They Went Swimming...

The kids went swimming when I got home from work. The neighbor invited us over so Steve called me while I was doing my after work shopping. I didn't swim but Steve and the kids did. They had a GREAT time too! It was nice to see them all having a little fun.

Back To School

WOW, I'm telling you that retail (particularly in back to school/stationary departments) is NOT a fun place to work. I mean, yeah it's great to have the sales. But what's not so fun is those that wait until the LAST minute to shop for back to school. They waited so long in fact that today we ran out of some items that were needed. But if they would have shopped a little in advance, the stuff would have been ordered and IN! The computer can only calculate sales based on average daily sales, and when we sell THAT much in one day, the order isn't in the DAY BEFORE SCHOOL.

Someone at work said it best today... the attitude that 90% of the customers had today (even if it was just looking for something that was on hand) made you think that they just found out today that school starts TOMORROW (or Tuesday).

It was just a frustrating day. It won't even be over tomorrow really. Then we have high school kids that don't get their list until the first day of school. Then the people who will be back to get what they couldn't/didn't get today. A lot of people just got frustrated by the SHEER volume of people in the isle that they left without getting everything.

I work tomorrow, but it's a short shift. So, that is AWSOME!

Some Photos...

I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you some photos from our last trip to the park. Enjoy.

Caleb riding his big boy bike!

Laura's NEW bike...

Matthew riding a scooter... when he got tired we had to push him.

Myself and my wonderful hubby... It's hard to believe MY husband will be 29 VERY soon!!

My Daughter

My daughter is soon to be 9 years old. I don't remember ages where I started doing things. I don't remember for sure when I started my period (it was jr high). I don't remember when I started shaving. At this point, I'm not very worried about the period... because it will start when it starts! However, my daughter has harry legs. They are light (thankfully). I would like her to wait another year or so before she starts shaving. However, she feels a need to shave her legs. I told her I would think about it and tell her a little bit later. So I want to know when your daughters started shaving their legs (or even yourself). When do you plan on letting your daughter begin shaving their legs? Think realistically. :)

Back To School

I definitely hit a brick wall tonight at work. I was exhausted. Probably a result of being up so early this morning :(. But I'm gonna curl up here in a minute and get some sleep... but I've fallen badly behind on my blogging... BAD JESS! So, I need to start getting my time devoted back to my blog. I miss my blog... and my blog friends. I honestly miss having comments. :'(

I finalized my back to school shopping today for all the kids. There isn't anything that is on the list that isn't packed in their back packs. Waiting. Just a few more days. Monday the Head Start bus will be here at 11:40 AM to pick up my baby Matt. Tuesday Laura has a half day, Caleb has orientation. Wednesday Laura and Caleb have their full days. Matt will begin his whole day classes the following week when the pre-k classes start. :)

The only thing I have left to pack is an extra set of clothes for Matt... well two sets. One for Head Start and one for Pre-K. Then there will be an extra pair in his backpack between the two in case he has more than one accident. Hopefully, he will do good this year and he won't have many. He's come a long way from last year.

I'm ready... :) I'll have to get pictures...

The Doctor Says...

To follow up in 1 month... if he doesn't gain weight he will be referred to Children's. So, that's that... and he goes back next month.

The Physical

Matthew's physical for school went okay. We were pretty much in and out.

He is 37 inches tall. His blood pressure is 50/80. He weighs 26 lbs. So, he lost 2 lbs since his last visit. Granted, this could have been because he had shots the day before and he gets kinda blah for the first 48 hours.

The nurse practitioner is going to call after she talks to the doctor. She wants to find out if he wants to follow up or what. So now we wait on a phone call.

Off!

I'm so happy to have two days off!! Although I must admit that I can't wait for school to start so that I can actually enjoy my days off instead of trying to run around taking care of everything. Doctor's appointments, open houses, orientation, and everything else!! UGH! These two days off are going to consist of Orientation, Doctors, and Health Departments. *sigh* Joy! I must admit that I can't wait to find out how much Matt weighs... but still!

