A Next Chapter in Life

Sorry I have been MIA the past few days. I have been busy with kindergarten orientation, preschool graduation and farewell picnic, an urgent care visit and, well, umm joining an online David Cook fan club.

Tuesday night we had kindergarten orientation. The first hour was supposed to be a pizza supper and then the next hour was a visit to the classrooms for the kids and a meeting for the parents. Everything was going well for the first 15 minutes until a tornado decided to come our way and we got to spend 20 minutes in the kitchen storage room. Imagine a group of soon to be kindy kids, stuffed into a dark storage room, in a strange school. Ummm yeah. But at the end of the evening all was well as we made our way home with a cool homemade hat, a nifty bag filled with goodies and a Lincoln Heights Elementary school t-shirt.
Sami before we left for orientation posing for the camera. (Why is she so adamant on putting her hands like that in every picture?)
My girls posing together.
All our goodies.

Wednesday night was preschool graduation. I had told myself this was my 3rd child to graduate preschool and come on it was only preschool. But when they put that little cap and gown on Sami my eyes started to water. And when she sang Jesus Loves Me I couldn't hold back the tears. And she even got a cute little diploma.

My graduate!
Sami getting her diploma.

Thursday morning was the farewell preschool picnic. It was so much fun watching Sami spend some last moments with her friends and with her teachers. It was for the whole preschool so the park was packed with little ones playing, jumping in the bounce houses, blowing bubbles and of course eating.

Sami and Miss Becky and Miss Sandi.
Sami on the playground. Isn't she so modest? Now if I could only get her in pants.

Our time at the picnic was cute short because we had to go pick up Chris from school. He just just finished his EOG (end of grade ) test and I had to take him to the urgent care for an x-ray. That morning he had tripped over a lego box in his room that I had many times told him to pick up. He fell into the foot board and broke his fall with his arm. His arm was all swollen and bruised. The Xray didn't show any big break, but the doctor couldn't rule out a hairline fracture. It was sprained and he had a muscle contusion, so we got this nifty sling. He can try using his arm on Monday and see how it feels. (Can I run off to a vegas hotels now?)

Chris refused to let me take his picture, so this camera phone picture will have to do.

It was such a bittersweet week. You can see more pictures here.

My "friend" –– Revisited

Six weeks ago I posted about my little "friend". That disgusting wart is STILL there, even after several attempts of OTC freezing, Compound W and even duct tape. And not only is it still there but it has morphed into something larger and even more disgusting (not to mention even more painful).


So tomorrow morning I am biting the bullet and going to the doctor. I have a 10 am appointment with the podiatrist. And I am totally freaked out. From what I have read a doctor can freeze it, use acid or cut/scrape it out. At this point I am afraid the last option is all that will work. And that most likely involves needles. Needles, the little item that I pass out cold even looking at. I know it sounds crazy but I am having an anxiety attack even thinking of getting a shot. I would rather have a colon cleanse than needles. Seriously. My neighbor is going with me. She says for support and in case I can't drive home (it is on my right foot) but frankly I think she is afraid I will down a bottle of tequila and get a DUI even trying to make it there.

Matt says that the dr will probably make me come back for treatment, but to be honest if it doesn't get taken care of soon I am afraid my whole foot will fall off. That is how bad it hurts.

So think of me tomorrow. If you hear screaming don't worry. It is most likely me.

On The Road–– Yes Again

Sunday morning we are leaving with the chickens to go back to our old stomping grounds. We are going to Illinois for 6 days then back to Ohio for 9 days to visit our family and go to Put-In-Bay with a group of college friends.

I went back to Illinois for a few days for work back in February but this will be the first time Emily will be back (besides a 1 day deal last November) since the big move last August. It seems like just yesterday we were packing up the moving truck and making our way tearfully to NC. I could tell today Emily was starting to get upset about having to go and then leave again. But it is my guess in the end she will realize that things aren't all that bad here.

I am excited to get to go back and visit for an extended period of time and see everyone, but it is also gets stressful trying to get everything done that we want to do. I have to fit in a visit to the office for where I do freelance work, 2 gymnastics practices for Emily, and seeing everyone. It also is hard because I know I will have to leave and most likely not see many of these people for another year **sniff sniff**. And probably the worst part is I know Emily will cry and I hate it when my kids are hurting and I can't fix it.

Of course I will post lots of pictures along our Midwest journey. Until then, I will leave you with some parting memories from our move a year ago.

Val and I at our hangout "Robbies".
Leesha and Sami at our goodbye dinner.
Tina and Carla being goofy as usual.
Kleenex and wine... the staple of Summer of 2006.
Emily and the girls TPing their coach's house.
Emily and some of the team on her last day.
Sam and Noah didn't know what to think.
Sam, Hannah and Ashley in the empty family room.

Emily and Maia.
I don't know why, but I love this picture. I wonder what thoughts were running through Chris's head as they drove the semi away. (This couch got to go live at Jamie's house)
Jamie, Val and my last picture together **sniff sniff**
The end of a 4 year journey. Our last family picture at Cedar Hill Drive.

Preschool Update

Out of 84, four year old class spots, there are 2 (yes that is TWO) open spots. We were told typically 75 people show up for the lottery. That is a 2.7 percent chance of Sam's name being pulled. Can I just cry?