My doggie....

You see that dog right there, right above these words....the one cuddling with that mean cat (and she is!)?? That dog is the most loyal being I know...

Last April, our old dog, Chance, passed away from Renal failure. We knew it was coming, but yet we were still devastated. We made sure that Sparky was aware that Chance had passed before we buried him. And in that moment, when Sparky saw Chance, he understood what job had been passed on to him.

Sparky, aka the Sparky Marky, the worthless lump of fur, the DOG DOG, the goofball canine....our dog. He was an impulse for me...I wanted another baby, but not a human baby. I wasn't ready for one yet, so we got Sparky. My husband had no clue - I just told him to meet me at the Humane Society one afternoon after work. And home came Sparky...

He brought life back to the old dog. They played for the longest time, until Old dog just got to sick to play. And then the shift of power. The job that Sparky took on was protector of the family. I always knew Old dog would have protected us, but never witnessed it. I witnessed Sparky protect us, many times.

Old dog passed when we were remodeling the house. To remodel our house, we had to have an electrician come in and rewire some things and also add some stuff hubby wanted added. The electrician came only a day or two after old dog passed, and Sparky made him know what his new job was. Sparky scared the electrician so much, he asked my husband to put him away. Us, have to put away Sparky, the dork?? It was weird, but we did...

Sparky will protect like no other. Now, if someone is at the door, he lets us know. He will sit faithfully by the front door to see if someone is invited in. If they are, he is fine. If they are not invited in, he won't let them in. How do I know...they are called Jehovah's Witnesses. And he told them they weren't welcome. But my mom and dad, are. He has his favorite perch at the top of the stairs, where he can watch the ongoings, and protect the kids. If my parents try to go up the stairs with out one of us, he will let them know that they are unwelcome and he is the last line of defense between the kids and whoever is coming. I have the utmost faith if someone did breech the door - he would give me enough time to arm myself...and then let me take care of it.

Yesterday, Sparky and I took advantage of the 50 degree temps and my day off and we went on our normal 2 mile walk. It had been a while since we had gone, and he was very excited to go. The first 1/2 mile was me reminding him of the rules of how we walk together. After that, he was cool. I was be-bopping along to my Bon Jovi when Sparky became alerted. Now since it was a nice day, there were many other people around. He always lets me know if there is someone behind me by doing this turn thing. He didn't turn, though. His hackles went up. I stopped and turned just in time to see a dog charging us. The dog, no bigger than Sparky, was making it known that we were not welcome. Sparky, being my protector, went to stand in front of me. Me, being the pack leader, stood in front of him. When I did that, the other dog stopped. I was able to get close enough to the dog to see that the only collar it was wearing was a rabies tag, no ID tag. I saw the house the dog ran from, and the squealing woman was a good indication that it was her dog.

As I tried to turn to go, I got out of in between Sparky and the other dog...and game on. Sparky stood his ground, and waited. The other dog charged again, and Sparky went for it. He and the other dog were in a brief fight, to which was ended by me yelling 'HEY' and yanking on the leash. Sparky knew to listen to me, and off we went.

We finished our walk with out any other incidents. And when we got home, Sparky got lots of love and affection. I know that this silly dog, who lets the baby pull up on him, and beat on him while he screams 'DOG DOG' will fight to the death for his family. The dog, who lays nose to nose with a 10 year old cat who has nothing better to do than try to find a warm spot to sleep. Our dog, who is our protector, our play mate, and a giver of unconditional love....yup...that is my doggie....

See what happens when I leave them alone??

Ok, we all know boys are good for many things...
They kill the big bugs, the open the hard jars, the stack the firewood, and move the heavy stuff for us...
We know too, the bad things - they sometimes don't aim when they pee or aim when they toss their socks, and usually as grown men, can revert back to toddlerhood mind frame rather rapidly.

With that being said, I have NO IDEA what to think about the following video...
My husband and his beloved firearm, and his son....who thinks his daddy is cool....and for those who want to call the ATF or CPS - they are not real bullets, they are snap caps, empty shells....the only way he could do damage is by poking one in his eye....

I am sooo in for it...

Where is a traveling circus when you need it....

