Holy Crap....I haven't done this in a long time

I almost forgot how to do it....I haven't been here since July and so much has happened....

LETS SEE, if I can update on us all....

Dalles...Is now in Iraq...He was home for two weeks the end of November and the beginning of December....I miss that Kid so much...I think both him and I are growing up together with him over there. Hell...Dalles and I have always been growing up together...With him being my first child, he was my experiment. I learned how to discipline with him, I learned how to praise with him, I learned the challenge of teenagers with him, and NOW....

I am learning what it truly means to "Let Go and Let God" His choice in a career has been a true challenge to me, his choice in girls has made me crazy, and HIM being in Iraq has turned my hair grey.....I don't think President Bush, quite gets the fact that "He has sent precious cargo to Iraq, and he better be damn careful with them. He has my son there, and I would do almost anything to guarantee his safety" Sometimes I feel as if President Bush, congress, and our current candidates see Iraq as simply something that seperates the Rublicans from the democrats...You know similar to our economy, abortion, and healthcare needs...Those with the power just don't seem to understand that it is truly our CHILDREN over there.

Dalles has handled everything actually pretty well. He is a different man (I say man, because that is truly what he is) then the boy I sent over there. I have found myself crying many nights into my pillow, as I think of the unfairness of him being over in Iraq. I run into other classmates of his, and some of them are now turning 21. I think, he is never going to get to be a normal dumb young 20 year old....He has experienced more in the last year then many men will expereince in a life time. I must admit that I wear that proud on my chest when I think of him. How can a mom, not be proud of a young man, that is willing to put his life on the line for the freedom, and safety of others....I have done a good job, he is a good man, with good morals, and a strong desire to serve his Country.

Anyway....If you would like to reach Dalles, feel free to write him at the address below. He has successfully gotten a promotion from Private 1st Class to Specialist...We are all so proud of him...

Spc Jorgenson, Dalles
817th ENG SAPPERS
APO AE 09391

Deven....

My Deven is now a Freshman in High School, and unlike Dalles, he is completely satisfied being just that a Freshman. He is not already talking about being a Senior, and he isn't chasing all the girls. I do think he is beginning to notice them a little bit though. He seems to enjoy Band, and anything that has to do with Computers. Believe it or not...he is already interested in taking his ACT test, and studying to prepare for that test. He talks about attending ITT in Minneapolis and majoring in Computer engineering and Computer Game and Video development...Anyway, his ideal job would be working for Nintendo, Sony, or whoever to develop games. He has an amazing creative mind, and pays attention to detail (unless you have an hour, do not ask him about any book, movie, or event that he has attended. He will tell you about it in a very detailed and elablorate monologue) he would do well with this, if he chooses to go that direction. The thing is, there is a lot of time between now and his senior year in high school, much less going to college, completeing it, and getting a job...SO we will just have to wait and see what life brings....

I would have never believed that two children of the same family, raised the same way, could be so different from one another....Dalles and Deven are miles apart in interests....Dalles loves sports...Deven would just as soon, be sick then go to most sporting events, and to participate that would be worst yet. Deven pays attention to detail, and Dalles is more like his mom...Get the job done quick, and get it overwith, especially if it is something you don't like....Deven Loves Media arts...writing, drama, creativity especially with the software of a computer or a video game...Dalles would rather be outside, or hanging out with friends...Deven...Officially turned 15 on February 1st...He was satisified with having a few kids over here, and his Grandparents over for supper....WE had a BLAST...The kids all made there own strombolli, except I rolled the dough...They had about 3 different game systems hooked up, a couple of movies, and two computers going....I didn't hear anything from them the rest of the night. However, they did claim they were up until after 3:00 AM...I was asleep by 11:00 pm....GOOD KIDS THEY WERE.

Krystyl...

She is an amazing little girl....complete with some of the amazing traits of both her mother and her father...Which means she has gotten a double dose of being stubborn. Though she has handled many situations like her dad, just going with the flow. If we are talking fashion, friends or any of her true interests (my little ponies, baking, or preparing supper) the double dose of stubborness, and being the only girls rears its ugly head. I tell you what, she is convinced she knows everything. I have no idea how she got so darn smart at age 4.

