THE VIERA ESCAPADE

Crazy kid

2011-02-01T15:14:00.000-06:00

Leave me comments.....

2011-01-31T15:03:00.002-06:00

I would love to know if anyone is out there and reading, so please leave a comment. Even if I don't know you feel free to comment.

J

2011-01-31T14:58:00.000-06:00

Hey there. Just getting settled into the new job, been here about 3.5 months now. Great chance, in a great company, just a little nervous I bite off more than I can chew sometimes. Been home for a couple of weeks and may go to Houston next week for 2-3 days so no major travel planned. We'll see once the Avenal CA. job gets going towards completion just how much I'm gone. I did tell them honestly when I interviewed that anything over two weeks travel is too long. Hopefully it would be me going back and forth, or the Family coming out to visit for a while, but you never know till it happens and not knowing is what scares me the most. I love my Family and I know this job will let me provide for them better than I have in the past, I just would hate to strain my relationships for money.

Andrea's back on her "drugs" now after the pregnancy and feedings, very hard for her to stop feeding before the 12 months she did with the others but with a changed life, come sacrifices. And what a joy this little "sacrifice" is! Anna's almost 9 months and growing every day.

All getting excited to head to Florida again this year, no Disney, but Sea World and the beach. Flights, Hotel, Condo, and Car are all booked. Just need to decide if we are going to do a special tour at Sea World or not, I think Yes.

TATA for now.

PS. My goal is to add a picture 'O the day, we'll see how I do.

Loves,
J

Update...

2011-01-13T16:04:00.000-06:00

Hey there! Well alot has happened. We had little Anna as I said before, I got a new job, and our little family is growing up!

With this new job I've been traveling alot. I guess alot is kind of an understatement, but Andrea and I knew it would be when we took the leap. We have a fundraiser tonight for ALS and uncle Dale (RIP). So hopefully more to come. GOD BLESS!

Jay

Well, well....

2011-01-12T13:58:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time. So long infact there is a new Viera in the mix. We added Anna Renee on May 3rd 2010.

Hello again....

2010-03-18T21:34:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone, just getting back into the swing of things after an awesome Family vaca. We all had a blast at Disney and then on Longboat Key. Unfortunately vacations can't last forever. We had some really nice weather except for two days, one was windy and the next was rainy, but you gotta shop at some point right? Andrea is doing great with this pregnancy(again). She's like super mom or something. I'm starting to freak a little thinking there's another child on the way, nothing major just typical Dad shit. Andrea is still doing super well and really showing MS, and all of us, who's boss around here. Now I get to show you the fun I had on vacation, aside from doing Disney like the rockstar fam we are, and then chillin on the beach, I got to drive one of the very rare and exotic rides that Italy hand produces every year. Some of you won't give a damn and you can close your browser now, but for those that are interested I will add some pictures.

This is a 2010 Ferrari California. It is #3 in America and had 504 miles. Four hundred and fifty some horsepower and coming in at almost $250,000, it is one of the best cars I have had the pleasure of driving. The sound is amazing, the ride is indescribable, and it was a blast to drive.

TATA for now,

Love J

Pictures....

2010-03-09T08:29:00.005-06:00

Here we go, finally got pictures to load....

this one was a challenge, Emma was not having any part of the step sisters and step Mother, but in the end Annastacia(?) the one in pink had a talk with Em and got her to come around.

Tinker Bell,

Mickey and Minnie,

Peter Pan,

This is the view of Cinderella's castle from ur room.

Magical!

2010-03-08T14:57:00.003-06:00

Hey just got done at the Magic Kingdom for the weekend. Had a blast, the kids were blown away. Anyone that said Madz was to young was dead wrong. We had an amazing room at The Contemporary resort, the closest to the park as you can get. Fantastic room and incredible service. Now were down on the beach in a 2 bedroom 2 bath cottage till Sunday, time to relax and unwind from the chaos of the Kingdom. Sorry can"t upload pictures, they will come later.

2010-02-26T21:19:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone. Lots of prep to get the heck outta town, I for one am in desperate need of a break, getting very burned out at work. We got to go out to dinner tonight and the girls were pretty darn well behaved. Hopefully good practice for Florida. Well not much to say with out sounding like I'm whining. We just all need a break from the day to day. Here's some pics from dinner, Emma has "Ted-E-Bear" a bear from school that comes home and does adventures with the fam and then we add pictures and a little story in his diary. TATA for now...........

Love J

we're baaaccckk!

2010-02-23T20:49:00.004-06:00

Hey everyone Jay here. Not sure if anyone actually looks at this any more but here we are. Got a great start to the new year. We are all real excited to get on our way for the Family follies of our annual Florida trip. We are going to do Disney again this year and the kids are beside themselves. We have an awesome room rented for disney and a great little cottage on the beach for the following week on Longboat Key. I for one can not wait to get outta here. The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. Emma is back in gymnastics nd loving school and all her friends. Maddie is also doing gymnastics in a class I do with her, I don't know if she has more fun than I do! Andrea is VERY prego and seems to be having another great prego experience, she's so tough she won't complain anyhow.(gotta love strong minded women) I am still installing and fixing carwash equipment and loving it, just in desperate need of a vacation. Much love to all our supporters and family and friends. Andrea is doing a bang up job of showing MS just who the fuck is boss. Again gotta love a strong women, and god do I! She started a group for "young moms with MS" aka: lets get the hell away from husbands and loud kids for awhile. Her and a buddy, Jen, started and they both need and deserve breaks. Hope everyone is well, and hey if you read this do me a favor and click the comments at the end and just let us know your still there. LOVE, PEACE, AND GOD BLESS!

2009-11-23T22:07:00.003-06:00

Hi! It is me, Andrea. Remember me? Wow, it has been a while. It seems like we have been busy - doing nothing in particular - so when it is time for bed, I don't have the desire to type. Also, I KNOW that I have some photos that I was going to post here. But, because I am playing "musical cameras" lately in trying to have a camera around that works, I cannot find which SD card they are on. I may have to wait a day to post them.

Anyway, here I am! Things as a whole are good. I feel great, Jay has been traveling a lot and that isn't so great, on the other hand the weather has been pretty tolerable!

Last week Monday,I met my "MS friend" Jennifer (I hate having to define her as that, but it is easier to keep her straight like that) and a man named Jeff who works for the MS Society of MN for dinner. Jennifer and I had an idea of starting a "support group" - not really in the traditional sense, more of a social get together - for women with young kids. Jeff really loved the idea because there are not any other gatherings like that and he has been packed with questions lately from women who fit that criteria. So Jennifer and I are putting a group toghether that will meet once per month and develope a community of people who have so much more on their mind then the MS.

The big highlight of the week was on Wednesday. A huge day for Emma. Grandpa Al picked her up and drove her to school, then participated in class as the "Mystery Reader". He sat with the kids ad read a book to them and spent time with Emma in class. She thought that was the coolest and she was so excited that her friends were just as thrilled as she was to have her grandpa there. So much fun!

After school, the girls and I packed up and drove to Eau Claire to visit Jay where he was working all week long (and the week before and most of this week). Emma was amazed to drive to a new state, "It looks like MN!" and "I can't beleive that they have grocery stores here". I suppose an 1hr 45 min drive seems like a lifetime away for little kids. We hung out in the hotel, which in and of itself was a thrill, we went to dinner as a family and went swimming. Madeline, the little fish, was hard to keep out of the pool.

The next morning, Jay had to get up to work. The girls and I indulged in a wonderful continential breakfast, then spent more time in the pool and went back to the room and took a hot shower. The girls took full advantage of the ability to take a shower as long as they wanted. I suspect that Emma was in there for a little more then 45 minutes - that's my girl! We met Jay for lunch then headed back home.

Jay came home Friday afternoon and we spent a nice weekend together. Nothing exciting, just time together. Thankfully, evening though work still calls in Eau Claire, Jay vowed to us (and just as much to himself) that he was driving to and from Eau Claire every evening.

Oh yeah, my friend Jennifer forwarded this link to an intriguing story that was done about an upcoming investigational procedure for MS. Who knows where it will lead, but at least someone is working on it! Hopefully this link works! http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/W5_liberation_091121/20091121?s_name=W5

Count down to turkey day!!

2009-11-15T21:44:00.003-06:00

Yeah! We got two full days of Jay to ourselves! These weekends prove to be nice when he has been gone all or a good part of the week.

Friday was a pretty lazy night. Jay must have worked hard during the week because he was dozing off on the couch around 7:30 and it was still hard for him to get out of bed the next morning when th kids woke him up around 8. Glad he was able to get rest in his own bed.

We ran some errands, found Grandpa Don a nice shirt as a birthday gift and had a nice lunch out. The girls turned into spunky little things and made the shirt buying process much longer then it needed to be. But, it was nice spending time together.

That evening we went to grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's house for a birthday party for Don. Had some yummy tacos and hung out. Toward the end of the evening, after a brownie and cake and ice cream (far more sweets then the girls ever, ever get) Madeline started acting a little sick. S we packed up and headed home. Half way home I head the tell tale signs of poor Madz puking in the back of the car. Jay jumped back there and had to strip out of his sweatshirt and then T shirt to catch the flying debris. We had it home, popped her in the bath and cleaned up a bit. After that puking Madz seemed to feel just fine and slept though the night.

Even through they did't end up going to bed until 11:30, they still managed to be up at 7. Amazing how that happens when you are a kid. Threw them in bed to watch some cartoons. Madeline lasts but only a few minutes doing that so then we were up playing and trying to catch a mouse that was running around - thankfully our cat is pretty good at doing that. I generally just catch them and go put them outside.

We got to church early to meet with the membershi coordinater. Amazingly I have been going to this church for about 20+ years and Jay for the last 15 years, we have never been officially "members". They consider me one since I was confirmed there and the girls are because they were baptised there. So we made it official this morning. Jay was moved when Pastor Dave put his hand on him during a special prayer.

Lunch, play, naps. While the girls were napping I ran to Target to get a gift for a baby shower, then off to the shower while the brood was still resting. Had a nice time at the baby shower and I think that Jay was happy I was home. I think that because I do not leave them very often they freak out when I am not around, even if it is Jay there with them.

We hung out as lazy people the rest of the night. The girls were still in their spunky moods and Emma was finding everything under the sun to complain about and it is wearing on my nerves. Glad it is bedtime for them and me. Jay leaves again for WI tomorrow. But, the girls and I will be leavning on Wed for a short roadtrip to meet him! They are so excited!

2009-11-12T22:08:00.002-06:00

Wow, it has been a long time. And this is going to be pretty short and sweet. Jay is out of town for the most of this week and all of next. So it is all girls all the time at the Viera household.

Jay did have last Monday off because he worked last weekend. It was a beautiful day! Jay hung lights in the trees and Madeline strutted around in her cowgirl boots and hockey helmet. After Emma was done with school we met with her teacher for conferences. Emma is doing terrific in school! Her teacher said that she is one of the best readers in class. She is so studious and very smart. She hasn't seen a child so into books and comprehending in a long time. Thankfully she also has a lot of friends and people gravitate toward her. She has one little boy friend and one little girl friend who she really pals around with. I am so happy to hear that she is doing so well. It is a good start to a school career and it shows that I am not really just being a mom when I tell someone that she is really smart. No, really my kid is!!

The girls finished up their last gymnastics classes this week and I am hoping to get them signed up again. But, with Christmas approaching and 20+ people on the list to buy for, the kiddos may have to wait until after the holidays.

I feel like we have been running around like crazy ladies lately. Last night we took care of my friends 3 boys while she worked. Let me tell you, if you think you know little boys, you know NOTHING until you have seen these three boys. I love them dearly and I love my friend to death and will do anything for her, but holy cow, it is exhausting!!! But, we got through it and she was very thankful.

We had some other friends over today and another playdate with a little friend here tomorrow. I am ready for the weekend, but we have much to do. At least Jay will be home!

2009-11-03T21:40:00.002-06:00

Yesterday Emma had school. Madeline and I got quite a bit of running around done during that time since I had forgotten (i.e. don't know how) to change the time on my watch I was an hour off. Got a workout done and all sorts of other things. We a day of introspect and thought.

I had a meeting for an early childhood advisory board that I was on. Thankfully they provided very well trusted care for the girls since Jay was out of town. The meeting was an eye opener as to how tings change when there is a change in administration and vision. It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the future. By the time we got home it was bed time. We tried to call Jay to say good night, but he didn't answer his phone.

Today the girls were less then cooperative in getting things done so that we could get out the door. We were able to talk to Jay this morning. And finally made it to the gym for a whole 15 minutes of a treadmill workout. Then on to Madeline's class for some fun and songs.

We had to hurry home to make sure that we took naps on time since Emma had gymnastics tonight. Finding sometimes deep thoughts are most destructive and eye opening.

So happy to say that Emma was well behaved and a good listener for class tonight. The teacher even gave the kids their paperwork as far as which class they could go into next. Emma was given the go ahead into the next class up!

We hustled home to meet my friend for a little pizza dinner and chatting about an upcoming meeting on Friday. We got some things done, but as it goes when the girls are around, there was much more attention paid to them then on the task at hand. That is ok, we got through it and got a little bit done. I need to finish u on some things before Friday.

Jay made it home part way through dinner. That was nice that he was only gone for 1+ days. He did run in the door then out again to help our friend look at her sump pump that was flooding her basement. I know that she was more then thankful for his help.

God the girls to bed, Jay is already in bed, now I need to get there. Oh yeah, I had another digital death in the family. My digital camera crapped out on me. This was a great camera that my dad gave to me. It was working so, so well. Suddenly it didn't want to work. Ugh, I do not have the magic touch with cameras. So I apologize for the lack of photos.

2009-11-01T21:56:00.003-06:00

We made it through the week with Jay in WI. It actually went pretty quickly. Between gymnastics, Emma's field trip with Grandma Kim, and school we were never bored. I tried, and succeeded to change the girls schedule earlier in the week to the new time change so that we wouldn't be stuck with crazy kids for the week. It seems to have worked out today!

It was grea to have Jay home this weekend. On Friday we went to Grandma Kim's and Grandpa Don's to carve pumpkins. The first year the girls, in particular Emma, was able to really do the drawing and carving themselves. Amazingly Emma actually did the guts too!

Saturday we had a fun little Halloween party to go to, then rested up for a nice night of trick or treating. The weather was cool, but the wind was gone so not too bad. It is so cute because all of the neighbors when they answer the door always tell the girls "we have been waiting for you". There are not many kids in the neighborhood so they make out pretty well. A couple of houses even said that they were waiting for the girls to come then they could go out for the evening. Then spent a little time at the neighbors and made it home when the girls started to lose control due to a sugar high.

This morning was church then we went to lunch with some friends. It was a great time! We laughted and laughed. The girls were even midly well behaved and ate and entertained themselves so we could kind of enjoy our own time.

This evening was a relaxing one. Trying to spend time with Jay before he heads off to WI again for a part of the week (we are not sure how long he will be gone for). I need to give all of my Dr's a call to check on the pain I have in my back. I think I did something to a muscle, but just need to make sure that it isn't some sort of MS thing.

2009-10-27T22:06:00.003-05:00

Jay is out of town for the rest of the week in lovely LaCrosse, WI. Thankfully he hasn't been gone mush oer the past few months. But, even though he was gone for the 6 weeks straight at the beginning of the summer, Madeline has forgotten all about that. Today she asked about a dozen times "Daddy going to be home after nap", "Daddy coming home tonight?" Poor little thing can't understand that he will be coming home, just in a few days.

