Where to Start??

Well, it has been an extremely busy and fast paced summer so far. Sydnie and Dylan played soft/baseball this summer. So that meant a ballgame 4 nights a week. They both did great. Dylan's team finished last night taking first place in the tournament. I am glad to have it over for another year.

We went on vacation back in June. We left on the 18th and returned on the 27. We had a great time while gone. The ride out to Virginia was definitely not one we want to experience again. Madison was on an antibiotic for strep throat and wouldn't you know it the day we left, Syd and Xavier, fevers and sore throat. So needless to say it was a very long trip. We ended up staying over night in Ill. Our plan was to drive straight through, but Xavier was not eating, drinking or sleeping so we stopped for about 5 hours of rest. Then back on the road. We arrived at my aunt's house about 10 o'clock the following night. The mountains we drove through we awesome. While there we visited the National Aquarium in Baltimore, went into DC and saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House, Capital building, the Pentagon and 9-11 memorial. We went to the air and space museum, and the National Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We rode the Metro into DC and yes we were on it the day of the crash. However not on that train thank goodness. We did however have to ride the red line the following day to the Cathedral. We had a great time while we were there. And the ride home was much better with healthy children. We drove straight through and it took about 21 hours. We arrived home on Sat the 27 about 6:30 am. That night we went down to Havensville to their 4th of July celebration and the kids loved it.

Also on July 11 we had our annual 4th of July party. It is put on by the business as an appreciation for all our friends, family, contractors, and sales reps. It is a good time to be had by all. We had a great day for it and had a great turn out. And I must say the fireworks were the best show yet.

I am still working 3 days a week and have a nanny coming. Her last week is next week and I am not looking forward to that yet. I am enjoying my time out and having some adult conversation. The kids are loving her being here and enjoying summer.

Mr Xavier has turned one. Yesterday was his big day. We are celebrating his birthday on Saturday. So what is he up to these days? Well, he is crawling like a maniac, which he has been doing for quite some time. He is taking a few tiny baby steps, but has no real interest in walking. He will go from a sitting position to a standing position without help. He has 7 teeth currently and has another in the works. He is eating table food and loving it. He is on whole milk and drinking it from a sippy cup. He had tubes in his ears in June and they really have seemed to help him. He is trying very hard to talk, but at this time, mama, Dada, and no no are about all we understand. He waves goodbye. He loves to give out kisses and hugs. He still is very attached to his blankie, but is doing very well with leaving his Binky in his bed and only having it at bedtime. So now you are caught up on where he is at at1 year.

I do have so many pictures to post but tonight is not the right time to download them and put them up, so I will try to get to that tomorrow if you can handle the anticipation of some very cute kids. haha

Happy Birthday to My Big Guy!!

WOW, where in the world has the last year gone? I cannot believe that one year ago today we were celebrating Xavier's birth. And what a year it has been for him. There is so much I have to tell you about what he is now doing (beings I have neglected the blog for awhile). And I do promise to do so tomorrow. I will make time to fill you in on what we have been doing. I just wanted to be sure and give a shout out to the world to let them know that my baby is turning one today.

We just got home from Dylan's Peewee baseball tournament championship game and Corning took first place. Way to go team. More tomorrow, I promise.

Real Quick

Just wanted to let everyone know we are going in in the morning to have tubes put in Xavier's ears. He just continues to have problems with ear infections and fluid. And last week he failed his hearing test. So even though it is a minor surgery, please keep him in your prayers in the morning. And that he will have no complications with the anesthesia.

I will try to do a more thorough post tomorrow to update everyone on what is going on in our world.

Good Night!

I Need a Nanny!!

First of all, before I even start this I want all of you to know that this sounds like complaining, but it is actually venting. It is just something I am going to have to get off my chest before I drive myself crazy. So here it goes, are you ready for this?

