Life is just full of interesting twists!

So, earlier today I was thinking about possibly writing a post tonight. However, what to post about? This is the hard question.

I could post about how many gifts are around our Christmas tree and that I can't even see part of my tree. In fact, getting close to the tree is a feat in itself.

However, we ended up having some excitement tonight so that is what I get to post about.

This afternoon my mom and dad brought the girls home and as Cassie was coming towards the door she tripped on a cord (that was plugging in my Hippo) and fell. Upon falling she grabbed her hand. I was right at the door and called for Andy's help to get her in. We got her in and she was holding her thumb sobbing. I got her ice and she held it there for about 15 minutes. At this point I looked at her thumb and saw that though we had iced it right away, it still was quite swollen. Also, it hurt Cassie for me to just touch it.


At this point I decided that we would go into First Care to have it checked out. I really didn't want to have to go in later in the evening when it still wasn't doing good.

We arrived, got checked in, had the doctor look at it, got x-rays taken, and waited. While we waited I took a few pictures with my phone and we played a few games. Yeah for iphones!! Here are the pictures of Cassie's thumb.

Just a little swollen, eh? And I don't think that this picture even does it justice. Fast forward several hours....my gosh they were busy in that ER/First Care tonight. When the doctor finally came in to let us know what was going on Cassie's thumb was still very swollen, her ice pack (that she had kept on from home til that point) was warm, and some serious bruising was starting to form.


The news that the doctor delivered made Cassie cry. Her thumb was fractured. It is a small fracture, but still....broken. They put her in a hard splint, wrapped it with an Ace Bandage. She has to wear this until she gets in to see an orthopedic doctor. From there, they will decide what they want to do.

Now can we just talk for a second about the guilt that mothers face when their child is injured? While we were waiting at the hospital and I was looking at the swelling and the bruising that was starting, I figured it was broken. I also googled 'signs of a broken thumb' while we waited. Of course, because Cassie is who she is, I didn't say anything about this.

As I put her to bed tonight and watched her struggle to crawl up the stairs, get situated in bed, and took a picture of her hand/arm to share with ya'll.....I couldn't help but be thankful that she is such a strong little girl. The doctor even asked if her thumb was throbbing. When Cassie said no, the doctor said that she is a tough young lady. And that she is. She is hating the struggles that this is causing, not enjoying having to come up with new ways to do things, and frustrated with things that she can't do for a while. However, she is dealing with it and being a trooper. I knew that one day her strong will and stubborn as a mule attitude would work in our favor.

In the meantime Cassie is having a blast trying to figure out how to get around. And I'm being entirely sarcastic when I say this. She can't use her loft-strand crutches because she needs her thumb for stability and such. Right now, can't put any pressure there. She can't crawl as she normally does at night when she takes her braces off because she only has one good hand. I've told her to try doing a hand, elbow type crawl, but she is having troubles with balance and such. And this isn't even to mention the facts that it is her right hand so buckling up in the car or wheelchair is impossible. Pushing herself in the wheelchair, doing transfers, eating, and getting dressed is all just a little more interesting at this point. I find myself laughing more and getting dirty looks from her. She doesn't see the humor in this at all.

Tonight before bed she was trying to write with her left hand because what if she is still in this splint when she goes back to school next week? Luckily she has always been pretty ambidextrous. I also find the timing pretty good since she is off for another week before having to go to school. This way she can get some time to heal, get used to things, and hopefully get in to see the doctor without having to miss school.

Life is so fun some times :)

And because I wanted Cassie to be able to show you things for herself and so you could get a sense her excitement....a video.

Recap

Editors Note: This post is 2073 words long. Holy Crumpets! Grab a snack, a beverage, and enjoy!!
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Anyone else feel like we've been running a marathon lately? I sure do.

This past few weeks it is like I've been going and going. It is finally starting to catch up though, and I find myself having to take it slower and relax some. Fortunately, this next week we have nothing going on...with the exception of Andy having to work some. The girls are off of school and my week is pretty free. It'll be a nice week to get caught up on things and maybe get a little organized. You know, like a find homes for all the new things that the girls got for Christmas.

Now where to start on getting you caught up? It's been a while, I know.

