Christmas 2009

Christmas started out kind of bumpy, with Austin coming into our room at 1am and saying he just couldn't get back to sleep because he was too excited. He ended up sleeping on our floor. Before we got to sleep Drew started crying, but not for long. I didn't have to go in and rock him. So I was a bit tired when Austin woke me up to open presents. And I forgot to make a cake for baby Jesus!

BUT we had a great Christmas 2009 at the Hakel household. Lots of good food and gift giving (and receiving). Last night Austin said it was his best Christmas ever, and I'm glad because we got him more gifts that weren't toys. I think he got only one bionicle out of all his gifts! He loves his new watch and new boombox. Not really sure if he is all about the books we gave him but I think once he gets into them he will be pleasantly surprised (20,000 leagues under the sea and mutiny on the bounty). Drew loved everything and wanted to stop opening gifts after each one to play with it! He also ate 8 hersheys miniatures when I wasn't looking. Not very nice later in the day let me tell you!

We went to my parents' house later in the day to celebrate with the rest of my family. It was a good time and Tony made his excellent spinach artichoke dip as an appetizer. Today we went to his brother Stephen's house and Stephen and his wife made an amazing meal - beef tenderloin, brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and lots of desserts - all made from scratch! They also made a type of polish bread from a recipe that has been in Rachel's family for at least 4 generations. It is very good and we brought some home. It should make excellent french toast in the morning.

Now onto getting ready for the new year, which for me means sorting through the boys' clothes and toys to end the year with a big goodwill donation. It will be nice to be organized again, as I really have not been since before the fall semester of school started!

On a side note, got a 4.0 for this semester. I am so glad it is over and looking forward to my classes for next semester (except microbiology lab). More to come once the new year starts - Happy 2010 if I don't write more before then!

Kitty cat

I remember when I was growing up my parents always used to tell me about our first cat, Jocosta. (And by the way thank goodness they got her first or that would be my name!) Jocosta loved to climb trees and also jump onto window screens, second story or not. Every year at Christmas she would climb up our tree and also loved to sit underneath the branches and watch what those crazy kids - my brother and I - were doing in HER house.

I was reminded of Jocosta tonight when we were all in the living room. Drew decided he wanted to wiggle around on his belly under the lowest tree branches. I think at first he wanted to play with the Christmas birdhouses I have placed under the tree instead of presents, as presents would not last until Christmas Day. Drew got all the way around the tree on his belly and when he had made a full circle rolled over onto his back and looked up the tree.

This was so adorable I just had to take some pictures to remember this time and our "kitty cat" under the tree!

Thanks to my hubby for helping me upload these pictures.

Last Week

Well I have made it. Sort of, I still have one week of classes left then finals week. I am so glad for a long break before next semester, I feel like I haven't been caught up on household/family stuff since August. This week I have a presentation, lab praactical, group speech, and a write up of an interview of an older adult. Not much right? :)
Next weekend I hope to have some family fun before I become a studying hermit - there is something free at the fairgrounds that has horse rides, among other things. I also am determined to get my family out to look at lights on the houses nearby.

Austin flunked his eye exam at school. It was so nice of him to tell us before we got the paper from the school nurse (except he didn't). Now I need to find an eye doctor for him and get him some glasses. Not exactly sure how excited he is about that . . .

We are trying to decide whether we should stay in our apartment at least another year or find a rental house. I am all for the rental house, but am not sure Tony is sold on the moving idea. I would much rather stay more years in a rental house, especially since there is a garage and yard. Apartments make me feel very closed in and even more so in the colder months. We will see what happens, we must tell the office by the end of January.

Off to finish up my English presentation for tomorrow. Have a great week!

Christmastime

I have always loved Christmas. I love celebrating Jesus' birthday, the music, the decorations, giving gifts, and I love love love GCC's Christmas Eve candlelight service (we will be at the Olive Garden for family dinner this year since we are in Ft. Wayne).

Tony had said I could start decorating this year on Nov 15, but I didn't because I had a paper and three tests this past week. So guess what I'm doing this weekend??? Yes siree I am decorating for Christmas! It will be wonderful to get our decorations out. Last year we were still living at my parents' house so we had our tiny (4 inch!) tree in the bedroom and that's about all. I am so excited to get my Willow Tree Nativity set out and our beautiful pre-lit tree out also. Drew loves Christmas trees and lights, so I know it will be a big hit for him. Austin really loves to put the ornaments on the tree and it is always a good time, usually with a Christmas movie on in the background. Still need to get him an ornament for this year, I wanted to get him a Harry Potter one but seriously, $18??? I don't think so. Target has Star Wars and Transformers ornaments so that will have to do. Drew has an Elmo ornament and I'm sure it will be taken off the tree many times!

After Drew finishes up breakfast we are headed out to buy a few gifts. I am looking for something specific for my sister and Jess and getting Tony one or two things. It should be a lot of fun!

