JKHawk Family

Hot Dogs and Sweet Corn

2011-06-17T16:58:00.004-05:00

Hafer Park

It's such a neat place. There is a dock, a pond, ducks, tons of fish (fishing for 12 and under) and friendly people.

The first time Carter and I went, he didn't catch anything. He tried fishing on the dock and off the side. Did I mention that he can't see over the side???
He found a way to stand in between the fence slats on this side.
The second time we went, a very nice man with his 2 sons, first tried to unstick Carter's hook for us and then tied a new one on when it broke the line. We took some sweet (when we didn't catch anything) that that is what they like. The man's sons were catching things left and right and they offered us part of their secret...a hot dog. The big Johnsonville ones with the cheese in the middle. It took a little bit, but Carter caught 2 tiny, large mouth bass. That sounds like a contradiction of terms....but it's true.

After half of the hot dog was half gone, Carter accidentally knocked the rest of the hot dog into the pond and we had to make do with the corn. We didn't catch any more fish but I happened to snag a turtle....only on it's shell, it didn't actually hurt him.

The next time, we vowed to bring hot dogs AND corn. Going back and forth, using corn and hot dog, Carter-and myself when he was tired-caught a total of 8 catfish. It was SO cool!!!

See...they really do like sweet corn.

Around this time, Carter actually snagged a duck...he was trying to reel in his line to avoid the ducks and it caught on the back of one of the ducks legs...That was a sight, me trying to pull in a duck so that I could try to get a hook out of its leg, it's swimming/flying away at the same time. The hook finally just comes out and flies in the air and hits me in the finger. Thank goodness it didn't hook me, but it actually really hurt when it hit my finger.

We went back later that evening with Travis and Carter caught the thing he has wanted to catch since we started fishing at Hafer Park...

A GIANT GOLDFISH!!!!!!!

Then he caught a turtle.............his second goal!!!

So much fun and adventures!!!

Lake Hefner

2011-06-17T16:25:00.007-05:00

I took Carter to Lake Hefner by myself in the next two pictures. We didn't catch anything but it was some fun bonding time!!!

Travis and I took Carter and a friend back to Lake Hefner. It was
Daniel's first time to fish, wish we would have caught something then. The boys still had a great time though!!!

Lazy times

Carter and his buddy, Daniel.

Fabulous tattoo, Carter!!!

Daddy and Carter

Can we get them to come if we dump the bait in the water?

Are we having fun yet?

YEP!!!

Time to play on the 'beach'. The water was so low that this is normally covered. They found lots of clam shells though!!! This is one of my favorite pics of Carter. It really sums him up! No shirt, on the move, talking and muscles!!!

We don't need the stinky bait anymore...

Favorite Things

2011-06-17T14:43:00.004-05:00

Fishing is Carter's new thing...

HE LOVE'S IT!!! Wants to go everyday!!! Since Travis has school most nights, I have been taking Carter by myself. I'm getting pretty good at tying on a hook, baiting it and getting the hook out from the mouth of a fish. Anyway, we have been fishing MANY times, some before school was out and lots after. Here are some pics below of our different excursions!!!

Here we are at a pond that our neighbor Randy took us to. We caught around 18 bass. We had a neighborhood fish fry the other day and ate the fish we caught!!!

Carter has to have his tackle box...he makes sure to tell everyone that 'Papa got this for me'

First Cast!!!

My biggest fish waiting to be cleaned.

Reagan, Randy's daughter.

Randy and Travis cleaning the fish.

God Is Good!!!

2011-04-08T09:24:00.005-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Carter prayed to have Jesus come into his heart!!! We've talked about it with him but didn't push anything on him. We had a lot of explaining to do when they talked about being Baptized at school. He's been the only one in his class that hadn't been for a couple of years now. We had our pastor from a previous church come and talk to him last year just to make sure he understood that what we believe and what people at school believe is a little different. Since then I've brought it up every once and a while. On Friday, March 25th, the three of us were on our way to eat Mexican (our Friday nite ritual) and from the quiet back seat comes this little voice..."Momma, Jesus has been knocking on my heart. I think I'm ready to be Baptized." So from there, we talked a minute and then we prayed together, and Carter asked Jesus to come into his heart!!! It was the proudest moment of my life!!! It was absolutely perfect!!!

It just so happens that our new church-Coffee Creek Baptist Church- was doing Baptisms on that Sunday the 27th and so we talked with our new pastor and Carter was Baptized on March 27, 2011. God is so faithful and wonderful!!! Just wanted to share this and some pictures below!!!

Boogie Down!!!

2011-02-09T14:52:00.003-06:00

It is yet another snow day around here. Carter had the flu last week during the and missed the only day that they were in school. That was pretty miserable. He had a reoccuring fever from Saturday until Thursday. Friday we took him into his pediatrition to check out his cough that wasn't getting better. They warned us that asthmatics who get flu type B can get pneumonia pretty easily. It wasn't pneumonia (Praise God) it was just really bad asthma. New inhaler and continued breathing treatments every 4 hrs. The Dr. also found an ear infection so now Carter has to take this NASTY medicine on top of hacking up a lung!!! We've started "flavoring" it with chocolate syrup to make the nastiness go down a bit easier...lets just say that it's not really easier, just mind over matter!!!

Anyway, we were all prepared to send Carter to school on Monday and sure enough, I woke up at a quarter till six, went to check on him and cover him up and he said, "Don't touch me!" and threw up all over the bed...more nastiness!!! He didn't have a fever but we still couldn't send him to school. Graciously, Travis stayed home this time and I got to go to work!!! Carter was fine. I think it must have been the leftover spaghetti that he had the day before. It shouldn't have been spoiled but it must have been. He even went to gymnastics that night and the only problem was coughing from asthma.

Well, Carter's first day back to school was yesterday. We forgot his 100th day of school project that he had worked on the previous week...luckily, Travis could leave for lunch and bring it to school.

Now...we're home again because of snow. I'm okay with it. This cold weather has not been working too well with my body so it's good to be able to be in bed. I'm hurting all over most of the time and my pain management Dr. has me on the minimum pain meds. I've been barely able to walk the past 2 days after work. Yesterday was better than Monday though. You can tell when you're dealing with someone who doesn't have chronic pain. They must not want me to actually function in life. I received 2 injections, (one in my back, one in my hip) over Thanksgiving break. Those still feel okay, not as good as they used to but just okay. Now on Monday, I'm getting an injection in my knee to hopefully make it feel better. Please pray that it works. Injections are pretty painful to get, but worth it if they work!!!

Anyway, nothing makes me smile like my little man. This morning he entertained me by dancing!!! We ordered "Alpha and Omega" from the TV (we're watching it again as we speak), it really is a cute movie. There is a sceen where the boy and girl wolves 'howl' together and Carter absolutely LOVES that part. We have to keep rewinding it and he dances and sings every time!!! It's SO cute!!! Here's a video of Carter dancing and singing!!!