I know there are plenty of mothers out there that go to work every day and would love to have my stay at home job. And yes there are days when I am so glad that I don't have to get up early and get ready to go to work. However, more and more, I am wishing that I had a job, outside of the house, at least something part time. I never, and I mean never, have anytime to myself. When I go to the bathroom, I ususally have someone following me. When I take a shower, Xavier is usually on the floor watching me, more so that I know where he is and what he is doing. I just wish for one morning, I could just worry about me. And I am not wanting that to sound selfish, for I love my children and I am so blessed that God chose me to be their mother, but more for the fact of my husband. Michael gets up at 5:30 in the morning with no care in the world other than what he needs for the day. He eats his breakfast in peace and quiet, and then heads off to get ready for work. He has no idea who doesn't want to get up in the morning and get ready for school because they didn't go to bed on time the night before. He doesn't have to listen to the bickering in the morning because the kids are tired (still from not getting to bed on time the night before((I'll get to that in a minute)). He doesn't care, at all, what clothes is or isn't clean for the kids for school. He doesn't have to ramble on every morning about what there is for breakfast food, so that each one is satisfied and goes to school with a full tummy. He doesn't even ask to see there school work, or ask to see their book bags, in which I have to sign Dylan's planner each night. Then as they are finally off on the bus, he does not have the monotony of doing the same ol' housework every day. I never feel like I have accomplished anything, because what I do today is still there tomorrow. At least on his job, he might do the same thing (wire a house) but at least he has the sense of accomplishment, as he moves on to a different house. I never feel that. Then while the dishwasher is running, or the washing machine is washing, and I have finished vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning toilets, I still have payroll to do. Or the book work that is piling up (haven't entered any receipts since the first of the year, and I am going to start to catch up on them before I fall even farther behind), or the statements he brought me late last night then need sent out so that we get paid. Or the contractor that owes us thousands, and has not paid since Jan, so I have to make that phone call to the attorney and send him the paperwork so that we can eventually get our money. Oh hang on, the washer just completed, let me go hang out those clothes. Wow, the grass really grew up over night, I will have to get it mowed that afternoon. Now back to the bookwork, let's see dang it, I forgot to pay bills, better get that done. While I'm on the computer, I think I will check the kids grades. Incomplete, what, how did that happen, I will have to remember to ask about that when the kids get home. Now where was I, oh yes, paying those bills. Hmmm, what should we have for dinner tonight, something that everyone will like, and have no complaints. Xavier, did you dirty your diaper? Whew, that was a stinker, off to the garage trash. Oh trash, another thing, better get it ready to go out tomorrow morning. Where is all the time going, time to get lunch for Xavier and watch for Sydnie's bus. Now to make lunch for Syd and get X down for a nap. Still need to get those statements done and finish those bills. Well, now that Xavier is down for his nap, I had better go get the lawnmower greased up and get started on that grass. While mowing I notice that the flowers, trees, and garden are in need of water. Mow around the garden and get the hose going on it. Sydnie comes out of the house with the phone, take the phone call, have to quit and look something up for Michael on the computer, now back to the mowing. Well, now that my afternoon is shot, and the kids will be home soon, Xavier is up and oh yeah, I still haven't laid any meat out of the freezer for dinner tonight. What should we have? Now does anyone have any homework that needs done? Run someone to ball practice. Still mowing the yard. Get Xavier fed dinner and get dinner on for the rest of us. Finish that load of laundry in the washer, and get dinner on the table. Now off to get the little ones in the tub for their bath, read a story (maybe if we get time) and ready for bed. Still have those bids to get in the computer that Michael is working on while I give the kids baths, only to come out and find him playing Mafia Wars on the laptop (a facebook thing). Wow really, he was at work all day, came home and got to ride out to the pasture and count cows, to come home and play on the computer instead of having the print ready so that I am not working on bids at 10:00. Hmmm, did he even think once about the kids, or I , or what needed done around the house today? NOO!! All the mean while, I still am getting the older kids ready for bed. Sent them off to their rooms only 20 minutes behind, bedtime is 8:30 not 9:00. While I am now rocking and feeding X, I hear them goofing off downstairs, really, Michael, can you go and tell the kids they need to get to sleep. Put Xavier to bed, finish the laundry and cleaning up after dinner as I haven't done that yet. Now are you ready to work on bids? Do the bids and by now I am exhausted, so I am going to bed, guess I will work on the statements and bookwork tomorrow. But will I accomplish any thing tomorrow?? We'll see!!

So now let me explain a little. Michael used to be such a big help to me. He ALWAYS gave the evening baths. I at least used to get 5 or 10 minutes to myself in the evenings. Now, never. He rarely, but sometimes, give the kids their baths. He is soo, soo, addicted to crap on facebook, Mafia Wars, and Texas Hold 'Em. And yes I do play Texas Hold 'Em as well, usually when the kids are tucked into bed, and I am tuckered out for the night. Not when they are still up and need to get things done and off to bed. It seems like the more I do, the more I am just expected to do. I would just love to be able to not worry about what needs done, or who has what going on tomorrow after school, or what to cook for dinner, or WHATEVER, for just once. Sometimes I even feel like he is a kid. I have asked him several times to clean up a cooler that he used for some beverages when they built fence. It was in the garage, and he managed to get the water and cans out of it and then put it in the hall bath to wash up. I eventually, after asking several times for him to clean it up, moved it to the front door step to get it out of my way in the bathroom. Now I have again asked him to get it cleaned up and put away and it still sits on the front door step. This bothers me most because if that were the kids, it would have been thrown away long ago. They don't get that many chances. I just get tired of nagging, but if he would just do it I wouldn't have to. And I am NOT doing it. That is what I am talking about the more I do for him, the more he expects, and the less he does. I am not wonder women. I would like to think that I am, however, I am not. Okay, this is a lot longer than I had hoped, but maybe I feel a little better to get that off my chest. I do love to be at home most of the time, but sometimes, I think if I had to work outside of the house, I would get a lot more help here at the house. So this is just venting, something to get it off my chest, I am trying not to complain, as I know it could be a lot worse.

