Epcot

After only four hours at Epcot today, we got caught in somewhat of a flash flood. Instead of waiting it out with the millions of other people in the park, we headed out for supper and shopping - indoors, dry, good :)

MGM Grand ... 1st Trip

Last night we went to MGM Grand for a few hours, since we had time to burn. Both the kids loved the Star Wars ride, B-Man made everyone else on the "shuttle" start laughing when he would throw up his hands and yell, "Whoo, Whee, Whoopee!" It was pretty darn funny. The Muppets 3D Movie was good, even though the "3D' part was broken. Ms. R insisted on going on the Tower of Terror ride with us, even after AMPLE forewarning that it was going to be dark and scary. After the first drop, she was ready to GET OFF. B-Man on the other hand, was laughing and shrieking with delight the whole time. Even went on it again with Jerry. Nerves of steal that one.

Trip to Florida

The drive over to Florida was quick and unremarkable. The kids had a lot of fun interacting with their older cousins on the way over. The older cousins were very kind about sharing their new DS2's and patient in showing them how to play the games. I was impressed.

Christmas Day

Christmas this year was VERY low key and quiet. Until Jerry's family came into town that night, it was just us. It was weird, to say the least.

Matinee

I realize this movie is now on DVD, but I was hesitant to take my kids to a full price movie when I wasn't sure how well behaved they would be there. So I took them to the dollar theater as a test of sorts. I got a medium sized popcorn and a pop and settled in, waiting to make a quick exit out of theater if B-Man got antsy.
However, I found if I kept his little cup full of popcorn and gave him a sip of pop from time to time he was glued to the screen. It was actually Ms. R who was the movie spoiler. At about the point where it was getting really good, she was like, "Mom, I'm bored ... can we go eat now?" Fortunately somewhere along the line she learned movie theater etiquette and whispered her question. I asked her where she was in such a rush to go to, she responded MacDonald's. End the mystery as to why she was in such a rush to go.

Hide and Go Seek

It's always so much fun to play Hide and Go Seek with Ms. R and B-Man. Mostly Ms. R. B-Man usually just runs around with who ever is hiding and shrieks with laughter, making it pretty darn easy to find who ever is hiding. This morning as we were playing he was unusually quiet, actually quite a hiding accomplice. We sucesfuly hid in the hall way closet together till Ms. R's "Mom! Where are you?!?!"
How we play, to make sure Ms. R knows I am looking for her is call out where ever I am, "Is Ms. R in the laundry room? ... No, not in here!" (usually as I hear her giggle, tipping off her location). She is pretty paranoid about not being found, so generally she let's herself be known in one one or another. This was her "hiding" in the kids bathroom ...

Frisco Christmas

This evening I took the kids up to Frisco (about a 40 minute drive) to see a light display I had seen on Youtube. It didn't make any sense to me to be so close to something that people the world over have seen online and delighted in and miss out on it myself when it was a short drive away.
It truly is a wonder to see. The lights are actually wired to three separate songs, all very fun to watch. Ms. R insisted we stay and watch the one Youtube.com plays twice. Considering we were already getting honked at for not moving on to make room for more people to go through ... it was a tough call. But then I thought of the fact that we will have spent almost 2 hours on the road to see this spectacle, waiting three more minutes wasn't going to hurt anyone behind me. They'd have their chance to be rude and watch then entire show too.

Banana Republic

Once upon a time I dated a boy who always wore name brand clothes. I teased and ridiculed him for being a snot (ironic, no?). One afternoon after we'd been out playing some basketball before we were supposed to be on our way somewhere else and lost track of time. My clothes were not in any condition to go to the next place but I didn't have enough time to get to my house, change and be on time. So he lent me a shirt and pair of shorts (obviously he wasn't that much bigger than I was anywhere). Long story short, he never got the shirt back, it was Banana Republic and so soft. We still talk from time to time, so I am going to assume he's not bitter about the loss of his shirt. I still have it, it's a trophy of sorts.
There is a Banana Republic outlet store about 20 minutes from where I live. The clothes are already discounted, then they have sales. Big sales. 50-75% off sales. Today I bought a passel of shirts there, all under $10 each. Less than I could buy anything at the Old Navy outlet (another favorite) and WAY softer than anything I could buy there.
I love soft shirts, they make me happy inside.

I Can't Stop Crying!

Notes from the Edge

At Enrichment we were given a sheet full of questions to help us make better, more informative journal entries. Since I use this for duel purposes: keeping up with family/keeping us with me, I am going to use this as a place to answer those questions. Well, at least the ones I found interesting.

