just to be clear

this is rob, and im overly excited and mighty proud osama bin laden is dead, dead, dead! i am rejoicing and celebrating and am very proud of it!

Many Thoughts...........

I was just going to write about P but I have other things to add as well so it'll be yet another hodge podge of thoughts. First, I'd like to start off with the most philosophical and controversial thought....Osama bin Laden. Rob and I were talking about it a lot last night and again this morning. I have VERY mixed feelings about his death. Since it's Obama in office I'd like to have proof that it really was bin Laden. As Rob pointed out, many will have questions so they're (whoever that may be) is bound to have proof it was him soon enough. I'm also worried about innocent people around the world as al Quida (sp?) retaliates. I think I'm more worried now than I was before. Osama was a smart man and I'm sure he had quite a plan laid out for this kind of situation. He was one man, and yes, he created a lot of heartache. He cruelly took innocent lives and left kids without parents. I am happy that he is no longer a threat. But, it bothers me to see so many people going overboard with celebration. It must be similar to how al Quida celebrated after 9/11, whooping and hollering, celebrating late into the night. The whole thing is just troublesome to me and I've followed a lot of "conversations" on FB, realizing several people have the same thoughts as me.

OK, enough of that because I could probably write several pages on my thoughts if I gave myself that freedom. But, alas, it's time to move on. As I blogged last week, I was struggling to get out of a funk. I think I may have turned the corner for the better yesterday. P and I spent the morning with good friends. We both had a lot of fun hanging out with people our own age. Then I took P home and he hung out with the babysitter while Rob and I golfed. We didn't enjoy the game like we usually do because the golf police were on our tail the entire round but it was nice to spend some time together, enjoying the beautiful weather. By the time P goes to bed at night we're so tired that we just veg. Time with Rob yesterday was just what I wanted and needed. Today it's gorgeous outside. P and I ran errands this morning and then we spent some time outside. After he wakes up from his nap, I'm sure we'll go back outside. Then tonight I'm going to BBQ burgers, cook corn on the cob and have strawberry shortcake for dessert. Spring is in the air!

My last thoughts are on my favorite subject.......our son! He is moving into the Terrible 2s, a phase that can frustrate me and make me laugh, sometimes simultaneously. His latest thing is to feed Ruby whatever he can get his hands on. He grabs something out of the pantry then hides under the dining table. That must be his secret code for her to meet him there because she comes running and hides there with him. The other day he gave her 2, yes 2, boxes of crackers before I could catch them. He just closed his eyes and gave me the cheesiest smile when I went to discipline him. I moved all the snacks to the top shelf of the pantry, or so I thought. When I got out of the shower this morning Ruby was feasting on gourmet entertainment crackers. UGH! Yesterday I was getting P ready for a friend's first communion. I told him that his little girlfriend would be there and she'd probably say, "Ooh baby, you look good." Leave it to P to run to the mirror, look at himself and say, "Ooh baby!". This morning he was singing quite a song. I don't know if he was worried about his singing voice or messing up the words (I had no clue as to what he was singing so he could've said anything) but as soon as he realized I was listening he stopped and got shy. I have honestly loved every phase of his little life. I think, "Oh, this one is my favorite" and then we move into the next one and I think the same thing all over again. He is just so much fun and it amazes us that he is so smart!

So, there you have it....all my thoughts for this sunny afternoon. Please remember that these are MY thoughts so, although I hope you're not offended by my comments on bin Laden, I am free to think as I want to. Enjoy the rest of your day and I hope you're enjoying the same beautiful weather we are here in Nevada!

Funk

I've been in a funk this week. Not sure if it's because all my travels are over and life is back to normal or if the book I'm reading is getting to me or life is just...life. I guess it doesn't matter but it'd be nice to get out of The Funk I'm in. On Tuesday Rob found out he didn't get the management position he interviewed for because of politics in the company. We were both bummed about that. Then he had his court case and won that...something we were excited about. I thought it meant he'd be home this Summer recouping from surgery but he's postponing surgery and will be gone for several months...just like last Summer. Fabulous!

