Tis The Season ...

Today was LeAnna's Christmas party at school and her Christmas program this evening ...

The coordinator for today's party asked me to do crafts for the party ...

We made "junk buckets" ... (at the last minute) ... found the buckets at Michael's for $1 right before the party ... and peel and stick Christmas foam pieces 1/2 price ... perfect craft! I bought some paint pens ... and there you go ... junk buckets (also made up at the last minute! ha! after thinking about it later ... I probably should have called them "stuff buckets" ... instead of "junk" ... oh well ... that's what will end up in them - JUNK!)

and ... I had pictures printed of her class, attached them to a flip card and let them write "My First NCS Christmas" on the front.

Then ... I gave each child two whoppers (chocolate malt balls - not burger king) and asked them to eat one and hold one ... then I read them a poem about the reindeer leaving "little gifts" on their lawn on Christmas Eve ... and that I had packaged them up some special "reindeer poop" just for them! ha! Then told them to eat the other one ... the boys loved this!!!

Then ... we made magic reindeer food ... okay ... short story ... I had not officially decided on what I was doing for crafts until last night ... so it was crunch time for me to get it all together by 1pm today ... so I had everything timed and planned out ... I get to Walgreens to have the 13 4x6's printed and wouldn't you know they changed their way of doing things! What did they go and do that for? ... So ... instead of "instant print out" ... I got put into the system and was given a ticket to "wait" ... AAHHH ... not good ... I still had to go purchase the reindeer poop and the "magic" part of the reindeer food! So ... while "waiting" for the pictures to print ... I thought ... I'll just try and finish my shopping at Walgreens ... it was 12:45 and I was getting nervous!!!! Party started at 1pm ... so ... I found the whoppers ... my only item left to purchase was the "magic" ... which was supposed to be colored sugar crystals to mix in a scoop or two of oats ... and wouldn't you know ... Walgreens didn't have such a thing ... figured they wouldn't, but I was sure hoping ... anyhoo ... time to search for a replacement item ... I went up and down the candy aisles 3 times ... found nothing ... THEN ... I remembered something from childhood but couldn't remember the name of it ... just knew it was colored, powder (basically sugar) in a paper tube ... I asked a lady standing in the aisle for help ... she immediately said "Pixie Sticks" ... and then I remembered ... yep ... that's it ... but ... wouldn't you know it ... NO PIXIE STICKS!!!! What in the world? ... I have no time to go to the grocery to buy colored sugar crystals ... so I kept looking ... I looked twice in the "food aisle" ... nothing ... for some reason I went back one more time to the food aisle ... and I spotted some raspberry crystal light sugar free single packages ... this would have to work ... it worked okay ... colored sugar crystals would have been MUCH better ... but hey ... anyhoo ... one little girl named Hope ... got a little "magic" in her eyes ... not sure how ... oh yikes ... bless her heart ... I'm sure it was burning ... then I started feeling bad for the "make shift magic" ... yikes! Even at the end of the party ... she was still walking around with a wet towel dabbing at her eyes! Oh my ... bless her heart!

So ... the party went well ... the kids had so much fun making their junk buckets and I'm sure the parents will enjoy the pictures more than they will ... oh well ... it's all about making some memories ...

(this is Chick-a-dee ... mentioned in a previous post ... SHE IS 5 YEARS OLD ... what in the world?! What is wrong with this picture?!) I know Mommy is short and Daddy is not too tall ... but her parents must be the jolly white giants! =0)

Ms. Green gave all the kids presents (which they couldn't open until they went home) ... LeAnna opened her gifts up as soon as we walked in the door ...

These kids are so funny ... one child was missing ... so LeAnna made his bucket for him and we put it up for when he returns ... they all seem to really get along ... they are all big buds!

Ms. Green gave LeAnna an artist apron with her name monogrammed on it and crayons, markers, etc. in the pockets! What a perfect gift ... because we got LeAnna an art desk for Christmas ... so nifty cool! She was SO excited to get this apron!!!! LeAnna loves Ms. Green.

This evening was LeAnna's program ... we took time to spruce her hair up ... got her dressed up ... got there early (first ones in the class) ... Granny and Papaw came ... we "tried" to get good seats ... a bit hard to see ... so we're sitting there ... waiting for it to start ... finally they come in and the Kindergarten is the first to perform ...

