Check this out......

Look carefully and tell me what you see! My nephew's wife made this for me for Christmas! I love it. At first I thought it was just a picture frame (you know how they come with pictures in them). Then I looked at it and noticed it spelled our last name! Very clever! Each letter has something significant to it, the very last R is from Randy's Dad's headstone!!

The house that Jace and Garrison built!

Here is it is.... the ginderbread house the boy's have been begging to make for the past few years!After many times of listening to my boy's beg to build a gingerbread house I finally caved in. It started out well with the boy's helping and finding this to be a fun project, but ended just how I imagined it would, with me doing all of the work!!!!;( This is why I didn't want to buy the gingerbread kit in the first place!

I guess it will go down in the history of memories I have created for them.

Yearly check up! (not me Garrison)

We went to Garrison's yearly cardiologist visit yesterday and all is well. Dr. Fletcher was pleased with how Garrison's heart is doing. Garrison's heart looks and sounds good. Yippee!!

Each year I dread going to this check up, I work myself up for this visit. When Garrison is getting his ECHO I pace back and forth or try to figure out what the sonogram means (of course I have no training what so ever to read this test). Then we go back to the room and wait for the Dr to come in and tells us "the news". This Dr

knows I HATE coming to see him, it's nothing personal.

Pet Peeve

I just need to get this off my chest and then maybe I will feel a little better.

One of my pet peeve's is controling judgemental people. You know the kind I am talking about! They are the type of people who have to maintain control over everything even other people. They are quick to judge others they don't even know and don't want to know. These people must have a pathetic life if they think they are better than everyone else, when if fact they are not. Get a life! I don't have time for these kind of people and I will not allow them in my life. Anyway, I feel better now, thanks for listening.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am very thankful this year because this year I will be having Thanksgiving with my whole family (excluding my brother, he chose not to attend) something I have not be able to enjoy in many years. I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my parents for the past nine years, keep in mind they are at my brother's home (which is the same town where I live) but my brother does not invite me to his home to share in this holiday. My children miss out on being with their Grandparent's but have come to accept this. This year they will be able to spend the holiday not only with their Grandparent's but many aunts, uncles and cousins. It is always a fun time when we all gather together. I am very excited to be with my family. I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

All I want for Christmas is my two (three) front teeth....

When coming up the front step Monday afternoon Garrison fell on his face resulting in knocking his top three front teeth loose (baby teeth) and a scraped up chin. One tooth was completely hanging there and we had to pull it out last night, which was not an easy task. This tooth did not want to come out. I finally gave up on torturing my child. A few minutes later Garrison succeeding in getting the tooth out. Now the other one is pretty loose but I will let him mess with that one. I am hoping the third tooth will tighten up.

My baby is 7 today! Happy B-day Garrison!

It is hard to believe that my little guy is 7! He is very special to me (both of them are). But with Garrison it is a little different. You see, Garrison has Williams Syndrome. I knew from my 6 week ultrasound something was different. I thought from his profile he looked like he had Down Syndrome. Everyone told me I was crazy, but a mother knows. I felt the whole pregnancy that something wasn't right. At 16 weeks I had my triple screen and the Down Syndrome test came back negative. Everyone told me "see we told you". Ok.

Garrison came into the world on 11/16/2001 (ten days exactly after my mom had her stroke). After he was born I thought he looked like he had DS, the pediatrician on call told me I was crazy. Garrison didn't cry like the other babies in the nursery, he barely cried at all. But I loved him, he was so damn cute. My mom was still in the hospital and she was the first person I took Garrison to meet.

When I took Garrison to his 2 week check up his pediatrician listened to his heart and then told me he wanted to run some tests for DS. Thank God, finally someone believed me. Then he dropped another bomb, Garrison needed to see a Pediatric Cardiologist, WHAT?

So we went to Children's Hospital in Omaha, NE (wonderful hospital BTW). I was told by this Dr that he was 98% sure by just looking at Garrison he had WS. My first question was, "what is the life expectancy of WS?" He couldn't say. So I went home and looked up everything I could on WS, wrong thing to do. I cried. We continued to see the PC every 6 months and then the day came two years later when he told me Garrison would have to have open heart surgery. My husband was gone getting ready to deploy to Iraq. I met with the surgeon and I was told Garrison would need to surgery soon or he could die a sudden death. WTF!! I am glad my sister in law was with me, I was in no shape to drive.

My husband was able to come home the day before his unit left for Iraq. On Feburary 2, 2004 (Ground Hog Day) Garrison was scheduled for surgery. My sisters came down from Wisconsin for the surgery and I was really glad for the support. The hardest thing to do was to give my baby to the nurses and watch him go into the OR. Garrison came out of the surgery great, there are no guarantees he made need another surgery. Garrison was discharged on Feburary 6th and my husband left for Iraq Feburary 9th. We see the cardiologist every year (I hate going there).