Took Emma to gymnastics tonight equipped with an apology letter to her coach for "not listening" last week and a stern discussion about listening and keeping her hands to herself. She is 100% better then last week. There are a few other girls who get pretty crazy in class, and Emma (scary enough) just follows along wanting to do what they do. Hopefully she grows out of that by the time she is 13.

We enjoyed Jambalaya tonight - typically what the girls ask for when Jay is out of town. Then some snacks while watching Dancing with the Stars. A good evening all around. Tomorrow Emma is going on her first school field trip. Thankfully Grandma Kim has the day off of work and wants to go with her. So they will hop a school bus to a local farm for the day. Should be fun!

2009-10-25T21:56:00.004-05:00

Holy cow, I have really been slacking on my blogging duties lately!! I think that with the weather being so terrible that by the time the girls go to bed, we are not far behind. This cold/cloudy weather makes you just want to hunker down in bed.

Nothing too terribly out of the ordinary last week. I think in my last post I gave you the update about my Dr appointment and I discussed how terrible Emma was at gymnastics. Thankfully the week got better!

Madeline had gymnastics on Thursday and she, along with Emma, just love doing it so, so much. With Madeline's class the parent still hs to do it with them. So happy that Jay is willing and likes doing it with her because it is so exhausting and I think that after she has been forced to listen to me all day she is not so entertained about doing it at class. They look like they have a great time.

At school on Friday, Emma was awarded Ted E. Bear to bring hom for the weekend. He is a stuffed bear that we take hom and he goes on "adventures" with us and we write about it in a ournal to share with the class. She was ssooooo excited.

Saturday morning I was very, very excited to see that Jay was ambitious enough to tackle another window. He took out and replaced the kitchen window. That window was terrible. I think that we lost a lot of heat out of it. But, even better then that the window was so dirty you could barely see out of it anymore. We had tried cleaning it, but the previous owners had screwed the outer window part on and the screws were stripped so we couldn't take off to wash. This is like looking out onto a totally different enighborhood. We only have two more windows to replace now. Hping that those can get done soon. We still need to finish the insides so that there isn't the exposed wood. But, that is a whole new ball game as far as what we need to buy. The girls and I played outside in the breif sunshine while Jay worked.

Saturday evening we got dressed up for a Halloween party at the recreation center. On our way there we drove by Paisley Park, home of Prince (my favorite), where a couple hundred people were lined up to get tickets for the concert that he was putting on there that evening. I didn't have money to buy tickets, so I had to forgo the show. I was really dissapointed. Oh well. We had a great time at the party. The kids played games and we rode on a horse drawn wagon.

Today was church and nap. After nap we went to a friend of mine to pick up her old carpet for Madeline's new room. I can't wait to have her room done!! Logistically, it will be great for when I get the girls dressed or ready for bed, but also it will be nice to not have her in limbo anymore.

Off to bed. Jay has a week of lots of driving and travel. A mostly girls week here.

2009-10-19T21:44:00.002-05:00

This past weekend Jay and I felt like we were living like rock stars, or at least people who didn't have kids. The girls spent the evening and night on Saturday with Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don. Jay and I went out to dinner - yes, an adult dinner that was uninterrupted by "I need to go potty", "Where is my milk" then out to spend some times with some people that Jay went to high school with. It was a nice time and it was fun listening to old stories - who would have thought that we wouldn't get home until 2am! Holy cow! I am too old for that. And even thgouth I was able to sleep in until 9am - totally unheard of otherwise - it was hard to recover from staying out so late. So nice to be able to spend some time together!!

We went to church sans the kiddos and had a nice lunch and took in some football with some friends we haven't been able to hang out with much lately (they do not have kids and that puts a much different aspect in putting something together). We had good intentions of finishing installing our windows, but the previous evening was still catching up with us so it didn't happen. We picked up the kids and all came home for a nap.

Today Madeline and I dropped off Emma at school and were off to my neurologist appointment. It was a regular check up. We did go over the regular stregnth tests and stuff, and we also discussed some things aout MS in general and in my MS that I had not previouly known. Such as he said that it is beginning to be widly accepted that MS is developed in the body from conception to age 15. I start to worry about Emma's dislike of Vitamin D milk when she was a year old. Before I knew about this Vitamin D importance. Ugh! But, I had also been wavering back and forth in getting the H1N1 shot (whenever they become available) because people with MS that get the flu tend to be far more affected then others who don't have diseased brains. Also, he reviewed my MRI and we discussed anticipated thoughts of the future. He said that I am in the middle on the spectrum. I am certainly not on the "highly affected", but I am not on the most midly affected. I am right in the middle. Could be worse, right? He said that it is very tough to decipher what will come in the future since the brain is so complex. There has to be lesions on both side of the brain to create a physical malidy. Not sure what that tells me. But, I know right now I feel just fine and hope to stay that way for many years.

2009-10-12T20:05:00.003-05:00

Unbelieveably "winter" has already set in over MN. Just lovely. It isn't even the middle of October yet and it is already dull and snow covered. It is 8pm and I am eeling stir crazy here in the house already. Thankfully, for about the last 5 minutes, the girls are entertaining themselves playing and not fighting. But, I am thinking that this seems like a long winter without much to do.

Jay was home from work today and Emma was so excited that daddy was going to bring her to school. After school we all went to the local community center for some swim time. They charge and arma nd a leg to get it, but we had a good time. Emma is a little wuss in the water. That isn't all bad. She didn't want to go past the depth of her chest and she just kind of stood around. Madeline on the other hand follows suit with how her personality is starting to develop. She is a daredevil. She loved going down the water slide and didnt' mind if she went under water. And it wasn't long before she didn't want us standing at the bottom to catch her when she came down head first down the slide. She loved it!

Packing up, in the showers, we had a near major incident. The metal seats that they have in the shower feel on top of Madeline's face and threw her against the wall. She is a tough kid. Lots of crying, but no blood and hopefully nothing broken. She has a big bump on her nose and forehead. We filled out an accident report when we left. The commuity center seemed concerned that the stool had a faulty part (it did), but weren't as concerned about Madz face.

Nap time for the girls and Jay. I elected to stay up and watch Oprah interview Mike Tyson. I thought it was interesting.

It was/is a mellow night. Jay has now put on a movie for the kids. The summer is go, go, go with playing outside right up until the 9pm bedtimes and now we are just stretching to make it to 9 without dying of boredom. I suggested that we play Wii, but Jay got rid of the game so I guess that is out.

Have a busy week and I think that I designed our schedule to be like that. Although now I am finding that we are pretty short on days available for playdates.

2009-10-08T22:23:00.003-05:00

Today we were to go shopping for winter outerwear with Great Grandma and Grandpa. They love taking the girls - all the great-grandkids - shopping for winter coats and snowsuits. And you would think since we live in Minnesota that shopping for outerwear in mid-October wouldn't be unreasonable. Well, we had the fashion industry all wrong. After going to three stores and having very slim pickins in all of them we left the shopping event empty handed. Not sure what the heck I am going to dress the girls in this weekend when it is supposed to be cold with a high possibility of snow. Just lovely - frickin' lovely.

But, after shopping we went to Grandma and Grandpas house where Grandpa Al came to meet us for lunch. We had fun playing around with great grandma's old wigs and enjoying lunch. Emma can be such a stinker sometimes. She throws mini-tantrums about the tiniest stuff. I suppose that is what being 4 is all about.

This evening we had to negotiate gymnastics without daddy who is trying to get some projects done at work. This was a perfect time to put the thoery to the test of the "type" of child Madeline is. I spoke to her teachers on Tuesday about this and we came up with a perfect way to describe her. She is a "strong willed" little girl. She knows what she wants and is not satisfied until she gets it. Thankfully she is very funny, because trying to accomodate her when she is activly working on her indepenence is pretty tough.

Things are getting crazy around the house. Things are so busy and so many things at hand. Hopefully somehow that will make winter go by a little faster. Again, I need to go buy a lottery ticket. I must find a way to get out of here!!

2009-10-05T23:13:00.003-05:00

I am here and all is well! It has been a long time since I posted. We have just been so busy with school starting and getting back into our new schedule. I am trying to do the workout thing and get all sorts of other stuff done as well so by the time the girls go to bed at night I am ready to call it a day as well. I will have to write a little bit more substance tomorrow. We just got back from the neighbors and watching the Vikings walk all over the Packers. That was fun. I think that Emma may be coming down with something. She was pretty quiet and mellow tonight. Cross our fingers!!

2009-09-30T22:12:00.002-05:00

Nothing too exciting going on. Just a lot of running around with school, errands, gymnastics and other. The next few weeks are jammed full. We have windows that we need to put in before it gets too much colder, but the next two weekends are so full that I don't know that it will get done before the snow flies. Ugh.

Today Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl took Emma to school and lunch. They said that they had a lot of fun.

Tonight we went to see the Okey Dokey Brothers play. They do kids music and the girls just love them. So they were dancing and having fun.

We have some tentative plans with sme friends tomorrow and a whole bunch of running to do in the morning before that happens...

2009-09-27T22:24:00.002-05:00

I shudder to think when the last time it was that I posted. I know that it has been a while. We have been really busy doing lots of nothing important. So by the time the evening comes and I should write, it always sems much more appealing to go to bed.

Friday evening was lovely - we turned down all offers of outside plans as we had a nice evening at home, coloring, working in workbooks and playing games. Very mellow and much needed.

Saturday morning was up and at 'em. We were off to the ALS walk at Lake Harriet in honor of Uncle Dale. All of the charity walks we do have particular meaning and closeness for us for many reasons. But, I always find that the ALS walk is the most visually sad to go to. Because it is so very obvious who is afflicted with the disease. And knowing that the survival rate from diagnosis to death is about 3 years, it is so sad to think. It is a time to think how sad it is that there are all of these diseases that can affect any one of us. I am a good example. Pow, comes out of nowhere. But, so much t be thankful for in the mean time.

We went to a party at Aunt Tina's house that evening. All of us celebrating the walk and without much mention, celebrating Uncle Dale. It was a nice evening. The girls had lots of other kids to play with so we were actually able to mingle around a bit.

Got home late, very late. But, true to form the girls were up at their normal time. Ugh, that was difficult. Because Jay is a terrible morning person and since he doesn't ever get up with the kids, I was up. Trying to entertain while still trying to wake up myself.

At church we went to Emma's "milestones". It is a special Sunday School class that the parents go to that the kids learn more about their bibles and just talk about some other special milestones.

We all took a much needed nap. Then headed across the street for a fabulous dinner and fun time. The girls were off their rockers. I am not sure if they needed more sleep or what. I think I am really looking forward to a nice, QUIET workout tomorrow morning!!!!

2009-09-23T22:18:00.002-05:00

Been trying to get back into the workout routine. This whole summer I think that I made it to the gym twice to workout. Thankfully, since I am only paying $9 per moth I don't feel too badly about it. But, now that we are getting back to a routine I am hopefully going to be getting back into a little bit better shape.

Madeline had her class yesterday. It is amazing to see how much work and time the teachers put into a class that is for little ones like that. We are so lucky and they strive so hard to work all aspects of thir brain and body. That is why I have done classes with the girls for so long through these programs. Now, if we could only get the people running them to see that these classes were not set up and were never looked at as a money making venture. That would be terrific. The politics that go on within schools is aggrivating.

Emma got to bring "share bag" with her to school today. The kids find a few things at home that they want to share in class. She was s excited and changed what she was to share abot ten times this monring alone. But, she settled on some things and was excited to share!

This evening Jay helped a neighbor with his car. Then we went to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's to help move some stuff from a neighbor. When we got home the kids were darn tired. Ready for all of us to sleep. I must plan my morning tomorrow, the girls are off to the zoo with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl. That means that I get a couple of hours to catch up on some things by myself. Not sure if I know how to do that!

2009-09-22T21:48:00.003-05:00

It has been a while since I have written. Not a lot to mention. We have been really busy doing a lot of running around, getting into the school routine and lots of other stuff. Nothing too exciting, but it certainly keeps us hoping. The evenings have been filled with some indoor activities - need to remember how to play INSIDE the house with winter coming. And Emma LOVES Dancing with the Stars, so we have been very invested in that. Madeline has had a huge explosion in talking. She has always been pretty good, but now she is catching on to lots of new phrases - "that is so cool, mommy" That is a popular one.

I have been feeling just fine, so there has not been much thought about MS. Which is great!

2009-09-20T21:48:00.004-05:00

It was a busy, but very nice weekend. We did a lot of fun things and got some stuff done around the house.

Saturday morning the girls went out to dinner with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl. That allowed us a few minutes of quiet, but even better gave Jay a chance to start putting in a new window in the downstairs uninterrupted. We thought this window would be the worst of them all with possible rot that would cost us much more money. Amazingly, that wasn't the case. It had just been a crappy window that caused the snow to come in through the seals. Gladly, that will not be an issue this winter.

After breakfast, all of us loaded up to go to Emma (and Madeline's) second annual mini-golf classic. It is just a fun little golf course that is set up in a local park. Jay was the caddie and I was a spectator - and also responsible for keeping amatuer golfer Maddie under control. They both had fun, but 9 holes proved to be a bit much. Home for early naps as we had a little party to get to.

We drove down to my friend Jennifer's house - she is another MS'er. A friend that I have really connected with. She has 3 kiddos. She and her husband cooked chickens out over an open fire - no this was not on a grill. This was the chickens were on a big log and cooked over and open fire, along with corn on the cob, they had a fresh tomato/jalapeno salsa. It was terrific!! And yes, I do not want to hear it from any of you, I DID eat chicken from the bone. And don't think that you can get away with it. I found a juicy meaty breast part. But, I will not do it again soon. We had a great time. Jennifer and I really get each other. It is best told when her husband said to me, only moments after we met, "you are another one of those with a damaged brain?" We can use that humor - and thankfully, or not so, understand each other.

We made it home late and went to bed.

Today was church and a quick lunch. We then headed to Aunt Nancy's house to assist in removal of trees. Jay swiped through 4 big trees within matter of minutes. My cousin and I were left to clean up the branches. We were served a great dinner as thanks and had a bit of relaxation as another cousin kept the girls entertained. Aunt Nancy was eternally grateful to Jay for his help! I am thankful to have a husband who is so handy at so many things and wiling to share them. As we talked about on the way home, we have been discussing at church to "pass along your treasures". Unfortuatly, we don't have much, if any, monetary treasures. But, being able to help someone out is a way to pass along what we do have.

The girls were wiped. They were in bed about a half hour earlier then there normal bedtime. That felt good. I ate way, WAY too much. Must rest my body and digest food.

2009-09-18T22:33:00.002-05:00

A lot of running around the past couple of days. So many pittly things that needed to get done.

The girls both started gymnastics this past week. They were SOOO excited. Emma still wants us to sign her up for dance as well. We are trying to ease into that slowly. On Madeline's first practice we almost had to cut the night short as she had a fall on the trampoline. But, she shook it off and was up and at 'em again in no time.

This evening we went to Barnyard Boogie. It is a little dance/petting zoo and craft get together that they have here. It is a lot of fun. The animals are great. They are actually very well taken care of and the girls love to pet a goat and a chicken and all sorts of other animals. Then we went inside for some snacks and dancing fun.

Must get some sleep for a very busy weekend!

