Shanndon's first filling!

Shanndon has a couple cavities-which is really annoying, since we brush ad floss his teeth. Seemingly, Ben and now Shanndon are genetically cavity prone! No other explanation, as we're strict with their dental hygiene! It's expensive to say the least, as today's appointment is costing us $238 and the appointment for the next one on the 11th is going to cost $258 (composite/white fillings, not silver, very good dentist!). ANYWAY...Shanndon did amazing!!!!! Did not fuss, got thru the appointment. However-after wards, he chewed up his lip and then ripped part of it off! I'm cringing as I write this. I cringe every time I look at it. He's not complaining, he doesn't say it hurts. It's hugely swollen and it just hurts my heart!!!! UGH! (I actually blogged this on the day it happened!)

My BFF is here!!!!!

My friend (BFF=best friend forever and when I say this, dude, we've been through a lot! We'll always be there for each other no matter what...we don't have hardly anything in common and hardly get to connect, but we're there and well that's just it...she's there, I'm there...we're together-somehow) Jennifer drove all the way from Arizona to come for our re-commitment ceremony. She arrived about 1230am today. OMG! I'm so excited. Her 13 year old-Kenny shot up like a foot since I'd seen him 15 months ago, he's as tall as his mom-5ft. 10in. Jayson (15 month old)looks the same he does as the day he was born, except bigger and blonde curly hair. I'm so happy to see her. Our "ideal" plan in life is to get houses next to each other, or connected, with an attaching double door(that can be locked on both sides), and run a preschool...she'd do all the cooking and me all the cleaning and the kids and guys would be able to play together all time. We can't get the guys to agree on a location though...Arizona is too hot for David and he hates California (too many people, traffic, etc.)...blah blah blah. Ahhhh, the dreams...How about selling everything and RVing around the country and working odd jobs? I really need to win the lottery! Let the adventure begin...she's due to be here for a few weeks, til about Aug. 25th or so.

My laptop died!

I can't believe it...I think my life may just be over! This morning my computer froze up, so I turned it off. When I turned it back on, it said Win 32 file missing. AHHHH!!!!! Wait, I have the "warranty" and it's Wednesday!!!!! I will simply take it over to Best Buy while I'm over on the west side for church and they will get me on my merry way. No, that's not what happened at all. They can't help me, they'd send it off to Toshiba (2-4 weeks). One of two things, either my computer needs to have a system restore (software problem-Toshiba doesn't cover it would be charged by Best Buy and Toshiba), or it's a bad hard drive (covered under warranty)...but I'll lose everything either way. I haven't backed up in two months. So Best Buy offered to back up my hard drive for $169! Cough, choke, cough...so I will wait and see if I have any other options...or at least save money to "save my stuff on my hard drive". On the way home, I got the brilliant idea to call super computer guy in our home school group...maybe he can help? I dropped by late and he tried very hard, but alas, he needs another part he doesn't have to "save me". So, my computer sits, until I can save up money to buy the "right part" for him to save me...then I'll do a system restore, if that doesn't work, we'll have it sent to Toshiba to replace the hard drive (the card reader doesn't work either). I'm going to die! Does anyone know what the internet and computer are to me? Life...I tell ya, it is precious! LOL...guess I better work on that!

My baby turns 3!

It's official...I am out of baby-land! Christianna is 3 years old today! We have been out of diapers for 8 months (just use pullups at night time), and she's insisting she's a big girl! I now officially have two pre-schoolers and a school-age! It's great, she can dress herself, she can walk, run and play nicely. I love it. Still can't trust her for nothin hardly, but that's cause it's just her-not the age...hoping the age advancement will help with that actually.

When she woke up, I told her that today is her birthday and that she is three years old now. She looked at me and was so excited! She said, "I'm finally this many?" and held up 3 fingers. It was sooooooooooooooo cute! We had lots to do and I was out all morning. I came home with a cake and a balloon and three Dollar Tree presents. We celebrated just us as a family here at home. Shanndon made a comment while we were eating cake, "why didn't everyone else come?" He noticed we didn't have a party. I would like to have another "combination party" this year for Shanndon and Christianna...maybe end of August. We'll see. Besides, I'm in dire NEED of a party!!!!

Happy Birthday Christianna!

Correspondance with Sonja's Dad

Sonja's dad emailed me today. His name is Paul (the pics are of him and Sonja and him, Sonja and Sonja's mom's mom). He is a "computer guy" in Austria. He seems very nice. It's great to get to talk to the parents! I can only imagine the position they are in. Sending your child to live with a stranger for a year. Heck, I have a hard time sending my kids to my friends' house for the afternoon! Although, that's mainly because my children are crazy and I'd like to continue having friends! BWahahahah!

Having done this exchange program twice now, I get the impression that teenagers are a bit more "grown up" in every other country. By 16 they should know what they want to do and have their lives planned out. The moment they turn 18 they should have their college started and careers on track. Carolina is off in college already! Living hours away from her parents. Other countries don't seem to "baby" their kids like we Americans do. The kids have been in school since 2 or 3 years old, learning to write and academics (multiple languages!!!!! hard math from early on! You should see these kids' report card and course loads!)-not just play. Ben is 9 years old (will be 10 in October), I can't see him deciding his life and being ready to support himself and/or a family in just 7-8 years. Are they too hard on their kids? Are we to easy on ours? The girls are expected to work and be just as productive and successful as the guys-which I think is good.

I personally just always expected to grow up and be a mom and wife. NOW! There are times I wish I enjoyed my single life, instead of searching for a husband. I wish I had enjoyed my childless days. Instead of being overwhelmed by chores and daily tasks that take forever, because everyone needs multiple things all at once. There are days I dream of peace quiet, no fighting, sleeping in, etc. I tried to urge Maialen and Carolina to take their time. Enjoy life, don't seek to rush into marriage or family life. I can only hope they listen! I hope Sonja sees that too.

I really enjoyed my time with the teen girls. Talking after kids went to bed, helping with homework, them working with me in the kitchen and introducing them to making gingerbread houses and cooking, and playdoh and goop, waking up and running out in your PJS after a night of snow and throwing snowballs. It was a little overwhelming with two...so I'm really looking forward to doing these things with Sonja one on one. Having one on one time from the beginning! I hope I can bring honor to her father and her mother's memory! And I hope too, that it will help me appreciate Christianna being little. Soon Christi will be a teenager!!!!! As much as I want to kill her several times a day, she is sooooooooo adorable and little and cuddly. Free with the kisses. I pray for a good experience this year and that Sonja and we are all truly blessed. That God is honored and Sonja's dad is at ease with her placement in our family. That the family meshes well together and Sonja's adjustment is easy. Please pray for us as we enter this endeavor.