You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2009.
Thayer’s dad turns 70 in about an hour. Since it is a special birthday, we spent a good bit of time last week trying to decide what to send him. He doesn’t really need anything, so we were thinking about having a cake delivered to him from us. But, when we finally found a bakery that would do it, we decided we could drive down and deliver it ourselves for $80! So, we did. On Thursday afternoon, we decided to leave right after I finished teaching at noon on Friday to surprise them. I had forgotten that we had rescheduled the girls’ piano lessons for Thurs. afternoon and I had Praise Team practice Thurs. night, so the packing and straightening up at home went on until late (or early!) that night. Also, Julia almost had a fit because she didn’t want to get checked out early due to the Honor Roll dance being at 1:45. So, we let her stay until 2:30. You can check kids out up until 2:30 and then you have to wait until 3 and with traffic we wouldn’t have gotten out of there until 3:15. We ate supper in the van and got to Thayer’s parents at 7:30 pm. They were so surprised! We were just glad they weren’t already in their pjs ready to go to bed!
We had balloons, party hats, noise makers, cake and ice cream. It was fun and I’m glad we were crazy enough to take on a 5 hour trip knowing we had to leave by mid afternoon today to get back for tomorrow. We planned it just right so we could stop in Florence, SC for supper. We got to spend about an hour with Michael, Vanessa and Matthan. I love that Matthan recognizes us now. I still wish we had more time together but they are 3 hours closer now!
Got to go to bed now…laundry is washing and drying but I’ll finish it tomorrow! Can’t wait for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT at GCC!
When we decided to train for these two races in March and April, I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t be able to run that far anymore. Before I had Avery, five miles 4 times a week was no problem. But, that was over 4 years ago. On our first run, Thayer and I had Avery in the umbrella stroller (we don’t even have our jogging stroller anymore) and the wind was gusting really bad. We live in the valley of our subdivision, so when we started out we were going up a hill right away. I didn’t even make it half a mile before I had to walk. My chest was on fire! I think part of the problem was that I was trying to carry on a conversation. Then, we finally got going pretty good again, and we hit a straight away of almost a mile and the wind was straight on. It was almost blowing out my contacts and Avery was gasping for breath. So, we had to turn around. It was a disaster really. So, after my two days of yoga, I was hoping for a better go of it today. Thayer wasn’t able to go with me, so I took Noche. He was supposed to be my protection…and he was really good except for the one time he almost made me fall over. We were running past one of our neighbors house that has 2 labs. They were in the back yard and barked at us. It startled him I guess, but I felt much less safe after he tried to take off! 20 mintues later, I made it!! I ran the full 2 miles. And, since we started training a week earlier than the training guide we are using, now I have more hope that this will turn out o.k. Also, the glucosamine I have been taking will hopefully keep my knees from bothering me. I’ll keep you posted.
We’re taking a quick trip tomorrow, but its a surprise! I’ll let you know about it tomorrow night or Saturday.
I have done yoga twice this week and that’s two more times than I had ever done it before. I’ve always been more of an aerobics person. But, in training for the 8K and 10K races in March and April, we are supposed to “Stretch and Strengthen” on Mondays. I figured yoga was just the thing for that. So, on Monday, I found one that sounded interesting on Exercise Demand TV and gave it a try. I had to stop during one 5 minute segment because my wrists were too sore, but other than that I finished the 45 mintues. I was a little sore yesterday morning, but nothing too bad. Then, we were too busy to do the 2.5 mile run yesterday, so we switched Tuesday with Wednesday on our schedule…30 minutes of cross-training. I found a 30 minute yoga segment and was able to finish it save for the last repetion…again, the wrists gave out. This morning, I woke up in pain! I guess I always though yoga was more stretching and breathing. I didn’t realize it was that tough! I did have to laugh at Thayer both nights. He didn’t do the same segments as me, so I got to sit on the couch and watch him do his both nights. He didn’t finish either one, but he is very sore also. I’m actually glad we have to run today…no more yoga for me until next Monday!
I hated getting up today for several reasons. First, I have school all 5 days this week. Since Christmas Break, I’ve only been at school 11 days. So, the thought of having a normal, 5 day work week is ughh! Second, today was the first day of Teddy Bear Games at school. Each year, I have a week where we ask the kids to bring their teddy bears to music to play games and sing songs about, you guessed it…bears. Its based on an olympic kind 0f theme. There is opening and closing ceremonies, the kids and their bears get a medal at the end of the week, we have teddy bear snacks (gummy bears and Teddy Grahams) every day. Its really cute, but since we were out all last week (except Friday and that was a weird day!) I had not had time to get the decorations ready. I line the hallways with cutouts of bear so they can follow the tracks to my room. I hadn’t even bought the gummy bears. So, last night, I had to set my clock earlier than normal. I decided to go to bed earlier too just so I’d be ready.
But, Thayer ate too much chili and drank coffee at our Life Group last night. When he woke me up getting into bed the first time, I fell right back asleep. Then, the heartburn hit him. So, when he finally came back at 3:15, he woke me up…and I stayed up until almost 5 am. I was very unhappy. Glad he was feeling better, but very unhappy! He’s taking a nap right now!