When I had her in to see her physician for her 4 year well child, I asked her doctor about her turning her feet in. The doctor thought it was her knees that she was turning in and sent us to the podiatrist. The podiatrist was convinced it was at her ankles and we were referred to a pediatric orthopedist. She has two small bones in her ankles that either never developed or the tendons and ligaments to them are so weak that she turns her feet inward (like her mom). This is correctable, with the exercises that the pediatric physical therapist taught us, as well as leg braces. Braces have sure come a long way over the years. Hers are made of a soft plastic, and have flower blossoms and butterflies on them in pinks and purples.....Do you want to know why she chose these???? She chose them because most everything she wears is pink or purple and they should MATCH. Along with them now being very pretty, plastic, and soft on the inside, I am sure they have gone up....BY The time we are done with the braces, we will have about 50,000 invested in her feet....Thank God for health insurance.

She is also in preschool, and has also perfected knowing the days of the week. She becomes confused when I switch on her and start talking about the months in a year. She knows all of her ABC's, is starting to work on writing them and her favorite letteris K. She often asks people Do you have a K in your name? I do. She is counting to 20, and starting to get the understanding of how the numbers repeat with a new number at the beginning. This is just starting to come. Her and I are working on the sounds of the different letters. I am hoping to have her reading some simple books before she starts Kindergarten. We still have all this year, and next year before we have to worry about Kindergarten. She will miss the cut off for next year by 24 days.

Keytyn...

Has made some amazing strides in the last couple of months with his speech. We finally found something that worked to prevent fluid from building up in his ears, and prevent ear infections and sinus infections...God is Good, and my prayers for this little boy were answered, and the solution was so easy...He is now taking a pulmicort nebulizer treatment twice a day. Once in the morning and once before bed. The pulmicort provides enough of a steroid to inhibit the inflamatory response of his immune system. Therefore, he doesn't become inflamed in his ears, and the fluid is able to drain. This was not discovered until he had one final surgery last summer....He is doing well....He is now a talker. He does talk in two and three word sentences, and his speech instructor figures he has a vocabulary of approximately 50 - 100 words. When his development was tested again...He tested out between 18 - 24 month mark...He made a gain of over 6 months in less then 3 months....We are all very excited about this, Momma is very proud...Maybe proud is not the right word....Excited because I no longer have to guess about what he is trying to tell me...He now says: Drink please., NO NO NO, I said No, Call Grandma (or whoever he wants to talk to)..We also changed babysitters again...The new sitter is a peach working on his speech with him....WE are very excited....WE will begin to transition him from the early intervention (birth to three program) to the public school program in the next couple of months....I just pray we don't loose our speech teacher, as she has been with Keytyn since the beginning.

Loren and I...

We are collecting all the information to prepare our taxes, and are expecting a decent tax return. I have taken to cooking and baking at home. I am trying to give my children and husband a new expereince everyday. I discovered http://www.allrecipes.com/ and with all the exciting recipes there, we have tried many new dishes. This week, I plan to try the recipe for chicken taco soup....My neighbor tried it and thought it was wonderful...So I hope I get the same response from my crew. I finished my pool season, and life is same old same old...The weather up here is cold...I hope all those in the south (mom and dad), are feeling bad for those of us that are surviving this cold weather.....

I better close this, blog as it is getting quite long...I hope all that read are doing well...I have included some pictures, and hope you all enjoy....

OH MY GOSH....I haven't done this in a while...

I apologize to all my regular readers...Life has been a little hectic with Keytyn's surgery, Deven's camp, Planning Dalles's trip home, and the world according to Krystyl until now I haven't been able to update my blog. So sit back, grab yourself a cup of coffee, coke, or whatever....HECK, have a drink while you laugh and cry as I update this blog, and life with 4 children from teenagers to toddlers....Love Donna

The Bootiful Caw

Driving down the road, with two toddlers in the car is always interesting. I am usually more aware of sounds, actions, and other vehicles that maybe in my path. I guess about 2 months ago, I was driving by this empty lot used to park a variety of vehicles that private owners have for sale.

