No News....

...is good news. Right? RIGHT????

These kids slay me!

Thank you, Daddy, for sending the costumes!

Emma-isms...

...that I don't want to forget.

(A few weeks ago, after school) "This was my first full day of being a horse!"

(Again, as we left school, waving to classmates) "That's D.., she's my friend, but I don't really like her, she's mean."

(A couple days ago, at the store) "One of these days, can you take me to where I can get a baby? I'm ready for one." (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(Leading me through the hallways of my grandma's new Senior Apartment complex) "You have to be careful going around the corners. There are lots of fragile people here and you might break one. (Fragile is her word for old, luckily she has declared that I'm not fragile yet!)

(Tonight, when needing me to stop reading to her for a minute) "Mommy, can you put this on pause?"

My little students

Small Sacrifices

I am not generally someone who, upon seeing an obviously germ infested creature, gets up close and personal with said creature and makes a point of rubbing my face against theirs. That all changes when the afore mentioned creature is my child. And when having my face on their pillow is what convinces that child to lay down and rest. At three a.m.

Here's my poor, sick boy:

Shortly after taking this picture he curled up into a ball and proceed to drain from his eyes and nose for about an hour. Luckily, I was able to hide some Benadryl in his dinner and dry him up!

(Hmmmm, looking at this picture, methinks someone did a really bad job cutting his bangs!)

Is there anything worse than a sick kid in the middle of the night? It breaks my heart when there's just nothing I can do. I wiped his nose and washed his face and then put my head on his pillow with him and rubbed his back. He likes to experience textures on his cheek, so he was rubbing his cheek against mine for a long time, until he started to get sleepy again. I woke up a little sniffly this morning, but I've taken about a million mg of Vitamin C today to ward off the germs and, so far, it seems to be working.

Luckily, most of the day he's been in a fairly good mood and Emma has been wonderful. She's kept herself busy when I needed to hold George, and played outside for a while to get some fresh air.

Every once in a while, she can be such a great Big Sister. It makes me really proud to see her take care of the little beast that likes to steal her toys and pull her hair.

Pages

Click on images to enlarge:

Two Things

Two Names You Go By:
1. Megan
2. Meg
Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. American
2. A little of everything else
Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Jeans
2. Black long sleeve t-shirt
Two Things You Would Want in a Relationship:
1. Acceptance
2. Humor
Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Um, hmmmm, digital art maybe?
2. reading anything I can get my hands on
Two Things You Want Really Badly At The Moment:
1. The chocolate chip cookies my mom is baking right now
2. some milk to go with them!
Two pets you had/have:
1. Gracie - Australian cattle dog
2. Barley - 2 year old, 4" long gold fish
Two people you talked to today:
1. George
2. Emma
Two things you did last night:
1. stayed up too late
2. woke up a lot with two lines of a Toby Keith song running through my head.
Two people that live in your house:
1. My house??? Only Jason
2. and Gracie (the dog) are there now!
Two things you ate today:
1. chicken fajitas
2. popcorn
Two people you miss:
1. Jason
2. Gracie (she thinks she's a person)
Two Things You’re doing tomorrow:
1. taking the kids to school
2. going to Target alone!
Two vacations you’ve been on:
1. Puerto Vallarta
2. Ocean City, Maryland
Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Thanksgiving
Two favorite Alcoholic beverages:
1. Wine
2. Vanilla Rum & Pepsi
Two bands you have seen live:
1. U2
2. REM
Two things you will do after you finish this survey:
1. Eat chocolate cookies
2. Go to bed

I love Photoshop!

My Inner Geek

Today I was as geeky as I have ever been. I was using both a desktop and a laptop, transferring files between the two via email, and having an IM conversation with my husband....all at the same time. Say it together now....NERD!!

I admit to having difficulty keeping the two computers straight though. I had Photoshop open on the laptop and Word on the desktop, and the mouses (mice?) for each of them sitting next to each other. So many times I grabbed the wrong mouse or started typing on the wrong keyboard, causing all kinds of mayhem in my Photoshop file as I unwittingly typed in several keyboard commands. My brain is now swirling in confusion!

So I may be a geek, but I'm not a very good one, LOL!

All this to finally complete the manuscript and screenshots for my art journal instructions that will appear in Creative Techniques magazine next summer. A cool magazine with a very cool editor! She has very patiently worked with me through dozens of rewrites (okay, four, but it felt like dozens!), until we finally figured out that my older version of Photoshop was not at all compatible with her's. Today I downloaded a trial copy of the newest version, and rewrote all my instructions with the proper terminology. If that doesn't solve the problem, I may have to pull the plug. On the computer, that is, I'm sick of looking at it.