Garrison is a busy 1st grader and I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. He is doing great in school and is right where he should be academically. He is the kindest person I know and he loves everyone. I love you baby.

Movin' to Canada

Well the next four years should prove to interesting. I am ready to pack it up and move to Canada. Just my opinion which I am entitled to.

Jace is 10!

I can't believe that my baby turned 10 (on Halloween)!! Just the other day I was putting this year's school pictures in the frames (I have every year from pre-k in there) and I was comparing how much he has changed over the years. WOW! Gone is that sweet little boy that used to call me Mommy :( He still likes to snuggle although I am sure those days will soon come to an end.

I'm bringing family back....

Ok so we went camping this weekend (not my idea it was the Hubby's) without the Dish so the kids were limited to your basic channels and a few didn't come in at all. It was a little chilly on Saturday night so we hung out in the camper. So here we are....me, J, G and the hubby hanging out in the camper. There was nothing on except........Lawrence Welk. Yep, we watched it and my kids loved it, it was one of the Halloween episodes. Here are a 10 and 7 year old watching the Lawrence Welk show and not complaining. I had to beg them to take a shower while it was on and they told me to tell them what they missed. They even want to start watching this every Saturday. I don't think we will be giving up the Dish any time soon.

What the hell is wrong with some parents???

Come one come all to dump off your unwanted children in Nebraska. I understand how parents get fed up with their kids. I do! My kids drive me crazy at times too, but that doesn't mean I am going to take a short drive across the river to dump them off in Omaha. (I remind them occasionally that Nebraska has a safe haven law). I chose to have my kids and can't imagine my life without them. Of course I have my days where I want to lock myself in the closet, except I know they would be on the other side of the door knocking and calling my name. I feel for the dad that had nine kids and couldn't provide for them and felt that the kids would be better off with someone else. But people there are services out there to help. And then there is the mom that drove her 13 year-old son from Michigan to Omaha. WTF! How can you drive 12 hours knowing you are going to dump off your kid. How does this make the kids feel? This truly upsets me. Oh and let me tell you about the parents (and I use the term loosely) from Spokane, Washington that wouldn't feed their 14 year-old daughter, when authorities found her she weighed 48 pounds. These people barely gave her water, she licked the condensation of the windows for God's sake. I don't get people!

Gas Gas Baby!!

Today I noticed that gas here in good ol' Iowa is $2.67 for regular unleaded but I can use E85 in my Tahoe and that gas is only$1.69!!!!!!!! I can't believe I am actually excited to pull up to the pump now. I just hope it stays down for awhile!!

Over and over again

Do you ever get tired of having the same conversation with someone over and over again? To the point where you want to yell "Seriously, we are not having this conversation AGAIN". It's the kind of conversation where you find yourself paying more attention to the TV and saying "yeah" and "I don't know". Then they catch you because those answers don't match with what they are saying or you don't even answer them at all because you were to busy daydreaming or watching something on TV. Shit! That's when you have to come up with a good lie explanation as to why you weren't paying attention. You know, something like "Sorry, I think someone is trying to break into my house". I know what you're thinking "Is she talking about me?" Nah!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I think you know where I am going with this. Does your husband snore? Mine does. Let me put it this way for you. Last year our whole family was at my sister's house for Christmas. There was about 15 -20 of us sleeping in the basement (it looked like a homeless shelter). My husband was snoring so bad that my niece compared him to a sick dying cow (I don't have a clue when she has been near a sick dying cow). I have had many a sleepless nights due to his condition, sometimes he wakes me up with his snoring. Do you really need to be a surgeon to perform an adenoidectomy? A friend once suggested that I pour some liquid stop snoring medicine down his throat when he is sleeping. I thought about this for a moment, but knowing my luck he would aspirate and die. Then I would go to prison (where I would suffer from more than just lack of sleep) and my children would be put into the system. So I have just resorted to yelling at him to roll over, kicking him (ever so gently), or shoving nudging him lightly. I complain that I can't sleep because of his snoring and he complains he can't sleep because of my yelling at him. It's a viscous circle. It's a wonder I look so beautiful with the little sleep I get, but somehow I manage to pull it off.

Time to face reality

Ok, I admit it the time has come where I think my ass has taken over my body. This is becoming ridiculous and has to stop. I have reached an age where things are going south, literally. If only I could walk around with my arms above my head, so that my girls will be where they once were years ago. I am not saying they hang to my knees but I have noticed they aren't so perky lately. I won't take all of the blame though. I will put at least part of the blame on my kids, they did this to me. Not to mention the weight you gain during pregnancy but also when they don't eat everything on their plate. I feel obligated to eat the food so that nothing goes to waste, especially in today's economy. But enough is enough, I have decided it is time to start eating better and exercise, which I have started doing today. I am really tired of all the skinny bitches out there that complain how fat they are knowing full well they aren't. My goal one day is to become one of those bitches.