So, my week wasn’t off to a good start. But, he did let me go on to school to deorate and he brought Avery later along with the gummy bears I needed. And, the kids had a blast…so only 4 more days of preschool this week. Now I’m off to pick up the girls and run to dance and piano. Wonder what Thayer will have cooked for dinner when I get home…yeah, I can’t be that lucky, can I?
Today was a fairly lazy day around the Stamper house. All the girls slept in until 9:30, including me!! We did a little cleaning and some laundry. Thayer washed both our cars and straightened the garage. I took Julia shopping this afternoon because she had Cotillion tonight. It was casual night and they had a live band so they were allowed to wear jeans and tennis shoes but had to wear a collared shirt tucked in with a belt. Believe it or not, Julia did not have a collared shirt! We started at Old Navy because I had a $10 bonus bucks coupon and they had an unbelievable sale…50% off the 50% stickers! Of course, her shirt and the matching jeans/belt…neither of which was on sale…was half of our total. I bought 2 pairs of flip flops, 2 bracelets, and 10 shirts with the other half of what we spent! But, she looked adorable and way too old. After we dropped her off tonight, we went back so Thayer and the other girls could have a chance to shop.
When we got home, I walked into Avery’s room and almost died. She only had school 1 day this week and we never completely cleaned up at night knowing she’d be back at home to play the next day. It took me 10 mintues but I got it presentable.
Then, I checked Bailey and Madi’s room. OMG!!! I was sooooooooo mad. I started talking but every time I got half a sentence out of my mouth I saw more junk and more messes. I remembered just cleaning their room for them not long ago. It was the worst I have ever seen it. They had things stuffed everywhere. I didn’t even look in the closets or under the beds. I had to call Thayer in to take over because I knew I was not in control of myself. He talked to them and told them that they would be spending the entire afternoon tomorrow cleaning up. I have to go a funeral tomorrow afternoon right after church and won’t be home until almost time for our Life Group, so they assured me it would be done when I get home. I very calmly shamed the mess out them. By the time I finished, they were both crying…I’ve tried many things and I totally understand why they keep getting in this position: they have too much stuff and I don’t require enough of them. But NO MORE! I told them that if it gets to this point again, they will come home from school one day with 2 beds and a few outfits and that everything else will be gone. As they show me they can take care of their beds and a few clothes, I”ll bring back one or two things at time until they can keep it straight. I told them that I never let my room look like that as a child because I respected my mom. I got several sniffles from that statement! I did tell them how much I loved them before laying them down, but I was not sorry about the shaming I gave them…until…I got back downstairs and found a little note on a pink sheet of paper folded into a little square. It says (in very pretty cursive handwriting) “Dear Mommy, do not blame Bailey. Blame me. I love you.”
OK, so I’m not mad now. But, that room better be clean tomorrow!
Thayer and I have decided to go on a new adventure together. Before Avery was born, we both lost 20 pounds (mine was post pregnancy weight from 4 babies) and we began running–I had worked my way up to around 5 miles four times a week. I have managed to keep my weight within +/- 5 pounds of that, but Thayer has a harder time staying where he wants on the scales. So, now that the girls are older and Julia can watch them for an hour or so, we decided to take up running again. To make sure we follow through, we are planning to run in an 8K race in Kinston in March and the 10K Cooper River Bridge Run in April. It should help us get back in shape (we do have our 20 year reunions looming) and we always enjoyed running together before. I’ll keep you posted on how we are doing!
The girls were already supposed to be out of school yesterday and today for teacher workdays. Avery and I were supposed to go to school today but did not due to the snow. Most of the snow at our house melted by late afternoon today. But, 6 houses up at our neighbors house, it still looks much like it did yesterday. So, we already got the call that we will miss school again tomorrow. At first, it was just going to be a 2 hour delay, but now its for the whole day. So, 2 1/2 inches cause you to be out 3 school days…at least only one of them has to be made up.
While we’ve been out this whole week, I’ve swept at least two times a day, done more laundry, cooking and cleaning than I prefer, made several gallons of tea, and I’ve washed a million little cups. Well, maybe not a million…but it seems like it. We’ve had a real breakfast everyday, as well as something I cooked for lunch and supper and we’ve made lots of cookies and brownies. By lunch today, I decided that I’d had enough cooking. I’m starting to feel like a short-order cook because they all want something different. So, they got their “school lunches” for lunch: a sandwich, chips and a Little Debbie. Tomorrow will be much of the same except they they are getting their “school morning breakfast” as well: muffins.
Also, due to the snow on Tuesday, our dentist office cancelled our appointments that had been made for 6 months. I made them for that day knowing it was a teacher workday. The snow started about 7 am and the appointments were at 10. They said to call next week to reschedule. I wonder how long we’ll have to wait to re-schedule 5 appointments back to back without missing any school?
The snow was fun, but sometimes I wish we lived just a little further south where you aren’t bothered by it or further north where life doesn’t stop for almost a whole week for under 3 inches of snow! Can you tell I’ve got cabin fever!?
