That's just life...

I cannot find my camera anywhere. I know it is around here somewhere and it will turn up eventually. But until then, no pictures, sorry.

Things have been pretty normal over the past couple weeks. Last Thursday, the 18th, I had a day-o-service. Nathan had the day off work so he stayed home with the boys and I was running all over town helping people who I had said yes too, or offered help to. I also had my volunteer time in the classroom on Thursday. I hardly saw Nathan or the boys except home for a quick lunch and some kisses. It was a full day, but it always feels so good to put others first. I just usually spread it out a little more!

LIZ'S VISIT!
On Friday, the 19th, my dear friend Liz and her kids came for a visit. They used to live here and moved a couple years ago. It was so great to see her and spend time together. Her kids are so cute and Ben loved her boys! I had a good day.

GIRL SCOUTS
Then after she left I went over to the school for Girl Scouts. My co-leader and I switch months preparing the meetings and this is my turn. It was fun. We learned about World Thinking Day and learned about how girls all over the world live and brainstormed some ideas to help world poverty. We played a big "Chutes and Ladders" game that I made that was on the floor and the girls moved around it themselves. It was fun. We also made no-sew fleece shawls. The girls were very excited about that. It was a pretty full meeting. It was good to be back because I was in the hospital during the last meeting.

Tatiana and I have been busy delivering Girl Scout Cookies every chance we get. We are almost done. She sold over 280 boxes! I just cannot wait to get it done so I can get that much money out of my hands! She did do a very good job and I am very proud of her.

NICK AND TATIANA - OSU STUDENTS
Saturday we got a babysitter for the two little boys and Nathan and I took Tatiana and Nick over to their OSU class. Have I told you? They are OSU students for a couple months! Only on Saturday though. It is a part of the TAG (Talented And Gifted) program. Nick is in Engineering and Tatiana is in Scientific Discoveries. There were lots of different classes to choose from, but both my kids wanted to do something scientific. We are so proud of them.

While they were in class Nathan and I went to Winco Foods to stock up our rotating canned foods shelves. We loaded up two shopping carts full of mostly canned goods. We got some funny looks as usual and one lady asked us if this was for a fraternity. LOL! No, just our family's twice-a-year food storage restocking trip. That seemed to really fascinate her.

After we picked up the kids from their classes we took them to Big Town Hero for lunch and did a couple shopping stops, including the hobby shop for Nick's rocket supplies and Bi-mart for Nathan's bow target.

That evening we went to the Blue and Gold Banquet. No, Nick is not in Cubs anymore, but we went to support. We ended up buying a huge crocodile made out of rice crispy treats! Yum! It was really nice to not be in charge this year. I did help where I could, but I was far more relaxed and could just enjoy myself. The two gals that took over for me did an outstanding job! It was great!

NATHAN'S NEWEST HOBBY
Nathan has been getting very excited for his new hobby, Bow hunting! He is keeping track of the number of arrows he shoots so he can set goals and stuff. So far he is shooting 30 each time he goes out. He also has started to run with me. He said he has to get into shape for hunting in the back country! I just love having my Honey as a running partner, it is so much more fun!

KID'S MEDICAL INFO
Yesterday I had another super busy day of constant running. Tatiana got her braces off!!!! Nick and Tatiana got new glasses! Andrew had a doctor's appointment that led to a soft tissue x-ray of his head to check his adenoids. He is not sleeping well at all, never has really. So I finally took him in --- desperate times make for desperate moms --- and they think he either has acid reflux (so we are giving him medications and seeing if that helps, we should know in a week) or sleep apnea (his adenoids are enlarged, but the doctor isn't sure if this is what is causing the sleep disturbances, so if the medication for the acid reflux doesn't work in a week, we take him to an ENT specialist.) Anyway, I just hope he starts sleeping better, I cannot take much more of this!!! He can't either! Ben is doing great! The only thing he is dealing with right now is that he broke his glasses for the third time in a year and they are not fixable. So he has them taped together for now until we wait the 10 days for new frames to come in! He is still so cute!

I'M BACK!
This week I am teaching preschool and trying to play catch up from the last few weeks. I am running again, I ran 3 miles last night (YAHOO!) and that feels great! I feel 98% back to normal. The only lasting side effect I have is a little tenderness on my left side and it really hurts if someone hits me there (Ben's head is perfect height when he comes up to give me a hug...love you too Ben! (ow!) All my swelling is gone and I am wearing my jeans again (yeah, no more of Nathan's scrub pants!). I had my blood work checked and I am back to normal. I am still anemic, but that IS normal for me. Just keep taking my iron! I was actually called "super human" by my doctor because she has never seen anyone bounce back so quickly from losing so much blood. Yeah, that's right, SUPER HUMAN! I feel like I should have a cape made or something! LOL!

That's all for now...I know, it's plenty! That's just life!