Hair Donation

I mentioned the other day that I was planning on donating my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. You may remember that I was going to donate my hair if I reached my goal for the CFF.

But the more I started thinking about it I decided I was going to donate my hair either way, so my journey starts today and will end Sept 16, 2009.

Now for some basics... Pantene Beautiful Lengths has some requirements for donations of hair. Hair can't be chemically treated or permanently dyed. Donations must be 8 inches in length.

With those things said, I have to grow my hair 8 inches (beyond cutting point, my ears). I also have to trim it every 6-8 weeks to keep it from breaking (rumor has it that it helps it grow faster too). Also, I have to make sure that I take good care of it and I'm going to use Pantene products AFTER I use what I currently have.

Current Statistics...

Total Length: 13 inches
Last Trim: 8.10.08
Dyed Length: 10.5 inches
Natural Length: 1 inch
Cutting Length (from ears): 0 (will begin when my dyed hair is gone.)

I'm so excited and I can't wait. So, here goes!!

Party Re-Cap

Laura's birthday party went very well. It went well but it was crazy. We had more kids than I planned but they seemed to have a lot of fun.

This year's attendance was Sharon (grandma), Grammy and Grampy, Papa and Gigi (as well as one of Steve's sister's daughters), Great Bob and Great grandma, Cierra (Laura's friend), and her own brothers and step brothers.

She ended up with lots of great stuff too! She got two Hanna Montana barbie dolls, lots of clothes, a few purses, other Hanna Montana odds and ends, as well as some cash. She was so happy. She also got a bike, license plate, helmet, girly make up, a little ipod practice radio (she has to be able to take care of it before I buy her a real one).

She was surprised by her theme not being princesses and with it being Hanna Montana. She couldn't wait to ride her bike!

I didn't get photos but my grandpa did. So when I get them from him I will share some with ya. It was CRAZY so I gave up on the whole camera this time!

(Oh yes, this results in Laura's first sleep over IN MY house... Joy! Girls up giggling all night!! LOL!)

A lot...

Today a lot got accomplished. I didn't even do most of it!!

My wonderful husband has been knocking out the dirty laundry. There is a little bit more but he's done a great job!! He'll have it done tomorrow I'll bet!

I completed the strings and hung them from the ceiling. I even re-did half of them because they were to low so I had to take them down and recut them and then hang them again.

I also knocked out 7 CBL (computer based learning) so I have 1 more for my current job code, 1 for my 1st secondary job code, and A LOT for my newest secondary job code! I'm going to try to get most of them knocked out tomorrow before my day off on Sunday... but we will see!

We also have *A* and *R* which has added extra people to the number of people that Steve had to take care of while he's doing all the housework. Poor Steve... 5 kids is alot... good thing he loves all of us!!

Shopping... Check!

Today was payday, which meant that I have to finish shopping for Laura's birthday.

The other day I bought a bike for Laura. She has no idea about it though. This is her bike. We now know that this is the same bike of her best friend across the street so we have to get her a license plate for it so they can tell the difference.

Today I got a shirt (with a radio) from High School Musical. Tomorrow I hope to get a pair of pants so she can wear it to school.

She also got a purse and a thing of lip gloss. I hope it helps her girly side. She's very girly but I'm having trouble grasping this because I never was that girly.

I've gotta get her license plate for her bike tomorrow. I forgot to get it today. But then everything is bought as far as gifts.

I also bought all the balloons, plates, plastic wear, and such today too. WOOT! I enjoyed it. I still have to get her cake and then I have to get her ice cream.

Signed Away...

An hour and a half after arriving, we have THREE kids who are registered for school! WOOT!

I have one preschooler. I have one kindergartner. I have one third grader. The two older children will start August 19th for a half day! (But, we actually have 2 kindergartners and 2 preschoolers with Steve's kids... but I didn't have to stay and register them.)

Most of their stuff is complete but Caleb will need an eye exam (a NEW state requirement) and I need to take $24 into the school tomorrow for Caleb's snack fee. I also need to remember to cancel Caleb's doctor's appointment because he doesn't need a physical!! WOOT!!

