All in a days work...

I had stayed up way beyond my bed time last night and wanted to come home and go to bed. Knowing that sleep was out of the question, at this early evening hour. I wondered how I would maintain some small amount of sanity, and deal with two children that have more energy then a nuclear bomb.

The routine began as normal, when I picked them up from daycare. Keytyn, was overly excited to see me. I walked in the door to his room and I heard "AAAAWWW, Mommy." It was the first time I had heard him say mommy. He grabbed a hold of me and hugged me tight hardly allowing my arms free to help Krystyl get ready for the swimming lessons. The outdoor temperature was much cooler today, and I had secretly hoped that swimming lessons would be canceled. NO such luck, the lessons were on, and so was the swiming test. Krystyl was excited about taking her swimming test and quickly got her swimsuit on and out to the van.

We were a few minutes early for lessons. I giggled as I looked around and saw the parents dressed in long pants, sweatshirts, jackets, socks and shoes shivering, to keep warm. The preschool children were dressed in swimsuits acting like it was a hot, beautiful summer day. A poor shivering Krystyl refused to admit she was cold despite her mottled skin. She was not going to risk missing her swim test. I am convinced she did not pass her swimming test (results tomorrow) after the near drowing incident, she became scared to go under water.

The test was done, and we were all loaded into the appropriate carseat or seatbelt, and it was time for supper. I would have given a million dollars to go to bed by this time. I didn't want to think about what lay ahead the rest of the night. The thought of supper, baths, sibling fights, toys scattered around the living room, and the constant noise was exhausting. We had not even reached the house yet and I was tired. While driving home, I heard it on the radio, a Taco Johns comercial and music in the park. We grabbed taco's, and headed toward the park.

We ate our taco's in the park. Keytyn smiled the whole time, and Krystyl was confused that we were eating at the park. My mothers friend and her grandson were in the park, and Keytyn, Krystyl and Max played on the slide. Keytyn climbed Jacobs Ladder all by himself, and loved the twisted slide. Max had to leave, and the music was soon to start. We sat and listened to the Meyer Family perform. Krystyl loved listening to the kids sing. We almost made it to the end, and the little ones became fidgety, uncontrolled, and whiney. We headed for home.

We arrived back at our home at a little after 8:00. It was bath time, snack time, and both children were sound asleep by 9:00 pm. What a nice ending to what could have been a very long evening, with a crabby mommy, and wo children that have enough energy, they could light up NYC.

Sharing the knowledge on treats to Iraq...

I know that many of my family members are excellent at the art of baking. I am not half bad at the job, but doing it is another thing. I am sure that at some point, I am going to send my boy something homemade. I received some information that maybe helpful when considering treats to Iraq, and I thought I would share the knowledge with all of you.

Sending cookies and brownies across the miles to our military troops stationed abroad is a a special way to share the goodness and love of a home-baked treat with those far away. The TOLL HOUSE test kitchen has modified favorite recipes to withstand the desert heat.

This page is full of tips for everyone that sends cookies to their service member. However, you must be a registered Angel to be involved with the Angels Bakers Team. Adopt a service member at: www.soldiersangels.org

To ensure that baked goods will withstand the high desert heat, please review the tips below:

(1) No butter, margarine, peanut butter or nuts should be used. These fats will go rancid too fast in the high heat. Butter flavored vegetable shortening is a better alternative.

(2) No brown sugar, corn sugar, honey, or molasses should be used. The baked goods will be too soft and possibly become moldy. Only white table sugar should be used.

(3) Chocolate and butterscotch can be used in baked goods. Once chocolate has been baked into the product and has the chance to take up moisture from the batter, the chocolate will stay rather firm.

(4) Bar cookies and brownies are the best bets for safe packing and are quickest for baking large quanities.

(5) Baked goods should be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil, which provides the best barrier against humidity.

(6) Pack goodies in sturdy boxes and surround them with foam pakcaging material such as styrofoam "peanuts."