One of my favorite books is "Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day". My mom and I'll call each other once in awhile and say we're moving to Australia. Just like the kid in the book, that means we've had our fill and want to get away from everything. This morning I thought I'd be moving to Australia. Ruby woke P up an hour earlier than usual. Then when I went to get him out of his crib he had filled his diaper...then proceeded to put BOTH hands down his diaper. To say it was a mess is an understatement. From there it was just downhill! P screamed from the time he finished breakfast until the moment we got in the car because Ruby was bugging him. Then he clung to me and started screaming again once I took him to school. I almost got rear-ended on my way to school (It was within inches I'm sure) and I was running late as it was. By the time I got to school I was spent. BUT, once I got to the comfort of my classroom the day got much better. The kids appeared, we had fun working on projects and the rest, as they say, is history! Hopefully tomorrow will be the "magic day" to get me out of The Funk and life will be a bed of roses once again.

On Top of It

This past month has been fun but I sure am paying the price for it. I like to think of myself as an organized person, on top of it, but lately I can't seem to get it together. It started last week when I donated a dozen eggs to P's egg hunt. I was proud of myself for remembering. It didn't dawn on me until this weekend that I never hard boiled the eggs! I can only imagine what his teachers think of me. The worst thing I forgot to do was renew my teaching credential after getting a notice about it back in February. Actually I didn't forget. I had taken the test and thought I had mailed in the renewal application. So I was quite surprised when my principal called me into her office on Friday to explain I was teaching with an expired license. I thought it was an oversight on HR's part but, alas, it was an oversight on my end. I rectified the problem today...or so I hope. To top it off, the house has been in constant disarray and other things have slipped by me this month. Birthdays, Easter cards and an Easter basket for Rob. Now that I'm back to work I hope I can get back on my game with being organized because I can't keep going on like this. Sigh.......

Happy Easter!

Today is a day to celebrate that Jesus is risen! He died for my sins, something I don't take for granted. But growing up, my parents also made it such a fun filled family day. We dyed eggs, did an egg hunt and had huge Easter baskets. Then we'd have a nice family dinner after church. These are traditions that have been important to me, something I'd like to carry on with our children. So far we're doing good on keeping up the traditions. P participated in 3, yes 3, egg hunts. We also dyed eggs when we were in MS. Today the Easter bunny brought him a small basket with a fire truck and lots of treat filled eggs. After a big breakfast, we went to church as a family. The service was beautiful and I'm so glad we were able to go as a family. Once we got home the boys took naps and I read then we enjoyed a big ham dinner. Although the wind was blowing, we went outside for a couple hours. P and I dug up weeds and Rob practiced his golf swing. When the neighbor kids came out P was invited to jump on their trampoline, which he loved! Despite a few glitches, all in all, it's been a really good day!

Saturated Saturday

Although it's been gloomy outside, it's been a rather fun family day! We started the morning with a big family breakfast (the breakfast was big, not the family). Then we bundled up and went down the hill in search of an Easter egg hunt. We found one- all the way across town! Since I am not a pro Easter Egg Hunter anymore, I am naive as to what constitutes a good one. But, I figure if P is happy and ends with a lot of eggs in his basket, then it's good. So, as far as I'm concerned, it was a really good egg hunt. The Easter bunny came in on a firetruck and after the hunt we got to visit animals that were on the property. Once we got home P napped and I went back down the hill to run errands and get a pedi. It's been a couple months since I've splurged on a pedi and, being a pro on pedis, I have to say it was one of the worst ones I've had. The leg massage hurt even though I asked the guy to lay off a bit and the foot water was cold. The nail polish wasn't applied evenly so it looks funky. But my feet are smoother and that's what matters. When I got home, Rob left to go play a round of golf. He's getting better and better every time, making me not want to play golf with him anymore.(HA!) I've decided to boycott this rainy/snowy weather, so once he got home we BBQ'd shish kabobs and had a summer type feast! Rob gave P a bath and I helped the Easter bunny in getting his basket ready for tomorrow.