In case you were wondering (as I know you were), my absolute favorite Christmas song is "Silent Night". What's yours?

How many children?

Ever since we had trouble conceiving our second child (and had a miscarriage), Tony and I have decided to leave any future children up to God. This includes not preventing, as well as no fertility drugs for us. Besides the fact that I felt like I was going through menopause with my hot flashes while on Clomid, it just didn't feel right to me. I got pregnant after I was off Clomid and with a lot of prayer (plus one other thing!).

I watch the Duggars on TV. Not every week, but I do enjoy their show and that they really seem to love each other. One thing that really annoys me is when people talk negatively about the Duggars' # of children. Okay so don't have that many yourself! But the Duggars believe however many children God gives them is what they should have. We do also.

As you know, we don't have nearly as many children as the Duggars! We have 2 boys and they are spaced farther apart than I ever thought my kids would be. But that's the thing. It isn't up to me or Tony. God knows what we need, even if we don't know why He is/is not doing a certain thing.

Growing up, I always thought I would have 6 children. Haha how things don't go according to plan! You know what though, I wouldn't trade my two boys for any other kids on the planet. They are perfect for us. I know that we have any more children, they will also be perfect additions to our family.

We also feel led to adopt at some point. That will be down the road after we save up money to go through the process, plus some countries we have looked at require the parents to be over age 30. I'm sure when the time comes God will guide that process also.

When things feel out of control, it is good to know Someone is in control.


**I don't look down on anyone who uses birth control or fertility help. I know how it is to be on the "are we pregnant" roller coaster each month and wanting medical help with having a baby. I also think it is fine for other couples to use brth control if they only want a certain number of children. It isn't my job to judge others for using b.c., just as I don't think others should judge us for not using any birth control.

Bad Mommy

Sometimes I feel like a really bad mom. Like the times I yell at my children, or the times I'm not able to give them what I think they need (not talking material things). Take the past three days - Austin has been home from school and I haven't been there to take care of him. Now Drew has a fever and I'm not there. (Although I did get up with him at 4:30 this am) After having been home and there to take care of every boo-boo for the past two + years it is very hard for me to be away. I believe Mommy guilt is what this is called.

I do get to go home and snuggle my boys after lab is over at 12 today. It's these SuperMom genes (as Tony calls them) that allow me to do that and not get sick. =)

Thank you Mom & Dad!

Oh bless my parents! They bought us a couch! We had my family down to our place for Austin's birthday last month and I guess the lack of seating was noticed. We haven't had one for awhile, we gave our old one to one of Tony's clients who had no living room furniture. Then we didn't need one living with my parents, then we were going to get Tony's gma's couch. She changed her mind about buying a new one so we have been just without a couch for awhile.
We were just going to wait and buy one when we found a good one at Goodwill or Salvation Army or garage sale, but it is so nice to know where the couch has been (or not been) :)

Thank you Mom and Dad for offering to buy us a couch and doing preliminary searching also. My dad called me about it after he had already found a few potential ones for us. The one we chose is from Ashley Furniture and we should have it in about a week. Our saleman was very nice and personable and not pushy at all.

We are looking forward to having enough seating for the four of us without one of us sitting on the floor or bean bag!

On a side note: tattoo ink isn't covered in the warranty on the couch fabric. just so you know.

Glad this week is over.

I think reading my previous post every day this week would've helped. This was far and away the suckiest week @ school so far. I didn't flunk any tests or anything, it was just all these little things going wrong, plus I got the application for the nursing program and I kind of freaked out. Not in front of anyone thank goodness, just inside my own head.
It has also been a yucky week for weather. Cold and rainy almost every day, which I love if I have no place to go but walking around campus in it is not that fun. I do have a pink umbrella, so that brightens my day a bit!

Austin has been so mouthy lately with us and I heard him do it to his grandma also. Sometimes I just want to smack him (not that I do)! I'm sure my parents had that feeling with me sometimes, I can remember being a punk to my dad especially in my teenage years. And that's the thing - I was a tennager and Austin is only NINE. So we need to nip this in the bud before I go insane from ten more years of this. There has been talk of taking everything out of his room except his bed and alarm clock, and clothes. The only problem is we have no garage and therefore we are lacking storage for this. Taking away privileges has been going on but he just flits to something else. I want to start washing out his mouth - we need to buy regular bar soap, I heard the antibacterial soap is not good to use for this purpose. Don't know if it's true but better safe than sorry. We will just have to see what works and get our happy boy back.