2009-09-16T22:14:00.003-05:00

Oh, back to the routine of school!! On Monday Emma asked that Grandma Kim drive her to school and pick her up again. They made a day of it and went for lunch afterward, then Madeline and I met them for an ice cream cone and a walk near the lake. It is so much fun to see how excited Emma is for school. She just loves it!

On Tuesday, Madeline started her class. She is a little social bug and loves to experience new things. She had a great time checking out class and singing along. Afterward she lovesd recounting for me all of the kids that cried when their moms left and she was sure to tell me she didn't cry cause "mommies always come right back". Too cute!

Today Emma had school. It is interesting because for the most part she has always had 5 or 6 good friends in her classes and a couple of other kids she knew as well. But, this year, she has two little boys that she really likes in her class, and that is it. So it will really be up to her to reach out ot new people. Although on Tuesday after Maddie's class we went to the park to hav e a picnic. Em said that she wanted some other people to play with. There was a set of twin girls that were there. And surprisingly she said that it looked like they were having fun and she wanted to play. I told her to introduce herself and ask to play. They girls weren't so hot at first - a real blow to a mom's heart - but, Emma kept at it and they all ended up playing.

This eveing we took a trip to Culvers for ice cream treats - I certainly didn't have to finish mine! The girls enjyed theirs, but ended up wearing most of it@!

2009-09-13T21:37:00.004-05:00

It was a busy weekend. As it seems like things are as summer winds down.

Jay took Friday off of work for Emma's first day of school. It was "parent" day, as all Friday's are where the parents have time to learn some good parenting skills and ideas. It is always great to be in those classes with new people and people who have several older children. It shows just because you have had kids, you still have a lot to learn!

We had a great time. Emma was thrilled to have Jay there and it was nice to have him be able to see how her school and classes work. Hopefully he will have more time this year to join us again!

After school we went to a small, quiet park and enjoyed a picnic. Then played on some slides and all had an "acorn fight" with the thousands that were on the ground. That evening we were off to a graduation party for a friend. Great food and fun chatting and relaxing.

Saturday morning we were up and at 'em early as we were participating in a walk to support lung cancer. We did it in memory of my grandma Pat Wilcox and aunt Carolyn Reid and in support of my friend Judy Golz. She has started the foundation that ran the walk and it was great. They had a terrific turn out and it was so awesome to support them and give hope to those with the disease. We stuck around to chat and look around afterward. We finally had to get home as the girls were falling apart. Unfortunatly we had to cancel dinner plans with some friends that we hadn't seen forever.

Because we originally had other plans that evening, we were flying by the seat of our pants when Auntie Ashley came over then Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don stopped by. Our simple dinner turned into a huge impromptu schmorgasboard. I litterally felt like I was going to split right open because I ate so much!

This morning church started their fall schedule so things didn't get underway until a little later. Emma started Sunday School back up again and she was SO excited. And even more so when she got her new bible. After church we made a quick pit stop at McD's then off to do a little fishing.

It was a beautiful day. Perfect to be out on the lake!! We caught a few little fish and now that the girls have smaller poles, they were able to catch their own. All of the little friends were thrown back in the water. We all just like looking at them then giving them back to the water.

Home for naps. Although Madz obviously didn't get the message that was next on the agenda because he was crabbing for an hour and a half. She finally crashed out but I woke her up shortly thereafter and she wasn't very happy about it.

We went for a walk, went bike riding and rollerskating tonight. Getting in all that we can until hell, I mean, winter comes.

2009-09-09T21:32:00.002-05:00

Wow, I am just spent tonight! Today was a fun day. A friend, her little boy and my kiddos and I all went to the zoo. We truly didn't get to see much because trying to chat with my friend and keep our kids all going the same direction takes a lot of time. We saw some grizzly bears in a fantastic habitat. The bears were actully doing a ton of interracting and fighting/playing with each other. My pictures don't show it very well, but it was really awesome. Then, truly, I forgot to each lunch. Pretty unbelieveable for someone like me! But I think that got me off kilter today for some reason. We said good bye at the zoo and the girls and I headed home.

The girls slept the whole way home then I successfully transferred them into their beds for nap. No longer then 20 minutes later Madeline was up and there was no putting her back down. I decided to dive into some clothes and shoe sorting for her. Maddie had fun trying on all of the shoes and unfolding all of the folded items. But, it didn't matter we had fun and I go the stuff done.

Emma was up not long after that. We played around a bit and tried to persuade them to go and play somewhere else beside the middle of th kitchen. They weren't taking the bait. That is how it seems to work when you want some space.

We ate dinner and rounded out the night with a mellow movie and some popcorn. Madeline fell asleep on my lap. But, Emma made it through and peacefully went to bed. I need some sleep now!!

2009-09-07T21:56:00.003-05:00

Ihas been a while.... We are still mourning the loss of our sweet Elijah pup. It is still somewhat of a shock. We have been able to spend lots of time with the other two, but seeing them play and have fun is a reiminder of him not being there. So sad to lose them in general, but to lose them so quickly is like salt in a wound.

Friday was a little like walking in a fog, since Thursday was crazy. But, it was a casual day since we took care of a friends little boy all day. It was fun and he is a sweet little guy. Then the girls went to dinner with grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl that night. Jay and I took the other two dogs outside and they had a playdate with the neighbors dogs. They all played ball for a long time and could have played longer.

Then Saturday came and it was a day that we have all been looking forward to for a while. State Fair!! So much fun. We got an early start on the day and headed home in the early evening. We saw lots of animals, ate lots of yummy food and even ran into Grandpa Al and Grandma Nicki. It was a lot of fun. But, you could tell by the end of the day that the girls were done for and they needed a nap! So we made it home and we all crashed for a while. It was nice to get in a good nap. Then we woke up and played with the dogs again for a while and called it a day.

Sunday was church and then McDonalds. But, we met at a different McD's because we were meeting Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl to take pictures for their Christmas cards (yes, Chrstmas cards. That is so depressing!!). We met at a beautiful little park area in Edina. They girls were great and they had fun. Hopefully one of the photos will turn out for them!

Today - it was so, so nice to have Jay home for another day. I think that he really needed it - we started off the morning by going fishing. It was a truly beautiful morning. The weather was perfect the wind was nonexistant and the fish were, well, nibbling. The girls liked to look at the fish and touch them, Madeline always wanted to hold them. Then we made a nice picnic lucnh and enjoyed that outside. Then poor Noah, one of our other dogs, was totally unaware of what was coming to him. The razors!! I am sure that he thought that within our grief we wouldn't remember that he desperatly needed a shave. So sorry buddy! However, we are pretty certain that he put a hex on the razors. Just after we stared shaving him down the razors stopped cutting. Devine intervention from Elijah!!? We had a delicious grilled out dinner.

Emma doesn't start school until Friday so we have a few more days before the schedule starts back in again. Once school starts I am going to start my workout routine again. It was abandoned for the summer, yes, practicially the whole summer. I think that I am going to be sorry for doing that once I start working out again. Oh well. Have to do something to make winter pass by.

I couldn't get the photos to layout the way I wanted to, or I just didn't have the patience to fool with it. Either way you hopefully can decipher when the photos were from.

2009-09-03T22:49:00.002-05:00

A very sad day here in the Viera household. The day with the girls went just fine. We had to adjust some plans that we had with a friend that is very sick. So instead we had a picnic at a park and came home ot make some zucchini bread for this friend of mine. Then the girls apped and I read my book out on the deck. After that things got a little crazy.

The dinger went off on the oven to take the bread out and about the same time Madeline woke up from her nap. I went to get her from her room. Without me knowing, during that time Jay had come home and didn't see me so he went out back to see if I was at the garden. He didn't find me, but he found our dog Elijah laboring out back. He wasn't able to breath well and he looked terrible. Jay came in and said that Elijah was sick and we needed to go take a closer look. We tried to give him water, but he wouldn't take it. He was laboring in his breathing so badly. And one touch of his stomach said that we needed to get him to the vet ASAP.

Jay took off to the vet and I stayed home trying to figure out the logistics of what to do with the girls (as having them at the vets office with all of the craziness would be the best place for them. I wouldn't have minded if Emma came, because we talk to her honestly about stuff. But, without much thought I looked into other options). Thankfully I found my mom not far from our house and she scooted right over and I called another friend/neighbor to see if she could drive me to the vet.

I ran inside and they brough me to the area in back - I knew that wasn't good when you byass the regular exam rooms and straight to the back area. There I found my poor little Elijah there with a tube in his throat trying so hard to breath, but knowing his body just couldn't work anymore. Jay and the Dr explained to me that right when Jay brought him in they were going to get some exrays, but while they were setting that up he went into heart failure. They brought him back, but that wouldn't last. We had to make a choice. We both knew what we had to do. It was time to let him go. He was very peaceful when he left us. That doesn't make it much easier - if at all. We spent a good amount of time with him after he was gone.

I have to page through my photos to find some of him. Oh he will be missed. What a sweet boy and loved so dearly. Like all of our pets, we are lucky enough, that they love us and our kids dearly and we love them.

2009-09-02T22:23:00.003-05:00

This evening was long. Not in a bad way, just it seemed to go on and on. Now, I am too tired to write anything of any importance. Which I guess that would imply that I do on any other day.

Iwill make it short and sweet. We went to the pool today. It is going to close for the season on Monday, so today was our last day. What a bummer. I can feel my psychy going down at the thought of the pool closing for the winter. We had a great time and the girls had fun. We hung out this evening with a miriad of neighbors making plans for dinner soon. The girls were given some yummy dessert from neighbors so they were all jakced up. Bedtime was worth the wait. Before dinner we went to preschool open house for Emma. She is going to have the same teacher as last year. She is really excited for school to start again. This is her last year of preschool. I am also doing some of the parent learning portion too. I thought that, among other things, there is no reason to send her off to school without the most involvement possible. Especially when they are that young. Off to bed.

2009-08-31T21:24:00.004-05:00

I didn't post much, if anything, this weekend. It was nice to have Jay home and we were able to do family and house stuff! Saturday was a big ball of fun that started with cleaning the playroom followed up by the cleaning of the garage. The girls and I then went to a birthday party that had Sleeping Beauty there, it was actually a lot of fun and the girls had a blast. We then rounded out with a nice dinner at Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's that night.

Sunday was church and McDonald's. We came home and played then all sat down for a nap. It was great until the dogs outside started barking. Oh well, a couple minutes of relaxation that I will not complain about. That evening Jay and I went to a wake for a friend of his family. This was an old neighbor that Jay would visit when he was a small boy and ask "What doin' George?" Just two years ago George had lost his wife suddenly so I would bet that they are very happy wherever they are. It was sad, but I am pretty sure that they lived a very happy life together.

Today the girls and I attempted to go to the library for storytime. However, I think that the librarian was a little confused as she did not show up. The 20 or so kids that were waiting were a little bummed, but we read books and had a nice time anyway. The evening was capped off by an awesome grilled meal.

It is 9:30 and the kids are already in bed. This would be a perfect night to have a deliscious bowl of ice cream. But, I am so full from dinner that I would suspect that I might split in two.

I feel like completly healthy person lately. Although with so many around me that have had to face so much it might just be that everything else pales in comparison. But, I feel great. Except for the fact that winter is coming. Oh, how I wish for a reason to move to warmer weather - besides my extreme dislike of cold weather.

2009-08-30T22:45:00.002-05:00

It is late and I am tired. Will write more tomorrow! I will give you this picture of my littlest bean...

2009-08-27T21:56:00.003-05:00

So, I am starting to realize that somewhere within the mid-30's you start to find out that life isn't just filled with puppy dogs, rainbows and sunny days. Obviously one of my biggest eye openers was last Oct when I was diagnosed with MS. But, since that time there have been so many people in my life that have been directly affected (or touched) by some scare or tragedy that has changed their lives. If not only for a day or a lifetime. Some of you who read this know who you are, and you are in my thoughts and prayers and others are always on my mind. Kind of one of those "oh shit" moments when you are certain that you are an adult but that no matter what life just goes on and on.

Yesterday was one of THOSE days! The girls were fighting all day and I was not able to get one thing done without about 10 extra steps involved. Today, on the other hand, was a complete opposite. The girls were great. No fighting, they listened, we had an awesome day at the pool (one of the last for the season - boo hoo), and the evening was just as great. Jay topped it off with a special night of smores. Awesome! I have decided that I need to start playing the lottery on a regular basis. Can't win if you don't play, right??

2009-08-25T22:22:00.004-05:00

I think a a parent of small kids you cring the minute you see a hint of lightning in the air during the night. Just waiting and anticipating who is going to get up and when. Thankfully - knock on wood - that Madeline has slept through all of them so far. She is quite the trooper! Emma wok up around 5:30am. I invited her to sleep on our floor. Last time she was in our bed and that proved to be terrible sleeping for all of us. So she was settled on the floor. But, I didn't get much sleep in there!

We had some great friends come over to play today. They have a new baby that we havine't been able to spend much time with so it was so much fun. Their older daughter is the most mellow little girl with great manners it is so easy to have her around! Lots of fun and we were able to catch up.

After they left we ran to my friends house. She is my "older" friend (she is the mom of some high school friends) who is battling lung cancer. Unfortunatly, it seems as though it has really gotten a hold of her and she is fighting hard. But, we dropped off a registration to her for the walk that her oranizatin is hosting to raise money for lung cancer (she started an orgaization that raises money for research. They are doing quite well and this is the 3rd year for the walk). She and I promised to get together next week for lunch or something else fun.

This evening our lovely neighbors across the street invited us over for dinner and fun. They are so great and they LOVE the girls! She is an awesome cook so you always know it is something good. We had fun and it takes the girls forever to leave! But, we got home and put the girls to bed. Tomorrow is a day for doing some undone tasks. I will be so happy to cross them off of my list!

This photo is from breakfast this A.M. Madeline just wanted to snuggle in with Emma. So this is her cuddling on her lap.

2009-08-23T21:49:00.002-05:00

Kind of a lonely sort of weekend. Jay got home Friday evening which was great! But, there wasn't a lot of time to catch up before bed and he had to get up Saturday morning for work - again. Kind of getting sick of this. Jay works so very hard and lots of long hours. Thankfully he is paid hourly and his company is great . . . oh well, suppose it could be worse.

Saturday the girls and I pondered what to do. It was a goergous day, but because we spend many a day at the park or the library or playing in our own yard, I was hoping to find something else to do. So we settled on looking at flooring for Madleine's room. Finding out the the stuff I love is expensive and even for a tiny room we cannot afford it anyway. I might have to settle for a carpet reminant. Many a project to work n in that room to keep us buys so no need to worry. When Jay got home we played and at dinner and did a little hanging out. But, then to bed because he needed to get up early to start work again.

The girls and I went to church this morning, then swung home to pick up Jay for our trip to McD's as he was in between two jobs at the moment. Shortly after we got home he was off on some car wash emergency until almost dinner time. The girls and I played around and took naps - I read -the did some more playing. We met Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl out for dinner. The meriachi (sp?) band was playing and we enoyed the music. It as very funny when the band came around and asked us if we had a suggestion for songs. They ended up playing a vey popular current country song. Their accents were very cute to listen to.

When we got home the girls, mostly Emma, spent the evening spinnin around the yard in her Barbie jeep. She is hell on wheels. Jay set it to the faster setting since she is getting to be a very good driver. And when he did she got an evil little look on her face and took off. It was funny!

Jay is in bed since he is determined to sleep in until 9am tomorrow while I try to keep the kids quiet. Yeah! But, I think that we will have lots of fun spending time together. The first time in about 1 1/2 weeks! Also need to finish the stuff for my project for dad. Another week ahead!