54486-316-1A7973060B5765478E1195C382F136E7

It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.

This is the conversation I had with Garrison this morning:

G: Mom I watched the Muppets Wizard of Oz last night.

Me: You did. You know I used to watch the Muppets when I was little.

G: (In complete amazement) You used to be a Muppet?

Me: No, I watched them when I was little.

G: Oh, ok.

Paula? Paula, I know you're up there.

This is what I heard coming from my downstairs. So I went to investigate.

Me: Who's there?

Elliptical Machine: Over here, it's me E.

Me: Oh....hey..you!

Elliptical: I haven't seen you in a while. Are you avoiding me? I used to make your heart race.

Me: Me? No, no way. I've been busy.

Elliptical: Are you mad at me? Is there someone else?

Me: No, not at all. I was just thinking about you the other day.

Elliptical: It's TV isn't it?

Me: Ok, I have been seeing a lot of him lately. Sorry.

Elliptical: So is your ass!

Me: Excuse me?

Elliptical: You heard me biotch.

Me: That is no way to treat me, especially if you want me to get me all worked up again.

Elliptical: Ok, you're right. So are we on for tomorrow?

Me: Yeah, sure.

I have a confession to make.....

I haven't told any of you this but I have been seeing someone else besides Target, his name is Sam. This is why I haven't been seeing Target as much lately. Please don't think any less of me or pass judgement, but I have to go where I can feel fulfilled and Sam does that for me. I get so much more out of Sam then I do Target. I will admit that Sam can't give me everything that I want so then I need to go to Target. I just needed to get this off my chest, I hope you understand how and why I need to do this.

It's happened.....I have become a blog stalker too

I will be the first to admit that I have made fun of Carrin for stalking these poor innocent people thru their blogs. But I too have become a blog stalker thanks to Carrin. I have actually started to stalk some of the same people. Let me tell you this is entertainment. There is some good stuff out there. Carrin told me that I would become addicted and it's true, I have.

I feel the pressure......

Ok, so Carrin has her Tell-it-all- Tuesdays, Adrienne has Flashback Fridays and now Tara has her question of the week, which I am calling Humpday Happenings. What is left for me??? Tattletale Thursdays or Funday Monday? Any suggestions?

Things I said this morning before 7:30 (my mornings are busy)

Time to get up
I am not going to tell you again
I am going to turn on the light if you don't get up
Get dressed
What do you want for breakfast?
What do you want for lunch?
Finish your breakfast
I am going to turn off the TV
Please get your socks on
You're not wearing shorts
Because I said
I don't care about everyone else, I am not everyone eles's mom
Get your shoes and coat on, please
Get your backpack
Let's go
Love you have a good day

Halloween BOO HOO

Ok, so I read Carrin's blog about her poor pitiful Halloween's as a youth. I can top it! I grew up in the country and we didn't trick or treat out in the sticks. I remember going trick or treating one time! ONE TIME, Carrin. And that was in sixth grade at the very end of my youth. I only remember one costume back in Kindergarten, it was Raggedy Ann. It had the toxic plastic mask that you couldn't breath when you wore it and not to mention the plastic shirt and pants, if you move wrong it would rip. So you will get no sympathy or tears from me!!!

A Creative Mind

Jace told me this morning he needs to get a really big pumpkin and clean it out so that he can put it over his head to be the headless horseman for Halloween. Um, I am thinking that would be gross and heavy. I think we will go buy one of those foam ones and use that instead.

Lovin' Laundry

I have decided that I like to do laundry. My dryer is now paying. And when I say "my dryer" I am not talking about Randy, I mean the appliance. I made a total of $8.00 on two loads of laundry. When I opened the dryer door out fell money. I'm thinking it's about time this happened. I can't wait to do more, maybe I will get a raise and be able to quit my job.

College donations

Ok, Jace told me the other day that he has decided he wants to go to school to become a doctor, not any kind of doctor, but a surgeon. He also told me today that he would like to attend Columbia University. So I have decided to open up an account at our bank for donations to pay for his tuition. Any takers, or should I say GIVERS????

New to blogging

Well I figured since everyone else has a blog, I might as well have one too. I may not be as creative doing this as some. Heck, who knows if anyone will read this any way!!

Let's see what is new with me and my family......

Jace is busy doing football and soccer at the same time. His teacher just sent his grades home and it is all A's. Last night he was asking me how long he would have to go to school to become a doctor. I am considering opening a fund at the local bank if you would like to donate.

Garrison is in soccer just to socialize. I found out yesterday that he is TAG (talented and gifted) in school. Jace has been in this since kindergarten but I didn't know Garrison was in it. Garrison is doing really well in school. He is a good reader and doing good in math as well.

Not many of you know this, but like my short sister I too have went back to school. I am almost done with my first two classes. I am getting A's. I guess Mom was right, I could do it if I just applied myself.