Olympics, Here We Come!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-19T21:14:00.006-06:00

Well...maybe not yet but as of tonight, we are headed in the right direction!!! Carter has been in kick and gym (karate and gymnastics) for a little over two years now. They really concentrated more on karate than gym but he really liked it. Anyway, after taking the 1st quarter class off, we came back to find a new coach. He's great!!! We did the 2nd quarter with him and Carter really likes him. He's really good with the kids. Anyway, after enrolling for the 3rd quarter and a week before it started, we got a phone call from one of the head coaches for the boys competition team gymnastics. His karate coach (Coach Corey) recommended Carter to the other coaches and they asked Carter to come and tryout for their 'Hot Shots' team. This is a pre-team that is available by invitation only to 6 and 7 yr. olds. They prepare boys to compete when they get older. Coach Corey told the head coach... "has some awesome talent and he is well behaved (my favorite) and has the perfect attitude"...Coach Sam. They are super impressed with his flexibility and strength. We found out tonight after 3 training sessions that Carter has been accepted to the Hot Shots team!!! He will train at the competitive gym 2 days a week for and hour and a half each time. He is SO excited and I have to say...I'm a pretty proud Momma!!! Below are some pics of Carter in training...

My Little Saint

2010-11-02T08:10:00.004-05:00

As most of you know, I teach at a Catholic school and right now, Carter goes there too. Although we are not Catholic, I have never been so accepted by any faith before in my life!!! They don't care that my beliefs differ from theirs, I'm beginning to understand why they believe the things that they believe...although I don't agree with some things, I do admire the dedication that they have to their religion. I LOVE that I can pray at anytime during the day with my classes and that Carter prays with his class many times a day. I love that they have prayer circles where everyone can go around and tell their prayer requests. Anyway, I just believe that it's not your "religion" that matters, but your personal relationship with Christ.

Anywho...now that I'm off my soapbox...Catholic's celebrate 'All Saints Day on November 1st. It's where they honor the Saints that their classrooms have been assigned. One student is chosen to dress up like that Saint and they are recognized in Mass. Carter got chosen this year (mainly because the costume underneath was too small to fit any of the other boys) and I have to say I'm a proud momma!!! He had to stand in front of the church with all the other Saints and announce that he was Saint Juan Diego. He did great!!! He was nervous in front of the entire school but took his duties very seriously!

Here's a picture of 'My Little Saint', Juan Diego...missing bottom teeth and all!!!

These were the days...

2010-08-03T16:43:00.003-05:00

I've seen a HUGE change in my little man over the summer and I'm not sure I like it!!! Carter has gone from my sweet, lovey dovey little boy to a rough, farting (on me), burping, kid. I really don't like it at all!!! I can't kiss him anymore, he will only kiss me on the cheek when he wants too and the hugging and hand holding has almost come to a halt. My mom always told me it would happen but deep down I wanted to believe that Carter was a different kind of boy...yeah right...he's definitely not!!! Well, as we are entering a new chapter in our lives, I was going back through some old pics and came across this video that I thought I lost. I'm SO thankful that I didn't because it is my absolute favorite!!! I think he was 2ish. We lived in Blackwell. I have remembered this moment and will never forget it!!! My little guy will be starting Kindergarten in a few weeks and I'm not sure I'm ready for that either. I'm SO incredibly thankful that he will be at my school with me for at least another year but then comes new challenges when he goes to a public school for 1st grade............Somehow, I don't think it will get any easier....ever...

I'm sincerely having a hard time with this....

This video still cracks me up!!! I'm so thankful that I have these to remember the days that are gone and I treasure the times and experiences...even if they did require a mess that I had to clean up!!! Enjoy!!!

Talent Show 2010

2010-05-07T12:49:00.004-05:00

So...he did it!!! Carter actually performed his dance for his classmates!!!! YAY!!! Aside from the note i can never hit while recording and Carter's dead arms...It was GREAT!!! I'm such a proud momma right now!!! Enjoy the 2nd version of "Party in the USA"!!!

Party in the USA

2010-05-05T15:48:00.004-05:00

So its pretty depressing when you're a music teacher, your main instrument is your voice and you have a child who WON'T SING!!! Well, I finally found a couple of song on the radio that Carter will sing to. One is "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus and the other is "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift...affectionately known in our house as 'the bleacher song'. Anywho, I caught Carter at a rare moment when he was willing to sing AND dance. Aside from him telling me to 'speed up' a couple of times, I think he did a great job!!! Makes his Momma proud!!! He's also supposed to do this 'routine' for his class on Friday. It's the letter 'T' week and they are having a Talent Show. We'll see if he goes through with it!!!

Snow, Snow and MORE Snow!!!

2010-02-22T16:16:00.001-06:00

It was SO pretty during the Christmas Eve Blizzard of 2010. I can't even remember how much snow we got! We did measure a 21 1/2 inch snow drift up against our garage. Needless to say, we didn't go anywhere until we had to the next day for Carter's incident!

From our front door.

The snow hanging off the front of the house.

Front of the house again.

Front of our house from across the street.

Christmas Day 2010

2010-02-22T16:10:00.000-06:00

Well, Christmas started all nice and cozy...no where to go...oh wait, I spoke too soon!!! Carter and Travis just couldn't help themselves and had to go outside to shovel...play in the snow. I went out and took the first cute picture of them with their shovels, and went back inside to enjoy some alone time...next thing I know, T is carrying C into the house with blood dripping from his lip! I can easily see that he'll need stitches. Thank goodness T shoveled our drive and we were able to get out! A 4 hour ER visit and 3 stitches later... here we are!!!

Little Bo

2010-02-22T13:13:00.000-06:00

We have an addition to our family:

Bo Lee Hawk

Bo was Mommy's Christmas present this year. I've wanted a small dog for as long as I can remember. He was not planned but a wonderful surprise!!! I got an email from Travis one day showing a sweet group of 6 puppies. Part Boston Terrier, part Yorkie. The story is told that the 6 puppies were taken away from there mom at 4 wks and were going to be dumped somewhere. A group that rescues Boxers took them in and gave them to a woman in Guthrie who works with the local shelter. My understanding is that she facebooked and emailed them and within 24hrs. they were all taken. I even got to pick which one I wanted. The only Brindle colored in the pack. He was still 4wks when we got him, weighed 2 1/4 lbs. and is the cutest thing in the world!!! He's bigger now at 13 wks. I think he weighs around 8 lbs. now. He sleeps thru the night and LOVES to go outside and play with the big dogs!!! Jacko, now 14 months old and around 100 lbs. loves to put his entire mouth around the puppy but doesn't bite down! We have to dry Bo off when he comes in from playing with Jacko and Lexi. Here are some pics below. More recent ones to follow!!!

Mommy's Little Bo

Carter and Bo

Jacko and Bo

Bo and his chew toy...it's bigger than him!!!

So...it's been awhile

2010-02-22T11:25:00.001-06:00

Hello All
It's been so long since I've written on here...I have to tell you why. Our computer at home is the bane of my exhistence!!! I really do hate it. I don't hate much in this world...but the computer...and the act of child molestation, murder, suicide...you get my drift.

I check my blog followings at work and even respond when I have the time. Today, I've decided to actually write from work during my 2 minute break...okay, so it's longer than that but doesn't feel like it. I'm going to have to do this more often.

Anyway, another problem I've been having is that for some reason, on ANY computer that I've used (home, T's work laptop and this one) all of a sudden this site just starts opening things over and over and over...and won't stop until I completely turn off my power strip w/out logging out. The last time I tried to load a normal pic, it gave me some sort of info message and everytime I clicked 'ok' it gave me another one....till I turned off the entire power source...

If anyone has any knowledge as to why this is happening to me, or what I'm doing wrong, please let me know!!! It's SO frustrating and has been one reason I haven't posted in a while!!!

