Tossed Salad

So it's been a while. I just haven't really had the chance to sit down and type out a post, so now I will feed you with my mixture of irrelevant and unconnected happenings:

1. School was out on the 22nd, a week earlier than that for Little J. I'm glad all the end-of-year hub bub is over. I'm glad to report my "scrapbook" for the teacher was not embarassing, although it was pretty simple and straightforward. I had several compliments on it. The end-of-year party for the 1st grade had to be moved inside because it was pouring rain, but we adjusted and had a fun (translated: wild and very loud) party in the gym instead. We had scooters and hula hoops and balloons galore. The game I was running was the "cake" walk which I thought would be a really simple game. They walk when the music plays and then stop on the number by them when it stops. I draw a winner, they pick a prize (which were not cakes). I swear it took 45 minutes before everyone really started to get the hang of it and I didn't have to explain how it worked every new round. Big J will officially be in 2nd grade now and Little J will be heading to kindergarten.

2. My parents came up for a few days and it was fun to have them here. They got to be at Little J's preschool graduation/field day, see Big J do Tae Kwon Do, and go on lots of Slurpee runs. They also kept the boys for us overnight while JC and I escaped to a dinner alone, a couples massage, and a bed and breakfast. It was very relaxing and fun to hang out with just us. I know I said I'd put up pictures, but they are still on the camera. Sorry!

3. JC and Little J have now taken up Tae Kwon Do, as well. It makes for very big chunks of time since they are in the beginner class and Big J is in the higher class, but I think it is working out well. And since JC goes now, I actually have two 2-hour blocks where Little Man and I get to hang out just by ourselves. I'm glad JC is getting some exercise and I think Little J can use the discipline! Little J will also begin his very first T-ball experience next week.

4. I finally figured out where to put my fledgling garden, and am happy to report that all my cute little plants are in the ground now and so we'll see what kind of crops I get this year. The boys have been helping me ever since I first planted the seeds, and when we put the plants in the ground, Big J goes, "Now we won't have to spend any money on food!!!" If that is the case, then I will be one skinny lady come the end of this summer. I have done yard work all week. I have been trying to get all the beds cleaned out, trees and bushes pruned, etc. Yesterday, I took the entire day (10:00 - 6:00) to just work in the yard. It's starting to look pretty good now, but there is always more that can be done.

5. Little Man has suffered with terrible eczema since he was about 1 month old. Mainly in the creases of his arms and behind his knees, but also on his arms and hands and sometimes behind his ears. Sometimes it would get infected because it would get so raw. I have often told the doctor that I believed it was allergy-related because he would have flare-ups that coincided with going outside and other triggers. He also often had a clear runny nose. Poor kid could never get a break! I had tried all kinds of creams, lotions, vitamins, bath concoctions, etc. to help him. Udder Cream finally seemed to help get it under control somewhat, but he would still be itching away on a daily basis. Then last weekend my friend, who is also a doctor, suggested giving him some Zyrtec. She said it had just come out over the counter and that it was safe to give to kids as young as 6 months. She told me it worked for indoor and outdoor allergies. So I tried some 2 days ago and it has helped so much! His skin still needs to heal in those areas, but it already looks improved. He has not itched, and even after being outside all day yesterday he did not flare up any. I'm so happy to have found something that will help him!

6. Next week is the Hospital Hill race. I wimped out. I signed up for the 10k (6.2 miles) instead of the 1/2 marathon. I just couldn't convince myself running 13 miles of hills would be fun. So I will be doing the 10k instead, which is still hilly, but not as extreme. I am also going to do a 5k run on the 4th of July with my sister down in Texas and then another 5k up here in August. I did already sign up for the 1/2 marathon in October, so I can't wimp out of that one.

I think you are sufficiently caught up now with most of the things going on around here. Now I need to go get ready for our Primary teacher appreciation BBQ we're having over here today...

I just want to say...

That I have only watched American Idol 3 of the 7 seasons, but with each of those seasons I have totally called who the winner was going to be:

1. Kelly Clarkson


2. Jordin Sparks


3. And DAVID COOK, baby! Yes!!!!!! (Although my DVR cut off recording right as they were about to announce the winner. I was so ticked I just went to bed. But then my hubby came up and said he'd found it on You Tube (of course).

Coming soon...pics and details of my 10 year anniversary get-a-way that happened last weekend and I just haven't had a chance to write about.

Kickin' Butt and Taking Names

Warning: This is a bragging post. Not about me, but about Big J, so if you don't want to read about how wonderful I think he is, just skip along... :-)

Big J has been busy, and I've neglected to write anything about his accomplishments. On Saturday, he tested for his second belt in Tae Kwon Do and from all accounts (I wasn't there), did very well. He is now a yellow belt and will move out of the beginner class.

He has also had several end-of-year assessments at school and did very well. They did a district math and language assessment, which he got 44/45 and 50/51 on, ranking him at the advanced level for both. They haven't told us what level he is assessed at for reading yet, but all indications point it will be a 4th or 5th grade reading level (he's in 1st). He's come a long way from when I wanted to pull my hair out trying to teach him to read.

He also was part of a pilot program the district is doing where they take students recommended by the teacher to do pre-cursor testing for the gifted program. His tests indicated he definitely qualifies for that program in 2 areas and most likely qualifies for it in another. He will most likely be officially evaluated for that program next year.

