Words by VanBean

Being Thankful

2011-11-15T08:36:00.001-08:00

Where did the time go this year? I swear it was only yesterday that I was unpacking the tree and wrapping presents. Riot was a little baby, not even crawling, with his sisters adoring him. We've have been living in the new place already 6 months. Really? Wow! Riot has developed his personality and is quite the little man. Nova has taken to being his best friend and many time his worst nightmare. Ava and Kennedy are in their second year at Inez, and we've had a good year with some really positive outcomes. Of course nothing is perfect in elementary school but it if was then they wouldn't get getting prepared for life, right? The beginning of the year was really a tough one for us, we had the two youngest in the hospital, for what was a week but felt like years, and so far we've managed to prevent another stay. I can only hope and do my best to prevent it. Moving has been a good experience for us, the kids can play outside with many other kids, something they have not really had a chance to do, and this is a great thing for them. (Not for the adults so much:) I think I'm the only one who loves moving, and this year as really been about us planning our next move, but more to come later on that topic. While things keep changing, growing, and evolving some remain constant; our kids are amazing, bright, loving, and feisty. They are our motivation and our future. They drive us crazy and keep us happy. Not one to get sappy but I really do feel like we hit the lottery with our kiddos. I'm sure every mom or dad feels that way about their kids and kuddos to them. Another constant is Shane and I. We're half way to celebrating 14 years of wedded bliss. (I laugh as I write bliss) Every year bring new memories and joy, new irritants and frustrations. I love knowing the we remain committed to each other due to love and friendship not due to our wedding certificate. I still consider Shane my best friend (Shalini still my bestie too:) and hope I always will. Thanksgiving is around the corner and while I spend the next few weeks getting stuff planned, decorating with the kids, making our new batch of crazy, fun filled, overly iced christmas cookies I remember memories of my childhood and the wonderful times I had with my family. While I always melancholy for my beloved ones who have passed I'm very thankful for being close to my family and for being able to share these precious times with them. With the future always changing one never knows what the next year brings, so I choose to be thankful for the time now, being in the present now. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and I hope you all a wonderful time with your family too!

I blame Shane and Texas!

2011-09-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have come to realize that this bug did not arrive at our doorstep by accident but by a curse. It's actually a curse on Shane really and I have spent a lot of time thinking about it to come to this conclusion. Shane tells this story of going to his Aunt's garden once and while taking to her he picked up a piece of broccoli and took a bite of it. Then looking down at the broccoli he saw hundreds of baby spiders swarm the veggie and his hand. Since that day he has not been a fan of spiders and therefore I believe they keep visiting us, to torture him. In CA we were overwhelmed with them. The first night we arrived at our apt. we had to retrieve our key from a light by our door (My brother moved our furniture and left it there for us while he partied in San Fran.) Shane reached for the key and felt a cobweb and immediately declared he was not going to get the key. It took a lot of convincing to get him to reach the key, (I was pregnant and short, still short) The parks were full of spiders, our balcony too. Stupid spiders everywhere. Eventually we moved back to NM where we thought we might get a little less spider mania but instead we moved to an apt. that was breeding ground for Black Widows. At this point I was pissed but decided that everyone gets spiders so what can you do? Eventually we moved again and our new landlords swore they never had black widows (liars) so I was like OK! Yeah I guess I should have asked if they had big freaking wolf spiders because guess what showed up THE FIRST FREAKING NIGHT? A ginormous pregnant wolf spider. I will not show a picture of this spider because it's too creepy to see still but you should know that a pregnant wold spider carries her spawn on her back, hundred of them and they are all hungry. Shane came in to the house where I was sure a Tranchula was invading our home and he froze. Then he said quickly for me to get a glass which I did. He told me that once he trapped the spider she was going to let loose her evil spawn and I didn't believe him. NEVER AGAIN!!! No words to describe the event that happened. Still too shook up from that one. Wolf Spider=evil!!! This last home we moved to recently just got visited by this pictured arachnid which is a Vinegaroon. He looks more evil than he actually is but is still not the kind of thing you want to open your door to find. It's an odd feeling knowing that you have been visited by something NO ONE ELSE seems to have seen in person. Like I said I think Shane has been singled out by the kingdom of the arachnids. I'm hoping this was the end, like the final messenger. The most awful looking one yet. I hope so because I don't know if you can legally divorce someone over a curse but it might be the only way. PS I read the these Vinegaroons are very common in TX. The new neighbors are from TX, they showed up the eve before this guys appeared. Coincidence?

How to get a gallon of milk for a dollar!

2011-09-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

For those who are looking for a good deal you CANNOT beat a gallon of milk for a dollar. Not in this economy. You might been lucky and get the "Welcome to the neighborhood!" coupon from Albertsons, but that would only get you a gallon for $1.69 (at least that is what I got and used last week). You can try to catch Smith on a luck week and get the 3/$6.00 sale but that hasn't happened for a while. (I know because I keep looking for it.) I HATE paying more than $2.00 for a gallon, it infuriates me. Therefore I headed for CVS for milk today. I only had so much cash on me, since I am once again awaiting a new debit card in the mail. (Ava lost it this time.) I figured I would go back tomorrow for another gallon but to my surprise I don't need to and I'll now tell you the way to get the $1.00 milk. First you need to be born in September. Well at least for this weeks sale anyway. What am I talking about? I'm talking about a coupon that was printed out, for ME for my birthday. That's right a $2.00 coupon just for being born in the best month of the year! SEPTEMBER!!!! How about that? Thank you CVS!!! So then I snapped that I could get the second gallon, pay nothing and not have to come back (Although I promise to come back another day!) Hence getting 2 gallons for $2.00 or $1.00 a gallon as I like to think of it. Pretty nice and who doesn't love getting an early birthday present? I do!!!

Cooling off downtown

2011-08-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago Shane took Ava and Kennedy on an adventure on the city bus. Nova, Riot, and I chose to stay home:) I really hate the bus, I have had so many bad experiences on them that I prefer walking, driving my own car, or skipping. Really the bus holds only disgust for me. So today after a nice lunch at Kelly's Brewery (free kids weekends are just the best) Shane suggested we leave the car parked and take the bus downtown to walk around. Not wanting to be a party popper I agree but secretly wished I could drive and park. Anyway the bus was ok, not great, but ok. We got off the stop near the Galleria and began our journey. This vent the kids are pictured in held so much fun for the kiddos. They couldn't wait to show it to me. Riot loved it too:) It was nice to catch the breeze from it, it was pretty humid today. We walked in the rain a little but it was a pleasant rain. After the vent we headed to the downtown library to see what books they had for sale. A long time has passed since we were last in that location and I was pleasantly surprised at the changes:) We only had about 20 mins for shopping but we filled a brown bag full and came way happy. Only then did I get the point that Shane had been making...we had to carry it all back. Luckily for us Riot was happy on Shane shoulders and Nova got a thrill sitting on the bag of books in his umbrella stroller. The bus ride back held some interesting character and I was relieved to get off at the stop for our car. Once home the rain was coming slowly so I took advantage of it and we cleaned up the yard. I'm getting excited for the end of summer, and beginning of fall. A few leaves have fallen of the tree and for once I think were going to have beautiful fall leaves in our yard. Just remind me of this when it comes time to rake up those bad boys:)

Summer vacation is coming to and end. Kids are really excited. So am I, people, so am I:)

Inez Talent Show

2011-05-20T22:02:00.000-07:00

Up to my Owl Balls

2011-01-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

A little recycling project that I have got going on. These are my little Owl Balls that I am making out of felt and christmas tree ornanments that were going to get thrown. I'm having a lot of fun with them and have a few more planned. They are odd and weird and I love them. The first one was for Riot but I'll be making him a new one. The pink is a baby gremlin Owl for Kennedy but she wants another one. My green lady is my Scarlett Owl with a Denver Bronco Owl just for fun. More to come soon!

Happy Halloween...wait no Happy Holidays!

2010-12-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

A great tradition we have in our little family, (well not so little anymore), is to decorate cookies. Last year I think we missed it and I made sure we got to do it this year. We bad a batch yesterday but I didn't feel well enough to decorate them. The girls were really happy to make their own cookies and do their own designs. I did try to make a deer by hand but it didn't turn out well. Next year I'll make sure to get that cookie cutter as well as a tree and Santa. Anyway enjoy the photos.

A Vampire...No a Bat...oh yeah an angel.lol

love

The Rowes

Couldn't say it better myself

2010-11-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Countdown to Thanksgiving 11th day away

2010-11-13T22:43:00.000-08:00

My little Nova. She is my little shadow and keeps my day busy. At 3 she is a handful and a blessing. She is rough and tuff and yet a huge lover of all things Princess. A sweet heart to all animals and babies yet hold her own and then some with the girls and anyone who gets in her way. We love our little November Mae Rowe:)

Countdown to Thanksgiving

2010-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

I thought I would start a new tradition on my blog by doing a 12 days to Thanksgiving countdown of the things in my life I am grateful for. This first choice is a great one because I can truly say it as of today that for #12 I can great full for our bed and to be lucky enough to have a bed and home to rest our heads. (More and more people are not able to say that this year and I am truly truly thankful to be able to)
So I still had planned to do this post today but originally when I was planning my posts (I do plan many of them out you know) it was going to be a little more funny and sad as I talked about how I am grateful for the bed (again truly am) but not so much the mattress. The mattress we had (will explain) was given to us in CA by the sweetest lady I had met who had to upgrade to a new mattress. We had a full mattress and as we just had Kennedy we needed to upgrade to a new larger size. We had talked of getting a king size but hadn't when the opportunity to take her old mattress was given to us and I seized it. It wasn't the greatest mattress but it was big and that was enough for us then. Now 5 years down the road and a few moves later we were dying with it. It has lost any charm it once held for us. The girls, however, loved it. Many times they had fallen asleep on it and in the morning told us that they wished they could have it. Why I do not know but it's true. Anyway we talked again of getting a new one but our resources lacking we had to wait until we could afford a new king size one. Then today it hit me that we should switch the girls twin mattress which are very comfortable with our crappy to us but not to them one. This works because we recently redid the sleeping arrangments in our home. The girls who have shared a bedroom since birth have always slept in the same room. When we moved to a larger home Ava was given her own room to share until Riot was older. This was good in theory but not did not work at night. She always got in bed with the girls. Shane decided they needed their beds (twins) to be pushed together to keep them all together. That made a king size bed and they have been sleeping happy since. We then have turned Ava bedroom now into the play room leaving her twin in there as a couch until we find something more suitable. So now they have a king size mattress and we do to (or two twins pushed together which also work. I have to say it's been a long time since I've looked forward to going to sleep:) We'll still eventually get a better bed since one day they'll want to have their own individual beds but for now, for tonight, I'm can truly say "I love my bed!" Now if I can get Shane to stop snoring in it. hmmm!!!