On a completely side note, if anyone's oven breaks, hope that it is the heating element in the oven part. It is so quick and easy to fix. Ours broke Sunday night and although maintenance didn't even come until Wed, he was here in the morning and went and got the part and it was fixed when we came back around 1pm. The new heating element works wonderfully and we had some great apple pie last night (not homemade). Haven't gotten my cold weather apple pie and bread making urge yet. :)

Drew has come to me and he is stinky so off I go. Then I think he wants to put his lioin outfit on. ROAR!!

why I am blessed (a reminder for me)

First of all, I have been super stressed lately and yesterday was NOT a good day at school. But we went to the park and played before soccer practice and that really helped me get out of that space. Adjusting back to college life with a family has not been the easiest thing in the world. With my high expectations for myself academically, the lack of studying time/creative study time has been a frustration that I am still working out.

BUT . . .

I thought I should remind myself in writing (typing) what is so great about my life.

~God hasn't given up on me. Though I have given up on myself at times, He has always been there
~ I have a husband that loves me and tries to be nice to me even when I'm not to him.
~ He also supports me going back to school to get a degree (and remind myself I know more than veggietales songs)
~ I have two wonderful sons who sometimes drive me crazy but are a joy all the same. Both their birthdays are this month and it is my favorite month b/c of that!
~ I have super in-laws, especially my MIL who watches Drew when I'm at school and Tony has meetings
~ My mom helps me with my english papers even when I call after 11 on a school night. And I already asked her this question the week before.
~ We have a great zoo here in Fort Wayne and it has been so much fun to take Drew at least every week this summer. Austin thinks it's boring, but Drew loves all the animals
~We have some really fun parks/playgrounds near us. Both boys love to go and play at them as much as we can.
~My family is happy (most of the time) and healthy. I read/hear about other parents who have lost their children or they are very sick and am so thankful mine are healthy.
~ The Colts are winning and Tony Kanaan is finishing races :)

I have survived

First test. Check. First paper. Check.

The test was easy (communications class). The paper on the other hand . . . other than the crying fits and yelling and procrastinating to the point of EXERCISING, it got done. Well the first draft anyway. Academic journals = not fun to read! I am so grateful my mom teaches college english, because I am going over to her house this weekend for help rewriting. She totally rocks!

I am not the nicest person when I feel like I can't do something. Seriously I thought I would rather just literally pull my hair out than write this thing. Not good for anyone to be near me (ask Tony). But my saint of a husband still read one of the journal articles to help me make sense of it! Dealing with this feeling of inadequacy constructively is something I'll have to work on in the future. BTW, don't ever take 16 credit hours. You are a crazy person if you do.

On a completely other note, Drew is 2!! We celebrated his birthday in two "shifts" this year. We had cake and ice cream at my parents' house this weekend, then Tuesday went to Chuck E Cheese with Tony's family. It was Drew's first time there and he really seemed to like it, especially the roll the ball game (what is that called??? brain freeze) and riding the horsey. Austin of course used as many tokens as he could to get a bunch of tickets and get prizes. He is like a crazy boy in there!

If anyone wants Boy Scout popcorn, Austin is selling it! Let me know :)

Random comments/observations so far

The older students (those who weren't in elementary school when I graduated high school!)seem to gravitate towards each other.

Parking is very easy for an 8am class. Not so much for other times.

My least favorite class is english (sorry mom!). Plus that prof drives me crazy.

It is so very annoying when people talk during class. Seriously I didn't pay all this money to hear you make stupid comments!

The fourth floor of the library IS a great place to study, except when they are working on the building next door.

I can't stop thinking about my anatomy class. I go over regions and bones and muscles whenever I have a spare moment - and I probably look really weird, since I touch where the bones are!

Ready or not, here I go!

I have finished my first two days of classes. I am feeling very overwhelmed right now. First of all, the walking!! I am not used to it, especially with a full backpack of stuff! And the parking is definitely not fun. I have gotten lucky most times and found a spot, but my sister and mom were right when they said it's a nightmare to find a spot. I drove around today for 20 minutes and finally lucked out and only had to walk across most of the main campus : )

I like all of my professors. My english prof is very punny - which I am used to, since I am married to a Hakel. It should keep me awake since this is an 8am class. All of my profs for my Tues/Thurs classes seems very nice, especially my nutrition and antatomy & phys classes. Some of the kids in my classes are annoying though, oh my I never would've thought I would be in class with people who were 8 when I first started college! It is very weird. I have found some nice gals to chat with before most of my classes, except english. I am lucky to have my eyes open for that one!

As of right now, having had one day of each class, that I am most looking forward to Nutrition and Anatomy & Physiology. Probably because I know each of these is very applicable to my major, and I will use the info a lot (esp. a&p)!

I'm not sure that I am ready to be away from Drew for so much of my days. I have been home with him since he was born and I know I will miss him a lot. Austin is going to public school this year, I was going to homeschool him but everyone persuaded me that might be too much to handle. He is riding the bus for the first time in his life and is very excited about it! Hopefully Tony will be here most mornings I am not (if not, his mom will be) and I will be here 3 days a week when Austin gets home (other 2 Tony's mom). I know Austin will makes friends quickly, but I hope us slowing down on math at the end of last year won't hurt him too much.

