New Year's Promises

I have given up on the premise of resolutions, no one ever keeps them, so why do it? I have decided to make promises to myself instead.

Number 1: I will lose weight. I am currently at 249 (30 pounds less than the day that Jackson was born). By the end of 2008 I want to be down to (at least) 200. To do this I plan on exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day (which is 30 minutes more than I do now). Once the weather gets warmer, I am instituting family walks after dinner, Mark is already on board with this.

Number 2: Get my recipes typed, or at least half of them. I have several thousand that need to be typed, so it may take a while. I can work on them at night while everyone else is sleeping for about 30 minutes a night (or approximately 4 recipes a night). I also want to add one new recipe to the menu every other week (at least).

Number 3: Find mine and Mark's bedroom. This may be the hardest to do, you see one half of our room is our bed, which looks good. The other half has our dresser a couple of storage pieces and a bunch of junk piled up in front of it, that no one but me seems to care about. There is so much crap that getting to Mark's side of the bed can be tricky. And don't get me started on the closet, the more that I try to clean it the more Mark just throws stuff in it.

Number 4: Not only stay in touch with friends, but family. This year, I almost lost my older sister and my paternal grandmother at the same time. By the grace of God they are both still with us, my sister survived Cancer and Grandma Bea reached the ripe old age of 94. But I have 2 other sisters that I don't talk to nearly as often as I should, neither of them even know that they have a nephew. I'm not even sure if my oldest sister, Dana, knows about Sierra-Lynn.

And last but not least, number 5: Ban certain four and five letter words from my vocabulary. I find that when I am stressed (or really tired) I use words that I don't want the kids using and I need to stop. Not real sure how I am going to do that.

MEN!

I know that I shouldn't be too terribly mad at Mark, but the man knows that I don't like to be lied to or to have important information withheld from me. What do he and Dr. Foster do? They keep probably the biggest most important thing from me.

I knew that something was very wrong on the 11th of December, while trying to bring Jackson into the world, I just didn't know how wrong things were. For a while before we went to the hospital, I was overcome by this over whelming feeling that I was going to go into the hospital to have him and I was never going to see my little girl again.

Mark just told me tonight that the reason for the c-section, was because my blood pressure dropped to 80/10 and that the doctor told him that he had two options. Option 1: both Jackson and myself could die on the table; or option 2: a c-section. He went with option 2, I didn't really want to have major surgery, but it beats the hell out of being dead. I'm just pissed that he kept it from me for almost three weeks.

More Sleep, Please.

Well I made it through the first day taking care of Sierra-Lynn and Jackson alone. Dee Dee and Hannah came by for a few minutes and we swapped Christmas gifts. Truth be told Dee Dee just wanted to see the kids.

Sierra-Lynn got two games (Hi ho cherry-o, and Backyardigans memory), a barbie car, another barbie (happy happy joy joy), some paint stuff, colored pencils and some other stuff. Jackson got a toy for his car seat, some Baby Einstein blocks, a onesi and a heffulump (from Pooh Bear). He also got a penguin pacifier holder, he isn't real sure of that, but it will work great for when we go bye bye. Sierra-Lynn has already beat me 3 times at Hi ho cherry-o, tomorrow I'm kicking her butt at memory (hopefully).

I am sooooooo very very sleepy. Jackson was up all night long, and I mean all night. I put him down at midnight and he was back up at one and would not go back to sleep. Then I had the kids by myself so sleep was out of the question. Maybe he will sleep tonight, if not, Mark has the weekend off, so relief will come.

Well, I'm going to try to catch some ZZZZZZ's before Jackson is due for another bottle. Night all.

Merry Christmas!!!

Sorry that I was unable to post last night, I fell asleep on the couch waiting for Jackson to wake up to eat. How long until he sleeps through the night and is awake most of the day? Just kidding, I miss Sierra-Lynn being this little. I miss her needing Mark and I to do things for her.Her and I played "Trouble" after dinner today, the little turd beat me. She has a tendency to do that when you play a game with her, but she does pretty well when she loses, so I guess it's okay. I asked her today (and everyday) if she is ready to send Jackson back, she looks at me with the cutest look on her face and says, "No Mommy, he's a keeper." She constantly wants to hold him and feed him and love on him, especially when he is sleeping, which wakes him up, then he is crabby.Tomorrow is my first day alone with both of the kids, to tell you the truth, I am a little scared. What if I spend so much time with Jackson that Sierra-Lynn feels unloved? Or what if I spend so much time with Sierra-Lynn that Jackson feels unloved? How do you find a happy medium? Wish me luck, I know that I am going to need it, but if I can make it through tomorrow I know that I'll be fine.

Speaking of those who are doing fine. Jackson had a doctors appointment today. His bump has gotten a little smaller. If he still has it when he is a month old, they are going to ultrasound it, to make sure that it is not attached to his spine. It doesn't appear to be, but it is hard to tell. They will also try to find out what it is then and make sure that it is not cancerous. I don't think that it will be, according to Mark all of the Bennett men have them (he does and so did his dad), theirs are on their heads though. He is still at 9 lbs 4 oz, just like last week, he has been given until he is a month old to get back to his birth weight, before we start to worry.

Splish Splash

Jackson had his first official bath today (not a sponge bath). He loved it. He kept trying to leap out of my arms and into the water. I wish that you could have seen him, he was so cute. Mark put a little water on his head and he arched his back and put the top of his head in the water. He had the biggest smile. The only time that he cried was when it was time to get out. That he wasn't happy about.

Sierra-Lynn, on the other, hand bitched and moaned about taking her bath. I even washed her hair instead of Daddy, and she still wasn't happy. She was tired from our day today though. We finally got to make our pinecone birdfeeders. We also made chocolate chip cookies (I put pecans in mine, yum-o). After dinner we went in search of Christmas lights, there weren't many this year. That was a big let down, but what can you do?

I'll try to post photos and a brief recap of our Christmas for everyone tomorrow. Til then, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

My Babies

Sierra-Lynn was finally able to track down Santa. It took a little time, but she found him on Dec. 22, at McDonald's. Her wish list; a Glade light show, a guitar and a stuffed puppy. I keep telling her that at tax time we are going to take her to Build a Bear so that she can make her own puppy, but she wants one now. (Like that child needs anything else that is stuffed, her bed is half covered with stuffed animals plus she has some hanging on her wall.)

Well, I'm off to do dishes (and bottles).

Is it bedtime YET!

I just wanted to give all of you an update on my life this past week. Jackson has christened my couch twice, he has peed on daddy twice. Once was when Mark forgot to "aim it down" after putting his diaper on. ;) Sierra-Lynn has gotten to both hold and feed him (she is so loving this whole big sister thing).

