Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you have a great night out with your kids! Be safe!

The little Pirate and I will be out trick or treating with her cousins. Good times are sure to come!

A first for us...

Boo woke up this morning with a sore throat. She said she was fine, and wanted to go to school. Ok...I even asked her repeatedly if she wanted to stay home. Nope, and off she went.
Two hours later I get a call at work from the school nurse...I need to go get her. She has a sore throat, headache and body aches. Now what does that tell all the mom's out there? You would be right.
The nurse proceeded to tell me that there have been 3 girls in her class with Strep...all girls in the same class. Fabulous. I got her in for a strep test, and 3 minutes into the 10 minute rapid...she was positive. For the first time ever.
So we are now home tomorrow too, lovely strep. I spent half the day trying to get her to lay down and relax, but no. Tonight she was laughing and giggling like nothing was wrong.
Tomorrow is going to be a looooonnngggg day! I wish I could go to work...not really.

It's Fall Y'all!!

Monday marks the beginning of the Fall Y'all bloggy giveaways. There will be hundreds of blogs linked up to Shannon's giveaway site. This is such a good time. And this time around, I am giving something away. It isn't much, but you have to wait until Monday to find out. Check back and enjoy the ride!

Something to think on

Aspergers Syndrome is a Austim Spectrim Disorder, discovered in 1944. It is also called a Nonverbal disability, as 90% of people diagnosed with it are fully functional.

Most children are bullied, due to their lack of social skills, and difficulty using language in a social context. Nonverbal cues are extremely hard for a child with AS, they can't read you face when you are mad, happy or confused. Most have speach therapy to work on this aspect of the disorder.

Tags, strings and linings on clothing can cause major discomfort for a person with AS, living little choice other than cutting out tags etc.

Remember that everyone sees the world diffrently, and some live in it in a way you will never see.

Opinion are needed...

I don't like to put my kids names on here, for many reasons. There are people that I know read the blog, that don't need to know that sort of stuff.

With that said...nicknames are needed. I was informed by T that I am not allowed to call him Peanut or Little Man anymore seeing that he is ten and all.

K could care less. She has nicknames at home, Boo and Monkey are the favorite.

What do you think are good nicknames for 5 and 10?

Happy Dance

My sister always makes fun of me because I have a myspace page. With good reason, and one that makes sense to me.

Over the years I have had friends move, out of state and out of the country. I have drifted from friends, and never made the effort to maintain the friendships. Myspace became the way to communicate because up until 2 years ago I didn't even have e-mail outside of work. It was prefect.

Over time I found people, and was found. I even found out things, that I did or didn't do in the past. Things I have thought about over time, and wanted to make right. I have done that on many levels.

I found my best friend from dance class, and we now talk daily and have a closer relationship than ever.

I even now have the two girls I was closest to during my rough time of high school. One just last night, where yes I did a happy dance, maybe squealed a little to B's dismay (Sorry B). These two girls were a huge part of me surviving high school. They kept me sane, and made me look at me. For that I have always been eternally grateful, even if they don't realize it.

And then there is B. Ever have that friend you can tell anything too, without censuring yourself? I have that with Hubby, but never really with anyone else. Back growing up I had this with B. We could talk about anything, even when we drove each other nuts with different opinions. We saw each other through our awkward phase, my tom boy phase and more. Then we drifted apart.

We graduated, grew out of each other and moved on. There have been moments driving down the road where I think "Oh I gotta tell B this...I can't wait to tell about this or that" and...not there. Friday I found him. It was great. Phone conversation and e-mails catching up and filling each other in. Talking about old problems, and seeing where we both made bad choices. It is great to talk to him again.

Now, with that said, I do have to say that the parents who let their 14 year old children have Myspace, and give them free reign, be very leery. There are people out there that pray on young teens, even young adults. Be cautious, keep the computers out of the rooms, and monitor them. Be the parent, not a friend.

Losing three...gaining 6...

That doesn't quite add up does it?


Yesterday I had to call T's mom about conferences this week. After chatting about that and how he has recovered so nicely from giving us heart attacks with the major stomach thing he had last week, she told me a lovely tooth story that made me cringe 20 miles away.

Monday night they were running some errands. T bit into a Tootsie Roll, and his back (way back) molar came almost completely out. There was blood everywhere! The poor kid was trying so hard to make it stop, mom was shoving Kleenex at him, and they were driving down the rode.