Describe a sound from your childhood. What was it? When did you hear it? What does it bring to mind?
The first sound I think of when I consider childhood is my mom singing. She would sing us lullabies, even into our teenage years. Her voice was so soothing, so sweet, it brought comfort every time she'd sing to us. I cannot even say she just sang to me into our teenage years, as I remember living in "the white house" and listening to her sing to Michael across the hall. There was also the loud annoying singing she did first thing in the morning. That wasn't so great to hear. I about wanted to chuck something at her when I woke up to that. Really, who wakes up that happy? Crazy people, that's who.

What is the one invention you could not live without and why?
A/C. At least since moving here to Texas. Before, it was probably central heating.


What is the most important lesson, message or advice you've learned?
Don't judge before you know the entire story. Things are usually not as they seem on the surface.

What special things did you do with your father?
I'd go with him to watch him ref basketball, I thought it was pretty nice to have that one on one time with him as we'd drive to where ever he was reffing that night.

Tell about how, when and where you learned to drive. Any memorable experiences?
My mom took me out onto the country road the Boehme's live on (which means nothing to those that don't know who the Boehme's are). It's less busy, but mostly paved road between Coaldale and Lethbridge. I think the most memorable thing about it is that she didn't seem nervous about me getting behind the wheel. She was more confident about it than I was.

Tell about your marriage. When, where, by whom, parties given, reception, maid of honor, best man, colors, flowers, special music, ect.
September 21, 2000. Same date as my grandma and grandpa Jones got married - just 40 some odd years later.
Lake Oswego, OR (temple)
The patriarch of Jerry's parents stake
I was given a "Lingere Shower" in Coaldale so I had less to pack down to Texas. Friends and family came. Funniest thing I heard there: Grandma Bowlby, "Those little outfits are going to look pretty funny over her garments" hahahaha. She was completely serious. Kills me!
Reception was held in Jerry's "home ward" in Milwaukie, OR. The church is literally right behind their old house, very convenient.
Dawn came down from Alberta with the rest of my family. She was preggers, so she hates the pictures from the wedding. I think she looked great.
Klayton Anderson. Been Jerry's best friend since they were kids and Klay moved in down the street from him.
Navy and gold. It was a "Celestial" theme. I cared very little about the reception since no one I knew was coming ... so it was really cheesy and cheap. As in balloons cheap.
I had yellow roses. Was carrying on the tradition my mom started some 20 odd years earlier.
There was no music, that I remember. We didn't have a dance, since Jerry is not a dancer.
We "honeymooned" at a B & B up in Portland for a couple days, then came down and spent a few more days at a time share here in Texas, with our dog Cobol :)

Tell about family reunions.
On my dad's side, for a while when we were younger, we would have them every other year. Who ever was hosting it that year would have it where ever they lived at a camp ground. The most memorable ones, to my recollection were in Taber - that my parents hosted. That year we had a home made slip and slide. Much fun. The other I remember was in Vernon, hosted by my uncle Ken. It was at a marina/campground. Saw my first "nudists" swimming at the lake that year.
My moms side didn't really have reunions. That I know of. We got together a couple times for weddings and what not. But no reunions.

Would you choose differently if you could choose your occupation again? Why? How? Any advice?
I'm a stay at home mom currently ... I think if I had done it differently, I'd have mustered up my guts and gone to college and got my legal assistant degree like I planned. I kept putting it off because I was chicken. Afraid of failing, afraid of having to have a "grown up " job ... So I kept drifting along. My advice it just go for it, for heaven sake. You have nothing to lose but time!

Tell about a favorite vacation from your childhood.
My parents bought into a timeshare at Fairmont Hot Springs, BC. It was a fun place to go. With the recreation center, pools, hot springs, bike riding, kids our age to play with, adventures through the river to find golf balls ... I loved going there. Many good feelings surface when I think of those vacations.

Tell about the house(s) you lived in as a child.
Oy. We moved about every two years as I was growing up. Sometimes more frequently. To describe every house I remember would take too long.

Did you go camping? Tell about experiences doing it.
We camped infrequently when I was growing up, as my dad didn't like tenting. Or maybe it was my mom. Either way, not much camping. However, when I was a teenager I was in a car accident and was given a settlement. I spent the settlement on camping supplies (no comment, mom and dad!). The summer I was 18 my best friend Nancy and I went camping for weeks on end. Then I moved to Banff and kept up with the camping, until I married Jerry. He thinks staying in a fully decked out RV is "roughing it". So not so much camping since moving here.

.... That's all for tonight, way too many questions on this sheet!

