It's been awhile

Wow...it's been nearly 2 years since my last post on here.  Many things have happened during the last 2 years.  I separated from my husband, filed and got divorced (online!!!), bought a house that next spring and traded my 'mom' car in for a fun Jeep!  So, as bad as things could've been-they've turned out very well.  My oldest son turned 18 and graduated last month.  He'll be headed to college this fall...ack!!! What will I do?!  My youngest will turn 15 next month and will be a freshman in High School in the fall.  He has long since gotten his braces removed and has the most fabulous smile EVER! 
Still working at the hospital and I picked up a 2nd job, teenagers are expensive!!! :) 

Not alot else going on at the moment-but I'll sure try to get back and blog a little bit more. 

Trying to figure out some budgeting techniques as well as getting into couponing.  Any helpful suggestions would be so much appreciated!!!!

Boot Camp

About a month and a 1/2 ago I joined BootCamp, which is an exercise group led by a Certified Fitness Instructor.  The group meets for 45 min in the morning and then meet again for 45 minutes in the evening-6 days a week! I love it-at least I loved it when I was going.  Now I'm finding it harder to get motivated.  I think the reason for this is because I could tell I was losing weight when I first started, now I'm at a standstill.  I've only gone once in the last 1 1/2 wks and I'm really disgusted with myself...I'm not a quitter, however I am a huge procrastinator! Because of the Boot Camp group I ran/jogged/walked my first 5k at our annual GermanFest in Syracuse.  That was a HUGE step for me-it was awesome to go across the finish line! So, I just need to get 'back in the saddle' and DO THIS!  I feel so much better when I work out-so you can imagine how I've been feeling lately!!!

Looks like I haven't posted for a very long time. I mainly use Blogger to 'live through others'. :) I love to read about how people who are crafty, can turn a garage sale item into something beautiful!! I can only hope someday that I'll be able to do those things-because I sure can't now.
Just a little that's been going on here:

Darik turned 16 in March and had a car, until this month when the transmission went out. So today or tomorrow he will be the proud owner of a beater car!! :) He starts his job tomorrow at the coffee house in Syracuse, making drinks for others. He's excited and I'm so glad! Darik is a tab bit girl crazy now and I can't get him home in the evenings!! He's other at his girlfriends or with his friends! I MISS MY LITTLE BOY! :( He also began lifting weights, so his body is getting built-he wants to model and this is one area that he needed to work on.

Casey will turn 13 in 2 weeks and 1 day. Will have both teenagers then!! WHAT?! It shows too. Casey has spouted up in the past year and his looks have changed-alot! I think, his voice is even a bit different. I suppose that will change sometime in the near future. Dariks changed when he was 15... Casey recently became the proud wearer of braces. We go to Harre Orthodontics in Lincoln and Paula and her staff are just amazing and take so much time with the kiddos!! He'll have to wear them for 18 months-he doesn't mind at all. He was anxious to get them because he didn't like his overbite and his two front teeth. Already all of his teeth are even. SUPER!!

I'm still working in Nebraska City at the hospital-went back to school last fall. It's alot harder when you're an adult!!! I'm almost done with my pre-requisites so that I can go into the nursing program, this is what I've been waiting for!! I love helping people! I'm still on the rescue squad in Syracuse; however I relinquished my position as Secretary so that I could concentrate on school. Still, I love the sounds of the tones when that pager goes off-adrenaline!

Shon and I just celebrated our 6th Anniversary in February, we didn't do anything outstanding-we went out for supper. Of course, if we don't take the kids-I feel guilty. We need to have 'date nights' because each time we do go out anywhere, one of the boys is always with us. Because if they aren't I feel bad!!!

This is my summer-poolside! I love the sun and the water. Every chance I get, that's where I'm at. With or without the kiddos.

Just wanted to update my blog. I've got a hair appt. today that I'm kind of excited about. I keep chopping my hair off because it makes me mad but I've decided to let it grow out-(that's the hardest part!)