On the 18th of this month the girls had their Christmas Concerts at school. Cassie's (2nd and 3rd grades) was from 12-12:45. Kalli's (Kindergarten and 1st grade) was 2-2:45. I spent the morning volunteering in the library at school, and then met up with my mom, brother, and Andy to watch Cassie's concert. She did absolutely wonderful and the most touching part was when one of her classmates, who has been learning to play guitar, played with his dad and accompanied the group as they sang "Silent Night". Her group also sang...Snow Angels; Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily; Happy Holidays; Christmas Bells; and The Ride of the One Horse Open Sleigh.

After her part of the concert, Andy Tony and I went to lunch while my mom went to pick my dad from work. We then all met back at the school for Kalli's concert. Her group sang African Noel; S-A-N-T-A; The Mitten Song; In the Toy Shop; Jingle Jive; and Great Big Star. She did a wonderful job and I was surprised how well all the kids did with all families there. After Kalli's concert Andy and I said goodbye to my parents and Tony and headed to the library so that I could help out a little more until the girls' day was done and we could bring them home.

During the time in between things I found a moment to talk with the music teacher. Mind you, with all the volunteering I do at the school, all the teachers and staff know me pretty well, and I let her know how much I loved that she had brought Christmas back into the school concert. At the school the girls were at last year it was a "winter" concert. This year was a concert held during the winter, yet it was a Christmas concert.

The teacher, Ms. V, informed me that when she first started at this school she went out on a limb and tried Christmas music. At the end of the first concert, an elderly gentleman came to her with tears in his eyes and personally thanked her for putting Christmas back in the concert. From that point on she has continued and has gotten a lot of positive responses. I love that she pushed the limit that little bit and that it worked out. Winter concerts are nice, but a Christmas concert is just that little bit more special and helps get the kids in the spirit and excited about the holiday.
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On the last day of school before winter break the girls each had a Christmas party in their individual classrooms and I was able to help out in Kalli's classroom. Nothing like sugaring up kids before sending them home. Except...wait...one of those kids are mine. Damn!

I went around the school handing out gifts (homemade hot chocolate) to all the teachers that work directly with my girls, the librarian, the principal, and then left a large container with a note in the teachers' lounge. The last stop was with the principal and I talked with her briefly before the school day was done.

When I first signed the girls up at this new school this past summer I was quite anxious about the change. For Kalli she would be just starting Kindergarten there. No big deal. However, for Cassie, she would be starting 3rd grade. She was established at her old school. All the kids knew about her "disability" and that it was no big deal. At the new school, would the kids be so understanding? Would she have friends? I should have just looked at my little girl and known that it is impossible not to love her.

I thanked the principal (Ms. S) for working with us and for having such a wonderful school. I don't think principals get the credit due for the work they have to do....working with troubled children, parents that don't care or are difficult, and trying to keep track of (in the case of our school...400-some kids) It can't be easy. And yet the girls' school and the children that go there seem pretty tight-knit and accepting. Ms. S informed me that she is also impressed with how well the other children accepted Cassie. She said that it is like they don't even see that she is a little different. I personally, love it.

Ms. S also thanked me for being such a large part of the school...I volunteer any free days in the kindergarten classroom and library. (so much actually that they are trying to get me to apply for a few entry type jobs) I enjoy being appreciated. I've already told them they will either get sick of seeing me or just hire me on. And after the girls' concert I introduced my parents, brother, and Andy to Ms. S and she put her arm around me and said that I was the newest staff member. Maybe I have an in for when the girls are grown and I do need a job?? For now though I will volunteer, maybe sub for the noon monitors when they aren't available (if I get that application in), and enjoy getting my baby fixes through other peoples' children. :)
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Because we are procrastinators, professional procrastinators in fact, we finally took the girls to see Santa last weekend. You know...the weekend before Christmas. Good thing Santa listens close and has the elves working 24/7 this time of the year. The girls visited and I got a few pictures. I was quite impressed with Santa as when he saw Cassie in her wheelchair he got out of his chair and knelt down to talk with her and get pictures with the girls. It is the little things like this that just make me smile. He didn't need to...she could have transferred to him, or just sat next to him in her chair, but he went the extra step to get more down to her level. I appreciated it. Such a good Santa...he is on my good list.