They sing two songs ... O Christmas Tree and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ... then they walk off and are sent to the their class ...

That was it ... over ...

what?!

we were looking at each other ... like ... "is that it?" ... oh my ...

Oh well ...

So we got up and left ...

There was a musical "Eddie The Elf" being performed by the 3rd-5th grade ... but she's going to see it in the morning ... so we left.

best buds ... LeAnna and Jordyn

So we went to dinner with friends ... the Barlar's ... which meant JADEN!!!!!! LeAnna was dying ... she was finally having dinner with Jaden ...

Very shy at first ... well, Jaden was shy ... LeAnna was trying to hug him! ... ha! Then they started talking and playing ... and all was well. We had a nice time.

So ... tomorrow is 3 hours at school and then CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!

She's out for 2 1/2 weeks!!! Wow!

Yes ... I had the moment this evening ... the one I knew I would have ... while sitting and watching my baby girl sing with all her peers ... I'm getting really good at choking back the tears and diverting my attention elsewhere for a second or two to regain my composure ... the first school Christmas program ... another one of those "I waited for so long" moments ...

Anyhoo ...

Enjoying my moments ...

LeAnna's Mom's Moments ... sometimes they're crazy, sometimes they're funny, sometimes they're sad ... but all are happy to be here in the moment moments.

I trust you are enjoying your season and making some good memories of your own ...

happy days ... tammy

An Angel From The 80's ...

What a busy weekend!!!!

Wow!

Saturday was crammed packed with festivities ...

We had the Batson Christmas Saturday afternoon ...

so while getting dressed and fixing LeAnna's hair ...

she picked up the mirror ...

and said ...

"Mom ... you made me look like a girl from the 80's"

WHAT?!?!??!

That's what I asked her ... I said ... "what did you say and where did you hear that?"

ha!

Took me by surprise ... because I WAS a girl from the 80's!

Still not sure where she would come up with that term ... anyhoo ...

So funny ...

Our Christmas program was last night at church ...

Christmas in the City ...

LeAnna was an angel ...

and she took her part serious!

here's Kaitlyn (Mary) and LeAnna ...

The only direction we gave the kids (other than where to stand) was to SING!!!!

ha!

At one point ... LeAnna leaned over Mary and Joseph and was acting as if she had just delivered the "good news" ... ha!

Nana got to attend ... and she told me today she thought I had worked with her prior to last night ...

The kids were way too funny ... our "cattle" got a little crazy ... one little cow pushed Mary and Joseph aside and sat right between them. I was in front of them trying to softly sing in the microphone and when this happened - I picked up the camera and took a picture - too cute!

Then another one stepped away from the "herd" and stood out front ... then along came another cow and pushed him ...

ha! What a "cow poke" ... hee hee

Anyhoo ...

The typical manger scene ... was once again (I'm sure at many churches) not only to remind us of our dear Savior's birth ... but quickly became comedy central!

The poor sheep looked like they had been shorn at the altar! There was white batting everywhere from the sheep costumes

ha!

oh well ...

The purpose was served ...

... to remind us all ... that one day a baby was born ... that would grow up ... and would take away the sins of the world.

Today was rather busy ... and I had another eye doctor appointment this afternoon ...

Good news! Surgery was NOT mentioned and he said it was improving and he didn't want to do anything right now ... to come back in two months!

Yea!!!!

AND ... I read below the 20/20 line in my left eye ... last time I was there, I read nothing on ANY line! hallelujah!

I was excited ... so when leaving the office ... I told my doc "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Merry Everything" ...

He said ... "I ain't marring anything!" ... ha!

The suave doc just admitted he wasn't married! He looks a bit suave and would appear to be a Beverly Hill 90210 doc at first glance! ... I've always wondered if he had a wife ... now I know ...

Had another one of my "moments" at the doctor's office today ... it was very profound ... and really not worth mentioning ... just "thoughts" in my silly head ...

I was sitting there waiting to dilate ... and while doing so, I put down my reading material and decided to just rest a bit ... I was about to the point that I couldn't read anymore anyway ... and I looked down and noticed the gentleman across from me ... and his shoes ... which I immediately began to analyze ...

hmmm ... I've always heard and often quoted ... "a man's shoes tell alot about him!"