East Texas

I get a lot of flack from Jerry's siblings and sister in law for being his parents "go to girl". If they need something from Costco, Lowe's, Home Depot, they call me. If they need someone to do some research they do not currently have time to do, they call me. I really do not mind at all. Infact, I appreciate being on their short list of people they know they can count on. I like knowing they think enough of me that they are confident I will get whatever it is they need, or at least try my very hardest to do so.
Yesterday was Wayne's birthday, so Jerry and I headed out to their place with the kids. Having been out there frequently in the past month I anticipated what was in store for us when we got out there: A LOT of work! Jerry on the other hand, has not been out to his parents for any significant amount of time since this summer. So he was rather surprised by how he was not able to just lounge around. The kids and I helped Linda unpack her china cabinets, Jerry helped his dad with some kind of data something or other.
I LOVED it. I love helping them out. I love being involved in the process of helping them build and get settled into their new place. It's rewarding. You can see a difference.
The whole process has made me itchy to build a house for us. Kind of. On one hand it'd be GREAT to have everything just as I'd want it. On the other hand, it's a lot of work. The small details at the end could kill ya!

Seeing Santa

Yesterday the kids and I braved the mall to go and see Santa Clause. I figured it was kind of an endurance test, to see how they are going to be when we go to Disney World at Christmas/New Years (I can't get over the insanity of going to WDW at this time of year). We stood in line for a little over an hour (you read me right - over an hour to see the jolly old man.) The kids were surprisingly good. Every once in a while Ms. R would ask to be picked up (to which I said, "If you want to see Santa, you have to stand in this line on your own feet"... does that make me a bad mom?) and B-Man would go into the prone position on the floor ... but can you blame them? I was thinking as we waited that if the pictures were around $5 I could see getting a copy. It's one of those moments that you're supposed to have proof of - or something. I was shocked senseless when I was approached by the photographer, "The prices are as follows: $19.95 for one 5x7 .... "blah blah blah ... I pretty much blanked out after the initial shock from what they wanted for ONE picture. They did not allow you to take your own photos without a minimum picture purchase. So I graciously said my kids were more interested in seeing and talking to Santa than a picture with him. I think I was the only parent who said that, as we were the only ones standing in line without the white order envelope.
TWENTY DOLLARS? That is extortion! I can see how they get you though, where else are you going to go to get pictures taken with Santa? Our stake has banned "Santas" at ward parties as it "takes away from the true spirit of Christmas". We don't go to any work parties since Jerry owns or has shares in the companies that pay our bills (he'll give bonuses, but not parties). So no other Santa's. I figure we'll go see Santa again, next time we'll take Jerry, so he can foot the bill and it doesn't come out of my budget ;)

Circle of Courage

Ms. R's school gives out special awards for students who strive to do a little extra in the school. Her teacher nominated her with these words:
Ms. R has been a ray of sunshine in Kindergarten. She comes in each day with such a sweet demeanor that it brightens up out whole classroom. She has a humble heart and a smile that doesn't quit. Ms. R makes good choices and is a friend to everyone in her class. Her precious hugs warm my heart each and every day. She is a wonderful example to her peers and I am blessed to have her in my class.

Deeper Thoughts

I thought we'd finally got B-Man settled into his primary class. Last week we went about 10 minutes early, spent a few minutes in the classroom so when it was time for me to go it was just an abrupt departure. It seemed to go over well.
We did the same thing this week ... no dice. When I got up to leave he started crying and 5 minutes later the primary president came to my class with a wailing B-Man. I took him back to his class and sat down for the remainder of the class with him. I rode herd over him. If he started fidgeting, I sternly made him sit still. If he started talking, I wrapped my hand over his mouth. I was not going to let him think having me there was some kind of treat.
As we were sitting in closing exercises (and I was once again flipping B-Man again into an upright position) the thought about how there are special spirits that need protecting, so Heavenly Father sends them to earth in various handi-capped forms. It gave me pause. Is his situation protecting B-Man's spirit from being fully aware? Is Heavenly Father that confident in my abilities that he knew he could entrust this special spirit in my hands? ... I will shamefully admit that I have had the thought, "What, what more could You throw at me? What have I done?" It is possible that I am just trying to make myself feel a wee bit better in moments of despair, as I was on the edge of tears when I thought that.

Christmas Parade

This weekend we headed out to Quitman with the intent of helping Jerry's folks finish off their place and help them move in. However, Saturday morning we found out that both the small town they live in and the adjacent town, Mineola were both having their Christmas parades. Wayne's uncle (who is only 7 years older then he is) was putting a few of his classic cars in the parade and thought it would be a lot of fun for the kids to ride along.
Ms. R rode with Lon and Pat, loved every single minute of it. Pat taught her the "queen wave" and by the time they had rounded the first corner she was smiling and waving between throwing out bits of candy. B-Man was riding in Lon's 64 1/2 Mustang and you could hardly see him over the window (you can barely see him around Wayne). In between the parades, we were able to get a bit done on the house and move some stuff in. We finished off the day by putting up the Christmas lights at their house. Over all, a really great day.