Is Tony ready for me to go back? Not sure about that one. The moms who had gone back were talking about family members taking over some of the housework, etc and I felt like he was not prepared to hear that! The cooking won't change much, he makes all the good food anyway :) but I will need some assistance with the cleaning.

We will see how the studying goes. So far I have nap times 5 days a week, so that's 10 hours. The rest will be after the boys are asleep. Gotta remember to have some fun too (that's what weekends are for right?)

this and that

Tony said I need to blog, so here you go sweetie! I successfully did not watch "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on Monday, I have decided not to watch anymore for a few reasons. #1 - they are exploiting their kids, and especially now when the kids' lives are turned upside down b/c of what is happening with their parents; #2 - it is getting boring, plus I don't like how much they focus on Kate and her being a single mother doing it all - excuse me but you have PLENTY of paid help you are not doing it yourself; and #3 - if I liked watching 1/2 hour commercials, I would watch them. It is not fun to watch anymore. I hope the show is canceled soon and the kids get somewhat of a normal childhood (whatever is left of it). Okay, off my soapbox now.

My little sister got married a week and a half ago. It was beautiful and the weather was not as hot as a normal July, so that was nice. She looked so gorgeous in her dress! My friends Sarah and Adam got married last weekend. That was also beautiful, they got married in the History Center downtown. Drew loved the choo-choo on the first floor of the museum so much that we were some of the last people to go back upstairs for the reception! We didn't get to stay as long as I would've liked; Drew hurt his finger in a chair; but I still got to chat a little bit with some high school friends.

Our 9 year anniversary was yesterday. We went out last week when the boys were at my parents' house for the week, so yesterday we just went to my parents' house and went swimming in their pool and had steak for dinner. Yummy! We are trying to figure out what to do next year for our tenth. We have almost an entire year to decide, any suggestions?

Only 19 more days until I start college again. I need to buy my books and there is an orientation I have to go to on the 20th. I still need to walk around campus and find where my classes are so I don't look like the big dork that I am on the first day of classes. It will definitely take some adjusting to figure out when I will be able to study w/out being up all night every night. But it can and will be done!

19 and pregnant

I am sitting here watching "16 and pregnant" on MTV (I know I know) and the girl who is on this show is considering adoption for her baby. I don't know if she will go through with it or not b/c there is a half hour left. While watching her meet the adoptive parents and go through the doubts, I am once again so glad that we chose to keep Austin instead of giving him up for adoption. When I got pregnant at 19, we did consider it early in my pregnancy since we were so young and had no idea how to provide for him. If we had, I would've missed out on so many amazing things. Watching Austin grow and become a little boy, now a big boy. His weeks when he was 4 of wearing only his spider-man outfit, silly dancing all over the living room, and what an awesome big brother he has been for Andrew (among other many things). I am so thankful we have had all these years with him and will have many more, instead of wondering what he looks like and what kind of person he is becoming. We definitely made the right decision for our family.

Today is 07/08/09

I know I am a dork but I love today's date! Drew was born on 09/08/07 and I love that also!

I can't believe we are this far into the summer. It feels like it is flying past. Austin has been playing Wildcat baseball and he LOVES it. I personally am not a fan of baseball, but I may have to become one. So that gives us at least one thing to do 4 days a week, as long as the weather cooperates. Drew really enjoys going to the games and walking around, collecting flowers and rocks and staring at the pretty little girls that give him flowers. I think he falls in love every game!

My little sis gets married on the 25th of this month. We have her bridal shower and bach party this weekend. It should be a fun time! I am also looking forward to seeing family that is coming from out of town for the wedding. Not so much looking forward to wearing my dress the entire day since I can't really breathe in it (how will I eat??) - - but that is my own fault. :(

If anyone has not watched the show "Wipeout" you really really should! I laugh so hard during that show and actually give it my undivided attention (ask Tony, that doesn't often happen). Those people are so brave to be complete idiots on TV and entertain me!

Well that's about it for now. Happy Birthday to all the little ones who are turning one soon or just turned one. Also to the baby girl who is due anyday now!

Oh how I love Greenwood

I drove down to Greenwood twice this past week, once to drop Austin off and the second to pick him up (with Tony and Drew). Oh how I love it there! I feel so at home when I am driving and see places. Our old church is now HUGE since they have finished the renovations, Austin got to go inside and check it out with his friend. I went to a SuperTarget the day I dropped Austin off and oh how I love that place! I wish Fort Wayne had supers, but no just regular Target. Not exactly the same. The pool in our old neighborhood is not being used this year, they were having issues the summer after we moved out and I guess they did not resolve them? It is very empty, no water at all. We went to Long John Silvers to eat dinner (healthy I know) since I think Fort Wayne might have one but not easily accessible to us. But it was good - I love their chicken and the very unhealthy crunchies!
The Greenwood Freedom Festival is this weekend and I wish we were going but just don't have the money to do gas and food and hotel right now. I think we will go to the Family Fun Fair at our old church in August - we should have both cars paid off then and more money to work with each month. Oh how I love Greenwood, and I will not be surprised if we end up moving back. Maybe sooner, maybe later who knows but I bet it will happen.