We didn’t get the predicted 5 inches, but we got at least half that, and the girls were so excited. They kept wanting to go out before lunch, but I kept making them wait. The snow didn’t start until about 7 this morning, so there wasn’t enough until after 1pm. We watched the Inaguration, had grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and bundled up. By 1:30, we were ready. Unfortunately, Julia and Madi had outgrown their boots, so we rigged them up some with trash bags and duct tape. Yeah, I know…but it kept their feet fairly dry. The snow was too powdery to make a good snow ball, and we didn’t even attempt a snow man. We mainly just had snow fights. Everyone just threw handfuls of snow at each other until we were soaked. We made snow angels, too. We did this again about 4:30 after it had snowed enough to re-cover the tracks we made the first time. Then, I had two loads of laundry! No school again tomorrow and since it never got above freezing today, they will probably be able to play again tomorrow morning.
All of these things are part of my day today…well the snow is still to be seen, but we are supposed to get some. Thayer did get some medicine on Saturday and is feeling better but still has the cough. The narcotic cough syrup they gave him causes him to be loopy but I think it is helping. About 2 am Sunday morning, he had a coughing spell and took a second dose–7 hours since he had taken some. Then, around 4 am he said, “WELL!” really loud. I kept waiting for him to finish but he didn’t. So, I started asking him what he needed. It took a few tries, but he finally answered me and said, “I can’t feel my legs.” I didn’t know if something was really wrong or if he was just off. The cat was sleeping on his feet so I told him his legs were probably asleep because of the cat. “We have a cat?” he asked. Then I realized he was out of it–we’ve had the same cat over 13 years and she always sleeps on his feet. Right after that, Madi started coughing so I had to get her up for a breathing treatment. I just love asthma! When I finally got back in bed, Thayer was snoring, so I never got back to sleep very well before the alarm clock went off at 6:30. I told him that had he gone to the doctor on Thursday when I asked him to the first time, he would have already been better and wouldn’t have kept me up the last 5 nights. I threatened that I would take the cough syrup myself so that at least I could get a full night’s sleep. I guess he really felt bad about it because I fell asleep last night at 9 pm and he let me sleep in today until 8! He got up with Madi at 7:30 for her treatment. So, he’s on the way to normalcy, but Madi may take a doctor visit and some steroids to kick hers. Avery has a terrible cough too.
This morning, I decided to steam clean the carpet. The water it was sucking up started out black and eventually by the 3rd time I went over it, it was a pale gray. It made me feel so gross. Therefore, new rule: no shoes at all in the house. They come off at the door when we get home and you don’t put them on until you are at the door to leave! I also did the furniture and rugs downstairs. I had intended to do the hall upstairs and maybe the high traffic areas in the bedrooms, but it took so much longer downstairs that I might wait until tomorrow.
Now, I’m about to go to the store. Its going to be crowded with everyone trying to get their bread and milk. Good thing those aren’t on my list! We just needed regular groceries and I am taking a meal tonight to the Melchers who welcomed baby Caleb two weeks ago. I would like some snow–and we’re already out of school so there wouldn’t be any make-up days! It will probably only rain!
We have a four day weekend this week, thanks to it being MLK Day and the end of the semester. The girls actually have a 5 day weekend because they are off Wednesday too, but Avery and I are only off Monday and Tuesday. But, before you get jealous, I need those exta days because I have been dealing with a sick husband this week, and therefore, nothing has gotten done at my house. He has been taking nighttime medicine for the last 4 nights, which helps him sleep and not realize how restless he is. Maybe I should take the medicine too, then I wouldn’t realize how restless he is! I’ve been trying to get him to go to the doctor since Thursday morning but of course, he kept saying he’d be better by the next day. So, finally, this morning, I forced him to go. He just called and said the doctor gave him an antibiotic and a narcotic strength cough syrup. Hmmmm, should I say, “I told you to go two days ago, and you’d already be better by now if you had listened?” No, I won’t say that because now I’m taking care of Avery and Madi who have the same awful cough. Poor Madi…breathing treatments 4 times a day until she is better. Hopefully, she’ll not have to have steroids this time. Asthma is a pain!
So, I’m off to fix breakfast. Saturday is the only day we have time to make a real breakfast. I have to mop and clean bathrooms today and I’m also doing 7 loads of laundry today. I hate having that much laundry in one day, but we’ve tried to keep up with it through the week and we’re just too busy. I’ll start a load, forget it and find some smelly clothes in the washer 3 days later. Or, I’ll get a load done and it stays in the dryer until Saturday anyway. Here’s what I’m washing today: sheets and towels (2 loads), darks (2 loads–one is only jeans, the other is dark shirts), lights (maybe 1 load), clorox socks and undies (1 load), and a pink load…no joke…we seriously have 1 load to do today that is totally pink! That’s the life of a mom of 4 girls! Thank goodness, the girls are getting old enough to help fold and put away. I haven’t let them wash anything yet because I really don’t have time to deal with another load of pink laundry that isn’t supposed to be pink!