I have finally gotten caught up on laundry (I have been doing it ALL week), can someone get me maid service for Christmas? Today was the first day since getting home that we didn't absolutely have to be somewhere, that was so very very nice. Sunday, Mark went into St. Charles to get gifts from adopt a family, we totally didn't expect as much as what was there. We're talking 13 boxes and a 16 inch bike for Sierra-Lynn. Monday, we had a WIC appointment, Jackson is doing great. I, on the other hand, have an extremely low iron level (8.7; normal is between 11 and 15), so I pretty much feel like death warmed over only cold all the time. After which we went for dinner, then to Wal-Mart so that Mark could show off "his little boy" to all of his co workers. We left the house at 1:30 and got home at around 7:30, talk about a long day.

Tuesday, Jackson had his first doctor's appointment. I swear Sierra-Lynn has never asked so many questions in her life. She wanted to know everything the Dr. Puetz was doing. Don't ask me what went on, I have no idea. I was so out of it. Then we went to the video store and, you guessed it, back to Wal-Mart to find people that had not seen Jackson yet.

Wednesday was my doctor's appointment. I am now staple free, but in more pain than when they were in. I don't know if this is normal, I hope it is. Jackson is now a member of the wireless community, his belly button stump made him mad, so he pulled it off. He is also eating 3 to 3 1/2 oz at a time. He looks like a one month old again. He is also doing sit ups and push ups (at 9 days old). Sierra-Lynn did the same thing.

Monday we were supposed to have a Girl Scout meeting, but for some reason it was cancelled. Sierra-Lynn was crushed. Hopefully tomorrow we will have the time to do the project that she was supposed to do then, pinecone birdfeeders. I also want to watch her new movie with her. I feel bad about not having a whole lot of time to spend with her one on one the past few days, I have just been so tired (and sore, we can't forget sore).

Enjoy the photos and I will be back in a few days.

HE'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My little man is finally here, and we are FINALLY home. Although I still feel those stupid id braclets on my wrist, how annoying!

Jackson Alexander Bennett made his arrival via c-section, on Dec. 11, 2007, at 10:28 p.m. He weighed in at 10 lbs 2 oz, and was 22 inches long. Sierra-Lynn is all about being a big sister, and she is so cute holding him (only on the couch, with her butt all the way against the back, and me or Daddy sitting right next to her.

Here are some pictures of my gremlin. Enjoy!

Tag You're It!

A while ago I was tagged by my friend Juli, obligating me to tell 10 random facts about me that some of you may know and some that you might not. Well I did 12. It also entitled me to tag 10 people of my own to tell me 10 random facts. I can only think of 2 at the moment (that I know read), they are Becky Bethel and Diana Vandemark, my two wonderful sisters-in-law (and hopefully in-heart), I also want to tag my dad, I don't know if he reads this, but if he does he is far to damn quite. Anyone else who reads this is welcome to play along.

Happy reading.

1. I have never been able to handle it when someone is throwing a tantrum (this includes babies). Imagine how interesting this made babysitting?

2. My ability to judge people sucks. I have been known to think of someone as a friend only to have them back stab me at the first possible chance (this has happened more than once.)

3. I'm a klutz. Just Monday I fell in the bathroom, almost broke my foot and hit my tummy on the tub. Don't worry Jackson is fine.

4. I can't tolerate lying, even little ones. If someone lies about the little things, then what happens when it comes to the big stuff? I would rather someone hurt my feeling with the truth than lie to me.

5. I HATE having people do things for my (I am literally in He-- right now, as I can't even walk to the bathroom without someone with me.) I can know walk on my own, with little pain.

6. I would rather do something for someone else than for myself. Example: given the opportunity to make an outfit or handbag, I would rather do it for someone else (usually Sierra-Lynn) than to make anything for me (the same goes for buying anything).

7. I love anything that has to do with the Renaissance time (the 1500's). Everything was just so beautiful then. Alright not everything about that time, I don't care for the fact that women had no rights, but we did get to wear some pretty cool stuff.

8. Family means everything to me, I just don't mean that much to them, apparently.

9. I want to become a published, well known, author (I just don't have the time or the energy to do it, not do I know where to start [hence my blog]). It's about the closest that I will get.

10. I, like Juli, hate mullets. Billy Ray didn't even look good with one, and just think I live across the street from a woman who sports one. Imagine a very thin woman with dark brown hair (in a mullet) a white t-shirt and jeans (her uniform), its all she will wear.

11. If asked a question (or to do something like this) I will be brutally honest.

12. I think that I am allergic to pain.

7 Days and Counting. . . .

Okay, technically it's 8 days, but by the time that anyone reads this it will be 7 days until Jackson is due to make his appearance. Mark and I finally got his room completely ready today. Well, not 100%, I would still like to get Papa's glider from Aunt Dee Dee, but other than that it is ready for him.

His bed is up and adorable and ready for him to be laid in it. His clothes are washed, folded/or hung up and put away. His toys have been sanitized (and checked for possible recalls). All that is missing is a cute little boy to put in it. Seven days or less and he will be in my arms, hopefully my ankle will be feeling better by then.

I made the mistake of standing on it all day yesterday. Sierra-Lynn and I were making Christmas goodies for her Girl Scout Christmas party tomorrow and we lost track of time. I didn't get a chance to sit down until 2:45 in the afternoon. Then we still had to go to Wal-Mart and 4 Doors Down. Sierra-Lynn was in need of jeans, she had two pairs, both of which are at Aunt Dee Dee's house. Mark went in (alone) and came out with 2 pairs of jeans ($1.49 and $2.49), 2 shirts ($1 each), and a Christmas dress ($4.99), I had already made one for her, but this one matches Jackson's outfit better. All for less than the cheapest jeans at Wal-Mart. After all the running was the act of making dinner and doing the dishes.

TYLENOL NO LONGER WORKS FOR THE PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was not much better for me, although Mark did make dinner, homemade Chinese and boy did it taste good. Tomorrow I go back to the doctor (happy happy joy joy). Then, on the 10th, its off to the hospital to have my little gremlin (what else do you call a baby that growls at you all the time). I can't wait to meet the little guy, but at the same time, I am scared out of my mind. I can't shake the thoughts that I need to spend as much time as possible with Sierra-Lynn, because after next week I won't be around. I don't know why I have these thoughts, but I feel like I should be getting all of my affairs in order. I mentioned it to Mark and he is dismissive about it all. Here I am scared that I might die and he doesn't want to even discuss it. I know that it is probably/most likely just my irrational side messing with me, but I really don't want my little girl to grow up without me.