2009-08-20T22:52:00.004-05:00

Today I was bequethed a new camera!! Grandpa Al came over and he and Grandma Nicki had upgraded to a new camera in their house and I was handed down the old one. It works great - or should I just say that it actually works, which is better then my other one. So I do have photos.

When Jay is out of town I find myself busy with so many other things that wouldn't have crossed my mind otherwise. Have been so busy trying to get some things done. Still have unreturned phone calls and unreplied to emails.....

Yesterday we went to my "MS friend's" house. We had a great time! It is amazing how much a couple of moms an ignore from 5 pretty whiny kiddos! We had a great time. Jennifer and I have both agreed that we feel like we have known each other a lot longer then we have. There is a real connection. Yes, the MS gives us a connection that goes very far and very deep. But, we truly like each other in many other ways. So happy to have found someone like her.

Grandpa Al is working on a little opportunity for me with one of his customers. I would be doing a tv spot for their product. It is exciting and something that could bring in a bit of much needed extra money. Yeah!! But, it was necessary to put together an audition tape to submit. Sooooo, last night much time was spent on trying to perfec the recording. Wasn't working. Had a hard time being able to put the words together in a clear and concise way (yes, amazing I wsn't able to find the words for something. That doesn't happen very often). So we tried again tonight. After a nice morning with Grandpa Al and an awesome lunch at a local mexican joint (it was almst as though I had "work" meetings this morning followed by a "power lunch". We did playing with the kids and talk about this other project), we went back to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's for recording. I layed things out differently and it seemed to work. There are things that I would really like to change, but in this frmat it is really difficult. So let's just see how things go!! Jay gets home tomorrow!!

Here are some new photos. The one of me was taken for a possible submission to the company I am auditioning for and the ones of the girls were from them playing around today.

2009-08-18T22:29:00.004-05:00

Ugh, I have been really bad at updating this. However, it has been easy not to do because I am feeling fine and everything has been so busy. Not to mention my camera is out of batteries, so I have been a terrible mother and not taking many pics lately, but also makes things less interesting for you to read. Sorry.

Yesterday was our last T-ball practice/game. Getting there was the biggest feat of them all. I had to wake Emma up to go, and that became clear very quickly that wasn't a good thing to do. It was not pretty. She screamed the whle way to practice that she didn't want to play, didn't want to run, hit . . . by the time we got out on the field she must have forgotten her hatred of the game. And to put the cherry on the event, the kiddos got a medal at the end. That was fun and a great group of kiddos. Now that I think about it, we should have taken a group photo - damn it.

Went to a girlfriends house afterward. Her kids were supposed to be at T-Ball, but their dad decided not to bring them (icky pending divorce) so we caught up on all of those schinanigans. But, also enjoyed good food, conversation and time out.

Today was a nice day for a picnic at the park, then the girls spent some time with the neighbors while I went to a baby shower. They had fun.

A get together tomorrow with an MS friend and her kiddos. I am really looking forward to it! Jay is gone all this week, he works this weekend, then back out to Iowa. A long couple of weeks, but some great time with the girls!

2009-08-15T21:12:00.002-05:00

So thankful that the girls are with Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don tonight. I am exhausted!! Working at the PGA has been so much fun! But, wow, it is hard work! We were within spitting distance of Phil today. Ian Poulter hit a shank shot about 2 feet away from us. And we, along with 5000 of our closest friends, saw Tiger work his magic on a few holes. I also saw and chatted with John Randal (ex-Viking's football player - he was my favorite) and comedian Louie Anderson was a customer of mine. Lots of fun. But, as I see all of the projects around the house that need to get done, I am a little guilty that we aren't spending the time without the girls getting some necessary stuff done.... Oh well. The projects will still be here when the PGA is over!

2009-08-13T21:57:00.002-05:00

Eagerly anticipating starting "work" at the PGA Championship tomorrow. Jay and I have volunteered for a couple of shifts. Our local ECFE, Early Childhood and Family Education offices, will get a donation of $5000 from the PGA if we were able to get enough volunteers. Not to mention we are realy exicted about being there. I am about the worst golfer in all time, but I sure to love watching it!! So to get a glimpse of the action up close will be awesome. No cameras, phones, etc are allowed in. Even if I do get a glimpse of Tiger, I can't prove it to you . . .

Yesterday the girls and I caught up with some good friends that we haven't seen in a while and today was a perect day to go to the pool. Topped off the evening with a nice walk.

Trying to put together a relativly good videotape and try to get a decent photo of me (should really get something done professionally, but not in the budget right now) to present for a possible "job". Very part time but, if all goes well maybe some extra (needed) money! Have to find time without the kiddos around to be able to make my video. And, action!

Also, my camera is still out of commission, so I must apologize if these photos have previously been posted and are not real current! Will work on that issue.

2009-08-11T22:01:00.003-05:00

Been a long time... Not sure how may are even returning to read at this point. Either way, it is ok. Been keping very busy as the summer winds down and we try to fit in all of the warm weather activities that we can! I had also misplaced my camera. Even though it is a pretty beat up camera it was working ok (at best) to get daily pics of the girls. I finally found it today and brought it with us this evening. However, as luck would have it, when I took it out the batteries were dead. Photos from a cell phone will have to do.

This past weekend was a nice one. Saturday night we went to Grandma Kims and Grandpa Don's for dinner and to hang out. Sunday morning Jay got to go out golfing and the girls and I enjoyed church and some time at home. Emma was a bit challenging that afternoon and it called for some firm action. While yesterday was library time, park and T-Ball. The little team is coming together nicely, but when you are 4 and with only one more practice/game left we aren't looking to win the World Series. However, it has been a super way to get involved with the kids and to be a part of Emma's activities. Grandma Kim, Grandpa Don and Auntie have been there at almost all of the games and that has been fun to actually have people rooting for us! Today the girls and I went to a friend of mine from high schools house to meet/play with her little boy. That was so much fun to catch up and they live on the lake so the girls got some beach time as well. We took a little fishing boat trip to a quiet lake tonight. That was so much fun.

I am feeling great. Had many times as of late that I ALMOST convince myself that I am normal. And, at least for right now, I actually am!

2009-08-07T22:35:00.002-05:00

Today was a great day. To say that I am a gal on the go is probably an understatement. I am always trying to find ways to enrich the girls and provide fun for them. But, today the cloudy and rainy day was kind of a nice welcome. Emma said that she just wanted to hang around the house and play and do crafts - Madeline and I agreed. The girls started out playing and I cleaned the house. YES, I did clean the house. It isn't perfect or even very great. But, at least scrubbed up a little bit. That feels good. The girls were very good and played with each other so very nicely. We did a little drawing and crafts, ran to the store, then before we knew it Jay was home. A really relaxing time at home. It is good to do every now and again!

2009-08-05T22:25:00.003-05:00

Took the girls out to a little outdoor concert at a park near our house. The man, Hans Meyer, did a lot of fun little kids songs and the girls really enjoyed it. Afterward, the girls said that they would like one of his CD's. As we stood in line, I vaguely heard one of the women ask his wife if Hans was doing ok. Could have sworn that I hear the word "MS" in there. Yep, when I got to the front of the line, his wife said that Hans has had MS for 15 years. It always seems like there is something or someone just around the corner ready to put you back in your place. I chatted with Hans for a moment. He said that he had been feeling good up until about 3 years ago and he had an episode and things have been on and off since. However, he just recently started drugs. He gave me a hug and said, "I am sorry" when I told him about my diagnosis. I decided right then and there that I do not like that "I am sorry" sentiment. What is there to be sorry for? Sorry that I got this disease and you are disease free? Sorry that you think life will be horrible with it? Sorry that life and things and ways in which you knew before will not be the same? It sounds like I was harboring anger, I am not (so to speak) as I am sure that I have used those words many times as well. I was just analyzing the thought of those words and how powerful they are and how it is so open ended when there is nothing that follows the "sorry..."

Last night was National Night Out. Another neighbor and I organized the gathering and it was a great time. The fire department visited and because I am the "block captain", I had to choose a few adults that could go up in the 100 foot ladder. That was awesome! And to see all of the green beautiul leaves from that height was really neat. We didn't get home until very late and the girls were exhausted.

Today Emma went shopping with Grandma Cheryl for some little accessories for her doll house. Madeline and I hit up a park. We met up later for some lunch then home for naps.

Today the city people were inally filling in the huge empty areas next to our driveway with sod. I was able to "ask"/"request" for an extra roll of sod for another area in the yard. So when poor Jay got home - late already - he cooked dinner, filled in the sod and did some other stuff around the house. Before we knew it bedtime was here!

2009-08-03T22:28:00.002-05:00

A little swimming with Grandpa Al and a little T-ball with 11 squirrly little kids. That pretty much sums up the day. Emma was up with a cough last night so I did not get much sleep - I am guessing around the 3-4 hour range. Now I am just waiting for my darn sheets to dry. I hate when I forget to transfer them to the dryer. That always happens when I am the most tired....

2009-08-02T22:33:00.003-05:00

Got up early on Saturday to make it to my eyebrow waxing appointment. Ahhh, the bliss of sitting in the chair getting my little hairs ripped out. No really, it was relaxing. Not to mention taking care of some out of control little reacals.

Came home and the girls had woke up and Jay was up - and by that I mean his eyes were open, the rest of him not all there. But, we got right to work on some things around the house that needed to get done. Jay tried his hand at seeing how much work would have to go into replacing our windows. The windows (most of them) are so terrible that we aren't/weren't sure if we would have to be replacing a ton of wood as well. But, all went well and he is pretty much done with the first window in Madeline's new room. And oh my gosh, I can actually SEE out the window!! I continued doing some cleaning. Could have used several more hours in the day to get things done. Also had to do a little shopping for National Night Out on Tuesday.

During nap time I left to a baby shower for a friend of mine. There were quite a few people from high school there as well as some wives of friends from high school. It was fun to catch up with everyone. Traded phone numbers with some people who we would like to have playdates with sometime.

Enjoyed a nice night of hanging out and doing some relaxing as a family. It was great to have a whole day to ourselves. Haven't had a relaxing one like that for a while.

This morning I got up early because I told the neighbors that I would help them put the finish setting up for their gathering today. The scurried to get ready for church and came back to enjoy some of the party next door.

Nap time came around and I gladly enjoyed some time to lay down. I could have slept much longer then Madeline let me. But, it was nice. We went back over to the neighbors house for a drink as they were winding down from a whirlwind wedding weekend.

That is about it in a nutshell. I am feeling just fine and have been for quite a while. As much as I truly detest winter time, cold and all that comes with it, I am excited for October to come. In the world of MS (I am sure I have said this before) there is a school of thought in that the first 6 or 7 years of your disease will be a good guideline or determining factor for the progression of your diesease. Knowing that after the first episode when I was diagnosed I have felt great, it makes me eager to quickly get through the next 6 years. . . Either way, I am thankful for what I have now.

2009-07-31T22:21:00.003-05:00

Short and sweet will be the title to this post.

Yesterday we were able to spend time with some friends that we haven't been able to see for a while. That was soo much fun! Had a glimpse of having to make my first ER visit when Emma fell from a playing apparatus and bit through her tongue. It was a small cut, and she is terrible about letting me survey the damage. But, when she was up playing 5 minutes later I surmised that it couldn't have been that bad. Uncharectoristically, shortly thereafter, Emma got right back on the same equiptment that almost claimed her tongue the first time....

That night Emma and Madz ate dinner with Jim and Cheryl and Jay and I helped the neighbor put up a tent in his yard for a family wedding this weekend. He offered to help us with some home imporvement in return for our help. Gladly we obliged. What a romantic way to spend alone!

Today, Emma had her last Discovery Playground playdate. Madeline and I ran around trying to get some things done. Went back to pick Emma up and found that she had a wonderful time. She was always very unwilling to let me leave her there, she is like that almost anywhere we go. But, finally on the last day, she found that she really did like going there after all!

The girls went down for a nap. Jay got home, hopped in the shower, a quick kiss to Emma who had just woke up and out the door again. He went off to see a Twins game with his mom, dad and brother. Nope, the rest of the family was not invited.... So the girls and I hung out at home. Auntie came over and we chatted. The girls were kind of crazy, and I think that after having been with them so much I just needed a break. But, bedtime came and I finally got the break I needed. Told Auntie that I felt bad about being testy with the girls, it has just been a long few weeks. Tomorrow is another day - a day in which I have a 7:30am appointment to get my eyebrows waxed. Might not sound like fun, but for someone who doesn't have the opportunity to go out often. 15 minutes of fairly cheap time away is worth it!

2009-07-29T22:01:00.004-05:00

Went to Madeline's last "mommy and me" class for the summer today. Had fun singing and playing. Afterward, I was catching up with Casey (our friend who is on American Idol, as she works at the school that we have class in) and her mom. I had to take a picture of the girls with Casey because last week when we were with her I got a picture of Emma with her and Madz was pissed. So I had to make up for it. And yes, she really is that beautiful. If you watched her on tv she looks great there, but even better in person and she is about as kind and nice as they come.

After school we ran down to the pool for just a little bit. There wasn't anyone else there - I think the threat of rain scared everyone away - so the girls got to go crazy. When we got home we found one of our chrysilids (this is a new word to me, our catapillars turned into chrysillas and apparently they are called chrysilid) came out and was a pretty little butterfly. How amazing. The kids and I watched it roam around it's little specialized butterfly habitat for a bit deciding that when it's other two friends emerge we would let them go at the same time so they could have friends together in our garden.

Typical evening of playing, chatting with neighbors and eating dinner (a pretty bad dinner at that - I tried something new and it only sufficed to fill the holes in our bellies, not to taste like anything good).

So glad that the weekend is coming up. Jay is moving from tired and worn out to crabby. No fun. Would love some time to just sit and enjoy. But, he will be out this Friday then set with stuff to do arund the house until about 2027, it might be a while for some good relaxation.

2009-07-28T22:49:00.004-05:00

The library had it all today - Eric the juggling magician. Yes, I am old enough to realize that all performers have "real lives". But, when we pulled up, I watched Eric the juggling magician schlep all of this performing items out of his dented, broken down early 90's Ford Taurus. I think that I was hoping that a magical carpet was not out of the question. The whole scene took away the mystiqe of the magician. The show was enjoyed by us all!

The early afternoon was spent activly trying to tell the girls that my cleaning and scrubbing Madeline's "new" room was fun to watch and trying to persuade the phone company that I know what I am talking about. I won one and lost one. Needless to say I am pretty sure that we will change phone companies.

The city is finally going to step in and finish the work on the side of our driveway that was left in disrepair from the contractors, Yipee!! And my Dr's office said that I shouldn't have to get anymore blood taken for a while, great!

Put the finishing touches on the neighborhood gathering that we plan each year. With that out of the way in a week, most of my big "to-do's" should be over and done with. Except for the thank you notes that still sit patiently on the counter and the vast amount of emails that I have yet to get back to . . . . Oh well, just be thankful for what is done and all the other blessings in life!

2009-07-27T22:26:00.003-05:00

On Sunday we couldn't make too many plans since Jay was on call. We all got dressed for church and thankfully, without a call, Jay was able to come with. After church we swung by McDonald's then on to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's house to pick up Emma and do some playing with some water toys.