2010-11-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

Another great day! We got to spend time with our friend Laurie and her kids Zenovia and Alexander. Home Depot provided a fun project (spice rack) which was easy for the younger kids to do. We got to have lunch with Laurie and family before heading over to Hobby Lobby for some craft stuff. (Pictures to post once they are done) and then over to Dusty and Sandy's house for a little visiting time. I love the fall, not to cold to want to stay home and not to hot to avoid the heat outside:) Next trip will be the Diary of a Whimpy kid event:) Looking forward to it!!!

Painting Pumpkin Party

2010-10-30T16:42:00.000-07:00

We meet some friends at Trader Joe's today to do a pumpkin painting event. The kids loved it! Their clothes got ruined but I figured it was going to happen so I put them in old clothes. After seeing the clothes come back from Kindergarten I'm not surprised anymore at how bad they ruin their outfits. After the painting event we went to Barnes and Noble for story hour. It was an great Saturday! Lets hope Trick or Treating goes as well:)

My guys:)

2010-09-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hard to imagine that at this time last year having a son was never a true dream for Shane or I. We had three beautiful girls and had no plans for another baby, much less a son. Then on Nov. 5, 2009 our world changed as the stick showed the line that meant we were indeed going to have another baby. It goes to show you that you can NEVER say never. Riot is 2 1/2 months old and already has a special fondness for daddy. Shane will hold Riot and talk to him and Riot coos and oohs and speak to Shane like he is singing a song. He only does this for Shane. I might he an ohh or a ahh here and there but for Shane he sings them. Am I jealous? Yes but then again eventually he starts to cry for me and all is right. As far as having 4 girls vs 2 boys while the girls might have the majority so far the boys seem to be in control as Shane is totally their favorite and Riot has his Mommy wrapped around his fingers. Who knew having a son would be so wonderful?

Bff's, Kids, and Nature

2010-09-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

Recently I got to share lunch Shalini whom I have known since the second grade. It was a rare weekday treat as she works full time and I have more kids than I know what to do with. We decided to go to the Rio Grade Nature Center, a place I love but don't get to often enough. We had my youngest two in tow and Shalini and Nova got to be pretty good friends. Shalini "shared" her lunch with Nova, (Nova pretty much stole it from her) and they played together in the kids center. I had my hands full with Riot so I was not much help. I did stand, as told to, for this picture but could not work Shalini phone to take on of her. (Phones hate me) Before we knew it it was time to go but I think we'll try to go again, maybe next time when the temperature is cooler. It's nice to be able to tell your kids that you still have the same friends you meet 25+ yrs ago
PS All pictures taken by Shalini and not posted with her permission but as she sent them to me I post them as mine!

My Space, His Space, Our Space.

2010-08-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

After having little room for ourselves we finally moved to a bigger home. Getting settled has been happening gradually and we still have quite a few boxes to revisit but are unpacked for the most part. Shane had been looking forward to his office longer than we have had half of our children. I looked forward to him having it as well, no longer having all the clutter in the bedroom or living room. I assumed he would spend most of his free time in said office therefore I was surprised when he took to using a laptop at the dinning room table over the office pc. I think he realized he likes the noise of his family and felt left out when he is in the office. NOT ME! I set my sewing table up in a "pantry" off the kitchen where I realized I was in need of more space and less traffic. Once I realized how little Shane used his space I moved in for the kill and suggested we share it and my former space would be a much needed area for storage. He was surprisingly quick to agree and I moved my thing in over the weekend. I still need a little more room (meaning the shelves to the left) but that will take a while to clear off. Shane has one large bookshelf in the office and with the office door and french doors leading to the back yard there isn't room now for another. Either we build a bookshelf to fit by his door or hang more shelves, either way it will be a few month before we can do that. Still I'm thrilled to have a designated space that I can leave the table open and ready to sew, (my previous home had me blocking the front door while I sewed and you can imagine how inconvenient it was). I was able to get one square done and that was it as of yesterday. I guess the baby doesn't realize yet that I have this new area. Hopefully I'll get more use of it soon. Happy Days are ahead:)

Kindergarten Kennedy and the unhappy crew!

2010-08-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Today was a bittersweet day for us as Kennedy started Kindergarten today. Just like Ava did on her first day she put on a butterfly shirt and headed off to take her place in the world. There is nothing like the first day of Kindergarten. Kennedy did awesome and looked so cute in her outfit. I think she was worried I would be sad but I think I'm in shock or just sleep deprived because I did well at dropping her off. The pictures were taken by Shane and as you can tell Nova and Riot were pretty pissed at him for taking them. Hopefully one day we'll get a good kid shot were no one is crying. Anyway I can't wait to her how her day went. Hopefully as well as Ava's has been. We'll see.

New School, New Grade, Great Friend!

2010-08-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

This is a big year for Ava. She started the 4th grade yesterday which she has been looking forward to for a while. She also started a new school this year and has been very brave about it. I'm probably more nervous for her than she has been, she is a real trooper. Thankfully she has a good friend, Allyson, who attends the new school. It's been comforting knowing that she will have at least one friendly face she recognizes. (Kennedy will as well as Ally's brother Sam will be starting kindergarten at the same school on Friday) I shouldn't have been as nervous about Ava though because she came home yesterday and told me she already had a BFF in her class. I'm looking forward to meeting these new friends and getting adjusted to the new year. Tomorrow will be Kennedy's big day:) Then a peaceful weekend I hope!

The Big Sister

2010-08-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

I want to take a moment to share a sweet picture of Nova. I feel like Shane captured her essence in this photo. Nova is all about being a princess, about dressing up, and flashing her charming smile while tilting her cherub head. Riot's birth had the most affect on her vs the other girls because it took away her position as the baby and made her a big sister. She has fit herself into the role but it took a little bit of time. She loves him or (her) as she says. Nova will always get to be the baby girl and I think will eventually love the role of big sis. Now if I can just keep her from changing clothes every few hours all will be wonderful.

Riot and I

2010-08-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

A quick post for Riot's 3 week anniversary. He is doing well and getting a little chubby in the face. I think he looks adorable in brown and blues. He gave himself a little arm hickey when I didn't get his bottle fast enough. He laughs in his sleeps and loves to be held. He has three older sister's who fight for his attention. He is a little man and we are so thankful he is ours. Thanks for sharing!!!

Riot Mark Shannon Rowe

2010-07-24T19:56:00.001-07:00

He's here! Riot Mark Shannon Rowe came into the world on July 14th at 4:30 am. He is a small little guy who weighed 7lb 5 oz at birth. (nursery says 2 oz) He was 19 1/2 inches long. He's keeping me busy which is why I can only write this small paragraph about him and haven't been able to post before this or even get newer pictures up but eventually that will change. Here is the first birth picture of him and one from his first bath. Thanks to everyone for thinking of us and looking forward to introducing him to you.

Twelve years later...

2010-05-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Today is Shane's and my 12 year anniversary. With luck we'll be able to have an actual date on Sunday if the babysitting goes through. It's hard to find a babysitter anymore. The more kids you add it seems to get harder. Lol This year finds us packing and pregnant. The apt is starting to look bare but not as bare as I would like. The girls are pretty much packed and the linen closet and pantry are done with the exception of the food for the next two weeks or so. The living room almost done aside from the art and pictures and the kitchen is nowhere near done. Still I'm ahead and for being 8 months or so I think doing pretty well. I can't wait to be unpacked and organized and with luck have a week or two to enjoy the new place, especially the backyard, before Riot is born and the breastfeeding and diaper changing begin. It's hard to believe that 12 years ago Shane and I were spending the day getting small things done for our tiny backyard wedding/elopement. That included meeting with the ordained minister and stealing some flowers from UNM for my and Kari's bouquet. ( I was at the duckpond this past weekend and they smelled wonderful!) Shane put the finishing touches on our vows and I think we both had a little big of cold feet. At that time I was only thinking about the day and Shane, I don't think it ever crossed my mind then about the life we were beginning. Not that it has all been easy, (8 years ago we had a week that I thought was going to kill me) but for the most part it's been filled with a lot of love, happiness, and laughter. (mostly from me as I am hysterical and he is almost as funny but not really. Then again he can fix my computer so I better give him credit for that) It's been full of girls and in the good way! Our daughters have been the greatest sources of joy and parental pride. This year we'll add our son and I look forward to seeing that change in our family dynamic. I've seen Shane be a dad to girls and it's going to be wonderful see him be a father to a son. So here's looking forward to a wonderful new year with Shane and our family. Now I guess I have to go and explain the birds and the bees to Kennedy as she was asking me earlier about her arrival into this world. Ava has her convince she was an egg and I think she might believe she came from a chicken. Lol Life!

Nova and the scissor fiasco

2010-05-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Well she did it. She cut her hair. Yesterday during another full day of packing I found a pair of small school scissors under a bin of clothes in the corner of the girls closet. I had already packed away the art supplies so I put the scissors in a box of misc. stuff I had going with the intentions of packing it full and taping it up. Of course something distracted me and I walked away never to return. (I got sidetracked and packed my sewing cabinet contents.) I had forgotten about the open box until Kennedy came out of their room last night before bed with a handful of Nova's hair to which she said "Mamma Nova cut her hair!" I sent Ava to get them as I was having some hard braxton hicks and she came out with the scissors, Nova, and some hair. Nova looked incredibly proud of herself. Shane was surprisingly calm but I was horrified. Right away I saw the cut. Side of the head and short. I had one of two options. Either cut it all the same length in a bob or give her a mullet. Somehow the idea of business in the front and party in the back didn't seem to be Nova's thing so I sadly decided we had to cut it. This is the part that I partly blame Shane for. I got up and said. "Nova lets go take a bath and cut your hair." Shane had to have heard that and he should have firmly said "No Natalie you take her tomorrow to an ACTUAL hairstylist." He didn't and he knows that I envision myself as a home stylist. I'm not suppose to cut their hair, at all. It doesn't stop me but he should have. So instead he let us go and off we went to the bathroom for a little hair cut. The problem with cutting Nova's hair is that she moves, A LOT. I'm looking at her hair now and it's horribly uneven. It's going to need to be straighten but I'll wait. If I take her in now it will be even shorter and I don't think I could handle that. I do think she looks cute but still I'm sad. Also I should mention that April spent the night last night due to some work issues and it was a little hectic getting her and the girls settled. Maybe that's why I didn't remember the open box. Yes it is. I blame my sister.