Who would be there to tell her and Jackson about who I am on the inside? My three sisters or my brother? Highly unlikely. I haven't heard from Dana in years, Kim text to land lined me the day after Thanksgiving, the last time that I spoke to Missie was early October. As for my brother, Joey, haven't heard from him since his high school graduation back in April/May. Mark's sisters? Neither Becky or Diana knows me all that well (and truth be told I don't know that they really like me all that much). Like I said when I was tagged (Juli's blog), I am a horrible judge of people. They may really like me, I just don't know (once again my irrational side coming through). Still, I can't rely on my family to let my kids know who I am, hell they don't even know who they are, and no one really keeps in touch with anyone else. Heaven forbid you want to discuss someone that is no longer with us, it's like you've asked for top secret government stuff.

Also I don't think that Mark is equipped to handle two kids on his own. I don't think that he could handle Sierra-Lynn on his own. He has zero patience and you need an over abundance with kids, as anyone with kids knows. Anyway, I feel much better now, thank you for putting up with my ranting (I needed it).

Oh, My Aching Foot!

It has been eight days since I fell and hurt my foot (no I still don't know what I did to the darn thing). Anyways, this is what it looked like about an hour ago. Not all of the bruising comes through (just to let you know).It is so swollen and hurts like the dickens whenever I try to move it side to side. Or if I put to much pressure on it (I'm still not supposed to put pressure on it, but...). Yesterday, was the worst though. I had a doctors appointment, so I had to wear the hard splint that they gave me at the hospital, as my foot is too swollen to fit into my shoe. Every time that I moved my foot the splint dug into my ankle, causing untold amounts of torture. I wish that I could have gotten a picture of it last night (the bruising was much worse), or maybe it just seemed that way to me.

I can't wait for my little gremlin to get here, yes I said gremlin, what else would you call something that growls at you all of the time? He is due in 13 short days, and knowing how stubborn Bennett's are, he will take every last day, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Dr. Foster told us last Tuesday (and again yesterday) that if he is not here by the 9th of December, he will induce on the 10th of December. So, one way or another he will be here in 13 to 14 days. I'm so excited. Beware my posts may not come as often once he gets here, but I do answer my phone and my emails (no spam please).

I also want to pass on congratulations to someone that I hope I can eventually call a friend, her name is Sarabeth and she is going to have a baby in August of 2008. I'm so happy for her, I wish her and her hubby all the best of luck and hope that she doesn't have the problem that I have had with this baby, a leg that forever keeps going numb.

Sierra-Lynn Update:

Home schooling is going smoothly, she can read somewhere in the ballpark of 40-50 words (some easier than others). She just learned how to do graphs today, her eyes lit up. She doesn't really care for phonics, but right now it's all we got to teach her how to read. Bribery makes it easier, for every word that she reads correctly (without my help) she gets a small treat. Today it was raisins, a couple of weeks ago, M&M's. I told her that if she got at least 20 of the 30 phonics words right (aka 20 or more raisins) she could have a cookie. She got 26 raisins and 1 cowboy cookie. (Don't worry Aunt Dee Dee, they are healthy, lots of oatmeal and a few pecans and chocolate chips.) She can also count to 16 now (yes I know that Hannah can count to 20 already), and can identify numbers to 19 then 21 to 24 (don't ask). She thinks that 20 is twenty-teen, but we are working on it. We do numbers and phonics words everyday as well as reading (if its Scooby she loves it, well that and Berenstein Bears).

Mark and I have recently found out why Sierra-Lynn acts the way that she does and how to deal with it in a way that we don't have to yell or punish nearly as often.

I have been doing a lot of reading since deciding to home school my little p-jink and thanks to my husband's genius was able to get my hands on this most wonderful book. It's called "The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling". Upon reading Chapter 9 Determining Your Child's Learning Style; I came to the conclusion that she falls into the learning style of Actual-Spontaneous or ASL. According to Dr. Golay, an ASL is fiercely independent and spontaneous. They live in the "here and now" and derives self worth from their ability to act swiftly with precision.

The indicator's hit Sierra-Lynn right on the head. Here they are: impulsive, autonomous, distractable, flexible, short attention span, risk taker, constant motion, thrives on variety and adventure, competitive, quick, inventive, outgoing, and defiant when boundaries are imposed. Some strong dislikes of an ASL are structure, routine, sitting still (anyone who knows Sierra-Lynn knows that it is almost impossible to get her to do this), reading or seatwork, convention, and delayed gratification. Weaknesses of an ASL are study skills, long range planning, and planning and organization.

Not only does this book help you to identify your child's learning/temperment style, it gives you pages of ways to deal with them. The next book on my reading list; "The Strong Willed Child" by Dr. James Dobson, luckily I already have it. I found it about 2 years ago at a yard sale and thought that it reminded me of my little girl. Little did I know how right I was. ;)

Well, until next time....

3 Cribs And A Klutz

Monday afternoon, Mark and I put together crib number three for our little "gremlin". Back in August, Dee Dee found us this beautiful wooden spindle crib that everyone loved. It was missing the pieces that hold the sliding side up, as it was, when you raised them, they just fell to the floor.

Crib number two was a loaner from my friend Tori, she had used it through all three of her kids (her oldest is nine). Dee Dee didn't care for it because it was white and metal. I was just happy to have a bed for my little man to sleep in. I do have to say that it was not such a bad idea that she didn't like it. When we got crib number three, a Christmas gift from Aunt Becky, we took #2 down and one of the short sides was starting to come apart.

I love the new bed, when you walk into his room, you can actually see it (we have white walls and doors and can't paint). It also has a rolling drawer for under the bed and a musical crib light.

A part of me can't wait for him to get here, another part of me says that we can wait until his due date. The reason, I am a klutz. Just a few short hours after we got his bed put together, I went in to take a shower and fell to the floor, but not before I managed to almost break my left foot and hit my stomach on the side of the bath tub. On the plus side, Jackson is doing fine. I spent all day yesterday in the hospital with a fetal heart monitor on to make sure. They also did another ultrasound to make sure that there was nothing wrong internally with little man. He was and is perfectly fine and most definitely a boy. (Thank God, now I don't have to hurt the tech.) He is head down and kicking and punching me as I type this.

As for me, if I can find an orthopedic doctor/surgeon to look at my foot (that will except my insurance), I'll know what I did to it. If not, then I will do the same thing that I did when it was ran over by a car when I was eleven, absolutely nothing and I'll never know. I did take off the wrapping that they put on it at the hospital (for all of 5 minutes) just to let it air out. From the ankle joint to a point about half way to my toes has a slightly black [more of a smokey gray] coloring to it and it only hurts if I move my big toe up. So I'm thinking that it is going to be okay, I just need to take it easy for awhile and let it heal. Is that possible with a 5 year old running around?????????? We will see.

Happy Turkey Day (and blitz shopping day) everyone. For those of you braving the crowds this year, shop with me in your heart, as sadly I will not be able to go this year due to the injury.