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

Palatal Expander

Casey 1-12-09 1st day with Palatal Expander

1-12-09 Caseys Palatal Expander


1-12-09 Palatal Expander~Casey


1-12-09 Wanted to get a "starting picture"




12-29-08 1st set of separators (they're blue) (above & below pic)

In November the boys each had appointments with the dentist (yay!). I already knew what the outcome would be-for Darik...fillings (he takes weekends off from brushing-I don't know why.) Casey-I wasn't sure-he's always had pretty good teeth and has taken care of them. However, I knew at some point he would need to go on to an Orthodontist. We had changed dentists and found a great one in Lincoln whom both boys really like. He told the boys that they both needed sealants and that Darik would need to come back for "some work" 3 fillings. He told Casey that he would need to see an Orthodontist (which I had figured) that he has a severe crossbite and much crowding-he would need a palatal expander. They gave me a few suggestions of Orthodontists said that any would be happy to have us for a "consultation" (of course!) So, I had to make a few phone calls. I talked to my friend Sondra (her daughter goes to an Orthodontist in Lincoln and she has an expander)-to see who she took her to, I talked to people at work-who went to offices in Omaha (I don't think so), I spoke to Dariks friends parents who take their kids to different Orthodontists in Lincoln- *sigh* I HATE decisions. So. I started searching. I called the offices, spoke with the receptionists (to get the "feel" and "personality" of the office, talked to each office about their billing policies (for insurance), looked up each office and each Dr. online. *sigh* Made 2 consultation appts. I only had a "good and comfortable" feeling about 1-but I made 2...for back up. I hate to be unprepared. I had talked to Casey all during this and he gave me his input and told me where he would like to go-which was an important part of the decision. I mean...it's his mouth. AND, he wanted it done "as soon as possible." So on December 9, we went for the consultation appointment with Dr. Paula Harre-Harre Orthodontics, in Lincoln. They took panoramic X-rays, other x-rays and did a complete check up. They were very thorough. Dr. Harre discussed the treatment plan, said that our dentist was correct in what he had said would need to be done (the palatal expander) and that Casey would also need to have 1 baby tooth pulled since a permanent tooth that was trying to come in was having a hard time (it was coming in sideways towards his front teeth-and fluid had collected around it and would need to be "curetted".) Casey liked her right off the bat, as did I. She's the type of Dr, that makes you feel comfortable includes you in everything. Which made a huge difference. They showed Casey (and I) exactly how the "treatment plan" would be and the length of it. They showed him molds of teeth and an expander and put it on a set of teeth and showed us how it worked and how we would "turn the key" (I had a difficult time imagining turning a key in his mouth!) Casey had alot of questions, as did I, they were answered and we were given brochures and an "Orthodontic" Folder and we discussed the insurance and payment arrangements (which there were none-lucky us our double insurance!!! YAY!) The appt. lasted a little over an hour. We needed to schedule 3 appointments, 1 wk apart for the next part of his Orthodontic treatment. So, I scheduled for Dec. 29, Jan. 5 and Jan. 12. We were set. I was happy with my decision. Casey was pleased with "his Orthodonist and her "cool" office." Her office is called "Harrewood" You have to actually see it to get the feel for it. Very kid friendly, very comfy, cozy. Hollywood themed. Makes the patients feel like "stars" They have their names on a "billboard" for their appts. The patients sign themselves in on a computer and then go to the "toothbrushing station" (with disposable toothbrushes and floss) there is a main waiting room, a movie theatre (with movie theatre chairs) and another waiting area by the "toothbrush station" Very cool.

Dec. 16, Casey had his appt. to get the baby tooth pulled-he was worried about it, but made it.