I've also noticed how everyone has these beautimous pages with designs and things...yeah, I have no idea how to do that either...nor do I have the time to try and figure it out on my own...SO, if anyone can just tell me how, I'd be much abliged!!!

So, here I am, hoping that I'll be able to post this with little problems...guess if you see it, things went well!!!

Hopefully to post again,

Julie

St. John's Auction Night

2009-11-22T14:01:00.000-06:00

I teach at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School which is connected to the Parrish, St. John the Baptist, Catholic Church.....anyway, the parrish has an annual auction that benefits the school. It's our major fundraiser for the year. I didn't get to go last year so this was my first year. It was so fun!!! There was dinner, silent auction, live auction and dancing! I ACTUALLY DANCED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 3 YEARS!!! It was so liberating!!! I'm finally getting better!!! Anyway, at this auction, dinner with the priests went for around $10,000. One set of parents bought their child the honor of principal for the day for around $1500.00. No expense is spared at this place! It was a fun time for Travis and I to get dressed up and go out by ourselves and be with friends. We also had fun bidding on some silent auction stuff too. Each class creates something to put in the silent auction. Carter's 'Extended Day Pre-K' class put their hand prints on this huge serving plate. It was sooo cute, I just had to have it! Travis had his eye on the OSU football signed by Mike Gundy. There were a couple other things but these were the ones we won! I don't have a pic of the Ft. ball 'cause it went straight to the office to be on display. But below is a pic of my wonderful plate! I'm not sure when we'll be able to use it and I have no where to display it...it's huge and heavy, so right now it sits in the middle of the dining room table where we get to see it everyday! Carter's handprint is the blue one on the left-hand side. I'm so glad to have this neat memory and be able to help out the school at the same time!

The Singin' Machine!!!

2009-11-04T17:55:00.000-06:00

Carter has such a great music teacher this year! Don't know where she came from, but he sure likes her! And he's singing more and more! I'm so excited!!! Finally!!! I asked him which 'specials' teacher he liked the best, he said his PE teacher. I'm a little hurt, but that's okay. He LOVES his mommy and I love having him in class...though I wasn't too sure in the beginning! Here are a few songs that Carter learned in music class and the last one, he learned in his Pre-K class. He loves to sing!!! Yea!!!

"What A Mighty God We Serve"

"Alleluia" (Gotta LOVE the facial expressions!!!)

"Ants In My Pants"

"The Ants Go Marching"

I was so excited to see that he remembered all the dancing for "Ants In My Pants". It goes fast and slow and then we all put our hands up in the air during the high part...then we all sit when "the red one's bite cha". What a proud Momma and teacher!!!

Band-Aid Picture Day

2009-10-23T19:05:00.001-05:00

I feel like I've been out of the loop a bit. We moved 3 weeks ago and since before then, I haven't posted anything. Here's a little something to laugh at. The night before Carter's big picture day, he slipped and fell...scraping his temple on a Transformer...just our luck!!! I was asleep when he came to me with 3 scratches on the side of his face. The middle one actually took some skin off. Anyway, through all the drama, I put on medicine, and found that a regular band-aid was too small. All I had was this huge thing to put on the side of his face. I stuck it to his hair and everything...Truthfully...I just wanted to get back to sleep.

I had forgotten about picture day the next day and when we woke up and realized it, I tried to take off the monstrosity. You would think that I was killing him. I decided to get him dressed anyway and thought that maybe I'd have the opportunity to take it off at school before the pic. For pictures, they have to wear their dress uniforms. He looked soooo precious, I just had to take a pic of my own. I found him 2 times at school and tried to rip it off...no such luck. Miss Nan, his teacher, tried too. He ended up not getting to take a picture because I wasn't going to pay for a band-aid picture. We got home that night and Travis and I decided to wait until he was asleep and then yank it off...well...that didn't work either. He immediately woke up and started screaming. I ended up wrapping my arms and legs around him to hold him down and Travis ripped the band-aid off.

The moral of the story is...sometimes band-aids may make your kid feel better in the moment...but, not the next day when you have to rip hair out to get it off...

Anyway, he is by far scarred for life and I swear that the scratch was bigger when I put the giant band-aid on. After we took it off, 2 of the 3 scratches had vanished and the big one...wasn't that big after all..............my life..............thank goodness for picture make-up day!!!

Singing and Playing the Harmonica

2009-08-23T14:29:00.000-05:00

Carter has been really excited about singing lately. I'm not talking about the singing he did earlier for school. This time he sings his own things and has just started putting this vibrata in that makes me laugh!!! I had to get it on video to share! He also LOVES to play the harmonica. We can only stand a few minutes a day but that's enough for him to do pretty well. I love that he plays a bit and makes sure to resolve it to the tonic...sorry, music teacher talk...he ends it well. Maybe he'll be my little performer!!! On a side note...Carter and I were driving home from school a few days ago and he says, "Mommy, sing for me." I said, "Okay, what do you want me to sing?" He sang 'la' up really high with vibrato. I mimicked him. He said, "Wow, you're pretty good at that!" I said, "Really? Well, thank you." He said, "You need to teach that on TV on channel 6." I just said thank you and died laughing! What a sweet boy!!!

Surgeries leave scars

2009-08-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

WARNING!!! GRAPHIC PICS...

This picture is of my right side where they took the bone graft from my upper hip bone. I didn't realize it would be so high up on my side. My pants hit me right in that spot so it's been 'fun' trying to adjust my pants so that it doesn't hurt. I'm hoping this scar tightens up a bit...it's pretty ugly looking!

My first scar from my 2nd surgery (scar #1) was 9 in. long down the side of my leg. For my latest surgery my Doc used what he could of the old scar and then veered off to the left to make this scar 12 in. (scar #2)
I couldn't really get it all in one pic so here's the rest of the pic above...
This pic shows the bottom of the long scar and a little one down by my knee. After taking out the plate and screws that didn't adhere to my bone, he put a long rod thru the center of my femur from my hip to my knee. There is a screw to hold it in place down by my knee (pic below) and a huge (it looked huge on the xray) thru the top of my femur and into the ball of my joint.l
Taking pictures is the best way I know how to explain what I've been thru the past few years. This time I had 38 staples to be removed. Hopefully this is the last one! I feel better and have less pain now than I did all year last year. Thank you to everyone who said prayers and remembered me in their thoughts. I have a long road of rehab ahead but I know that I will make it thru this!!!

Carter's 1st day of Pre-K

2009-08-19T16:16:00.001-05:00

Carter was so excited to start PreK this year! NO NAPS!!! That was his favorite part!

So cute in his uniform!!!

He loves his personalized bag that they use for a backpack!

SWIMMING LESSONS!!!

2009-07-14T16:54:00.001-05:00

Carter started swimming lessons for the first time last week! Miss Meredith really had her work cut out for her though. Carter would barely get on the first step. She finally coaxed him out to the second step and he kept running back up to the top! He then jumped over into the "baby pool" and let her hold him while he swam a bit for her. He actually put his face in the water before he trusted her enough to go swimming with her! She's definately good!!! Thank you Miss Meredith! Carter had a great time and even asked the next day if he could go back over to her house. Maybe next time he'll get in and go swimming sooner than 30 minutes into the lesson! It was so funny! He argued his way (politely) out of each situation that he didn't want to experience. I believe she said that he needs to be a lawyer when he grows up!!!