The Doll And The Rose

I was walking around in a Target store, when I saw a Cashier hand this
little boy some money back.
The boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old.
The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this
doll.'
Then the little boy turned to the old woman next to him: ''Granny, are you
sure I don't have enough money?''
The old lady replied: ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy
this doll, my dear.''
Then she asked him to stay there for just 5 minutes while she went to look a
round. She left quickly.
The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.
Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll
to.
'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas.
She was sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.'
I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus would bring it to her after all, and
not to worry.
But he replied to me sadly. 'No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her where she
is now. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my
sister when she goes there.'
His eyes were so sad while saying this. 'My Sister has gone to be with God .
Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that
she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.''
My heart nearly stopped.
The little boy looked up at me and said:
'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come
back from the mall.'
Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing. He then
told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so she won't forget me.'
'I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave me, but daddy says
that she has to go to be with my little sister.'
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly.
I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check
again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?''
'OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his
without him seeing and we started to count it. There was e nough for the doll
and even some spare money.
The little boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!'
Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to
Sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that
mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me!''
'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my
mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough
to buy the doll and a white rose.''
'My mommy loves white roses.'
A few minutes later, the old lady returned and I left with my bask et.
I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I
started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind.
Then I remembered a local newspaper article two days ago, which
mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman
and a little girl.
The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical
state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the
life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to
recover from the coma.
Was this the family of the little boy?
Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the
newspaper that the young woman had passed away.
I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the
funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see
and make last wishes before her burial.
She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her
hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest.
I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed
forever.. The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is
still, to this day, hard to imagine.
And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from
him.
N ow you have 2 choices:
1) Repost this message.
2) Ignore it as if it never touched your heart
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding,
severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and
with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a
good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
For those who prefer to think that God is not watching over us....go ahead
and delete this. For the rest of us... pass this on.

Dr. Phil's Personality Test.

Below is Dr Phil's test (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on the Oprah show - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out! Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes.

Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends. Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer. Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper to keep track of your letter answers to each question. Ready?? Begin.

1. When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning

b) during the afternoon &and early evening

c) late at night

2. You usually walk...

a) fairly fast, with long steps

b) fairly fast, with little steps

c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face

d) less fast, head down

e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you.

a) stand with your arms folded

b) have your hands clasped

c) have one or both your hands on your hips

d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking

e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with.

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side

b) your legs crossed

c) your legs stretched out or straight

d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

a) big appreciated laugh

b) a laugh, but not a loud one

c) a quiet chuckle

d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you …

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you

b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know

c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

a) welcome the break b) feel extremely irritated

c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

a) Red or orange

b) black

c) yellow or light blue

d) green

e) dark blue or purple

f) white

g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are.

a) stretched out on your back

b) stretched out face down on your stomach

c) on your side, slightly curled

d) with your head on one arm

e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...

a) falling

b) fighting or struggling

c) searching for something or somebody

d) flying or floating

e) you usually have dreamless sleep

f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7 . (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1

10. (a) 4 (b) 2 ( c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS : Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS : Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS : Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS : People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people e think you' re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Happy Birthday, P-Jink

I am just now starting to recoup from this weekend (and yesterday).

Miss Sierra-Lynn had so much fun at her party, she didn't even care that Ella wasn't there, in fact she never even mentioned her. I do think that it was pretty screwed up that Delaney is being the way that she is, but I can't control the actions of others. She was a little upset that she didn't get to go to the movie theater, but she had fun playing with her cousin and two very good friends that are like cousins.

She got the game that she has been wanting for months, "Let's go fishing" (from Aunt Becky and Uncle Mike. Let me tell you, she is very good. She beat Mark bad and she also beat me (by 1). Along with the game, she got 5 dollars (from Tori, Christain, Jacob and Mia), two Berenstain Bears books (from Hannah), a Care Bears movie (from Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Justin), and a bunch of stuff from me and Big Dog Daddy including a Girl Scout necklace, a magnetic doodle pad and some clothes that I made.

Her cake was a chocolate angel food cake with chocolate mousse frosting. In the words of Rachael Ray "yum-o". She even got to help me make it, that (to me) was the best part. This was also the first year that she didn't freak out when "happy birthday" was sang.

(the site is currently not letting me add photos right now, so check back for them)

As for "Doctor Day", Jackson is doing great. I, on the other hand, pulled my groin muscle, so waking is a chore and coming up our stairs is very challenging. Today I almost fell down them (all 8 of them) coming back from the store. Sierra-Lynn checked out fine at her doctor's appointment, her iron is back up where it needs to be. All we are waiting for is her lead test, if we don't hear from them then she is fine. If we do, you'll hear about it.

We didn't have the investiture ceremony last night, because of the monthly leader meeting, so that will be in two weeks. Sierra-Lynn did surprise me by getting up in front of all (12 or so girls) that were there along with all of the parents and saying the Girl Scout Promise. I was so proud of her (I would have freaked out).

'Til next time.

I'm so tired!

I am still trying to recoup from Sierra-Lynn's birthday party (and birthday).

On Thursday, I pulled a muscle after stubbing my toe, then yesterday was Sierra-Lynn's party and boy am I beat. I will post again on Tuesday with photos from the party and some details (tomorrow is Doctor Day). Tomorrow both Sierra-Lynn and I will be seeing the doctor, then it's off to her investiture ceremony. Someday I may get to relax (maybe).

Did I mention that we now have a Christmas tree in our living room? We did it early so that we would get to have one this year (check back for photos of us decorating it).

I'm outta here.

Trick Or Treat!!!!!!!!

I hope that everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. The Bennett's went to 4 Doors Down, Wal-mart, Video Classics and Dollar General (much safer than house to house). Sierra-Lynn made quite the hall, she filled her little cauldron. Needless to say she will have enough candy to last until the fourth of July when we get parade candy (what's left of tonight's candy will hit the circular file). ;)She went has a soldier. Daddy was going to let her get a gun, but she opted for a camo-hat to go with her outfit (she didn't want to have to carry a gun and her candy). I can't say as I blame her.

As for me, I am doing fine. Just tired. That stems from my left leg constantly popping out of socket, a sharp pain in my left thigh and Sierra-Lynn waking me up every night sometime between the hours of midnight and 3 a.m. Other than that I'm doing really good. Just busy trying to get the house ready for Sierra-Lynn's birthday party on Saturday and ready for Jackson to come home (just a few more weeks now). His room is mostly done, I just have to find a home for a few things that are in his room and the Christmas presents that are in his little bed. Then we can get Papa's chair from Aunt Dee Dee and be set.

My main thing is finding a home for some of the stuff in the living room so that it will be clean on Saturday, any volunteers to help? Just kidding, I just have to move Christmas presents to my closet and take some things to 4 Doors Down and we will be good to go. (Well, that and give a bag and box to Dee Dee for her and Hannah. Night all.

