For Halloween the boys were Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Cat in the Hat.
"Then those Things ran about with big bumps, jumps and kicks and with hops and big thumps and all kinds of bad tricks." Pretty much sums up life with twin boys!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Weekend Update
We had beautiful weather in central Texas this weekend! Team Freedom won the soccer game yesterday (we don't keep score, though). We worked on some chores around the house before going out with some friends on Saturday night. We headed to a restaurant in a small town about 20 miles from where we live. It was wonderful! This is only the second time we've had dinner out with other adults and NO children since we moved here two years ago. After dinner we gathered at one of the couple's home and played cards. We laughed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This morning the guys woke up at 5:30! We went to church and out to lunch. We also squeezed in Halloween costume hunting. Chris had the super idea that the boys should be Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat. Perfect! They have to dress up as storybook characters for school and I surely didn't want to come up with four costumes. We found most of the pieces and supplies for the costumes at good ol' Walmart. I'll be sure to post pics of the Things! It was a wonderful weekend in Holderville.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Three Tens, Nine Ones
I'm beginning my final year of my fourth decade. Let me reflect on each decade just a bit.
1-10:
I spent most of this decade in Wichita, KS. I loved spending time with grandparents and my Aunt Peggy & Uncle Wally. My brother Scott invaded my world when I was 4 1/2. My parents divorced during this decade of my life. We moved to Topeka for one year and then to Tucson.
11-20:
This was a HUGE decade for me. It is for everyone. When I look at the age span and developmental stages contained within this period of ten years it overwhelms me. Prepubescence through early adulthood. This entire decade of my life was spent in Tucson. I attended six different schools and met my oldest friend, Dawn. We met at the pencil sharpener in 8th grade algebra class. That was 25 years ago. She's still in AZ but we remain the closest of friends. Our oldest children are in kindergarten. She has two younger ones, too! She knows EVERYTHING about me, which is sooo comforting. I graduated from Flowing Wells High School and attended the University of Arizona. My mom and brother moved back to KS to be closer to our extended family. I managed to fall in love more than once during this ten year span...
21-30:
This decade brought me back to Kansas. I attended and graduated from Wichita State University. At 21 I met some amazing friends who I can't imagine living without. Stacy, Lori, Nicole, Heather, Angela, Vanessa, and Annette filled these years with memory making adventures. It was also during this decade of life that I lost grandparents and a cousin. These were my first experiences with death. I graduated from college and briefly returned to AZ for my first teaching position. That lasted one year. I missed my friends and family too much and had to go back. I quickly found another teaching position and began the most rewarding season of my career in education. I met Chris and we were married two years later. It truly was love at first sight. We built a house, completed our graduate degrees, Chris got baptized, and we decided to start a family.
31-current:
Starting a family proved to be a challenge. Infertility was one of many great challenges and seasons of sadness during this decade. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. We had a distant relationship, but were drawn closer through his illness and his need for my help. After three attempts at IVF were blessed with a twin pregnancy. My dad was still fighting cancer and the residual effects of radiation and surgery. My grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My friends were all experiences similar struggles and I realized what it meant to be an adult. I was experiencing the cycle of life. My faith deepened. At only 15 weeks into my pregnancy my water broke. The emergency room physicians offered no hope. The specialist I saw offered me an abortion. I was frightened beyond belief, but was not without hope. I found another specialist who agreed to care for us. He admitted me to the hospital where I would remain until the birth of the twins. Baby B (Kaleb) never accumulated any amniotic fluid and was essentially stuck in a collapsed balloon. He could hardly move and couldn't change position. Baby A (Ethan) was in an intact sack and developing well. I was closely monitored and received IV and oral antibiotics daily. I also was given anti contraction medication daily. 24 weeks is considered viability. Each day past 24 weeks improves the odds for premature babies. We were told that Baby B's chances for survival after birth were very slim due to poor lung development. Lungs are developed by the amniotic fluid, of which he had none. He also faced possible deformities due to compression and lack of movement. I made it to 27 weeks 3 days. Kaleb weighed 2.1 and Ethan weighed 2.6. It was a journey, but the boys are both doing quite well today. I'll share more about that journey in another post. During this premature journey, my grandmother was going through chemo and dying. One night she traded places with Kaleb. That's another special story for another time. My mom and aunt were there for us while caring for their dying mother. Sometimes the story seems unbelievable when I start to really think about it. Also during this time my brother lost his job at Enron and moved in with us. I'm sure he had no idea what life would be like with premature twin infants, around the clock in home nursing care for Kaleb, and a lactating sister. One of the nurses who cared for the babies has become one of my best friends. Kacy and I are like the sisters we never had. Needless to say, my teaching career came to an abrupt halt. The boys developed into toddlers and then my dad died. My faith deepened. We built a new house, I was doing consulting work for a software company, and the boys got healthier. Then...Chris's dad fell off of a mountain and was seriously injured. It has taken awhile, but he has rehabilitated. After just two years in our newly built home, we decided to accept an employment offer for Chris from a company in Waco, Texas. At times I wonder what we were thinking. Sometimes I question my sanity at that time. Was it post traumatic stress disorder? Why did we think it was a good idea to leave our friends and family in Kansas? I can only say that God uses all experiences to draw you closer to him and to each other. When I look back over the past decade, I certainly can recognize the stress we experienced in Kansas. I think we felt that God was giving us an opportunity to enjoy new surroundings that don't carry reminders of so much pain. We have met some of the most generous and loving people in Texas. Believe me, I've been on my knees more than once since moving here, but those times have again strengthened my faith. I'm not going to give up on TX yet! We have great jobs in a weak economy. We have a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood. We are making friends and those relationships are growing each day. Our boys are happy at school. We are near my aunt and uncle in Dallas, which has been a real treat! We think we've found a church. God is at work. I just need to let him do his thing. He always pulls through for us. So, on this 39th birthday I humbly pray for peace in my heart and peace in our world. I also offer unending thanks and praise to my wonderful, awesome God.
