Crazy two days!

What a week.........and it's only Tuesday.

Monday
- Got Savannah picked up early from school, and she got part of her braces put on then ran her to Sharon's work to catch car pool for gym
- Had friends over for dinner (she is having surgery in the AM, and wanted to make sure she did not have to cook or clean before she went)
- Savannah had gym until after 8pm, then had to pick her up
- A friends 18 month old spent the night

Tuesday
- Dominick had a mole removed, they are sending it off to check it for cancer (keep your fingers crossed)
- Dear friend Angie is having a total hysterectomy this morning (and 18 months ago with the birth of her daughter (c-section) she almost died from blood loss so that make me soooooo worried
- Savannah has her first band concert (with a very sore mouth)
- Aaron has Physical Therapy, and is not sleeping well from the nerve pain from his back surgery (hope it helps soon)
- Our close friends have been evacuated from their home in Rancho Bernando, so far all is well, no looting, but the neighborhood is a ghost town and the fires are way to close (maybe this will convince them to move back to Oregon, we miss them!)

Things have got to slow down! Too many things to worry about this week!

New job!!

Aaron has a new job, he is a "Financial Reporting Analyst" now. Still for the hospital but NO budgeting involved. WOO HOO!! This is one of the things that we have been hoping for, as he disliked, no make that hated budgeting with a passion!

Hopefully this will lessen some of the stress that he has had a work for the past couple of years, and make our home life happier also! :)

Try this.....per my mother...

Place X on things you've done
[X] Smoked a cigarette
[X] Drank so much you threw up X (Once was enough)
[ ] Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
[ ] Been arrested
[ ] Been on a blind date
[X] Skipped school
[X] Watched someone die
[ ] Been to Canada
[X] Been to Mexico
[X] Been to Florida
[X] Been on a plane
[X] Been lost
[X] Been on the opposite side of the country
[ ] Gone to Washington, DC
[X] Swam in the ocean
[X] Felt like dying
[X] Cried yourself to sleep
[X] Played cops and robbers
[X] Recently colored with crayons
[ ] Sang karaoke
[ ] Paid for a meal with only coins
[ ] Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
[X] Made prank phone calls
[X] Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
[X] Caught a snowflake on your tongue
[ ] Danced in the rain
[X] Written a letter to Santa Claus
[X] Been kissed under the mistletoe
[X] Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
[X] Blown bubbles
[X]Made a bonfire on the beach
[ ] Crashed a party
[X] Gone ice-skating
[ ] Been skinny dipping
[ ] Gone to the movies, paid for one ticket, and then snuck into another theater tosee a different feature afterwards

1. Any nicknames? Mom

2. Mother's name? Marlyn

3. Favorite drink? Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Lite

4. Tattoos? Two

5. Body piercing? Two in each ear

6. How much do you love your job? Most days its great!

7. Birthplace? San Francisco, CA

8. Favorite vacation spot? Beach

9. Ever been to Africa? No

10.Ever eaten cookies for dinner? No

11. Ever been on TV? Yes, in the audience (front row) on the Price is Right, and AM Northwest when I was a Princess

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No

13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door

15. Favorite salad dressing? Lite Italian

16. Favorite pie? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream

17. Favorite number? 11

18. Favorite movie? Grease

19. Favorite holiday? Christmas

20. Favorite dessert? Angle Food Cake

21. Favorite food? Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza w/ Garlic Ranch sauce

22. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

23. Favorite brand of body wash? Bath & Body Works, but I like to change scents frequently

24. Favorite toothpaste? Menadent

25. Favorite smell? Fresh rain, ocean breeze, babies,

26. What do you do to relax? Read

27. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? Don't blink......

28. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Both kids in college, and Aaron & I enjoying our time together :)

Random thoughts,comments, etc....

So it has been a while since I last wrote. Things have been busy around here.



Here is a few random thoughts, comments, & blurbs about the past month or so.



Aaron's surgeon is awesome! Instant relief of about 70% of the pain he had before surgery was gone instantly. It is taking a while to get his strength back after being down flat for a month. He starts Physical Therapy this morning, so he may feel like crud tomorrow.

Mother flew in from Arizona for two weeks to help out, I really appreciate all that she did.

Our kids are awesome! They have been so helpful while Aaron was not feeling well. No complaining about the extra chores, or having to have others take them places becuase I could not be in two places at once.

Our friends and family are the best! I have never had so many offers of help, foood, taking the kids here or there, keeping them overnight

Autism SUCKS!

Fall is a wonderful season! I love all the leaves changing colors, and we can't wait to go to the pumpkin patch this coming weekend.

I love my husband more now than ever! I cherish this past month, taking care of him, worrying about him, just brought us closer together!

Many thanks!