2 Days And Counting........

I don't know where the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday that my little girl was a tiny baby who needed me for everything and now in less than 2 short days, she will be 5 years old.

She is learning how to read, and write full words. She is a girl scout. She is a sweet (most of the time) sympathetic child who worries about others and loves her baby brother, even though he is not here yet and she loves to help out in the kitchen, but hates doing laundry (who doesn't?). Yet, every night I look into her room, and watch her sleep, and see her when she was a baby. So small and helpless, then she wakes up and she is a teenager trapped in a kindergartner's body.

Tomorrow, as everyone knows, is Halloween. Sierra-Lynn can't wait to wear her soldier costume, Mark has a small first aid kit that we are going to hang off of her and she is going to be a medic. While we were doing her schoolwork today, I told her that it was almost Halloween and she got all excited and could barely concentrate on her studies, it was kind of cute. Then, she asked me if her birthday was after Halloween, when I said yes, her excitement rose even higher. I just wonder if I should let her open 1 present on her birthday or make her wait until Saturday to open anything. Any ideas?

Well, I gotta go. See you all later.

Mommy Brain

This was not funny last night, but, looking back, it's funny now. Poor Mark was sooooo tired from work, but he still had agreed to take Sierra-Lynn and I to Wentzville to pick up some things off of the Girl Scout Express. Only, I ended up with a bad case of "Mommy Brain". I could have sworn that it was in Wentzville, but has it turns out, last night it was in O'Fallen, it will be in Wentzville on Monday. We drove all over trying to find it and I still feel bad about getting the day wrong, but what can you do?

Have I mentioned lately how smart my baby is? And no, this time I am not referring to Sierra-Lynn, I am taking about Jackson. Mark put his head on my tummy last night and said "Daddy is right here." And he tapped where his head was. The next thing I know Jackson moves from one side of my stomach to the other so that he could cuddle with daddy. It was so cute.

Good-Bye Troop 4921

I have completely had it with Delaney, and am about to call it quits with Girl Scouts all together.

Thursday night, Delaney and I had a Daisy leader class, to which she showed up 30 minutes late. She then jumped down my throat every time that I said anything. If she wasn't bitching me out for one thing or another, she was rolling her eyes at my suggestions for the troop. By the time that I got home (she drove me), I was having chest pains, my left arm was throbbing, I was shaking like a leaf and I was seeing little white lights dance in front of my eyes. On top of that I had major pains in my abdomen and got about 3 1/2 hours of broken sleep the whole night. Yesterday was spent trying to get Sierra-Lynn into a different troop, one with a leader that isn't a tyrant. One that lets the parents and most importantly, the girls have some say in what they do.

Girl Scouting and Soooooooo Much More!!!

Where to begin on how Sierra-Lynn's week has went! It started out really well, she was so excited about being able to have a honey bun cake at her birthday party, because Aunt Dee Dee wasn't going to bring Hannah to the party. She thought that touring a movie theatre was a tad to advanced for a 2 1/2 year old. So, my baby starts coming up with a list of things that she wanted to serve at her party (not that she was by any means getting even half of them). So, it's safe to say that on the way to her Girl Scout meeting, she was as happy as a clam.

The meeting went pretty well. Delaney did manage to tick off a few of the parents, by treating them as if they were little kids and talking down to them. The girls, on the other hand, were excellent. The sat at a table just a few feet from where all of the parents were and worked on a page for their scrapbooks (I don't personally like the idea of the scrapbooks, but as a co-leader whose leader won't talk about anything with, I don't see that I really have a choice except to do what Miss High and Mighty Delaney wants. Any who, all of the girls did great, when I told them that we needed to start cleaning up so that we could have snack, they did just that (minus a few little pieces of paper that had fallen to the floor). Mark made the juice and Sierra handed out the cheese crackers. Then, when everyone was done, they cleaned up their snack stuff without being told. The one low point with the girls, was Ella's little attitude. At one point she told the other girls that she could do whatever she wanted because her mom is the leader. Remind me to mention that to Delaney. Still after the meeting, Sierra was still on cloud nine (maybe even cloud ten).

So, you may be asking, what could have possibly happened to ruin a little girls day. Here it is. All of this happened on the 15th of October. Why is that important? That is the RSVP day for Sierra's birthday party, and no one had yet to do so. So, I called to see if anyone would be attending. From one mom I got a "well it all depends on what the boys have going on with Scouts" and from Delaney (who is still holding it against me that we didn't attend Ella's party), I got a, "I don't know, it all depends on if I can get out of this thing for "the tree house", I don't think that I'll be able to get out of it though." Needless to say, I had the unpleasant task of telling Sierra that no one would be able to make it to her party and that we would have to call the movie theatre and cancel it. Luckily, I was able to (beg) talk Dee Dee into bringing Hannah by the house on the 3rd of November, so that Sierra will have someone, other than Mommy and Daddy, to celebrate her birthday with. Dee Dee even offered to bring one of her day care kids (who is close to Sierra's age) with her. I still can't forget the look on Sierra's face when I told her that no one was coming. I could literally see her little heart break. It was awful.

And all of this happened on Monday. Yesterday was better. We went to the Girl Scout Express and picked up Sierra's smock and a few patches (her troop number along with a flag patch and a daughter of the leader patch). I just got finished putting all but the flag patch on, she looked so very cute in it. Sorry, but she wouldn't leave it on long enough for a photo, but look for it later, I will get one, and look for more patches as the school year progresses and she earns more.

Happy October!!!!!!!

Even though this month has not started out all that great (for me at least), I have to say that some good things do happen in this month.
For starters, birthdays. I want to wish everyone born in October a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! In my family that includes my nephew Zach (10-3), my wonderful husband, Mark (10-4), my crazy Uncle David (10-7), my Uncle Carl (10-13), my sis Diana (Dee Dee) and my cousin Monica (10-15), my big sis Missie and Monica's little girl (don't know her name) (10-22), and lastly my cousin's little girl Haley (10-28).
I mentioned that this month has not been very good for me, well here is the Reader's Digest version. One week ago tomorrow, I was told that my sister Missie had 30 days to live. Spent a long time crying my eyes out. I also spent a lot of time trying to help her to find transportation and who her father is. While trying to do all of this, I still had Girl Scouts to deal with and I got a phone call from my dad (who never calls anyone). He called to tell me that my Grandma Bea is dying. I don't have to tell you what that did to my stress level.
When then get a tornado watch (warning, whatever), while I am in the shower, Sierra and Mark actually saw one form a few hundred feet from our front door. We are all fine. ;) I also got another phone call from Missie, good news this time. Even though she was told that she had cancer 6 months ago, it has not spread. The specialist that they called in will be able to take care of it with 1 surgery and 1 laser zap, then 8 rounds of radiation. She will still have to do follow ups, but she should be around to see her 15 year old (the youngest) graduate from high school.
I still have not heard from my dad, a second time, so it only stands to reason that Grandma is still alive and kicking. Let's hope anyway.