See that cute baby - the one down there \/ - (yea that is my arrow -get over it) - well apparently that little spill he took yesterday opened the trifecta of hell - and the demons and serpents came out and infected him...

Wowsers....
He is worse than a hormonal 15 year old girl - OH WAIT - I have one of those too....
Andrew had a rough day, and all I can think of is the snot, the screaming and the plain fact that he has just been straight up hateful, makes me wonder if he has another ear infection. He started head shaking today - so me thinks he has an ear infection....me thinks too - his dad better handle it - cause I am about to be SOOOO over it.

Pray for my sanity...nuff said....

Yup....we beat him....

Having children means one thing, you are responsible for these little creatures that depend on you for everything.
You are expect to feed, clothe, protect, guide, love, cherish, and enjoy.

So when you walk into Wal-mart with a 13 month old child who is sporting a head wound and a black eye, you get THAT look - and ya'll know what I am talking about - the look of 'How could you - don't you watch your children???'

The real story, as told to me by my husband, is that Andrew got into a fight with the tower for one of the 1,297 computers we own. After fighting with the computer, he face planted on it, causing him to hit the corner with his eye. THEN the head wound came when he fell further and bounced off the chair, not once, but twice. He also caught a finger, but we really don't care about that one...

Since a Wal-Mart trip is in the plans for the weekend, probably WITH the baby - I have concocted the following story....

Andrew was minding his own business when all of a sudden a band of ninja Smurfs repelled from the ceiling, claiming our house as their newest land to set up a safe village. In order for this to happen they had to conquer the child like beast and his K-9 sidekick. After they had successfully tied up the animal ala Gulliver style, they went after the kid. Andrew batted the little blue ninja's until he thought he got every last one of them....THAT is when they sent in the sniper Smurf....Smurfette. She doesn't cary a gun, no...something much more lethal - her high heels. In utter desperation, she tossed the shoe to where the heel smacked Andrew smack dab in the eye lid.
In a blind stupor, Andrew crawls around (cause he isn't walking - and we want to make this believable) swatting at the Smurfs left and right...and that is when another sneak attack happens. Handy Smurf nails Andrew's sleeper to the floor and as Andrew tries to crawl away, he slams his head into the floor....

Yup - that is my story and I am sticking to it..



..Ya know looking at this picture doesn't do it justice...Andrew's eyelid is entirely black now...so tomorrow, we will have to take an updated picture. Be sure to click on the picture and enlarge it...you can see the eye lid one - and his unibrow...but that is a totally different post....

Let's make room....

Let's make some room in this brag bus, shall we???

Yesterday, after a crappy Thursday - which ended on an up note, my husband called me to tell me that he is going to be honored at the next Merit Commission meeting, receiving a Merit Award for some of the heroic acts he has done in the past few months.

I am very happy for my hubbs....he deserves it....now the real magic is how I will juggle my schedule to get to the celebration. It will be worth it!!!

This is me - twittering my song, one more time!!

Hi all you NON-TROLLS!!!

So, I see you made it over...
Let me start by saying a simple thank you for being patient and allowing me to work things out...

And lets start with my biggest and greatest news...

John IV had a consent form sent home today to have our permission to test him for the accelerated program....
Ladies and gents - let me tell you - this is the Little Engine who could....the boy who never should - HAS - and WILL - despite what those PROFESSIONALS predicted. Well two words to you - you.....you....PROFESSIONALS :

WATCH US (ya'll thought I was gonna say screw you - didn't ya?? Trust me - that was my first thought, but we are keeping it positive here!)

Today he was tested in the testing standard used here called Dibels. He said something about setting new records - and how he had to set a record just so he could beat it. Oh - and that he was the only one in the class who got this note (again a 6 year old perspective - so there could have been more!)

To say I am proud is a HUGE understatement...I looked like a puffed robin - feathers all fluffed - head pulled back, twittering my spring song of love.....yup - I am a proud momma bird (but I don't do that nasty regergitation thing - blech)

Ok - on to other things....
Hubbs had his last test for his gall bladder and all is fine...humm....a theory of another doc I have talked to - is that his gall bladder may be on the way out - but is still kinda sorta kicking - enough to get him through.
Today seemed like a good day for him, lets hope for more great days...