First of all if give many thanks ...

to the many good thoughts and prayers this past 48 hours!

for the many family and friends that have offered help to our family!

to Dr. Goodwin for being a great, quick acting surgeon, and the super wonderful hospital staff we encountered today!

Thank you for the bottom of our hearts!

Aaron is home, and feeling good, no make that almost great! He walked, yes WALKED from the car to the house, from the front door to the bedroom, and about the house a little today. Less than 24 hours after surgery! It is simply amazing how quickly he is feeling better!

My mother hopped in the car at 2am, hopped on a flight at 7am, and was here by noon to stay until the end of the month to help with the kids appts, kids sports schedules, daycare, and Aaron's appts. I dont think I could get through this with out her! Thanks mother, love ya!

Our good friend Angie took Savannah over night, and then to her first gymnastics meet of the season....I have never missed a meet. And it was really hard to miss this one. But of course she came home with not one, not two, not three, not four, but 5 medals! I am so proud of her! Way to go sis!

Another set of good friends, Bobbie & Bob took Dominick over night, and to his soccer game this afternoon. It was a great game, 2-2 tie, and D took a great hit to the head/face the 4th quarter that would make any parents cringe. Way to be strong handsome man!

Once again, thanks for great, helpful friends!! I could not of done this without them.

And we have a surgery date........

TOMORROW ( Sat. 9/15) at 8am.

Not much time to worry, not much time to plan.

Dominick has a soccer game, and Savannah has her first gymnastics meet of the season. I have been scrambling, calling friends, neighbors and such to figure out how they are getting there.

Aaron's parents are gone to the beach for their anniversary, my mother is flying in first thing tomorrow morning until the 30th to help with the kids schedules, dr apppt, and emotional support. All is a big blur!

Any good thoughts you can send our way for a smooth surgery and a fast recovery would be great!

Thanks!

Not such good news......

Got a call around 1pm, from the Neurosurgeon. Dont know all the details, but we have an appt at 3pm. Who on earth gets an appt with a neurosurgeon in 2 hours.........someone who really needs to be seen I guess. :(

Will let you all know what the out come is as soon as we know.

Happy thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

I hate waiting....

So when the dr says it will be read ASAP, that means NOTHING!! As Aaron's MRI was on Tuesday, and as of right now they still don't have the results.

Not for my lack of trying, 3 phone calls, and a favor pulled in. Thanks Maye! But the place here he had it done has not sent the results to our dr's office yet.

Those of you who know me, know that I am not a patient person. I want them, and I want them NOW!!

:)

Mothers.....

How come I can keep it all together until my mother calls......then the tears flow freely. She called to see how Aaron's appt went, and I started to tell her and just choked up.

FYI: Aaron has an MRI on Tuesday at 5:45pm, then it goes directly to the neorologist for reading. They are doing a rush job on the reading, so they say. Hopefully will know something Tues evening or Wed.

Then she calls back to tell me to just say the word and she is on her way here. I could not ask for a better mother! But then the tears start again. My daycare kids think I am crazy, & they ask a hundred questions about Aarn every day he is home.

Thanks for being a great mother!! I really appreciate you!

Rough week....all around here

This past week has been a rough one.

Sunday - Aaron was working on the brush cutter, and came in saying his back hurt. So he took it easy all day.

Monday - Aaron's back was worse, hurt but could still walk, etc.... Savannah is starting to panic about middle school, cries from 8:30-11:30pm, begs me to stay in her bed with her, finally falls asleep around 2am, has to be up at 6am for school.

Tuesday - Kids head back to school, by this time Aaron can't sit or hardly walk. Using crutches & moving really slow. Goes to see the dr on call, he says take Vicodin and Ibuprofen, rest and it should be better in a few days. Savannah has a good day at school, but come bed time it starts again, only this time it lasts until after 3am. Plus getting up every 4 hours to give Aaron his meds......Mommy is just not used to being up in the middle of the night anymore.

Wednesday - Aaron can no longer walk at all, crawling everywhere. Pain is worse. Calls dr. and can't get in until Friday AM. Savannah has a good day at school, plus 4 hours of gymnastics. Starts to get teary at shower time but I loose all patience and tell her to get showered and calm down. Give her some Benedryl and she sleeps from 9pm - 6am. THANK HEAVENS! Only have to be up every 4 hours for Aaron's meds.

Thursday - Aaron is in pain, waiting for dr appt tomorrow am, hoping it will stop hurting soon. School is good for both kids, and no problems! WOO HOO!!

Friday - Aaron gets up, tries to get into the car to drive to the dr. but he can not sit long enough to even get all the way into the car, I call a friend to watch my daycare and take him directly to the Emergency Room (our dr is 35 minutes away, and Aaron is laying in the back of the Tahoe unbuckled, I am not getting on the highway like that) Dr says its a sciatic nerve pinched, now taking Perdinsone, and Percocet.