Today Jay had the whole day off (I have to say that we have been so busy lately that I would love to have a chance to take a long weekend or a nice trip with just the 4 of us and not have anything planned. But, we haven't won the lottery so we will just have to dream. Plus winter will be here soon enough so we will all be stuck in our house for 8 months together). We went to library story time together, then lunch and them blowing up the new pool that we got since our other blow up pool met a sad fate with the sharp edge of a trailer. We played water games for a while, then nap time.

This evening was T-Ball. A little smoother this time since the kiddos are starting to get to know me and the way things work. It is a good lesson in reminding us that Emma is a normal 4 year old. They all have pretty poor listening skills. Comes with the territory! Emma had Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don, Auntie and Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl all there watching her!

The rest of the evening was out playing and chatting with th neighbors. I believe that I must find a way to get back into my workout routine. I haven't done much if any working out lately. Also have to call my neurologist office to find out results of my lab tests. Need to see if we are going to do any changes to my meds in the future . . .

2009-07-25T21:53:00.003-05:00

Friday, ah, finally Friday! This was the morning that I was to have my meeting with the Director of Community Education on behalf of the parents involved in some of the programs. As expected she mostly tried to cover her ass and tout her "long involvement in various programs" and tried to turn it around into what we wanted to see and what imporvements we wanted to see. The goal was acheived though in that we told her that people weren't happy and she needed to be aware that she could lose some parents.

I rushed home from what I thought would be quick meeting that turned into an hour and a half one, I came to find the girls playing very happily with Barry our neighbor and my savior for the day! The girls had a great time and I know he did to.

The day was crappy - weather wise. So we took this time to do some crafts and hang out enjoying the calmness. I felt such a relief to be with the girls and just a huge load off my shoulders to be done with the meeting. The girls and I did some Shrinky Dinks - yeah, that was great!! I haven't done those since I was a kid and I still get a kick out of watching them shrivel and shrink - and Emma wanted to make dinosaur pictures.

This morning both of the girls packed up to go to the zoo with Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don. With Jay working and both kids gone I wanted to utilize my time to do something enjoyable for myself. I went to the Aeroboretum. A beautiful garden area not far from the house but one I rarely go to. Our church was holding a womens prayer and meditation walk there. I met a group of women, we chatted for a bit then were given some bible verses with questions and thoughts to ponder along the walk in the gardens.

I walked along by myself for two hours. I really didn't want to walk with anyone, just enjoy the time alone. I took lots of pictures and did some praying and "meditating". Quite frankly I have never meditated before so I am not sure that is exactly what I was doing, but it was very enjoyable.

When I got home I felt truly refreshed and ready to get to work. I stated to tackle the office. We are going to be turning it into Madeline's room. We need to clean it, put new flooring down, new windows.... Ugh, I could go on. But, anyway, I started to make a dent. That was great!

Grandma and Grandpa brought Madz home as Emma was going to spend the night at their house. Maddie and I played for a little bit then she layed down for a nap. I went back to work on the office.

The rest of the night was pretty relaxing. Jay got home from work we putzed around the house, Madeline helped me to plant a clematis and we swung in the hammock. I am pretty certain that Madeline asked where Emma was no less then 500 times. As much as they fight, they have such a great love for each other.

I think I am going to go to bed now!

2009-07-23T22:35:00.002-05:00

As I said on Facebook:
"The evening was capped off with me falling down the front stairs with a dollhouse and all related items in my arms - it was done in effort to save my drink. Yes, tonight was a night when it was THAT important to save the drink. My damn ankle really hurts!"

The girls and I had a great day together. After naps things got a little crazy and I was in the midst of trying to prepare for my big meeting tomorrow. My brain will work a little better after tomorrow morning (as good as a little MS brain can get). Thankfully at about 9pm tonight, I got a babysitter to take care of the kiddos. Taking them to the meeting with me sounded like hell on earth. Thankfully I do not have to even attempt. But, I think that Emma will have to miss her playground activity, I feel bad, but . . . .

2009-07-22T22:13:00.003-05:00

Despite the massive zit on my face, all is well in the world (at least in my little world). Have been making small dents in the stuff to get done. Nothing to really cross off the list yet, but we are getting there.

Today Madeline had school, so that meant we packed up early and headed out. It is a really fun time for all of us. My little ham, Madz, just has a great time with the songs and crafts. That is the one place, where I can go to leave her during mommy time, she doesn't throw a fit.

Came home to play and found that our street was torn up again. The genius' at work for the company redoing our roads came by yesterday and ruined all of the curbs that they just put in. So, we are starting at the beginning again....

We played outside a bunch for the rest of the day. The weather was beautiful. Jay got he late as he is trying to finish up a project in WI. At least he was able to come home.

I set up a meeting with a Director at the school district. I have come to find that the people withint he schools and who run them do not like to have people questioning them or asking questions. They get a little prickly. Oh well. So I have an appointment on Friday morning on behalf of the parents in out ECFE program to inquire about some things. I would explain it to you, but too complicated and boring to read about. MUST find childcare for the kids. This is NOT a meeting that would hold the same impact if I had the kids fighting and demanding my attention. Scary thing is that a few people have told me that I should run for school board. Hummm, isn't that all just middle aged white men with kids who aren't even in school anymore?? Yes, that is what ours is. Not sure if that would bode well for me or not.

2009-07-20T22:20:00.002-05:00

Holy cow! I have 23 emails in my in box - all that have to be responded to (so if any of you are waiting for a response, my goal tomorrow is to get that cleared up), thank you notes to write for the girls birthday as well as thank yous to write for the MS walk. Yeah, yeah, yeah that was at the beginning of May. But, holy shit, things have gotten busy.

Received an email back from the superintendent of the schools today in response to the letter that we sent to him and others. Clearly they don't think outside the box and are people that are stuck in the office and not in touch with the people. Hopefully we can meet with he and others one on one to clarify some issues.

My brain is just fried today - and that has nothing to do with the lesions! So much to think about and so much to get done. We had T Ball practice tonight. It was far better then last week in some instances, but in others it was even crazier. We have suh a sweet group of kiddos. But, trying to wrangle 10 4 year olds at the same time is a little crazy! The kiddos did well and we dd have some fun!

The girls were a real challenge today. Fighting was top of their list ALL DAY LONG! So that is all I have in me today. I must get to bed!

2009-07-19T22:15:00.003-05:00

It has been a couple of days since I have been on. I have been occupied, I am sure that Jay would say "pre-occupied" with a couple of projects that are in the works. Thankfully one portion of the project will be completed tomorrow. Then we will just have to see who will have any reaction to it....

Jay said that he doesn't think that people really care too much about what I write becuause I haven't been focusing on my MS enough. Well, being that I am the one with the MS, I would have to say that is a good thing. If I don't focus on it a whole bunch, that probably means that things are going ok. This next week, I think, my Dr should be calling with information about my blood tests and if we should be doing any changes to my drugs. It should be interesting to learn what the results are.

This was a nice weekend. Friday night we held the highly regarded schmorgasboard at our house with our friends. The theme was "Hawaiian Luau". So much fun with such great friends. For the most part all of the kiddos entertained themselves with the toys and we actually got in a bit of adult conversation.

Saturday Jay got to get in a round of golf and the girls and I ran some errands. After naps, Madeline got picked up for her sleep over at Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's. She was very excited. It is a good way for them to be comfortable by themselves and sleeping elsewhere. Although I understand that there wasn't much sleping that was done. Madz isn't used to sleeping in a regular bed without the security of the bars and in a new place. So Grandma Kim became a slumber partner for her.

Emma, Jay and I hung out at home, played outside and made a special run to Dairy Queen. A couple of times we asked Emma if she missed Madeline, "no" was generally her answer. The girls are never apart, and usually ever apart from me. So it was interesting to see how they each were.

On Sunday, my internal alarm clock went off at 7am - as always. I got up and found that Emma was sitting quietly on the couch playing (that is one huge difference in having Emma wake up in the morning vs Madeline). The first thing she asked me was "when do we get to pick up Madeline" We played and cleaned and woke Jay up at 9am, just enough time to get ready for church.

Before naps, Grandma and Grandpa dropped off Madz. Funny how after a few tender moments, they were back to fighting and arguing again. Ahhh, the sweet sound of children! The neighbor brought over a large box that he had cut holes into so that the girls could use it as a playhouse. That was a big hit of the day.

Usually, no matter how tired she is, Madeline will only sleep for 1 1/2 hours for nap. Sure enough, today was no different. But, she had a great time playing with Jay with some airplane toys. I woke Emma up ot long before the OTHER grandma and grandpa came to pick the girls up for dinner. I don't get much time without them, then of course when I do, it comes all in one weekend! Take it when you can get it!

Jay made a terrific pasta dinner and we enjoyed in a quiet house - except for the neighbor putting in hardwood floors and his air compressor constatly regenerating. But, it was nice. Soon after the girls were home. Very obvious that it was time for everyone to go to sleep. We played a little boad game and off to bed! Now, for me too!

2009-07-16T23:37:00.003-05:00

I have a project that I have been so immersed in for the past few days and again it took up most of my day today. It is something that I am so happy to do, but I haven't encountered this before so my course of action is new. A friend of mine was turned down from a job that for so many reasons is one that she should have gotten. Now, I have been given/accepted/wanted to take on corospondence with those that were doing the hiring. So today I submitted my first "Letter to the editor" that I have ever written to four local newspapers and set up my plan of attack for some other things . . . It is taking on the "old boys club" mentality that comes long with school districts sometimes. Love it!

I answered a bunch of questions from a nice lady that stopped to look at the "free" grill that we had put out. She was very kind and her kids were sweet. But, in the back of my head I was thinking "you are asking all of these questions about a free grill. Just take the damn thing!" She did.

The weather was terrible today! It was so cold (mid 60's - to me that is awful) that after nap, I broke my own "rule" of no tv unless it is raining or snowing outside. I let the girls watch Seasme Street instead of playing outside. We tried, but after putting on long pants and sweatshirts and we were still cool, I gave in.

Madz started moving a bit slower and she was feeling warm - Emma had that last week. Let's hope it passes by tomorrow. We have lots of stuff going on.

2009-07-14T22:26:00.002-05:00

Cloudy and rainy today. It derailed our plans to go to Grandpa Al's house for a swim. But, we went there and enjoyed some yummy food, a good walk and a trip to Trader Joe's. My first time! Oh the fun that I could have there. But, we found some good stuff!

Came home in time for naps. But, after naps Emma woke up with a fever and said that she didn't want to go to dance, which is very unlike her. So we decied to skip it and just hung out at home catching up on Seasme Street with the weather still a little cloudy and drizzling.

Auntie Ashley stopped over to have Jay check on her car and have some dinner. The girls just love having her over! We talked and played and she did some drawing with the girls. Ended with a conversation about some past situations and plans on what to have for dinner tomorrow as Jay will have to finish working on her car.

As I finish writing this I look around at all of the projects that I have going on. Some that I am not sure how to approach, some that I haven't even begun working on and others that are just late. I do appreciate that I am asked to take on the responsibility of these projects from some businesses and committees. Just always hoping that I am doing them justice. Especially since I am working with a sub-par brain.... MS humor.

2009-07-13T22:37:00.002-05:00

One thing that I forgot to write about yesterday. When we were getting ready to leave for the boat ride, Emma was talking to Madeline about us leaving and that they would be having fun with the sitter. Madz would get a little fussy, but Emma was so sweet in reassuring her "don't worry Maddie, I will never leave you. I am your big sister". It was so cute. I told Emma that was such a nice thing to say and she told me "mom, I was just talking to Madeline. Not to anyone else".

Today we had a playdate with a gal that I had never met in person but had traded emails with for a while. She is a fellow MS'er that has three small kiddos. She came over with her kids and we had a wonderful time. Emma was being a little spitfire. But, the rest of the kiddos had a good time. The mom, Jennifer and I had an awesome time talking about our lesions, neurologists, drugs, raising kids, etc. All of which she and I can only understand without saying a thing. She and I hit it off and promised to do something again real soon. She was in the same boat as I am in that we don't have anyone around us that is "like us". Can understand raising kids, being young and pretty much at the same point of our disease (she has had it for a few years). Very thankful to have run come into contact with her. Spent the next 45 minutes after she left cleaning up the house and the yard - 5 kids, ages 5 and under sure can do a number in the messy department.

This evening Jay and I held our first T-Ball practice for our team! I set aside a better part of an hour setting up some practice drills and some ideas on how to run a practice. It probably would have worked out perfectly, except that the organization that was running it was so unorganized that it didn't allow us to do anything that we had planned and barely had the chance to coach the kiddos at all. We were both very frustrated, but now we know that next week should be better. And I will write a note to the person that runs the T-Ball and clarify some things. Also, it will be imparative to find someone to care for Madeline while we are coaching. Jay's parents offered to do that tonight, but we thought it wouln't be necessary. Well, it is necessary and someone, anyone will have to do that.

I am exhausted!

2009-07-12T22:56:00.004-05:00

One heck of a weekend! Friday night started off with a birthday celebration which led to Saturday and two more birthday parties for the kiddos! Ufdah! Lots of fun and I think that the girls have been on a sugar high - especially since they don't usually get much. But, it was a lot of fun. The girls have such great friends and all of the parents are great, so to have us all trading locations to celebrate birthdays this weekend worked out perfectly and everyone got along!

Today Jay and I were able to secure a babysitter while we went or a boat ride on Lk Minnetonka. It was to support a friend of mine who is battling lung cancer. She has also started a very sucessful organization called "A Breath of Hope". They do fundraisers for lung cancer research and programs.

The boat ride was beautiful. The weather was lovely and a nice small group of people who care about my friend coming togther to support her. Jay and I also had a nice time getting away or a little bit. Something that happens very rarely.

Summer has been running away far too quickly. I told Jay that I have suddenly overbooked myself again. As he said "Andrea, you cannot control the world." And my response was "At least I can try". Top on my plate is to figure out how to coach 4 year olds in T Ball. I have until 6pm tomorrow to work on solving that!

2009-07-10T22:58:00.002-05:00

This evening started off our weekend of parties! All kids parties, but that is ok! Lots of fun for the little ones and fun for us with great friends too.

Tonight was a party for one of the girls little friends. It was at a local club with a kids pool. We all got in and splashed around. Most of the photos that I got were of Madeline. She is a little fish and doesn't mind getting water in the eyes - she is always out to have more fun (might be a little worrysome when she gets to be 15 or so). Emma loves the water, but she is a little more "girlie" about it. Generally doesn't like to get it in her face and does her own splashing.

It was a nice small party. One of the couples there had three small kids. For some reason, a couple of times, I found myself wondering about what kinds of things they have to worry about. They have a sweet little, growing family and all seems well. Did we look like that? I suppose so from the outside and mostly from the inside as well. We are a happy little family with dreams and hopes and things that we don't want to give up on because of my disease or because of the strain it hs caused in our lives.....

Must work on a babysitter for an event that we hope to go to on Sunday!

2009-07-09T22:18:00.003-05:00

This is going to be short and sweet. I need to hit the sack early. We have a big weekend coming up filled with 3 parties for little ones, 1 gathering for a friend with a cause and a few other things to get done in between.

Today was a Dr appointment day with my neurologist. Because the girls put on their best "show" - and I am not talking about a cutsey little show, a crazed and loud performance by two little girls - last appointment, I swore that I would not bring them next time. So, since my optins for care for the girls during the day is slim, Jay took the afternoon off to spend with them and I could go "freely" to my appointment.

