No Vacations For Moms….

So Mother’s Day weekend started out pretty promising. Friday and Saturday were filled with beautiful weather, play dates, playing outside, and blowing lots and lots of bubbles in the back yard. I was also able to finish some curtains I made for another room I’ve been working on. The weekend started with a laid back, quiet, and just peaceful sense. No drama, no stress, just pure relaxation.

Friday afternoon all of us were in the kitchen making food as a family. Landon had just woke from a nap. Kody, my dog, walked in the kitchen with his mouth open and twisting his head, it looked as if he was trying to get something out of his mouth that was stuck. Though, there was nothing stuck. In seconds he hit the floor and proceeded to have a violent seizure. He has never, that we know of, had one before. While Brian knelt on the floor helping in any way he could, I kept Landon back, and made a panicked call to my ever kind Vet, and prayed to God that this dog didn’t die right in front of my son.

The seizure lasted only 2 minutes. The Vet informed me that if he had another in the next 30 days to call back.

He had another Saturday at 8:00 p.m. I had to leave a voice mail that our Vet provides for emergencies. The on-call Vet called me back and told me I had to keep Kody in my room/bed to watch him through the night to see if he would have more. If he did, I was to call him back and bring him into the office, ASAP, no matter the time of night.

The night was long. I didn’t sleep a wink, at first. Every little move or sound he made, I thought he was starting to have one again. So at 1:30 I finally fell asleep, after laying there waiting for something to happen. I slept a total of four hours. Four. When at 5:25 a.m. waking me from what little sleep I got, Kody was having another violent seizure. His third in less than 36 hours. I sat with him, saying his name, telling him it was OK, waiting for it to pass, all while praying, again.

I called and woke up the on-call Vet, I dressed in whatever was nearest to me, packed the dog in the truck, buckled Landon up along with his blankie, and was off. Adrenaline making me move forward. Thankfully, I live a stone’s throw away from the office, so it didn’t take me long at all to get there.

Brian was at work the whole night, so this was all on me, but I did it without a complaint or whine. I am very proud of myself for that. As tired as I was, my eyes burning, and my body vibrating, I did it. As much as part of me wanted to crawl back in bed and claim to something that it was Mother’s Day weekend after all, and this isn’t fair, I didn’t. And again I am proud of myself for choosing to stay positive. I grabbed some instant coffee and just went into action, taking care of the things/people that God has entrusted to me. Because I realized that this, this is what mother’s do, even early on Mother’s Day. Because it’s our job. No, it wasn’t my child, but it was still my family pet, and he needed me, just like Landon needs me.

Mothers are Givers.

Kody is now on medication to prevent more seizures, and Praise the Lord, he hasn’t had one since that last one at 5:25 a.m. yesterday morning.

Landon stayed awake, not taking a nap before church. He was such a perfect little boy, no whining or crying. He listened to everything I said, and always obeyed. Never got upset that I had to wake him up at 5:30 in the morning. It was almost like he knew Mommy didn’t need added stress. I was so thankful to God for that.

Brian got off of work bringing me breakfast and a sympathetic hug and kiss. He also surprised me with some gifts. One was a griddle. A griddle! Yes, I didn’t have one and have been wanting one forever. Now I can make two grilled cheese sandwiches at a time! The second one, along with a card that made me tear up, he let Landon give me. Landon was so excited, running up to me with a little white box in his hands. Which blew me away because I wasn’t at all expecting these!

I wasn’t expecting them because my real mother’s day gift I don’t have yet. I’ll be getting that one later this month, at the store, where she is waiting for me. ((Squeal))

So sometimes, Mothers technically don’t get breaks on Mother’s Day. Isn’t that a shocker? ;) Though, you know what? That doesn’t make me at all think that that’s unfair. I feel so blessed to even be a mother! Yeah, I was tired and worn out yesterday. And no I didn’t get to sleep in, have breakfast brought to me in bed, or even get to lounge and read books all day. And perhaps the day didn’t go the way I thought in my head it should have gone. But you know what? It was OK with me. It is OK. I am blessed with a wonderful husband, who probably spoils me a little too much, (not like I don’t spoil him as well) a wonderful son who makes my whole heart burst with pride daily, and now a seizure free dog, thanks to a wonderful Vet. Life is pretty swell.