ALMOST!!!

BUBBLES!!!

YAY!!!

YOU DID IT!!!

MONKEY CRAWL!!! (This was Carter's favorite part)

Then he realized he could touch and do it by himself!!!

The first half of swimming, he held onto Meredith's neck...

NOW YOU'RE DOING IT!!!

WHAT A PRO!!!

Dinosaur, the Hermit Crab

2009-07-14T16:43:00.000-05:00

We've had hermit crabs for around 4 yrs. now...or has it been 3? I can't remember but anyway, this is the first time one has molted!!! I've read and re-read info on them but was actually kind of nervous about the process...just didn't know what to expect. A couple of weeks ago, Dinosaur got REALLY active! I mean constantly moving, digging, climbing, etc... It's weird for him because he has never changed shells, you hardly ever see him walking around, he wouldn't come out during his bath & it took him forever to get comfortable enough to be out of his shell on you hand. Anyway, I took his activeness as him probably preparing to molt. Today when I went in Carter's room to water his sponge, I saw his exoskeleton. At first I thought he might be dead but as I looked closer, this outer shell is pretty much see-through and I could see a shadow under his yellow shell. Now, I should really move him and his exoskeleton to a different container to keep him safe but I'm afraid the move will disturb him too much and he'll die. I don't know yet what I'll do. He will eventually eat his disposed of outer shell because it has calcium and is really good for him while his new skin is turning hard. I'm not sure how much you'll enjoy the pictures but I thought it was pretty interesting!!!

Shopping with Dad at Bass Pro Shop...

2009-07-04T14:39:00.000-05:00

My little fisherman!!!

At the Movies!!!

2009-07-04T14:33:00.000-05:00

We took Carter to see the new Ice Age movie last night. It was great to view it in 3-D although I did get motion sick during the middle. This happens to me quite frequently so I took some Dramamine and was able to enjoy the last half of the movie!!! Thank goodness for my big purse and all of the things I keep in it!!! FUN TIMES!!!

My little poser..

2009-06-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

Rarely, Carter chooses to have his picture taken. These pics that follow came on a day that I just noticed that he was RIDING his REMOTE CONTROL Hummer. I have no clue why but it was another one of those times I couldn't pass up. So he LET me take a picture of him and then got all excited and wanted me to take picture after picture of him doing 'moves' on this thing. I thought it was funny! He would run to me to view the pic after each one! What a goober!!!

My Child...

2009-06-30T12:17:00.000-05:00

Carter loves wearing glasses, masks, goggles, ANYTHING that will alter his appearance. He calls it his 'Secret Identity. This day, in late April, he chose safety goggles (with no lenses in them) and of course no shirt. I couldn't keep a shirt on this kid if my life depended on it. He was just sitting there in the living room, eating his pop corn out of a massive container (another favorite past time) with the goggles on. I couldn't help but take a pic. Can we say, 'future blackmail'? Then of course he had to show me his punches!!!

And then there were three...

2009-06-29T21:27:00.001-05:00

We decided to surprise Carter a fish tank and a few of those cheap little gold fish. We ended up with 7 and unfortunately, since it took me a month to get this post out, we only have 3 left. He's handled all of the 'floaters' well. He will actually get them out of the tank and flush them himself. He's such a boy!!! I'm just glad that I don't have to do it. If you'll notice in the pics there is a tiny orange and white fish. That one was my favorite. 'Tiny' was stuck in the filter when we returned home from vacation. That's the last casualty we've had and hopefully the last. We may have to go get more cheapies!!!

The OKC Zoo...

2009-06-26T17:25:00.000-05:00

Carter's Ancy Gramma and Aunt Callie (Travis' mom and sis) asked us to go to the OKC Zoo so went for the first time in a long time...needless to say it was HOT...but we had a good time!

The Swan Boats!!! So Carter's main thing he wanted to do at the zoo was to ride in the swan paddle boats. Travis bought a ticket for Carter and himself, and Nancy got a ticket for her and Callie. There was no way I was going to be able to get in and out of them let alone help paddle so I was more than happy sitting on the sidelines taking pics. When the time came for Carter to get on...he decided he wanted to go with his Ancy Gramma and Aunt Callie. That left Travis by himself and he wasn't going to waste the $6 it cost to ride them so...trooper that he is...he went by himself. There were several pictures of him that just cracked me up but I figured he wouldn't be too excited if I put them all on there. He was mighty tired after doing it all by himself!!!

We got to see the sea lions perform for us. I got more excitement seeing Carter's reaction to watching his first live animal show. He was soooo serious!!!

Here are some other pics I like. I love the way he is holding on to his Daddy and what a sweet moment that was.

Next to the Dinosaur exhibit was a bouncy thing. We were hot and tired by then but Cart sure had a blast using his newly learned punches on the pillars inside! I've never seen one that had those things on the inside before. It was pretty neat!

I forgot the gymnastics part of the Kick-n-Gym post...

2009-06-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a good after pic...

2009-06-01T10:56:00.000-05:00

See previous post: 'I'll start with this...'

Before

After

Carter Meets Davy...

2009-06-01T10:38:00.000-05:00

My friend Julie has a new dog, his name is Davy. We try to get together once a week for dinner and one time Julie brought Davy to meet Me, Carter and then go play in the back with Lexi and Jack... Well, I regret that I didn't get any pics of the dogs all playing together and it's sad to say that Julie's dog is SO MUCH better behaved than Jack-o but I still think they had a good time! Carter on the other hand liked Davy (whom he kept calling Daisy) from a distance. This is what happens when Carter gets on the floor with a big dog while trying to put on a foam dinosaur foot...I laughed so hard and as Julie was trying to get Davy off of Carter I kept telling her not to until I got a good pic!!! I know, bad...but funny!!!

Notice Carter hanging off the arm of the chair...didn't even see that until just now...

My poor babies looking in the back door wondering who our new guest is!!!

Tentatively petting Davy....

Yummy Dinosaur Foot!!!

Ooh...You have a sock in your other hand!!!

Carter preferred to pet Davy when he was fast asleep next to my scrap booking stuff!

Jack-o...I think...

2009-06-01T10:16:00.000-05:00

Well, we've finally decided on a name for our new dog (new in January) and according to Carter, who changed his name so many times I had no clue which one he was going by at times, his name is Jack. We can call him Jack-o for a nickname but, "since he's so big now his name is Jack".Here are some pics I took in March at 4 mos old.

Notice he's as tall as Carter at 4 mos. when standing up...which he does a lot!!!

Carter riding his bike w/Jack-o chasing him & Carter and Nana TRYING to clean the back door.

Here's Travis trying to keep both dogs away from the windows so that Nana and Cart could clean them...I had more interesting pics of Travis trying to do this but most of them just showed his but in various positions and I didn't think he would appreciate it!

The M&M Olympics!!!

2009-05-31T19:24:00.000-05:00

Carter's Kick-n-Gym Class.

The two big guys are, L to R, Coach Thomas and Coach Kyle....they are so good with the kids!!!

One time Coach Kyle told another of the employees that Carter was the 'coolest kid I've ever met'. PROUD MOMMA, let me tell ya!!! That's something I'll never forget!!!

Carter's Kick-n-Gym has an anual M&M Olympics where all of the classes march in and then show their parents all the things they have learned while they have taken their classes...