On Dec. 29, Caseys appt. was at 8:15 for separators-little blue rubber bands that they place between his back molars to "separate" his teeth to get them ready for the palatal expander. The appt. took 15 minutes. Maybe. He refused to take any ibuprofen, but by noon he was in alot of pain with his teeth spreading. So he finally gave in. Those separators stayed in until the following Monday. Jan. 5, we went in and he had an impression made and was measured for bands, then those old separators came out and a new set went in. We were warned that they may fall out since there was quite a bit of space in there already. They also said that if the separator on the left side fell out, we wouldn't need to come in since there was plenty of room on that side, just if the one on the right fell out. Well, one fell out on Thursday. Guess which one. Yep, the right one. So back up on Friday we went. It took maybe 5 minutes-in and out of the office. Nice. :) So Monday Jan. 12. I try to give Casey some ibuprofen. Nope, he doesn't want it. Stubborn. The day he gets his(RPE) -Rapid Palatal Expander. He keeps telling me "I'm kind of excited". Hm. Wonder how long that will last. We get to the office at 8:40 he signs in, says he brushed at home he doesn't want to brush, goes into the theatre and sits down-I hang the coats up. (I'm nervous) The asst. comes to get Casey and I (weird, I can't for the life of me remember the asst's. name) She takes the separators out and fits the expander on (to make sure it's a good fit-puts a star up on the shelf-to signal for Dr. Harre) Dr. Harre comes over and checks the fit...says "it's perfect!!!" Now for the magic glue. She shows Casey the magic glue on his nail-and explains how it will harden and how the expander will stay in place. The asst. puts the cement on and places the expander in. (Casey is watching a movie overhead-each station has a T.V. with a movie playing and headsets for the pt.) Dr. Harre comes back, makes sure it's secured well, removes the excess glue, rinses and dries his mouth, discusses the care and do's and don'ts with us and lets us know some of the in's and out's of the expander. I need to turn the "key" once a day, it will open the expander a 1/4 mm each turn. (Some pts turn theirs 2 times a day!) He will wear the expander for 6-7 months. But it will only be activated for 6 weeks, the rest of the time-it will basically just be "hanging out" in his mouth so that the roof of his mouth will remain that way. SO...they turn it twice yesterday. She turns it once, then I turn it (so they can see I know how) the 2nd turn made his nose tingle-which they said was normal. They also said it was normal for him to have some cheek pain, a slight headache, problems with his speech, excessive salivation, all problems would be temporary. So after this, we watch a video about palatal expander care, he gets 2 goody bags, a nice new battery operated toothbrush, wax, some floss, toothpaste, a Harre Orthodontics T-shirt to parade around in-lots more literature, some gel for if he gets a sore on his cheeks from the bands. We went to the desk and made an appt. for 2 weeks. Casey went to school. I went in with him, talked to the gals in the office and went home. I got a phone call a couple hours later. He was having some discomfort, could I bring some wax. Sure. I forgot to leave a case there. Oops. He still wouldn't take any ibuprofen. I finally told him that the girls from Harre's office recommended that he take some. :) So...he did. Stinker. Suppertime. Difficult. Very. Last night we had goulash, green beans and breadstick. I told him he could have whatever he wanted. But of course, he wanted that. He couldn't get it down. He makes a funny clearing his mouth noise. Sounds kind of like an airplane taking off. He ended up having some oatmeal. Poor guy. He read to me last night-we read together, he read a page, I read a page. His speech is very distorted with the expander in. I don't like it. In fact...I hate it. People take for granted alot of things, I don't know if people ever think to cherish the sounds of their kids' voice. Cherish it. He still sounds like himself. His speech is just different. Another temporary obstacle-however, at his age a crappy one. Other kids can be cruel. Anyway. He sure was tired when he fell asleep last night. This morning when he woke up he said his mouth felt "alright", he laid down on the couch and opened his mouth while I stuck the "key turner" in and turned the expander once. He said his nose tingled and his cheekbones were achy. I told him that the tingling should go away (that's what they told me) and that he cheeks might ache awhile. Of course, I'm sure they will. It's spreading his jaw apart. However, he needs the room in his mouth...when this is over, he'll get braces. *sigh*. He came home from school today and said he was starving. He took cold lunch but said he didn't have time to eat (it's taking him awhile.) Tonight we're having pancakes! Hopefully he'll do alright with them. They're soft. Maybe some eggs. This will be trial and error. There's so much he cannot have with the palatal expander. If you'd like info on Casey's Orthodontist~you can look her up at http://www.harreorthodontics.com/

Sorry about the pictures, they didn't go where I wanted them to. The separator pictures were supposed to be first and then the other ones. I can't figure this thing out!!!

Blogging and more...

I have decided that I'm never really sure of what to write about when I log on here. It seems I log on with the intentions of "going to blog about something"~I just never quite make it to that point!! I pop around to different blogs and I guess check them out just to see what others are blogging about...I've come to the conclusion that a person could blog about darn near ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and it would be alright. Whew! And I was worried that I might sound stupid! :) ANYWAY...now that I got that out of the way. What I had intended to write on here was several different things...then I wondered if I should blog about them separately~who knows? Who cares? Does anyone keep track of that? Not I. So...on the 23rd we had an appointment to get our pictures taken. I was SO excited!!! It was going to be our 1st "Family Photo"!! It didn't seem to be a big deal to the boys or to Shon...but it was to me! I wanted it to be "just so"~Darik didn't get that at all, he didn't understand why he couldn't wear what he wore every day and just "be normal". So, I went to Lincoln, dragging them with me (they complained the entire time) looked around~I wanted a vest for me, with a turtleneck, then Casey decided he would like to wear a vest too. Darik was having NO PART of a vest! So, he chose a long sleeved shirt. Which was fine, as did Shon. This was all on Saturday the 22nd. Yeah, I know...I like to do things on short notice. Got home and wouldn't you know it-Darik refused to try his shirt on at the store and decided to put it on at home (to prove it really would fit) and it did NOT!!! I was furious. I had to go back. I knew that I should have got the other one...however he swore up and down that "it would fit". *sigh* After the clothing fiasco, the rest of the evening went smoothly, the boys had gotten their hair trimmed that morning so...all was good. Sunday the 23rd, the day of the pictures-I had to work a few hrs in the morning-but the pictures weren't until 2pm, so I figured that would be alright. I worked from 9-11:30 and then sped home, changed fixed my hair, make-up, got the kids and hubby going and hopped in the car. Off to Nebraska City to meet up with the photographer. We were meeting Kathy True at Arbor Lodge...that's where we decided to get our photos taken at. It was about 50 degrees out. Not too bad, could've been worse! (Shon and Darik later decided that they sure wished they would've gotten vests!!) LOL! We met up with Kathy and she started snapping pictures. I never told the boys how many pictures she would take. They thought it was going to be "A" picture..."1" :) Boy were they surprised. I bet she took around 80-90 pictures. It was great!! We have never had pictures taken like that before. I loved the background for it-Arbor Lodge in the fall is beautiful!!! All in all...it was fabulous!!