At the appointment I was there for a regular MS check up as well as follow up for the research project that I volunteered for. I had a chance to talk with my Dr. about some questions, the future and other myths/ideals that people have had about care for MS people. He is a very sweet man and is so smart and well spoken that he doesn't leave much question in your mind. I had to laugh. When he first walked into the room, he said "where are your girls today?" I chuckled and asked if he was kidding. He thought they were "charming". He is from New Zealand. Perhaps "charming" has a different meaing there.

After the check up with the Dr. I spent some time talking with the gal in the research dept. She always has to ask me a bunch of questions and strip me of lots of blood. We got into the ethical debate of if the government is really interested in finding a cure for diseases becaus there is so much money to be made within drug companies and with the diseases. Keep peole sick and you keep lots of companies in business making lots and LOTS of money. Interesting conversation and one that if ever given the chance (and if I had enough guts - yes, me questioning if I had enough guts) I would love to question those high, high up in office. Doesn't matter your political affiliation, just some intersting points.

Had dinner wih Jay's parents tonight then home for stories and bed. Now it is my turn!

2009-07-07T22:40:00.004-05:00

First of all, Aunt Beth if you are reading today, I am cursing you for introducing me to those "PopChips". I ran into them at a local store and cannot keep my hands off of them. Damn are they good! (I say that lovingly as I pop one into my mouth.)

We took in a show at the library with some musicians showcasing some different instruments. Occassionally at these shows, the entertainers will ask for volunteers. Today Emma volunteered which really surprised me because she doesn't like to be focused on like that. Well, the man called on her, she began to get up, my heart leaped in thinking that I had to quic get to my purse and get my camera to remember this moment. Before I could even make a move to my purse she had backed down and was huddled next to me. Maybe next time.

I received a call from the YMCA who is working in conjunction with the local community center to organize T-Ball that Emma was signed up for as part of her birthday gift. They wanted to see if I was still interested in coaching her team. Sheepishly I said yes. Years ago Jay and I had coached Ashley's team, for quite a few years, but I haven't ever coached 4 year olds. I can teach those kids the alphabet, how to write letters and even work with the school board in securing future lass funding, but T-ball?!!? Thankfully the guy told me that they have some coaching tips and pointers in a handbook that I can read over to give me some information. I forgot that you have to teach them things like what the name of that space on that you stand to hit the ball. Either way, it will be fun for us and we will make it fun for the kids and good memories for the girls.

Emma danced her little heart out tonight. As much as she doesn't want to be the focus of somethings, she was willing to be the "leader" tonight in class. She was very good at it! And she was excited that Grandma Kim came to watch her.

We were having a relaxing night, then we got started talking about some small, inexpensive (in theory) updating projects that we can do around the house. Somehow it morphed into cleaning out the garage and some other things. I am sure it is not what Jay wanted to do tonight. But, it looks good. I have a personal goal to clean out the office so that it can be turned into Madeline's bedroom by the end of this month. That might be a lofty goal but worth a shot. Emma really, really wants bunkbeds that she and Madz can share in her room. So we are pricing out those as well as needing to get the office cleaned and turned into a real room. I think it is important for them to still have a seperate space if needed. Ugh, it isn't going to be fun - bring on the cleaning supplies - but it will be great when it is done!!

If you look closely at the photo that I posted of the picture that Emma colored, can you see the humor that Jay and I found in that? Something that perhaps a 9 year old boy would find funny. Emma made breasts on the woman. Well, in the summer time, our church doesn't have Sunday school. So Emma stays with us in service. They have some great coloring sheets and learning things for the kids. This past week this was the sheet that Emma had. Her coloring of the woman was interesting. And in elementary humor, Jay and I couldn't control our laughter during service. . . .

2009-07-06T22:22:00.003-05:00

A fellow MS'er that I have been in contaact with and have a playdate set up with next week forwarded to me an article that was written about a gal getting treatment for her MS. Pretty exciting stuff! Hopefully you can read the link... http://www.mnsun.com/article s/2009/07/06/news/aw02angelajung.txt

This picture is of the girls playing school in dress up clothes.

2009-07-05T22:10:00.003-05:00

Pretty unbelievable that we have had almost a whole weekend to hang out together as a little family. Daddy didn't have to work! What a great weekend it was!

A good portion of the day yesteday was spent hanging out at the local carnival and festivities - going on rides, eating and watching the parade. What a great time. Some very tired girls got in a small nap then dine on some delicisious steaks for dinner. Sticking to Jay's desisre not to go out of our way to go anywhere this weekend, we camped out in our backyard for the fireworks. The girls loved watching the home fireworks show that Jay put on - with all legal fireworks, of course What a great time!

For some reason, even after all of the festivities of the day before, Madeline was up at 6am. I certainly wasn't ready to be up (I keep telling myself that I need to go to bed before midnight). The morning went slow, but we made it to church. After the service we walked out to a beautiful day! Couldn't be more beautiful. We made a stop at Target for some new water toys and home for some more fun.

We took out our new slip-n-slide and water shooters and got wet! We were in the pool and sliding down the slide. There was no age limit here and none of us were safe from the water!!

Thankfully I even got a nap in today and woke up in time to watch my Tiger walk away with another golf trophy. Yipee!

Back to real life tomorrow!

2009-07-03T22:12:00.003-05:00

The girls and I had a grea time visiting with Great Grandma and Grandpa today. They just enjoy speding time with the kids so much and they do with them. As for me, I love that they get the opportunity to know them and spend time with them! We admired the bunnies in the yard and Grandpa played lts of practical jokes on the girls. Remenicient of many times when I was younger.

Home for naps and I took some time planting two clematis that I have. This is a new one for me so I have to get acquainted with how I should be tying them up, but boy are they beautiful plants. I sure hope that they fill in the space that I put them.

Daddy got home and you could almost see the tension leave and the relaxing fill his body. We played and grilled out. Then somehow I was able to talk him into helping me shave one of the dogs (all three need it, but it takes a while and it is just too expensive to bring them into the groomers...) Ugh, he is in terrible shape. The collies are getting old and it is sad to see them starting to loose weight, but thankfully as playful as ever!

We had a little dance party in the driveway. Emma was leading the way with some fancy dance moves. Then we enoyed more time together. Poor Madz was so pooped that after bath she fell apart. So it was quick to bed and hopefully a little sleeping in. A whole day with daddy tomorrow! Yipee!!

2009-07-02T23:05:00.003-05:00

It seems as though lately we have been so busy running and running. Thankfully the kids are experts at this and are FAIRLY good with getting dragged here and there. But, between finishing fathers day gifts - yes, finishing them, with 5 grandpa/great grandpa's between the girls and an involved project, it is just getting finished - and my recent love of clematis plants for the yard, I have been on a several quests. However, Jay gave orders of strictly wanting to not make any plans this weekend. Since he has been working virtually weeks straight I will afford him that. I am doing my part at not making any plans. We do need to have some family time together. This weekend should be good for that.

Poor little Madeline woke up at 5 this morning, I heard her crying but didn't go in. Then at 6:10 she was up and it sounded like she was not going back to bed. Went in to get her to find that the little babe had gotten sick in her bed. Poor little bean! So this morning we spent hanging out at home to see what was going to come of Madz today. After several hours, breakast and a snack she was feeling just fine. Grandpa Al stopped by to entertain everyone. Then with the clouds making a timely disappearance we headed off to the pool. We had a great time!

This evening was filled with play outside. Just what we all like!

Thankfully tomorrow is Friday! On top of everything else, Jay and I are going to have to discuss some car options. We are making two fairly substantial car payments and we only really drive one car and Jay has his work van . . . Until we get the rest of my Dr's bills paid off we need to make some sort of adjustment. Blah!!

2009-06-30T22:50:00.002-05:00

I should remember not to talk up a program at the library too much before I am sure that they are performing. The puppet show well, they were relaced by a folk story teller. A bit over the little girlies heads. But, a fun change none the less.

During nap I made plans for a girlfriend to come over with her son for dinner. But, since the girls were sleeping it meant that it would be a mad dash to the store to secure items for dinner. When Jay got home I ran with Madeline. Do you ever feel like the faster you try to go, the slower you actually are? Well, that is how this was. But, we made it to dance, then home for our guests. Jay was actually able to get to see Emma tonight. I think that he had fun and I know that she was so proud to have him there.

Had a ton of fun with my girlfriend. We all laughed and joked and got caught up. I have been with her a couple of times a week for the past few years, but our lives have been very busy for different reasons the past couple of months. But, she is a great friend and will always make time for her.

Wishing for change, wanting change - but, hoping that nothing will change.....

2009-06-29T21:53:00.003-05:00

Today was a day (like many others) that I tried to pack in to many things before lunch time. That is why lunch didn't happen until 1:30. Thankfully the kids were fine. We just were all sick of running around. I always try to do AT LEAST one educational thing in the morning and we were lucky to have some time at the library this morning. A great plce for kids to easily get in learning and love of knowledge. So happy that, so far, they both have that!

When Jay got home, we were both kind of at the point of tired and just wishing we could sit, and well, sit. The kids were kind of on edge and just one of those evenings I felt sad for the kiddos that we probably weren't much fun for them (in all fairness, they really weren't that much fun either!).

Jay re-created a great sandwich that he had when he was out of town - see there are some benefits to going out of town. The cuisine in Michigan is devine! No really, great sandwich.

After the girls were put to bed, Jay put on the tv concert by Darius Rucker (fromerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, now doing country music). He has the song "It won't be like this for long." It was so appropriate to listen to tonight. Waking up tired when they are babies - it won't be like this for long, dropping them off at preschool - it won't be like this for long, she probably will think she hates you as a teenager - it won't be like this for long.....the joy of the kids, that will hopefully be around forever!

2009-06-28T22:39:00.003-05:00

Lucky enough to have had Jay home for four straight nights - and by "home" I mean sleeping in his own bed at night. He truly hasn't been home much at all. I think he said 25 days working with 3 days off . . . . Poor guy. Thankful he doesn't have to work the next couple of weekends so the girls and I are going to be selfish and keep him all to ourselves. Every morning, and I mean every single one, they ask "Is daddy up yet?", me "yep, he is at work already", "Will he come home tonight?". I hate that our kids have to ask if daddy is coming home.

Anyway, did church and a little swimming today. When daddy got home we went to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's to celebrate Auntie's birthday. Jay got to relax a bit (just a little) and everyone crashed out when we got home.

Have to get this next week in order for the girls and I. We have lot of things going on and a lot of fun learning things too. We are pretty sure that daddy gets to come and watch Emma at dance on Tuesday (she is so excited)!!

I am thinking of so many things to touch on and write. But, not sure that I have the oomph to write about much else right now. Thought about life and how things can change, how some people come and go in life - some sadly and others not so much, funny how some can ignore the obvious and some can try to make something out of what isn't there..... Funny how life is.

2009-06-26T22:51:00.003-05:00

It is late and we are all tired. So I will leave you with pictures of the girls and their (almost) matching boo-boos on the face. Emma's is from falling off of a swing (on Tuesday) and Madeline's from falling off of our front cement steps (we will see how Madz looks tomorrow since hers just happend tonight).... More tomorrow.

2009-06-25T22:36:00.003-05:00

Oh the joy of the day in spending it out in the heat - LOVE IT!! We met some friends and went to watch the Teddy Bear Band in the park. Yep, sweating just sitting there and even more so when we got up to dance but it was wonderful! The kids had so much fun and so did I!

Jay and I had a couple of hours to ourselves when the girls went out to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Mostly were able to get done some outside work without "little interruptions". We should have tried to get some other stuff done insude the house, but what the heck. We had fun!

Running around and playing all day makes for tired little kiddos (and moms and dads), but oh the sunshine!! We have all been getting to bed so late because it is so nice out and the son is shining. It would be a shame to waste it.

Finished up the day with a shot in the thigh. I missed the MS meeting that I was going to go to last night. But, contacted the gal that runs it. She is a younger mom of three small kids and we are going to get togehter in the near future. So excited to talk with someone else "like me".

2009-06-24T22:21:00.003-05:00

Spent a fair amount of time this morning watering the sod that the city had layed out in the middle of the road project. They have so kindly left it up to us to water. Not so keen about wastin a fair amount of time and water doing that for them. I think that an email to the city again is in my future.

Off to Madeline's class - kind of a mommy and me type thing. It is so much fun and she loves it too. After class the girls and I sat down with Casey (she works in one of the other classrooms) during her lunch and chatted. Emma didn't say much, but she was excited!!

Came home to enjoy some time and clean up a bit. Rumor had it that Jay was on his way home - for a day or so...Nap time, then poof, Jay was home! You can tell that all the travel and being away from home is really, really wearing on him. It is wearing on all of us not to mention almost everyone else that he works with. I told him to wait until the company picnic and see if the bosses will acknowledge and "reward" all of the sacrafices that the guys have given. Jay said doubtful. I prefer a cup half full. We will see.

A nice evening grilling out and playing. Such a calm about the house when we are all together as a family.

2009-06-23T22:38:00.003-05:00

Geez, I have really been slacking here lately. But, there hasn't been al ot of time to spend on the computer in general. I think that is one of the beauties of summer - everything is busy doing all sorts of wonderful things.

The past couple of days has been REALLY warm and humid. I have heard a lot of complaining, but certainly not from me. I love it! I love the heat and the warmth. People think that I am kidding or exaggerating when I say that I hate the winter and living in MN - but, I am not!

Jay had to leave this morning for somewhere in WI - sad when I don't even know where he is. He should be home tomorrow. I had been planning to go to a group meeting with other MS people, so I am not sure with him getting home and me going to the meeting how we are going to work it out, but we will I guess.

I am starting to look into some alternative menus that I have been hearing a lot about for people that have MS or other things that "cures" them or changes things in their body. But, it is a BIG, BIG change in what you eat and what you make. Kind of a scary thought since I am not a great cook. And it is really a pain when you have to make changes around people's personal diet, etc. I am not intersted in being one of them. But, this would be for more then vanity reasons I suppose..... I will have to get some rock solid recipes since I am sure that I will have to convince Jay that this crap is edible.

These photos are from Emma's dance class tonight. She is doing really well and seems to like it a lot. I think Madz feels a little put out since she is done with gymnastics and she LOVED that. Perhaps in the fall again. Anyway, the pictures aren't great, but she looked so cute and Jay couldn't be there so I wanted him to see her.

2009-06-21T22:42:00.004-05:00

Finally, the weekend and some time to spend as a family with Jay! Yipee! However, as with most weekends or the little bit of time that we have had together, it went too fast and we had a lot of stuff to pack in.

We made it to the Como zoo on Saturday for a short visit. Very warm, but an aweome part of the day together! Fathers day today. We ran from place to place. We had a nice time and got to see a small portion of the fathers involved in this day. But, to see them all would probably not be possible. The girls, and I, are so lucky to have Jay. He is a great father. I don't think that any kiddos could ask for someone better.

Trying to make plans for the week, but with a small out of town work trip for Jay possible, the plans are proving difficult to make. We will do our best. Emma is thrilled that he is going to (doing his best to make sure that he is) going to be around for dance on Tuesday night.

I am feeling great - just in case you thought I forgot about he reason that I started this blog. I haven't forgotten. Thankfully, as my neurologist had once said, eventually the MS won't be the very first thing on your mind anymore. Gladly, I think that it has found it's place in my brain - so to speak.

2009-06-18T22:20:00.003-05:00

Our house is filled with lovely songs from Emma's VBS. She will sing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs several times a day as well as several other diddys that she has learned. It is so fun to see the joy she has in learning!