1-10:
I spent most of this decade in Wichita, KS. I loved spending time with grandparents and my Aunt Peggy & Uncle Wally. My brother Scott invaded my world when I was 4 1/2. My parents divorced during this decade of my life. We moved to Topeka for one year and then to Tucson.
11-20:
This was a HUGE decade for me. It is for everyone. When I look at the age span and developmental stages contained within this period of ten years it overwhelms me. Prepubescence through early adulthood. This entire decade of my life was spent in Tucson. I attended six different schools and met my oldest friend, Dawn. We met at the pencil sharpener in 8th grade algebra class. That was 25 years ago. She's still in AZ but we remain the closest of friends. Our oldest children are in kindergarten. She has two younger ones, too! She knows EVERYTHING about me, which is sooo comforting. I graduated from Flowing Wells High School and attended the University of Arizona. My mom and brother moved back to KS to be closer to our extended family. I managed to fall in love more than once during this ten year span...
21-30:
This decade brought me back to Kansas. I attended and graduated from Wichita State University. At 21 I met some amazing friends who I can't imagine living without. Stacy, Lori, Nicole, Heather, Angela, Vanessa, and Annette filled these years with memory making adventures. It was also during this decade of life that I lost grandparents and a cousin. These were my first experiences with death. I graduated from college and briefly returned to AZ for my first teaching position. That lasted one year. I missed my friends and family too much and had to go back. I quickly found another teaching position and began the most rewarding season of my career in education. I met Chris and we were married two years later. It truly was love at first sight. We built a house, completed our graduate degrees, Chris got baptized, and we decided to start a family.
31-current:
Starting a family proved to be a challenge. Infertility was one of many great challenges and seasons of sadness during this decade. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. We had a distant relationship, but were drawn closer through his illness and his need for my help. After three attempts at IVF were blessed with a twin pregnancy. My dad was still fighting cancer and the residual effects of radiation and surgery. My grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. My friends were all experiences similar struggles and I realized what it meant to be an adult. I was experiencing the cycle of life. My faith deepened. At only 15 weeks into my pregnancy my water broke. The emergency room physicians offered no hope. The specialist I saw offered me an abortion. I was frightened beyond belief, but was not without hope. I found another specialist who agreed to care for us. He admitted me to the hospital where I would remain until the birth of the twins. Baby B (Kaleb) never accumulated any amniotic fluid and was essentially stuck in a collapsed balloon. He could hardly move and couldn't change position. Baby A (Ethan) was in an intact sack and developing well. I was closely monitored and received IV and oral antibiotics daily. I also was given anti contraction medication daily. 24 weeks is considered viability. Each day past 24 weeks improves the odds for premature babies. We were told that Baby B's chances for survival after birth were very slim due to poor lung development. Lungs are developed by the amniotic fluid, of which he had none. He also faced possible deformities due to compression and lack of movement. I made it to 27 weeks 3 days. Kaleb weighed 2.1 and Ethan weighed 2.6. It was a journey, but the boys are both doing quite well today. I'll share more about that journey in another post. During this premature journey, my grandmother was going through chemo and dying. One night she traded places with Kaleb. That's another special story for another time. My mom and aunt were there for us while caring for their dying mother. Sometimes the story seems unbelievable when I start to really think about it. Also during this time my brother lost his job at Enron and moved in with us. I'm sure he had no idea what life would be like with premature twin infants, around the clock in home nursing care for Kaleb, and a lactating sister. One of the nurses who cared for the babies has become one of my best friends. Kacy and I are like the sisters we never had. Needless to say, my teaching career came to an abrupt halt. The boys developed into toddlers and then my dad died. My faith deepened. We built a new house, I was doing consulting work for a software company, and the boys got healthier. Then...Chris's dad fell off of a mountain and was seriously injured. It has taken awhile, but he has rehabilitated. After just two years in our newly built home, we decided to accept an employment offer for Chris from a company in Waco, Texas. At times I wonder what we were thinking. Sometimes I question my sanity at that time. Was it post traumatic stress disorder? Why did we think it was a good idea to leave our friends and family in Kansas? I can only say that God uses all experiences to draw you closer to him and to each other. When I look back over the past decade, I certainly can recognize the stress we experienced in Kansas. I think we felt that God was giving us an opportunity to enjoy new surroundings that don't carry reminders of so much pain. We have met some of the most generous and loving people in Texas. Believe me, I've been on my knees more than once since moving here, but those times have again strengthened my faith. I'm not going to give up on TX yet! We have great jobs in a weak economy. We have a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood. We are making friends and those relationships are growing each day. Our boys are happy at school. We are near my aunt and uncle in Dallas, which has been a real treat! We think we've found a church. God is at work. I just need to let him do his thing. He always pulls through for us. So, on this 39th birthday I humbly pray for peace in my heart and peace in our world. I also offer unending thanks and praise to my wonderful, awesome God.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Mad Scientist
