Party Photos

If you want to see the photos from the Norris visit . . . then click here! I hope to put some updated photos up soon but the weather is just so beautiful in Texas this week! Sun, sun, sun . . .

Never A Dull Moment

Let's see where to begin . . . oh yes, jury duty . . . what a mess that was! After 6 hours, yes 6 long, boring, painful hours of sitting, waiting, answering questions, giving my opinions I was excused . . . you know six hours of hearing 'what could of happened' and hypothetical situations from lawyers who were trying to pick the defendants peers was really trying . . . I was VERY uncomfortable with the penalty if this man was found guilty . . . it was a criminal felony case, ouch! This morning I could not wait to open the newspaper to see what the case was really about and man it is a big one . . . here it is if you want to read it. We were told the charges were for dumping over 1000 pounds . . . well it is way more than 1000 pounds. If found guilty the minimum jail time was 180 days . . . just did not set right with me knowing what information we were presented which was not much . . . of course after reading the paper I want to hear the case!

Oh and I came home to ANOTHER jury summons for the county I previously lived in at my parents . . . I very quickly checked that I was disqualified and put it in the mail because I could get so much done in six hours!

My mom got a call while I was doing my jury duty that Colin had cried for two hours and was coughing a lot . . . he was not bothering anyone but she was afraid he was going to make himself sick. She picked him up and he was no more sick than me. My mom told him that I was going to be mad and he had nothing to do with me all night. Funny boy! He is feeling better but now I think he might have pink eye! Back to the doctor we go today . . . oh the joys . . . I wish the title was talking about that shopping book in Germany!

Weekend Update

Colin is feeling much better and going to school tomorrow . . . YEAH! Then I remembered that I would not have my free time after all . . . I have jury duty. Oh well maybe on Thursday I can have some free time!

My dad and I worked VERY hard today in the yard . . . I can't wait to share what I bought with gift cards that several of you sent me last week . . . I think you will all be happy . . . I know that looking at these things grow will put a smile on my face and of course each has a memory attached to them. And of course I got the best deal, LOL!

Here is the first picture from last weeks surprise housewarming party . . . I found Colin in his bed singing . . .

Colin calls his blanket 'this'. I too have a 'this' according to him (a chenille throw) And now Sean has a 'this' . . . he called the quilt made with photos of our family "Daddy's this' . . .

More pictures to follow later in the week . . . again a HUGE thank you!

my sick bug

My little stink bug has caught the flu bug . . . I have a feeling it is going to be a long week. He is so clingy and complains about the smallest touch . . . males are not good sicks! I hope he rests a lot during the day so I can sew, but I am not holding my breath on that one either!

She's Home . . .

. . .my sewing machine . . . finally after 11 days of being held 'hostage' by the repair man she is fixed . . . I am so excited . . . now I can't wait to get started on something.

Speechless

There are very times in life that I have been surprised. On February 14, 1998, Sean surprised me by proposing . . . I was so caught off guard and hard to believe that was 9 years ago. Fast forward to today . . . we had our first visitors to our house. A few weeks ago the Norris Trio mentioned having the day off and wanted to come visit us . . . I was thrilled to see someone from our days in Germany. I met Nancy while at Vilseck . . . Jenny and I signed up to setup a table for A&M at the local college night and Nancy signed up too since we all graduated from A&M . . . small world isn't it! I got to meet Ben and it was nice to visit and have an adult conversation! We looked at the house and Nancy mentioned she had a little something in the truck if I could help her bring it in. So we went outside and Peter took the cover off the truck bed . . . the back was packed with stuff. I asked which one and she said, "all of them." What? I was soooo confused as what it was . . . her son is much younger so it could not be hand-me downs. She was smiling (if you know Nancy, she has a very big smile) and I was still confused. We unloaded and she told me what all this really was. I was SHOCKED to say the least. Several friends had planned a surprise housewarming party for us. I know in the pictures I must look so unhappy but I was so touched and how so many managed to do this . . . it was so overwhelming. Colin was thrilled with all the 'prizes' that he did not know what to do. He loved ripping all the paper off. As I opened each gift, I thought about the giver and how much thought went into each gift. I can not say THANK YOU enough . . . it was one time I was VERY surprised and so touched . . . so many of you have already done so much for me the last two years.

