Television

I really enjoy my drives to class every Tuesday and Thursday. It is about 30 minutes of uninterrupted thought. Last Wednesday I couldn't sleep so I watched "18 Kids and Counting". It was about the Christian Film Festival in Texas. They go to support Christian movies and shows. They rarely ever watch secular television. I went to sleep and that was the end of that, until Thursday during my 30 minutes of uninterrupted thoughts. I was getting science minded for my class and I thought I want to do an experiment to see how giving up television for one month would effect me. (And a hush goes over the crowd...really? a whole month?) Some of things I would like to monitor are, my anxiety level, my body image, and overall mood. Upon coming home I told John about my plan and honestly, not much was said. That night we decided we were going to watch the new show SouthLand. Anyone seen it? They use every single cuss word in the book. The f-word, b-word...you get my point and its on NBC. Yes, they do bleep out the curse words, but seriously, you know exactly what they are saying. This must be a sign from God, right? I think about it in passing throughout the weekend, mention it to my Mom.."really? a whole month? that will be really hard.", then Sunday roles around. What is small group about? The effects of television. Are you kidding me? So, its done. Starting May 1, no television. With one stipulation, I can watch G or PG movies. When John is gone the evenings are really quiet and kind of scary. TV is usually my company on these nights.
Alright wish me luck. I have like 8 days to soak in as much TV as possible. Just kidding. Maybe.

Check out my Boots!

Busted!

Benjamin caught getting into Dayton's water.



"I swear Mommy, it wasn't me. It must have been Dayton."

Cabo

So, the trip was interesting. I missed Ben dearly, more than I could have imagined. But, I did have a great time with my husband and by myself. My days consisted of getting up with John around 7AM, eating breakfast together (slowly, without Ben eating everything off my plate, and adult conversation), John would leave for work, I would go change into my bathing suit, go down to the beach, come back and eat lunch, go take a nap, come back down and lay out by the pool. John would arrive back in time for a romantic dinner. The next day repeat. I also managed to get quite a bit of homework and studying done as well. It must have paid off, I made an A on my test.

We're Back!

I tanned yesterday. I haven't tanned in about two years. I have begun to think seriously about sun spots, premature aging, etc, etc. BUT, there is just something so glorious about laying in that casket getting radiated with those cancer causing beams of light. Its just so relaxing. John and I are going to Cabo in less than two weeks and I have to get somewhat of a base or I will fry. Yes, Cabo. John is "working" a tennis match there and in passing I told John I wanted to go too. EEK! Then the thought of leaving Benjamin overwhelmed every cell in my body. Benjamin hasn't stayed the night away from me or I, him. I cry about it. If I hear one more time that I am leaving him in good hands or he will be fine I may possibly scream. I know he will be fine, I know he will be in good hands, if I thought differently I wouldn't leave him. I feel like my job as a parent is to protect my son. If I am in another country, how can I protect him? I also have a fear people won't do what I ask. I know, even in typing it, it sounds controlling. He is my child though, and I do know what is best for him. And, of course the biggest fear is me dying and leaving Benjamin. I feel like I need to fill out a last will and testament before I leave, just in case. Then I realize what a crazy I look like. I just want what is best for Ben. OK, I can feel shortness of breath approaching, so I must change the subject.
The house. We are in. Unpacking is a much bigger job than I had anticipated. The kitchen was unpacked first. I love cooking in the kitchen. There is so much space. Every other room is half unpacked, just enough for it to be livable. Pictures will soon come, just as soon as I can get everything organized.
School is killing me right now. Microbiology is by far the hardest most time consuming class I have ever taken.
I am thinking of having Easter at my house this year, at least the Saturday before Easter. I will cook a Turkey or Ham, maybe both and everyone brings a side dish...interested? Also an egg hunt for the kids? I always loved Easter when I was little.
I hope everyone is doing well!

Dear Benjamin,

You are now my big one year old! You have enough personality and pazazz to fill a grown man's shoes. You know exactly what you want and when you want it and you will tell anyone who will listen. Stranger, spanger, if someone has food or something you may like, they are your new friend. We really need to work on this. You love people. I love to watch you interact with different people. You know exactly what you can get away with, with each different person. Papa Joe won't dare walk by if you give him a few alligator tears. Grandma wont let her poor grandson just sit in the kitchen with nothing to do, lets open the dishwasher so he can take everything out. Oh, No! You are already bored, let me carry you around while I vacuum. Grammy won't dare put you to sleep if you cry. The real water works come out then. You have everyone marching to your drum! You are very affectionate like your Daddy. Although you do have a little stinker in you. You gave me a big open mouth kiss on my cheek and then I could feel your little chompers trying to dig in. I was able to pull away just in time. You gave me a little ornery grin, like, "What Mama? I was just kissing you." You have a new friend at Church. I must say, this melts my heart. I could watch you and Brock interact all day long. Keep Christian friends Benjamin. You can be each others support.
Mama sees you doing great things with your life Benjamin. Always keep your eyes on God and I know he will lead you to greatness. You are special. You, my Sunshine, will always be special to me.