Andrew took a few steps, only to throw a fit when we all cheered. Again - his way...I GOT IT already....

Me - again, another golden Monday!! I need to start playing the lottery on Mondays!!! Everything I touch turns to Gold on Monday's!

Can I get a Wa Wa???

Ok - test it out ladies (and maybe gents)

Are the comments working now MJ?

Alright, on to more important things....

Well, lets see, where do we start.

Lets start with the youngest....Andrew. Andrew has thrown this family for a loop. He is the toothless wonder still. At almost 14 months, he is starting to get the desire to walk - but not much. He will stand alone if he does it and doesn't realize it. When we try to practice with him, he will collapse and throw a fit. Again, just the way that he has shown he wants to do things on his own.
The latest news on him - well - he had a yucky YUCKY ear infection on Christmas day. We woke up with him and his fever, thinking for sure it was teeth. It wasn't. I took him in on Friday and lo and behold - his first ear infection, a doozy too. We left with antibotics, and a sigh of relief, that he would feel better soon.
We made it through the weekend with a happy baby returning. Monday, I take him to daycare, go to work, and come back. His daycare lady was all a fluster, telling me to look at this 'thing' on his neck. She said she had just noticed it. I called hubbs to tell him about this huge knot on the side of Andrew's neck. Hubbs said, lets watch it.
I agreed, at least for that night.
On Tuesday I called the doc, she wanted to see us that day. Got Andrew in, and she was just as perplexed. We set up an ultrasound for the next morning to get it looked at.
Let me tell you - holding a 1 year old down for an ultrasound on his neck is like wrestling a drunk cat - it just doesn't work. But they were able to get some good shots - and here is what we know.
Andrew has a congential malformation of his Lymphatic system. We are lucky - if you google it - it can get pretty ugly. Andrew's is isolated, not through his whole system. What he has are called Cystic Hygroma's. He has three cysts where his lympatic system did not connect with the rest of it, thus causing cysts. Short term treatment, we watch. Everytime he gets an infection or a virus they will grow. Long term, they will have to be drained or removed. Did I mention they are on his jugular vein? Yea, like I needed another reason for sleepless nights.

John IV...well - he is keeping on keeping on. He is just an awesome little boy - despite all the odds thrown his way.
He is active in boyscouts, and is proud to have earned his badges so far. He received his report card for the second grading period and he had a perfect report card. We love his first grade teacher and she accepts no excuses when it comes to work. Kindergarten was very touchy feely, First grade - is the 'real world.'
Medically - he has new issues. He is starting down the path with thyroid problems. We will make sure that we test him as much as possible to make sure that we are on top of it. I am so grateful that we have doctor's who are proactive and listen to us!

Me - I have been at my new job for a few months now. I am happy about the change - I hate the fact that I have learning curve and hate the fact that I have failed at sooooo many things so far. BUT - that is all apart of the process. And while I understand it - doesn't mean I have to like it.

Hubbs - he is doing alright. He has started his latest and greatest hobby - sewing. The man never ceases to amaze me.
We are facing some health issues, but I think we have it nailed down. He has one final test to go to on Monday, and hopefully - we will be able to move forward with treatment. I will post more when we know what is going on.

Our holidays weren't with out stress - but it was good to see family. We each got what we wanted (although sleeping in was on my list - maybe next year!!)

Stick with me folks, I feel like I have a lot of recapping to do. I wonder how I will be able to re-cap the past 3 years....the feelings, the trials, the failures, the surviving...but I will manage....

Oh where, oh where did the other blog go???

Well, ladies and gents, if you are reading this you have since found out that apparently I am a pedofile....
Shocked???
Me too.
Here were the events as I think they have unfolded.
I posted a picture of my baby in the sink - naked - all parts covered.
I was sent a email by my old host, to my old email that was unactive and hence I never responded. Since I never responded, and didn't remove my picture of my son, I was SHUT DOWN...nice eh?

I am currently begging for all the old posts as the cover some very deep stuff....pray they show pity and at least send me that. But I am not holding my breath. Thankfully all the videos and pics were on my computer. BUT - the text - isn't....

I will post a family update here soon, but I want to play with the layout and see how things are going to work for me!!!