They were somewhat of a dress shoe, but very old and scuffed up pretty bad ... I quickly assumed that they were "once" a very nice pair of shoes - perhaps for church. Then rising above the shoe I noticed denim pants ... and he was an older gentleman ... so ... hmmm ... looked like to me, he was wearing a pair of shoes that he found some comfort in.

Then ... noticing his wife next to him (I'm assuming ... both had on wedding bands and were sitting side by side) ... her shoes were short boots ... appeared to be new ... black, with a front zipper ... and in very good condition ... for an older lady, these shoes were pretty trendy. Wonder if they were comfortable? Or if they were more for show? Her clothes were well put together and trendy as well ... hmmm ...

I'm so stupid ... after this analyzation ... that I can be good at ... I thought to myself ... you are so lame ... anyhoo ... fleeting thought ... back to the analyzing ...

so then ... I start looking all around me ... for more shoes to ponder ... (hey ... I've got another 30 minutes to sit here while my pupils expand WAY past their normal limit) ... plus ... I'm only seeing large objects right now ... so ...

one lady ... appeared to have on a pair of socks with rubber soles on the bottom of them ... I had to stare at her feet for a bit ... this took a little more time to analyze ... because lot's of questions started popping in my head ... to the point ... that I opened my mouth to ask her one ... ha! stopped myself! She would think I was totally off my rocker! But I really wanted to know where she purchased such a pair! They were very odd looking.

Okay ... so by this time ... I start looking over my shoulder to the people behind me, trying to get a glimpse of their shoes ... my OCD is starting to kick in and I'm feeling the need to see everyone's shoes in the room ...

I start spanning the room ... noticing shoes ... wondering if they are wearing them for comfort or show or for why in the world at all with that outfit! ha!

Okay ... needing a distraction right about now ... then ... I notice my own shoes! OH wow ... yikes! I reach down to pull up my knee high boots that appeared to everyone else as calf boots and started looking at the hill and the toe ...

Oh my ... what do my shoes say about me?! Okay ... so now we're to this ...

AAHHHH ... I need somebody to talk to ... my silly, stupid mind is wandering ... it's GOT to be the drops ... they have soaked into my brain and have caused me to react this way ... right?!

I'm so dumb ... I just need new boots!

Presto ... problem solved!

Anyhoo ... my "thought for the day" ... was gained from all of this nonsense ...

We all come from different walks of life ... we all get there the same way, with our feet (well most of us) and everyone wears shoes (well most of us) ... and to me ... our shoes say a lot about who we are ... comfort or show? well taken care of or scuffed? worn down shoes from hard work and or play ... trendy shoes that kill your feet but sure look like the "latest" to everyone else! Dusty shoes - that look like they were chosen from the back of the closet and thrown on at the last minute while running out the door, with no time to wipe them off. Is this an organized person? Or chaotic? Or just doesn't care?!

Worked with two gentlemen bosses several years ago ... who ... one wore the above mentioned (dusty, unkept) type shoes ... and the other wore shoes everyday that was polished and shining!!

To me ... it makes a difference ... and really does say a lot about a person.

Moral to my thoughts ... make sure shoes are not only comfortable, but are at least wiped off and presentable!

You never know when crazy people like me are sitting around you staring at your shoes and having weird thoughts about them!

I think it's been a long day ... I think it's the drops ...

happy days ... tammy

The 12 Days of Christmas ...

Okay ... I thought the week started out bad ... you can't even imagine yesterday!

Computer problem city!!!! And I have to have my computer to work ...

Crazy day ...

After several phone calls to Comcast and someone at my job for help, then several trips to the store for different parts ... my computer FINALLY was fixed at 7:20pm last night!!!!

Yep ... very frustrating ...

Anyhoo ... just one of those things ... just not a good week for "one of those things" to happen!

Oh well ... LIFE

So ... yesterday we started "12 days of Christmas" at our house ...

Our version ... consists of 12 small presents under the Dining Room tree (this tree is really just for decor ... all our Christmas presents are under the big tree in the Bonus Room)

Each day (count down to Christmas) ... LeAnna gets to choose a gift from under the tree to open! Boy is she having fun!!!! They are very small items ... but ... it's exciting getting to actually open a present!

December 1st we had presents under the tree ... and she was moping around, acting all sad ... she just couldn't stand the fact that there were presents, wrapped, and sitting! Curiosity was killing her!!!! That's how I came up with this little 12 days of Christmas thing ...

