responsible for whatever problem has cropped up, I start listing the ways I'm responsible. Because as I tell the kids, you have to be responsible for your own actions. It helps me move on.

The past 11 years have gone by quickly, but I can honestly say there hasn't been one day that I've thought "I wish I wasn't married." All relationships are different and you have to do what's best for yours, but when *experts* say that communication is the key, they're not too far off. D and I usually talk 3 or 4 times a day on the phone. That may seem crazy, but it keeps us connected and helps us communicate better. When we fail to speak regularly, we have more misunderstandings and become more frustrated.

I pray that my friend and her husband can work through this and get the help they need. I'm just focusing on supporting her and not letting her see how pissed off I am at her husband. It's her life to live and decisions to make.

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Drugs are a wonderful thing

Either I have no clue what's coming my way, or I got to the doctor early enough for the meds to start kicking these shingles. I'm feeling almost normal today. A little aching in the back and the rash area is a little itchy, but it's not even 10 a.m. and I've cleaned the vanities in both bathrooms, put away a couple of totes of clothes, shifted Jack's clothes to his new dresser and fed baby. Of course, none of that probably would've happened if the other three kids were home.

God bless grandparents and aunts! The kids are at my parents being spoiled rotten, and my SIL kept baby last night while D and I went to dinner for our anniversary. Then we came home and watched The Good Sheperd. My personal review -- not too exciting. I was able to stay awake, but I couldn't understand some of the dialogue so I'm sure I missed some important information.

Usually we take at least a whole weekend to celebrate our anniverary by ourselves, but unfortunately, due to our work schedules, that didn't happen this year. Kind of crazy since I'm working part time and he has a more flexible schedule as a manager, but that's the way it goes.

After I pay bills today (not a fun task), I'm headed to the mall (another not fun task) to look for something a little dressy for our big event this month. I'll be having lunch at Taco Bueno with D (will the excitement never end) and then I get to go to Build a Bear with Anna's brownie troop. Yippee! Then tomorrow the fun continues, with lunch at Chuck E Cheese for a b-day party followed by dinner with some couples from church (I'll save that for another post).

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Shing-a-ling

It's official. I have shingles. Not fun at all -- except for the painkillers. This post will be fairly short because those painkillers are finally starting to kick in. I'm sure this whole shingles thing is going to get worse since the nurse said, as she left the room, "good luck." That was before I even saw the doctor, who is a wondeful man. I was in and out of that place in less than 30 minutes!

Evidently, stress brings on this condition, and I've got plenty of that right now. Conducting two meetings in two days and trying to finish the layout on a 28-page program while caring for four children, including one who has regressed to waking up for a 1 or 4 a.m. feeding.

If I can make it until Friday, the work load should be lifted. However, tomorrow I get to go into the office and give my boss an earful about my laision on a project I've been working on. If there is one thing I despise, it's being treated like I'm stupid and it's even worse when it's done in front of others. I like to think I'm a pretty kind and mellow person, but I was pushed to my limit tonight. The bright side was all the excited people I got to meet who will traveling all over the world this summer thanks to the program my offic is involved in.

The words are starting to swim on the screen, so I should probably go to bed before I pass out. I'm sure this won't be the only time I'll discuss my current affliction since it can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months and can reoccur at anytime. Yippee!