I was so surprised to see Carter carrying the sign in for his group!

He did such a great job!!!

Here's Carter's Class...4-7yr olds. As you can clearly see, Carter is the smallest. The boy on the far right is Carter's age but older by about 6 months or so.

After showing us their routines, each child in each class got a trophie and some M&M's and got to stand on the top of the podium so that everyone could cheer for them! This is Carter with Coach Thomas.

Fun pic of Travis!!!

I know I look pregnant in this pic but I'm not...other than that, I thought it was a good pic seeing as how I'm sitting on a squishy mat on the floor almost doubled in half (see previous post). Carter was sooo happy getting to perform for us and getting his first trophy!!!

The videos are too cute and only last a couple of seconds! Sorry that some of them are turned sideways...I couldn't figure out how to rotate them!!!

Push Kick

Jab, Cross, Kick

Oompaloompa (yeah, no clue on the spelling just sound it out and think of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory') and roll. I love how they (the Coaches) just take the boys and slide them to where they need to be! It's so funny!!!

This one is Carter breaking a board...it takes him 4 trys (everyone else did it in two or three) but my little guy never gave up. This was their first time to do this with a board. A couple of weeks ago they did it with 'Ninja Tape' (masking tape).

I'll start with this...

2009-05-29T14:33:00.000-05:00

Hello all who read this blog...
Yes, I know it's been a while. The end of school (especially at a new one) is one of the most hecitc times ever and I've been literally exhausted every night when I come home! If there are no other obligations, I am usually fighting to stay awake or just plain not fighting at all. The last thing on my list has been this blog although MANY things to write about have happened. I do plan to catch everyone up on life's mysteries (our lives anyway) during the next couple of days, so forgive me if there are several posts at one time. I dont' want to cram it all into one post so...I'll start with this...

As most all of you know, since my two hip surgeries I have gained a considerable amount of weight... No, you weren't the only one to notice. I faced it everyday. It was a combo of not being able to be active and using food as my comfort. This whole episode has been both mentally and physically exhausting, depressing and just plain stupid. I'm so sick of it!!! ANYWAY, back to my weight (never thought I'd want to ever say that). Knowing that losing weight will probably help my mobility but not being able to move to help get the weight off...see where I'm getting? NOT FUN!!! Anyway, at the school that I'm at, several teachers wanted to start an 'At Work' Weight Watchers program and I thought...what have I got to lose? Ha, ha. Yes, pun intended. I had seen this program work terrifically for a friend of mine (Hey Julie-not me...my friend) and thought 'why not'. The meetings are at work right after school and I'll be working with my support system everyday. So...we started the WW program 6wks ago and I'm happy to say that as of Tuesday the 26th, I've lost 15.4 lbs.!!! I'm extremely proud of myself because it IS hard to do. Especially since I can't get out there and exercise like the rest of them to earn more food points. My knees don't hurt anymore and tho my hip still hurts most of the time, I'm utilizing a rolling walker so that I can walk more. My co-workers have noticed that my 'gate' has gotten better...meaning that I'm walking more balanced than limping. I still have my setbacks with pain but over all I feel that I'm progressing. I know that I look better (it helps when you can put on jeans that you haven't worn in 2 yrs...did that yesterday) and I know that it's much better for my health!

I was going to show you a before and after picture but I really have no good before pics and I'm not in the mood to put on make-up to take an after...maybe at a later date!!!

So, please keep me in your prayers for pain and weight loss and know that I am keeping you in mine!!!

Easter Eggs!!!

2009-04-11T14:51:00.001-05:00

Easter 2009

The Chicken Song...

2009-04-11T10:44:00.000-05:00

"The Mommy Song"

2009-04-01T20:47:00.000-05:00

Love My Cartoons...

2009-03-30T17:23:00.001-05:00

TGIF....

2009-03-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

So glad it's Friday. The kids are crazy at school and all I want to do is go home and lay down. I'm checking my email one last time and Carter comes up to me and says, "Mom, I need a note from my doctor saying that I'm allergic to hot lunch." It is still making me laugh as we speak. The new DHS regulations for his preschool is that everyone has to have a hot lunch unless you get a note from your dr. stating that you have certain dietary needs and then you can bring your lunch. We explained to Carter that you have to be allergic to something in order to have a dr's note. Guess he just pulled it all together and now he's allergic to hot lunch...too funny!
Cart comes up with the funnies things. Sometimes its really hard to discipline him because whatever he did made us laugh. Last night I was laying on the couch after a particularly hard PT that afternoon. Carter was laying/sitting beside/on me on the couch. We were watching cartoons together. Next thing you know, he says, "We're gonna play freeze tag." Me: "I can't get up to run and play freeze tag with you." Him: "You can play laying down. I'll shoot you with my freezer." "Okay", I said, not knowing what I was getting into. Next thing I knew, he stands up on the couch really fast and says, "Gotcha" and makes sounds as he freezes me with his gun. Then he says, "You've gotta move faster than that." I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I WAS SUPPOSED TO MOVE!!! He froze me several times because I never knew when to start or really what to do. I just laughed at the "You've gotta move faster than that" comment...

ARRRRGG!!!!

2009-03-22T19:36:00.000-05:00

My sister-in-law, Callie recently went to Florida on a class trip and went to Disney World. She brought this cute pirate hat, telescope, and sword for Carter. He loves it! Thanks Aunt Callie!

Carter decided he wanted to try out his new gear in the front yard cutting down 'dandelion puffs'. He had a great time chopping at the tall weeds with his sword. It was too cute to watch! Every car that drove by had the biggest smiles on their faces!

Ancy Grammuh stopped by to take Carter for the day and make sure Mommy and Daddy were doing okay! Thanks Ancy Grammuh!

Another episode in the saga called...My Life...

2009-03-21T15:53:00.000-05:00

So...I developed a pain in the top of my foot around last Monday...What a way to start Spring Break!!! No, it wasn't that bad at all. Just felt like a bruise and ran from just before my toes and all the way up to the middle of my shin. I can handle that, I thought. The next day it kind of moved to the side of my foot a little. Now keep in mind that I didn't fall or twist my ankle (I know, surprising, right?). I had NO recollection of hurting myself. Anyway, pain, not so bad... Thursday a little worse but still can walk okay. OOOHHHH, did I forget to mention that this is on my left foot??? MY GOOD LEG...yeah, now you see why a little pain has consumed most of my Spring Break.

I have been soooo careful not to hurt my left leg because I still have to compensate a bit for my right leg. That's why I was so surprised to have any pain at all because I don't remember doing anything to it. Okay, here comes Friday. My whole foot/ankle is swollen. Pain is definitely on the top of my foot, side of my foot and has moved to the inside part of my ankle...by now I'm freaking out a little. I can still walk fine, it just hurts when I straighten out my ankle/foot and if I leave it down too long. I still have high hopes that this is a freak thing that will go away with time. Yeah, not so much...anyway, get up this morning (Saturday for those of you who have lost track of days like me) and my foot is not as swollen but the pain has escalated a bit and moved to the bottom of my foot as well as the top, shin, side and ankle. I'm really having trouble walking now so I decide that it's time to go to the wonderful P.M. clinic that we have down the street. Now I know that my blogs usually drip with sarcasm (like this one) but that last sentence is totally true. We love the Dr. there, he's really neat!