AND ... it's SO nice to watch her open ONE gift and sit and actually play with it, admire it ... and then sit and wonder what are in all the other presents! Christmas morning ... she usually opens one, and puts it aside and opens the next ... a bit overwhelming on Christmas morning ...

So for her to be able to enjoy each gift, even though they're small ... it's nice.

If she could "handle it" ... it would be nice to just let her open up a present everyday until Christmas and then only have one left to open on Christmas morning ... not sure if she would go for that!!!!

We've also started singing "on the first day of Christmas my Mommy gave to me ..." and her goal is to remember from day to day what she opened ... so on Christmas we can sing all 12 days, hopefully from memory!

Exciting ...

happy days ... tammy

Cookie Swap ...

Okay ... so ... yesterday was such a nice surprise ... 74 degrees and not raining!!!

love it!

Even though I didn't get to go outside and play yesterday ... I admired "outside" from my kitchen window ...

AND ...

the tree you see out the window in the picture below ... is my favorite tree that we have! I have admired this tree for years from my Mom's house ... I was so happy to gain this tree when we purchased the house ...

however ...

this tree ... sits right in front of our driveway, next to my Mom's house ... AND some of the branches have decided to take a break and relax on my Mom's roof!

Not good ...

So ... she hired someone to come look at the tree ...

Yesterday, while in the kitchen cooking ... I heard a large sound in my driveway ... Mr. Tree Man had a mean piece of machinery and was CUTTING DOWN PARTS OF MY TREE!

OH my ... I was SO disappointed!!! BUT ... parts of it were dying and the other "relaxing parts" needed to be removed from Mom's roof ...

so ... very sad ...

BUT ... Mr. Tree Man PROMISED that it would grow back even prettier ...

I sure hope so ...

Sure like my tree!

I had to take a picture ... at this moment, I was standing there admiring my tree out the window and thought ... "I need a picture" ... thus the picture ...

The colors are so yummy! AND still flipping out that it's this pretty in December ... it was SO green in October and even November!

So yep ... enjoyed "my tree" on a rare warm day in December ...

Yesterday was my annual Cookie Exchange Party ... I didn't have it last year ... so this year made my 5th ... it has always been so much fun ...

We had a great time last night ... lots of cookies to taste and all so good!

Silly me ... had in mind to do some pics of the party and was so busy "hostessing" that it slipped my mind until my guests started leaving ... oh well ... I got a few pics ... but not what I really wanted ...

Here's what I chose to make ...

"Oatmeal Scotchies"

very good ... very different ... very interesting ...

Nate really liked them ... and that's a lot of "matter" in this household!

Here's my recipe ... if anyone would like to try them ...

"Oatmeal Scotchies"

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

3/4 cup butterscotch baking chips

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix thoroughly the sugars, oats, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda and salt.

Add 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 beaten egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Mix until completely blended. Add butterscotch chips.

Form 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet

Bake at 350 degrees until edges are lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes.
Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

(important to remember - as SOON as you see brown edges be prepared to remove them ... if they get too done, they're not good! Soft is better.)

The exchange was voted on by secret ballot ... we had first place prizes for:

* Best Tasting

* Best Presentation

* Most Original

Here were the winners ...

Best Tasting - Allison Barlar for Chocolate Ginger Hugs

Best Presentation - Renee Camacho for Praline Snickerdoodles

Most Original - Joy Young for Chocolate Candy Canes

Everyone did a great job ... we had a lot of fun!

Everyone left with a little holiday token thank you for coming prize ...

This evening we have our Christmas Dinner at church ... so more cooking today ... yea! Busy, busy ... it makes the holidays fun ...

Happy Days ... tammy

Humoring Myself ...

If I even tried to describe my day ... you would probably not believe me and say that it was all made up! I'm trying to tell myself this ... so hopefully, in a bit I'll believe it myself! From the moment my feet hit the floor ... all day long ... even up until my grocery store experience! My day was just indescribable ...

so ... I decided to humor myself ... and humor all of you at the same time!

hee - hee ... click on the following link ... enjoy!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1294986870

happy days ... tammy

Secure ...

Tonight I had a "moment" ...

We went to a Christmas program at DJ and Karla's church tonight ... very good by the way ... it was called "The Elevator" ... very moving ...