12 week countdown

2010-04-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Had my ob apt. yesterday. Have about 12 weeks left until we meet the last arrival for our family. Unlike my last pregnancies I feel very unprepared. Having a boy after 3 girls is a big change. Shane has very specific ideas of what a boy should wear and what his gear should look like. It's very frustrating. I know it will all work out in the end even if it means that Shane will be at Target day of buying his son all the necessary equipment to bring him home. I'm going to enjoy the last 3 months with our girls and savor the all girl childhood. Then when Riot comes home we'll settle down with our new baby and begin our new adventure:)

I have felt a lot of differences with this pregnancy. The morning sickness tapered off sooner than it did with the girls, but that was traded for exhaustion. Being pg this time is tiring. I hadn't felt this tired with the girls until the last month. Also I have felt him move differently than the girls did. Each girl parked her behind right by my upper right side and didn't move from that spot. They kicked some but not as much as Riot. I have felt him low in the stomach and he moves a lot. It's been pretty uncomfortable truth be told. The reason he has felt different is that he is head up. Thanks to having the previous pregnancies the uterus is larger and he has decided not to move down yet. I'm not looking forward to feeling that. My mom had the same issues when she was pg with Fred and she told me that she felt him moves into position. Not fun! Still better than having to have a c-section.

It's hard to believe that I'm at the beginning of the third trimester. I'm hoping to make it until the 18th of July (due date is the 19th and Kennedys' b-day is the 17 which I want her to keep alone ) but have doubts about that as well. Something tells me he'll be early like his sisters. Then again a lot has been different so we'll see. As long as he is not born on the 17th I'll be happy:) Here's to the last trimester I'll ever have to be pregnant again!

Crazy Mary

2010-04-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs Eddie Vedder has performed. Shane introduced this song to me before we were married and it touches me to hear it to this day. The words are thought provoking because most likely you will have someone in your town that you think of when you hear it. I do. If not you should still enjoy it because no one sings like Vedder.

Crazy Mary

My sometimes arch enemy

2010-04-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks Shane and I have made a large switch to having a healthier lifestyle. Manly the focus has been on eating at home more and less processed foods, although I have always cooked from scratch at home but I will admit we ate out a lot. It's been a lot easier than I would have thought because like I said for us the main problem was the crap you get from the restaurants. But some things had been hard to do, like find ingredients without sugar or corn syrup. Today I wanted to BBQ chicken, as usual, I didn't get it set out in time to thaw for cooking. I had to run to the store so I thought I'd pick up thawed chicken and some bbq sauce without the syrup. WRONG!!! I looked through every single one and found nothing I could use. I then decided that I would do a dry rub, but not before the kids drove the other shoppers crazy. That and spending what I thought was hours buying curtains for the hall made me super ready to come home. After Shane was home I got the chicken ready (if your lucky I might one day share my secret seasoning but not today) and then set out to make the deviled eggs. Again I wanted to make a healthier version so I substituted plain natural yogurt for the mayo and added the other ingredients and was pretty happy with the results. Shane came in for the chicken and asked what the side were and I said our usual chunky garden salad, the chicken, and the eggs. He made a face like "Is that all" and I told him he could make asparagus. He said ok and got out the tin foil and snap peas, mushroom, asparagus, spaghetti sauce. I had my reservations about the sauce but decided to go with it and was pretty happy that he was sticking to plan for eating better. (The sauce also was sugar and syrup free!) Then, and I swear he does this to be my nemesis, I look over as he dumps a bunch of butter on the mix and closes the foil and take it to the bbq. He put is on and comes and tells me "I think it kinda neat that you took a normally unhealthy dish and make it healthy and I took a healthy dish and made it bad!" Ha Ha. (You have to picture him laughing with a sinister snarl. Like Boris. Shane = Nemesis

To think about...

2010-03-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is copied from several locations and has been passed on to be shared. I posted on my blog because it expressed the outrage I have felt for the 8 horrible years of the Bush/Cheney administration.

You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.

You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate
energy policy.

You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.

You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.

You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.

You didn't get mad when we spent over 600 billion(and counting) on said illegal war.

You didn't get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.

You didn't get mad when you found out we were torturing people.

You didn't get mad when the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.

You didn't get mad when we didn't catch Bin Laden.

You didn't get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.

You didn't get mad when we let a major US city, New Orleans, drown.

You didn't get mad when we gave a 900 billion tax break to the rich.

You didn't get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.

You finally got mad when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all okay with you, but helping other Americans...oh hell no.

You didn't get mad when the president ignored the clear and timely warning that terrorists were going to hijack planes and fly them into the WTCs.

You didn't get mad when the weapons inspectors, who said there were no WMDs, were ignored.

You didn't get mad when hundreds of thousands of people died in Iraq.

To Kindle or not to Kindle

2010-03-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

I am making this new post from my first "own" computer. Someone has caused havoc on Shane's computer (wonder who) and I think he thought it was time that I get the heck of it and have my own. So I picked out a relatively inexpensive but sweet one. My criteria was a bigger screen and a pretty mouse. "Pretty" almost always being the main criteria. But the point of this post was about the Kindle and I'm going to get right to it. Last night Shane was standing near one or a generic version and asked me if I had considered getting one. I said no immediately and he began to explain the pros of one. He is so used to me resisting all technology, (you should have heard the conversation between he and the ATT rep regarding my refusal to get an IPhone) that he knows it takes me a while to embrace new gadgets (unlike himself). So I patiently waited for him to explain about the readers and then when he was done he looked to me and I told him my reason, "I like books with pages you turn and are made of paper." That's it. I like going to the bookstore, picking up a book and turning it over in my hand to read the back cover. I like feeling the pages in my hand. I like flipping through the pages to determine if the writing is a style I like or not. I like everything you find in a bookstore such as the fancy notebooks, the stuffed animals, the coffee, the music, and most of all the ambiance. You simply cannot get that from a machine not matter how fancy they are. I understand all the pros like many books in one, quick access to books, cheaper rates but the pros, for me, are not good enough. So I'll keep my many books that are stored in every possible place at our home, and in storage and I'll leave the Kindle to the rest. Give me a used bookstore, a comfy chair, and a good cup of coffee and I'll give you a perfect afternoon.

For thought

2010-03-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

I used one very similar to the one pictured when Kennedy was born. I didn't use it very long as she outgrew it quickly and I was very paranoid about her suffocating in it (this was almost 5 years ago before the outbreak of stories related to this product). She did sleep very peacefully and I loved that I could easily breastfeed her in without a fuss. However I can easily understand how these children can die in them. Very sad.

story

New but not really new.

2010-03-11T16:07:00.000-08:00

When I went back to work in August the agreement between Shane and I was to try it for a year and if it didn't work for the family I would stop working. It was a scary time for me, finding daycare for Kennedy and Nova and not being there after school to pick up Ava but I was determined to make it work and I did. The daycare, Monte Vista Day Nursery, was great in so many ways. The staff treated the girls wonderfully and I felt very blessed to have found another great place to have my kids in. But then the cold/flu season hit and it hit hard. I knew that the girls would catch a few colds but I was no prepared for the amount they did catch. In general it's not uncommon for kids in daycare to catch between 8-10 colds a year and yeah they mostly happen in fall winter. This is a good thing though as daycare kids tend to miss less school due to colds than those who are new to environment with multiple kids. That being said it's not a good thing when your new to a job and can't get your sick leave built up quick enough. I also didn't expect to be pregnant again so soon after I began working. I will say that everyone at the HSD was wonderful and understanding even when I gave my notice 3 weeks ago. As of March 5 I have once again become a homemaker. This decision was pretty hard for me but the right one for our family. I had been thinking about resigning after the 4 or 5 cold but didn't until the second to the most recent one the girls had. I had to miss another week of work (Shane took of a day the week before and it took him a weekend to make it up) Then after I gave my 2 weeks notice I had to call in sick for the week as the girls and I got the flu bug and Nova ear infections. Talk about being stressed. Now this week was been my first week at home and in a way it's been hard readjusting (6 months of working took it's toll on the housework) plus cramming in the dentist and doc apts we got behind on and a parent teacher conference it's been a busy week. Not to mention the kids adjusting to new schedules (they love sleeping in) me adjusting to less morning stress (I love that part!) and Shane coming home to dinner being made and a clean house. (I think he might be the most happy). For now it's a nice time for the family. I don't regret going to work, I learned a lot about social work and made some great friends and one really great friend and now I look forward to having summer with the kids and getting ready for the new baby. I also look forward to not having to call in when the kids get sick:)

Here I grow again

2009-12-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

I recently saw this advertised on a maternity hoodie and thought at the time that it was a cute saying and too bad when I was pregnant I never saw it. Then of course a few days later I discovered that I would have a chance to wear it if I wanted. That's right I going to have another (and from my lips to gods ears let it be my last) baby. Like Kennedy this baby should be born in July, around the 19 or so hopefully not on her birthday. I've been in shock about this news and was in disbelief until the morning sickness kicked in but now it here and strong as ever. I haven't worked while being pg since Ava so it's been an almost new experience. Thankfully I have some great co-workers/friends who have been awesome. I fell lucky for that. PS I have no idea of what I think it will be but before anyone asks I really don't care if it's a boy or girl. Both will be wonderful and loved just like our girls. We are very fortunate and blessed!

Funny feeling

2009-10-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

As much as my blog is for sharing what is happening in our family with everyone it's also a great way for me to keep track of everything that has happened. I thought I would blog about my surgery seeing as how it is the first one I have had but really I'm to tired to write about it. That being said I wanted to have it in my blog so that I can look back later and say "Oh yeah I was pretty tired after having it out" or whatever. So I'm adding it here like this but I also wanted to add a few word about something more important, my family. There is just no way I could have gotten through this surgery and the aftermath if I didn't have Shane, my girls, and my parents, brothers and sister. Shane was amazing during it all. He is not one to go through a crisis easily and he did it. There were a few really scary days at the hospital that I honestly thought I might not be coming home and Shane got me through them. I know it was hard on him to see me in crying convulsions and keep his calm and he did. Many times I would wake from a sedated sleep and he was there reading and rushing to meet my needs. He is my rock and as my dad told me recently a good good man and husband. My girls had it hard without being warned I was gone and they didn't know much. Ava knew it was bad and she was frightened. She still has some issues about it all and it so caring still. An amazing little girl. My parents came as quickly as they could. They stayed in our home and looked after the girls so Shane could be with me. Dad made the girls a new favorite, Eggnog French Toast. They loved having the time with them. My mom caught up the laundry that I had been to sick to get too as well as making sure to keep the routine going. It was hard on them I'm sure but they were just so sweet about it all. I'm very grateful to have my parents. Dusty and Sandy were right there for us when we needed them to rush to get our girls in the middle of the night. Dusty watched them the second time as I waited the several hours at the ER. They were very generous of their time and I am so thankful to them for that. April came up to help with the girls and try to get the house in order. She was not feeling well herself but wanted to be here. I am touched by her gesture. It was very kind. Fred was here as well. I don't remember much about him except for a black shadow at the hospital. He came and cheered up the girls and that was a big help. I had many friends who were sending me kind thoughts and prayers. Shalini came to the hospital twice with beautiful flowers and again and took the time to look through my labs and make sure I was ok. I was pretty out of it most of the time but I do remember telling my nurse that we had been friends since 2nd grade and the nurse (Gwen who was just awesome) said that make you more than friends, your family and she was right. I also had extended family who were keeping tabs on my condition and praying for me. I'm blessed to have a family such as I do, the friends I do, and my life. I'm happy to be home and look forward to getting healthier in the next few days and weeks. I hope this is the last time I have to be in the hospital for a long time. Fingers crossed:)

Good day.