Homecoming...

This is a photo of my oldest, Darik and his date Justine (not his girlfriend-just a friend-apparently.) When he started school this year as a freshman, I asked him several times if he planned on going to Homecoming. Whether he has a girlfriend or not it seems that there are always girls calling or stopping by-so I had just assumed that he would want to go. I wanted him to go. I never went to mine, I always had "better" things to do with my time. (However, I've not told the boys that). Anyway...he tells me a couple weeks before Homecoming that he has a date and "guess who I'm going with"-weellllll... these two have a history. So, I immediately say, well I bet it's not you're girlfriend, right? Right-they had broken up. No worries, he says. So. I knew before that and I say...I sure hope that history isn't repeating itself AGAIN, for like the 3rd time. He argues and says it's only happened twice...but I write these historical things down, so I know it's been more than twice. So, I say "Justine" and he tells me ~"yeah, cool, right?". Sure... This is what happens when they go to dances. They show up together, or meet there, start off together and 1/2 hour or so into the dance-something happens, it all blows up and they wind up fighting, he winds up hurt and mad and she winds up in the middle of her friends and he winds up feeling ignored. But he acts like it doesn't bother him. Ugh. It makes me so mad. But, I have to let him learn on his own. SO. I order the wristlette. He doesn't want to...cause that's "so gay-nobody else is going to have one" and I take him to pick her up, and they go together. I go to pick him up at 11 and what's happened. Same old thing. He gets in, slams the door and says. "It sucked, I had a crappy time, I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT TO GO!"...Um, what? I didn't want to say "I told you so". He knows. But geez, it really sucks when your kids hurt. Boys don't let their feelings show alot anyway but when they do, you know they really have hurt feelings. Girls can be so mean!! Hormones. They're awful! LOL!! TEENAGERS!!! I told him that at least they looked good! :) He glared at me. I told him just to look on the bright side, he could take someone else next year!!! :)

Time Flies

It seems like it was just yesterday the boys were babies!! Now, Casey is 11 and Darik is 14. I marked on the wall tonight how tall they were. I am 5'4"~short! Casey is 4' 7" and 70 lbs and Darik is 5' 6 and 3/4 " and 102 lbs. Darik is going to be TALL like his real dad-who is 6' 4"-6' 5", Casey isn't going to be so tall... I don't think. Boy- I remember when they were LITTLE! I mean just measured by INCHES! Where does the time go...Darik went to his first Homecoming dance a week and a half ago. He's a freshman. Next summer he will be in Driver's Ed. SCARY! His voice is changing. Girls won't quit calling. Nerve racking! Casey is the youngest...I hang on to that alot. He knows this too. I don't think that he minds. Every day they change in some small way. In some way that you can never get back. I take pictures...alot of them, all of the time. I am always the picture taker-seems I am never in them. I don't always like that. We have SO MANY pictures! A picture is worth a thousand words...a story can unfold in one photo. The years go by so quickly when kids are small...it seems like you can't wait for them to get older so that they can do one thing or another for themselves and then you turn around and that time has come and gone and they are capable of doing that and so much more that it seems they are nearly independent. Nobody tells you when they are babies that those things will happen!! Nobody tells you to hold onto those little moments!! Well, maybe they do-but I think that we take them for granted maybe. All that I know is it seems like one day they are babies and the next day you turn around and they are pre teens and teenagers!!! Time gets away from you. It flies and before you know it...they've grown up!!!