Anyhoo ... afterwards we went to dinner and then home ... LeAnna was asleep when we arrived home and Nathan took her to her room and put her in "her" bed.

She hadn't been there two minutes when she came into the kitchen ... all upset ... she wasn't really making sense ... I kept asking her "what?" over and over ... finally I realized - duh, Tammy - she's half asleep ... but I started understanding what she wanted ... so I took her back upstairs and tucked her back in ...

She was scared.

All alone.

Upstairs by herself.

She said ... "please, will you lay down with me? Just until I fall asleep and then you can leave."

I agreed, although my "thoughts" were ... I have SO MUCH to do before I can go to bed ... I've worked on the Christmas Program all day today and had pictures to edit too ... (thus the reason it's 2:30am and I'm still working) ... knowing I still had to finish all of this before I could lay my head on my pillow and actually go to sleep!

I laid there ... listening ... her breathing was heavy for a bit from where she was so upset ... so I put my arm around her and pulled her close ... thinking, "go to sleep - I've got so much to do" ... but the longer I laid there ... I realized ...

I'm doing the most important thing right now ... over and above ANYTHING else on my agenda for the rest of the evening ...

Nothing else matters at this moment, except me laying here ... holding my baby girl ... being her "security" even if it is only until she falls asleep ...

So I laid there ... thinking ... basking actually ... in the moment ... realizing once again ... for moments like these ... I cried many a night ... praying ... literally begging God at times ... for my very own baby to love, help feel secure ... hold in the middle of the night when she was scared ... and to think that I would actually be "so busy" that I was wishing those precious moments away! How dumb of me! And all those times I "said" ... "I would never take my baby girl for granted" ...

yep ... big reality check moment for this long awaited to be Mommy!

So I laid there a little longer than necessary ... just holding her ... and basking ...

Thanks again God for my "promise" that came to me in the form of LeAnna. Even though my promise took longer than I thought necessary, I just didn't see "the end" and that it really was perfect timing. Help me to never take her for granted in any form or fashion ... or any of my family members for that matter. Because I've quickly learned over the last few years ... that there is a season that includes every living thing ... and how quickly things change and people fade away, and sooner than not into eternity. You are perfect and I'm so grateful for your perfection in Your Will in my life ... amen

happy daze (at this point) ... tammy

"My Worst Day Ever"

Today ... LeAnna had her first field trip ... that I had forgotten about until I was reminded yesterday when I took LeAnna to school. We paid for our admission tickets over a month ago and it completely slipped my mind.

She was so excited and could hardly wait to load onto that big old bus that she's wanted to ride "her whole life"!

Riding a school bus has been a discussion we've had for about 3 years now - and today ... it happened!

The field trip was to Grinch on Ice at Opryland ...

I decided to drive and meet them there ... also realizing yesterday ... that LeAnna had her annual check-up at the Cardiologist this afternoon.

So ...

Nathan woke me up EARLY this morning ... and said ...

"you have to take LeAnna to school again today"!

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?

Not in the plan ... but had to make it part of the plan ... anyhoo ... we were up and out the door ... ON TIME ... thank goodness ...

So ...

got me some breakfast and met the group at Opryland at 10:00 a.m. ... got in line ... got assigned 3 children (which included LeAnna of course) ... and then ...

we waited ...

and waited ...

and waited some more ... (all outside)

One hour later ... yep ... one hour ...

We got to go in ...

which led us to a line to get huge parka's to put on ...

well ... one of my little kiddos' parka didn't fit ... and I didn't notice until we were ready to actually enter the exhibit ...

SO ... I asked an employee for help ... and the group left us ... while we waited ... and waited ...

FINALLY ... they brought her another parka ... which I barely got buttoned on her ... (these kids were already layered to the hilt with clothing, scarfs, jackets, coats, hats, gloves, etc.)

We get to enter ...

okay ... NO ONE told me that it would be 9 degrees in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh ... hello?! I dressed warm ... but NOT For 9 degree conditions!!!!!!

They keep the temp between 7-14 degrees at all times and 9 for us!

We were already frozen from standing outside for an hour at 38 degrees ... then to walk into 9 degrees?

Ahhh ... no!

Anyhoo ... I pushed those girls through that exhibit so quickly - I almost (almost being the operative word here) felt bad!