Saturday - Hoping that Aaron will feel better, but no luck yet.

Sunday - Aaron still is not able to walk, called dr to leave a message that I want an MRI, ASAP. Hopefully they will call back early, or at 7:30am, I will be back on the phone with them.

Please hope and pray that this ends soon. Aaron is miserable, and I am beginning to wonder how much longer we can go on this way. He is depressed about missing work, not being able to help around the house, or with the kids sports. And I am burning the candle at all ends possible.

Thanks for letting me vent.......now off to give him last meds before he goes to bed.

Thanks again!

Back to School 2007

Today is the first day of school, both kids were excited to go, but for two totally different reasons.


Savannah, who is in 6th grade at North Albany Middle School, was excited because of the whole new experience of changing classes, having electives, meeting new friends, being at a new school.
That being said, I was not allowed to go into the school, or even get out of my car to take pictures, so ones in front of the house will have to do. Darn girl thinks she's growing up or something.







Dominick was excited for one reason, and only one reason. He got to finally wear his new shoes......silly boys!!

Senior Year

In honor of the new school year, think back to your senior year of high school, and answer these questions accordingly:

1. Who was your best friend?
Aaron, but I did lots of things with Deanna, Terrie, & Debi because Aaron was in college and working full time also.

2. Did you play any sports?
No

3. What kind of car did you drive?
An ULGY 1982? white Ford Courier pick-up with a canopy with green windows.........awful!!

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
footballs game, high school dances, cruisin' the gut, on dates or hanging out with Aaron....

5. Were you a party animal?
At times

6. Were you considered a flirt
No

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
No

8. Were you a nerd?
No

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
No

10. Can you sing the fight song?
We had one??

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Me. Geisler (Marketing)

12. What was your school mascot?
Warrior

13. Did you go to the Prom?
Yes, with Aaron

14. If you could go back, would you?
HELL NO!!

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
Not a lot, it was long, and borning.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
Can't remember

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yep, Van's Stationers

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
I only went to schook 1/2 days and worked 1/2 days so at lunch I went home then to work.

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Lets not talk about that........of course.

20. What did you do after high school?
College, married & two great kids.

20yr Class Reunion

OK, first of all, there is no way that I feel like I have been out of high school for 20 years. I am just not that old. It was great to reconnect with some old friends, but it is strange to realize that even after 20 years, people still tend to hang out in "clicks", though mingling was easy and taken great, you could still tell who thought they were the cool group, the party group, the leadership group and so on..... somethings NEVER change.

Here are a few pictures from my 20 year renuion this past weekend.

Friday night mixer at Mallard Creek Golf Course






























My date for the night , Sonja (Sanders) Neperud since Aaron really, really did not want to go.

Saturday night dinner at the Lebanon Elk (where all our proms, and Aaron & I's wedding were held)

Dinner table (Me, Suzi, Michelle, David, Eric, Sherry & Sonja)

Group picture, I am hoping that the professional one turns out MUCH better.

Busy summer.........

Ok, So I have not been very good the last month or so on getting my blog caught up. But there is only so much time in the day, and it all seems to be scheduled with things to do.

So hear is a brief outline of what has been happening since I last wrote...

Late July.......Savannah went to gymnastics camp, and did AWESOME!! The coaches thought she was a level 7 and she just turned a level 6, she learned a "half on" on the vault, and layouts on the floor, back handsprings (with a spot) on the beam, and all in all had a GREAT workout. Now her down time was not so great, her anxiety got to her (which we have not seen for almost 3 years, and thought maybe we had conquered, but I guess not) and we had some really really late night calls, but she made it through the last day. This is what happens when you send your good camera with Savannah to camp, she took 2, YES TWO, pictures they whole time. And not one of her.

Ki, Meg, Brittany & Sarah

Then Aaron's brother Mike, his wife Karen, and their children Ana & Sam came into town from Henderson, NV for a visit. We had not seen them since Sept 2005 when we met up at Disneyland.

They kids had a great time, played in the pool, jumped on the trampoline, went to The Bite of Salem, Salem Saturday market, had a birthday BBQ for Aaron and Karen, and last but not least we tried to set everyone down for a family pictures (but that many people makes it hard)

The weekend of August 3-5th, my friend Angie and I went to the Oregon Jamboree. We have been in the past and have always had a great time, this time the line up included Steve Holy, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Tippin, Trisha Yearwood, Bucky Covington, Lorrie Morgan, Neal McCoy, & Jo Dee Messina. Neal put on the BEST show, hands down! But Jo Dee played an encore that ended up being 10 songs long........it was great!!

Then last weekend, we went camping.........well we camped. Our friends and us wanted to go camping, but did not figure it out early enough to make reservations, so we camped in our backyard. We set up tents, made a fire, had smores, and had a great weekend!