How amazing this world is though. To have not one, but two computers sitting in front of me, to be able to access new software within minutes, and talk to someone in another time zone at the same time. Unreal.

No real purpose to this post, I suppose. I'm just a bit loony from overexposure to computer radiation and had to share. I'll have my Blog Pals share their nerdy stories tomorrow, be sure to check them out!

Geeks unite!

Missing You

Ahhh, routine!

After Monday's holiday, and yesterday's snow delay, George finally started at his new preschool today.

I think it went well, he went in without a fuss and started playing right away. I snuck out when they gathered the kids for watercoloring. The only thing the teachers asked me to do differently tomorrow is to bring a bigger snack! Apparently, my picky eater was trying to steal everyone else's!

I have been amazed at the success we've had in this school district. Normally, dealing with special needs children is a long and difficult process. But here George was enrolled in a great class within 24 hours of meeting with our case manager! AND....in order to maintain a teacher/student ratio of 1:3, they added a new teacher to his preschool this week! Unreal, we are so lucky to be working with so many knowledgable people.

So now we return to a more structured day, which is so valuable for all of us. George won't be bored, I'll have some time to get things done, and Emma won't feel like she's the only one away from home during the day.

SNOW!!

How great is it, after a night of not enough sleep, to wake up at 6:00 a.m. and discover that the schools are closed and everyone can go back to bed? It's AWESOME! We started getting some snow yesterday, but we didn't know if it would build during the night. Only a couple of inches came down, but it was enough to make the roads icy and close the schools. Yay! Our first snow day!

I think Emma was confused when she first woke up and discovered that I hadn't woken her at the normal pre-dawn hour. But one look outside and both kids were anxious to get out there! My notoriously slow eater, Emma, slurped down some cereal in record time!

We had a blast throwing snow balls, making snow angels, and building a rather small snowman....all the traditional fun! It doesn't often snow here, so this was a very pleasant surprise!


If that last photo doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will!!

Right now....

Right now I miss my husband.
Right now my son is mad at me because I bought my husband a toy and didn't let the kids play with it. (Jason, think it will drive you crazy to wait until March to find out what it is?)
Right now Emma is avoiding lunch by playing a very intricate game involving dinosaurs, dragons, and Thomas Trains.
Right now I would love to take a nap. Or maybe go out to a movie. Something that is completely self-centered. Does that make me a bad person, or merely a tired one?
Right now the sun is shining and it's a gorgeous winter day.
Right now both George and Emma are singing to themselves as they play. Love that!
Right now I have Adobe Photoshop CS2 sitting in my room, taunting me. (I am 3,000 miles from my computer and don't have a laptop.)
Right now I am loving being among family and relearning my home town.
Right now I must go convince Emma and her dragons that they need to eat!

Thank you to Sandra for this weekend's fun blog prompt!

Exploring the Birdbath

Emma's (2nd) First Day

Emma's new school is AWESOME!!! Multiple teachers in every room, new equipment of every kind, friendly faces everywhere you look. She fit in well, and was acting like she had always been there. Thank goodness this was so easy!

(And didn't she look sharp today? Too cute!)

Art Journal Challenge

Come join us in our latest challenge: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20440


Credits: War kit by Robyn EnglandVintage label from DoverNewspaper image from The Register Guard, Eugene, ORLittle Words by Dani MogstadKeep 'Em in Stitches 5 by Lisa CarterFonts: DSP Lemon Meringue, DSP Modern Millie, Algerian

Happy New Year!

Can you believe it's 2007??? What an unreal number, not one I thought about much when I was a kid. By the way, how do you explain the New Year concept to an almost-six year old? She has the basic calendar idea down, knows her months, but I don't know how much she understands them. And to her, if it's a new year, then today must be her birthday!

Yesterday, Jason travelled back to Virginia and now we begin our 63 day separation. (But who's counting?) He'll finish out his last couple months with the Army, find out what the home inspector wants us to fix on our house, and, most likely, play lots of Playstation and Tug-of-War with Gracie while the stereo blasts through the house. Tomorrow, I sign Emma up at her new school, and next week, will begin the process of getting George into the special education system here. It's no fun being apart, but I think these couple of months will go fast.

My wild New Year's Eve celebrations? I fell asleep. No surprise there, we never bother staying up to watch the ball drop and listen to neighbors light firecrackers. My resolutions? I'm still working on those. I don't usually pay much attention to making resolutions, but I think I want to make at least one this year. This is going to be a crazy year, as Jason transitions jobs and we find a new house, etc. I want to resolve to RELAX!! Go with the flow. Bend with the wind. Take it one day at a time.