THEN ... we get to the next to the last room ... and the little chick-a-dee with the tight fittin' parka says ... "I wanted to slide on the ice" ...

My first thought?

"listen here sister - my toes have turned purple, are so numb that I think one just fell off ... and my hands ... well ... I know if I pull off my gloves my appendages will remain in the gloves" ...

But no ... I said ...

"really? are you serious? do you really want to go back? ... we might get left ... everyone is moving on to the next room ... are you sure?"

chick-a-dee says, "yes!"

Alrighty then ...

The ice slide was the 2nd room we went in - which meant ... WE HAD TO GO BACK 3 ROOMS ... and to think ... we were only one room away from being at the end!!!!

I pushed her up the ramp and said, 'HURRY'!

LeAnna and her other little friend were so mad! They kept saying, 'why?'

I smiled and said, "you guys want to slide?"

they both, in stereo said, "NO!"

I tried snapping a few pictures here an there ... I didn't get too many ... oh well ...

At one point - waiting on chick-a-dee to "slide" ... I turned around and LeAnna had HUGE tears rolling out of her face ... I thought she had hurt herself (one of the rules on the way in was - "keep your tongue in your mouth - you will stick to the ice if you try to lick it" ... okay ... this tells me that "someone" tried to do this for them to give us this "common sense" piece of advice!) ...

So ... she had not stuck her tongue out, or fallen, she was just SO cold and couldn't stand it any longer that she started to cry ... I just knew at any minute that they would freeze on her face! I wiped them away and started looking for "chick-a-dee" ...

FINALLY - she made her way down the slide (which we missed - because she came down the opposite side from where we were standing) ... oh well ...

THEN ... the teacher says ... "can you take a picture of "mr. stuff?" - he wants to slide" ...

alrighty then ... I just wanted OUT OF THERE ...

So ... we went to the side to wait ... he never showed up ... she finally went up to the top to find him ... after about 10 minutes ... she said (he's next) ... next thing I knew, they were beside us ... HE NEVER CAME DOWN - HE WAS SCARED! ...

okay ... folks ... whatever!

I rounded up my 3 and we practically ran to the exit ...

The last room was the nativity ... it really was pretty ... but by this time ... the girls were literally dying ... so I snapped one pic and we left!

When we got outside ... it actually felt warm outside ... well ... considering the ice bucket that we had been in for the last 1/2 hour ... we were VERY warm at 38 degrees!!!!

LeAnna and I got to leave as soon as we were out ... so we ran to the van ... and she immediately started crying again ...

real tears ... non-stop ... I even had her take off her shoes and put her feet on the hot vent for a minute to try and warm up ...

THEN in the middle of sobs ... she said she had to potty!

GREAT ...

I was NOT about to walk back in that place and sit her down on a 9 degree toilet!

Anyhoo ... we went to McDonalds ...

used the restroom and then decided to stay for lunch!

We get our food and we're sitting there and she says ...

"today is my worst day ever! ever Mommy! When I get married and have a little girl and she asks to go to the Grinch on Ice, I am NOT taking her!"

Bless her heart ... I was feeling her pain ...

she is so funny! and such a planner - thinking ahead like that for her little one! ... ha!

Then ... we headed to the doctor's office for her appointment.

They did all the normal tests ... (which made her a little nervous) but she did fine ... and they said "all was well ... see you next year!" ... With her starting school, the only new info he gave us today, was for us to make her coaches, teachers, etc. aware that when she "needs to rest" (during activity) to make sure she was allowed to do so ... and to also take plenty of breaks during activity and that she would have to "learn" her limits. (which the doc made the comment that all children should be allowed to "rest" when they felt it was necessary - but this is not always the case).

So ... it's been 2 1/2 year since surgery ... wow - has passed very fast!!!!

We are very blessed ... and very thankful for a healthy LeAnna!

It has been a day ... and to LeAnna "her worst day ever"! (then she came to me this afternoon and changed it ... she said ... the "ice" was the only worst ever part)

oh well ... the "bus ride" there would have been field trip enough for her!

I think, before obligating myself to another field trip, I will find out all the particulars beforehand ...

we live and learn ... and today was a very chilly lesson!

happy days ... tammy

PJ's In Public ...

Ever imagine being in public in your pj's?

Well ... I have, I did ... I was ... well ... I would like to have been!

