Wow...she's 14

It's been 14 years since that life changing event of parenthood first happened in my life. At 22, I didn't feel ready, knowledgeable or certain of the whole thing. But that feeling of awe when she was first placed in my arms is a feeling that I have never forgotten. I was so amazed..her little toes, her nose, her soft fingers..she was perfect...I couldn't believe that *I* could create something so fantastic!

Where has that time gone?? True, my life has been anything short of uneventful during that time. Not all of it easy or pleasant. But I guess life and parenting never are that predictable! And here she is..about to start her first year of high school. HIGH SCHOOL!!! And really, she's turning into quite the young lady! I see equal parts of both her father and I. Mostly our best parts, but a few of the quirks too!

Always stay the smart, adventurous, outgoing, curious, caring, silly and creative person you are! I, and many others, love you just like that!

Shedding primaries!!!!

Alex lost tooth #2 last Friday!!! Pretty exciting stuff. Mostly, I just LOVE the faces I get when I ask him to show us the space left behind!

Things here are still rather chaotic. School starts next week for the girls. The kindergarteners start on the 10th. ??? So been scrambling to find daycare for a week for Alex. Seems a friend of Todd's, who has a daycare, has room for him.

Still working on fitting everyone's stuff in the appropriate places. I have never combined two complete households before...yikes!!!

Started work with Schwan's this week. Training has been going fine...meeting lots of new people and making new friends! I guess I have found over the past few months with working at Walser Honda (which I miss horribly!) and Schwan's that I have a never before known knack/love of sales. And of course, the household loves my Employee Store access benefits! LOL

Hasta la vista cardboard!

Ok...not quite. But each day more boxes get unpacked, our things find new places and our house looks more and more like our home.

This move, even though my 17th, has probably been the most tiring. Maybe it's just my age. Maybe it's my self telling my mind that this has to be it, no more!

While there is still much to be done in the remainder days before school begins, things are coming along well! The kids have made quick friends with many neighboring children. We were 'new' for all of a week before a family from North Dakota moved in around the corner!

I look forward to getting settled into a routine...getting back to 'normal'. The kids, even Michaela, is excited for school. The girls miss their 'regular' friends back in Eagan, but are adjusting well. They look forward to their upcoming birthdays. Michaela's being this Friday, and Rebecca's is the first day of school. And everyone is still quite chatty about our trip to ValleyFair last week and laugh regularly at our photos on the fridge! They are hysterical!

Today was a HUGE day because we finally got reconnected with the outside world with the arrival of the phone/cable/internet guy! After 5 days of silence, we were all glad for some media stimulation!

Murphy hates my ass!

Ok.. So the test I was slated to take on Saturday, the one I need to obtain my hygiene license, has to be rescheduled!!! They called today to let me know that they are updating their system/and tests for the next two weeks. So the soonest I can take it will be 9-1. Not only will I have to come to the cities for the day, but I will not have a license in time to start the job in Marshall. So I will now have to call the dentist and resign the idea. Not sure whether I should laugh because it's just sorta how my luck runs, or cry. I guess neither makes a difference in the situation!

Boog got home Sunday. She had a FABULOUS time in ND/MT on the dig! She came home with many teeth, casts, etc. Taking her film to get it developed! Can't wait!

That night, she and Rebecca attended "SPAMalot" at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. This outting was suppose to be for Michaela and I and I bought the tickets last summer! But my sitter got sick, so I stayed home with Alex and let the girls enjoy. And they did! They've been singing songs and quoting lines all week!

Was suppose to go to ValleyFair with the kids today, but we decided to wait until tomorrow when there is no threat of T-storms. Not really much fun to stand in the rain watching the non-moving coasters! Probably won't rain, but we won't risk it! Can't really trust my luck, you know?!

Yo, Dorothy!

Well, that 'chance of thunderstorms' turned into a severe reality! The lightening and thunder started in about 3:30ish a.m. It went on for quite a while! It was the most active storm we've had all summer. And with it being so dry and humid lately, it really went for it! It was right over our complex for a bit and I could actually FEEL the thunder.