Now only 20 more days until school starts, a 20th high school reunion, registration for middle school, and one more long weekend to plans away......what will it be.....Ocean, Mountains, or something different.......we all will know as soon as Aaron can make a decision (which we all know will take days, then it will be a last minute rush to plan). Got to love him!!

Grand Weekend

We just got back from a faboulous 3 day trip to Pacific City, OR.

The weather was warm and sunny, the food was great, and the company was even better.

It was a wonderful weekend, our friends, Eric & Angie, celebrate their 1st anniversary,

We played on the beach (yes that is me laying down, I actually have an excuse, their 17th month old Meghan is alseep on my chest, and I was trying to keep her from getting sun burned :) )

,

The kids and Aaron climbed the dunes, & they all jumped waves in the ocean

We played games, watched the waves, and laughed till our sides hurt.

I LOVE this picture! For once Dominick is not making a dumb face!

Hotter...........

Today it is supposed to be 103ish......now compared to my family members that live in Henderson, NV & Yuma, AZ that is nothing. But for here in Oregon, aka the rainy state, it is TOO HOT!

I just might be tempted to get into the pool this evening, lay on my air mattress and relax, that is if the kids don't try to drown me or splash me.

Hopefully it will keep nice and warm, as we are headed to Pacific City, the oregon coast/beach, for a long weekend. Usually when we go some strange fog rolls in and it is more like 57 then 75. Here's hoping that it is warm so I can sit on the beach and read a good book without freezing. Maybe even with a margarita in hand. :) I really need it!

The pool is now open for business....

Aaron has been working alot, and we have been really busy in the evenings so it has taken a while this year to get the pool ready for use. But as of today.........it is ready!!

Toothless wonder.........

Savannah is dropping teeth like made. She has been to the orthodontist 4 times, each time over the past 2 years, he has told her "Loose more teeth" As she had only lost 8 total teeth by the age of 9, and 10, and then 11. But in the last month she has lost 3 more. One about a month ago, one on Sunday night, and one last night. The tooth fairy has been busy at our house! So hopefully in August when she sees Dr. Sheets again, she will have lost a few more, and be ready to have those teeth straightened out.

PS: Ignore the chocolate in her teeth if you notice it, she just got done eathing Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookies Dough ice cream. :)

July Fireworks Part 1

This year we headed to Independence again to watch the fireworks. They set them off on Sunday, 7/1, and Wed. 7/4. But we always go to the Crittenden's house and do our own fireworks so we went on Sunday.

We met up with the Harter Family (Eric, Angie, Kacie, Carson & Meghan) and Amanda (her kids were with their dad).





It was perfect weather, sunny but not too hot (80ish I would say). Ate our share of fair food,the kids threw rocks into the river, looked for bugs, and other yucky stuff in the water. We did not ride the carnival rides though, they were not only scary looking, but $6.00 per ride per child. That is outrageous!



Then we saw the fireworks, they were amazing, and a great long show...here is a few.

3 day weekend....

Instead of taking a week of vacation all at once, I tende to take a Friday or two off every month during the summer, this give us some 3 day weekends to go places and do fun things.

This past weekend we went to Wildlife Safari on Friday, it is about a two hour drive from our house, and the weather was beautiful! We saw lots of animals, though were disappoionted that the elephants were taking a break that day and not doing rides. We got caught in a feeding frenzy between the ELK and the BISON, and I thought my Tahoe was going to be damaged in the pushing and shoving to get the food.

There were 2 Gibon's that were sooo talkative, they just kept swinging from branch to branch, and saying woo woo, back and forth over and over again.

Then we headed to Springfield to Roaring Rapids Pizza, and Camp Putt mini golf. Savannah lost a ball in the bushes and Aaron won, but only by 2. Savannah is just as impatient as I am when it comes to golfing.

Then we headed home.

Saturday monring we got up and headed to Portland, we went to OMSI and saw the Body World 3 exhibit. It was amazing, really after seeing 3 or 4 plastic filled bodies, they all look the same. If you are into medical stuff, go see it if you can before it leaves, but I would not pay for my kids to go if we were to do it again. They were bored with it after the first couple of people. Then we went all over OMSI the kids like the Chemistry lab, and the ball areas.

Then we headed to the hotel (do not EVER stay at the Shilo in Beaverton, the restaurant staff is SLOW, the rooms are run down, the TV tiny, and the surrounding area not the best unless you want to go to Hottie Gentlemen's club), the kids swam (the nicest part of the hotel).

Sunday we the weather called for thunder showers, and rain. Even so we headed to the Oregon Zoo. It started out nice, we saw alot of animals, and then it started to rain. It rained off and on all day, but did not ruin the day.

It was a great weekend! Can't wait for July to head to Pacific City with the Harter's. Need to think of a great 1st Anniversay gift for them before we go.