Embarassing

I've heard it said that children embarass their parents a lot throughout life. We had one such opportunity yesterday.

Jeff & I have started volunteering in the toddler room at church (Case's classroom) about once a month. Yesterday, it was our turn during the first service. All was well. We debated on whether we should stay for the 2nd service because it runs into Case's nap time & lunch. We decided to stay and to keep him with us during the service so that he wouldn't have to go back into the classroom.

I was holding him during worship and he fell asleep during the songs. When the sermon started he was fast asleep in my arms. However, our little boy is a snorer and he's not quiet about it (like his daddy). Soon, we had people around us turning around to see what the noise was. They all smiled when they saw that it was a child and not an adult sleeping. Still it was rather embarassing. There was one time, Jeff was sure that the pastor could hear him because he grunted so loudly. Jeff was sweating and bright red by the sermons end because he was so embarassed. I did finally end up moving Case to a different position but then he woke up and started talking. Thankfully, it was the end of the sermon and we survived, but we sure were embarassed!

Feeling Better

Thanks for all the prayers. I am finally able to swallow without a lot of pain and other than feeling dizzy when I stand up, feeling much better. Back to work tomorrow. Hope my students haven't eaten the subs the last 2 days. So much to do now to catch up. At least Jeff & Case are healthy. That was my biggest concern.

I was able to finish up Season 2 of "The Office." Thanks Holly.

Miserable

Sunday morning I woke at 4am to terrible shivers and a body ache. We skipped church and I laid around all day. Monday was no better - actually worse. My throat hurt, my head pounded, I had a 100+ fever, I couldn't sleep. Jeff called the dr. and got me an appointment. I went in last night and found out that I have tonsillitis. Today isn't much better - although I think my sweats are over and I did sleep for 2 hours this morning. My throat is so swollen I can hardly swallow or talk. I had to call in sick today and probably will again tomorrow. I'm just going back and forth from the recliner to the couch. And I haven't showered in 3 days so I look like a winner!

My Week

1) I had an 8th grader pee his pants in class and wondered how in the world to get him out of the room without embarassing him too much.
2) Cooked a meal for 13 people.
3) Was up with Case from midnight to 12:30am last night.
4) Had a nervous breakdown on Sunday afternoon.
5) Had to clean my house so the cleaners could clean!
6) Taught a topic to my Honors class that I've never taught. Then, had to reteach it the next day b/c nobody understood it.
7) Had to stay after school one day to play "Tangrams" with a group of nerdy math kids.
8) Showed up late to an administrative meeting - only remembered because I was in the bathroom and heard a teacher talk about it as she walked by.
9) Was late on our late-start day.
10) Did an M&M activity with my classes, only to hear them complain the whole time.

Scientology

I heard on the radio this morning that medical specialists are wanting to prosecute John Travolta & Kelly Preston for not giving their son the medication he needed to help with his seizures. Scientologist don't believe in medication. However, it's unclear whether or not they gave him any meds so it is being sorted out. Some reports say they gave him meds and it didn't help, other reports say they did nothing because their religion prevents them. I'll be curious to see what the autopsy reports say and whether or not he was on medication.

I'm not sure where I stand on this. On one hand, I can see their stand point if they didn't give him meds because they are devout Scientologists and want to follow their religion. On the other hand, I would have a hard time doing something to help my child just because my religion didn't approve. I think I would have to do anything and everything in my power to protect my child.

Any thoughts?

Update on Cold Turkey

Well, today begins day 5 of no paci. Last night he only cried and screamed for about 20 minutes which was great compared to the 45 minutes the night before. I feel like we're making progress. He's at least stopped asking for his paci (for the most part) and when he does ask for it we tell him his paci went bye-bye and he starts crying. Makes me sad. Today is his first day at school without it. I did pack one in his bag just in case. I'd hate for him to scream and cry and keep the rest of the class awake. We'll see how he does.

Last night I almost caved in and gave it to him, but I held strong. I thought I'd be wasting 4 days if I caved in now. A few more days and we'll be back to normal and he'll have beaten his cousin Kye to the death of the paci's.

New Years Eve

Well, better late than never. For New Years, Jeff & I did a progressive dinner with three other couples. We first met at Hacienda Colorado for free chips & salsa. Notice the "free" because this will come up again. We got there late so everyone was ready to move on to the next place by the time we got there. So, we then proceeded to Nine 7/5 for appetizers. I had the best Mac & Cheese (spicy) and Edamame there. Needless to say, our bill was $25 for 2 apps and 1 drink. It was not going to be a cheap night. We then had reservations at Panzano's (an Italian restaurant in a fancy hotel) for dinner. One of our friends had printed off the menu from the internet and we all agreed it looked good and affordable. However, when we arrived, we discovered they had a special New Years menu and it wasn't cheap. We were at our table and had to decide if we should all get up and leave and hope to find a new restuarant that could get 8 of us in or stay where we were. We decided it would just be an expensive night and we stayed. We knew there was free bread so we proceeded to feast up on the free stuff. All 4 couples ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and split it with our spouse. Nathan, the leader of our group that night, told our waiter we had to be done by 9pm (it was 745) so we could watch the fireworks and that we weren't quite expecting this menu. I think our waiters hopes sunk of a big tip from our table. We enjoyed our dinner and did make it to the fireworks by 9. Then, we went to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert. We were downtown Denver and got there as the fireworks ended and I think the rest of the city had thought cheesecake sounded good as well. I'm sure there were at least 75 people waiting for a table so we decided to get our cheesecake to go and went and stood in the dessert "to go" line. That was almost as long as the table line. I think we were in line for 30-40 minutes. Finally, we got our cheesecake and proceeded to sit outside where there were some free tables. However, tonight was the night the weather thought it would be good to get windy. Just as we sat down our cheesecake almost blew off the table. We then decided we'd had enough and we'd just call it a night and eat our dessert in the car on the way home. Needless to say, we got home shortly after 11pm and didn't have the energy to stay up till midnight. But, all in all, it was a great night and we enjoyed doing something different and being with our friends.

Cold Turkey

Well, Case went in for his 18 month check-up this week and I got scolded for letting him have a paci at 18 months. So, we went cold turkey on the poor kid. Today is day 3 of no paci. First day was good until bedtime. It took 45 minutes to get him to sleep because he wanted his, "P, p, p." Yesterday was better, but only because he napped in the car on the way to the cousins house and then went to bed in the car. This morning he woke up and immediately asked for his paci. Poor kiddo, he had no idea. But, he's been such a big boy. Another week and he won't even remember it.

Half-Ton Teen

I don't know if any of you happened to catch the TLC specials "Half-Ton Mom", "Half-Ton Dad", "Half-Ton Teen", but they were super interesting. These people they followed weighed at least half a ton if not more. One guy weighed over 1000 pounds. Here's some interesting facts you may not have known about these extremely obese people.
1) They eat around 30,000 calories/day. That's usually what you and I would eat in two weeks time.
2) Most are too big to do gastric-bypass surgery on. They end up losing hundreds of pounds before it is safe to perform the surgery.
3) One guy ate 5-6 pizzas at a meal. 3-5 hamburgers at another meal, plus several orders of fries, several drinks.
4) Over 200,000 Americans are so large they are no longer mobile.

Look for the re-runs because it was super interesting.

The boys

My nephews were here for the night last night since mommy & daddy are in the hospital with their new baby sister. The boys have fun - and make many messes.

Case was ready to cheer for the Huskers in their Bowl Game.
Sweet Kyler
Too cool for a photo, Carson