Off to bed to listen to the thunder outside and hopefully sleep.

Wildcat

Austin had his very first Wildcat game today. It was actually his very first day of playing organized baseball. I am not a fan of the sport, so I have tried to steer him away from it. But hey, Wildcat is only $8 for an entire summer of fun!

Austin did great! He hit 4 out of 4 and got runs each time. He almost forgot to touch home the first run, but went back and did it. He got in the groove of saying "hey batter batter" pretty quickly, and did his best to field balls (needs a bit more practice on that!).

The absolute best part was afterwards, when Austin came up to me and said "That was really fun!!" without me even having to ask. If you know him, you know that is a rarity. I am so glad that Austin likes to play and it gives him something to do 4 days a week until the end of July. Yipee!!

insomnia - what's new?

Here I am again up at 3am. I could really use some tylenol pm or something like that but I didn't go grocery shopping tonight b/c it was pouring outside. The movie "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" is on though which I love so at least I have something to amuse me!

Austin had his first day of FITS (Fun In The Son - aka vacation bible school) today. He got to do a rock climbing wall and tomorrow is skateboarding, with an "expert" coming to show them tricks. He is very excited about that. Although I have to drive 20 minutes across town, it is free which is so nice! The ones I've found down by us all cost, one is even $65. Yeah right I don't think so!! Austin is also taking an art class @ IPFW for the 3rd yeard in a row. He's doing 3-D art- same class as last year. So 2 weeks out of the summer are covered. Now all I have to do is keep him from being so bored for the rest of the time!

Well I think I will try to get to sleep again. Gotta get up @ 7:30 to get the boys ready to go! Woohoo

finally figured it out

I know what's going on! I have been thinking about how much I wish we still lived in Greenwood and I finally figured out that I am homesick! I never had this when I went to college or even when Tony and I moved down there so I was so confused. But homesickness is defnitely what I am expreiencing.

Now the question is, do I get over it and we continue to live up here or do we figure out a way to move back?? Tony and Austin are expreiencing the same thing I think. I know Austin really wants to move back - yes he has friends @ cub scouts and soccer, but he knew all the same kids since he was a little guy in G'wood, from church and school. It has been a huge change for him, living up here. I feel bad for him but life is about changes right? Poor guy.

We are watching "7 Pounds" right now and will smith's character has a jellyfish. It just ate a fish. I have never seen a jellyfish eat before. Interesting movie so far. . .

My Second 500

Again, heartache. My absolute favorite driver, Tony Kanaan, wrecked when part of his car broke and smashed into the wall yesterday. He didn't even lead a lap this year. Boo. But I know next year is HIS YEAR TO WIN!! TK in 2010!



Our day started at 3:30am when we woke up to get the coolers all packed and put in the car. (More like Tony and Stephen did that, I just WOKE UP) We left around 4:20am to head down to the track. After arriving around 6:30 or so, we got out the grill and the guys cooked us some breakfast and we hung out until about 11 or so.



Onto the track - our seats are so awesome! We were right behind AJ Foyt IV's pit; right behind as in 5 rows back. We could see all the drivers going to the driver's meeting and they could hear us cheering for them (Tony knew each and every driver - including the rookies) and I think Tony got a personal thumbs up from Helio after he yelled his name! So great to sit around people and just have fun and not be a mom for a little bit!



I think a highlight for me was not being the "virgin" there. My sister thought we had to walk over the track to get to our seats since they are on the inside! LMAO! Also seeing the fire on Vitor's car was interesting, since we were so close (one pit over). But it was a great time and I am looking forward to next year already.

GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK! GO TK!

Getting ready for the Race

This is my second year going to the race and Tony's third. He hasn't yet convinced me that it's a good idea to camp out the night before but this year we are cooking breakfast on his brother's camp stove. Also cooking something after the race I think. Might as well eat while we are waiting the 2 hours to get out of the parking lot!

It was SOOOO much easier getting ready for the race when we lived in Indy. Besides that we knew what was going on at the track each day (FW sports doesn't think it's important), we didn't have to get up race day @ 4 am. Yes 4AM!!! I will definitely be sleeping in the car, as will my sister I'm sure! Maybe in a few years we will move back and truly appreciate how awesome it is to live closer to the track.

I am looking forward to my second race (and watching Tony Kanaan win this year!). It's a fun time and so interesting to watch all the people who are there. Last year a family from Italy was sitting in front of us. And of course, all the silly drunk people.