Today I watched as the yahoos, I mean, the highly talented absent minded cement crew came to yet again fix my driveway square off against the professional team that was putting in a whole driveway across the street. They would pause in their work to ogle across the road and see what the other is doing. Already the stuff across the street looks better. Oh well, when you don't have extra money to give them, you have to take the best you can get from them.

Having Jay home is great! I look forward to it and so do the girls. Today I drove Madeline past where he was working. I think she was as stunned as I was that he was right down the road!

As I was making dinner today and Emma, Madeline and Jay were playing in the front yard. Emma told Jay that there was "a whole lot of shit in the front yard, shit everywhere" It was true that there were toys everywhere, but geez. I think that I am guilty for that one.

2009-06-17T22:36:00.002-05:00

Everything today was done with anticipation that Jay would be home - and probably stay home for a week or so! Wow!

Emmas teacher at Vacation Bible Scool (VBS) told me today that Emma is so "amazingly smart". Here teacher teaches during the school year and she was so excited by the interest in learning and the skills that she has. Awesome - who really are her parents?!?

The girls helped me pick up the house and Emma earned a little bit of allowance for doing some thins around the house. She is starting to learn saving, donating and such.

I have decided that poppy blooms do not last long enough and how great it would be have been Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz falling asleep in the field of poppies. Strange train of though, but mine are in bloom and they are amazing!

2009-06-16T22:34:00.003-05:00

Crazy, running around kind of day! A highlight of the day was Emma started dance class tonight. Thankfully I took a couple of picutres of her before we left for class because I forgot my camera for class. That was too bad because she was SOOO cute in her little socks and tap shoes doing the little dance.

I STILL have several phone calls and many emals to respond to. I am hoping with Jay in town the next week (thank goodness!!) I might finally get caught up. I hate that stuff hanging over my head!

2009-06-15T22:57:00.003-05:00

Jay was off to the lovely "DuPuke", Iowa - as we calls it - bright an early this morning. Come to find out later, his van ws not thrilled to go their either because it broke down near Waterloo.

The girls have been sleeping much better which is great until you have to get up and going for something, then you really need to kick it into gear. So with 15 minutes before Emma's Vacation Bible School started, I hopped in the shower, fed Madeline breakfast and got her dressed, got Emma up, packed her things for class, stopped and got her a muffin and was only 5 minutes late for class. Wow, I amaze myself sometimes. But, on the other hand, that was moving far too fast!

Emma gave Madz and I quick kisses and was eager to get into class - yes, this is the class that she didn't want to go to. Madz and i swung into the gym for a quick workout which turned even quicker when I got going an realized how blsted hot it was in there, then off to the library for story time and to church to pick up Emma.

This evening the girls and I went to a art/book thing at the library. It is only a little over a mile away, but I haven't taken that walk for a while. Needless to say, it is a much different walk when you are pushing a double stroller with 50 lbs of kid in it! But we made it, did some art then made our way to Subway and home.

On our way home, Emma referenced her birthday party that she wants to have with her friends. She said "But, I will tell you when I want to have it". I said ok, but when might you want to do it? She said "I will let you know. I have to wait until I know that daddy can be there." Poor kid, they are both missing him. I said f course daddy will be there, he wouldn't miss it. But, she made sure that I was clear and said "I don't want to plan it without daddy". At the end of this week into next week he should be here doing a job right down the street. Yeah!

2009-06-14T22:57:00.003-05:00

Jay was hard at work this morning first thing. Thankfully he was at home, but was on the phone diagnosing a problem that he was hoping to not have to drive to. So the girls and I headed off to church.

Jay was able to join us for lunch then home for lots of play time before he heads off to Iowa again - but hopefully for only a few days. We took great advantage of a terrific day! If everyday could be just like this oh, I would be a happy girl!! We filled up the pool and put out our new sprinkler and some water toys and had a great time as a family which we haven't had much of lately.

The neighbrs invited us over for dinner tonight. They are great cooks and great company and the girls love it.

We have a busy, busy week nect week. Emma is going to be doing vacation bible school, as long as she doesn't have a meltdown along with some other classes and fun things. I also have to start working on my fathers day projects. Not confident I can get everything done, but sure can try!

2009-06-13T23:23:00.004-05:00

Jay rolled back into town yesterday evening. That made for three very happy girls in the Viera household!! It is so nice how there is such balance in the household almost immediately. We enjoyed the evening together.

This morning, bright and early, Jay was off to work already again. The girls and I played before they went to go swimming with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl. I wasn't sure what to do with myself since I am never alone. I ran some errands and spent a little time walkting around the Excelsior Art Fair. That was a nice time and beautiful weather. Got home just before the girls did, then they took a nap.

This evening was a family time together and working in the yard. I am trying to take lots of drugs - nothing exciting, just some Robotussin - to take away te symptoms of this cold. It is taking away my voice - Ah, what I am I supposed to do without my voice?!? Not to mention it is exhausting to strain so much to talk. I must hit the sack.

2009-06-11T22:31:00.003-05:00

I took some awesome pictures today of some flowers about to bloom in the garden and some of Madeline's last gymnastics class. But, the camera is in my car and I just don't have the oomph to go out and get it. I will have to see what else I can find....

I figured out that I was so over tired and worn out during the day yesterday because when I took some cold medicine (which I never do, by the way) I accidentially took "night time" medicine. That might explain why I was so groggy and had "medicine head".

The girls have booth been sleeping in pretty well these days. I tired to make Madz shade in her room close a little better to keep the sun out. It seems to be doing the trick - so far.

We took a road trip to BFE today - i.e. White Bear Lake. A good college friend of mine lives there and we wanted our kids to play. My friend has an Au Pair from Germany and she helped to watch the kids while we chatted and got lunch ready. Although Emma felt the need to stay attached to my hip. My friend has a boy and a girl just slightly older then Emma, but that didn't spark her interest much.

By the time we left it was past nap time and close to rush hour. And I was almost out of gas.... The girls slept in the car and I am sure that I could have forced them down for a nap when I got home but it was late, so they stayed up until Madz gymnastics.

Came home and played and ate. Just got done discussing with Emma the reasons why she is suddenly scared to sleep down in her room all by herself. All of her other friends homes that I have actually been to are newer then ours so all of the rooms are on one level, so I was having a hard time convincing her. Besides we are going to start working on moving Maddie's bedroom down next to hers. Although lately she doesn't like much of anything - the summer park program that she is to start tomorrow - "I don't want to do that", Vacation Bible School (she LOVES regular bible school) - "I am not going to church", Soccer (she has been talking about doing that for months) - "I am not doing that". The only thing she wants to do lately is go to the pool and start dance lessons (and T-ball and tennis, but we haven't signed her up for those). It must be damn hard to be 4!

2009-06-10T22:05:00.002-05:00

No really, I AM going to bed tonight before 11pm! This cold has taken hold and is running me down. It was so hard to get up this morning. But, that is what I get for going to bed at 1am with this nasty cold looming.

I just put the girls to bed. Before they went to bed we called Jay in Iowa to say good night. After they got off the phone I realized how truly annoyed I am with him being out of town. In his job he can't just take time to talk or have time to give a call. So in the past 4 weeks that he has been out of town we really haven't TALKED much. So when the weekend comes we work so hard to try to catch up, do stuff around the house and going here and there. We haven't been able to plan the girls birthday party for their friends (Emma talks about it everyday, so there is no getting out of it), we haven't been able to talk about bills or just everyday things. Yes, lots of men work out of town, but many of them have jobs that allow them more "free" time.....Yep, we are happy that he has a job obviously. But, this out of town stuff is wearing on both of us!

Emma had her last gymnastics tonight. She had fun and did a good job. Madeline was just as happy to be able to take advantage of the sucker and stamp that accompany the last day of gymnastics. Now I need to work on signing them up for their summer classes that start next week! Ugh!

I had a great phone conversation with a friend of mine. I wrote a letter of recommendation for her for a job opening. Since I have a lot of volunteer experience with the area she was looking into she wanted me to write a letter. The letter came out pretty good and she called to thank me and to tell me how much she loved me. She said that she has always felt that we were old spirits together. So very sweet!

2009-06-09T22:54:00.004-05:00

Oh geez, it is almost 11pm and I still haven't done my shot and I have a couple of emails to respond to yet.....Thankfully, I should knock on wood, Madeline slept until 8:15 this morning (ha, I knew she had it in her!) so I might not have to be up with the roosters tomorrow morning!

Felt better on the whole today. The "flu like symptoms" went away, just in time for a cold to set in. We made our way to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house for a while to spend some time with them and with the cousins. The kiddos were maniacs, but they had lots of fun!

After naps I got to do a little gardening. Planting and weeding. Now I think that my flowers would appreciate some sunshine - as would I!

This evening we were invited over to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's for dinner and play time. It was nice to get out and have more adult interaction and the girls liked the change of scenery.

Got home late and had to finish drying Emma's sheets. So everyone to bed late and I still need to do that damn shot.

2009-06-08T22:58:00.004-05:00

Geez, I had it all set to get to bed early! Then I sucked into getting caught up on emails that I haven't yet returned.... Still not caught up.

I was wide awake at 4am. Thankfully no one in the house was. I didn't feel great. And as Jay kissed me on the way out to Iowa and Madeline woke up, I knew I didn't feel good. Did what I never do, brought Madz into bed with me, as I needed a bit more sleep.

When I pulled myself out of bed, I had what can only be described as "flu like symptoms" - a typical side effect which can come from Rebif and I did have a shot last night. I had a terrible headache and really achy all over. I thought it strange that after almost 6 months on the drug NOW I get one of these side effects. So, needless to say, I was moving a bit slow all day long.

We made it to the library for the storytime then to the gym for a half assed workout. I haven't been there in about 2 weeks - can certainly see and feel the effects of that!

Bright and early this morning, one of my trusty guys from the City offices called and was eager to set up a meeting with me, the owner of the cement contractors that are doing the road/driveway and himself. I set a meeting up for 2:30, hoping that it would be quick so that I could have time to rest.

To spare you all the gorey details, I was not budging on my feeling that they needed to re-pour our driveway, they didn't seem to interested in that. In the end, we are getting a new driveway poured (not the whole thing, just the portion that they originally fixed). Thank God, now I can go lay down. I fell into a deep sleep.

With this totally crappy weather, everthing feels blah again. Stuck in the house tring to pass the time, especailly with Jay being gone. We played games, the girls watch Seasme Street which they were excited about, and played house. We worked our way to dinner and bed time. Sometime in between eating and bed, I took some ibuprofin to try and get rid of the body aches and headache. It did wonders almost immediatly. Started to feel not so crappy.

One of the highlights of the day, was that our friend Casey Carlson (she was on American Idol) was on one of the local tv talk shows this afternoon! They asked her a question about her fans and she talked (using her name and all) about Emma! Emma was thrilled and couldn't beleive that she was talking about her! Too fun. Then she emailed me and asked what Emma thought about that. Casey is such a sweet, sweet girl.

2009-06-07T22:50:00.002-05:00

So yesterday was Emma's big day and the last big celebration in the Viera's month of celebrating! I love this time of the year with so many things to look forward to. But, we have been so busy lately it will be nice to have a reason to settle down.

After Emma woke up, we presented her with her gift - her own car! Ok, it is a little car. But, she can really drive it. Unfortunatly, the weather was pretty crappy so her time on it was minimal. It ws so fun to watch she amd Madz take off like Thelma and Louise.

Our whole little family packed up and went to a birthday party for one of Emma's little friends - she was ok at being at another kiddos party. She just kept reminding us about her upcoming party (which I still have to plan and put together, by the way).

Home for play, naps and all of that fun stuff. Then a visit from Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don for some more birthday fun, then on to Chuck E. Cheese. The four of us had a ton of fun running around going on rides and playin games. Thankfully we bought just enough tokens to last a while, but not too long.

Chuck E. Cheese's is an interesting place to encounter persons of all backgrounds and parenting/personality styles. Jay and I were amazed by the lack of "editing" people have out in public.

Today we went to chuch, then to the store for our little get together later and naps. Emma NEEDS naps, but don't try to tell her that! I think that she is hitting the pinacle of a growth spurt. She has a snappy little tongue and is in a fluxuating state of crabbiness. It is like she turned 14 instead of 4! So after she started crying because she said that she bit her finger, we gave up the napping thing for the day.

I received a call from a friend of mine from L.A. who was passing through town on her way to the airport. She and her fiance stopped by for a visit. It was great to see her. We caught up with her Hollywood lifestyle and work on some movies and her fiance's work in animation - got some inside stuff on Shrek 4!

Our party guests arrived - Aunt Beth, the cousins, Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don. Emma got to play for a while with a couple of her cousins who she LOVES playing with! The kiddos, for the most part, played and played together and we didn't even hear much from them. We had more guests arrive and Auntie Ashley too! It was a lot of fun!

Rounded out the night with some big kisses and hugs for daddy who is off to Dubuque (sp?) Iowa tomorrow for the week and I will be awaiting the wrath of my email to the city about the damn driveway.

2009-06-06T22:24:00.004-05:00

Happy birthday to our little Emma! We all had a great day. Amazing that our little lady is already 4! I will write more tomorrow, but since we have been moving at warp speed lately ging from here to there then trying to fit lots of stuff in while Jay is in town, I am a little tired.

2009-06-05T21:57:00.002-05:00

We have been so, so busy lately that days all seem to be melding into one. With each day I think "things have settled down." But, soon comes dinner and bed time and I realize that I haven't called back half of the people that I meant to and I still have about 10 emails that I have yet to respond to. All the while I am feeling great! Things, body wise, are very well!

Yesterday we took advantage of the few and far between nice days that Minnesota has. We went to the pool for a good portion of the day. The girls LOVED it! Unfortunatly, I left my camera in the car and draggin the kids kicking and screaming out the car to get the camera wasn't appealing. We played and played. Emma, the daredevil that she is, head first (no litterally, just figurativly) into the water. I am pretty certain that she was born without the "fear gene". Thankfully I am always, always close by. She looked like a floater a couple of times. A pretty relaxing rest of the day from some tired little ones. Madz seemd to get her oomph back fo gymnastics.

Today, Emma got to have a couple of birthday celebrations. Grandma Kim picked her up and brought her to the flower nursery. They put together their own fairy garden. It is so very cute and Emma spent A LOT of time out playing with it. She has a great imagination! Then a nice lunch outside by the lake with Auntie, Grandma, Madz, Emma and me.

Then without much of a nap for either kid, they got ready for a dinner out with Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Jim. Emma calmly said "I guess I don't mind opening gifts before dinner". She got a doll house that she (ad Madeline) were very excited about.

While the girls were off at dinner, Jay and I enjoyed some time alone at home. We don't get much time, if ever, alone. But, we certainly aren't alone at home without them. It was great. We had a nice dinner and things were very relaxed and quiet.

The girls got home after having a great time. Emma was concerned that she missed my shot. I assured her that the fun wouldn't be again until Sunday night. We played, baths, played, said good night to the fairy garden and went to bed. Wondering if Madz might be exhausted enough to sleep until 7am?? My little baby is 4 tomorrow!

2009-06-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

Surprise, we found out this morning that daddy was coming home today! A couple of days early. That changed our "to do's" for the day to include a little more cleaning up around the house, then on to our playdate.

Nap time came just in time as I was about to pull my hair out. Emma has been trying all sorts of fun little tricks to get her way. Thankfully not long after that, Jay was home! After Emma's gymnastics we spent the rest of the night playing and more playing. It seems that when we are all back together, the whole mood of the house changes - for the better!