Test out recipes for heat and mold before shipping:

(1) Bake recipe

(2) wrap a brownie, cookie, loaf etcin a large zip lock bag

(3) Place test item in your trunk for a week

(4) At the end of the week, ope and evaluate

Just thought I would share the knowledge....Hope you have fun baking for our Soldiers...

Another Update from Dalles

A happier more content Dalles on the phone today. He says he is getting to know the guys a little bit, and you can hear him joking occasionally with the guys. What a blessing to know that he is finally beginning to feel a connection with some of the guys.

He said today was better, he had a lot of briefs to attend today. He was so excited that it was in an air conditioned classroom, and the weather was not 105 degrees. Tomorrow he is going to do some shooting range stuff (he is pumped about that), he is going to go get some type of gear, and then they are guarding another teams camp until around midnight. He said, for those of us that have gotten used to going to bed at 8:00 pm, it is going to be hell being up until midnight. He sounded much happier that he was going to be doing something rather then just listening.

He was truly excited that I finally got his first care package off to him. He wasted no time informing me that I got the wrong M&M's (I bought plain), he likes the peanut butter. He also was excited to tell me that about 1:00 pm on the 16th he will be ready to leave to come home.

The plan is that I will leave after work on the 15th, get to Wisconsin some time late night on the 15th or early morning on the 16th. Catch a few zzzz's in a motel room, and turn around and come home. We should arrive late on the 16th of August or early morning on the 17th.

That is the update from Ft. McCoy Wisconsin...

Update from Dalles

Talked with Dalles on the phone tonight. He was pretty closed lips about what he was feeling and thinking, he says "there are ears in the corn field." Meaning couldn't talk freely.

He said it was 105 degrees in Wisconsin today, and they were in tents with out air conditioning. He wasn't to impressed with the heat, or the tent. I did remind him that Iraq is in the dessert and it will be hot there also. He said very little.

I am not sure if he is unhappy about going to Iraq, if he is unhappy with the training, or if he is homesick. I just knew that he sounded very sad. I sent him hugs, and told him I LOVED him. What else is a mom to do. I sure wish I could just go get him, and bring him home. That would stop my worry, and protect him from the dangers that lie ahead. I can't...So each night, I just pray for his safety, and that his brain will absorb what it needs to absorb so that he will be safe.

May God Keep you safe, Dalles

Love
Mom

Keytyn Dr. appointment.

I think the new Doctor, realized that Keytyn's mommy has had enough, and also realized that Keytyn is sick. He couldn't believe that we have been dealing with his ears almost since day one. He really stood up and took notice when I said "It seems that all the tubes did was make things worst."

The plan of action include:
Keeping Keytyn on antibiotics until after surgery. This is being done for two reasons (1) we do not want to have another full blown infection and risk not being able to do surgery. (2) his infection is not completely cleared up.

Yes Keytyn is having another surgery. He will be having his tonsils out, adenoids removed and a laryngobiopsy completed. The biopsy is to see if he suffers from a syndrme that causes the cilia hairs of the nose, sinus, throat to move in the wrong direction. This would explain why he has suffered multiple infections from multiple organisms.

They will also be doing a panel of blood tests. These blood tests will determine what if anything Keytyn is allergic too. Then we will have to be very proactive at keeping any allergens away from him and out of his enviroment.

He also told me to quit my job. He didn't seem to excited to write me a check for $3000.00 each month to stay home. I did tell him with the daycare savings I would be willing to accept a check for $2500. He did not jump on that offer either.

Surgery Date is scheduled for July 17th. He will be spending the night in the hospital, with plans to discharge on the 18th. I will be off those two days, then plan to work 19, 20, 21. Then I start a week of vacation. I may have to give a couple of days of vacation up, to accomodate my work schedule and being on the 17 and 18. My boss and I just left it, as me being off those two days, and we will see how Keytyn does. It is nice to work a job, that allows me to put my family before work.