Of course the gifts are always a great added bonus, duh. But I’m just more thankful that I have my family, my health, and true happiness. Trust me on this one. That’s what it’s all about for me.

So after all, It turned out to be a wonderful Mother’s Day, even on only four hours of sleep and no nap. ;)

GoodBye Dr. Dorian…

I suppose that after tonight my Tivo will shout out a praise that one less show will have a season pass on it, filling up its precious memory space. Though I will be freeing up some space to begin taping future favorites, I’m sure, I am still be sad to see this one go.

I didn’t start watching from the very beginning; I got a pretty late start. It all started the last few weeks of my pregnancy. You know, those weeks where you are waiting and waiting for that little baby to come. You need something, anything to make it go faster? So we borrowed the first season from a friend, bought the second and third, and from then on, the rest of my pregnancy, we watched episode after episode. It made the anxiety about the upcoming birth a bit more bearable.

We kept right on watching the second and third season on DVD after Landon was born. The whole six weeks Brian was off of work to help me with Landon, we’d pop in another disk. I mean, why not watch something that makes you laugh while you’re sleep deprived and nursing a hungry infant in the early morning hours?

And every Thursday since then, except for that blasted writer’s strike, when I would tune in, the show took me back to those days, weeks, and months, and brings back wonderful memories. Still does.

We need to buy and watch season four and five, but I couldn’t wait and watched last season (6) and this season (7) as it played live. Even against Brian’s request not to. He said it would ruin it for me to watch the last two seasons before I watched the ones before it. I don’t think it will. It was so funny, when I would Tivo them, every week I had to watch them when Brian wasn’t around. If I was watching them when he was home, he’d walk through the living room, covering his ears. That silly guy, always wanting to have things in order and stuff.

So I am sad today, that tonight: Scrubs is no more. It will no longer be a part of my Thursday night line of favorites. And man, will I miss the awesome music they played. I found many great bands through that show. I will miss the characters. I will miss the comedy. It was just a good show. Was it not?

At least I still have The Office, for now.

I spent over an hour watching clips from all the seasons on YouTube. I wanted to add some to this post, but I couldn’t find just one favorite one to add. I did have a good laugh, though, while I watched and saved some to my YouTube profile.

So, I’ll leave you with this (Sniff-Sniff). Though it won’t be the same, there’s always the DVDs to look forward to.

Happiness Is….

Taking pictures using this and this.

(Squeal)

But even better than those? Happiness, is being able to take pictures with and of this special guy.

This, this is pure happiness.

It Feels Like Summer….

….and I have some tan lines to prove it to you. Let me tell ya. Glorious Sun, oh how I missed your precious warmth this long winter past. It is so good to have you back. You and your beautiful deep blue skies, complete with crisp clear breezes. Seemed like forever since I felt the warm glow, but now here you are again. My Buckeye State, so far, has not let me down in the Spring category. The past, oh I’d say…week, it’s been in the high 70’s. High 70’s people!? It’s 79 today. Yep. Isn’t that wonderful? The only time we are inside is to sleep, it seems. We even eat outside. It’s just been heavenly. I hope I’m not jinxing myself by blogging about it. And please, don’t remind me that it’s always like this where you are, wherever that may be. I’m happy for ya, I am. ;) Just let me have my moment, OK? Thank you. :)

Landon also can prove that it’s been nice out. He’s starting to get his brown summer tan like he did last year (gets that from his father). And his hair keeps getting lighter and lighter by the day!! (Gets that from his mother). You will not find me upset by this fact; then, people think he’s my child too. ;) To see him with his deep brown eyes, blondish hair, and brown skin tone, I tell ya, swoon! Look out ladies! I’m so in trouble when he’s a teenager. (sigh)

Just like last summer, I can’t keep the boy inside. After he wakes from his nap, he puts on his own Crocs, on the right feet at that, and runs to the back door and says, “Ou-side Mama”. (Awww) How can I say no to that? And keeping up with the boy status, he finds dirt wherever he goes. He always has some kind on him, at all times. Doesn’t bother him though. Since he’s a boy, I have accepted the dirt. I no longer fight it.