It all started EARLY (well late) this morning ...

I awoke to two strange noises ...

an annoying solid tone that kept getting louder and a phone ringing at the same time!!!

It was the alarm clock and Nate calling to say "GET UP"!

It was 7:10 a.m. and he was NOT home!!! What?!?!?!

AND ... he informed me that not only was I late getting up - that I had to take LeAnna to school ...

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?

Okay ... I'm in a complete fog ... I was up at 1:30 putting my insulin pump back in (ran out of insulin) and wasn't feeling well (stuffy, allergy mess, etc.) ... so I took a Clairnex (which has a dizzy/sleepy effect on me -thus the reason I take it at night) ... big mistake!

oh my goodness ... NOT only do I have to fix breakfast, fix a lunch, and help LeAnna get dressed ... I HAVE TO FIX MY HAIR AND GET DRESSED ... and look presentable ... we can't just "drop off" at the door ... we have to physically walk her in!!! Oh My Goodness ... WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?!!? AND it's 7:10 a.m. ... have to leave the house in 35 minutes at the latest!!!!

SO ... fast mode this morning ... however, we did it .... and ON TIME!!!

Wow ... so ... I had just got in the van ... shut the door and was putting the key in the ignition and was thinking ... "man, I deserve McDonald's after this" ... ha! I had just started the car and the phone rang ... it was Nate ... MAKING SURE I was on time!!! =0)

He said, "want to go to Cracker Barrel?" .... ahhh - Yea!

So ... nifty ... prayers answered and meal paid for too! =0)

So ... I get there before him and get a table ... once again ... alone ... at Cracker Barrel ... "waiting" ... weird thoughts occur when this happens to me for some reason ...

So ... the hostess sits me at a table beside the fireplace .... Ahhhh ... so warm ... cozy ... I'm really enjoying this ... wow ... nice ... and after about 2 minutes of realizing the effects that the warm fire is having on me ... I start to drift ... and imagining ... as if I were in my own living room ... in a cozy pair of pajama's ... sipping hot chocolate with those itty bitty marshmallows and shaved curls of chocolate dancing in my cup ... while the crunch and sizzle of the fire takes hold of my senses and the warmth overwhelms me ... ahhh .... this is the life ...

then ... I hear a faint voice ... "would you like some coffee?" ... and I'm thinking ... "wow, a cracker barrel waitress waiting on me in my living room in my pj's" as I look up at her with a glisteny glaze ... and then realize where I'm at and it took me off guard and I said, "no, unsweet tea" ... Argh..... how dumb is that?! She probably thought, "what is this chick on?"

ha!

oh well ... nothing like getting lost in the moment!

So ... yes ... at "that moment" I could have easily worn my pj's to Cracker Barrel and had a nice breakfast by the fire!

LeAnna wasn't that excited about going back to school ... and sure didn't want me leaving her ... but she was fine ...

Tomorrow is a field trip to Grinch on Ice ... AND had forgotten that she has her annual cardiologist appointment tomorrow as well ... yikes!!!!! Busy, busy.

Life ...

happy days ... tammy

In A Holi-Daze ...

Back from the doctor "again" ...

She looked pretty bad this morning, but by the time we got to the doc, she was getting better ...

They diagnosed her with "A Typical Fifth Disease" - meaning not typical ... and the doc noted that LeAnna was her first patient to have the lacy red rash on one side and slap cheek look on the other ... normally it's both sides ... anyhoo ... then the 2nd thing going on was undetermined ... but she thinks she was bit by something that caused the 5 pimple like bites and the swollen cheek so bad.

We're on steroids, so whatever it is - it should clear it up.

Whew! I feel much better ... the doc felt much better - I think she was a bit challenged, which makes it fun for everyone! =0)

Anyhoo ... I am not feeling my best today - hoping I'm not coming down with something myself ... for now I'm contributing the way I'm feeling to being tired and stressed from the last couple of days. We'll see I guess ...

Happy "holi-daze" ... tammy

Swollen Sweet Cheeks ...

Here's LeAnna this evening ...



Anxious to see how she'll be in the morning ... the rash doesn't bother me as bad as the swelling ...

Don't you hate it when you're babies are sick?! And you feel like there's nothing you can do?!

worried nights and happy days ... tammy

Clueless In Swollen Cheek City ...