Friend To Friend Reminder

The women of NewsChannel 5 would like to remind you and a friend to perform your monthly breast self examination on the 5th of every month.
October is breast cancer awareness month and it's time to take control of your breast health.
Be aware.
The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer knows no gender, geographic or social boundaries.
Take action.
The key to survival is early detection.
Three simple steps for early detection are regular mammograms, clinical exams and breast self-exams.
Make healthy lifestyle choices. They make a difference.
What is your risk? Find out and get educated in the process. Take a quiz and test your breast health knowledge at www.iamthecure.org
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The Results Are In!!!!!!!!

I had my glucose test on Monday (I know I need to update this more often), everything looks great. When I arrived at the doctors office I felt like I was going to pass out, I could feel my blood sugar dropping, it was 74. One hour after drinking, what tasted like an Orange soda minus the sugar, my blood sugar was only 121 and I was feeling great. Okay, maybe not great but not like I was going to pass out either.

Sierra-Lynn is apparently not loving the doctors office that much anymore, she whined the whole time "I want to go home mommy.". Mark and I both had to tell her (a million times) that if she can't behave then she will have to go to a sitter when I go to the doctor. I don't think that she cares.

Home school is going swimmingly. By the end of the week she will know how to write all of her letters (she can already recognize about 90% of them). Although she does get "M" and "W" backwards or as she says bass ackwards, guess where she picked that up at? She can write her name, without looking at it, although it looks like this "SiERRA". She only uses a lowercase i, everything else is uppercase. Next week we start her numbers, she can say them and recognizes most of them, but she can't write all of them, she will work on that next week. After I am 150% sure that she has them down, we will learn the phone number. Mark has already tried doing number sequencing and phone number learning at the same time and got her confused. Today she asked me what our address was (handing me a pen and notebook) and asked me to write it down. When she saw it written, her little jaw hit the floor, it was so very cute.

She can also write "mom" and "dad" and is working on learning how to write "Jackson" (all without looking at it in writing). Every time she writes a new word she gets so excited. So do I, that means that there is one more word that she can read. Like tonight, while reading her a bedtime story, she was reading it with me. And, no it was not one that we read a lot, it was "Sleeping Beauty", and she has only seen the movie once, about a year ago. She told Mark and I that she can read some, but didn't want to tell us, because she thought that if we knew that she could read that we wouldn't read to her anymore. Hell, if she wants me to read to her when she is 15, I will, because it will mean that she wants to spend time with me.

It seems like just yesterday she was my little baby and now she is 5 weeks away from being 5 years old. Where did my baby go? The little girl who wanted to cuddle with mommy. The little girl who wanted me to read her the same book 10 times in a row. I miss her. Now its all about playing with her friends and doing school work. Sunday, Mark was off so I gave her the day off from school work (she gets two a week, usually Mark's days off). Anyway, I gave her the day off from it and she almost went ballistic because we weren't going to do anything. We did play a few games of "Don't spill the beans", she thinks that it is called "Spill the beans". The little barrel thing will be leaning one way and instead of putting her bean on the opposite side she puts it on the side it is leaning towards and they all fall out. It is a nice change of pace to actually win a game against her, she kicks my butt at "go fish". ;)

Updates

It has been a week for the Bennett's.

The 15th was mine and Mark's 6 year anniversary. I spent the morning (2 hours of it at least) enjoying the quiet that comes with Sierra-Lynn at Super Bus, Mark had to work. :( After he got off work, Sierra-Lynn was able to talk him into taking her to Strashenbash, she was hoping to run into her friend Amelia (we didn't). Although she did get some cotton candy, I on the other hand fell on my butt, twisted my ankle and scraped my elbow (or in the words of Sierra-Lynn "my oboe") up pretty bad. Sunday was spent laying on the couch wishing that I wasn't such a klutz. ;)

"I'm big girl. Now go away, please!"

Monday, Mark had a company ordered reset, which meant working overnight (boo). I ended up getting burnt, not once but twice. Once by a pizza pan that had just come out of the oven (Mark's fault) and once after I had put the princess to bed, while working on some sewing projects (15 down, 15 to go by the end of October). I do remember about 10 years ago saying that I would never use an iron again, apparently I lied. The ironic thing about this is that I was leaving boot camp when I said that and I was ironing fabric for a military outfit for Sierra-Lynn (a possible Halloween costume).

"Look Mommy, I can stand up!"

Wednesday, Mark finally got to meet Sierra-Lynn's Head Start lady, Shirley, and Sierra-Lynn got her first Spanish lesson (mommy and daddy). Then on Friday, Sierra-Lynn and I went to the apple orchard with Head Start. The group from Parents as Teachers was also there, and I can tell you first hand that kids say whatever pops into their heads. Lynne, Sierra's former parent educator from P.A.T., tried to give her a hug and Sierra pops off with "I like her (pointing at Shirley) better than you." I could have died right there, I should have known that she would say something like that, considering that she said it at home a few days before. Mark and I told her that she wasn't not to say it to anyone and she says it to Lynne, Lynne almost cried.

"Look at me."

I had to lie and tell Lynne that Sierra sometimes says that she likes her Aunt Dee Dee more than me, thankfully she bought it.

Sierra, myself and Penny the donkey

And at some point this past week, I received a phone call from Mark's Aunt Pam (a complete surprise). To my knowledge, no one has heard from the woman in over a year. She even wanted to know how everyone was doing. Not that she listened to much, every time that I said anything, she had a story similar to it about her grand baby. Typical Pam! She talked my ear off for over 70 minutes, thankfully someone knocked on the door trying to sell me something. It gave me an excuse to get off the phone. If more people loved me (or Mark) I could have gotten off to answer the other line.

Girl Scouts And More

So far this week, Mark and I have succeeded in enrolling Sierra-Lynn (as well as myself) in the girl scouts (I got roped into being a co-leader, Delaney is the troop leader). I know nothing of Girl Scouts or what they do, I never was one when I was a child (never in one place long enough to do it).

She as also been put in Head Start, Mark and I got tired of waiting to hear from someone from Parents As Teachers. She had her screening today (at the end of it the Bennett stubbornness came out), but she did really good. Friday they (Head Start) have a get together with a police officer, maybe I can get Sierra-Lynn to get her fingers printed this time. Here's hoping.

Have I mentioned how silly my little monkey is, lately? I asked her last night, what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas, so that we can write Santa a letter. Believe it or not, but what she wants the most is a Glade Light Show and then she wants a drawing thing (those magnetic things that you can erase by moving the dealy at the bottom). What she doesn't know is that Daddy already bought that and it is hiding in our closet. ;) I guess her "big" wants are better than they were last year, a horse and Papa, I still can't believe that she wants an air freshener for Christmas, how silly is that? I love my baby.

