My Speed Stacker

What in the world are Speed Stacks? Right. Is that what you are asking?

- "Sport stacking helps students develop bilateral proficiency equal performance on both sides of the body. By increasing bilateral proficiency, a student develops a greater percentage of the right side of the brain, which houses awareness, focus, creativity and rhythm. Stacking helps train the brain for sports and other activities where the use of both hands is important, such as playing a musical instrument or using the computer. Sequencing and patterning are also elements of sport stacking, which can help with reading and math skills." www.speedstacks.com


Last year was the first year that Bangert Elementary's PE teacher used speed stacks and Landon has absolutly loved it. He talks about it all the time and even tried to get me to buy them but we just don't have the money lying around for everything Landon wants. Well, this year he talked and talked about it. They even sent info home to purchase them but I couldn't see spending the money. Well, this year Mrs. Davis decided to do a competion and Landon was 1 of 8 first grades that qualified. Well, now I'm feeling bad because I didn't know he was so into it or so good at it. Well, I broke down and order them. They were not that much money. Anyway, Friday, March 6th was the competion so I took off work and went. WOW...he is really good at this. As many of you know Landon has severe learning disablities, ADD and is now showing signs of ticks and stuttering. We are so excited that he has found something that he is so good at. I was so impressed with his speed and skill. Now, I'm not just saying this because he is my kid. I think except for the little girl that won, he could have beaten everyone else. He won his first round. In the second round his cups feel so he lost. He was heartbroken and started to cry but pulled himself together so well. I'm so proud of him and I'm excitied he has something to feel good about and to practice at home.

Here are some pictures of him:













You should really check out the web site at www.speedstacks.com and view the video section with video's from the World Championships. It is amazing.

Baby Girl Collier

So, we had our first ultrasound on 2/26 and found out we are having a little girl. I'm very excited and very scared at the same time. I can take care of boys...I can deal with teenage boys. Ummmm...I was not the worlds best teenage girl. Very dramatic, thought being popular and boys were the MOST important thing ever. I'm scared to death...and the hair...YIKES. I have finally figured out I like my hair and how to do my hair. Good Grief. I'm excited too...I'm excited to have a girl who will hopefully have an adult relationship like my Mom and I. I'm excited to buy girly things. So, we are stuck on names...maybe some of you can help. We like:

Lauren
Lindsey
Kinsley
Kyleigh
Madeline
Madison
Brooklynne
Caroline
Layna
Alyssa

Middle names are even worse...LOL..we had no problem for the boys names. So, here are some first pics of our baby girl. BTW she didn't like sharing her genitals and she didn't like being pushed on by the U/S probe. Let's hope she always keeps her legs crossed until she is 30.


Her foot.


Her fist punching the ultrasound probe.


Her heartbeat at 163.


It's a girl.


Profile.


Our little girl being stubborn. Not wanting to show us much.

Bucket List

I saw this...like it...thought I'd put it here.


Things you have done during your lifetime:
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die -> now you have to know I work in a hospital and xray is one of the first called when a trauma comes in....unforunatly...I've seen my fair share.
( ) Been to Canada
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been to Florida
( ) Been to Hawaii
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been on a helicopter
(X) Been lost
(X) Gone to Washington, DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't.
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x)Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain-naked
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Gone to the movies
(X) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
( ) Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty
( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
(X) Been on a cruise
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(X) Been to Disneyland --- or Disney World
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
(x) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant
(X) Swam with dolphins
( ) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf
( ) Been spinnaker flying
(x) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
( ) Been to the Louvre
( ) Swam in the Mediterranean

Priorities and Fear...

How come when you are a working Mom it is so stressful when your kid is sick. I probably wouldn't be so stressed out it I didn't have sick kid 2 weeks ago...different kid. I hate that I feel like I have to go to work when my kid is sick. I hate fearing that I will lose my job, get written up or just have my super pissed off at me. Landon and Logan are my priorities but I am the only one working FT right now. G will be done soon but we still have to wait till May...actually new nurse orientation starts in June at CRMC.