I heard my precious daughter yell from the back seat. "Stop did you see dat?" I slammed on the breaks, frightened that I missed something and anxiously asked "What, Krystyl, see what?" Krystyl spouts off from the back seat, "Dat, bootiful car!! Isn't it just bootiful" pointing to this neon green bug. I was relieved that I hadn't missed something important like another persons child. I agreed with her, "Yes it is beautiful" She never said another word.

Until July 3rd, when she says "Oh, the bootiful caw is gone, it must be in my gawage." We came home, she looked in the gawage, and became very angry with me. "Mom, the bootiful caw isn't in our gawage, where is it?" I made the sad mistake of saying, Krystyl I am sorry, I didn't buy the beautiful car. Several tears later, she finally settled down, and accepted the fact that the beautiful car was in someone else's garage.

Would someone please explain to me, what makes my 3 1/2 year old think, I am going to buy her a car. She doesn't even have a drivers license.

What does it mean to be 41....

I have been thinking about that most of the day....Is something magical going to happen?

I remember when I turned 18, and thinking "Man, I am finely an adult, I didn't think I would ever be 18" I remember being excited, and thinking I was indestructable, and had something to prove to the world...You know the I am 18, and you can't tell me what to do attitude. I had a bad case of that attitude, just check with my Mother.

I remember thinking turning 21, would be the cats meow. Then I would truly be an adult. You know when I am 21, I can go to the bar. There really isn't anything that I can't do...because I can go to the bar....Let me share my 21st birthday with you...I was 4 months pregnant with Dalles, I didn't feel good, I went to the bar and got sick from the smell, I drank orange juice and 7-up and had my fill by 9:00 pm. I was home and in bed by the time the clock struck 10:00.

I remember when I turned 25....I was a Senior in College, and would soon graduate with a BS in Business Administration....Dalles and I were doing Okay, and I was truly going to be a grown up now...I would have a college degree, and there Ain't no one that would tell me what to do...Because I was a college graduate, I KNEW everything

I remember when I turned 30....I had everything I ever wanted, I was a grown up now...I had been peed on, puked on, hit, and bit. I had been to jail (once), divorced, and was the single mom of 2. I had two college degrees one in Business Administration, and one as an LPN. I had bought my first car, bought my first house (which I still own). I had offically worked half of my life (I got my first real job at 15), I met and secretly started dating the man of my dream...

I remember when I turned 35....I was married to the man of my dreams. I had a miscarriage that really rocked my mental stability. I was nearly done with my second Bachelors degree. I was tired of Uncle Sam thinking he deserved so much of my hard earned wages. I had a teenager that couldn't wait to be 18. I had a grade schooler, that was bored with school. I had a variety of jobs to add to my list of expereinces, and I had bought my second home (which I still own).

I remember when I turned 40....It is a good thing, I remember 40, it was just last year. I had just given birth (8 months prior) to my 3rd baby in 3 years. I had lost a child. I had 4 living and beautiful children (all at different spectrums of development). I had experienced financial highs and financial lows. I had been ripped off. Paid Uncle Sam for 25 years of work. I was a Registered Nurse (my old high school dream) came true at 38. I had a son that had graudated from high school, gone to boot camp...and was forever saying...I am an adult...I can do it myself...

I am now 41, and what does that mean....I am old, I don't know jack (ask my kids), I don't have any of the answers to lifes questions. I go to work and am thankful I love my job, I enjoy my time with my family, I pay uncle sam, I don't want to go to jail (again), it is easier to be married then be divorced. Absolutely nothing is ever black and white life is simply shades of grey. If being grown up means you have all the answers....I guess I will forever be a little kid. I can never find the answer, I only find more questions....

I also know that in 41 years I have truly been blessed....I know God, I have wonderful parents (the best), the perfect husband (he is a gift), children that mean more then life itself to me, a job I Love, enough money to live, and extended family and friends that care....I have everything that is perfect in life....Who needs answers...when all that is important has been freely given.

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...