Tomorrow, I have a follow-up foot doctor appointment, which is good, my toe has been hurting for the last two days. Friday, Sierra-Lynn and I are going to Head Starts safety meeting and Saturday, Mark and I celebrate our sixth anniversary (I can't believe that it has been that long, it doesn't seem like it). Next Friday, Head Start is going to the apple orchard, Sierra-Lynn loved that last year.

My Munchies

In response to comments that I have been left, I thought that I should put up some photos of my prego self. (I tried to take a photo of one of Jackson's ultrasound photos, but it didn't work. Just my luck!) If Mark and I can ever get the house in order (I had it that way and then we rearranged the whole house) I'll get a picture of Jackson's room and put it on here as well. If anyone wants to volunteer to help, I won't object. ;)Sierra is doing great with everything, she has even come around to getting a brother (instead of the sister that she wants (yes, still wants)). We have been working on preschool stuff, one hour everyday, in preparation for tax time when she starts Kindergarten (homeschool). She has taken a Kindergarten readiness test and is more than ready for Kindergarten right now, unfortunately we won't have the money to buy the program until we get our taxes in (and it's less than $400) so she has to wait. Until then we are working in "school time" everyday.

It's kind of interesting considering that I am also working on Christmas presents for Sierra-Lynn, Hannah and Jackson, once I get the batting for blankets Hannah's will be done. One down, two to go. I'm also trying to keep up with 2 blogs (not doing very good on that), type up all of my recipes (been working on that for over a year, I keep getting new recipe magazines) as well as spending time with Mark and Sierra-Lynn and laundry, dishes and all of those other chores that I hate. Any ideas that I can use to get Mark to do. . . anything (other than bitch)?

What's New With You?

Sorry that it has been so long since I last posted, I have been tired. I know, that's no excuse, but it is all I got.
Last week I had an ingrown toenail cut out (I am so very tired of dealing with those damn things). Sierra-Lynn threw such a fit when Mark took her out into the lobby that both of them were asked to leave the building. Then she expected to get a new toy (or something), I don't think so.
I was also able to get a hold of someone from Girl Scouts. Sept. 10, is their registration night and the night that my baby girl becomes a Daisy. She can't wait (neither can I). I am a tad bit nervous about it though, since I have absolutely no idea as to what goes on in Girl Scouts. I wonder if she will get to sell the cookies? I love the peanut butter and chocolate ones, which is funny because I am not that found of peanut butter cups, oh well.
They are FINALLY allowing overtime at Mark's work again (in a few weeks). That works out perfectly with Sierra-Lynn's birthday. Unfortunately for her, he won't be able to work enough overtime to allow us to send her to gymnastics, maybe she'll settle for some kind of dance class or maybe a music lesson? Are you available for piano lessons, Dee Dee? ;) We are going to wait (just a little bit) to start anything though, we want her to be used to Girl Scouts first and don't want to over schedule her.
Have I mentioned lately that Sierra-Lynn is growing up? Well, she is and very fast. She is no longer afraid of the pool (still trying to figure out if that is a good thing or a bad thing). She even got in her friend Ella's pool, without me getting in. Of course it was only about 2 1/2 feet deep, but still. And today she went (with her friend Mia) on Super Bus. Super Bus is a church bus for Faith Christian Family Church. It marked the first time that she has gone anywhere without me or Mark (and wasn't family). She skipped across the street, a step ahead of me, and climbed up the steps. She didn't even look back. Mia climbed on next and off they went for almost two hours of fun.
Mark wasn't there when she got on the bus, he was walking the neighborhood checking out the sales (we were finally aloud to have a neighborhood yard sale). When he came back, he didn't even ask where she was, he claims that he thought that she was inside playing. After he found out, he paced like a caged lion until the bus came back (with the exception of the few minutes that he played Frisbee with Mia's two brothers, Christian and Jacob. He was the first parent to the bus, God forbid they should not bring her back. She was all smiles (except for a few tears because she wanted to go back and she thought that Daddy was mad). She said that she learned about Jesus and sang songs and she brought home a pretty picture for Mommy. That reminds me, I need to put it on the fridge.
The best part of it is that she had fun and wants to go back! What ever will I do with two hours to myself?

Long Time Coming...

Sorry that I have not posted in a while, it's been crazy here. We have been trying to get the house in order (not an easy task).

Last Saturday we took Sierra-Lynn on her very first trip to the movies. We saw "The Simpson's Movie". She loved it. She sat mesmerized for over an hour and then came to sit on my lap (like we do at home).

Friday evening, we made a trip to the ER. Sierra-Lynn was complaining that her chest hurt. They didn't find any cause for it, and they did an EKG, took an x-ray and drew blood and still couldn't figure it out (she apparently has my phantom chest pains, great!!).

This weekend we went (both Saturday and today) to my friend Tori's parents house and had dinner and went swimming. On Saturday, Sierra-Lynn was running through the house and hit one of their dinning room chairs. She now has a little cut just above her right eye. And no, she has not learned to stop running in the house. She is getting more used to the water, yesterday she nearly choked the life out of me, because she was soooooo scared that she was going to go under water. Today, she got in her bug floaty (along with her arm floaties) and just floated all over the pool, or kicked her way across the pool. She even wanted daddy to help her go under water (only for a second and only once, she didn't want to do it again).

It was fun, but I am soooooooo very tired. So good night to all.

Baby Shower Part 2

I'm sorry that I have no photos today, maybe tomorrow (barring that no is offended by this posting and my stress level goes back to normal).

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am very grateful for everything that I received at my shower and by everyone who was able to attend. The clothes that Jackson got were very adorable, some of it was stuff that I would never have thought about, but very nice. The bottles will be used many many times. I apologize that I do not have the time (nor the patience) to list every item individually. I just wanted everyone to know that just because I mentioned a few items in my last post individually, everything was and is appreciated.

I also want to say that nothing posted is meant to make anyone feel bad or unappreciated, if my some chance something makes you feel that way, then I am sorry, but it was not my intention. This is also a place that I use for venting and to let those that are not able to be in my life on a daily basis to get some insight. If, for some reason, you read something that you don't like, post a comment. Or don't read it, that is entirely your call.

I can only make a few people happy a day and today those people are my husband and children. Guess what, tomorrow looks the same.

The Baby Shower!

Even though I felt like pooh this weekend, I still went to Dee Dee's for "lunch". I found out from Mark that morning that it was really the shower. I was fun, but I felt awful. I had not slept for about 3 days and was having trouble breathing.