Let the count down begin!!

Two Good Causes!

Most of you know that I am currently trying to get donations for the CFF. The CFF is short for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This is one of the largest foundations working on finding new treatments and ultimately a cure for cystic fibrosis. To many people have died because of this terrible disease which they have no control over!! They did nothing to cause this diease and they couldn't do anything to prevent it!

My personal goal is $500 this year since it is my first year. I have until September 13th (the date of my teams walk) to collect donations. So, I still have a lot of work to do. But because I am asking something of you, I'm giving something of myself as well. But I need YOUR help first!!

If I reach my goal of $500 by September 12th (the day BEFORE the walk) I'm going to sacrifice the ONE thing that I can (aside from organs). In case you don't know... currently because of time spent overseas in a country where there is mad cow disease I am not allowed to donate blood. So, I'm going to try to get MONEY donations for Cystic Fibrosis and THEN I'M going to GIVE my HAIR to contribute to wigs for cancer patience who have lost their hair. I'm 90% sure which company I'm going to donate through. I'm thinking I'm going to use Pantene Beautiful Lengths. I'm really excited for this, but I'm REALLY wanting to have this as a reward for you guys who have donated a dollar or so to the CFF. The person asking, giving of themself!

Now, I need to bring to light a couple points... Hair donation isn't all rainbows. There are some standards that is going to cause it to take me a little extra time! But, I will also be opening a blog ONLY for updates on my donation process as well as updating here.

1. Hair can't be perminately died or chemically altered. (With that said, I have to grow my hair out a little extra. I died my hair about 3 months ago... it's growing out already. But I am going to grow my hair to where my "roots" are at my shoulder. Then I'm getting it cut to right at my shoulders. This still leaves A LOT of length while it continues to grow out.)
2. Hair must be 8 inches long from the band. (With that said, when I actually do the CUT I would like my hair that I'm keeping to AT LEAST be at my jaw bone when I cut it. So it's gotta be kinda long!)
3. Needs to be trimmed every 8 weeks to prevent breakage. (This also helps the hair grow faster and healthier. It won't have to be any LENGTH... but just a trim at the very bottom.)

My GOAL is that if we raise the $500 goal by Septmber 12th (the day before the walk this year) I will have my hair CUT and DONATED on Septmber 13th, 2009!! This is one year after the walk I originally gathered donations for. (If by some occassion the growth of my hair doesn't stay as quick as it normally does, I will continue the updates until I have 8 inches that can be cut.)

I will post monthly "accounts" of how it's going, how long the hair is getting, trimmings, and anything else that has to do with hair and condition. I will post it both here and in a blog that is meant for only the cause.

So, please come donate to the CFF and help me meet my goal and then sit back and watch me do all the work! :)

Head Start

Today was our home visit from Head Start. Which basically means that they come in and talk to both the parents and the student. Any paper work that needs to be caught up gets caught up. They also use this as a way to update about how your child is doing throughout the year. These aren't the type of home visit that you might think of. They don't go through and make sure every little thing is picked up. I've never had them go beyond my living room without my child initiating it (like asking them to come see something).

Today's visit was about getting all the registration forms filled out or updated. Matthew played very shy! At least all the papers that have to be filled out are already filled out.

We still have to go to orientation (8/12), go get hemoglobin results and TB waver/results (8/12), go get his physical (8/13), and turn all these papers in at the office (8/15). At least I don't have to fill them out! Matt will have to go to the dentist sometime in November. Maybe next month I will work on getting an appointment that far out.

Then he starts Head Start on 8/18!! WOOT. He's so happy... although I think a bit nervous too.

