Firsts and Lasts

I took Ruby on Thursday for her 1 year check-up. She had to get 4 shots--yuck! She has been a bit "wheezy" this past month--I thought it was due to a few colds she has had, so I wanted the dr. to listen. When she did, she informed me that Ruby needed a breathing treatment. I asked what was going on and she said Ruby's lungs were full of junk and she wouldn't rule out asthma, but thought it was most likely severe seasonal allergies. So Ruby is my FIRST child who needed a breathing treatment! After we got done (Ruby screamed for the whole 10 minutes), her breathing was SO much better. The dr. came back and listened and agreed Ruby was much improved. This means more breathing treatments for the next two weeks--we were at the dr. for 3 hours! I was so glad that at the last minute I had decided to ask someone to watch Kash for me--that would have been miserable for my Kash-man. Ruby also got some allergy meds and for another FIRST, she slept through the night 2 nights in a row. I am so glad she is feeling better, but feeling so bad we didn't do something sooner--I really didn't think she sounded that bad. I am feeling so much better too--sleep is an amazing thing. And she is dealing with the breathing treatments much better too--she has to realize they make her feel better. She still gets upset when I get out all the equipment, but settles down once it gets going. I love the little mask they gave her, it makes her look like a dragon with smoke coming out it's nose--funny.

As for our lasts, Sally, Ben, & Jake all had their last day of school yesterday. They were all so excited. It was just a half day, so Ben went with a friend after school to go see "UP", said it was great. Jake went with friends to Amarillo Country Club to swim (he would like for us to join--ha ha), and Sally went with friends to have a pedicure and manicure to start off the summer right. She said she felt like someone really important, like a movie star--so fun for her--totally up her alley! They all had a very fun last day and we are all excited to have a slower schedule for a couple of months. The kids are also counting down until July when we head to UT. Should be a great summer, they always are, I LOVE SUMMER! :)

Jake's Talent Show

Jake auditioned for his school talent show a couple of weeks ago. I was so proud of him for simply doing that! The actual talent show was today, so Brian and I went up to the school to watch him. I was so proud of him for doing something like this--I would have NEVER!!! He has only had his guitar since November and so far hasn't had a lesson. We have been looking for someone, but haven't found anyone yet. I am sure with summer almost here, we will have to wait for fall, but I will be excited to see what he can do with some lessons. He figures out all the songs with tabs on the computer. I am sure I am biased, but I think he did great! I had to edit the video a bit so it wouldn't take 3 days to upload, so you get to hear his solo and the second verse. It is "Sunshine of Your Love by Cream". He is all about the classic rock. I LOVE his smile at the end--so Jake.

For Livi--and Kate I guess :)

All our cousins live far away from us and it make me sad sometimes that my kids don't get to spend quality time with them very often. I listen to Kate tell me about her Livi or read on her blog the things she has been up to, and I think to myself, "Sally is SO related to her!" Kate talks about Livi picking flowers and leaves for pretend salads and other things or the art projects she is working on, and I always think of my Sally. Sally often times will have art projects going on in 3 rooms at a time. I love her creativity, although some of the messes she finds herself owner of aren't always so great. I think Sally brings me home bouquets of flowers she has picked a couple of times a week. Sally has her own style, very different than mine. She HATES when I pick out her clothes and I am often astounded at the clothing she puts together. But she wears it all with such happiness, who can say a thing? Anyway, we were out doing yard work this past Saturday and I walked around to the backyard to find Sally stripping all the branches she could reach. She was making pies. And then after we had sampled strawberry and blueberry pies (which were delicious if you were wondering), she threw all the leaves in the air and danced around as they fell on her. I only wish Livi were here to have enjoyed our wonderful feast of pies and the tree confetti that ended Sally's little party. This summer I am sure there will be leafy feasts for all to enjoy! I can't wait! I snapped this picture before she knew I was watching. I love my Sally!

A weekend to celebrate women

I found this poem on another blog, so thanks to Anginette! Because I really LOVE this poem. I love it for a million reasons that I can't explain so well. But poetry is truly something left to interpret, so decide for yourself. Either way, I thought was appropriate to post this weekend.

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say, It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

My helper

I needed to mop my floor. I will start there.

Every month or so I like to make a big pot of veggie soup to keep in the freezer for quick lunches for myself. Today was one of those days. I had asked Kash earlier who made the mess in the toy room (I knew I was speaking to the perp) and he admitted to the mess. I told him he needed to clean it up. After much whining, he went in and started cleaning. So I thought that was a great time to make the soup. I was just about done when Kash yelled to come look at the toy room because he had finished. I went in and it REALLY did look great. I have no idea if the toys are in the right bins, but the room itself really was clean. I told Kash he did a great job and gave him a big hug and he was quite proud of himself. He asked me what I was doing, so I told him I was making soup. Kash loves to help cook, he likes to pretend we are on a cooking show--very cute. So he climbed up on the counter and asked if he could help. How could I possibly tell the cutest four-year-old who just cleaned the toy room, no? So his first job was to dump in some crushed tomatoes, so far so good. But all that cleaning and pouring must have made him thirsty, so he asked if I could get the water bottle for him. This is a HUGE water bottle. It was empty, so I filled it up most of the way and handed it to Kash. Next, he wanted to help add some salt. I was making a huge pot of soup so I figured that would be okay, he couldn't get too much in, right? I handed him the box and as he was adjusting himself to pour, he bumped that almost full water bottle and as it hit the floor, it popped open and spilled ALL over the floor. I grabbed Ruby just before the water got to her and then grabbed a big towel. I thought to myself, "Just an accident and I needed to clean the floor anyway, all good." I got the water cleaned up and Kash was impatiently waiting to add the salt. I was trying to help him (big mistake) and as he pulled the box up a bit away from me, it POURED in! Luckily, like I said it was a BIG pot of soup and it was kosher salt, so we were okay still. I stirred it all together, and Kash asked if he could stir. I told him sure he could stir. So I turned around to grab something on the other counter and hear a "SPLAT, SPLAT, SPLAT". I turn back around to see clumps of soupy veggies all over the floor.

So I will end by saying that I still need to mop my floor. I love my Kash!!!

Ruby is ONE!

It is hard to believe, but Ruby had her first birthday today. I think the other kids were more excited about it than Ruby was, but she is just ONE so that is understandable. She wasn't quite sure what to think when we put the cake in front of her, I really thought she would dig in, but she mostly painted with the frosting. She finally started digging in once she got a little help from everyone else. Fun day though, she is loved and adored more today than a year ago--we can't imagine life without our Ruby!