Work Out

As I have mentioned before, I belong to a delightful gym. Seriously, I love the place. Just walking into it makes me feel good. The kids love it too. They are running from the minute their feet touch the ground as I get them out the truck till they hit the child center doors. We go daily, even when I am not feeling well. We'll go, just so I can get a break.
However, lately there has been a gentleman (I use the term loosely) who has also been arriving at the same time I have. Which wouldn't be a big deal; there are a few 3 o'clock regulars other than myself who are quite unremarkable. This ... gentleman is quite disturbing however. My routine is: cardio, weights, core. I'll either bike, run, elliptical, row or do stairs for my cardio- all of which are in one big area. This, up to this point has been totally fine, no big deal. For the past couple of weeks, however, this gentleman has been coming at the same time I have been. I have no problems with people huffing and puffing while they work out. Especially on the cardio. There is no escaping the sounds he is making as he strides along on the elliptical. I'm not a prude, but this makes me seriously uncomfortable. He sounds like he is in the midst of a sexual encounter. I'm not entirely sure he's not doing it on purpose because when I have looked over at him in surprise, he has given me a wide grin.
Therefore, I have started altering our pattern. When we go pick up Ms. R at 2:20, I bring along her snack and go immediately to the gym from there. This means I can generally get almost 30 minutes of cardio in before the grunter comes. Icky.
Another, not so great thing that has started happening with my gym is there has been an influx of not so desirable patrons. They have been giving away deals and discounts for a random amount of time to try to boost clientele. Which, on the whole, I am not opposed to at all. I understand they have to keep numbers up. I wouldn't mind the influx if it didn't mean they were permitting people that have never considered membership at this gym before because of its lofty monthly fees (they are the highest in the area) entrance because they are giving discounts for a duration of time.
I have been a member of this particular gym for at least 3 years. I have never in that time ever seen vandalism, trash strewn around, been offended by a remark or felt that some people just shouldn't be there. Since summer when they started this big push for more clientele, this has changed. The cherry wood surfaces in the locker room have been scratched on with keys, the glass door to the locker room was smashed, always trash around the pool the lifeguards are picking up, machines left sweaty and not wiped down ...
Yesterday, I found the end of my patience rope so far as the new patrons were concerned. As I was getting ready to go clean up I noticed a group of teenage girls in the locker room. It was hard not to notice them, as they were laughing loudly, making high pitched screeching sounds, throwing around towels, generally being loud and annoying. Inside it really pissed me off that they were being so disruptive, but did not feel it was my place to say anything. Besides, there were more of them ... and there is always that fear of the mob beating you up. Or is that just me? Anyway, after lying in the steam room for a few minutes, still hearing them through the walls, I gave up on relaxing and went to have a shower. As I was rinsing off the curtain went flying open. At first I thought it was a mistake, like the girl possibly didn't realize closed curtains meant the stall was occupied. But then she whipped the curtain closed again and I heard her yell, "Oh my G*#, what a fat cow!" followed by a chorus of laughter. I was furious! I seriously wanted to march out there and slap that little ... (insert swear word here).
I stormed down to member services (after I got dressed of course) and exploded with anger all over them. I didn't yell at them per say, but I surely did rant. After I explained what happened, I ranted about the poor quality the gym has been lately, disappointment in the state of the locker room, how I've been a member for such and such long and have never been so disgusted by the club before, demanded some sort of satisfaction. The girls were brought to member services, asked about the incident. All of them had little smirks on their faces, like they thought it was sooo funny. Once again, I felt like inflicting bodily harm. They were asked to relinquish their membership cards and escorted out of the club. I still don't feel good about it all, but I guess that was all the club could do.
I think maybe I could have let it go if the girl hadn't yelled what she did. But for someone who is insecure about how they look, to have someone else look at them and yell such a rude comment ... it was hard on my already low self esteem. Even if it was just a stupid teenage girl. Takes me back to high school. Never a good thing.

Tagged

Again. This time by Becks.

The Rules

1. The player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves - try to find 6 you haven't already posted about.

MY FACTS

1. I hate having short finger nails. I think it comes from when I was 4 or 5 and my mom praised me for having long finger nails and not biting them. Now it irritates me when one of them breaks off. That, to me, means I have to cut them all down to the height the broken one is. Which makes me annoyed.