Anyway, they took xrays and went thru a painful physical examination. He didn't see anything on the xrays but is afraid of a stress fracture. I've been compensating for my right leg with my left for sooo long that I've probably caused a stress fracture. So now, I go back to 2 crutches instead of one and have to wear this beautiful boot for a while. There's not much else I can do because I HAVE to use this foot/leg to get around. All I can say is that God sure must consider me an awfully strong person...mentally I mean. I get that I'm not strong physically...but mentally? Never would have guessed. So, for whoever is reading this, if you wouldn't mind throwing an extra prayer or two my way, I'd appreciate it.

My foot already feels better in this boot because it is forced to stay in position and not move much. But also, Travis is going to be in bed all weekend because his upper back has spasmed so bad that the natural curve of his spine is no longer there because the muscles around that have tightened so much. Yes, he went to the same P.M. clinic last night and is now on muscle relaxers and Lortabs...needless to say, he's useless at the moment. SO...prayer is a much needed commodity at the moment around here. Enjoy the pics below of the boot. I thought about hobbling to the bedroom to get a wonderful bed/sleep shot of Travis but decided that he'd hear me coming and refuse to be my photography subject so all you get is the boot....HAHA...no pun intended...Yeah, I'm really HURTING for funny stuff to say....

One of my hobbies...

2009-03-09T18:29:00.000-05:00

Carter went to a rodeo with his Ancy Grandma on Saturday so I was able to do a little of my scrapbooking. Wish I had more time/patience/space to do this more often. I have years of photos that I need to put on a page and my goal is to get them all done before too long...I'm thinking it might take longer than that but who knows. Going thru all the pics, I got to re-live lots of memories that I had put behind me. I did several pages and the ones below are 3 of my favorites. I miss the times that Carter was at my parents house while I worked. My mom did a better job than me raising him. I'm so glad that I had that opportunity. I'm not sure I would have gone back to work if I couldn't have had her watch him. The first one is one of those days a long time ago when Carter tried on GG's scarf. It was just too cute to pass up. The next one is Carter helping Papa with the ice trays...yes, my father actually has that many trays. Don't know why, but he does. Anyway, that was one of Carter's favorite things to do with Papa. He also tried on Papa's sunglasses too. The 3rd sure does bring back memories...Travis and I were on our way home from a late Christmas at my mom and dad's. We missed Christmas because the roads were so bad. Guess we should have put it off for another week. We had been married around 5 months and Travis decided to show me just how slick the roads were. We had been passing cars in the ditches for miles...I should have known then...Anyway, he jerked the steering wheel and we ended up in the ditch on I-35 just before Guthrie. We called a wrecker and we watched him pull 2 or 3 cars out of the ditch before he got to us. While we were waiting, a hi-po pulled up beside us to ask if we were alright. Travis replied, "Yeah, I was just trying to show her how slick it was." Hi-po says, "Really?" Travis says, "Yeah." Hi-po shakes his head and drives off...I should have known...Needless to say, Travis spent his Christmas money from Grandpa on a tow truck...Anyway, we took pictures and I found them yesterday while digging! Hope you enjoy!!!

Kind of embarrassing but...

2009-03-02T17:39:00.001-06:00

This post is a little more embarrassing/gross than I'd like to admit but I have to tell it. I figure that not too many people read this blog and that the people who do will appreciate the humor. I've never laughed so hard at Carter! Just a little warning before you read on...

Okay, so I was blessed with little moles on my neck that stick out called skin tags. I've had them removed before and really need to do it again...THEY GROW BACK!!! Who ever heard of such a thing? First, you go to the dermatologist and they basically take these little scissors and snip them off...yes, it stings a bit but not too bad. Then you find out that they will grow back...yeah, nice...anyway, Carter, who is noticing EVERYTHING these days, asked a couple of weeks ago what they were. I didn't want to explain skin tags so I just said that they were moles. I thought the subject was closed...little did I know that it was just put in the back of his little mind for future use. I was sitting at the computer last night, writing my blog mind you, and Carter starts climbing up on the side of my chair to...what I thought...get on my lap. Next thing you know he's coming at me with these orange plastic tongs from a Dr.'s kit that he got for his b-day and says, "I need to get dose moles offa dere." I nearly died!!! HE ALMOST HAD MY SKIN IN THOSE THINGS AND WAS READY TO PULL!!! I had NO idea he remembered our talk a while back. After screaming when I figured out what he was doing, I absolutely laughed sooo hard!!! That was THEE funniest thing ever. How many people can say, "My son once tried to pull the skin tags off my neck with plastic tongs." Nice!

I was browsing thru old pics and found this one. It's always been one of my favorites. That's milk on his chin by the way... Never knew that this sweet boy would one day try to disfigure me with plastic tongs...Who would have thought??? oooo...maybe he'll be a dermatologist when he grows up??? You never know!!!

Anyway, I hope that you all found this as funny as I did. If you didn't, sorry you had to read about my moles...I would love to hear any funny stories that relate in the comments section!!!

Love from me!!!

Thinking I'll get ahead for once...

2009-03-01T20:35:00.000-06:00

I was thinking that I should take a day and cook all day and feeze things so that we could have dinner every night. I've heard this from several people and it started to sound good to me when I found myself not able to cook in the evenings due to pain (especially since I've started physical therapy). I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not my favorite thing to do either...but the main reason is that I'm not feeling well enough. So...I made a menu and a shopping list for Travis...still can't go walk around a store forever. I HATE riding on one of those carts too. I just feel that people are looking at me and questioning my motives... Anyway, I decided on Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Sour Cream Enchiladas (we must like Mexican...yep, we could eat it everyday...one of the reasons I gave up Taco Mayo for Lent), Chicken and Noodles, Chicken Speghetti (we must like chicken too), and Chili.

First off...this is my first time to cook several dishes at once and I tried to double the recipes so that we'd have food for a while... I boiled and shredded a butt load of chicken breasts...I really don't want to see another chicken breast for a LONG time. I boiled all the chicken first and browned about 5lbs. of hamburger at the same time. I made the enchilada casserole and was on my way with the chicken and noodles. I burnt the chicken and noodles...:-(...I hate that. It was a huge pot and would have lasted us for months. Well, maybe not months but for a while!!! As I was burning the chicken and noodles, sautee-ing the onions in butter for the sour cream enchiladas, I decided to stir the tortilla soup, that I put in the crockpot first, (minus the chicken...I doubled the ingredients and there wasn't enough room in my crockpot for the chicken)...anyway, I decided to stir the tortilla soup and found that a little bit of the cheese had burnt to the sides at the bottom. I quickly spooned (actually it was a measuring cup, it went faster that way) the mixture into this big cake pan sized plastic container that Travis got me (LOVE it, by the way) hoping to salvage what was not burnt. I was very discouraged at this point. I made Travis try the burnt chicken and noodles and even the ones that weren't burned tasted bad! I really didn't want this to happen...I used two big things of Velveeta and that's getting expensive! I tasted it this time...no need to make Travis do it twice...and it tasted fine! YEA!!!

On to the other enchilladas!!! I made those (they are quite complex to make but are really good)...cooked them...i didn't think they'd freeze well uncooked and had one pan for supper and another pan in the freezer! In the meantime, I put chicken in the soup, scooped it into three seperate containers and away to the freezer it went! I say away it went 'cause i didn't take any of this by myself...I have to give credit where credit is due...Travis actually carried all the meals out to the deep freeze in the garage. Thanks mom and dad...it's really coming in handy!!!

