Lots Of Updates

Oh, where do I begin? I feel like I have so much to write about... When I'm done though, it probably won't be too much. There seems to be so much floating around in my head all the time, but rarely does it make it on the computer. Oh well....
So happy birthday to my little man Michael!!! He is officially 8 years old today. It's so crazy how time flies, I am in shock at how big he is, how mature he's getting. We have so many adult conversations these days, about life in general, school, whatever his little mind is thinking. Such a big guy now, it makes me proud and breaks my heart all at the same time. He decided this year he wanted a Halloween birthday party, so we had one for him this past Saturday, and it went wonderfully. He had tons of fun with his friends and family and that's about all a kid can ask for right? (Not to mention all of the awesome gifts and money, that's always good.) Here is a pic of him bobbing for apples.

Ok, moving along now.... So I wrote a long time ago that I would like to try to be a vegetarian for a month or so. Well, Scott and I recently talked about it and decided to try it out. And except for 1 mess up a few days ago, I have been meat free for the last week and a half. Much to my surprise, the kids also wanted to try this out. Amber has been telling everyone for the last week that she is now a vegetarian. It's funny to hear her say that, I don't know why. I think she just likes the word. And her teacher is a vegetarian so I think that has a big influence on her decision. While it has been easier than I thought it would be, (the 1 slip up was truly an accident) I feel really awkward telling people about it. Amber told my mother in law about it, in turn who told Amber it was a "ridiculous" idea. I hate that I don't have the guts to yell at her and tell her that Amber is old enough to make her own decisions, if she doesn't want to eat meat for the rest of her life, so be it. And it wouldn't bother me if she does want to eat meat again... I want my kids to grow up knowing that I support them 100%, and I hope that they feel validated enough to come to me with anything. Maybe I feel this way because I never felt like I could tell my parents everything. Don't get me wrong, they're wonderful people, but they are not exactly what you would call open-minded. I still haven't told them about being a vegetarian (for the time being of course) because I fear their response. I know for a fact I will not be the least bit supported in my decision, and I know it shouldn't matter what they think, but I crave acceptance and I always will. It's part of who I am I guess.

So now I'm confused about the whole vegetarian thing. I didn't realize what an impact it would have on my life. But what bothers me most is I don't feel like I have a reason for becoming a vegetarian. I know what most of the reasons are, I just don't feel like I fit into any of those categories. I mean, I've eaten meat almost everyday for my entire 26 years of being here. How do you just stop one day and tell yourself it's suddenly wrong? Personally, I could not go out and hunt for an animal to kill and eat, but I've never had to. It's just there in front of me, all ready to go. Do I think it's wrong? Of course I do, I think about it all the time, but it never stopped me before. How do you change? How do you find acceptance? How do you learn to stop caring about acceptance? I truly have no idea... I am amazed and in awe that this "little experiment" of mine would make me question myself so much.

I think there's more I wanted to talk about, but it will have to wait for another blog. I am unbelievably tired after a long day...

What A Day

What a crazy day it was today. Amber had a field trip to the library and Party in a Pinch, which, luckily, I got to go to despite my lack of effort in filling out compliance papers and getting fingerprinted to be a volunteer. It was a lot of fun and very humorous to be with kindergarteners most of the day. I stand back in amazement at how her teacher does it all day and is still sane when it's time to go home. Ok, well maybe not always, but she loves our kids regardless. And man oh man, does Amber love her. It's only the beginning of the year and I'm already not looking forward to May. Although in Michael's case, I wish May were tomorrow. =0) I know, not nice....
The rest of the afternoon, I got to hang out in the nurse's office and slap on a few bandaids. I did feel like a moron though when Amber's teacher brought in one of her kids and I had no idea what to do. Yeah, like I haven't been working in healthcare for almost 7 years. I guess the difference is that when I deal with sick kids at work, I'm taking blood pressures and drawing blood and doing other horrible things to cause pain. All you're allowed to do there is take their temperature and send them on their way. So I sat there like an idiot and looked at her and guessed she was ok. Ugh, she probably thinks I have no clue....
So that was my day. Now I'm tired beyond belief and my bed is calling my name. I think I'll put the kids to bed early and go answer it's sweet call. Hmmm, maybe I'll go back tomorrow for some more.... =0)

I am still alive...

Wow, where do I begin? It's only been, what, 3 months?? Amber started kindergarten, which she loves! And I love her wonderful teacher.... Michael started third grade and it is proving to be quite difficult. His teacher is nice enough, but gives ridiculous amounts of homework. It's like I am in school again, planning the day around homework and studying. Too much crap for a 7 year old. Maybe if he's a super genius by the end of 3rd grade, I will take back all of the bad things I have said and thought about his teacher, but I'm not holding my breath. And Michael is just fine the way he is now.
So I officially know how to sew now. Ok, maybe just a little, but I no longer look at the sewing machine with wonder and hear the crickets chirping. That is how I look at the sewing directions though, it's like another language to me. Every project I do makes a little more sense though, so maybe it will come eventually. I'll post pictures of a few of the things I have made at the end.
Scott and I are doing well. He is still working at the prison and I am still working at the hospital. I am going per-diem in November which pretty much means I work once a week, and then whenever else I feel like it. I want to do medical transcriptioning at home, I just have to find courses and sign up. I'm not sure how it works yet, but I am hopeful. Anything so I could stay at home would be wonderful. Well, hopefully I will start updating more often, no promises but I will try.