2. I love jewelry, I just never have any idea if I should wear it with any given outfit. It makes me very confused.

3. I love roller coasters. The higher, the faster, the scarier the better.

4. I really have no concept of age. When I think of being 30 in less than 2 years, it really doesn't bother me. When I think of being 80, then I start to get agitated. But I think that's more from my phobia of old people.

5. I love physical labor. I voluntarily go out to Jerry's parents most weekends to help them build their house. It's relaxing to me.

6. I am intimidated by most women. It's an insecurity in me that feels that I am lacking something in me that they have. Which is probably true, because we all have our strengths and weaknesses. But not enough so that I should be intimidated. However, I still am.

Tagged

Yeah, I'm a geek, but I also love these silly things. Fills empty time...

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: My mom, Dawn, Jenie, Nancy ... all for different reasons
C- Cake or Pie: CheesecakeD- Day of choice: If I had a day off, I'd take that day
E- Essential Item: Soft bed sheetsF- Favorite Color: Blue or yellow
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Neither
H- Hometown: Coaldale, Alberta. I wasn't born there, but we lived there the longest when I was growing upI- Indulgence(s): Pedicures
J- January or July: July. Hot weather, cool pool, awesome!
K- Kids: 2
L- Life is Incomplete Without: Family and close friends
M- Marriage Date: September 21, 2000
N- Number of Siblings: 1 sister, 1 brother, 1 brother in law, 1 sister in law
O- Oranges or Apples: TangelosP- Phobias or Fears: Dying and leaving my kids alone with their dad :(
Q- Quote(s):
There is a Destiny that makes us Brothers,
No One goes his way alone;
All that we send into the hearts of others,
Comes back into our own.
-Edwin Markham
R- Reason To Smile: Watching my kids become good people
S- Season: Summer
T- Tag Three: Jenie, Gary, Michael (yeah, that means you have to fill this out yourself!)
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I'd rather have a nice back rub over just about anything else
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: Bring me more meat!
W- Worst Habit: (is it sad that I am having a hard time thinking of this?)...picking up after my kids and not making them do it themselves
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: X-Rays.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Filet MignonZ- Zodiac: Pisces

Seriously!

It took me about 2 hours to get all those photos uploaded and divided by title. I want my computer back! *weeps, wails, nashes teeth* ... Enjoy!

Halloween and Monster Parade

Texas State Fair, Twice!

Field Trips

Random B-Man

Whitecourt, AB

Jones' in Texas

Lethbridge

Dinner Party

Our ward has started having dinner parties. The Elder Quorum, in their infinite wisdom arranged it. The asked for families to host, then clumped a bunch of other active and inactive members in those groups. Our group currently has 25 attendies.
Last night, I held our first. I was fairly nervous about it all. I'm always nervous about having people I don't know into my home. Not because I am worried they will wreck stuff or whatever. But because I usually have no idea how to start conversations. Last night was good though. I decided it was going to be a potluck, cooked up a ham and waited to see what others would bring.
Everyone seemed to have a good time. Most of the men either knew each other, or had something on common with the other men who were there - like computers. Two of the ladies in my group are in primary and have been since they moved into the ward during the summer, so I haven't had the chance to get to know them. Infact, I didn't even know their names! I can see myself building friendships with all the ladies who came last night. That would be awesome.

New Blog

I am going to start up a blog just for B-Man. I find that MY blog is becoming all about him, which really isn't fair. Doesn't give equal play time for everything else that is going on in my life. I am SURE that he is not all that is going on in my life. Sometimes I just have to look and try harder to make it bigger than him. I'll let you know what the name is once I've figured out a good name.

I'm Not Okay

I don't want to brag, but I've been through a lot in the last seven years. Rocky marriage, money problems, two unexpected pregnancies, kid getting mulled by a dog, through the wringing with the INS, discovering my son has Autism ... blah blah blah. I've handled it all fairly well. Mostly. Sure, it's changed who I am. But part of growing up is changing so over all, that's okay. Not alarming, nothing to be concerned about. Because in the end, I still think I'm a pretty good person most of the time.
There was a time shortly after the dog incident and discovering I was pregnant again that my sister questioned when I'd be put in the loony bin - you know, in anticipation for the break down that seemed pretty imminent. The break never came. I rounded up the troupes and moved on.
These days though ... I feel very close to not okay. I've been doing my best not to internalize as I did all while I was growing up and that's been going alright. When I need to vent, I vent. When I've needed to cry, I simply cry (which lately, has been daily). When I've needed to shout about something, I've shouted. But something in me is indicating all is not well with Krista. Physical signs that emotionally I am hitting my limit. The other day Jerry and I were discussing something of no great importance and I just started weeping. I am tired all the time, even with 9 1/2 hours of sleep at night and a nap during the day. I am clenching my jaw so much my cheek bone is bruised. The list continues.
I know I need to find a support group or some kind of way out. Some kind of interaction with adults that relieves my stress and frustration. Because this can not go any further.