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Christmas Eve morning we headed to breakfast like we do every year to celebrate Cassie's birthday. Because her birthday is Christmas Eve we have a breakfast which is hers and she gets one birthday gift from grandma. From there things become Christmas. We then celebrate her birthday in January on a day that we pick just for her.

This year when we headed to breakfast she had one less tooth to eat with. The day before, she had told me that one of her teeth was bothering her (aka: it is loose, I have issues with textures especailly in my mouth....therefore....please look, but DO NOT touch, determine if it is loose enough, and pull it. Without moving it. She likes to keep things interesting. I did get it out though as it was only connected by like 1 thread. Not any of Cassie's doing though. She won't wiggle teeth. They have to be pushed out by the next tooth. Because otherwise, they move. And we don't like things moving in our mouth. gulp.

After breakfast, Becky and Brady (the now 3 week old little sir fabulous) came to exchange gifts with the girls and to visit at my parent's. The girls are completely enamored with their new little cousin. Even Kalli likes him. Well, until he starts to move around more and following her. Then all bets are off. This picture is from a few days earlier when the girls were sitting together to hold him. Cassie is going to be such a super babysitter some day and a good mommy. She adores babies and young children that aren't her sister.

She does like her sister, but I've been informed that her sister is annoying sometimes and talks too much. All I can say is AMEN sister! No...really though, I used to feel pretty much the same way about Cassie. I used to ask her speech therapist if now that we got her to talk could we now get her to stop. Please.

I have hope that someday Kalli too will slow down the talking some, but I'm not holding my breath.
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Later in the day on Christmas Eve we opened gifts from everyone. (my parents, brother-Tony, to be sister in law-Kelli, and us) This year we had taken the girls shopping for each other. Talk about interesting. I've never been up and down the aisles at Target that much. Andy was with the opposite child browsing in a different area of the store. After going through the aisles for the 10 billionth time (ok...I exaggerate, but not much) I chose 3 things for the girl I had with me to pick for the other girl. Of course, at first they pick the thing that they would like the most. I then ask if that is what they think their sister would like. This question is followed by a stare that looks like I have 3 heads and a questioning look that is begging to know if this is a trick question.

"If your sister was here and I showed her these same 3 things, what would she choose", I ask rephrasing my question. The answer this time is something that I know shows that they aren't thinking of themselves. Selfless-ness is something that I really am trying to work on with the girls. I don't want them to think of Christmas, or life for that matter, as something that is only about them. It is about others and making other people happy sometimes too.

I took this picture of the girls response after they gave each other their gifts. I think they got it.

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This morning was Christmas morning and the girls woke us at what I refer to as "the butt crack of dawn". It is a time of the day that I am not a fan of. We got up though, because we are wonderful parents, and let the girls open their Santa gifts. They must have been on the good list because they got a couple of the things that they asked for and a couple they didn't even ask for. Cassie got a DVD of her favorite show on the planet....Cats. Best part: as she tore the first part of the paper off it was back side up and she said, "could it be?" she then tore the rest of the paper off, turned it around, and squealed. I've never seen her so happy about a gift. Of course she watched it and also watched the bonus features (the making of Cats, in this case). I think that Cassie is one of the only people that I know that LOVES to watch all the bonus features for movies. This includes the producer/director talk overs and such.

Christmas was very good to us this year. And with the exception of Kalli having a little bit of a cold, Cassie having a little bit of a runny nose, and my cold-induced asthma we are all healthy, happy, and enjoying time together. I'm actually not scared of the girls being off for the next week. Cuddling with them and playing sounds like the plan. Maybe there will some days that we stay in pjs all day. Who knows.

A certain person, however, did find Christmas to be exhausting.

Cassie came to get me when she saw that Kalli was sleeping. She is in my mom's chair here and she is O-U-T! Also...yes, those are roller skates on her feet. They are a gift from Becky and Kalli fell asleep with them on. That is my girlie!

Hope everyone had a superb Christmas, stayed safe, and that Santa was good to you. Also, since I mention birthdays on here. Happy Birthday to my first-ever baby, Cassie. Hard to believe that she is 9. When did that happen???

Christmas Wrap-up

Christmas has come and gone and the good news is that we are all still alive. The bad news? The kids got too many toys.

