Family updates

I have been so busy of late, that I really haven't had anytime to post a blog. Well, besides the fact that we did spend 8 days this month in Disney World, my time is just running by rather quickly. I have had so much going on in my mind, just never a computer when I need one.

So for family updates......... KD is doing great at her school. She really enjoys her music class and all of the teachers (one of them who is a professional musician herself) keep singing praises at how well she has developed and the musical talent she is exhibiting.

JT is being himself. We were moved to another gymnastics class this last week because the coaches said that he is just too athletic. The coaches knew that KD would follow along with whatever group he was assigned to, so we tried it out. JT still says he is bored, but not as much as the other gymnastics class. I keep him in gymnastics since it is year-round and really helps to develop his balance and coordination, so it fills in his time in-between his other sports.

Ry-Ry is growing too fast, and I am now having to admit it that he is 8-months old and can no longer be cuddled and held all of the time. He is a mover and a shaker with 4 teeth. He does crawl - it just isn't a typical crawl. I would say more of a slither across the floor. He never really gets upright on his hands and knees. He does get into that position and rocks a lot, but then plops down on his belly to pull himself from one side of the room to another. He does love to stand and I really feel that he will be a walker, not a crawler. He finally began eating in a high chair in restaurants when we were in Disney World, he had his first taste of Cheerios yesterday, and today he was standing in his crib when my DH went in this morning. **sniff, sniff**

Anyways...... I am considering finding a part-time job in the evenings. I really want to go back to work, especially next school year, but I am really disappointed by the outcomes of the daycares. I am also very concerned about what job opportunities may be out there. I do not want to find myself in another position where I am just miserable and my kids are miserable in their schools. It just isn't worth it. So I may be changing my mind yet again for another year and staying home. Thus, the desire to look for something else in the evenings. I am in desperate need for adult contact, and not just those that I have over the phone for my husband's business. Plus I really just want that extra money to go into savings. I don't need the money - I just want it. I would feel more secure about things if it was there.

For those who have been asking - Disney World was amazing as always. We are looking at going back - Jeff thinks sooner than I. We have friends that are looking at going in December, 2010. I was wanting to go again in the next 4-5 years when Ry-Ry is old enough to enjoy the rides. JT was a little more timid about things. He has such an over-active mind that it went into overdrive on things. He would get himself worked up whenever we were waiting in lines for rides, that he would freak himself out. Not to mention the fact that he had to go potty every time we got into a line for a ride, even if he went to the bathroom right before we got into the line. KD loved everything, wanted to do everything, and was really pissed off when she found out she was too short to ride Space Mountain. Next time, baby girl. She did go on the "Haunted Mansion" ride with me. I love her fortitude. She was so curious as to why the house looked the way it did, and why the guy's picture in the attic had his head, then didn't, then did, then didn't, etc. She understood that things were not "real," and really was wrapped up in the presentation of things. Ry-Ry loved the attention he received from the characters. We also got a better look at his preferences for girls. We always knew he was a very big flirt. He is just a friendly baby, no matter what. But, he sure did love the Disney Princesses. He would smile at the blondes, want to touch the brunettes, and he LOVED Mulan. He would not even look at the camera when Mulan was around. He would only look at her and stroke her face. We went to only 3 of the parks - skipping Animal Kingdom this time. If we had only 3 more days, we would have definitely made it to that park and done a lot more. The food was not as wonderful as we remembered it from 8 years ago, but still good. We must also be spoiled since eating at Craftsteak in Vegas. My son's favorite food was Teppan Edo (Japanese in Epcot), and my daughter's was Mexican (also Epcot). I preferred the breakfasts - especially Cinderella's Royal Table and the Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway in Epcot. My favorite ride is still Rockin' Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith - although Space Mountain is a classic. I remember riding that so much when I was younger.

Well........ my DH is wanting his laptop and I guess I should get back to my wine and Oscar watching. This just makes me want to go to the movies again. It has been too long since my last GNO.

I am thankful

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful for meeting my DH 10 years ago (on the 14th of this month in fact - he remembered, I had forgotten).

I am thankful that we have been blessed with 3 beautiful children (and the older 2 having the ability to whine and argue with each other).

I am thankful we have a wonderful house (even if it takes me 5-6 hours to clean it), cars to drive, food in the refrigerators and freezers (yes - plural here).

I am thankful that my DH has created a business that is able to provide for his family, allowing me the time to take off from teaching to be at home for our children.

I am really thankful that my family (especially my Mom and Step-dad) are so supportive of us. Basically without Mom and Bryan - I would have a very hard time handling my family of 3 and our crazy schedules.

I am also very thankful for my friends. Even though we do not get to see each other often, or even really get a chance to converse either on the phone or through e-mail, just getting a little forwarded mail or a poke on facebook lets me know that I have been thought of by you.

So on this day - my wish for you is that you and your families be blessed, stuffed, and thanked today and always during this holiday season.

Birthday boy

I couldn't sleep last night. Too many things were going through my head as to how my schedule would be for today - all the while making my boy feel extra special because he is 5 today. How is that possible? I know I was there when I gave birth to him, but it doesn't feel as if he has really been mine for 5 years. Is he really that old? Then my mind flashes forward to how my sister must feel with a 14 year old. Now I know why she worries so much. I have so many questions now. What will my boy look like at that age? What attitude will he have then? Will we have our early morning cuddles whenever he is the only one awake with me at 6am? I know the answer on that will be "no," but I can dream.

I also cannot believe I am still a mom. I never really cared if I was married, or had children, until the day I met my DH. I knew that day we met we would be together and have a family. Just like I knew my first child would be a boy. (Although I never told my DH this until after a year of dating.) But I guess I just don't feel as if I am OLD enough to be a mom. I guess I feel as if I have been playing a game so far in my life. There are many times I feel as if I am still a young teenager with a very extended babysitting gig. I get to play, relax, and not care if there are adult reponsibilities. Then reality crashes in and I realize I have to be the one to do the dishes, the laundry, the bathroom cleanings (although my kids do scrub the toilets very well for me), and the bill paying. I wonder - how did I get to this point? When did this game turn into the real, adult thing? I don't feel thirty-something. I'm really not a mom. I'm young. I'm energized. I'm ready to don my going-out clothes and hit the clubs dancing the night away. I'm................ what's that in the mirror???? Damn - reality sucks sometimes.