PPCD Program for B-Man

B-Man started school at a district funded program yesterday. He has quickly become what his teacher describes as the "Star pupil". He loves the activities, is very enthusiastic in music class and is sweet tempered.
I have started corresponding with another mother in the area who also has a son with Autism. It's kind of like AA - she's my sponsor - or as they call them, my angel. I am still trying to figure out what level of Autism her son has, as they have done a lot more extensive and aggressive treatments than we have. They also had their son in a district funded program which they found to be of no use, little more than a respite. I have had a few niggling doubt in my mind, I'll grudgingly admit. Then today as I was reading over the specialists final reviews, reports and recommendations I saw that they also have their reservations about putting B-Man in this program. One: There are no "neuro-typical" children in the class to help guide his actions and Two: The other three boys in his class are all Spanish speaking, which may influence his speech towards that language when his English is still developing. However, there was no indication that don't believe the program is the right thing for him. This other family have placed their son (who is now 6) into a private school. This particular school integrates "special needs" children right into the main stream classroom setting. However, they have also been doing extensive bio-medical treatments with their son ... So once again, possibly a completely different situation. It's so hard to know what is right for each child. The Autism spectrum is so wide you really have to pick through it each individually, fitting what is right for your own child. Taking into account all that others have said and trying to make the right choice for your own child. Is is possible to go over board? I don't know. All I know is there is the possibility of not doing enough.

Adjusting ...

Still. I still have not become completely comfortable with these emotions that have cropped to the surface since the whole "hormone change" associated with having kids. The oddest things will hit me at the most ridiculous times. For instance, as I was driving home from ... somewhere yesterday an ad for OnStar came on the station I was listening to. It was the usual ad: a person in distress, the ever helpful OnStar agent and the eventual resolution of the situation. For some stupid reason, I couldn't stop myself from crying. Even as I was swiping at the tears I was thinking, "For heaven sake! It's a service commercial - get over it!" Yet, the tears were still there. Annoying! That type of thing happens to me often. I endeavor to overcome it, yet nada. Still there.

Go There!

This morning the kindergarten classes at Ms. R's school had a "Monster Parade". She had chosen a few weeks ago to be a Purple monster, so while my mom was down here we bought some fluffy furry material, my mom cut out the pattern then I hand stitched the costume together. I've had to hand stitch two things in the last week, I am thinking I am about to break down and get a sewing machine if this is what is in store for us with kids in school.
So we put on the handmade furry monster costume, tights with purple hearts on them, a purple undershirt, finishing off the look with her hair in a bunch of pony tails sprayed with a purple tint. She looked hilarious. Once again, I took pictures! One of these posts is going to be nothing but pictures.
On our way home as we were passing IHOP B-Man kept pointing over to it and yelling, "GO THERE! GO THERE" I said, "Honey, mom didn't bring any money. We'll eat at home." To which he responded, "I want to eat! GO THERE" Did I mention he's dairy and mostly wheat free now? To anyone who says diet doesn't make a difference, I say, "That's a bunch of crap."

Tradition Continue

For Halloween this year Ms. R decided to be a life guard and B-Man picked out a zebra costume. They both looked pretty darn cute. I will endeavor to get into Walmart to upload the pictures later this week.
Our yearly Halloween tradition is going to the local mall where they have trick or treating, games and activities. It's a nice place to go most years because it's usually a little cooler this time of year and it's always nice to have a place to go where the costumes can be on display. Usually we'll go to a few houses around the neighborhood just so the kids get the of what trick or treating should be about.
This year was unusually warm, staying up near twenty till almost 8:30pm. So after we got back from the mall, I fed Ms. R supper (again) she and I headed out for the neighborhood crawl. B-Man was DONE by that time so he stayed home with Jerry. This year there was a pathetic number of kids out trick or treating. When we were out and about at 7:30, she was the first child most of the houses in the neighborhood had seen. Which, of course, meant that most of candy people had left in their bags ended up in her basket. She gathered more candy in our neighborhood than both she and B-Man did at the mall.
I think I may have some how passed on a few traits to Ms. R without intention ... such as: When we were out Trick or Treating the couple other kids that were out sometimes cut infront of us by running across peoples lawns instead of using the walk ways. I didn't comment on it because really, there was no point. But after Ms. R had seen this happen twice she remarked, "It sure is rude to run on other people's lawn without asking them first!" Proud moment for me. I guess my annoyance over people on others lawns is that when we lived in Coaldale on a corner lot. People/kids were always running across our lawn, like taking the extra few steps would have killed them! It still hits a sore spot for me.