I'm sure it is good news for them. And honestly, I'm glad that they had a good Christmas, have so many people that care about them, and hopefully won't be uttering the words "I'm bored" for the next month or so. However, where on earth am I to store all these new things??

I'm serious. Here is our tree at the end of the day. Note that I have picked up all stray pieces of paper and that I have organized under the tree some. Things are totally stuffed under the tree tightly.

The one thing that I want to work on for next year is being a little more appreciative of gifts. The girls, once getting to my parents, on Christmas Day literally said, "When can we open our presents." And after opening one would be looking for another right away. I know that they are young...well at least Kalli is...but I was disappointed in their behavior. We will be working on it for next year.
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Christmas Eve was Cassie's birthday and I am planning on writing more about that tomorrow. I would like to write a little post 'to' her. We'll see what I can come up with tomorrow.
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Tonight Andy and I took the girls to the Botanical Garden for the 'Garden of Lights'. As this winter has been pretty cold and snowy, we were lucky to have upper 30's for temperatures tonight as we looked at the lights. It's like a heat wave. (And yes I know it is crazy to call upper 30's a heat wave, but in comparison to temperatures last week and earlier this week, it is.) We rode the horse-drawn wagon and then walked around the upper area to see more lights. The girls loved it and want to go back when all the flowers are blooming again. For me, it was a wonderful end to a week filled with Christmas stress.

Here are a couple of the cute pics that I got of the girls on Christmas Day.

Kalli with her favorite gift....princess slippers from Uncle Tony.

Cassie opening gifts. Every time she would take a bow off a package, she would put it on her head.

December 22, 2008

I've been slacker when it comes to posting, I know. You'll have to forgive me as I'm trying to get everything done for Christmas, Cassie's birthday is on Wednesday (Christmas Eve), and I'm dealing with a never ending waterworks.

Last night I was up until midnight crying and this morning I was wishing that someone would just give me a shot of something that would dry up my eyes and make me sleep. I'm having a hard time dealing with my grandmother's death this Christmas. Last year I was so numb during Christmas that I just went through the motions. This year, though, hurts. I've been dealing with some headaches from the crying and my shunt just ached this morning when I woke. I've been trying to hold back the seemingly endless trickle of tears. Unfortunately, if I hold them back from trickling, sooner or later the damn brakes and I sob.

The other day, out of the blue, Kalli said, "I miss great-grandma." I answered, "Me too honey. Me too." And I do. I miss my grandma something awful this year. And honestly I HATE this.
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In hopes to end this on a happier note. This past weekend the girls decorated cookies I made and also decorated a gingerbread house. Tons 'o Fun!


Kalli's side of the gingerbread house (Note: I decorated the front :)

Cassie's side of the house.

The girls decorated cookies.

Sorry...

I apologize for the lack of blogs the past couple days. Been busy and tired. Tomorrow morning...actually in 7.5 hours I have a training at work, so....this is all you're getting for now. I'll work on one for tomorrow though.

I really like this picture! Taken when Becky was over on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

My children are spoiled. If you were here and looking around our apartment, you would completely agree. It honestly looks like a toy store vomited in middle of our living room. I'm not in the least bit kidding either.

I think that the girls got everything that they wished for. Except for Kalli, who along with the other 10 things she asked for, asked for a puppy...a real one. That won't be happening for quite a while. Not only are dogs not allowed at our apartment and I'm not ready to have a puppy, I also think that Buffy would have a heart attack if we were to bring a puppy home.

We all had a good Christmas overall though. I think I only have a few more white hairs and only a handful of times did I think about running down the road screaming. Pretty good for the stress of the holidays compounded by 2 children that are excited, overtired, and sugared up.

Hoping that you are yours had a wonderful holiday!!

Our good deed for the year.

Last night the girls helped me string cheerios on thread to hang outside on the trees for the birds. I let the girls take turns stringing cheerios until they both got bored with it. Then I took over and I finished it up tonight.

As the girls were doing their stringing, I was telling them about how during the winters it is harder for birds to find food and that by decorating the tree outside with these cheerios and the other project I have for them to do this weekend, we are helping them out. They both liked that idea.