I will love you always,

Mama

Thimerosal

Last night in my Microbiology class we talked about autism and vaccines. The compound Thimerosal is put into vaccines as a preservative. Thimerosal contains mercury. In 1999 the FDA recommended Thimerosal not be used. Recommended is the key word. Not all vaccine manufacturers have stopped using it. As a parent you can ask your child's pediatrician if they use vaccines with Thimerosal. If they do, you can ask them to order some without it. You may have to pay for it, but I am sure for any parent its worth it.
We had a woman in class with an autistic son. She has five children and he is her fourth. The day after his vaccines he stopped talking and has since been diagnosed with autism. Why would one child be afflicted and not another? Answer, some people are genetically predisposed( this is not the word I want to use, but I have been sitting here for a few minutes trying to figure out what word I am thinking about, I've given up, so thats the word I am using.), meaning their genetic make-up makes them more susceptible.
Anyway, I thought I would share what I had learned in class. Hope everyone is doing well!

John Deere

I can't think of a good title, so I will go title-less. I have been wanting to write about my experience of going through the CNA program and my clinicals at St Simeons and St John's, so here we go.
I first would like to start with my pre-thoughts to the program. I have to have this course, or something similar, in order to apply for a Nursing program. I am NOT looking forward to it. CNA is a fancy title for someone who gets to do all the crappy (literally speaking) jobs. You clean people, wipe people, move people, feed people, etc. I need to just get this done and over with so I can continue on pursuing my nursing degree.
Now my thoughts during class. The class is in north Tulsa. There was a wide variety of people in the class. There was only 12 people in the class, ranging from pre-nursing students to a lady who talked about shooting at her husband once and then having to take care of her husband's ostomy after she stabbed him. Yikes! To say the least, the people made the class even more interesting. The book work was good and I am usually not one to toot my own horn, but toot toot, the most I missed on any of the test was one. I really enjoyed the class and the people I met.
Now my thoughts during clinicals. The first day was at St Simeons in the "Memory Center" which houses residents with Alzheimers. I was really nervous and was on the edge of being totally scared out of my mind. The class had taught me a lot, but reading something and actually seeing it with your own eyes is totally different. These Alzheimer patients I had read about now had names, had families, had fear in their eyes, these were not patients these were people. I was immeditatley put to work. Changing sheets, I can do this. The CNA working was busy giving baths in the shower room, but I know I can do this. I begin to change the sheets and "David" comes in. "Sorry, sorry, Christmas, ummm, sorry." My book knowledge comes handy. "David, are you thirsty?" "No." "Are you hungry?" "No." I really don't want to ask, but I know I must, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" "Yes." (Side note, when a patient with Alzheimer talks incoherently you are suppose to ask direct questions, Are you thirsty, etc.) My first real experience with helping someone go to the bathroom. Luckily as I am guiding him, the CNA comes out and helps me. Later that day, I helped feed the patients, gave a bath, and interactied with the residents. The day was surreal and emotionally was more than I could have ever expected. I cried the whole way home. Boo-hooed cried. The rest of the clinicals were at St John Hospital.
After clinicals thoughts. It was a life changer, the whole class. I am so glad I took it. And I would recommend everyone to take it.

First free moment...

I wouldn't even really call this a free moment, I should be studying for Micro or for my final in my CNA class, but its been so long since I have posted, I feel like this is a must!

We found a house, put in an offer and it was excepted! Whew! (that is my sigh of relief) I started to think we would never find a house. It is in a great neighborhood, is 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and 2 car garage. It is on 2 lots, so the yard is huge! The landscaping is wonderful. We have inspections on Wednesday and we should close around February 26. (Mark your calendars, I will be calling for help moving : ) ) Thanks for all the prayers.

Benjamin is growing up so fast. (I realize I didn't do an 11 month blog update for Ben and I feel awful.) He went from being a lump on a log to up on all fours crawling and pulling up on everything. He went from 0 teeth to 5 teeth in about 4 weeks. He still talks constantly. I am not for sure what he is saying, but he does enjoy making noise. The big birthday is coming up and I am so excited.

School is going well. The CNA program is such a great experience. I hope to have time to elaborate in a later blog. Microbiology is hard or I just have a hard teacher. I am already for that class to be over.

I am now feeling guilty for not studying, so sorry for it being so short. I hope everyone is doing well!

Tagged By Jenny, My Eights

8 TV Shows I Watch

1. Criminal Minds
2. American Idol
3. Big Brother
4. How I Met Your Mother
5. The Office
6. Greys Anatomy
7. Desperate Housewives
8. Ghost Whisperer


8 Favorite Restaurants

1. Carrabas
2. Ted's
3. Bill and Ruths
4. Chilis
5. Papa John's
6. My Cooking
7. Shiloh's
8. Pete's

8 Things That Happened Today

1. Laundry
2. Cooked breakfast
3. Cleaned kitchen
4. Made lunch
5. Gave Ben a bottle
6. Watched Sesame Street
7. Wrapped Christmas presents
8. Made my bed

8 Things I Look Forward To

1. Finding a house
2. Christmas
3. Benjamin's first birthday
4. Growing old with John
5. Heaven
6. More children
7. Summer vacation
8. My Graduation Day!