Updates from Wisconsin....

I hear almost daily, "Have you talked with Dalles". I tell the same story each and every time. My solution is that I am going to blog regular updates from my Army Man, here on this blog. I know many people are interested in his address:

PFC Jorgenson Dalles
817 Engineer Co. NDARNG
1868 Regimental Avenue
Ft. McCoy, WI 54656

Write 2nd Platoon on the envelope

I did have an email address for him, but I am not sure what I did with it. He currently has no access to internet, so an email address does little to get into touch with him.

He did call last night 6/23. He won't admit it, I think he is homesick. He is frustrated with the leadership, and became angry with me, when I told him to remember that many of those that are with him, have TONS of experience something he is lacking.

He has made some friends, but continues to say "I can't wait until this is over, and I can go back to my unit in Lisbon" He is looking foreward to the trip home just before he leaves to go to Iraq. He will be home from August 17 - 20. The plans are to have a party at the lake on the 18th.

He really enjoyed the treats that Tara sent to him, and his quilt that his Grandma made him. He said..."Oh mom, the quilt smelled like home"

That is the update on our Iraq bound boy....Our prayers are with him each and every day....We all appreciate those that are praying for his safety...

A trip to the fair.

Family memories were made with a trip to the Red River Valley Fair.

Our tiny little girl, proved to us, that she was the most daring of 3 year olds. She loved the rides, and by the end of the night she was riding them all by herself. She didn't seem afraid when the ride went up high (ferris wheel) or in fast circles (dizzy dinosaurs), or if she was alone (helicopters). She went on the Merry Go Round, and rode the real ponies. She giggled, laughed, and yelled more Mommy, I want to ride more. She took daddy's hand and walked him to the sling shot (bungee jump), and said "Let's do this daddy?" Daddy, told his precious little girl, "You are to little for this ride." She announced to her daddy, "I am big daddy, I am big." On, that note, mommy and daddy ran out of money, and the ride tickets were gone. It was a good time to go home.

My baby boy (19 month old) was fascinated by the lights, and the rides. He rode the Merry Go Round, and smiled, and laughed. He didn't quite get the idea that he had to hold on. He also rode the real ponies, and he told the whole tent that a ponie says "NEIGH". He also rode the train, and cried when the ride was over. We walked by the duck pond, and he was right on that saying "quack, quack, quack." So we let him play the game. He thought that was a pretty cool game, until he realized he had to give the ducks back, and only got a stuffed animal.

The night was not complete with out taking in a concernt. Weird Al, was providing the entertainment. I didn't understand most of the songs. He did perform Eat it, from back in my day. I looked over at my teenager, who had a permanent smile plastered on his face. His head was bobbing with the music, and you could tell he was content, and enjoying himself.

As I remember the day at the fair....I must say, it was quite the success. Everyone was happy, and enjoyed themselves. Despite the 90 degree weather, no one was fried by the sun, or eaten alive by mosquitoes. It continues to be the topic of conversation today....What a wonderful family day.

Swimming Woes

I was standing at the edge of the pool in disbelief, my little Krystyl was 3 feet away from the swimming teacher and she was drowning. The teacher had her back to her, and didn't see her. I was screaming, waving my arms, hollering anything to get the teachers attention. She just ignored everything that I was doing. I was getting ready to go in after Krystyl, when another teacher went in after Krystyl.

The teacher brought Krystyl to me spitting, sputtering, and trembling. Krystyl wimpered and muttered and I couldn't quite figure out what she was saying. Krystyl finally got the words out, and I was stunned when she said "I want to go down the big slide." I couldn't believe it, she had nearly drown and she wanted to go down the 70 foot water slide.

I wasn't sure how to respond to her ridiculous request. If I said "no" would she always be afraid of water. If I said "yes" would she be even more daring in the water? What should I do? The teacher that rescued her, took her hand and said "I will go with you".