2009-10-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

After weeks of training I'm finally working in a process. I along with my other newbie co-workers are screening applications, that have been dropped off without an interview, for emergency food stamps. It's the beginning stage of the process and a simple one but am important one. You have to be in pretty dire need to receive emergency food stamps so we try to have them screen quickly so we can help those in need. Today it was my turn at the phone rotation and although I was a little nervous having to answer calls being so fresh at it I slowly found my footing and all went well. At fin aid I did it all the time but I by then I had to much experience at it there was nothing to be nervous about. I did get a client today that I was able to help in a hurry (not going to go into specifics) and that really was the highlight of my work day (Nova feeling better was the overall highlight overall). This is truly a reason why I like to work in fields like human service or fin aid. You get yelled at A LOT (today in fact:( almost cried) but then you have someone you help and it honestly makes the bad about the job seem not to bad. So the next time you are in an office where you are mad for whatever reason (except for those the cable company who charge too much, or when people mess with your debit cards (stupid accai berry people who WILL rot in hell) , just remember that your smile will make their day better and probably do more for you than yelling. (Except for the berry people you HAVE to yell at them for charging $89.00 and taking food out of your kids mouths. Really they won't do anything unless you them them that. Don't forget to mention the hell thing and make sure to call them over and over until they take off the charge.)

Jawbreaker Surprise!!!

2009-09-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Usually on the weekends Shane and I will try to sleep in as long as we can and Ava and Kennedy (with Nova going back and forth between the rooms) will get up and watch some tv. Usually they will attack the cereal and eat it as a snack before I make them breakfast. This morning Ava decided to make something different. She is allowed to make quesadillas in the microwave and this morning she decided to make one as well. Only this time she went a little further. This the the recipe she shared with us about it. Jawbreaker Surprise Take one tortilla and put mayo on it. (So gross already) The put cheese on it and microwave it for a few minute. When you get out it will be hard (jawbreaker!) Then smear it with a LOT more mayo and there you have it. Jawbreaker Surprise!!! (the surprise is the mayo). So I heard her making it this morning and later we heard Kennedy gagging.lol Kennedy has an easy gag reflex so I wasn't to worried but after Ava told us about this she told us that Kennedy did not like the hot mayo. (go figure) Apparently Nova loved it.lol No surprise there.

Going on week 4

2009-09-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today was the beginning of week 4 of my new career. So far so good. The girls are adjusting and doing it nicely. Shane after a few hectic days has as well. I'm really happy with the people at work, they have a great attitude towards the clients and the job as well. ISD is a hard place to work for those who have little empathy towards others and can be a place to become burnt out quickly. I expected to have a lot of unhappy coworkers and have pleasantly proven wrong. Oh yeah and I have an office which also was a surprise as I thought I was going to be put into a cubicle.lol It's not as nice as my last office (Great big windows, pretty view, and purple accent wall) but it still is more than I expected. I've made some good friends already. Four of us started together and were pretty close now. That's been fun. I've missed my girls, the two youngest the most as Ava has been in school so that was easier to deal with. The first week was the hardest but now Nova has gotten in to the swing of things and knowing that she is happy makes it all better. Kennedy is thriving. She has little friends who call out to her in the morning "Hey Kennedy!" and seems to be pretty popular. She had little songs to sing some of which I have never heard of. So all in all is good. Ava is having a harder time with school this year, not because of the work but she and her teacher seem to have unlike chemistry. It was bound to happen but it's been a little rough. That being said life will hand you lemons and you have to make the lemonade. Hers is just a little bit sour right now but she's getting better. It's nice to have the option of working or not working. I'm glad that I didn't have to work and if something happened that right now I could stay at home again if need be. I watched Mad Men the other night and as I watched Betty go in to feed her baby in the middle of the night I was struck by how much situation has changed. Unlike a 50's housewife I have the choice. So right now when the alarm goes off at 5:50 am I remind myself every time as I begrudgingly go to the shower "This is my choice!"

The thing about having only girls

2009-08-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

You never get to mix it up. It's all girl all the time. It's all about dolls and faeries, kitties and makeup. There's dressing up and doing hair and boy talk (my least favorite topic). I get to hear all about how cute Nick Jonas is and about Shark Boy (or for the Twilight fans what's his name) So I don't get to do the spider man thing nor do I know what Ben 10 is (except having to buy a toy of one for a present and I had no idea of what I was looking for) I don't have to deal with knowing all the super heroes because I would fail big time. But I do try to keep some stuff in mind, like the Transformers, mainly for my nephew Jake. We have a little bit that we do where he is bumble bee and I am Optimus Prime but that's where it ends.lol And having girls or at least my girls means Radio Disney all the time. Add that to the fact that I have horrible taste in music (I so totally admit it, I am like the people who only read tabloids and nothing more. I only listen to crap music really!) So thanks to this combination I have a song stuck in my head that I just can't get it out of my head and I finally found it on you tube so that I could hear it.lol I'm sharing the link with you and I'm sure you laugh not with me but at me because it's that pathetic.lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihKPKiwK3jA

What would I be listening to if I had only boys? hmmm

How humans are made

2009-08-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

As told by Kennedy Rowe...

"Mama I know how humans are made." Kennedy

"Umm how? Mom

"Well first the man takes the blood and then he puts it into a big bowl. Then he stirs the bowl lots and lots. Then he adds some bones.

Then he stirs it again and then the human comes out!" Kennedy

"Yup Kennedy that is excatly how humans are made. Now go and tell your dad" Mom

Thanks ABC Family for running the Goblet of Fire so much.lol

Back home

2009-08-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

We're back home after a few days in Grants. The girls and I left Shane in Albuquerque so that I could go to my parents home and help them clean out the garage. I had put it off for a long long time and I knew that if I didn't go and do it now I wouldn't have the time later. The garage was pretty bad. When my parents moved before the last time a lot of stuff went into the garage and tool shed behind the house where it stayed for the next 12 or so years. When it came time for them to move again the job feel mainly to Fred and Dusty to move the stuff out. (I had just had Nova and was unable to do much) Dusty and Fred literally just loaded stuff up from one garage and dumped it into another. Add that with all the other stuff that has accumulated for the last 35 years and well you can imagine the state of the garage. Oh yeah they boys also didn't leave any kind of walking path. They just put it in the front and that was it. Uggh Boys! So I spent 2 1/4 days going through old letters, dishes, clothes, books, and toys. I came across stuff I hadn't seen in years and years. It was kinda fun in a very sweaty and pissy kinda way. I found my baby book but forgot to bring it to Albuquerque with me. I got to read family history from my Granny. All in all it was a good trip and now when the move again I hope it goes a lot eaiser. This time I plan to supervise so I'm sure it will.

Summer is cruising by

2009-07-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

Well it's almost that time of year that I both love and hate...Back to School! Today we'll head to Ava's school to get the forms to reregister her. I like this time because you get reaquainted with everyone you didn't see over the summer. This school year will be different for me as Kennedy will be in pre-school. A different school with different PTA meetings and different field trip. Even different drop and pick up times. I'm looking forward to some new changes for us all this year but more on that later. Meanwhile...

Kennedy is offically 4. I'm eventually going to be posting her pictures once I get Shane to upload them. He did some stuff to his computer and now I have to wait. I'll be bugging him tonight. She is pretty happy being 4 and heading to school. I'm not crying about it yet, I think I'll be ok. We'll see.

Ava is so excited to begin 3rd grade. She is looking forward to going back to school. I hope this continues all her life.lol This summer has been a big change for me with her as far as her being older. I see everday how she is not a little girl anymore and moving alone to being a preteen. Shane came out carring her in his arms one morning and I flashed back to him carrying her on a pillow. That was a tear jerker:( She has been the biggest of help this summer, especially with Nova. I couldn't ask for a better daughter.

Nova is trucking way to being 2. She has the tantrums down pat. She is cutting her canines now and that has been pretty hard on all of us but it looks likes she is almost done. She is speaking so much and putting her words to good use like "Eat" and "No eat" and "Puppy" and "No" and again "NO!".lol She likes to say Dee Dee but for whatever reason will not say "Ava" anymore. She is our little side show. I'm missing having a baby baby but realize that this is a new era in our lives and am looking foward to the freedom that comes from having kids that are older. Still sometimes I come across a little onesie for babys sock and I just wish for a sec that I had it todo again. Then they all cry for me to come here because something was spilled or someone's feelings got hurt (all the freaking time!) and I think "So the end!"

Shane and I are doing well too! Work for him and home for me. I'm looking forward to doing some new things this fall... not saying what for sure yet but will post once I know what is in store. For now I'm just going to enjoy these last few summer weeks and with luck will get in a few more walks and zoo trips with the girls! And as Ava would say "That's all for now"!

I finally found it!

2009-07-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Now that Ava is an avid reader I have begun to suggest books for her to read that I read as a child. She has read the small version of little women, has read several chapters from Anne of Green Gables, and finished a Baby Sitter's Club book. Of course we have different taste so it's not like she jumps at every book I suggest but she likes for me to tell her about what I read and I like passing on the information. Recently I was thinking about a book I got when I was about 10. My grandparents used to volunteer at a thrift store in Durango and sometimes we got to go there at the end of a shift and pick out a treasure. I fondly remember that store and have made a note to go there again the next time I go to Durango. This particular time I remember going to the store and finding this little square paperback book. I think it cost $.10 and was happy to have something to read. At this point I had read all the kids books at their house and wasn't quite ready to read the older books which I did eventually read. Thankfully they were also avid readers who had a varied taste of literature. Anyway the book I got to read was about a minister and his wife who adopt several children of different races and ages. Eventually they adopt 12 and have a happy little family. I remembered loving the book and rememberes specific parts of it but I could not place the name for the life of me. However since I did remember a few specific parts I turned to the internet with a positive hope that I would be able to find the book. However I was wrong and had no luck at all! Sadden I gave up the search and forgot about the book. Then my interest was renewed when Shane told me about a few sites that would be abel to help me. He even did the search for me and once again I was certain I would find it. Once again I was disappointed. I gave up and figured I would move on to Lois Duncan and Judy Blume.