As Cassie was stringing she said "We are doing a very good thing for the birds, aren't we?" I told her that yes we were and that by doing this we are giving the birds a Christmas gift. Kalli kept walking around saying that the birds would be chirping "tweet tweet tweet....saying 'thank you Kalli and Cassie, we love you' "

We made enough to decorate the tree outside here and one at my parent's house too. Of course, this was the easy project. The more difficult one is this weekend with Andy's help.

Straight No Chaser

This is SERIOUSLY one of my new favs. Straight No Chaser is a cappella group from the University of Indiana. This clip is from their comedic version of the 12 Days of Christmas. It is really awesome! More of their stuff is available on YouTube or at sncproductions.com.

Wow...look I'm doing plugs on my blog now.

If you have trouble viewing this... Click Here

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Heard this today and had to pass it along.

Santa had a bad day today. He was checking his list for the second time this morning when his server crashed. He's been on the phone with tech support on and off all day.

Christmas Countdown: 5 days

Today was Cassie's concert at school. Of course, they can't call it a "Christmas" concert, so instead it was their Winter concert. To me.... it's the same thing only they sing about snow instead of Santa.

Here is a clip of my favorite song that the first graders sang.

In case you couldn't understand what they were saying...

It's the first snowball of the year.
And me and the kids in the neighborhood
packed and pounded and rounded it good
then we rolled it over to main street
and people were popping their lids
for the first snow ball of the season
when we were kids

Sorry Auntie Mary...I know that you can't view this. It is because AOL sucks.

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After the concert the girls and I headed to the mall and met up with Grandma and Grandpa. The girls saw Santa, told him their wishes, and got their picture taken with him. I'll get that over-priced picture up here as soon as I get it scanned in. I, however, did bring my camera so you'll get a picture of it now as well. You are so lucky!

I was surprised at how brave they were this year. Neither of them were scared at all and they actually talked to him. It's amazing what a year will do.

December 17, 2007

So I did it. I made the first batch of Christmas cookies today. I should say that I baked them. I mixed them up Friday night, but never got around to baking them until this morning. Kalli helped. She was very good at spreading the flour around. And by around I mean all over the counter, her shirt, and onto the floor. By the end she even had it in her eye lashes. My girl is talented!

So the cookies are baked, waiting to be frosted, and decorated. And I have to say...the apartment smells yummy. I'm thinking I should bake more often with how good it smells. If only I knew more about baking and more recipes. Considering trying though. Andy is all for it.

Right now Kalli is sleeping in my bed. She just crawled in, covered her and her baby up, and went to sleep. Have I mentioned how much she is like me?? And how much I love her?

Cassie is still at school. When she gets home it'll be homework time, feeding time, and then off to the Y for my class. If there is time in between then we'll decorate some cookies. I have to admit that I feel kinda bad because we do most things while she is at school. She misses out on a lot of things.

However, sometimes it is easier just having one helper spreading flour all around.

Do we need a license for this??

We don't need any more babies! I keep telling people this and they just laugh at me.

This past weekend I told my mom this. After she finished laughing at me and said that Kalli loves babies, I told her that it looks like we are running a daycare. To this my mom laughed more.

Well here is my proof...


Yes, she is very proud of her babies. And yes, she was thrilled when I sat them all together to take a picture. And yes, she is a good "mommy". However....we DO NOT need any more babies.

For Christmas, we're giving her a baby. We're wrapped so tightly around that finger our faces are turning purple!

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Helping to get that Christmas mood going...

Finds 2

While going through my grandma's things at my aunts house, we found some Christmas cards. Empty Christmas cards.


I'm not planning on sending out Christmas cards....but if you get one of these in the mail, act surprised :)

We also came across ALOT of pictures. Several of which were of me while growing up. I'm thinking that I will share these in Daily Photos in the next couple days. Maybe.

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Yesterday Tony and Kelli took the girls with them to get a REAL Christmas Tree. Not only did they find a tree and decide that when tired and cold my children get really cranky/whiny, they got us a tree too. So....last night we set it up and today, we undecorated our tree to decorate the new tree. Sound kinds nuts? I thought so too. But at the same time, Cassie is thrilled because she helped to cut down this tree.

(Thank you Kelli for the pictures!)