Work

Today when we pulled into the parking lot of my work (Steve and I carpool with the kids...they drop me off, he drops them off and then goes to work...then reverse order to go home), Kayleigh said she wanted to come to work with me. I asked what she was going to do..."Hand out stickers!" :)

Growing up

So a month or so ago, I asked Kayleigh..."What do you want to do when you grow up!"  And she quickly returned with "Doctor" and her reasoning is because they fix everything :)  The doctor is always who to call when you need something fixed around here :)

So the other day I asked her what Jacob was going to be when he was older.  Her quick response was "Bigger!"

QUICK POST

Sorry for the absence...apparently once I was done with school I never want to get back on the computer :(

Here's a family photo from Erin Kongshaug Photography photo shoot the other day:

Tomorrow...

My boss is kind enough to tell me in advance when I'll be having to leave work early due to lack of patients. Tomorrow is one of those days so I'll be taking my own car into work. Otherwise, Steve drops me off, then the kids off then goes to work. Then only one car is out, saving gas, and leaving less of a carbon footprint (is that the right term?).

So, tomorrow I'll be able to run a few errands that I would like to do without anyone with me :)  YEA!!! 

Happenings

On the day off we had so much fun!!  Except Kayleigh kept running away from us!  Her and Brody are probably the closest (probably due to age), but they have so much fun together! 

Kayleigh even went thru the play area of McDonalds (this was her first time) and she was very nervous.  She was so proud when she accomplished an area :)

Day off...

Today is my day off!!!  And...it's going to be close to 70 degrees!!!  AND...Grandma Onn and Brody are coming up for Brody's birthday shopping day!!!  AND...Kayleigh, Jakey and I are going with!!!!!!!!!!! 

It's been so long since I've been out shopping :)  Still tight on the money because paying off student loans are in effect, but still, just being out and about will be great!!!  Plus, if we go to Younkers I still have the Radiologist's Christmas present/gift card is still available :)

Hopefully this will be a great day off and the kiddos will behave!! 

Kayleigh will, because as she tells me "Brody's my buddy!"  They always give each other hugs when they see each other. Plus they hold hands when they are walking somewhere :)

Jakey...he's going through a definite growth spurt. Sunday he ate every TWO hours, about 5-6 ounces at a time!!!  Not sure this mama can keep up the supply!!!!  Plus, I just put away another big group of clothing he doesn't fit in!  He's skinny, but long.  However, last night I noticed his cheeks are getting really chubby!!! 

Here's a recent pic (January, but still the most recent).  Now I understand why the third kid has so few pics...especially since I'm not sure how the second one gets any.  Kayleigh had so many!

Taking a poll from my readers

Okay...I'm tossing some things up in the air here about graduation. 

Should I walk at commencement or not?

Here's my reasoning...and I would like to know what you all think...if not on here in an email.

Walk:
Maybe this can be a closing of a chapter.
Pride...this was hard and I did it!

Not:
I did this all online...only met Dr Stebbins (the director of the program) in real life
Do I really need recognition amongst all those people that I don't know?

Okay...what do you all think...and do you have any input?

Pics

We finally decided on Erin Kongshaug Photography to do Jacob's 3mo photos!  Erin is one of our neighbor's from growing up. Now she lives not too far from us.  She does great work!  We are hoping to get some outside shots, so we are going to wait til next week; it sounds like it's going to be a ton nicer than this weekend.

Hopefully the kiddos will cooperate!  She's more of a "catching a moment" type of photographer instead of a "pose the crew" photographer!  I'm hoping we can get some great shots :) 

I'm excited to get some new pics to post at work (I still have Kayleigh's early months in frames there...that is so sad)

Can't wait to show you all some :)

OOPs..sorry!

Today we finally got to have a good date night/Valentine's day dinner (since we forgot the gift card the last time).

But first we had to stop by the Urgent Care to have Steve looked at.  He's been coughing up a lung for...well since Feb 18th. I kept telling him to suck it up!  Not to think sick!  Well...with both kiddos sick and he being the guy who is in daycare (picking up and dropping off); he's been around TOO many sick kids.  Plus his work has a TON of sick employees (seriously people...stay home...just one day to try and get better and less contagious!!). He has bronchitis.  Sorry honey, you are really sick!  He is now on and antibiotic, steroids and cough medicine with codeine! 

Then we went to Olive Garden!  YUMMY...we even split a Turimasu (spelling?) and I had an alcoholic coffee (probably won't get that again!)

After that we went to GhostRider2!  Not too bad!  My first 3D movie in the Theatre.  I know...pretty sad, huh!  I'm not that impressed with 3D and HATE that it makes the movies cost so much!  DUMB!