Mission Accomplished

B-Man has been placed in the district Autism program! This afternoon we had our follow meeting with the district Phd's, diognitians (yeah, I have no idea how to spell that profession), blah blah blah's and their final word is: he's in.
He will be attending the program 5 days a week, three hours a day, year round. Including up to 6 weeks in the summer.
Their prognosis for him is great too. They say because of his high level of intelligence and willingness to mimic they can easily see him being "main streamed" by the time he enters kindergarten in two years.
The only thing I have to get is an affidavit stating I have personal reasons for him not having his shots up to date. Then he'll start school. Which I hope is within the next week.
So now I have 2 1/2 hours a day free on my hands. What to do, what to do? I've decided it's either finish painting the house or come back home and have a nap ;)

Exceeding Expectations

This was the report yesterday at the Parent/Teacher conference with Ms. R's teacher. Ms. Feltman said overall Ms. R is a little gem, a delight to have in the classroom and a quick learner. While we were meeting Ms. R and B-Man played with various centers through out the room, with Ms. R come back to me time and time again to tell me things. Her teacher was obviously baffled and finally asked, "Is she always this talkative with you?" I started laughing and confirmed that she was a little natter box, that when she's in the car with me, I usually don't even turn on the radio because she just starts talking about things she requires a response to. I guess she's very quiet and very obedient in class. Which tells me she's still not entirely comfortable there yet.

Frustration!

A few weeks ago they changed out B-Man's primary teacher and since then, church has been horrific. No seriously, I am not being over dramatic or overstating the issue. Horrific. This week they switched our time slot to the morning, which generally, is great. However, now I have B-Man screaming/tears streaming down his face/drool slobbering down his chin as I put him in his church clothes ... up till we sit down in Sacrament meeting and he realizes he's sitting with me. Then the screaming/tears/drool start up again as I take him to his class, which two of the more dour/stern/angry ladies in the ward have been placed in charge of. I sat with him today until they started doing the coloring part of the lesson, then I headed over to my class. However, just as Relief Society is to start one of his teachers comes into tell me B-Man is once again in hysterics as they've gone into sharing time. So I go into the Primary room where the Primary president is holding him quietly. But as soon as he sees me, he starts bawling again. I spend the next 40 minutes telling him and four other kids to sit down/be quiet as the teachers are too busy taking the kids to the toilet every other minute.
As a side note ... Some people have really got to start teaching their kids some manners. I was squashed in the row behind B-Man's class with my knees at about the kids head height. As long as they did lean their heads all the frickin' way back, no contact was made. However, the little angel in front of me decided she wanted to keep slamming her head back, into me knee. I tried to adjust my position, but there wasn't a whole lot of room between the rows. At one point she turned around and, no word of a lie, said to me (as she glared) "Move your knees! They're hurting me!" I just about smacked the back of her head with the reply, "No, that was hurting you" But my mom keeps reminding me that I am the adult. I think that's supposed to mean I take the high road. So instead, I replied,"Colette, I am far enough back that if you didn't lean your head back, we'd both have enough room. Stop doing that and we'll both be fine." Which earned me another glare.
It took B-Man almost a month to adjust to his former teachers and there wasn't nearly the hysterics before church there is now. I know there are a lot of callings in a ward that need to be filled, that various people "fit" different callings, that some are needed in different roles, ect. I just wish B-Man's former teachers could have been held out till at least the end of the year. It seriously almost makes me not want to go at all. It's so tiring, so frustrating to have to deal with his hysterics, his teachers attitudes towards the kids ...
Oy! I keep telling myself a lie of "it can only get better", when in all reality, it probably won't.