Must get to bed now, I am tired and have a headache. A headache tends to mean more to an MS'er. Not that it means anything truly in the way of your MS, just a reminder that things just aren't what they once were up there.

2009-06-02T22:13:00.003-05:00

Emma was here to "help" me with my shot tonight. Before she helped me push the trigger, she did some child like inquiry about what was in the shot and why I had to do it. We have talked about all of this before, but sometimes I think that they ask things again just because they want to make sure that the answer was the same. One of those times you can truly appreciate the ability to be young and naive - not just playing the part like some adults tend to do.

I would love to say that things without Jay around have been lonely, but that wouldn't be the truth. We have been so, so busy running around. Much of that is my fault for volunteering for a few organizations that need help. I love doing it, but suddenly between all of the summer activities and enjoyment, I add a whole nother level of activity. Although, busy is just how I like things.

This evening some neighbors invited us down for dinner. That was really nice. They love the kids so we all played and had a bonfire and a nice meal, and I was able to have some adult conversation (in between naughty kids who wanted to do whatever they wanted there. But, they knew that they had me since I haven't had much adult interaction for a couple of days).

Now for some reading and relaxing...

2009-05-31T21:55:00.003-05:00

Yesteday when Emma woke up, I reminded her that it was Maddie's birthday. Her smile immdiatly turned to a frown and said, "No, it is my birthday too. I don't want a birthday in June." Go figure, when my birthday, Jay's birthday and Madeline's birthday are all in May she doesn't want to be different and have one in June - even though it is only a week later then the rest. There is no way that we could have another kid in, say, October. Gee, the poor kid would feel like it is REALLY the black sheep of the family.

So, since next Saturday on Emma's real birthday, she has a party for a friend to go to, we told her that we would be celebrating hers today as well. She seems satisfied with that. We enjoyed breakfast, a festival, a pizza dinner all in the name of both of their birthdays. Needless to say, Emma's gifts are waitin until next week. So we have had to play referree to the new toys.

Last night we ended with a smores cookout with birthday candles in Madeline's marshmellow. What an awesome day for an awesome little girl!!

At church today it was an awesome service. It was the last day for one of the pastors, so it was an extra special service. One with lots of tears and laughs. Followed by lunch, then a day of play and the girls riding bikes (Madz got one for her birthday!). It was nice to have Jay home to help with my shot tonight. I can certainly do it by myself, but I love having his (and Emma's help).

Spending as much time together since Jay is heading out of town again first thing tomorrow morning. He will probably be 1/2 way to MI about the time I am rekindling my ongoing quest to get a decent driveway.

2009-05-30T23:55:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my little baby, Madeline!! My little bean turned two today. We had a great day. So much fun and so many laughs!!

2009-05-29T23:22:00.003-05:00

Daddy is home!! The girls and I couldn't be happier! Had a little belated birthday party tonight for him now gearing up for Madz birthday tomorrow.

We are both so tired. But since I was trying to get the house all spiffy for Jay when he got home, I threw the sheets in the wash - but, forgot to put them in the dryer! Ugh!

2009-05-28T22:38:00.005-05:00

Got a slow start to the day. It is Jay's birthday. The first time in almost 15 years that we have ever been apart for one. I was sad to think about him spending the entire day stuck in a car wash in the middle of no where without anyone to acknowledge his birthday. Thank goodness that the sun was shining, it gave incentive to getting out the door and to the gym. Didn't have much oomph for it, but figured it had been a week since I had been there. My ass has been extra frumpy.

Spent about 25 minutes on the treadmill - don't want to overdo it! Then on to cash in an awesome gift card at the local flower nursery. The girls and I spent lots of time looking at and smelling all sorts of flowers. But, as with any place, our time came to a close when my little natives started getting restless. Made it home unscathed dispite the car that decided to abruptly stop in the middle of the highway.

We came home to find our driveway and curb looking like this. Apparently the yahoos - I mean, cement contractors - decided to take another stab at it. Hoping that the results will be a bit better this time. Guessing that I will have to babysit lots of grown men when they begin grading and sodding our lawn. We enjoyed an awesome picnic outside.

With nap time, came some laundry and TLC for my flowers. Attempting to get the house in decent shape for Jays return tomrrow.

All day today, as is on most gymnastics days, Madeline would walk around asking with serious inquisition "My 'nastics tonight? I excited!" or she would joke "Emma's 'nastics? No, my 'nastics on Thursday." It was a bit hectic without Jay there to keep Emma in the observation area. She was certianly a "big helper" tonight. They have fun together, but it is a little like herding wild cats with their love of gymnastics and so much to do.

Enjoyed some grillable foods from the stove, more playtime outside, quick bath and bedtime. I am determined to finish up this book tonight - I have to find out if he gets convicted... - Then a busy day for tomorrow!

The girls and I made lots of calls to Jay and I think everytime Emma sang the birthday song to him. Jay also received the birthday cards we sent to his hotel. I am glad that he knows that we didn't forget his big day!

2009-05-27T21:36:00.002-05:00

This would have been the perfect night to have a necessary adult beverage. However, I did not. (This damn Australian strawberry licorice from Trader Joes should be outlawed).

With much pleading and coaxing, I asked Emma to be on good behavior and remember her manners today when we went to a friend of mines house. Generally when Emma is in good form Madz will follow so the conversation didn't have to be duplicated. We spent several hours today with my friend, 4 of her grandkids and some other relatives. We ate a little, chit chatted, etc. Generally avoiding the "elephant in the room" - my friend is riddled with lung cancer. She doesn't mind talking about it and she and I have a common "disease" bond. That is what you folks out there that do not have a disease cannot understand - and it is only when you, yourself have the disease can truly understand. But, she and I choose to spend time watching the little ones and enjoying life. It was fun AND, especially for having 6 kids under the age of 5 in the house playing, Emma and Madeline had good manners. (Super Mary, if you are reading this, I did escape unscathed....)

The long play time lead to a short nap so that we could get to Emma's gymnastics. Waking the kids up after a nap like that is pretty scary and I was reminded why. Maddie is pretty mellow all around, but Em was a piece of work.

My attempt at grilling burgers and brats and Emma's request failed when I couldn't initally get the grill going and on second attempt the propane went out. With intensly hungry and crabby kids I threw dinner on the stove. It came out pretty well.

We played outside for a while, came in for bedtime routine and a call to daddy - which will be part of the bedtime routine for a while - then negotiating with Emma why she cannot sleep on the living room floor and off to bed.

Throughout the day there are so many funny little things that happen or the girls say. I make a mental note to remember them to write here for your pleasure and for perhaps my pleasure of re-reading these one day. But of course, non-MS related, I cannot remember just how they went. Just that they brought smiles to my face.

Will have to make sure to indulge in an adult beverage in honor of Jay tomorrow night. This is the first time in 15 years that we haven't been togehter on his birthday...so sad.

2009-05-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

Here it is 10pm and for all intents and purposes I am ready for bed. Jay is not home and the girls are sound asleep and I am headed for bed. Although I probably won't be counting sheep for quite some time. I am reading a great book and am having a hard time putting it down. I will write this, do a shot (which I like much better when Jay does it), then hit the sack.

Story time at the library was lots of un. With a new gal there who has worked with kids, it is a nice time for kids to become more acquianted with books.

Durig nap time the door bell rang - Ugh! I should think about putting up my sign again "Do not knock or ring doorbell, babies sleeping". I previously had that up when the visits from the Harry Krishnas (sp?), the magazine sales people and the political people was out of hand. However today, the bell ringing was from a gentleman from the city coming to talk with me directly about the issues (yes, still continuing) that we are having with the new curb that has already cracked and some other things wrong with the driveway. Amongst clearing up my expectations with him about these things, he turned to me and said, "I wanted to tell you something on a personal basis. Last time I was at your house you mentioned that you were diagnoses with MS." I do remember telling him that ecause fr some reason it came out in conversation and I remember thinking to myself, "Why the hell did I just say that to him". He went on to say that his wifes grandma - Grandma B - had MS. She was diagnosed when she was 27, and she just passed away recently at the age of 93. Only in the last 10 years did she use a walker. So nice to hear someting like that.

I appreciate the honesty that people have when they talk to me about MS. However, so few people have much experience with it that the first thing that comes to mind are the bad. So I hear a lot about people dying and not walking and being bed ridden. But, as anyone could agree, it is really great to hear people talking about the positives. Especially since Grandma B would not have had access to any of the current drugs that are supposed to provde further help.

Anyway, my city guy wrapped up our conversation by saying to salways keep my head up and stay active and positive and if I ever need a pick me up to call him and he will tell me the story again of Grandma B - oh, and my driveway should be FIXED and done soon.

The girls have had a heavy dose of playing and working things out. Actually it is more like Emma is tryin to push the limits so very far. And Madz fights back. But, on the flip side, their play is so very awesome. They will play and talk and joke.

One day down, couple more to go before Jay gets home!

Finishing the weekend

2009-05-25T22:47:00.002-05:00

This morning, Jay ran to the store for all of the fixins for a nice big breakfast. Since Emma's breakfast plans had changed we all sat down together to enjoy.

After a run to the local flower nursery, we met Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl and their other grandchild for lunch and a romp at the park. Jay also brought a kite since the winds were reaching gale force again, it was good flying.

We came home for a nice nap and on to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's for our final sworay of the weekend. A nice relaxing BBQ. The girls ran around and played with all of their toys and we did some relaxing.

Then home for bedtime. Jay is off tomorrow for Michigan for his first week there. He will be home on Friday for the weekend. This is going to be a long couple of months. The girls are going to miss him as will I.

I have been feeling great. Not much has changed, just a clarity. I think, especially after talking with the other MS people, that particularly in the beginning there are ebs and flows to your feelings. I feel great!

Wow, it has been a long time...

2009-05-24T23:02:00.002-05:00

This weekend has been so very busy that at the end of the evening, I am just too pooped to write. Here is the synopsis of my weekend so far:

Friday was Jay's and my anniversary - 10 years! And they said that it wouldn't last. Well, no one said that (at least not to our faces), but we are still here and going strong! We also learned on Friday that Jay will have to be spending the next 4 weeks out of town - alternating in between Michigan and Iowa. We are very disappointed and he is less then happy about spending the next four weeks or more out of town. Not to mention his birthday is next Thursday and he won't even be with his little family here to celebrate!

Also on Friday the girls and I made it down to the U for a follow up appointment with my funny neurologist for the research study that I am participating in. I gave Emma the short and sweet speech about please being quiet and sitting patiently for the short time in the office. She maust have heard the opposite of what I said because th girls were crazy!! Madeline was herself, but magniied by Emma acting out. It was a very challenging half an hour to say the least. I was so angry with Emma, that when we got the jewlery store to pick up Jay's anniversary gift I told her in no uncertain terms to sit in the chair and don't move until I was done. She actually listened!

Anyway, that afternoon I dropped the girls off at Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's for an evening of fun and a slumber party. Jay and I were off to a dinner at a restaurant called Heidi's. It was fantastic. The food tasted terrific and looked even better. We had a great, long dinner able to do A LOT of talking and A LOT of reminiscing about the past (almost) 15 years. We made a couple of other stops before heading home. I think that I had about 2 drinks too many but we are NEVER without the kids for time alone so we weren't about to go hoome and sit around. We tok advantage of our time and had one of the best times out together that we had in years.

Saturday morning we got up, putzed around and went to pick up the girls. Then we were off to our next stop for a birthday gift and on to a birthday party for a little friend of ours. It was a great time. But, by the time naps rolled around, we were certainly all ready! And nice long naps we took indeed.

Playing, dinner and time together occupied the rest of the night. Although on this evening, in talking with my mom, I found out about a tragic "accident" that happened to a good friend of the families. His demons have finally found him and are now making him fight for his life. Very sad time and one that makes us hug our kids longer and harder. Lots of prayers have been said and will be said until his body can decide where it needs to be.

Sunday came and we were off to church, then to McD's. When leaving the parking lot we spotted a group of ducklings without their mother trying to cross a busy road. So of course, we hopped out, ran around like crazy people saving ducklings. Oh, they were so, so cute! Tiny beaks and pathetic little wings. Sadly we had to leave before one was found. Hoping and praying that he made his way back to his little family.

Came home and did some hard playing, spent some time with neighbors, worked lots in the garden and went for a walk. The girls napped and we did little things around the house. Then out to dinner to celebrate all 4 of our birthdays and our anniversary with grandpa Al, Grandma Nicki, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Dar. Afganistan might not get lots of things right, but one thing that they do get right is thir food. It was awesome!

It is late and another full day of playing ahead. Must take advantage of our last day together before Jay is off on his long treks around the upper midwest perfecting the business of car washes!

I am still working off of Emma's little camera. The photos are ok, and I was taking lots of photos today with my film camera. Hoping to get those back soon.

2009-05-21T22:29:00.004-05:00

Sweet sadness in this day. It was the last day of school for EMma's first year of preschool. It has been soooo much fun. She has loved it! It has been a great way to see her grow. She has learned lots of scholastic things - spanish, math, patterns, writing, etc, but also many social things - sharing, kindness, manners. So Madz and I wisked Em off to her last day of school and needed to do more running to finsh all of the items needed for the secret picnic in an hour.

With sweat dripping down my pits, my hair blowing wildly behind me and Madz's head spinning from running to 4 different places in a matter of an hour then brought back to school to get things ready for the picnic. We got everything set up just in time!

Emma and the kids were so excited to see us seretly waiting for them at the picnic tables with the party ready to go. It was a lot of fun. Food and fun for the kiddos. I had brought T-shirts and paint for the kids to do hand prints for the teachers (forgot to take a picture). Poor Madeline was left to her own devices for a while. But, she quickly found a way to entertain everyone. She, at one point, had ALL of the kids in Emma's class shouting in some sort of "right of passage" and following her around the pavillion. It was hilarious. Before we went home we swung into Emma's classroom to claim the classroom frogs/tadpoles that we said we would take at the end of school. We knew that our waterfall would provide a nice home for them. They were introduced to their new home and seem to love the flowing water and rocks.

When the kids went down for naps, I took full advantage. I potted all of my flowers. Just awesome! A decent day, much less wind and peace and quiet. One of those times that my MS is completly forgotten about (that doesn't happen all too often). But, it is funny, because all of a sudden I will remember that I forgot to remember it. A wonderful way to feel how life was for me back before October.

Madeline and Emma had their typical fake fight that they do on Wednesdays and Thursdays. "My 'nastics?" one of them will ask the other "No, my 'nastics", then it will morph into "Daddy's 'nastics"? This generally goes on all day long. It is really cute. Maddie added in "My "nastics night. I'm excited." She is a very good talker - and did very well tonght at HER 'nastics. The coach commented at how much she has changed and advanced from when she started.

Some more play, dinner then shot night. Things are going just fine with the shots and I feel like a normal person. I have an appointment with my MS dr tomorrow for a follow up visit for the study that I volunteered for. It should be a quick appointment. Hoping that the girls will cooperate.

Gald today is done. The picnic was a blast, some terrific memories and an overall great day. But, it is nice to mark one "big" thing off my to do list. Things will start to settle down next week because Jay will be gone all next week and probably the several following weeks as well....

2009-05-20T23:01:00.001-05:00

The past couple of day have been crazy. Will give a better update tomorrow after we get done with the end of the year picnic for Emma....