Now...trying to get the kiddos to bed!  I'm pooped!

Tornadoes

I feel bad for those who are going through these tornadoes once again! 

However, how the heck does my house look like that and there hasn't been a tornado!?! 

OH YEAH!  This little girl named Kayleigh :) 

She is getting better about putting away her toys, but she definitely could do better.  Then I also remember that she is just over two years old. She'll get better as she gets older :) 

Sometimes I think, since she acts so mature, that we forget, she's still a LITTLE girl :) 

WE LOVE HER!!! (and I bet those of you who are reading this do too :) )

Finally!

So first and foremost...I admire anyone who tries to get a degree when they have kids and/or family of some sort!  Have it be a high school diploma, associate degree, baccalaureate or higher...it's hard!  REALLY hard to try and balance everything! 

Plus, most people who are striving for those degrees and have the family are trying to do it to make themselves for those kids and/or family.

However, today...I got an email from Dr Stebbins (the DMU coordinator/and my Internship professor) with a 100% on my Internship Portfolio.  This is the portfolio that I poured my blood, sweat and tears into!  I'm so proud of that Portfolio!

Then, I got an email from Fritz (my Capstone project professor) and he gave me an A- for my project. This is the project that I feel I could have done so much more with, but things just were never that great from the beginning. However, he's been my prof in so many of my classes, so he knows how I write. He's seen how I progressed over the degree.

WHEW!!!  It's done!  I'm so proud of myself!  I hope that doesn't sound so conceited!  However, the only way I could be here in this spot is for you!  All of you that are my family and friends who stood by me. Those of you who listened to me complain when I was tired. THANK YOU!!!  I appreciate all the time you spent listening and giving me advice!  I APPRECIATE YOU!

So...(once again not to gloat, but yet, gloat a little)...I started grad school Summer of 07, got engaged, married and had two kids, moved twice as well...and still graduated with a 3.85!!  WHOO HOO!!! 

New activities

Today Kayleigh, Jacob and I stayed home on my day off.  The morning went really well.  Kayleigh decided she wasn't going to take a nap for anything!  That's when it was bad.  Oh well!  She still did pretty well.  We got out some paint (the paint that I bought for the Valentine's stuff that we never got to). She had so much fun with that!  She loves painting!  She's very artistic, not perfectionist like me.

Oh...my prof for this last class emailed me this "I will give it a read today and tomorrow.  Our goal was to have you finish and even if this is not your "best work" I know what you are a capable of and getting to this point is an outstanding accomplishment.

If anything is missing, Ill let you know right away so we can sort it out ." 

Can I tell you this is a sigh of relief.  I know that this wasn't my BEST work.  I think my Internship was my best work and I put all my strength, energy and effort into that project that I didn't have much left for this one.  Oh well...he's had me in more classes than not, so he apparently remembers me and knows what I'm capable of!  THANK GOD!!!  I can't wait for these grades though!! 

I.THINK. I'M.GONNA BE.SICK ;)

I just posted my last project for my graduate degree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SIGH!

Now what to do!??!!  lol...just joking!  I need a mental break! 

TOMORROW...day off with my babies!!!!!!!!!!  I can't wait to snuggle!!!  I hope they are good!  :)

Kayleigh...grabbed a packet from our supper casserole thing Steve was making.K-- "What's this?" ME "Stuff for supper" K "I want supper" M "Daddy's cooking it" K "Darn it!"  bahaha...what?!?! 

Jacob...SUPER SMILEY BOY!!!!!!!!!!  He's so darn cute :)  Waiting for him to roll over!  Ever since this last cold, I think his head got to heavy for him. He went backward...can't hardly hold his head up.  Trying to work harder with him on tummy time to regain what he lost.  Is that weird? 

ugh...now waiting for grades.  Posted my Internship on 1/30 and still don't have a grade!  Ugh...the suspense!

OFF TO BED!!!  Night all!!!

Too Funny!

Kayleigh and Jacob went to Grandma and Grandpa Peterson Sunday so that I could finish my paper (which all I have to do is reread it and edit where needed) and Steve could get some stuff done around the house. We went to pick them up and Grandpa gave Kayleigh some treats to bring home to Shadow. As Steve was buckling her into her carseat, with said treats gripped tightly in hand, Steve said "Don't accidentally eat Shadows treats."  Kayleigh went from a giggly little girl to a look of horror and "GROSS!!!!!!!!" statement.  We both couldn't stop the giggles now.  She was so serious!!

Then we got home and I said "I love you, Kayleigh!"  She replies with "Thanks! (nice break) Love you!"  *at least she has manners*

Back to work...after a sickness weekend for me!  Hopefully it won't be too bad today and I'll be awake enough to put those final touches on the paper and submit it and be done!!!