Already

Planning. For those of you who know me, this will come as no surprise. I am always anticipating the next "something". Trip, activity, thought, whatever. As I have wrote before, ALL of Jerry's family (including girlfriends) are coming down to Texas on Christmas day, then all of us save Brian and (hopefully by that time) his fiancee are headed over to Florida. I have planned that out to the full extent of my ability without being too pushy on others. Trying to accommodate everyones desires and expressed interest in places to see/do/go. I have done everything but book the house we're staying at and my father in law took care of that, as it was "his fault" we did not get booked into the free accommodations he had planned on but put off for so long they were no longer available.
So onto my next trip. Which, at this point I really am starting to think is going to be next summer. Sad as it may be, I have no one to travel with, besides my kids. And everyone knows, as much as you love your kids, it's a lot of work! Being as it is, I started thinking "I really don't want this summer to be a rush trip like the others! I want to see things stop and do things!" So I set out my trusty map and starting plotting out points. Thus far the plan is to drive straight across Nevada from Utah, hitting Lake Tahoe. We ran into some people on their way back from Tahoe last summer with a passel of kids. They all seem to have had a great time. One of Jerry's best friends lives somewhere north of Sacramento, so I figure we make a bee line into that state and make our way up the coast. Sure, more expensive - but how much fun! I'm hoping to stop in on MY best friend in Beaverton, OR, (hopefully she'll be home and not up in Canada visiting her family!) next then head on up to Seattle. I've always wanted to see the Space Needle. I have no idea why, I don't even know what the purpose of the building is, I just have. Then take our first ferry ride over to Victoria, BC. Both Michael and Jerry have exclaimed over how beautiful it is, might as well check it out, right? After a few days whale watching and what not, we'll head on over to the Jones Cousin reunion in Revelstoke, BC. After the reunion we'll head on up to Whitecourt, AB with Michael, Jenie and their kids for a couple weeks. Last stop in Canada will be Raymond, AB to visit the rest of the family. This year on the trip home I plan on taking the LONG way across the top of Montana then down through the Dakota's, Nebraska and Kansas. I have a map I'm trying to cross all the states off of, ya know.
I'm thinking Jerry may be willing to accompany me all the way to California, probably even Victoria. Depends on what his work load is like at the time. Lately he's been meeting with "big" companies like Nextel, Sprint and NASCAR. They are all really impressed with the equipment one of his companies can create. Sprint and NASCAR paid for him and a few others from that particular office to go up to the races in Kansas a few weeks ago with all access passes. Jerry, who rarely express excitement over anything actually took pictures he was so interested in it all. They have been invited out again next weekend (nope, no amount of weaseling could convince him I also should go...bah!) to discuss what they can "do for each others business". Sounds very mafia to me ;) So I may be going it alone, as usual - but who knows, miracles have been known to happen.
Ha! After looking over this post, I noticed most of the places I intend to hit involve water. I think I may have a slight interest ... ya think?

Yeah

I know it's been a couple weeks, but seriously there has been so little to write about ... it's a little sad. However, while talking to my sister in law Jenie last night and her not so subtle hints, "Yeah, I'm the ONLY ONE keeping up with my blog..." I figured I'd put in a few words. Just to make her content.
My mom and her husband came down for a few weeks. We went out to east Texas, looked at houses while they were considering moving down here. Turns out it's "too damn hot" in Texas, even in October for Rod. So that idea was quickly squashed. Well, "quickly" being a relative term. Spending two days driving around the country side of east Texas seemed really long as a back seat rider to a not so safe driving real estate agent. I think some how I also insulted my in laws by asking them to take care of the kids while I went on the mad search with my mom and Rod. So that relationship has been strange and awkward since that weekend.
Rod wasn't interested in doing much around the city, swearing every time we went out in traffic, so we mostly just stuck around the house. Only venturing out to the zoo and a flea market in Grande Prairie. Which was also alright, as my mom and I can visit anywhere, right?
Yesterday B-Man had his district placement assessment, it lasted all afternoon. Then I was sent home with MORE paperwork to fill out. I am glad they were through, though some of the looks I noticed various people in the room exchanging as they interacted with B-Man made me worry. However, I can't really think about it much, as we won't know anything till next Tuesday. No use worrying when you don't even know what to worry about.

Henrietta's Orchard

Today was Ms. R's first school field trip, she was so super excited ... to go on the bus :) We went to an apple/peach orchard just north of where we live. The cost per student was $13 (including bus fare) plus $5 for each adult chaperon (we all drove in our own vehicles to the site). I've got to tell ya, for what we paid - I was underwhelmed. The presenters talked too long, it was too hot (it was in the high 30's with 86% humidity, I had sweat rolling down my back) and the "exhibits" were boooring: "this is where we wash the apples, because we pick too many to do it by hand" "and this is our resident spider..."After we were done there, however, we headed over to a park here in Hurst for lunch and a bit of play. The kids seemed to have more fun there than at the "destination". Oh well, Ms. R DID enjoy the bus ride.
If your wondering why I don't post pictures of my family anymore: my laptop CRASHED hard core and I haven't got the software saved anywhere else to down load the pictures I take. So I have to wait to go to Walmart everytime I want to get pics off my camera. Bah! The pictures featured in this article are of the actual things ... just taken by other people.