Peter took many photos but here is one I took before I became zoned out . . . Colin and Ben were checking things out . . .

Colin decided he needed to take photos . . . thank goodness for digital because he took 20 of the ceiling, floor, wall; but one of me . . .
So I have one funny story . . . the first box I opened was a waffle iron . . . I was like this is a nice waffle iron we can make them tomorrow for breakfast. I continued to open boxes and read cards . . . about 15 minutes later Colin stepped on the waffle iron box and it collapsed. I told Nancy that I don't think it is a waffle iron in there . . . so I opened the box and it was a project that two special people have been working on for a long time . . . it was a quilt with photos of Sean, Colin, and me . . . of course I got teary eyed. I just loved EVERYTHING and knowing how much love went into each one means the most to me! If you are ever in my area, you always have a place to stay!

Hot Stuff

Today was just another day . . . never have been a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Colin had his first school party . . . the sub teacher told me last week no sweets. How boring . . . so I filled out 17 cards with no treats! Colin came home with his bag today . . . FULL of treats. It looks like I was the only parent who did not send sweets! Oh well, next year I am going to send sweets with some cute crafty card. We are going to dinner with my parents tonight . . . Colin seems to be getting sick and has been cranky. Hope all you lovers have a great evening. Bah Humbug . . . or whatever you say on this day for love!

Here is my Valentine . . . Hot Stuff . . . who is getting very tired of the camera!

New Blogger

I have been avoiding changing to the new blogger but today it made me. Rats, I hate change . . . I know there is no big change but now I have to log in with a Google account.

A New Day . . .

. . . and I was so much more confident when I dropped Colin off this morning. It was almost as if it was his first day. I was so happy to have his regular teacher back and that she was feeling better. She even had a good report when I picked him up today . . . he seemed so much happier too. Tomorrow is a new day and I will hold my breath . . .

Second Guessing

Over the years I have had to tell parents how not-so-wonderful their child may be or that their child has a learning problem. I know that if you are going to tell a parent something negative then you MUST find a positive too. All kids have positives. On the flip side I have had to listen to parents tell me that their child's negative behavior was my problem or that while their delinquent was at school under my supervision I had to deal with him or her; don't call them to complain. So today, I became one of 'those' parents.

Colin has a teacher and assistant in his homeroom class . . . the assistant hasn't been hired (or quit not really sure) so there is a substitute and the teacher has been sick since Tuesday. So they pulled the other 3 year old teacher to fill in for Colin's rooms instead of having 2 subs. And this is where my problems begin. I admit that I am not going to win any parent of the year award but I am doing the best I can. Tuesday the teacher approaches me and starts in . . . I might be stepping over the line but has Colin ever been in a day care before? And when you talk to Colin does he look at you and then wander off and do something else? I tell her yes he was in daycare from 2-10 months old and yes he does do what he wants but I figured it was just him being a kid and 3! She then tells me that this is not normal. By this point I feel myself turning three shades of red and my head is caring on a conversation . . . did she just tell me that a 3 year old not listening is not normal? She continues to tell me more crap but I am so flustered I have no idea what she is saying. I do remember telling her that Colin's father died 2 years ago and life has been anything but 'normal' for him but I am doing the best I can. I have not been the best when it comes to discipline but he is only 3 after all. She makes a comment, "Oh, it is just the two of you . . . I see then that might be part of the problem."