Home Sick

Tonight, I'm miserable. I was suppose to work until 8 PM and ended up having to clock out at about 6:45 PM instead. When I came home for lunch I started getting a headache that I had hoped was just from being hungry. So I ate. By the time I returned to work at 4, it was pretty bad but I was going to put up with it. But by 6:30 my ears, for lack of a better explanation, went numb. There was a high pitched noise in my ears and it hurt both my ears and my head and then it just stopped and my ears felt as if they had fallen asleep. Very weird, don't think I've experienced THAT quiet like that before. I came home and layed outside on a couch since Steve had company over and then when they left we both went inside with the kids. I barried my head between pillows, tried a hot shower, then bath, more meds, and then layed back down and tried to just sleep the pain off. It wasn't a steady sleep at all... it was a slightly interupted. I remember hearing bits and peices of what is going on. But I woke up at 9 something and asked Steve to get me some cereal. Then, I decided to make sure that there wasn't anything going on with the world that I've been missing while I've been so miserable. Low and behold, there is nothing new going on in the world. Besides that, I'm heading back to sleep. :) I'll update more in the morning.

Shaved...

I now have a bald kitty cat. Well, it's almost bald. My poor little Waffle was COVERED in fleas. Most likely from living outside since birth. However, it is really hard to treat fleas on a kitten is YOUNG as he is. He's approximately 6 weeks old. You can't treat with anything until 12 weeks of age, however I've found out that I can in fact treat him with a drop type stuff at 8 weeks. However, as many as he had they were drinkin' all his blood so I couldn't just sit around and wait. Although he's very unhappy with me tonight he's hairless and has at least 50 less fleas. There are still SOME on him... but less. Hopefully this will contribute to some kind of greater weight gain. He's not getting TO small but smaller than I'd like to see for being a week into this thing. I have to worm him again in a few days (10 days after the last treatment) and hopefully it takes care of everything. As long as he lives to see 12 weeks he will go in and get a visit from the vet (as will Wally).

Work today was... compliated. I hadn't had to work a full 8 hours shift (scheduled for 9 hours with an hour lunch) in a while... so I was exhausted!! LOL! Another one again tomorrow. But tomorrow Steve gets to clean the house because Monday morning they are suppose to come hook up our cable television, which we are suppose to be getting from New Wave Communications. After they get it all hooked up I'm sure I'll be back to tell ya about all the great stuff on the TV. We even got an extra teir of channels because I HAVE to have my Discovery Health and such. WOOT!

Because...

Some of you have asked about Laura's Wishlist for her birthday... so I'm posting the link to it. I've removed things that we have gotten her (or that I KNOW someone else has gotten her). For most of you, this doesn't mean anything, but some of you wanted to get her something for her birthday so I'm posting it :). Thanks.

Alzheimer's Memory Walk

Alzheimer’s is a thief. This terrible disease steals the memories. At this point and time, there is no cure. There have been advancements made in the early treatment of this disease though. People who have been diagnosed have been able to remain “themselves” longer because of research. But in order to be able to have successful research, there has to be funding because research doesn’t happen by itself. There for, there is a walk designed to help with this. The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event for raising funds and making people aware of this terrible disease. Together we can make a difference in helping to create a world without Alzheimer’s!



There are more than 600 communities with walks which are typically 2-3 miles long and are held in the fall. You can participate in one and help with raising awareness of this terrible, memory stealing disease! Maybe even help with the funding that finds a CURE so that Alzheimer’s is no more!

Personally, I have a passion about this disease because early on it stole my grandma. She was SO much fun to be around and she played with all her grandkids. Then slowly she would forget small things. She then suddenly forgot where she lived and walked into her neighbor’s house thinking it was hers! This was our first time of thinking it wasn’t “just typical memory loss”. People would keep an eye on her but there was no one who thought it serious enough for her to have someone as a caregiver, at least not until she managed to get into her car and ended up in getting lost on the interstate. It is very painful to watch someone who loves you forget who you are, eventually even within the same visit they can’t remember you.

This was years before the treatments that are available now. She might have retained her memory longer given treatments that there are now. But there was no cure in her life time. So we watched her suffer not remembering anything towards the end. Maybe in my lifetime there WILL be a cure for Alzheimer’s!

Alzheimer's Memory Walk

Quiet...

I'm enjoying a quiet moment... three kids are outside with Steve. Two kids are inside with me... but they are enjoying the end of a nap. It's super quiet... and I love it! But I'm going to take advantage of some uninterupted time to update some things here on the blog. :)