Made my day!!!

So Friday I stayed home sick...good thing, b/c I don't think I would have been out of the bathroom much, and I finally held down food at 8pm Friday night (nearly 24 hours!!).  UGH!

SO...I was checking emails and such. AND...my professor for my last paper (class) emailed me and said if I made my deadline of February 28th (which I WILL!!!) I will still graduate this YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh...so very excited! 

Saturday (today) I didn't get much done. Played/hung out with the kiddos!  Needed that!  Kayleigh needed that!  She was definitely a mommy's girl today!  I LOVED IT!!!  We hid her animals from her Little People Zoo and then found them (about 5 times I think!).

Jakey is getting so big!!  He's making a new grunting? noises where he purses his lips and sounds like a piggy!  It's kinda cute!

We all did a lot of napping today.  Which we ALL needed.  I think maybe...just maybe...the illness is leaving the house!  Oh please, illness, leave us alone!!!

PS...I gave up chocolate for lent...and already broke it on Wednesday (twice...EEKS), but been better ever since :) 

Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday to my mom!!!  She is the best mom in the whole world!  Someone who never judges, not very critical, allows you to make mistakes, but doesn't sit there and say "I told you so!" She is always there for you. She is the nicest person in the whole wide world. I wish I was more like her!  I LOVE YOU!!!!  (We all do!!)  We hope you had a wonderful day!

Kayleigh made a play-doh birthday cake for you at daycare. And she put a "birthday hat" on Jacob (mind you...the hat was actually a peepee-teepee). Bahahaha!

Happy Birthday, MOM!!!!

Oh no!

Just as Kayleigh is starting to feel better. Jacob's cough is 100% better. Steve's starting to feel just a little bit better. 

I GET HIT...and HIT HARD!!!!!!!!!  It happened so fast. Feeling great at work yesterday. Came home, was sitting with Jacob and Kayleigh and I started to feel a little dizzy.  Getting a hot flash, clammy hands, generally yucky feeling. Went up to bed. Kayleigh was laying down with us trying to calm down for bedtime. Then....BAM!

I spent more time in the bathroom last night then I did in bed!  And...12 hours later, still feeling pretty crappy. Steve talked me into calling in sick. I hate doing that!!!  I'd rather use my time off for fun!  Just not trying to get something to stay in me.  YUCK!!!

1st Haircut

Yesterday when we were in Osceola, Mom finally cut Kayleigh's hair. Just a little trim. Maybe not even an inch. Just enough to get those snaggles off the bottom of her curls.

This morning she woke up and they are just soft big curls!  I love it!!!  No "Ouch, Mommy!  No more!" yells :)  (sounds just like me...ask anyone in my family or just look at some of the pictures).



PS...someday I'll be coordinated enough to post pictures with :)

Refund baby!

YEA!!!  Today was successful!  We visited Grandma Mary and the MMC Mammo girls (first time they met Jacob)! We saw Aunt Rah Rah (Rhonda)!  Then we went to Osceola and the kiddos stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Onn (sadly didn't get in to see Grandma Lewis). Then we went to UJ's (the lawyer) and got our taxes done and talked about getting a will drawn up!  UGH...so depressing, but JUST IN CASE!!!

We get a refund!!! Which we weren't in doubt, but it will help with some debt!  We are still looking at our budget and trying to justify everything!  It's just so depressing knowing that we are going to be spending so much for daycare!  They get a great education there and Kayleigh has learned tremendously!!!  However, we hate that it raises 10% or something every year that you are there!  Really...can't you cut a break for the loyal people!?!?!  So...we've been thinking and figuring some stuff out, but still I hate living so tight with money!  I guess it's good to re-evaluate everything. There is a lot of spending that is so unnecessary that I do!  Steve as well!  SO...here's to a better budget for this Peterson Family!  Hoping that we can have fun as well! 

Antibiotics

Monday, daycare was closed for a teacher inservice. So..Steve stayed home with the kiddos...and got a taste of SAHD (stay at home dad). Not sure he liked that!  It was a very busy crazy day. They went to the pediatrician and got some antibiotics. Jacob has the start of ear infection and Kayleigh a really sore throat (or that's what Steve got out of that). Kayleigh ran away from him several times at the appointment...so he only heard a little.

By the time I got home, I think Steve was in for the night. Both kiddos weren't feeling up to it, but yet didn't want to sleep. Kayleigh kept saying "I'm tired!" but then gets this burst of energy out of nowhere and runs around. She found a megaphone and started yelling into the bedroom where I was laying down and FINALLY got Jacob to sleep.  UGH!!!  Crazy girl!

Tomorrow....is going to be busy!!!!!!!!!!!  Post more later :)