Case in point…look close. A dirty, yet happy face. Dirt smudge on the side of the face. (And this is a mild picture) Bangs wet from perhaps sweat, or dog slobber? Not sure. A cut and scab above the line of dirt and grime. Yep. A dirty, sweaty, stinky, boy. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Gosh I love this face!

Even Kody has been enjoying more outside time, thanks to the demands of Landon who wants him out there with him and the 20 foot yard leash I caved-in and bought. (I was holding out hope for that stinkin’ fence I’ve been craving, obsessed about, longing, whining about, wanting, hoping for years to have. No big; there’s always next year. Or the next one, or the next one….) Moving on.

When we’re not out and about getting some of that Vitamin D, I’m thoroughly enjoying my weekly photography class. White Balance, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Composition, Oh My! Oh.my.gosh. Seriously? It’s the best thing ever. I’ve only had three classes but my brain is starting to explode with knowledge regarding SLR Photography. My instructor is so great. There isn’t anything this man doesn’t know. And I’m already looking into the class that follows this one. I have learned so much about what my camera can do. It’s just amazing. I wish I could use less generic words than that, because really, amazing doesn’t do it justice.

Here is a picture I took applying some techniques that I learned in class. Aperture Exposure and Photographic Composition. Maybe someday when I have more time I’ll explain those words to you, if you don’t know. But most of you do, so again, let me have my moment. ;)

Fun stuff, I tell ya.

What else is fun? Our project is almost complete. I know, I know. You’ve been losing sleep over thinking about what it may be, right? Ha. Well… whether you’re losing sleep or not, I promise I will reveal it soon. (Give me about week.) It still needs some finishing touches and then it will be complete. So far, we are really happy with how it turned out.

Until then….Enjoy the weather and everything else that you do.

Spring Has Finally Sprung….

these past few weeks, and so that means a few things….

1. Fun outdoor toys to finally play with!

2. Being able to bust out the Crocs again! Matching ones at that ;)

3. Brian’s first mow of the season. Would ya look at those lines!? That guys sure loves to mow, I tell ya!

4. Waking early, coffee in hand, and being greeted with this beautiful crisp morning sun. Ahh, still wet dew on the grass.

5. Sun Tea! OK, so it’s a bit early, I’ve been told, to make it. That didn’t stop me though. So it was a bit weak. I enjoyed every sip.

6. Buds! Every where you look there is new life growing. Color is starting to peek out here and there.

7. Playing at all the local parks! Nothing better than a good swing with your favorite guy :) Whee…

And best of all, though they are all the best, is number 8. New Projects!

Stay tuned for that reveal.

Well, I guess you can tell that I’m thrilled that Spring is here! How about you? Do you feel the same?

SLR 101

It’s been a awhile since I sat in a class, but here we go. Let’s see how rusty I really am. Now before you get too excited, no, it’s not that kind of class. Although I have been seriously looking into a college lately, but that’s another post for another day. This is something different.

The class I’m talking about is a Photography Class! You see, ever since we got our beloved camera, Brian has been bugging me to sign up, somewhere, and take some classes, and learn all I can about what this thing can do.

So after owning my Nikon for over a year, and acting like I know what I’m doing, I called one of my local Cord Camera stores. This is where we purchased her and will purchase others (upgrades) in the future. So, for the next 6 weeks my D50 and I will learn more about each other. My first class starts this week! To say that I am excited is an understatement. I am really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to meet other people who love this hobby as much as I, and learn all I can about this skill.

Flickr will be, I’m sure, overflowing with pictures using new techniques and skills. I will just warn you now;) If people thought I was snap happy before, just wait;)

Big Boy Bed….

Since March 24th, Landon has been in his big boy bed and doing very well with the change. He only rolled out twice and the first time he must have been so tired he just stayed sleeping on the floor. I found him snoozing away, wrapped up in his favorite blanket. Those rolls happened in the first week, and since then hasn’t happened again. No, he was not hurt either time. The bed is pretty low to the ground;)  

We turned his 3-in-1 crib into the toddler version. I searched for awhile for bedding that would match the ever so sacred blanket, and found the perfect set on Ebay. (Gotta love that Ebay) It actually looks a lot like his older “baby” bedding, so it matches with his blanket perfectly.

Let’s look back at where it all started, shall we? We set up his crib on Nov. 26th, 2005. We were all ready and excited about a little baby boy who was soon on his way. (OK, so he was like two months away! We were excited first time parents, with lot’s of time on our hands.)