Yeah, it might happen.

Happy New Year to you all!

Dear Mom, Jason, Sue, etc....

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated since our flight. I was under the impression that since I am currently sitting across the room from you (okay, down the freeway from Sue) and one of you actually travelled with me, you would know that we made it safely and had a wonderful Christmas. But since I'm getting told repeatedly that none of you know what we're up to, this update's for you!

So, we made it!

What? You want more? Okay, fine. The night before we travelled, we stayed with friends in D.C. It was wonderful to see them, but George wasn't real interested in sleeping, so we only managed to get about three hours before we had to get back up and head to the airport. The plane that was supposed to have power outlets? Didn't. BUT, George did amazingly well. We didn't know how long the DVD battery would last, so we didn't turn it on until we had less than two hours to go. For the first three, both kids played quietly, drew pictures, and read books with us. They were great, we were exhausted!

Other than a slight delay in San Francisco, both flights when very smoothly. We were very lucky in our destinations, as many other Western airports were cancelling all their flights due to snow.

To be honest, I don't remember much from the following couple of days. We were all very jet lagged and trying to finish our Christmas preparations. We recovered in time to enjoy two wonderful holiday gatherings with family. I am so very happy to be here with them!

Christmas itself was so fun! We did the present opening in stages to accomodate children's attention spans and the arrival of more family. Other than the yummy food, hilarious conversation and family jokes, and lounging in my new pajamas all day, my newest favorite Christmas memory is, of course, my children. They did so great, playing quietly with new toys while the adults chatted, showing such joy in those new toys, and being complete angels all day. And at the end of the day, when everyone had gone home, they sat quietly, enjoying their new art supplies.

Peace, quiet, happiness, and a glass of wine....what more do you need? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, as well!

Getting ready to go!

Today I called our travel agent with a question and, as she's looking up our reservation, I hear, "Oh gosh, I'm glad you called." Um, WHAT???? No big deal, except that our already early morning flight has been made even earlier by about 20 minutes. Since we always go for overkill, we would have been plenty early anyway, but can you imagine the adrenaline overload if I had found that out while we were checking in?? Ya think maybe airlines should be required to TELL their paying passengers when they change the flight schedule?

But, on a better note, I found out that our 5 plus hour flight is on a B757. Why do we care? Because B757's that are traveling across the country have power outlets at every seat. Can I get a big YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!? The portable DVD player will be plugged in the minute they allow it and the Wiggles will sing us across the country!! Normally, five hours of nonstop TV is a bit more than I allow. But with George being "that kid" that tends to scream a lot on airplanes, and the fact that music filled videos calm him, we'll be making an exception. I can't tell you how much stress drained out of my body when I found that out. Life is good.

It will be even better Thursday, when I wake up in Oregon. Yippee!!!!

Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Um, one of those has the word "chocolate" in it, right? That pretty much trumps all other choices. Though, Jason does make a yummy egg nog for us every Christmas Eve.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa leaves one present unwrapped for each child. Usually the big, hard-to-wrap ones!

3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house? I love icicle lights on houses, but on the tree I can go either way.

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Normally, the day after Thanksgiving. This year, we're just looking forward to Gramma & Papa's decorations!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Excluding dessert? Do people eat anything other than dessert from Thanksgiving to Christmas? Seriously?

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Going out into the woods (okay, a Christmas tree farm, but I thought it was the forest) to pick out a tree. We always got cold and sappy and bickered about which tree to get, but I loved it!

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We've started opening one gift, new pajamas for everyone. That way our Xmas morning pictures are that much prettier!

9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember not knowing the truth, though I'm sure I believed at some point.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Lots of family ornaments, handed down from parents and grandparents, and lights. No tinsel or garlands to clutter it up, I like to see the pine needles!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!!!!

12. Can you ice skate? I haven't in years, but I used to manage getting around the rink without falling.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I remember getting a leather bomber jacket when I was about 13. I was sooooo cool.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Making it magical for my children.

15. What tops your tree? A glittery gold star with pearl-type thingies in the points. Sounds kind of strange when I try to describe it.

16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Leaving cookies for Santa. Or, as Emma has made this her duty, leaving cookies and milk for Santa, and a salad for the reindeer!

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Oh heck, both! I love, love, love choosing just the right gifts for each person and watching them open them. But I love seeing what other people choose for me, too!

18. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Thank you! A normal holiday food question! Fudge. Yum. And decorated sugar cookies. And 24 hour salad (see my Thanksgiving entry). And Mom's apple pie.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Any of the classics, O Holy Night, Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Joy to the World, etc.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Bleh.

21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie? A Christmas Story. Have to watch it every year.