Then about a week ago I was on e-bay trying to find a book that I had read a long time ago called With Love from Karen. As I was trying to find this book used (yeah used but still costing $65.00 to $105.00) and I stumbled upon this book called The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss. The cover did look familiar but something made me click on the book. When the summary came up I quickly realized this was the book I had been searching for! Better yet it had been, at one time, made into a television series and had a play based on it. Still better was the fact that it is now in reprint!!! What a find or a stumble if you will. I was able to read the first few chapters online and am so thrilled that I will be able to order it. It cracks me up how I found it but I am so glad that I did!!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=FR6kMKAZO-oC&dq=the+family+nobody+wanted+by+helen+doss&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=xhdWSr_EHIbYtgOCsenMAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

Just thinking

2009-06-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

Looking through all the photos we have taken the last year and messing around with them using Picasa. I love it, you can make your skin look so good! Wish we had a live picasa wand!

2009-06-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Sweet bird

2009-06-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is my pet hummingbird. He has visited this spot over the course of several days and stays for a while to visit. I like sitting and watching him as the girls ride their bikes. Enjoy!

On odd memory

2009-06-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last night Shane looked through the movies we had recorded on the dvr and settled on Ghostbusters. I set it to record for the girls but as there was nothing on last night we started to watch it. I immediately had a flashback to a childhood memory I have of watching Ghostbusters. First let me describe the scene. My parents had the coolest (at the time I totally didn't think so but I do now) green bedroom. Green shag carpeting with a green velvet bedspread and green curtain to match. The bedroom set was a typical 70's set with a brown rocking chair to match. This particular night they had set up a tv in their bedroom (I don't remember them having one in their room but they must have) and they had rented the VCR (remember having to do that?) and it was the old fashioned kind that pop up top and you had to put it down. Anyway us kids were told to stay in their room and watch Ghostbusters while they had friends over. And as a bribe we were given stripped chocolate cookies. I still remember sitting on their bed watching tv and eating those cookies. I think it stuck out because we never got to do that. Unlike my girls, who pretty much think our bed is just and extension of their beds, we never slept in their bed. Even after my mom had us watch Night of the Living Dead and I stayed up all night with the light on waiting for zombies to come and eat my brain. Never did it cross my mind to sleep in their room. Watching the first part of the movie I realized it was to scary for my girls, who are chickens like me, and gave up and turned on Sex and the City. I wonder what the new Ghostbuster movie will be like? Hmmmm

2009-05-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Rowes in nature

We took a little trip up in the mountains today. Shane and the girls took a little hike while I napped in the car with Nova. I was sure it was going to rain and took advantage of being alone to watch the clouds pass by via the sun roof. It was very pleasant and I feel asleep which was also pleasant. Then they came back and we all took a walk. The weather was pretty mild and the woods did their job and soothed my soul. But all good things come to and end and we had to get back to town. Shane drove us out as he said my driving up the mountain scared the heck out of him. (As I grow older I have become my mother's daughter and am absolutely a freak when it some to heights.) Shane did his best to scare me which he did well. Then we came to this place and it was so lovely we had to get out and look. Of course as I have said before with a family of girls and one guy we always have a crier and Kennedy started in. Nova dropped Kennedy's Cinderella cell phone in the brook and until Shane got it out she cried and cried. Then all the way out of the mountain she cried for MacDonald's. It was a long long drive out. However we are happy that we found a new beautiful spot to go to and I think we will make it a point to take more walks in the woods. So soothing!

Cool summer clubhouse

2009-05-29T09:56:00.001-07:00

A few sheet, a clamp or two, and a table turns...
into a cool summer clubhouse! Now if you'll excuse me I have to make these chicks lunch!

A crazy circus

2009-05-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

So let me begin by saying that once again I dropped the ball with p365 and have thrown in the towel on it. To much to do and I forget to take a picture every day and sometimes even a every week. Shane took this picture of Ava at her class circus. She was the only Mim? but really a zombie clown it seemed. Fun was had by all and now with summer starting I'm doing my best to get the house in order so we can enjoy our time off. This might be the last summer I have as a SAHM, who knows? I want to enjoy it while I can!!!

An anniversary update!

2009-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

Just to update on our anniv. This morning the morons in the morning were discussing anniversary's and having people call in and say which anniversary they thought was a big deal. Shane asked me if I thought 11 was and I said sort of no. What I meant, before you get mad at me, is that I love having another year with Shane and I am very proud of having a marriage that last longer than a decade, especially with the high divorce rate. That being said I think some are more special just like you look forward to your 16th b-day or 18th or even 21st. As mention in the previous post I just wanted a card. So imagine my surprise when I got a knock at the door and low and behold there is a basket of flowers. And the card from Shane which says "I think every year is a big deal?" (I think he meant exclamation point but they put a ?.lol Anyway there was more mushy stuff which made me cry. I called Shane and told him about the flowers and told him that I didn't mean it the way I said he and he laughed. Then I felt bad about the *gasp* e-card I sent him.lol He isn't one for cards so I think it's ok. Anyway I kinda owned a sort of apology post to Shane. Sometimes the guy just surprises me in a sweet and wonderful way!

11 years!

2009-05-20T12:40:00.001-07:00

Today Shane and I celebrate 11 years married! 1/3 of our lives. He asked me what I wanted as far as a gift and I told him that 11 years, while being awesome, is not one of the big one, like the 1st, 5th, 10th, or so one. So I said lets do something big for every 5th year mile stone and for now lets just do a date night this weekend, (hopefully) but that I would love to get a card or note from him seeing as how he as dropped the ball on that lately. This morning I had some time before dropping Ava off so we took a detour to the house we got married at. On the way I thought about how long 11 years has been but also how it seems like yesterday. I look forward to the next 11 years when I can say that I have been married 1/2 my life to my bbff! Also Shane if you decided to read this I am so looking forward to the 15 year anniv. when you finally take me on a trip! (NYC!)

3 little piggies

2009-05-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone post pictures of their children looking their best most adorable selves and I am usually a big proponent of doing so. Tonight I decided to show the other side, the horrible side, the true side! Girls do get as dirty as boys. Nova would live in dirt if we let her, Kennedy would not leave the park if we didn't drag her away, and Ava (like most of her classmates) believes brushing your hair is not a requirement for coming to school. So here are the three little piggies in all of their glory home from the park and having Subway with their equally as dirty parents. (Thanks Nova for getting sand down my shirt and bra!) ((Double thanks to Shane for calling the shower first!)

Bandalier Rocks! Day 16 p365

2009-05-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

I feel a little silly getting this certificate seeing as how I'm doing the LAST fieldtrip of the year:( That being said I guess I did help out a little this year doing some take home projects and the PTA carnival but still I would like to have done more. Next year as Nova is older I am hoping to get more involved! Looking forward to summer with Ava and then watching her become a 3rd grader! So happy that she is a Banda Bear!

Farmer's Market day 15 of p365

2009-05-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

my keyboard is being a jackass so i am posting like thisuntil i figure it out

Shane's Orchid Shot day 14 p365

2009-05-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

Shane and I both love Orchids. Last weekend at the bio gardens they had them on dislay and this is one of many shots he got. No need for Picasa on this one, he is a natural with the camera.

Standing on the dock of the bay or I mean pond! Day 13 of P365

2009-05-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Taken at the Bio Park the girls patiently waited for Shane to snap some photos of them. Nova was tired at the is point and had herself parked nicely in the stroller. It was a nice day, great weekend, and best of all a day of great family time! Su

Going green day 12 P365

2009-05-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

This was so neat for me. At the park near Ava's school I saw this small tree growing amongst the other older taller trees and thought that I could use the color focus effect with Picasa. We made a special stop today so I could get the shot. I really like the green color amongst the black.

Kennedy's Pink Quilt and day 10 of 365

2009-05-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a little out of order on my posting but I didn't have much time to post this yesterday. This is the finished product of Kennedy's quilt. A little more narrow that I had intended and as I realized later (duh!) more white than a 3 3/4 year old should have but what is done is done and it is hers. I imagine eventually I'll be making her a heavier one but she likes it for now. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out as well. I called it Squares of Pink since I made the design myself and came at a loss of a name. Will work on being more original!

Blue for Ava day 11 of P365

2009-05-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

This is a teaser of what will eventually be Ava's quilt. I got a great idea from Crazy Mom's Quilt blog and am looking forward to making this quilt. For those who know Ava loves purple the best but I have yet to find purple fabric that speaks to me. As I was looking at the fabric today I was about to leave and I saw these 4 materials. I feel in love with them and before I knew it I had a yard each.lol I told Ava that if she wanted me to keep looking for purple material I would but she said she likes these as did Shane. Will post them pic when it is done.

Sharing a snack day 9 of P365

2009-04-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Two sisters sharing a snack and watching Dora after a morning at the park. What a great morning!

First memorable zoo trip day 8 of 365

2009-04-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

So I'm cheating a little. This was not taken today but this weekend at our zoo trip. I just spruced it up a little and decided to post it for my blog today. I am too tired today to take a photo. Nova was too young to enjoy the zoo much last year much less the playground they have. She had a lot of fun this time around. She loved the polar bears most of all I think. I am looking forward to many more trips this summer to the zoo and the bio park:) More pics to come!

A little color P365 day 7

2009-04-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is my small nick knack shelf of a few items I have collected over the years. The self was given to me by Shane, the Gone with the Wind egg a must have, ( or it was at the time), the top heart box from Charleen, one of 4 given to a great group of friends, a bottom right box given by my dad from a business trip, the bottom left box belong to my granny. The girl and the pooh were given to Ava as a small child and the horse to the side from my long time friend Shalini. Last but not least the yellow clown was a figure Shane and I bought in Salt Lake City at the airport. The plan was to get a figure from every state we visited. We have been to 7 states and only collected 1 figure so it's a fail but I will always have the sad looking clown.lol

I thought this would be a great way to use the B&W color focus feature of Picasa. I think it turned out pretty good with the yellow in the middle.

Last but not least p365 day 6

2009-04-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

After looking for my past few posting I realized I didn't add one of Kennedy:( Therefore I am making up for that. Here she is with her smile and her head tilt. I love this picture os her, it captures her spirit. Last but never least!

What a bird! 5 of P365

2009-04-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

I love peacocks! As a kid my grandparents would drive us to a peacock farm near Durango and we loved it. I love the colors and their regal way of walking. The best thing at the zoo if you ask me.

The beginning 4 of 365

2009-04-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of a quilt for Kennedy. I sewed the strips together last night and will attach them to the white strips. The Muslin material will be the backing. I not sure what I will use as my border yet but it will most likely be the white and will incorporate some of the left over pieces I have from making the blocks. I designed this quilt and I love the material I am using. Kennedy right now is upset at the white being part of it, she wants pink and more pink, but I think she will be happy when it's its done. Once I attach the batting, a low loft, and the backing I plan to simply stitch in the ditch for the quilting step. I hope to be able to finish soon so I can move on to Ava's butterfly quilt.