Okay ... went to the doctor with LeAnna ... they don't think it's Fifth Disease ...

She's thinking a skin rash virus ... there is one going around ... also strep is going around like crazy ... every patient seen this morning had strep ... so they did a strep test ... no strep ... the doc was actually disappointed - she could easily treat that!

She brought in another doc for a 2nd opinion ... she told me to come home and make picture documentation so that we could compare it this evening and in the morning ...

Her cheek is actually drooping and holding fever ... it's pitiful ... she wanted us to keep a close watch on it and call immediately if there are any changes ... she did not want a staph infection to develop .. AND she said, "don't go home and start looking stuff up on the Internet, you'll just flip out ... okay ... too late ... ha! I had done that before going to the doctor!

So ... we're doing a antibiotic topical treatment, taking Benedryl, Claritin and Motrin ... and just waiting!

Notice how swollen?

Pitiful ...

Just the "not knowing" what it is - is about to drive me nuts!

Kaitlyn's is both cheeks - which would make you think more Fifth Disease ... she has an appointment this afternoon ... just weird that they both developed this at the same time yesterday after spending time together on Friday ... guess we'll see what her doc says.

Oh well ... always something ...

We DO NOT lead ordinary, boring lives ... sometimes I wish we did - just to catch a break! ha!

OH well ... I'll post later with progress - or for her sake, hopefully "no progress" ...

happy days ... tammy

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

Long time no post ... but then again, my "crazy life" would be the main factor in the contribution of this cause.

So ... since last post ... we've had several happenings around here ...

We've taken down ... okay ... wait, retract ... I've taken down fall decor and put up Christmas decor ... although ... Nate did help with the wreaths on the windows outside that required going on the roof out of LeAnna's bedroom window! Yep ... I threatened to close and lock the window and was even bold enough to ask what he would do if I did so! ha! I couldn't help myself - it was "a day" around here trying to put up the Christmas paraphernalia and he was not "in the mood"! Got to be in the mood to have successful Christmas decor placed appropriately throughout the home! Yep ... anyhoo ... he also put up the family tree in the bonus room and even put some ornaments on! Looked very nice ... this was all in preparation for a Christmas party we had here at the house Saturday evening ... in order to "kick off" the season, you've got to have up some decor ... right?!

hmmm ...

anyhoo ... LeAnna had a birthday party/sleep over Friday evening to attend for her friend Kaitlyn ... I took LeAnna out of school early Friday and we went and had lunch with Kaitlyn at school in honor of her birthday - it was a surprise - she didn't know we were coming! That was cool!

So ... birthday party Friday night and then to Granny's on Saturday morning ... Granny took LeAnna and Dawson on the Polar Express train ride down town ... 4 1/2 hours later - POOR GRANNY!!! They had a great time, but I think they were tired, worn, and hungry when they returned ... LeAnna then spent the night at Granny's house! She had a BIG weekend!

THEN ... I went to Granny's to get her dressed for church this morning and I noticed a bump on her face ... my thoughts ... "hmmm - a bug bite?" .... so we went on to church ... later ... she started breaking out in a rash on her face and neck and more bumps! Thank God for a doc at church! I got her out of Sunday School to look at LeAnna ... she determined that it appeared to be something called Fifth Disease ... a viral infection that is contagious and once the rash appears, they've had it for a few days and are not "as" contagious ... yikes! So ... now ... low grade temp and home - no church tonight and no school tomorrow! And a phone call to the pediatrician in the morning!

AND ... Kaitlyn has it too!!! So ... no telling where they got it from! Yikes! Yikes! Yikes!

Always something around this household ... oh well ... sure makes life interesting!!!

So ... our party ... we had a few games ... one was ... two couples were chosen to wrap a gift as a couple ... the only catch? They could only use one arm each! Yep -- team work! Congrats Jerry and Allison for winning!!! They make a great team!

Then ... we had asked everyone to bring a gag gift ... and we played dirty santa with them ... way too funny!

Here's Nate losing one gift and gaining another ... funny how they seem to be meant for each other! ha!

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves ... we had a great time ... it was nice to kick off this Holiday Season on the 1st of the month ... sort of put me in the mood to start shopping, baking, wrapping gifts, etc. ...

Here's hoping all is well in your corner of the world ...

happy days ... tammy