After getting the soup finished I realized I had to wash the big pot the chicken and noodles burned in so that I could cook the speghetti noodles for the chicken speghetti...yeah...not so excited about the task at the moment. Needless to say, right now at almost 9pm, the pot is soaking so that it will be easier to scrub in the morning...NO WAY was it coming up tonight!!! So...tomorrow, I have to make, put together, bake the chicken speghetti...clean the same pot and then make the chili with all the meat that I browned earlier today!!!

At least I have a plan...The dishes will have to wait until tomorrow because I'm on my 2nd ice pack for my hip and I'm going to have to graduate to some pain meds....Time for bed!!!

2009-02-23T19:13:00.000-06:00

Why couldn't they have had one of these when I was growing up??? I would've made car trips much nicer! Carter went with me to my hip Dr. (for the 1st time) in Tulsa today...really quick trip. Can I just say that Carter is such a good boy. Don't get me wrong, we've had our wonderful tantrums in Wal-Mart but I tell you what. He was no problem at all. He entertained the nurse and dr. and it was a pleasure to have him come along. The portable DVD player is a wonderful invention!!! He just loves his movies and it makes the time pass for him a lot quicker.

On a side note...a few days ago we got a new video camera. It's the cutest thing!!! It's this little Flip Video recorder that has a flash drive installed and just flips out when you push a button and you plug the whole thing into your computer when you want to post things. You can video up to 60 mins. You can also make a still photo from any of your videos after loading them on the computer. It's a really neat thing and I recommend it to anyone! It's so small that it fits in my purse! Now I can carry it around with me and I'll have a video recorder whenever I need one and I won't have to remember to carry my big camera with me!

Anyway, to get back to the DVD player. He was watching Transformers on the way home and it was too loud (our next investment will be headphones). I told him to turn it down and in his pleading yet perswasive voice he said, "BUT ITS SOOO GOOD WHEN IT'S LOUD, YOU CAN HEAR THE ACTION!" I died laughing, told him I didn't want to hear the action and asked him to turn it down again. He did and still has no idea why I was laughing at him! I just love the funny little things he says...he's such a cute kid!!!

My dr. visit went fine. He took more xrays and said that my hip is continuing to heal. The bone is still not completely fused back together yet but it is improving. I have another month of physical therapy and then go back to see him in April. He says that he thinks the pain I'm still experiencing is going to go away eventually and although it's slow going...continue to do what I'm doing...I guess the news could have been bad. It's just frustrating because it's taking so long. So, I continue on my journey!!!

Here are some pics from/of the new video camera! Hope you enjoy!

Carter at Kick-N-Gym

2009-02-22T20:15:00.000-06:00

Demonstrating with Coach Thomas

I've been struggling with what to post lately because nothing seems worthy of posting. Nothing new or fun has really been going on in my life. Then, I remembered the pics and video that I took of Cart at Kick-N-Gym class. They do 30 minutes of Mixed Martial Arts and then 30 in the big Gymnastics area. All of the parents have to sit behind this big glass wall to watch the gymnastics part so I don't have video of there yet...it's a little hard to see. For the MMA part though, we get to be in the room...It is so funny!!! Carter is in a class of 4-7yr olds. He's the youngest. He doesn't always get what's going on at first but once he watches for a minute he's good to go. I do have to say that he does the BEST push-ups out of all the boys!!! I'm such a proud Momma!!! Anyway, here are a few pics that I took a few weeks ago and a couple of videos (hopefully...it's my first time to load them so I hope it works!). The first video is of him practicing his jab/cross with Coach Thomas (whom Carter absolutely adores). The second is of him playing Star Wars. They get to choose which 'weapon' they want to fight Coach Thomas with and after they hit him 3 times, they win. It's really funny to watch! Especially this other boy named Connor. He's almost/just turned 5 (not sure). You can tell that he can swing a bat! He is a force to be reckoned with! I wish I had video of him, maybe next time! Alright, enjoy and take care!

This is his fighting stance.

Life Happens

2009-01-27T11:27:00.000-06:00

You know, I've come to the realization that life happens whether you notice it or not. As you all know from my previous posts, the new puppy is Travis'. That means that I don't have to do much with him but play. I really enjoy watching him run around carrying his food bowl, running into Lexi, chasing after her, etc...it's really cute. I picked him up the other day on a whim...he is still teething so he's not too fun to hold. He doesn't like to be petted on his soft fur, he just likes to bite and his toe nails are sharp!!! Wow, they hurt! It's been almost 10 yrs since we had a puppy so I'd forgotten! He really is too cute and is growing like a weed. We don't really call him Jack, we usually just call him puppy! So, I guess that's the nickname that has stuck for now. Anyway, I thought I'd let you in on how much he's grown since my first post. I'm not sure how long its been, not more than 3 wks or so. Okay, it bothered me to not know exactly how long we've had him...24 days is the answer Oh, and Lexi loves him now. They love to lay together outside and she's even been caught licking him!!! Too cute!

This is Jack when we first got him.

There's no way he would be this calm in Travis' arms now.

Poor Lexi, all she did was growl a little and run away from him when he would bite her! She's such a good dog!

This is after they'd had a couple of weeks to get to know each other.

I know I put this one in my first blog but I had to show you the big difference. He's gonna be a big dog! And yes, Trisha, around here it's either costumes or naked...there's no middle ground for long (except at school thank goodnes) but as soon as we get home, the clothes come off!!!

Why do I make plans?

2009-01-23T16:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I thought I was going to be good and take pics and video Carter at his Kick-n-Gym class this past Tuesday so that I would have something other than my painful experiences at physical therapy to blog about. I managed to take the pics and get a little video...then the camera died. Anyway, I haven't felt good enough (did I mention that PT is painful) this week to spend time doing this so I was going to try to do it tomorrow. I really need to be laying down right now with an ice pack but here I am writing. Why, some of you may ask. Here's your answer...

When we got home from school, there was a package for Carter by the door. He hurriedly opened it and found a nice quilt for him made by Travis' Granny from Texas. What was more interesting to Carter though were the white styrofoam peanuts that they used to pack the quilt in to take up some of the box. I cautioned him to leave them in the box. I said that when the puppy came in later that he might eat them and he would die. I really said that because I wanted him to know how serious I was about not making a mess...was I really thinking about the dog??? No. Just the mess I would have to try and clean up. I proceeded to my room to change out of my uncomfortable 'school clothes' into my wonderful comfy night clothes so that I could relax and try to get my leg into a position where the pain was minimal. As I'm coming back into the living room.....CARTER IS NOW SITTING IN THE BOX OF STYROFOAM PEANUTS!!! Might I ad that not a one is on the floor as I previously asked. I asked him what he was doing and he matter of factly replied, "I'm taking a baff in these". What do you do? He didn't get them out of the box, I didn't think to tell him to not get in the box...so I took pictures and told him he had to stay in the box until I figured out a way to get him out without making a huge mess...he's still in the box as I type. I have no idea!!! They are stuck all over him. I'm at a loss for what to do. I hoped that in re-telling this story that something would come to mind but it hasn't. He's even asked me when he can get out and I just have to say in a little while. Oh well, my problem to deal with! I'll let you know how it turns out! Enjoy the pics below and I'll put up the pics/video of Carter in Kick-n-Gym later!