So look for us sitting behind Pit Row on Race Day. We'll be the ones eating yummy homemade turkey sandwiches during the race!

Relaxing Nights

I love nights like this. We had dinner (without the TV! - big thing for Tony), I gave Drew his bath and now Tony and Austin are playing golf on the Wii and Drew is walking back and forth down our long hallway throwing balls as he goes. It is very cute to watch, especially since I put him in some of Austin's old pjs. I get very nostalgic when he is in his big brother's clothes.

It is so wonderful that Drew can entertain himself sometimes. I love it when I have to clean or cook, but I also love just watching him play. Most of the time he talks or whispers to himself as he is playing. I also find him in his room on his rocker reading books a lot. Now that I totally love!!

Austin has been reading through his Bible lately when we are in the car. He has one that is kind of comic book-y, so it is easier for him to get into some of the (Old Test.) stories. When I told him he could skip to the Jesus parts, he said his goal is to read straight through the entire Bible. I say go for it!

Off to play with Drew some before he goes to bed at 9.

Tony don't read!! (you may freak)

I'm trying very hard not to, but I am starting to get a little baby crazy! Someone needs to have a baby soon so I can hold yours! IF I were to get pregnant soon, I would hopefully not until Aug/Sept so I can do an entire year of school before baby is born. Of course, my body seems to have its own idea on "all that" stuff, so it could be next month or it could be years. Who really knows (frustrating!!)?

So tell me, who is pregnant? The youngest baby I know right now is 7 months, and that isn't young enough. My sista, if you could follow through on your honeymoon plan, that would be great! I need to get this baby fever gone and soon. Who will it be???

I am registered. But am I ready?

I met with my advisor today at IPFW and then registered for my classes. She is very nice and good at explaining things. I didn't really have any questions except what if I have another kid can I sit out a semester? (the answer is yes) I do kind of wonder if she could tell I am inwardly freaking out about going back after such a long time away??

I have full days Tues and Thurs and the M,W,F have an 8am class (which I may regret!) then W also a lab from 10-12. I'm taking Anatomy and Phisiology(sp?), Chemistry, Nutrition, a writing class (good thing my mom teaches writing so she can help me), and speech. Darn Butler only 2 credit hours for speech so I have to take it over!!!

I am glad I have Mon and Fri and most of Wed left for the kids. Tony is going to help some w/homeschooling, but it will be a challenge to make sure Austin is still learning what he needs to. I am thinking of switching up some of the curriculum; I found one kind that does a lot on the computer and Austin really likes computer work. I may use it for a few subjects so Tony can supervise and work at the same time. It is going to be a fun semester of experimenting. I have in the past functioned better with more on my plate, we will see what happens!

Not sleeping!

I am awake at almost 3:30am and watching this show about the world after people are gone. It is pretty interesting to hear what scientists think will happen - too bad no one will be here to see it. I would love to be able to get to sleep quickly every night. (oh my there is a tiger on the white hosue lawn!) Tony's head hits the pillow, and before I can fix the covers, he is asleep. How wonderful that must be!! I would be happy with 5 or 10 minutes, but usually on a good night I wait around at least an hour. Tonight I am attempting to reset my body clock. We will see what happens . . .

I am so excited about the upcoming warm weather! Tomorrow (this) morning we are going to play at a park nearby, and Friday morn we are going to the zoo. Saturday Austin has his first soccer game. It will be a different experience for him since usually it is FREEZING for his first game in the spring. I am glad we won't have to be bundled up in blankets for his game.

Next weekend we go to Indy for the 5k (mini marathon also but not up to that yet!) I am excited to be back down there, even for a short period of time. Tony, Drew and I are going down Friday and spending the night and then after the race we are hopefully going to visit my grandparents in southern Indiana. I am looking forward to seeing them - I was a lot better at going to their house when we only lived an hour away. That is one of the many things I miss about living in Greenwood. I know my grandma especially will be tickled to see how big Drew has grown. I would like to take Austin also but he can't miss his game since we will be in Michigan the weekend after for a wedding. (note to self: buy gift, find dress)

I have reread this post and have pretty much babbled, but hey it is really late - or early? - and I am obviously not all with it!

Oh What A Beautiful Day!

Today is gorgeous!!! It is sunny and warm and my kids are in shorts! I wish the zoo opened today instead of tomorrow - we definitely would have gone!

We went to a cool park down here in Aboite by the YMCA today. Drew of course wanted to do all the big kid stuff that he is not able to do yet, but I put him in a swing and he went down a little slide and through a tunnel a bunch of times. He also was playing in this mulch/rock play area and bumped his head : ( All is well though.