I want this house! 3 of P365

2009-04-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

The coolest tree house I have seen. I never see kids in it or at the house, there are no kids toys lying around either. I believe this is an Adult tree house. Maybe used for a studio or office I don't know. I just know that I want my own tree house!lol

Ava relaxed! P65 day 2

2009-04-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

A relaxed Ava as we wait for Shane. The only girl who does not fall asleep in the car.

A little glow

2009-04-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Me!

My Guy

2009-04-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Shane is his usual attire. His hat! He loves hats like I love purses. I like this picture because he is giving a sort of grin but not really. At least he is not growling! I still kinda like him even after all of these years.lol

Picasa fun!

2009-04-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Playing around with Picasa and making art! Or my version at least.

An early morning to restart P365

2009-04-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

We normally drop Ava off at school minutes before the bell but this morning we had 20 minutes to go so I let the kids play on the small playground. I am going to make a second attempt at project 365.lol Let's see how far I get!

Ava and her buddies Frances and Azalyea

Who's the boss?

2009-04-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

On Friday the girls were suppose to clean up their room before bed. We have been working on a check system and if their room gets cleaned before bed they get a check. If they get to a certain number they will get a reward, right now it's a trip to build a bear. If they miss one night they have to start over from the beginning so they are pretty invested in keeping all of their checks. Kennedy just realized she has something to gain by them and has been active in getting their check, or at least watching Ava get them.lol That night I told Kennedy, (who really wants a pink guitar.lol) that she would not get one if they didn't earn their checks. She came out to the living room and turned of the tv show Ava was watching and told Ava "we have to clean our room!" and of course they both began to bicker back and forth. Finally Shane told Kennedy "Kennedy you are not Ava's boss" to which Kennedy stated "I AM Ava's boss!".lol Shane laughed but then again told her she was not but I don't think Kennedy agreed or quite believed him.lol Karma works out though because yesterday Kennedy was sitting on Ava's lap and Nova came over and with only one hand knocked Kennedy flat on the floor and plopped herself on Ava's lap.lol I think Kennedy knows there is a new sheriff in town!

Something fun to watch

2009-04-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

No crying this time, just a fun few minutes.

http://digg.com/d1orqc

Swamp Chicken

2009-04-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

Dinner was SO good tonight, I thought I'd use the space here to write down my recipe and to share it with you. It was loosely based on something my parents used to make, but I omitted a few ingredients and added my own flair. It got 4 out of 5 stars from Shane which is pretty good considering he is NOT a chicken man. Anyway here it is.

3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts that you beat the crap out of to make them flat

half a bunch of cilantro

1 whole medium onion (subject to taste)

1 8 oz package mushrooms

1 7 oz marinated artichokes

1 pack roasted chicken gravy or a can if you prefer but make it less thick than some canned gravies can be.

salt

pepper

flour for dredging

In a sauce pan, saute the chopped onion (hopefully you knew enough to chop it:), mushrooms, and garlic. (Again don't add the garlic whole, silly, just chop up a few cloves.)

Add some salt and pepper to this mess and don't let it stick. When they are almost done, add the chopped cilantro. Once properly sauteed, place in a bowl for later. Then take the chicken breast that you beat well and season them with salt and pepper. Dredge them in some flour and then sear them well on both sides in the same pan you sauteed the veggies in. Now, (what I did) is used a heavy pan that I can also put in the oven because; a. the pan already has flavor from the food and b. why mess up more dishes than is necessary? Ok, this is where you add the gravy that you should have heated up. (Oh yeah you need to heat up the gravy!) Add the veggies on top and throw a lid on it. (If you have a glass lid and you really throw it might break, so use some common sense). Then put in a preheated oven for 325. Leave it on until you get back from getting Shane or in your case 1 hour and take it out to set about 5 mins. Serve with some good rice pilaf or maybe couscous and enjoy! (BTW Ava said it looked like a swamp of food hence the name:)

A dare

2009-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

Try to watch this youtube video and not cry! I had to fight them from falling:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

2009-04-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Monday Girls get ready for the mall! Not the best photo job by mom but some sweet images anyway!

"Nice dress!"... "Wait that's my dress!"

2009-04-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

You always hear about people showing up at the same event with the same dress. My senior year at GHS I found a dress I fell in love with in 17 magazine and I was thrilled when one of the local shops had it in their window. I went into get get it and the lady (a real b-witch) said someone already bought one and she didn't want to of the same dress at prom. Then she refused to sell it to me and not only that but refused to let me try it on:( I told her she should take it out of the window then. I didn't get the dress and I never saw the "other girl" either but that is besides the point. So last night we had a wedding reception to attend to for a co-worker of Shane. We were pretty early and were just waiting for more people we know to show up. When Kim show up I noticed her hair first, (really pretty Kim) and then I saw her dress. I was like wow that is a pretty dress. Then I did a second take and said "We're wearing matching dresses!"lol After we laughed she told me "I was afraid that would happen." She had texted me that morning to ask we what I was wearing. (Followed by another text to let me know it was not in a perverted way!lol) I didn't get the text and happily put on the new dress I had just got. So there we sat and chatting two girls wearing the same dress.lol I was just happy she didn't buy the shell I did but paired her dress with a lovely red cardigan. BTW we both had the same darn zipper problems! All in all though it was a fun night.

PS. Shane made an obscene joke right as he took this hence the face!

"Good"

2009-04-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a little bit of sharing about Nova. She is cruising right along the growing up path. She'll be 18 months old at the end of the month and is wearing 2ts. She is in the 75% right across the board, or as the nurse told me she is "perfectly proportioned". She loves to hold anything that is silky and will chase Ava and Kennedy around if they are wearing those kind of pj's just to rub them.lol She had taken possession of Ava's stuffed cat toy and loves her Kitty. She gets made at dinner if she doesn't have her own fork and she uses it better than the girls did at her age. We called her our devil baby because she speaks in a scary deep voice to make us laugh. She will eat anything and I mean anything! She gives the best sloppy wet kisses and throws the worst tantrums. She has only told me "NO" once but she has shaken her head NO a few times. She tries her best to keep up with the girls and does a pretty good job at it. She is super strong and I'm mean STRONG! She is smart and is learning quickly how to use words to describe her feeling. The other day I made a full turkey meal and as everyone was complimenting me on the meal (I almost ruined the turkey but I'm not sharing how!) I turned to Nova and said "Nova what do you think about it" totally expecting the devil baby sound which is the norm and instead got a solid "Good!" I love this stage and we love our baby Nova!

It's already over?

2009-04-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

Boy this weekend went by quick! Friday we had a visit from Dad who brought Dusty's family and mine a nice turkey each, they got a great deal in Grants! We had dinner with Dusty and Sandy but Dad had to go home. I wish we could have had dinner with him but also it was a windy day so I am happy he got home safe:( That wind was pretty harsh. Sat we went to this cafe Shane and his co-workers go to called Vick's Daily Cafe. It's so good! The potato salad was just perfect! It was a nice brunch with out with the girls. It was a cold day so we headed to the mall so I could get my hair cut and to "hang out". The girls said "Hi" to the Easter Bunny but that was pretty much all we could get.lol Also we saw a bunch of girls getting their "Prom on" but that's another post in waiting. Once we came home Nova and I got to nap. YAY!!! I love a Sat. nap. Shane sat at the laptop and at pinons while the girls tore up the living room.lol I got up and straighted it and them made chicken curry. It wasn't as hot as Shane's which the girls loved. Shane's only complaint was that I didn't add enough fish sauce:( Believe me that was not a mistake! After baths and girls bedtime Shane and I settled in to watch 2001 Space Odyssey. lol I am going to try again to watch it but it was hard for me. Then this morning we played with the girls in our bed and relaxed. Eventually we made it out to do a couple of errands and then we went to the thrift shop. Sad to say it was not a "treasure find" day there.lol After that we went to another Flea Market where Shane took an hour thoroughly looking at everything. I fell in love with and old orange BellSouth telephone. I had it in the cart driving it around before I decided to put it back. With our comcast line I read that not all phones will be compatible and I decided that $15.00 is not worth the hassle. Still I loved that phone :( Then we came home where I straightened the house (will it ever end!lol) and Shane BBQ'd some wonderful Kabobs and we ate potato salad. Then baths were given and laundry folded and now I am blogging.lol Not an exciting weekend but a nice one just that same. For me just having a weekend that the house stays relatively clean and we see a family member or two is just a nice pleasant weekend! Now if we could have gotten Shane to the gym with us it would have been awesome but that's what Monday is for!

My line!

2009-04-02T13:40:00.001-07:00

I FINALLY got the bedroom closets completely switched! YAY!!! I had the bottom part done when we changed the rooms around last year (including all the clothes, shoes, other stuff we have accumulated along the way) but never got the top shelves done. Today I got them switched around and found things I had forgotten about. One forgotten item was the Pearl Jam posters Shane had gotten a few years ago. I have no idea where we had put them up before, I think he had them in his office at Seclarity? I told him of my discovery when I called him to determine when he would be home. He was pretty happy to hear about the posters. Then we had the following conversation that I think you'll enjoy;

"So do you want to take them to your office or put should I put them into storage" I asked

"We'll put them in the bedroom" he said

"What" I asked

"In the bedroom" he repeated

silence

"Your kidding!" "Right?" I hoped

"No in the bedroom!" he stated

"Umm no! That's tacky!" I insisted

"Just put them in your office" I said

"I don't have an office, it's a cubicle!" he cried

"Well put them on the walls. We're not teenage boys!" I firmly said

"Well talk about it at home" he ended the conversation

No way am I going to put them in our bedroom. I finally have the room somewhat decorated for a couple. I'll admit it's more girly than not but then again he picked out most of the living room furniture. Also let me not forget that I had a pretty frilly shower curtain that I gave up for the plain beige one, (in a moment of compromise where I almost got stuck with a camouflage curtain). So I feel like I have been pretty fair! But everyone has a line and this is where I draw it. No Pearl Jam in the bedroom!

Happiness is small things!