I can't figure out where to put this part in so it's its own post within this blog. Last year we decided to try our best to give P a sibling. Unfortunately, we have yet to accomplish our goal. However, I realized today, that if we can't make it happen then Ruby makes a good sibling. P and Ruby love and fight just like siblings. They frequently play together and get into trouble together. But they also get on each other's nerves. Every time P has had a snack in his hands today, Ruby has tried to snatch it. A couple times she's been successful and P's run to me, crying. He's mastered, "No No Doggy!" so I've heard that phrase more times than I can count today! So, as much as I'd like to be blessed with a 2nd child, if it's not meant to be then P already has a 4 legged sister that's about his age, one that will continue to keep him company and us entertained.

The Sultry South

Boy, this has been a busy month! With 3 weeks off I thought I'd have plenty of time to get a lot of house projects done.....WRONG! But, I wouldn't have it any other way. I got to travel quite a bit and spend time with people I don't see too often. I ended my time off with a long weekend trip to see family in MS. Just between you and me, I was dreading it because of the humidity and warm weather "wildlife". However, it was hands down the best trip I've ever taken there! We got there last Thursday and, of course, it wouldn't be a trip to MS without a few minutes in the closet, "hiding" from a possible tornado. Other than that, the weather was perfect! It was nice being able to go for a run in the morning and sit on the porch at night.

We packed A LOT into the trip, which is my idea of a great vacation. We started out by going to Mudbugs for crawfish. Let me rephrase that. The guys ate crawfish. I ate a grilled cheese sandwich. After the multiple tornado watches, we went golfing with some of Rob's friends on Friday evening. Then we topped off the night with a houseful of friends over for dinner.
Saturday we got up, left P with Mom and Dad Herrington and took off kayaking. I have to admit that I was nervous about rafting due to water snakes. I was worried that I'd fall out of my kayak and have to wrestle a water moccasin. It didn't help that the water was up 8 inches due to Friday's storms. However, my fears quickly disappeared when we passed a sign that said Okatoma CREEK. I figured I could stay in my kayak on a creek, which I did with no problem. It was a fun day, but I ended up getting a SEVERE sunburn on my legs despite putting 50spf on twice. (I'm still burned a week later!). Sunday Rob, Jay and I got up before the sun to make a day trip to Talladega. I was more excited about people watching and the whole "event" more than the race. I was disappointed with that part of Dega but the race itself was like no other. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to go back to that track for another nail biter race!
While we were at Dega Mom and Dad Herrington spoiled P. They took him to pizza, to the zoo and topped it off with Dairy Queen. I doubt he missed us but we sure missed him, after being gone from him for almost 2 days. Monday we decided to stick close to home so we could enjoy family time. We tried to help around the house and then went to visit Dad at work.
Mom and Rob were able to enjoy an afternoon of golf while I hung out with P. That evening P got to enjoy a VIP egg hunt. All the eggs were just for him so he had no competition and he was thrilled to discover that each egg was filled with a toy car!
Monday night I talked Rob and Jay into taking me gator hunting. I was more than a little nervous at first but Rob kept reassuring me that he wouldn't do anything that would harm me. I finally relaxed, more because we never caught a gator than because of Rob's words of comfort. Tuesday we packed up, but weren't ready to say our goodbyes. We had had such a fun trip that we wanted to stay longer. I have wondered on several occasions why anyone would want to live in MS, but this time I finally understood the reasons.
I got to see different parts of MS and realized that, other than the brown water, it is beautiful. But, I digress. We said our goodbyes and boarded the plane to come back home.

Little did we realize that we were about to be on a travel nightmare. We were in the air when the pilot came on the speaker to inform us we'd be diverting because of storms in Dallas. We were taken to what I'm sure is the smallest airport in the US, as were several other planes. We then had to sit there for a few hours, uncertain as to our final destination. Thank goodness for FB and thoughtful friends we were able to get a last minute flight back to MS since our flight to Reno had been cancelled. So, long story short, we got to spend another night and day in MS. We flew out Wednesday, and after a delay and luggage issues, we got home. Rob and I both had to work yesterday and we were BEYOND exhausted by the time we crawled into bed last night. Other than our flight we had the perfect vacation, a wonderful way to end a great 3 weeks off.