Bicycle, yea!!!

2009-01-14T13:04:00.000-06:00

I did 15 minutes on the bicycle yesterday at PT. I'm just so proud that I had to tell you all! I haven't had that much movement in my lower body for seven months! Boy was I sore afterward and I'm still a little sore today, but I did it! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Not much to write...

2009-01-12T17:17:00.000-06:00

This was going to be the pic I put in Christmas cards this

year...I didn't get those done if you haven't guessed!!!

Okay, I thought this might happen. I figured that once I started my blog, I wouldn't have anything to write about. It's been a few days since my last post so I figured I'd better come up with something.

I just read Trisha's blog (my cousin) and just felt compassion. Dealing with a sick baby (they are all still babies to me, even when Carter says, "I'm not a baby, I'm a big boy!")...is the worst. If you're reading, Trisha, I hope that asthma is the answer...it's so hard to not know. Carter's asthma is now pretty much under control. For those of you who don't know, Carter was diagnosed with asthma in November. He'd had a cough for about 8wks. We took him to the pediatrician and he thought it might be allergies so we started giving him medicine for his allergies but his cough stayed. Then I took him to his 4yr old well-baby visit and the Doc said that it was asthma. We now have two inhalers, a fast acting and a not so fast acting. I did have to give him the fast acting once in the morning and again in the evening and then the other inhaler every four hours. This was so frustrating and time consuming. Thank goodness he goes to the same school as me! Now that it's under control, I give just give the slow acting one in the mornings and at lunch (before he goes out to recess) and usually that's all I have to do. There have been a few times when I have to give it to him during the night or in the afternoon or something. I just know to give it to him when he coughs a lot. It's so funny...I NEVER associated asthma with a cough, only with weezing. But Carter's is more of a coughing thing. That's why asthma never entered our minds. It was quite a shock. Neither one of us has it either. It's just strange. When I watched Embry's videos and heard him cough, I just thought about Carter. That's what he sounds like too...not as bad mind you...poor boy, he's so precious!!! I just can't believe with all he's been through, the smiles he still has on his face!!! It was the most adorable thing to hear him laugh at GG at the shower!!! That was the best laugh ever!!! I guess I should be writing this in your comments section but then I wouldn't have anything to write about myself!!! :-)

Anyway, enough about that. Carter is just full of surprises these days. We were trying to get out of the car today after school and he had to use the bathroom badly. I was taking too long to get out of the car I guess and he called me a 'crazy woman'. Now, I'm sure that he got this from his dad and was saying it with all the love in the world...maybe...then, he comes out with 'your name should've been crazy woman'...(sigh)...what to do??? I couldn't help but laugh! Things just come out of his mouth and I have no clue where he got them. Probably from me or Travis or the kids at school, I'm not sure. I DO know however, that when I started to speed up in the car to get around someone and he yelled, "Watch out for the Po Po!", that he got that from his Aunt Jaime...Thanks for that one, Jame. He tells me all the time that the police are going to 'pull me up' if I go too fast. I guess we've also told him a time or two to 'knock it off' because he I heard him the other day saying, 'knock it out' to something on TV and knew what he meant. Ahhh the small things that make me smile.

And he thinks I'M the crazy one!!!

Travis starts school tonight! It's his 2nd semester at UCO. He quickly found out last semester that UCO was NOT NOC!!! I just laughed! Definately a BIG difference there! He actually had to study!!! What's up with that? He did very well though and I know that he'll do great this semester too. I'm so proud of him for finally going back to school and sticking to it! I know he's wanted to just say 'forget it' many times but he's doing an awesome job!

So, Jack poops all over the place. I know that's kind of a random sentence but that's what I've noticed about this little guy...I don't have to clean any of it up because that's Travis' job...if you'll remember from my previous post that I wanted an older dog, one that was already potty trained! Maybe that's why I can laugh about it now...I should have made that deal when Carter was pooping everywhere but the potty (including the backyard). It's nice not having to deal with it!!! But, anyway, this dog poops like nothing I've ever seen! He's constantly pooping!!! I had no clue that something that small could do all of that! It's mind boggling!

OOOOHHHH!!! I DO have something to write about. You'll never guess what I did to myself! Yeah, you've probably already guessed that I somehow hurt myself, but let me tell you how. Well, we had Laura's (cousin) baby shower on Saturday in Blackwell and it was cold! Well, mom's van's ramp doesn't work too fast in the cold so, Jaime helped push the door open from the outside before we went so it was my turn to help it along when we got to the shower. I was pushing it from the inside using the handle. I was looking down to see when the door would clear the ramp so the ramp would go out. Yeah, I didn't judge it right and the ramp came out and somehow trapped my arm (about 3 inches above my wrist) in between the ramp and the door. This thing is automatic and Jaime was pushing the button so it didn't stop! I finally yelled for her to stop and thanks to her fast reflexes to get the ramp back inside the van, I didn't break my wrist. But, it was about to snap it in half. As Jaime said, I would have "looked like a hot mess" with a broken wrist and still on crutches. I finally got composed enough to go inside for the shower (it throbbed the whole time) and put some ice on it when we got home. There is barely a bruise but it still hurts pretty bad. I think I may have bruised the bone. So, that's the latest of my misadventures. Hope you all enjoyed a laugh at my expense. Only me! That's all I can say!

Well, I'll leave you for now! There's a couple days of reading above. Carter and I are now going to make brownies. He proudly told his papa that he knew what the secret ingredients were: water, oil and two eggs. He also told papa that you also turn the oven to 3-5-0. Papa asked how he knew this and he matter of factly said, "Because I read the directions." What do you say to that??? Have a wonderful week!

So...I've finally done it!!!

2009-01-08T18:38:00.001-06:00

So...I've finally done it. I now have a blog!!! I've been reading others for awhile now and have been told by a few people that I should do one myself...so...here it goes.

Tomorrow is Friday. My favorite day of the week. Too bad I can't wear jeans on Fridays at the new school that I'm at. It's okay though. I just love Fridays!

I started Physical Therapy (PT) for my hip last week. Now I'm more sore than ever but I can feel it working. I can feel that I'm getting stronger and I am happy for that. I keep pushing myself and hopefully that will make a difference in my recovery speed. I've now been on crutches for 7 months and I don't know how much more I can take!!! Anyway, I'm able to do 10 side and back leg raises with a 1lb weight now. I still can't do any weight on my front raises but I know that I will be able to soon!

Oh, and Carter actually told me what he's learning in school today!!! I ask everyday, "What did you do in school today?", and his usual reply is 'nothing' or 'boring'. Today he volunteered, "We're learning about the number 8" and "It's a circle on the top and a circle on the bottom". I was so impressed! I usually have to pry any sort of info out of him and I still don't get much!

I have to tell you about the new addition to our family. As of 6 days ago, we are now the proud owners of a 7wk old golden retriever puppy. Carter finally decided on the name Jack. He's too cute and it's even better that since Travis wanted a puppy (I wanted an older dog), that he has to get up with him at night. :-) He really is precious though. He fits right in with our family! Lexi tolerates him and the cats won't go near him!

Okay, well I guess that's it for my first blog here. I hope you enjoyed it. I'll try to come up with better things to write later!