Kaleb got to bring home the science backpack from school. Inside we found a lab coat, safety glasses, and a book of very cool science experiments. Kaleb's charge was to choose one to conduct at home so that he could demonstrate it in front of his class on Friday. He chose Woody Dough. This experiment requires the following materials:
1 cup of sawdust
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of liquid starch
I had to go into the office this afternoon, so Chris was in charge. When I came home I found what looked like oatmeal in the shape of animals. They used cookie cutters to shape the Woody Dough. In two to three days it should harden. At that point sandpaper is used to finish the shapes. I'll keep you posted on the results of this experiment.
1 cup of sawdust
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of liquid starch
I had to go into the office this afternoon, so Chris was in charge. When I came home I found what looked like oatmeal in the shape of animals. They used cookie cutters to shape the Woody Dough. In two to three days it should harden. At that point sandpaper is used to finish the shapes. I'll keep you posted on the results of this experiment.
Number 3 and Number 8
Yesterday, after a very busy and fun filled Saturday, Ethan developed an upset tummy. He threw up a few times before bed. Then when I checked on him at 10:30 he had thrown up IN bed, but didn't wake up. I carefully picked him and laid him on the floor while I changed his sheets. He slept all night with no additional episodes. This morning Chris took the boys to the local donut shop. When they returned Ethan shared that now he had number 3. I asked what that meant. He matter-of-factly stated that number 3 was diarrhea. I asked him what number throw up is. He quickly responded, "number 8."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Making the Most of Saturday
8:45 Soccer Game (Kaleb drank 3 juice pouches and threw up)
10:30 Exercise at the gym
11:45 Lunch at home
1:00 Cameron Park Zoo (ice cream treats were devoured by the twins)
3:00 Drive around town
3:30 South Bosque Park
4:30 Early dinner out (sports grill, some customers were cussing during the football game)
6:00 Country drive
6:30 Playing in the yard
7:00 Relax inside
We decided to stay away from "house" projects today so that our attention would be devoted to our children. We are exhausted, fulfilled, and residing in a very messy home.
10:30 Exercise at the gym
11:45 Lunch at home
1:00 Cameron Park Zoo (ice cream treats were devoured by the twins)
3:00 Drive around town
3:30 South Bosque Park
4:30 Early dinner out (sports grill, some customers were cussing during the football game)
6:00 Country drive
6:30 Playing in the yard
7:00 Relax inside
We decided to stay away from "house" projects today so that our attention would be devoted to our children. We are exhausted, fulfilled, and residing in a very messy home.
Friday, October 10, 2008
All things ESC and ESL
I have been in my new position at the ESC as the ESL Specialist for about eight weeks now. I'm keeping busy and am settling in. I manage the implementation of an online assessment product that we offer our co-op members, conduct state mandated English language proficiency assessment training, design and facilitate district requested professional development pertaining to K-12 ESL strategies, plan and present a three day ESL Academy at the service center, design and deliver training on sheltered instruction, serve on the turn around team for academically unacceptable districts, am a member of the Effective Schools Audit Team, am responsible for drop out prevention support and professional development, and am a PIT leader. I wonder why I can't find a balance between career and personal life? Luckily I'm surrounded by incredible people who are in the same boat!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Soccer
We have entered the world of organized sports. The boys have started playing soccer for a Christian league called Upward. We practice on Thursdays and games are Saturday mornings at 9:00. Our first game was on the 4th. Ethan scored the only goal. We don't keep score officially. Our "star" was out of town. He also is the coach's son. We have a female coach named Molly. She is awesome. Girl power! Luke is a prodigy. Kaleb is not. Ethan has potential. Kaleb is looking forward to basketball. Chris is the unofficial assistant coach. He can't stay off the field. I'm not sure if he is supposed to be out there, but luckily it is a Christian organization and he is treated with love. This is just the beginning.
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