I hear chainsaws running in neighboring areas. Our grounds are a mess! There are a few downed trees, my neighbors' entire storm window system fell out of her living room and her railing blew off the porch! Even the alarm on my van was giving the odd beep during the storm. It's still quite breezy out - which I think is great as it's been so hot. Sure it'll get plenty humid later with all the moisture.

In this week's news...

I find it odd how I can have next to nothing left in my townhouse and yet, I keep losing items. Primarily my brain, it appears! Lost my camera around here a few days ago, so hence, no photos!

Spent the middle part of the week at the house in Marshall. Did some unpacking. Kids met the neighbor kids and have played incessantly with them all week. Which is great! The one neighbor is an upcoming 3rd grader, like Becca! I heard him (John) tell Becca and Alex that they were the 'most fun neighbors'.

Alex and Becca love the new house! And I do too! It's nice having space, yard and privacey again. Our neighbors all seem very nice! The dogs love running around the yard! Nobody wanted to come back to the Cities today. I've gotten quite use to having Todd around the past couple weeks, so the next week without seeing him will be tough! Though I can see melding our lives isn't gonna be all cake either! LOL All an adjustment process!

Becca is off at GS camp for the weekend. The last event she'll share with her current troop. Michaela has been in ND with her Father on a Dinosaur Dig for the past week. OH the stories she has! Can't wait to see photos! She's cast a bone, found amber and a multitude of other things!

So it's me and Alex..I have much to get done. And he's without a play-person (namely one of his sisters). Hence, probably won't get much done. The push is on now. I want this done.

I have but a few people that I will sorely miss here in the Cities. Fortunately, we'll still be rendezvousing between here and Marshall pretty often. It'll be good being in Marshall as that will make me a sorta mid-point for my hygiene friend in SD and our friends in the cities! We're already schemeing!

Houston, we have LIFT OFF!!!

OH!!!! He's got it!! Still a bit wobbly, but he's off!! Got fed up with the training wheels yesterday and took them off Alex's bike, KNOWING he could ride w/o them! He wasn't convinced. Today he's hopped on all by himself and within about 20 minutes is going short distances! Just as exciting as when Michaela and Becca learned to ride 2 wheeled! Go Bubba Joe!!!!!!!

Been an emotional day... cleaned my desk out at Walser Honda. It was so sad and hard to go and say good-bye to everyone! I really started getting into the job there! And my co-workers were just awesome! I'd even been awarded the wildcard slot for the "Madden Trip" (which I will have to surrender). This is an annual trip to a 5 Star resort up north awarded to top sales staff. The wildcard slot is awarded to the most promising new hire. Of which I was THRILLED to hear that I'd won the slot which was announced Saturday during my absence. How flattering! I know the runner up, who will go on the trip, is just as deserving :) Been a fabulous experience!

Landing Butter-side up!

WOW! I'm exhausted! The move has officially started! Todd and I (with Doug's loading help!) made a couple trips from Eagan to Marshall (3 hrs one way) with my stuff this week. I'm pretty sick of that trip, but we got A LOT more moved than I thought we would! Spent today cleaning and unpacking the kitchen! That was much more fun and exciting!

Also, I interviewed for and landed a hygiene job in Marshall! It's starting out as a long-term, full time, but temporary position. The hygienist I am filling in for will be off for 6 weeks to 6 months due to hip surgery. She is yet unsure if she will return after her recovery. I have to retake one of my exams and get my license application submitted to the Board of Dentistry. Then all's well.

Michaela left this week for a 12 day stay in Montana/ND with her father. They are volunteering on a dinosaur dig! Can't wait to see those photos! And Doug's been in town for the last week hanging out with the smalls and as I previously mentioned, helping us load a truck and trailer.

Thankfully, nobody I know was involved in the 35W Bridge collapse. Whatta mess though! Have been on the bridge several times! Thanks to all who called/texted in concern to make sure we were ok!

Todd and I have been together for 11 months today! Again, Happy 11 to ya, Babe! Hard to believe, as it seems like much longer (In a VERY good way!) Who'da thought huh? Thank God for timing and Kbar Pizza!!!

For the first time, in a VERY long time, I'm feeling really good about most things. All that hard work and stress and worry is starting to subside and I feel like I'm going along on the right track! Life feels right.