It would be easier to move back home so mom, dad, crystal, or shayla could help but this is where we are. I have no one to call when my kid is sick. I have no one to help out....hell I can't even find a babysitter. All my friends are people at work.

So, I love having a blog to vent to. I'm scared and frustrated. I don't want to miss work because I want to save my PTO. I have to miss work for OB appointments and I need to save it for when baby comes. This plan doesn't seem to be working for me.

I cleaned the house and when we go get logs we will stop by target to get some clorox wipes because I'm sterilizing this house. I can't afford for anyone else to get sick.

Will we ever get better...

Sick...Sick...Sick...

Logan woke up yesterday with his eyes crusted shut...so gross poor kid. He took it like a trooper. Pretend he was a zombie...LOL. So another awesome perk about working at the hospital is that I tell the ED doc and he saves me a co-pay by giving me a prescription for Logs. I'm home with Loggy today...I hate that I'm missing work. I want to save all my PTO for the new baby and I'm worried about all the cut backs they are making at the hospital. Now, is not the time to lose my job. We had 2 openings that they have decided not to fill due to cut backs. It's hard to not feel mad because we already work our butts off. Now what are we going to do? One pt at a time I suppose. We will be working harder and not getting anything for it...that is fine accept that you burn out your employees and mistakes happen.

I completely got off subject. I too have been sick with a sinus infection...can hardy move...let me show you what an amazing kiddo I have:









I'm so lucky because Landon is still at a stage where is loves to help. He moves the laundry for me all the time. He just needs help with the soap and what button to push. I know it won't last for long but I'm thankful while I have the help.

Landon is such a special kid. I know he has developmental problems but he is so amazing. We had another meeting with his teacher yesterday and it was good. We all agree what Landon needs the problem is getting the school system to do it is like pulling teeth. I'm sure he will have to re-do 1st grade which is breaking my heart for him just because he knows something is different and he is scared. His friends are reading chapter books and he wants to so bad but he is barely reading. He has made such amazing progress and I'm so proud of him but my heart still breaks for him. The teacher says he is so immature...like a 3 or 4 yr old and that's hard for him. It's an endless battle but one I will never give up because this is my child and I will die for him.

On to other news...G has been accepted into grad school. This is great accept I was really looking forward to him graduating and just being home and at work. It will be okay...When he is all doen it will be better for all of us because I could work part-time and be able to help the kids more.

Baby news is the same...all is well and we are just waiting. I guess we need to start getting stuff and getting the house "baby" ready but I'm not looking forward to that. Our house is so not "baby" safe. I have a friend with a changing table I am going to use. I need to get a diaper thing and I'm looking for a used bassinet. We are just going to make a corner in our room for the baby since it will be with us for awhile and then after we move out of this house in December we will figure out the room stuff in the new house. I really love having a playroom for the boys...I hate the thought of giving that up. We will just wait and see on that front.

Here is a fun pic of the boys with a new toy from Uncle John, Aunt Crystal and the girls:

Me Love You Long Time....even thou I don't post

Okay, it's been awhile since my last post. I'm just tired or plain exhusted by the end of the day. The weekends whiz by and here it is 2 weeks later.


So, we had a nice snow here on the NC coast last week and the boys loved it. They had 2 days of school with daddy. Of course the hospital never closes....which is good unless you want to be having snow day fun with your family. :-)

To Do or Not To Do

I found this list on another blog I frequent and since I'm at a loss for what to post because of this stressful...(crisis)time we are going thru...I stole it...I like it.


Things to TRY to do in this lifetime:
(bold = done)


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Become a child of God.



So, I can guarantee I won't do all of these things but it's a nice list to look at and dream of some of them. Because I am a child of God and have extreme faith that God will provide I'm trying hard not to be sad or depressed but it may be a few weeks before I can feel like me again. I am still preggo...I did not lose the baby...so don't worry about that.