8 Things I Wish For

1. No more anxiety
2. More children
3. Buying a great house
4. To be happy with my motherly figure
5. For my children to grow into strong Christians
6. Long healthy life
7. To be excepted into a nursing program
8. Contentment

I tag everyone who read this.

10 Months

This time last year I thought, "I will have a ten month old on Christmas next year." And now, he is ten months old and Christmas is right around the corner.
Likes: His mobile, baths, Christmas lights, Mommy's singing, actually just music in general, remote controls and cell phones, necklaces, a pink baby doll (I know, John's favorite), Cherrios and crackers, apple juice, sweet peas, mirrors, crawling backwards, kisses and standing.
Dislikes: Being in the car at night, naps, being woken abruptly, short baths, and runny noses.

Benjamin helping us move

It has been so long since my last post I am going to have to do it bulletin style so I don't forget anything.

School- Done. Well, at least for this semester. I got an A and a B. I worked hard for my B in Physiology, I had quite the struggle in that class and the only reason I was able to pull off a B, was with the 94% I got on my final. I am glad this semester is over, although next semester won't be a picnic. In order to get into TCC nursing program you have to have your CNA. For four weeks M-F 8:30-2:30 I have class to get my CNA. For sixteen weeks I have MIcrobiology Tuesday 5:30-7:20 PM and Thursday 5:30-9:30. Those first four weeks I have both CNA and Micro is going to be a killer. After Micro I will be done with the prerequisites for nursing, so then I will just have to be accepted into the program.

The Move- Well, it wasn't smooth. We should have asked for more help. So be ready to be asked in the next few months for the next move. Living with the parents is going well. John has been gone for the last week, so it has been nice to have extra hands to help me with Ben. House hunting has been discouraging. As of today we have no prospects.

Thanksgiving-It was small this year. The food was great. My sister Jenny was quite the chef this year and I was quite impressed! We had two huge feast one at the Richardson's and one at the LeMaster's. Good people and good food, no complaints from me!

Man, to have been so busy, I don't feel like I have as much to write as I thought. I hope everyone's holidays are going well!

9 Months Old

Wow, nine months old, what a big boy! Benjamin is now 21.6 pounds (75%) and 28 inches long (over 50%). I sit in awe when I think of the little scrawny guy who was barely on the growth chart (under 15%) to this little rolly polly boy he is now. My favorite part of being Benjamin's mom is the way he looks at me, pure love, it really melts my heart.
Likes: Sitting on laps, being outside, jumper, food (all, except green beans), walks, Dayton, Mommy and Daddy, all people who will give him attention (as long as Mommy is in clear sight), baths, talking, Mommy's singing and funny songs, playing on the floor, rolling, crawling backwards, pulling up on anything that he can reach, playing in your crib, and turing on and off light switches.
Dislikes: Being ignored (how dare you walk in and out of a room without making a big tada of seeing him!), being put in his car seat (likes car rides, just the initial strap down makes him cry), green beans, big toys that he can't hold, and not doing things on his terms (he should really right a handbook).

Locks of Love

I have been torn on whether to cut my hair or not. I finally decided to take the plunge and cut it. I was so excited that it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love.

Mylicon Drops Recall

Body:​ Infan​t Gas-​Relie​f Drops​ Recal​led
Johns​on & Johns​on has recal​led 12,​000 bottl​es of Mylic​on Infan​t Dye-​Free Gas-​relie​f drops​ due to the possi​bilit​y that some bottl​es may conta​in metal​ fragm​ents.​ The recal​led drops​ come in one ounce​ plast​ic bottl​es and were sold over-​the-​count​er on or after​ Octob​er 5, 2008.​The lot numbe​rs of the drops​ are SMF00​7 and SMF00​8,​ and the numbe​rs can be found​ on the botto​m of the recal​led boxes​ or on the lower​ left side of the bottl​e'​s stick​er.​

Benjamin on the plane. He did a great! He loved looking out the window.


Benjamin and John at the Fort Worth Zoo. What a great beautiful zoo. We all had a great time.


Benjamin at the hotel. He loved looking out the window.


Benjamin working with his Daddy


Ben at the rodeo. He loved it! Well, he loved all the lights and noises.

Our trip went great, except at night. Ben is not a big fan of not being in his crib. He woke up about every 2-3 hours. It was like having a newborn again! The zoo was so much fun and well worth the money. The rodeo was fun, extremely long, too long, we almost missed our flight. John and I both agreed, we are glad we are home.

He is all mine ladies, all mine.