He's just growing up so fast. He's turned into a bike-riding maniac. He's wanting to play all these different sports like flag football. He's going to start Cub Scouts this year, and probably piano lessons. It's just crazy how quickly things change. I'm proud of him. Even with all his achievements, I am most proud of him because he is a good kid with a good heart.

Happy Mother's Day to All the Rock Star Moms Out There Who Are Doing Their Best and Raising Awesome Kids

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

''Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom'."

Happy Mother's Day!

10 Years!!!

I wish I had a long time to write a big, sappy post, but I don't, so this will have to suffice for now. (Plus, I'm not really the sappy type anyway).

Today is mine and JC's 10 Year Wedding Anniversary!

We are having an overnight escape next weekend when my parents come up. We are even getting a couples massage that night. Next weekend was suppose to be our celebration and we had agreed that we weren't doing anything else except maybe a card and dinner or something. So what does he do?

He buys me diamonds....

This morning before I ran out the door, he handed me a box with beautiful diamond stud earrings inside. I was totally surprised. His explanation was, "It's easier than writing you a card..."

I can't complain :-)

I love my husband.

Waiting to Exhale

I never really got that title, but it seemed to fit here anyway. One of my pet peeves is when people talk about how busy they are, like no one else is busy, so that is not what I'm trying to do. But this week, next week, and the following week are trying to kick my butt into some kind of crazy hyperfest of activity. And I am someone who very consciously decides what I will or will not be involved in (or my kids) because I really think there is too much random busy-ness in a lot of people's lives and I don't want that to be the case in mine. But there are times when things just pile up all at once. It seems like May has gone psycho on me and this is a way to release some of the tension I feel building up.

Besides all the regular stuff of taking care of kids (sick kids the last few days, I might add) and trying to stay on top of inside and outside household duties (getting our yard in post-winter shape is a killer), getting kids where they need to be, etc. , these are a few of the things going on:

1. Primary - I've been basically without a functioning presidency organization for about 5 months now. I have a new counselor, but she is a single mom and about to start working full-time, so you know how that goes. And my other counselor has had major health issues which has basically put her out-of-commission since February. There have been more Sundays than I can count that I have been a one man show. Thankfully, our Primary is relatively small compared to a lot I've seen. We only have about 60 kids show up any given Sunday. We have a quarterly activity this Saturday that I've been trying to get ready for.

2. Teacher Appreciation Week - Is this week. Today I was at Little J's preschool for 4 hours. Tomorrow I have things from 11:00 - 1:00 and then 2:00 - 4:30. Friday I have another thing from 8:00 - 11:30. I've made about 100 little goody bags for these appointments.

3. Classroom Coordinator - I am the classroom coordinator for Big J's class. This is actually a pretty easy job most of the time and a very small amount of stress. But I have been working with the other classroom coordinators to try to plan an end-of-year party for the entire 1st grade, something that is turning into a way bigger deal than originally thought. Also, for teacher gifts we are having the classes write what they liked best about being in their class this year. I was thinking you could put the letters in some page protectors in a binder or something and be good to go. But then I find out the other coordinators are turning it into this big scrapbook thing. I don't scrapbook. No offense to those of you who do, but I don't, and have no desire to do so. So now I need to get this scrapbook thing made so that our teacher isn't getting the ghetto book while all the other ones are getting these nice keepsakes.

4. Activities - What is it with May and all the hoopla that goes on with it? You'd think it was December or something. We've got end-of-year stuff coming out of our nose, going-to-kindergarten stuff, etc. Plus, there is all the extra things that need time carved out like Big J is testing for his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do on Saturday (which I will miss because of the Primary activity). I need to get my hair done. I need to go shopping and get me some new clothes. That may be something that is happy for some of you, but I hate to shop and avoid it as much as possible. But all my spring/summer clothes either are super old, ugly, or don't fit anymore so I need to go. I need to find a dress for my brother's upcoming wedding, too. It all just takes big chunks of time, which I don't have. I seriously don't get it when people say they are bored during the day, because when do you have a chance to get bored?

There is more (like my parents are coming into town next weekend so that means I need to clean my messy house), but you get the idea. I think sometimes just writing it all out helps to make you feel more in control. I feel like I just had a 15 minute therapy session! I was so stressed last night that I couldn't sleep and then once I did fall asleep, I was in probably the hardest sleep I have been in since - I don't know when. Definitely not the last 7 years. I had one of those "needing to pee dreams" and almost wet the bed because I couldn't wake myself up. Seriously! Anyway, I'm ready for summer....when we can start sport camps, Vacation Bible School, baseball, swim lessons, traveling for the entire month of July... On second thought, I may need a vacation from my vacation!

Happy Early Mother's Day

Like this picture? Then vote for it!!

My friend Lara is in a Mother's Day photo contest. This is the picture of her daughter Sophia who got into her mama's shoes and liked what she saw in the mirror. Please take 2 seconds to go to the link above, scroll down to the bottom and cast your vote for Overstuffed With Polka Dots! There are some really great pictures on there that capture what being a mom is all about. You can click on the pictures and read the stories behind them, too. But if you aren't going to vote for Lara's pic, then don't vote. I'm just kidding! (Kind of).