On Wednesday, they were at the playground so not time to tell what he did wrong . . . she did call him the wrong name twice which rubbed me the wrong way. I always learn my students names within a day or two and that can be 20-80 kids. I go today (Thursday), and she trots over with the sign out sheet . . . she informs me that Colin cried for an hour before, during, and after nap because he wanted chocolate milk and they can only give him white milk. I admit that is our routine at home so we will work on that one . . . just deal with it lady! Then tells me that he doesn't want to sleep during nap which is fine but he must stay on his nap pad . . . he would rather roam around the room and explore. Huummm, a new place with tons of fun stuff I can't imagine him wanting to do this? She asked if we could work on that at home too . . . NO, lady we can't. The kid has NEVER been a good sleeper and he is just now sleeping for 12 hours at night so that is probably why he doesn't want a stinking nap during the day. She then told me that he did not tell her he needed to use the potty and just stood there and went all over the floor . . . blah, blah, blah . . . he is only 3. Again, can you tell me something positive about my child because all these negatives are really making me upset. I mean can't he do something right, blow his nose? Put on his own shoes? Something, please. I mean he can't be that bad . . . it isn't like he is hitting or biting or screaming or pushing . . . maybe that is next week.

And on a positive note, he has been doing so good using the potty . . . he has only had one 'accident' all week (not counting night time)! Now that is huge since we haven't made a big effort on that until recently . . . see I told you I wasn't going to win any awards!

I can't wait for his regular teacher to return because she seemed so positive on Monday. I sure hope I made the right choice . . . how have some of you handled daycare and the negatives? I am trying to stay optimistic that it will get better. He seems to be enjoying himself which is good . . .

Old Pro

The first day of 'school' has come and gone. Colin was SO excited . . . we walked in and he was hopping and skipping along. We were lead to his room and he said, "Look kids!" He grabbed a maker and sat down to 'write' his name. He wanted nothing to do with me so I slipped out the door. I could not believe how peaceful the room full of 3 year old kids was . . .

I did not know what to do with myself the entire day! I ran errands and did some paperwork for property taxes . . . we all know how much I LOVE to pay taxes! I went home and worked on a Valentine project. It was so nice to get all the work done around the house without it being undone right away.

I headed back to collect the boy from school . . . good day but just wanted to explore every inch of the room. It was nice to hear. When my dad and I walked in he saw us but avoided looking at us because he did not want to stop playing dinosaurs with his friends. Again, the room was peaceful with playful kiddie music . . . I know he will grow and learn once he gets into a routine. He was so tired last night and I could not sleep from his super loud snores.

Now maybe I can get those stacks of letters written, reply to the ton of emails, and Christmas Cards . . . okay so let's aim for Easter or Change of Address: We've Moved.

Milestone

Wow, time seems to tick by so fast and the blog has fallen victim. The house is good and things are slowly going up on the walls . . . the 'stash' of artwork is being sorted and framed. I tried to by some sort of painting at each place Sean and I traveled to . . . it has been fun looking and remembering. I really miss jet setting around Europe!

Tomorrow (Monday) marks a big change in the Sims household. I have been overwhelmed the last few months . . . with Colin and just everyday life. Two weeks ago my mom and I toured a new child development center (fancy word for daycare) . . . it was very nice and my mom thought I needed to sign him up. I was hesitant . . . it seems once they start school they are always in school. After some discussion, I realized that I do need a little break and Colin would probably benefit from some interaction with other kids. So, we went back and I signed him up. I then had to tell the family that has been VERY good to us the last two years . . . they are the sweetest family ever. They understood and I know he will miss them. I also struggled with putting him in daycare while I only work part-time. What kind of mom does that? Have any you had any guilt issues? I think that for me to be a better mom then I need some time to myself . . . I need to discover who I am again. I have had little direction in my life the last two years . . . I need to feel good about me . . .

I am making my mental list as I type this of what I am going to do tomorrow . . . wow, no one to have to chase around the grocery store aisle . . . and I can go on EVERY aisle. Maybe it won't be that bad . . . he will only be going for a few hours a day and the days I work. Guilt . . . what guilt?