Heidi

I had to include a few shots of Heidi - our first born (dog that is). The bottom picture is her pre-summer hair cut. The other 2 were taken at the beach, weekend before last and are her post-summer hair cut. She gets so matted in the summer playing outside we like to keep her cut really short. Sam's fur doesn't seem to grow as fast as her's but I'm sure we'll have to do the same for him when the time comes. As you can see by the pictures, Sam is a little fella and she is a big girl, shhh, don't tell her that though, I don't think she realizes it, ha, ha. They both had vet visits today. Sam had a follow up bordetella shot and she had her heartworm test, which was negative and she had lost a couple pounds (which she really needed), I think it's the chasing and playing with Sam that's helped. The vet said both of them are doing great!

Sam

Here are a few pics of Sam - our newest family member!

It's already May 15!

Where has the month gone? It’s been a busy one for us.

Ken had his surgery last Thursday and is still in some pain but it’s getting better everyday. His procedure took all of 20 minutes and he stayed in recovery for about 10! I couldn’t believe they let patients leave in that state. They put him in the car and off we went. Then I thought “oh shit” how am I going to get him in the house.?. I kept telling him to wake up, to move, to walk. We did make it in without any accidents but it was scary there for a moment. We got home around 8:30 that morning and it wasn’t till close to 11 that he started coming to and remembering things. In and out under an hour and get paid $1,700.00, I should have went into the oral surgery field!

Since he was off the weekend following the surgery and we had no kids we thought we’d go to the beach. He was on pain meds but I could drive so we went down on Friday, spent the day on the beach Saturday and came back Sunday stopping to visit our moms on our way back. M got home from her dad’s at 4. Her and Ken grilled shrimp for me and made me a strawberry cake for Mother’s Day. All of it was yummy!

I never noticed till this year what people think of when it comes to Mother’s Day, gifts. I’ve had people ask me what I got for Mother’s Day. I told them about the dinner, cake and cards and they say “no” what did you really get, meaning a gift. I say nothing and they are shocked. Which this year is the first year I haven’t received a gift since I had M. Even last year her daddy took her shopping to get me something but I guess he figured since I’m remarried that’s not something he needs to do anymore and I guess Ken thinks since I’m not the mother of his children it’s something he doesn’t need to do. Not that I’m complaining. I was happy with what I got and didn’t think twice about it till people asked. So now I’m left wondering is that what Mother’s Day is about? A gift? I sent my mom and mother-n-law a card and took them each a hanging basket for Mother’s Day so I too participated in the gift giving of Mother’s Day and I’ll continue to do that even if I don’t get anything. It’s the thought that counts and M made me a couple cards at school and Ken gave me a card, he even bought a step-mom card for me from his kids so I was thought of and that makes me happy.

I’m having lunch with M today. I like going to her school and doing things. Both my parents worked full time and never seemed to have the time to volunteer at school so I try to do what I can cause I know she’ll remember it. They even had a little volunteer recognition program in her class week before last. The kids read about why they are thankful for volunteers and why volunteers are special. We received note cards and a certificate. They also held a reception in the school cafeteria. It was really nice and sweet.

Tonight Ken starts a motorcycle riders course that last all weekend. E has Saturday school due to way too many tardies on his mother’s part but I won’t go there. So it’s just me and the girls! We’ve got hair appointments in the morning, out to lunch then shopping. I’ve got to them swimsuits and shop for M’s birthday supplies. She’s having a few girls over for a sleepover and then I’m taking them for pedicures the next day. The cake will be adorable and I promise to try and post some pics of it and other things, soon. Maybe this weekend!

Just Another Tuesday

So it’s Tuesday and I haven’t written in awhile…I swear whenever I come across that money tree I’m taking enough to get my laptop fixed or buy a new one! I was sitting in bed last night thinking how nice it would be to be on my laptop playing while watching TV (Ken was at work and M was asleep, I had nothing better to do).

We had a busy weekend. All the kids were with us. Friday night we went to an event called First Friday in Southern Pines, I believe this is their second year of having these. Local bands and vendors get together for a lawn party the first Friday of each month. Saturday started with a great walk then Ken and I hit the girl’s room to clean out! It took awhile and I still have clothes I need to go through but the majority is done and they can play in there without getting lost! Saturday evening E stayed at home while Ken, the girls and I went to one of Ken’s fellow officer’s 30th b-day cookout. The food was awesome then I got a little tipsy to say the least. I think (yes think because I’m not sure) we got home around 11:30. I didn’t feel as bad Sunday morning as I thought I would, my legs hurt from walking the dang hills in my neighbor 2 days in a row. Sunday we went to my parents. We had a cookout for my brother’s girlfriend. She graduated college, nursing school, on Saturday. Congrats Lindsay!! I had my friend, Jaclyn (she did my wedding cake) make the cake. It was a pink scrub top, totally awesome!! Jackie makes the best cakes! M has a b-day coming up so we’ve got to decide what Jackie can make for it.

This week Ken is having major oral surgery. I’m taking off Thursday to take him since he’ll be out during the procedure then can’t be left alone for the rest of the day. We were going to the beach this weekend but I’m not too sure now, I guess it depends on how he feels and if we think Sam is up for his first beach trip. He did great riding down to mom’s and while we were there. Wait and see, hurry up and wait – that’s the story of my life, oh and a day late and a dollar short. Those fit me best!

We had to order E’s class ring this week. Wow, already. I found mine but I surely don’t remember ordering it in 10th grade. Maybe things have changed, it has been a few years since I was in high school. They aren’t cheap either. So we told him he could pick, it was either his birthday present which is in July or his Christmas present because at $400 it was going to be one of them!

M has been doing well on her “star” award program. With her teacher we initiated this star award program. Her grades were dropping and it seemed she just didn’t care. So now if she makes a “B” she gets a star, an “A” 2 stars. She can also lose stars for making a bad grade. We can add and remove for other things as well, like keeping her room clean, etc. She got to her first level in 4 days (5 stars) then her second level (7 stars) in 3 days! She was so excited. She’s working her way up to 20 stars for an award. She picks what she wants her reward to be prior to making it, like the first two she wanted Henry’s Gelato. She’s thinking a video game for the next but I’m not sure. The award can’t be over $15 so not to break the bank.

R has been getting sick more and more at school. Nausea, headaches, etc. She’s a great student and loves going to school so we don’t think it’s a school issue. We’re thinking maybe a lactose intolerance. She usually eats cereal at our house before she goes to school but not at her mom’s and it seems she’s having issues on the days Ken takes her to school. We’ll experiment and see what happens.

Well that about wraps up what’s going on with the 5 of us!