New "Aidan-isms" and Life As We Know It

The kiddos were sitting at the table the other day and of course Darby was torturing him with something terrible about the food he was eating. I corrected her and he looked at her and said "Guess I won't be listening to your advice anymore!"

We introduced the kids to Bobo's Drive-In last week and Scott's mom, Terri, went with us. She let each of us try one of her onion rings and Aidan shook his head up and down and said "Mmmmm...that's impressive."

Darby had to sleep with Aidan the other night because her bed was, um, incapacitated? and needed some airing out. After about 10 minutes of giggling and whispering I was just getting up to tell them to calm down and get to sleep....Aidan walked out and asked us if we could please make her leave his room because she was "distractin'" him.

He's really into using big words and big phrases these days and, miraculously, picked up reading practically overnight. We were still able to spell words around him without him picking up on what we were talking about. Those days are over.

I'm trying really hard to keep this blog up. I know it doesn't look much like it. But, with my exam, and a possible major surgery, and moving and what-not, it's not leaving me much time for anything else. Pray for my focus to stay on God and not the things that are happening around me. I read a really neat article the other day about Endometriosis and how the pain can become your idol because it ends up being all you think about. I can so relate. You pick the lesser of two evils - stay in pain and unable to live your life, or go on pain meds and float through your life. December 9th I will go in for a consult to just have the whole shebang taken out. Pray for the ability to work this out as I have so much packing and cleaning and "fixing up" to do. It's a bit overwhelming.

I'm off to watch ESPN. I know that sounds ridiculous coming out of my mouth, er, keyboard. But, Scott scored an awesome ticket to the tournament (i.e. KU game - two rows up) and the kids and I've been watching him the whole game. I called him a little while ago to tell him to quit biting his nails. Even on a boys night out I can keep my eye on him. How awesome is that? ;)

Beauty 101...

If I start throwing out big words like anode and cathode, or orbicularis oculi, and maybe even immiscible substances - it's not because I suddenly turned genius and started medical school. It's because these are actual things I have to know to become a liscensed cosmetologist. Hey, I just signed up to do hair!

I will be taking my state boards in approximately 3 weeks and I am a studying fool. I'm taking practice tests (and failing miserably) and making notecards and reading a TEXTBOOK. I know, you envy my life.

Please pray that I can stay focused (how am I supposed to do that when Jon and Kate are about to renew their vows, and the Real Housewives of Atlanta are in such a tizzy, not to mention Meredith and McDreamy are finally together!?!?). My priorities are SO in line! I'm not a good test taker, that is why I'm a cosmetologist. But, unfortunately the state of Kansas thinks that in order for me to roll a great perm or turn people blonde/red/brunette/gorgeous requires me to have the knowledge of chemistry, electricity, and anatomy/physiology. So, I guess I have to follow the law. Speaking of, there are exactly 10 law questions on the test, too - mental note...study law.

If you don't hear how I did on this test, I'm sure it's because I only failed by one point......

It's Days Like These.......

Yesterday was the kids' last annual visit to Dr. Cooley's office......Sigh.

Nurse Ellie and I shared a few laughs and a lot of tears as we reminisced over the last 8 years. The middle of the night phone calls for 103 degree fevers and Saturday visits. Oh, and the week Aidan had to go in EVERY SINGLE DAY for Rocephin injections in his teeny little one-year-old booty for a very persistant ear infection - he would cry as soon as he saw Ellie's face for the next year - he just knew she was going to hurt him again. And when Darby had her first seizure 5 years ago? Ellie and Dr. Cooley were there. They were there to take care of my kiddos, they were there to comfort me as a mommy, they were always there when we needed them. I know we'll find a good doctor in KC, but he/she won't be Dr. Cooley. And, the new doctor's nurse won't be any Ellie. They won't remember my babies when they were actual babies. Or, my brothers and me, as little kids. I know it's silly to be so emotional over a doctor's office, but, they were our security when we were facing RSV when Aidan was a baby and when we faced epilepsy with Darby as a toddler. That means a lot to me.

These are the days that are going to be hard as we face our next chapter. But, they also remind us what we have to look forward to when we get there.....new memories, new places, and new friends. Sure, we'll miss all of these things here, but they won't really be all that far away......about 60 miles to be exact! :)

p.s. The kids are super great! They are both very healthy and they had to endure their flu shots. But, we have a rule that when someone gets shots they get to pinch mommy's arm as hard as they want. I think I made out the worst in the whole process!

Oh, Yes, I Did.....

cut

one of these

today!







It was basically the greatest day ever.

And, then, I signed up to take my State Boards, had as close to a panic attack as there can be because I haven't studied in, like, a year, and ruined the moment.

I have to tell you - I did that haircut on a 63 year old lady and I kept snipping off the ends and she'd say "Um, shorter." And, then, I'd snip off a little more and she'd say "Probably a little shorter". And, then, I got brave and cut the whole darn front off. That's a hair cut "first" that I swore I would never do. Never say never, I guess.

Sneak Preview......

of the Martin Family Photo Shoot 2008 (these are just a few of my faves - out of the 293 taken)





















These haven't even been cropped, edited, or nuthin'! Our photographer is a genius! And, so's her assistant!