Now on to the kids. Sydnie has only 2 days of school left, then off to Kindergarten in the fall. WOW! And the other kids have 5 1/2 days left. I cannot believe it is almost summer. We have been working hard on getting the pool put in the back yard, it will be so nice. Xavier is crawling and climbing and trying hard to stand up on his own. He is loving the ability to be outside. He is fascinated by the cows. He still has only 4 teeth, but is really loving the finger foods he is able to eat. I am going to try and post some photos and maybe a video later, probably tomorrow. For today, it is off to get the statements out in the mail, and then mow this afternoon, hopefully. Hope you all have a great day.

Where Did We Go Wrong?

You know, I have been recapping the whole illness thing we have going on. As many of you know, Xavier was in the hospital overnight last Saturday/Sunday. And Syd, Monday and Tuesday. They mainly were hospitalized for dehydration secondary to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. As it goes, Xavier had the diarrhea since Monday of last week and intermittent vomiting. I took him to the Dr on Wednesday, and we thought it would pass but did do some lap tests on him. Turns our he had rota virus. No big deal, a normal childhood disease, which most children have had by age 5. Usually the most critical in children under the age of 2. And usually mild symptoms in older children and adults. Well, Sunday morning Michael called me at the hospital and wanted to know when I would be home for shift change. WHAT? He said he was up all night with Syd. She continued to not be able to keep anything down until Monday so I then took her to the dr. We assumed she just had a good case of the stomach flu. Really no diarrhea, just vomiting and nausea. We came home on Tuesday afternoon, and she has had the "squirts" since. So I kept her home from school again today. Michael was also sick on Tuesday and yet today is not feeling the best yet.

So now on to what I was thinking. My kids have never really been in daycare, and have been extremely healthy kids for the most part. And I was thinking back to last summer when Syd was sick with the Crypto. Where did she get that? It is usually caught from a public water source, like pools. We hadn't even been to a public pool when she got it. And not only had we not been to a public pool, we hadn't been a pool at all. She was down for a good 2 weeks with that, and to this day thinks she is a vegetarian because of it. She hasn't really eaten meat very well since.

Syd had the flu in November right around Thanksgiving. She was sick and it lasted only about a day, but came back about a week later. That was when she was vomiting so often that she got so worn out we had to take her to the dr. Maddy then had the flu in Jan.

Then Syd's asthma got really out of control in February. We had it so well controlled for 2-3 years now. What happened? She ended up in the hospital twice with that episode.

Then back in Feb./March I got pneumonia and mono. All at the same time and ended up with a pleural effusion.

And now this? What is going on? Why are we getting all these illnesses? I am not complaining. I do know that it could be a lot worse. But it just seems odd. Up until the last year, we had a few minor illnesses, colds, and 24 hour flu bugs here and there, but nothing like this.

So enough about that, I am just hoping for a good healthy summer, if it ever gets here. It is raining again today. We are so wet right now. I got most of the yard mowed yesterday in between showers. Our garden is mostly under water. We really need the sun to shine for a while to dry us out a little. We will probably be begging for rain in July. A quick story about Syd this morning. I was singing "Rain, rain, go away". And looked out and said "my, it's pouring" and Syd looked at me and said, "God is spitting on us!" Ha ha. "Mama, why is God spitting on us?" And I told her he must not have liked something that we did, but explained that we should not spit on people, even if they did something we didn't like. And she said, "Probably he doesn't like us, he likes the people in China."? What? Where did that come from? I just laughed and let it go.

Not much else going on. We have our soccer tournament this weekend. And Dylan and Syd start base/softball the end of May. Practices have already started. Won't be long and summer break will be here. Syd gets to go to Kindergarten all day tomorrow and next Friday. It is transition for next year, so they know what to expect.

I still have pictures I want to post, but am posting this from the laptop and the pictures are on my pc, so I will try to get to that later. Right now I better get back to my cleaning. Seems as though I am a couple weeks behind, and with all the illness, have tons of laundry. I also have been trying to sanitize and disinfect everything in hopes the rest of us will stay well.

Happy Birthday Deagan Michael Ronnebaum

Well today was the big day. My little nephew made his arrival into the world around 11:30 this morning. He weighed 8# 1oz. and was 19" long. Both mom and babe are doing great. When I ask Derek, the now big brother, were he was going to live and I ask if he could stay at my house, I was told it was his baby and going to HIS house. haha He is too cute, Derek that is. And Deagan is not to shabby himself. They are such a cute family, full of D boyz. Love you Kara and congrats on the new little guy.