I do have to say that it was much better than my last baby shower. At Sierra-Lynn's the only person to show up was my mother-in-law and she came with me. At Jackson's there were (counting kids [8]) 18 people. We got a ton of clothes for Jackson, the diaper bag that I wanted, toys galore and a beautiful handmade blanket.

I loved this blanket when I saw it back on Memorial Day. It was made by by friend Tori's sister Tisha, not only did she sew it, but the picture on the front was painted by hand. I think that her and I need to go into business together. She can make the blankets and I'll make the clothes and other stuff for kids.

We also got bottles, a bottle brush, some baby food, bibs, and free advice on how to care for the most tender part of a boy. I just wish that Dee Dee would have given everyone more time so that some of the people that I really wanted there could have been there. My sister Kimmy, my friend Juli, my Aunt Karen and Missie and kids. Not that all of the time in the world would have gotten Missie there, she has disconnected her phone again so no one has a way to get a hold of her. The next call that I get from any of them, will probably be a funeral notice.

I will post more photos tomorrow, right now it is dinner time. Bye all!!!

She's Here!!!!!!!!!

Last night, Mark, Sierra-Lynn and I the privilege of meeting the newest member of the Schneider family. Her name is Isabelle Nicole Schneider and she made her debut on July 24, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs and 8 ozs and was 20 1/2 inches long. I think that she looks like her daddy, but hopefully she will grow out of that.

I (of course) was an idiot and forgot to bring my camera, so I don't have a photo to post. My bad.

Not My Week

Last week was the week from hell. I mean, it wasn't all bad.

On Wednesday, Sierra-Lynn, Delaney, Ella and myself went to the pool. First, we had to wait almost an hour to get in because someone had thrown up in the pool before we got there and they had to clean (we were told that it would take 30 minutes tops). To make matters worse, when we did finally get in to the pool area, they still hadn't gotten it cleaned, but at least we got to use the sprinkle part of it. Sierra-Lynn and Ella had a blast, I thought that I was going to have to get a crane to get Delaney off of the ground (she was due on Monday, no baby yet).

We finally get in the pool and Sierra-Lynn damn near drowns me, don't ask me why the child is terrified of water. Thankfully she got over it and started venturing out on her own, but only where she could touch.

Wednesday night I realize that I should have put sunscreen on myself. I did something that I never used to do, I burned.

Thursday morning Delaney, Ella, Sierra-Lynn and I went to play group (water play group). This time I remembered the sunscreen for myself (as well as Sierra-Lynn who always gets it). It was such a blast watching Sierra-Lynn and Ella play. Of course it was mentioned that Ella is going to start taking ballet and now Sierra-Lynn wants that more than anything. We have been reading "My Pretty Ballerina" books and she has been dancing around the house like a ballerina ever since. If only we had the money for it. Well, there is always next year. We might try out the summer program and see how well she likes it.

Any who! Thursday afternoon, Sierra-Lynn asks if we can go for a walk. I need the exercise so I think "what the hay? why not?" And off we go. We don't even make it to the corner when we are turning around and getting home as fast as we can. I had been stung by a wasp (to which I am slightly allergic).

Friday the weather was beautiful all day, but I didn't want to deal with any more wasps (corporate came out on Wednesday and stirred up a nest of them in my yard). After Mark got home we did go outside though (all of us) and played kick ball/soccer. Sierra-Lynn wouldn't stop picking it up. She had so much fun because daddy played outside with her.

Sunday was a great day. We went to the outdoor flee market in Wentzville, where we found a wagon for Sierra-Lynn for $10. I also found something that (if the guy is back the next time that we go) I am going to get for Hannah for Christmas. (You want to keep the day and time of the baby shower secret, I can keep this secret.) After Sierra-Lynn's nap, I pulled out our swords and let Mark and Sierra-Lynn have at it. I was going to stay out of it, but the fun pulled me in and Mark and I started sword fighting. He decides to run into the bathroom, where he ended up hitting the edge of the door with his hand. He now has his pinkie in a finger splint.

Turn in Monday for updates on this upcoming weekend. Friday I have a doctor's appointment. Saturday, we are having lunch with Dee Dee and family, and Becky and family. Then, Sunday, we are going to Becky's father-in-law's house for a BBQ, should be fun.

My baby girl, on her favorite toy (of the moment).

I'm Sleepy

Yes, I am aware that pregnancy can cause tiredness, but that is not the reason. No, yesterday Mark, Sierra-Lynn and I all got up at (like) 4:45 a.m. We ran all over creation (yard sales, Wal-Mart, the library, 4 Doors Down). The library was closed when we got there, are reason for going to Wal-Mart was broke (we redid the registry today, it was down yesterday).

Today, Mark let me sleep until almost 9, it was great, but then we started rearranging the house. We are not completely done with it, but it will suffice until next week sometime, because my feet feel like I have been walking around on broken glass.

I also have been trying to keep up with 2 blogs and 2 email addresses (one is the one I use all of the time and have given to those that I want to talk to, the other is where recipes are sent, among other junk). My second email had not been checked since the beginning of July and had 152 unread messages (most for the Hi-5 message board). I must remind Mark to take me off of that thing. I also posted 16 (I think) posts on http://mom-2-mom.blogspot.com. Give it a look if you get time, some of it was pretty interesting.

It's A .....

Like I would tell you in the title. Mark and I found out yesterday that our Christmas baby will be Jackson Alexander Bennett, a little boy. I hope that all of you out there that said the baby would be a boy are happy.

In other news, the same punk kid that has been giving us trouble, decided that (the night before last) he was going to put a firecracker under our truck and light it. A real sweet heart isn't he?

Welcome July

Sierra and Ella (BFFL)

Miss Mara (Tegin wasn't there) :(

So far, I don't really know what to say about this month. The parade was fun. Sierra got more candy than she will eat in a year, she also got to spend time with Ella. Those two are little hams when they get together. One week from today Miss Ella turns 5 and Sierra can't wait until Sunday when she gets to go to Ella's party. Mara, Ella's cousin, was also there. I can't believe how much that little girl has grown since I last saw her (she looked really cute in the dress that I made her).

Sierra and one of the "Big Dogs" (Mark took this one)

After the parade it was time for BBQ, Mark can grill with the best of them (if I do say so myself). Then there was the teenage punk who was throwing lit bottle rockets at the truck and the late night that that brought. We finally crawled into bed at about 10:15, only to be woke up by our car alarm going off and 10:45, which of course led to calling the police out (not that they did anything).

Needless to say, I spent all of yesterday wanting to do nothing but sleep. Mark did stay home, but I would have preferred a nice quite night and a day of play with Sierra, but whatever. I did get a call from my niece Megan and nephew Danny, which unexpected but nice.

Last night was another night of that punk kid throwing fireworks at the truck (as well as some of the other neighbors houses. Is it wrong to hope that he pisses off the wacko, Mindy, from across the street?