After they finally got it stopped in the McDonald's bathroom, they realized that his tooth was most likely going to come out. It isn't one of the molars that he isn't supposed to loose until he is almost 12! T is only 10! So we hoped that it would in some way "reattach" itself. No such luck. Being a normal kid he played with it, and it was dangling by one little piece. Mom ripped it out, and saw that he already has the permanent molar coming through, which explains why the tooth came out so easy and so fast.

Not only that, but he has 4 other molars coming in. The kid isn't going to have any teeth left! Of course, the two teeth that he needs to lose before he gets braces are no where near ready to come out, that would make to much sense.

It's back

I can dream and wish all I want that Open Enrollment go away and never come back. But, if companies want insurance for their employees that will never happen. I can hold onto my dreams can't I?
Today was the first day, the first really bad day. I average about 3 mental breaks each open enrollment, where I need to just walk away, and try to relax. It doesn't always work, but it did today, and I pulled off a minor miracle. That was nice. It helped that this time around it happened on a nice day, and a walk was a huge help.

Oh the pain

I don't know where the week went. I can't believe that it is already Sunday night, and almost nothing from me. K was off school all week, so I was off work two days, then when I get back to work I have over 200 e-mails...I still shudder at that thought. I still had at least 40 when I left work on Friday.

Yesterday we spent the day at Sever's Corn Maze. We had such a good time. It got really warm out, and the walk to the actually maze was long, but great all the same (as you can see with me and my tractor...I am so proud). K and M rode horses and even a camel! They were so excited about the camel I thought they were going to explode! C had the best time on the horses and just the plain old swings. Want to see a happy baby...find swings!

Last night we went out with my sister and her husband for Hubby's birthday. We went up to Dave and Busters and had a great time. Hubby even got beat twice by my sister in Air Hockey. It was great!

Today was lazy, so there isn't anything to report except for the Vikings losing after they had a full touchdown lead. So disappointing!

A Little More Organization is Wonderful!!

I have a very disorganized house. I will admit it, it isn't pretty at all. Things are everywhere, and there is no rhyme or reason what so ever. Well, over at the wonderful Org Junkie there is going to a 30 day organizational challenge. Take a peek, it starts on November 1st, and goes through the entire month. There are two categories, Big Spaces and Small Spaces. A room, or a closet, that type of thing. She has done this in the past, with amazing results coming out of Bloggy Land. This time is going to be great, and I can't wait to pick a space and get working!!

I love the zoo

Today K and I went to the zoo with my sister, and our friends little boy, Wesley. We had such a great time. We only had about two hours there, but it was so much fun.

The Minnesota Zoo has great animals, and such a great learning atmosphere. They have many classrooms, camps and preschool programs. The dolphin and bird shows are amazing! They just opened up the brand new MN Trail, which had been closed for over a year. They have beavers, pumas, birds and even some new baby Lynx. K would put her hand to the class and the cubs would bat at the glass wanting to play.

So very cute. Wesley decided to name them Tim and Jim. Sister and I could hardly walk away from them, but the kids were getting antsy.

We saw a gorgeous Bald Eagle, it sat so perfectly that the kids thought it was a statue at first.

They had a new Wolf exhibit in the MN Trail, with so much to learn, and so much to see. Even though it was raining, the kids had such a great time.

K and Wesley have had such a great friendship since they met, and love being together. As we walked along they held hands, and whispered to each other. It was so cute.

The MN Zoo is our favorite outing, and it is easy to find new things every time we go.