Austin was bored at first - the swings were all taken when we arrived and it was mostly little kids since it's a school day. He did eventually find a friend and they played on the tire swing and regular swings for a long time. The swings have always had a big pull for him. He also did the monkey bars for the first time since last fall. He needs his callused hands back!

The zoo opens tomorrow and as long as the weather cooperates WE ARE GOING TUESDAY!!! I am so excited because we have a season pass (thanks mom and dad) so we can go at least every week and since we homeschool we don't have to go on the weekends. Africa opens in June, which should be amazing - expecially since it has been closed for 2 (?) years.

I am so glad we have days like this where we can go play outside and have a great time. I am looking forward to many more days as it gets warmer and warmer.

Happy Easter!

Praise God for sending His only Son to die for my (and your) sins! Thank you Jesus!

Easter was good this year. This past week we (Austin and I) progressively read out of the gospels as the week went on.

Saturday night we made tomb cookies. I found them on this website: http://www.sugardoodle.net/Easter%20Ideas/Easter%20Story%20Cookies.shtml
This was pretty fun, as each step/ingredient has a significance about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Austin helped me make them and then we put them in the oven overnight and sealed the tomb - put pieces of tape on the door. He was confused about why we couldn't eat them Saturday night, but it was pretty cool this morning when he bit into it and it was hollow. A fun way to talk about Easter!

This morning we had our egg hunt. Austin probably asked me 10+ times before I was ready to wake Drew up if he could just "leave a few for him" and start on his own! I feel that if I don't have to wake Drew up early, I shouldn't. So around 9 I got Drew and he was not so much interested in the hunt, but he did like the candy in his basket. As expected, Austin got the majority of the eggs. Today I learned that Austin now eats cadbury eggs all in one bite!

After that, we went to my parents' house for brunch which turned into 4 hours of being there. The food was yummy and Drew got a small nap, but I was tired by the time we left to go to Tony's brother's house! Then we had lunner (as Austin calls it) and hung out for another 4 hours. Needless to say I am pooped! But it seems that if I stay up past 10pm I can't sleep until around 1am so here I am.

If this doesn't make much sense, just laugh and move on! It is about 12:30am here and I'm running on empty. I hope you had a great Easter!

We've moved!

We are officially in our new place! I have almost everything unpacked, except for the DVDs and Cds and some books I don't have a bookshelf for. Why I ever gave away a bookshelf, I'll never know. It has been so nice unpacking our things - some I forgot we had!

Austin unpacked most of his books and toys, and I could hear him say "I remember you!" or "I am so glad you're back!" It was so cute to listen to his excitement. : ) I am loving the boys both with their own rooms. Besides making bedtime easier, Austin doesn't have to make sure to put all his toys away (especially important if the bionicles are having a battle!). I told him he will have to mega clean once in awhile, but for now all I need is a toy free path to his bed. Those bionicle and lego pieces sure hurt the feet!

If anyone knows of a bookshelf for cheap let me know (I'm talking garage sale/goodwill cheap). I would love to empty every box soon!

80% and 6 days

Drew (who is sunning his feet at the window right now) is choosing to walk about 80% of the time.  YAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!  I was doing my best to not freak out about the no walking thing, but since he has started doing it more I have realized how relieved I am.  Now when we go to the doctor next month I can say "why yes he is walking".  

Austin and I are watching the NCAA Tournament right now.  Butler is playing LSU and we are rooting against each other.  I can't believe my own son would root against me!  He has loved LSU ever since his football team was LSU when he was in first grade.  Right now, Butler is losing by 2.  We will see what happens.  Austin did his first bracket this year and he is pretty excited about his choices.  Memphis all the way!

Only 6 days until we get the keys to our "house-apartment".  That is what Tony calls it because I really wanted to rent a house instead of an apartment (I feel closed in).  This place is one story, so no one up or down and we have our own front porch.  It is actually bigger than our house - 4 bedrooms, and has a huge front bathroom.  It's kind of in the boondocks though.  I don't suspect people will be visiting often!  It's off exit 105, so closer to Indy (we will get back!) and in a good spot for Tony's clients in Huntington.  I have no idea how to get anywhere down there so I am glad Tony got a GPS for his birthday!!

I am very excited to get all our stuff out of storage - I haven't seen some of it for over a year!  It will be like Christmas morning while I unpack boxes.  I can't wait to see what we already own!!

Now Butler is losing by 4 . . .

Randomness

This station is now broadcasting in digital only. I am seeing that on NBC right now so thought I would write it also!

Onward and upward . . . we got to play outside today! Yaaaayy! Around the middle to end of January I always want winter to be over so we can play and go to parks etc, etc. Hopefully the rain will be spotty the next few days like the meteorologists are predicting. I may have convinced my dad that they really do need to get a shorter basketball hoop to hook onto the huge one for the little kids (we've been trying since Austin was 2!!).