2009-04-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

We have a new dentist office! Yeah and I really like it and the staff and the Dr. The last place I didn't really like but I won't name it just to be nice. It was ok but I didn't leave there thinking "This is the place!" I hate having that feeling. Today when we walked into Kids First on Zuni I was a little apprehensive. It's not in the "nicest" part of town but it's the one I found with the earliest apt. that will take Delta Dental, (many I called only do Medicaid?) and it strictly for kids although they do take adults if they are treating the kids. So we walk in and the office is big and clean and there are 4 great "Keep the kids occupied while they wait" things; a huge plasma screen tv, a big fish tank that Nova loved, a full size cabin playhouse, and a riding dinosaur! Now this is a big improvement on the last office which had a few grubby toys.lol So I knew the kids were going to be good while I filled out the massive paperwork like always. Only I didn't! They have everything computerized. The receptionist as you read the papers on his desk like the HEPA and the office cancellation you sign them electronically and that is it besides the authorization that you child has no medical conditions. I loved it. I hate filling the stuff out. Also they called ahead and got all the insurance info so I didn't have to deal with all of it. LOVE IT!!! Why can't more places do that? Anyway at the last place I could't go back with the girls. PERIOD! I had to watch through a window but here I had my choice which I let the girls go back on their own since I still had Nova to watch. Soon they call me back and tell me good and bad new. Ava, as usual, kicked butt and no cavities! Yeah. They did her sealant on the molars and that was that! Kennedy, on the other hand, has a few an will need me to go back to take care of them. I knew it was coming and although I am sad for her I also got a better answer this time as to why her teeth are in such a bad state compared to Ava. Simply Kennedy snacks more during the day leaving her teeth more prone to acid and sugar. Ava does not and never really has. So now I know and can be more proactive on getting her teeth healthy. Good news on Kennedy is that her teeth are not as bad as I thought and once we get those taken care of she will be good to go. I loved her doc. He was great with her, patient and made her happy. It was such a positive experience! Now we we go in May for Kennedy's filling and cap Nova will have her turn! I'm hoping it goes just as good but we'll see. After her apt. yesterday I have my doubts.lol Oh yeah the dinosaurs was taller than Nova and she did not like it at all.lol I tried my best to get a pic of it but she wanted no part of it:( Will try again in May!

Yeah!!!

2009-03-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

Ok first this was totally taken from Eonline!

Yay! Weeds is going to be back! I have to tell you I love this show! The writing Excellent, the acting Excellent, and the plot Excellent! YAY!

Weeds: Who's Nancy's Baby Daddy?

Today 1:21 PM PDT by NATALIE ABRAMS

Sonja Flemming/Showtime; Monty Brinton/Showtime

Get ready for the baby-daddy drama of '09!

Weeds is finally back June 8, and executive producer and creator Jenji Kohan confirms to us that there's only a slim chance Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is not pregnant.

So now that we know she'll have a bun in the oven (that's what slim chance means, right?), when the heck are we going to find out who the father is?

Could it be Andy (Justin Kirk)? He does have that unrequited love for his dead brother's (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) widow. Or is it the most likely candidate: Mexican drug kingpin Esteban (Demián Bichir)?

To get the exclusive details on the fifth season of Weeds, we turned to Jenji and Justin directly...

The million-dollar question: Who fathered Nancy's forthcoming little bambino? Jenji tells us it's not safe to assume someone other than Esteban is the father. But whether they'll go with him as the baby daddy, Jenji says, "You never know."

Could it be Andy? Justin Kirk says, "I don't think it is my baby. I asked about that. I'd like to think my semen was so powerful that even though we didn't have sex, it somehow leapt across the house. I don't really know how reproduction works, but something like that."

Sorry, Justin, that's not how it works. But you could just raise Esteban's child for him. "Wouldn't it be a kick in the ass if I'm going to be stepdad to Esteban's baby?" asks Justin. Yes, it would, especially since you're harboring feelings for your dead brother's widow. "I do believe that the story of Andy's burgeoning feelings for Nancy will be explored in some way or another," adds Justin.

Do you want to see Nancy and Andy together, or is that just creepy? Or would you want Nancy to be a female kingpin alongside Esteban? The comments section is yours for the taking.

A lesson learned

2009-03-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

As most know a few years ago my dad had endured a head trauma. He has recovered and a lesson was learned regarding head injuries by our family. Perhaps that his why Natasha Richardsons recent death due to a head injury was not as shocking to us as it was to other people. While her death is very sad and my heart goes out her her husband, sons, and to her family it also seems to be an event that has at least saved one life. I just read a news article that I will post below. I felt that was important enough to share with everyone who might read or stumble on this blog. As a mom of young kids this story touched me as did Mrs. Richardson's death. Head traumas are, from what we were told, hard to diagnosis. Days can go buy before symptoms show up. It is a scary thing to see. The story has a nice ending but also a reminder to all that we need to be more aware.

By Elizabeth Cohen CNN Senior Medical Correspondent

(CNN) -- Connie and Donald McCracken were watching CNN one evening last week when they learned of the tragic death of actress Natasha Richardson from a head injury. Immediately, their minds turned to their 7-year-old daughter, Morgan, who was upstairs getting ready for bed.

An injured Morgan McCracken has benefited from awareness after Natasha Richardson's death.

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Two days earlier, Morgan, her father, and brother had been playing baseball in the yard of their Mentor, Ohio, home when her father hit a line drive that landed just above Morgan's left temple. A lump formed, but the McCrackens iced it down and the swelling subsided within an hour.
"For the next two days, she was perfectly fine," Donald McCracken says. "She had no symptoms. She went to school both days and got an A on her spelling test as usual. There were no issues whatsoever."
But after hearing about Richardson's death, the McCrackens wondered if Morgan was really as OK as she seemed. After all, Richardson had been talking and lucid immediately after her fatal injury.
When they went upstairs to kiss Morgan good night, she complained of a headache. "Because of Natasha, we called the pediatrician immediately. And by the time I got off the phone with him, Morgan was sobbing, her head hurt so much," McCracken says.
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The McCrackens took Morgan to the emergency room at LakeWest Hospital in neighboring Willoughby, where doctors ordered a CT scan and immediately put Morgan on a helicopter to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, with her father by her side.
"I knew it was bad when she had to get there by helicopter in six minutes, instead of the 30 minutes it would have taken to get to Cleveland in an ambulance," McCracken said.
When the helicopter arrived at Rainbow, the McCrackens were greeted by Dr. Alan Cohen, the hospital's chief of pediatric neurosurgery. He whisked Morgan into the operating room, pausing for a moment to tell McCracken that his daughter had the same injury as Richardson: an epidural hematoma.
McCracken remembers standing in the emergency room, feeling like the life had just been sucked out of him. "My heart sank," he says. "It just sank."
Unlike Richardson's, Morgan's story has a happy ending. After surgery and five days in the hospital, she's at home and doing fine. "Dr. Cohen told us that if we hadn't brought her in Thursday night, she never would have woken up," McCracken says.
Now the McCrackens sometimes wonder if they waited too long to get Morgan to a doctor. After hearing about Richardson's death, many people are asking themselves the same question: Do all head injuries need attention, even ones that seem minor?
"Sometimes there's a gray zone, and there's no right answer," Cohen says. Watch for tips on when to go to the ER »
In most cases, it's pretty clear when someone needs medical attention after a head injury, says Greg Ayotte, a spokesperson for the Brain Injury Association of America and a cognitive rehabilitation therapist. "They're confused, they're agitated, or they might be dizzy or unresponsive," he says.
But then there's what doctors call the "talk and die" scenario, where someone seems fine, only to die hours, or sometimes even days later.
"Talk and die" can happen with several different kinds of brain injuries. In the case of epidural hematomas, the injury Richardson and Morgan had, blood pools in the area between the lining of the brain and the skull. "Fluid is building up in a contained space, creating pressure. Something's got to give, and that something is the brain," Ayotte says. If you don't get to the hospital to have surgery to drain the fluid, "the deterioration can happen very quickly."
Here, from Ayotte and other experts, is a list of what to do after someone has suffered a head injury.
1. Be vigilant
Keep an eye on someone who has hit his head, even if the person never lost consciousness. "A lot of folks are still under the assumption that as long as you're not knocked out, you're OK, and that's not true," Ayotte says.
2. Look for dizziness, vomiting, headache and confusion
If the injured person has these signs, take him or her to an emergency room, says Dr. Jam Ghajar, clinical professor of neurological surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, and president of the Brain Trauma Foundation.
3. Look for changes in symptoms and behavior
Any sudden change, such as Morgan's headache going from mild to severe in minutes, means the person needs medical attention. For example, Ghajar says, if a person gets suddenly sleepy in the first 12 hours after a hit, it may mean the parts of the brain responsible for staying awake are experiencing pressure from a bleed.
4. Be especially wary if someone a) has been drinking alcohol, b) is on blood thinners, c) is elderly or d) is a young athlete
It's tough to distinguish brain-injured behavior from drunken behavior, so when in doubt, take the person to the hospital, Ghajar says. Also, blood thinners can turn a mild bleed into a major bleed, so be especially vigilant if the injured person is taking blood thinners such as warfarin.
He also warns people to be extra vigilant when an elderly person hits his or her head. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on traumatic brain injury and senior citizens. The CDC also has information on concussions in young athletes.
5. Go to a certified trauma center if you can
The American College of Surgeons has a list of certified trauma facilities; a hospital that's not a trauma center may not have a neurosurgeon on call. You can also look on this map from the American Trauma Society. Find your state, select trauma centers, update the map, and you can find information about trauma centers in your area.
Health Library
MayoClinic.com: Intercranial hematoma
MayoClinic.com: Traumatic brain injury
The McCrackens say they look back and still can't believe Morgan suffered such a severe injury and didn't show any signs for 48 hours. "She didn't black out, her speech wasn't slurred, she wasn't dizzy, she wasn't any of the things you'd expect," McCracken says. "And you don't want to be one of those panicky parents who takes their child to the emergency room all the time."
Cohen's advice after a head injury: When in doubt, go. "It's always better to err on the side of being conservative," he says.
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CNN Medical Producer Sabriya Rice contributed to this report.

So relaxing...

2009-03-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

Due to having a never ending cold it has been a while since I got to go to the gym:( Yesterday I felt better than I had in almost 3 weeks so I took advantage and the girls and I went in the afternoon. I decided to swim thinking it wouldn't aggravate my chest too bad and it would be fun and it was! Ava was in her kick boxing class and the girls in the day care and for the first time is a long time I got to swim without a care! At least until the pool got so crowded that I decided to give in and go to the Sauna. What a way to relax! This was the first time I took advantage of the Sauna and I am so glad I did. It was great, I only wish I had taken more time to enjoy it! Next time I will. After I showered, again another true luxury since I didn't have any girls coming in or banging on the door to come in or having to hurry before they woke up.lol Finally I got the girls and picked Shane up and came home to homemade chicken soup in the crock pot. I thought this is it! I felt so much better, almost cured of this illness. Shane and I both went to bed by 10:00 and I figured we would get a great night of rest. And he did!lol I woke at 12:00am to realize I had a freaking earache! Thankfully I had some drops and so far they are helping but WTH?!!! Still it was a great relaxing day at the gym just not a great thing for my ear.l

Happy Birthday Shane

2009-03-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

Took some Muccinex ES this evening and am waiting for them to kick in so I can try to get some sleep and felt the urgent need to post. I just don't have much to write about so I thought I would dedicate this post to Mr. Shane Rowe. I'm sure he'll love that.lol Shane turns the big 33 tomorrow! Yeah! Now for the next 6 month he will make several references to being older than me and how he remembers life at "my age"lol. He can keep his whole 6 months though I'm not in any hurry for my birthday to get here. Not that I mind getting older I just am fine being 32. When Shane turned 20 I helped him celebrate his birthday with Mildred and Lori Vasquez. I had no idea of what to get him so I got him boxers and I remember being so embarrassed by it.lol But Mildred of all people convinced me to do it. I look at that picture now and we were so so young looking it in.lol I remember the b-day when he turned 21 and I took him to Los Cuates and he ordered his first "legal" beer. The waitress was like OK and Shane pulled his license out anyway to show her he was 21.lol After that like most birthdays they all seem to blend together or at least they are right now due to foggy head. So this will be the 13 birthday we'll share together. Time does fly by now it seems. In years past I always tried to make his birthday "special" by having a party for him or at least inviting people over and making a big to do but it only took me years to realize that just isn't Shane or what he would want. So tomorrow I have a Corned Beef Brisket to cook which I know will not be as good as his (Amazing is his) and some cabbage and a nice German chocolate cake. Then we'll play his game and maybe Oregon Trail which he just downloaded to his IPOD. (Nova was a character tonight and almost died several times.lol) A simple uneventful night but one that is going to be great for him. I hope! So happy Birthday to Shane!