My Peanut Little Man

Some of you may know, but I don't think most of you do, that I am a Step-Mama to the greatest 10 year old ever. I met T on his 3rd birthday, and fell in love on the spot. He has always been so good to me, so open with his love and affection.
Someone asked me in the past how I handle it, emotionally and mentally. They were not in an easy "step-mama" situation and needed some advise. It is simple really. The child ALWAYS comes first. No matter how you feel about the mother/father, the child comes first. You do not say anything negative, hint at things or grill the child. They are not at fault for anything.
We have spent the past 8 years working and building our relationship with T's mom and step dad. We may not always agree, but we communicate openly, and honestly. We support each other in decisions and discipline. We work to make transitions easy from house to house. We each have our own expectations for T, but for the most part they are very similar.
When we walk into school meetings, or important doctor appointments, we are 4 strong. We all work to make T a better person, and be the best that he can be. We also stand by him when things are going on, united together for T. He is the most important thing.
I also respect the realtionship he has with his Dad, and his Mom. The one on one time that T has with hubby is so important. They hunt, fish, bowl, batting cages or just throwing the football in the front yard. I steal K away, and they get their time. It matters so much both of them, and makes them talk to each other (which isn't always easy with a 10 year old). I don't get in the middle, or question the parents. They have the most important relationship of all. I am the lucky person who gets to love T for what he is, and what he will become.
I know there are a lot of families that aren't as lucky as we are. They don't have that relationship with the birth mom/dad. It wasn't an easy road, but we move a long every day. I am so grateful for the relationship that we have, and hope that more can have it too!
I am so proud to call myself a Step-Mama. It is one of the best things I have even had the chance to do. I wouldn't trade the past 8 years for the world! Love you Peanut Tim!!!

Fight the fight

Remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Everyone needs to check themselves!

5 Minutes for Mom is tying in a great giveaway to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check it out!

Spooky Ghosts and Monsters

K has been in a cutting mood the past two days. She has gone through so much paper, and made many things. With Halloween coming, I convinced her to make ghosts and monsters. She went to town! She even talked me into taping them all to the door.

This one is my favorite so far. She took a break, and will start again tomorrow. We ran out of tape twice and had to open new rolls, time to bust out the glue sticks I think...at least for the paper.

Happy Anniversery

I woke up this morning, and had a startling revelation. I have been married for 6 years! It made me think back to all the things we have gone through, and all we have over come. From people thinking we wouldn't last a year to our kids growing up before our eyes. It has been a great 6 years, and I know there are more to come.

I met my dear hubby at a bar...yes a bar. It was 8 years ago, I was 20 years old. He was dancing on the floor, looking so studly in his wranglers, and I kept thinking how I wanted to meet him. I finally did, and we had our first date three days later. In under a year we were living together, engaged and saving to get married.

On October 5th, 2001 Ryan and I became a family, with one on the way, and a 4 year old standing by. T asked what he called us now, "Whatever you feel you want to, as long as it is a nice name". After the ceremony we had a very nice dinner for 20 at Jensen's Supper Club, then off we went to the Peacock Inn. We had a nice relaxing night with no kids, just us. We had our reception two days later, with our friends in attendance that had seen us through our relationship to this point. We danced, we laughed, and even did a little Indian Outlaw.

I love you baby, and wouldn't change anything for anything. 6 years seems so long, but the best is yet to come.

What in the world...

Oh my. I saw this on My Starbucks, and my jaw dropped. This animal is so beautiful, and so large that it is amazing. I want one!

WFMW - Backwards Day!

Shannon over at Rocks in my Dryer is having a GREAT WFMW this week. We are going backwards. Ask the questions that you need help with, and see what answers you get that my Work for you!

Okay, I have two... well three...

• What are some sweater storage ideas? They are everywhere during the winter when I need them most. But I hate having them all over.
• How do I get my 5 year old interested in learning to tie her shoes? She could care less!
• How can I change up my blog, make it more personal without it costing me a ton. We don't make a lot of money, and want to move towards profitable blogging if I can.

Head on over to Rocks in my Dryer for more backwards Work for Me Wednesday questions.

Bathroom in need of help!!! UPDATED

Since we were having people over this past weekend, I needed to REALLY clean my house. Things were all over the place, and not a pretty site at all. My downstairs bathroom is very VERY boring, so I needed to add some color. I mounted two frog and two fish cut outs above the mirror, below the lights. They are really cute, and I have had them since Andi and I had gone to Micheal's last.



I then dug out my lone white unscented candle and my beads and went to town. Taking some stick pins, beads and a candle I made a great display candle. It is Andi's idea from her craft blog, a great project for gifts. It looks great, even not done. I really needed the color in the bathroom.

Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to find some colorful fun pictures to mount and hang. Maybe more frogs and fishes...maybe more animals.

And speaking of Andi...she gave me the best purse ever!! I will take a picture and add it tonight. Nice and big, and my favorite color!! She is fabulous!

Andi...we need to go to Micheal's!!!

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Gooooo Tim!!

T had a great week bowling. He had some great games. But the best thing about this week, was the very end...Tim got his very first Turkey EVER!!!! So proud of him!!!