Wow! It's been a while

Hello again world. I haven't been very good about keeping up, but several exciting things have happened around here, so there are likely to be a few posts soon.

Stay tuned for:

PhD graduation (at long last)

Cancun getaway

Christmas

Nana & Papa visit

Double or nothing

A few weeks ago we were encouraging C to rip out a tooth that has been loose for at least 2 months. Finally it was only hanging on by a thread (or whatever holds our teeth in place), and sticking straight out. I just couldn't take it and she wouldn't let me pull it. I encouraged her to move it around until it came loose. She went to bed with it still not removed and came out distraught about 20 minutes later. Turns out that she ripped out the tooth next to the super loose tooth (don't worry it was almost ready to come out as well). This resulted in a fair amount of blood which freaked her out. I ripped (gently pulled - it didn't need much coaxing) out the other tooth the next day. So, the tooth fairy made a double night visit. She still has a card under her pillow for the tooth fairy and the next time she visits. (She thinks a note is part of the deal and why shouldn't it be??)

Halloween and a scary tail/tale

Halloween was eventful this year...pumpkin carving, baking, classroom volunteering, trunk or treat, trick or treat and missing cats. Let's start from the top. The kids had a lot of fun this year carving the pumpkin. Finally neither of them are grossed out by the insides of the pumpkin.The final product. The kids always like to add the green ears on the pumpkin.

I also did some baking for the C's classroom. I think the spiderweb cupcakes turned out great. Good news is they were also yummy! I spent the part of the afternoon helping out at C's school party. The kids had a parade, and party. C was a ballerina
And H was a soccer zombie - all his idea.

The cat also decided to enjoy Halloween. Chewy followed a family around the neighborhood as they trick or treated - he had to pick the only family who is completely afraid of all pets! We tried to get him to come home, but he wasn't having it and continued running around after all the trick or treaters. I can only imagine that he was thinking - "this is great everyone is out to play". We figured he would just come home later, but another neighbor lady thought he was lost, rescued him (took him to her house), and put found signs up all over the neighborhood the next day. He hasn't run away since, and doesn't chase "fraidy" neighbors anymore either.

Behind on all things blog

Hi all! I am pretty behind on posting things we have been up to. Especially things that have accompanying pictures. So hopefully you will learn soon be able to read about:

Halloween (including a special story)

C's first gymnastics meet

Scouts

Roller Skating

Summer family day

Missing teeth

And anything else that happens between now and then

So, stay tuned maybe some of this will even appear tonight - in the meantime enjoy an new blog photo - courtesy of Cooper, my lovely friend and wonderful photographer!

up in flames

So about 4 years ago the kids got a dvd player. I had been telling J to get them one, but he wasn't convinced. Then one day (several days after getting my tonsils removed), he invited me to a party for the company he did business with. I couldn't really eat, but I wanted to get out so we went. I wasn't much of a date (too weak to enjoy myself, in too much pain to talk, and couldn't swallow real food yet). When I got there I found out they were giving things away. We came home with a water bottle, nice coat for John to use at work, and a portable dvd player. Let's just say we have enjoyed the dvd ever since. I would even say some have abused it (meaning C and H a little). C loves to plug it in an watch a show with popcorn (of course) at least a couple times a week. Well a couple of days ago while she was enjoying this favorite activity the plug started on fire. Luckily it tripped the circuit and didn't cause much damage, but the DVD is now toast (burnt toast). Good thing we gave H one a while back when C started abusing the other. Now we have to keep track of it so we have it for trips! PS No one was hurt in the burning of the DVD player.

SND, PhD

So yesterday it became official - I can now put PhD at the end of my name! Lots of hard work, but the defense went well. Since then I have had a lot of attention (which is a little uncomfortable for me), and now I am back to work trying to make the final edits to my paper. As it turns out they aren't too bad and I had anticipated this as part of the process since I know my committee members very well by now.

The kids started calling me Dr. mom, but I asked them to stop. It just felt too weird and made it seem like being a Dr. came first over or is more important than being a mom (which I don't think is true at all).

Anyway, you might wonder if I feel different, excited, happy, etc. The best description is relaxed and content. Yep, 12+ years of higher ed (more like 13.5 for me) and I feel content. Guess I better get used to it since I am not getting another degree.

Thank you to all who sent kind messages yesterday and who continue to congratulate me!

4 days

Lots can happen in 4 days. Take for example the last 4 days in my life...

-J injured his eye with a bungee cord (hifema). He has strict orders to do nothing for about a week.

-C learned to tie her shoes!

-Bad health news for my brother - we are praying for you and your family!

-J's dad broke his hip - apparently not a horrible break but a few days in the hospital and then a care facility for rehabilitation.

-Plus all the ordinary happenings - things eaten by the dog, school stuff, teaching, etc.

Also in just 4 days I should be Dr. D! Hope everything goes well, I am both excited and nervous.