I watched as they climbed the steps, praying for her safety. I was relieved when they reappeared around the slide. Krystyl changed her mind on the third step. She no longer wanted to go down the slide.

What is a mother to do, with a little girl that is only 37 inches tall, but thinks she is 10 feet tall?

Me and My 14 year old

Fourteen is fun. I can't express how much I enjoy this age. He is beyond the need of constant supervision, beyond the need to show me what he has created in the potty, beyond diaper changing, beyond tattling and yet he is just a little boy that needs his mom and dad. I think sometimes he is beyond so many of the everyday occurances that come with infants and toddlers. That it is easy to forget, to connect with him daily.

Connecting with him was easy when he was in school. He would come home from school and I would give him a daily oral quiz. You know the quiz I am talking about, we all have them for our teenagers. My quiz always included how was school, did you have any tests, did you have all your homework done, do you have homework to do, have you read your pages. The quiz became so redundant, that I think he began to prestudy for his daily quiz. To keep the quiz interesting, I would try to catch him off guard and ask a question he couldn't anticipate. One time I asked him "Did you kiss a girl today?" His face turned all red, and he said "No, Does that mean I flunked the daily quiz?"

Now school is out and I am still adjusting my schedule to meet my children's summer schedules. I realized I have not connected with this child on a personal level in a long time. Oh I have the parent dominate role down pefectly. You know the role I am talking about: the one that gives clear directions with obvious strings attached if the directions are not followed. But, we have not connected on that special parent/child level. That level that allows your child to know, that you LOVE them more then life itself and your available in any circumstance or crisis.

Today we went for a ride just mom and son. We paid bills, registered for summer camp, put gas in the van, visited grandma and grandpa, and drove around the lake. WOW, what a mom will learn if she takes the time to listen. I learned that my boy didn't know how to pump gas, we remedied that problem. I learned that today he wants to be veterinarian/art major interesting combination. I learned that he hates football, and has played the game in the past for recognition. He doesn't like to fight for any reason. I learned that he doesn't want to get into trouble, any type of trouble. I offered to let him drive my van (my older son would have been on that suggestion in a matter of seconds) My precious fourteen year old refused, saying I will get my chance when I have a permit. I hate it when my children are more rational then I am.

It was a fun morning, just me and my boy....NOTE to self....DO this more often...It is cheap, fun, and most of all entertaining. It is always entertaining when your looking at the world through the rose colored glasses of a teenager.

Out of the mouth of Babes

This is my 19 year old, just one day before his deployment to Iraq and my 3 year old, playing in the park. These two have a bond that goes beyond the regular sibling bond. One might ask what a three year old and a teenager have in common? The answer: a lot more then what one might think.

Example: they are both exploring the English language. The 19 year old is busy using all the words not permitted in his parents home with little regards to who is listening. The 3 year old has mastered the English language and repeats everything like a mina bird. This is definitely a recipe for catastrophe of epic proportion.

Today, I was running late picking the children up from daycare. We had approximately 10 minutes to get out of daycare, home, changed for swimming lessons, and to the swimming pool. I do believe at times as parents we are superpeople. I am not even sure that superwomen could have completed this task in a timely manner with out jumping a single building, or flying in the batmobile. I was doing my best, at rushing my daughter with out losing my temper.

She had said good bye to each of her friends not once but twice. She thanked her daycare provider for the cupcake, and sealed the thank you with a hug and a kiss. She made sure she had every piece of paper she had colored on that day. She stopped in the middle of putting on her shoes to tell me just one more story that had happened earlier that day.

I was loosing my patience, and I finally said. "If you do not get your shoes on, we will not go to swimming lessons" She looked at me wide eyed, with her hands on her hips, and with out any warning she said "Jesus Cwist Mom, do you thwink the pool is going somewhere?"

A little shocked, slightly red in the cheeks, and speechless I looked around to see who had heard her. I was safe, not a sole in the room but my children and me. I helped her get her shoes on, and out the door I went reminding her that it is not appropriate to talk like that.