I've started teaching Austin CURSIVE. How did he get so old? He has wanted to for awhile and finally I gave in. He really likes it and is pretty good (of course only loop letters so far).

Drew is starting to walk more like he wants to. Maybe me telling him he can play outside more if he walks has helped? Doubtful, but I am glad he is walking more no matter what the reason.

I have watched "Dan in Real Life" about 5 times in the past week. First of all, I really like Steve Carell and secondly, it is a definitely a good movie. Besides the fact that I wish I had told my dad he was a murderer of love (as the middle daughter does) when I was a teenager (it is definitely how I felt at times), I love the line at the end where his character says "Instead of telling our young people to plan ahead, we should tell them to plan to be surprised." I have needed that many times in my life so far and know I will probably need it again.

I am blessed

I am blessed because . . .

~when I got up today Tony had already called on three rentals.

~Austin and Drew are good restaurant kids.

~I got to have a whole afternoon hanging with my little sister (while Tony watched all three boys!)

~I am able to homeschool Austin and learn new stuff as I teach him.

~my parents have let us live with them since August and aren't kicking us out yet.

~mostly because I am loved by God no matter what!!!

Our winner

Austin had his first Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby this past Sunday.  His dad and Uncle Steve helped him make a car and had a lot of fun doing it!  Austin wanted to make it look like Scott Dixon's car but ended up just painting it black, because that would be "cool".  His car ended up looking very cool and got third place in the Wolf division of his pack.  Pretty good for their first try!

There was also a cake auction to raise money for the pack and the animal shelter, and we let Austin bid on a few cakes.  He was so excited about it!  He got close a few times but it wasn't until towards the end that he won the bidding for a cake.  

I'll post pictures after Tony shows me how to hook my new camera disk or whatever up to our computer!   

Going batty back to school

Well one of the perks of living with my parents is the wildlife we get to see! The other night a bat flew into their house and decided it would be fun to fly around for awhile. Of course I screamed and scared the poop out of Drew. Tony came to the rescue and got the bat downstairs and out of the house. I just don't like them at all ever since I was in high school and heard my cat chasing something up and down the hall. Lo and behold it was a bat that we had to trap in a little plastic trash can (this was after I crawled into my parents' room so it wouldn't get me!). The bats are fun to watch in the evening OUTSIDE but I would rather they not come in and say hi!

We are back to homeschooling. After many months of praying, we decided that this is the best option for Austin's education. His school wasn't bad, but it wasn't geared toward kids who excel. We are doing a unit study on pirates right now. Aargh! Although Austin has told me he doesn't want to BE a pirate he just wants to LEARN about pirates. It is pretty fun so far and we are starting a book soon that looks really good, about a ten year old boy who becomes a pirate and keeps a diary. It should be a lot of fun!

My nephew is turning two next week. Two years old wow! Austin teaches him stuff as part of his school, this week they are working on the color blue. We also played "Simon Says" today and Jack really got into it. He loved to copy whatever Austin did - even tried push ups! It is very cute. Drew just loves watching us play and laughs and laughs when we do something funny. I'm sure by the summer he will be ready to run around with us outside (can't wait for the warm weather!)

Bye Coach Dungy

Coach Dungy (of the Colts for anyone who doesn't know) announced his retirement today.  I can't say that I am surprised, the last few years have been a wait and see after the season ends.  But I will miss him being the Colts' coach.  He is a man of such faith and integrity.  I am proud that he coached the Colts and won the SuperBowl the right way.  Tony has read his book and I have read part of it and his story is amazing.  You really should read it if you haven't!  I just have such respect for that man and I haven't even officially met him (although I have been in the same building - just across a football field).  

He will be missed in Indy (and Fort Wayne).

   

Snow Day!

Today was a snow day for Austin.  I guess it was really slick in the roads, I didn't go out at all so who knows?   Tony went in to get Austin up this morning and he was lying there listening to his radio for delays and he said "2 hour delay!!!"  Woohoo!  So he came in bed with us for a little bit and when I couldn't take his 'I'm not going back to sleep but I will lie here and TRY to be still' any longer I said just go watch tv. Then later he burst into our room and said "Imagine schools cancelled!"  He was so excited, but maybe not as excited as my mom (teacher)!  

Since Austin didn't have school he got to watch the tree guys partially take down this tree that is growing right next to my parents house. It has bent the gutter it is that close.  He loved watching the pieces crash to the ground and see the big parts of the trunk be lowered with the rope.  He got to go outside and see a man waaaaay up high at the top of the tree before he cut off the top part. He said it was really cool but he would never do it.  Austin seems to have inherited his dad's fear of heights.  I guess he won't be my skydiving buddy!  

The only bummer about no school is when it's yucky and there isn't enough snow to have fun in.  Austin doesn't use up enough energy so he is a little crazy in the evening.  But bedtime is here and all will be well.  I wonder if he will have a delay tomorrow . . .