Now? We have a toddler, in a big boy bed, complete with big boy bedding! How about that?

And? Judging the picture clarity, you can tell we have a better camera now as well;)

An Ode To My Not So Little Brother….

“Oh Brother I can’t believe it’s true…”–Coldplay-”Talk”

Dear Sam,

Though it was a long time ago, I still remember as if it were only yesterday. I climbed into Grandma’s car to go visit mom in the hospital. I had a new sibling to finally meet. I always wanted brothers. Yes, it’s true. I never wanted a sister. Why? I suppose I never wanted to share the spotlight of being the only granddaughter;) That does have its perks, you know! But you see, neither my parents nor God ever got that memo I sent saying that I wanted older brothers. No, clearly God had other plans. Doesn’t he always;) He has a way of doing these sort of things from time to time. I got brothers alright, just younger ones…and two of them, to boot. My first younger brother, our brother, yours and mine, I barely remember being brought home from the hospital. I was a tiny tot, all of 4 whole years old when he came into my “only child” world. I’m sure you can imagine my only-child culture shock. What nerve, asking me to share the attention. What was mom thinking!? Ah, but I’m getting ahead of myself, or rather starting a much-farther-back story. You were not even thought of, not even a twinkle yet in mom’s eye. That’s another post, for another day, for my other brother, when he has a birthday. But this, this post is for someone else. For this post is for another little brother. This is to the brother who came into my world much later in my life. You arrived at my ripe old age, that lovely, awkward, on-the-balance-of-maturity age of 12. I was 12 years and 1 month old when you came bouncing into this great big world. From then on, my life, our lives, would not be the same….

You were so tiny. You were wrapped up in blue. I held you. Little did I know that I had been signed up, unwilling might I add, to be mom’s big helper. Oh yes! Gone were the days where my friends wanted to hang out with me because they liked me just for me. Now everyone wanted to be at my house because I was the girl with the new cute baby brother…that I had to help take care of. Did I mention that already?

It got worse the older you and I became; meaning me taking care of you. Our parents worked early in the morning. And Josh wasn’t much help. I mean, after all, what could our brother do? Bless his heart. He was a boy, not a maternal bone in his body. He couldn’t even remember to brush his own teeth before school, let alone help you with yours!? So that left me. The oldest. The oldest girl. Mom’s helper. Every morning I wanted to take extra time to look cute. After all, I was in high school for Pete’s sake, I had to look my best. But, instead of spending extra time in the mirror on myself, I had to wake you up, bathe you, dress you, and for the love all of that is Holy, FEED you!? OK, so you were only like 3 and couldn’t make your own oatmeal. That’s understandable I guess, but did I have to do everything else? To top it all off, once you started school I had to take Josh AND you to school before pulling up all cool in the Topaz in the high school parking lot. Talk about embarrassing. I could have had a better parking spot if it were not for you two. I remember us three fighting the whole 10-minute drive to school. I still don’t understand why you two couldn’t ride the bus back then. I had to, but then I didn’t have an older sibling to drive me.

Now all kidding aside, as much as it pained me, looking back now, it wasn’t that bad. It didn’t kill me. It taught me to nurture my own child. I grew up, as you did too. Suddenly the days of dropping you off at school were gone. Before I knew it, I was out of school and not too long after that, walking down the aisle at my wedding. You were my ring bearer. I look at the wedding pictures and can’t believe you were ever that small!?