What a spaz I am

2009-03-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

First before anyone thinks it I am NOT pregnant. That being said I can't stop crying like a baby. I don't know why my hormones are all out of whack but lately I am tearing up at the slightest thing. A few days ago Shane put the PS3 to view our photos and as I watched the photos of Ava, Kennedy, and Nova show they grow up I couldn't control the tears. Shane finally stopped it because I was so sad. It comes and goes but today was really embarrassing. Parent/teacher conferences were scheduled earlier this week but Nova was pretty sick so I had to reschedule for today. I had talked a few times with Mrs. Phillips, Ava's teacher, and she told me that I shouldn't worry she only had good thing to report and so I figured I would go and hear that Ava was doing ok/well and that would be it. Ava, as it turns out, did exceptionally well this last quarter in all areas. However her math with from proficient to advanced as Mrs. Phillips told me this I felt them come one. Stupid me can't even listen to another adult without bawling. I was able to keep them in check but I had to fight to do it. Luckily Ava came up and they had a little conversation and it gave me a moment to get it together. Later I called Shane to inform him of the news and once again it happens! WTH is what I wondered but then I thought more about it. I think it has to do with the fact that it was about 2nd grade that I began to have my math fears. So to see Ava do well with it is such a relief. Also last week Ava and I had a horrible night of me explaining fractions to her and her not understanding what I explained, or least I thought. Turns out it sank it and she did so well she got put on the board for praise! I think I deserved that check but whatever!lol So I know these tears were happy tears but still I hate looking like a spaz in front of a teacher!

Being Dinosaurs!

2009-03-01T17:47:00.001-08:00

My Mom

2009-02-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

During most if not all family get ocassions my mom avoids getting her picture taken and usually she is doing the cooking or running around and only later do I realize we didn't get any pictures of her. It makes me sad so I have been trying to make a better effort to force her to let me take them. I love my mom. She comes across as mean and grouchy but really she is just a softie on the inside. Some of the things she does for people go unnoticed and unappreciated but her kids know and we love her for them. I just wanted to have a picture of her on my blog and if you see her please tell her you saw the picture because she told me NOT to put on one but look at me I did it anyway!lol

LOVE YOU MOM!!!

A little sweetness from Shane

2009-02-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

These are the sweet gifts Shane gave me for Valentine's Day. I asked him for a new coffee mug, my standing request for Valentine's day and Mothers day, and he gave me an awesome one! I am using as I write this! I broke the handle on my previous one hence it is now on my desk holding my keys. The necklace was a surprise and if you look closely at it you will see 5 tiny figures which represent our family. I love it and the fact that they "man" in the necklace looks like he is hollering for help!lol With an all girl clan I am sure he feels that way sometimes! I had planned to post this earlier but figure better late than never! We had a wonderful day that day. The day was spent with the girls taking them to lunch and then to the American Girls club storyhour. Sarah graciously said she would watch them and we headed for an early dinner at PF Changs were we had a wonderful dinner and a great waiter. It was such a great night. Then we planned to watch Gran Torino but Ava became very sick so we came home and watched a movie together. We tried to watch LEGEND the movie from the 80's with Tom Cruise but I just couldn't get in to it and neither could anyone else. (What the heck was up with the 80's and the crazy movies?) After the kids went to bed we watched a movie and then headed to White Sands the next day. It was such a great weekend! I look forward to more like it! *Hint to Shane*

A few pictures

2009-02-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

This is Crystal's daughter, T'kayah. She is 6 and just a sweetheart!

Kennedy has the boots to take care of the horse!

2009-02-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

Our weekend in Alamogordo was a nice unexpected surprise from Shane. Nova had the best time in the sand, she ran everywhere! Ava loved the Science Museum and Kennedy the hotel.lol She continues to as me if we can go to the home with the mirror closet.lol We spent the night swimming and hot tubbing with the girls. I can't wait until we can do another trip with them!

Sweet Dreams P365 day 8

2009-01-29T21:31:00.000-08:00

It never fails. Kennedy refuses to take a nap during the day. She will lie in bed and amuse herself until Nova wakes up or until she wake Nova up and then she will let me know she is up. Then around dinner times she falls asleep. Tonight she feel asleep in the car as we were picking Shane up from work. Once home he laid her on the couch while he prepared Thai Chicken Curry. She then missed dinner with the family and slept until Shane was finally able to wake her. Now it will be one of those nights where she is up and most likey I will be too:( That being said she is so innocent while she sleeps with her dark eyelashes touching her pale cheeks that I can't help but love her.lol Hopefully she'll prove me wrong and will soon once again be in sleepland!

Our Morning Fix P365 day 7

2009-01-28T22:13:00.000-08:00

Shane and I love coffee so much we have used it to decorate our kitchen.lol Java here and Coffee there caffeine caffeine everywhere! As we have turned the ripe old age of 32 we decided that we needed to scale back on our night fix and moved to decaf! "Shocking" Actually most winter night find us with tea but for a comforting cozy night it's the decaf and in the morning it nothing but hardcore Folgers! Shane, when he makes it on weekends, makes it strong and strong! I like it medium. We both like Vanilla Creamer though I prefer something nutter like almond or hazlenut but vanilla is good too. We use cream, no sugar. Gone are the days of milk, sugar, and vanilla.lol We have and have had many different types of coffee machines. We have the cappucino machine which was our third but Shane wanted it and gave the other one away. Now it's up above the dryer because it took up too much room on the counter and the coffee side started to leak. I am keeping it for any coffe emergency we might need.lol We had the Sensca? machine wich made and awesome brew but was a money sucker. We have, over time, had many a cheap coffee pot which usually ends with me breaking the pot and us getting a new one. I like the one we have now but no matter what I do I alway spill coffee when I pour it.lol I don't know why it just happens. I expect there will be more subject matters here devoted to coffee! I kinda like it!

Unexpected Surprise!

2009-01-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Today I got a totally unexpected surprise, Flowers! Of course I thought they were from Shane which would have been nice, of course, but random. They were not from Shane but from Tim, Shane's boss at NMCC. This is what the card said "With apologies for making you a billing center widow for the last 18 months Tim at NMM" For those not familiar Shane has been working on the billing center project forever it seems like. Thankfully it's on the tail end and although the next project is due to begin we will hopefully have a break soon from the late nights. However as much as I hope Shane gets a break I am also very thankful that he as well as his co-workers are still employeed and KOW with that said. I think this was the nicest gesture from his boss! Maybe he can teach Shane a thing or two.lol and kidding

Ava made me cry

2009-01-27T08:37:00.000-08:00

This morning Ava out of the blue began to speak about the time capsule she made in kidergarten. It's up in her closet to be opened when she graduates from highschool. As she was talking about what she remembers putting in it, a BellaSara card, I had a flash forward to her night of HS graduation. I pictured her opening it with her family and friends and laughing at what was in it, only I was crying. I choked up in the car thinking about it because I know that I am going to turn around and that day will be here. Somehow this baby inside me is 8 and in second grade learning math and the ways of catty little girls. It's hard being a mom sometimes not because of the demands of these kids but because of the demands of the heart. Sigh now I'm crying again:(

Morning Sky

2009-01-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

I love looking at the way the clouds float over the mountians and treetops. How wonderful to have something so beautiful be free for all to enjoy. I know the sky in this picutre is really bright and I worked on making it less bright but I'm still learning. That being said I think it still is a worthy picture to be the sixth on for P365.

It's what's for dinner!

2009-01-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

P365 day 5
I have been on a stir fry kick. I found a great marinade that has orange sesame in it and have been taking advantage of it. I love the way vegetables look while they are cooking. All the colors combined against the white of rice, (Jasmine is Shane's favorite), and you have a beautiful and wonderful meal. YUMMY!

What a doll!

2009-01-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

Day 4 of p365 brings a picture of Kiera Burton. Kiera is Charleen's daughter and on Saturday I got to meet her for the first time. I was struck by how petite she is and what a sweet baby. I held her for a tiny bit, (she cried), and remarked that my girls have dolls heavier than her.lol With my babies always being chunky monkeys I am always surprised when other babies are not. I could picture Nova carrying her around like she does Ava's Cabbage Patch! It was a fun night with Lanette and Allan, Charleen and Kiera, Shalini, and I sharing dinner at PF Changs. It's always a great time when friends you have known the longest get to catch up! Hope we get to do it again soon!

Love

2009-01-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

Getting some frozen veggies yesterday Ava noticed one of the glass doors had gotten ice on the inside door. I thought it would be a great picture to mess around with in Picasa. As you can tell I am having a lot of fun with it!

While Daddy's away...

2009-01-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

The girls will play! Day three of the 365 project. Shane is out tonight and I had no luck finding a sitter so I stayed with my girls. It will be his turn tomorrow when I go out with my friend. Since Shane wasn't here for dinner we decided Pizza and veggies were the way to go. Making their night better was my goal as I knew they were missing Shane so we set up the Diego table and they watched Barbie and the Diamond Castle on the computer. That is the only Barbie movie we don't have but I found it on the internet and they had a good time. Nova has so much fun now that she is allowed at the big girls table.lol I love the ease of cleaning up the mess! I also know that it won't be much longer that I can get Ava to sit at the table with them so I want to capture it while I can which is why I chose this picture for today's posting.

YUP!

2009-01-22T20:44:00.000-08:00

I'M THIS AWESOME THAT I CAN MAKE THIS FROM PHOTOSHOP!!!

Learning Picasa!

2009-01-22T19:56:00.000-08:00

Shane is patiently teaching me Picasa. I have photo shop down and am now and expert!lol This is a new version of a photo I took of Nova this morning. I rock!