Somehow 16 years went by faster then the cars go round the track at the Indy 500. As we have grown older, we have grown so much closer. And suddenly, I’m hearing you tell of high school stories and teachers you don’t like. We’re comparing teenage drama stories and how certain teachers are still the same. You are now in driver’s ed, learning to drive. Now that little baby I had to take care of is feeding my son and changing his diapers! It’s scary to think time went by so fast. 12 years between two people, you’d think they would have nothing in common with each other. But somehow we do. Actually, in all honesty, we are so much alike it’s scary. Other than Brian, you are the only other person I can tell everything to. I love that we have the same sense of humor. I love how we can send emails, messages, and texts to each other and no one would get our inside jokes like we do. And the inside jokes are many. I have too many memories of you and me laughing until we’ve nearly died from our sides bursting open, and singing harmony on so many songs. I love that we have the same taste in music and bands. I love that every Coldplay song that comes on makes me think of you, or some hilarious voicemail we’ve sent back and forth. I love that you understand my passion for all things music, because you have the same passion. I love how much we both love England and would visit or live there in a heartbeat. And I promise you, someday we will go there and drink some tea, visit the Queen and walk down Penny Lane. We must! I love how you, like me, appreciate good bands and songs. I love that we, though 12 years apart, can talk, listen, and just “get” each other. I love how when I think about something I need to ask or tell you, somehow you have ESP, and my phone lights up with a message of some sort. Even as I type this, memories are flowing in my mind, too many for my fingers to keep up with. Too many things said, stories shared, songs sung, words written, and laughs shared. Just. Too. Many.

I love most of all, how my son lights up like a light every time you walk into a room. The way he looks up to you. How when you are around no one else can do anything for him but you. And no offense to his other two uncles, but I’m pretty sure you are his favorite. I love how you love him, play with him, teach him things, make him laugh like no one else can, and how you take care of him. Kinda like I took care of you. I mean, you change his diapers for crying out loud, and don’t complain about it!

Sam, I am blown away that you are 16 today. I mean, really, how did that happen? How did you go from the little toddler that I was forced to take care of;) to this young man that I talk to pretty much daily? How did you get to be this young man with such talent at so many things? How did you learn all that you know about computers, codes, layouts, etc? How did you get such a great eye for photography? How did you get so creative, so smart? How did you become a talented singer and dancer? How did you become this hilarious kid who tells me, all the time, when the new X-files movie is coming out? That baby that I went and saw in the hospital….he’s all grown up now. Slowly becoming a man. That little toddler who couldn’t say Randi, and would called me “di” no longer has trouble with saying my name now. I’m glad that name for me stuck. And I still smile when Dad calls me that. It makes me remember when you were little.

“You’re in control is there anywhere you wanna go? You’re in control is there anything you wanna know? The future’s for discovering the space in which we travel in” –Coldplay-”Square One”

I am so proud to say I’m your sister, yeah even though it’s your “older” sister. Again, God did not get that memo I sent. But I’m glad He didn’t, because He really knew what He was doing. I am so thankful God gave you to us all. I know you don’t remember how mean I was to you when you were little. Maybe you do? Yeah, I think I’ve told you. You can’t really blame me…Ok maybe you can. Looking back now, I’m glad I could take care of you in the mornings before school. I am so glad that you are my little brother, even if you are taller than me. (Well who isn’t?) I know that God has many great and wonderful things in store for you and I’m excited to watch you experience them all. I know that you will succeed in all that you do.

So with all that said, Happy 16th Birthday! I love you very much and I hope that you have a wonderful day celebrating your life!! Now, for crying out loud, go get your license so you can come and visit me and I can save my gas!

Love Your Big Sis,

“Di”

I Feel Pretty…Oh So Pretty…

I haven’t had my hair done since a week before Christmas. 3 months ago. In a hairdresser’s world, that is eons, I swear. So to celebrate St. Patty’s Day, I pampered myself a bit. What St. Patrick’s Day and getting your hair done have in common, I have no idea. It just so happened to be that little green holiday, and that was the day my friend had open, and I had a sitter. Score! And no, I did not drink a complimentary green beer, as I read in the latest InStyle magazine while I waited for my hair to process. ;) I did however, leaf through one magazine while catching up on the latest girlie gossip with my friend, fully relaxed and content to be saying goodbye to my unwanted dark roots.

Believe it or not, I took a total of 6 inches off—3 inches off the length and 3 inches off the layers. Oh, and I have side bangs again. I kinda missed those a little, though you really can’t see them in the picture below. They are hiding under the longer side bangs. Let’s also note that I have no more mile-long dark roots for all to see, blech! With all this extra dead stuff cut off, I feel lighter. Now all I need is some self-tanner, ya think?

Here are the Before and After….

Yay for being a girl, right?

Now let’s bring on Spring and this weekend’s Easter festivities:)

Landon can’t even believe….

….all the new things that he can say and do these days! Not to mention, how he got to be 26 months old so fast!?

I mean, just look at that shocked face!