Going Green--Walking the Walk

Well, I've been wanting to do my part to cut back on my gas consumption, for lots of reasons. I think we need to take better care of the world around us, but I also want to save money. We live ridiculously close to our library and I've always been too afraid to walk to it. (Dogs--don't like them, I'm scared of them.) But I did it today. I walked the kids to story time and back. It was a nice twenty minute walk each way. I feel great. I conquered a fear, got the kids outside, and saved some money.

Rob and I actually dream of owning a greenish house. We want solar panels, a tankless water heater, and those cool windows with the gas inside of them. We wouldn't say no to heating and cooling alternatives either. But we would need a bit more money to make that happen.

Fun and Busy

This week was fun and busy. I finally got to go on a field trip with Beth. Every other field trip Jacob or Caleb have gotten sick. We went to Farm Days. Beth actually held a baby chicken and touched other animals. On Saturday she made a huge milestone by picking up a caterpillar on Saturday.

Caleb and Jacob have been super boys this week. They will put towels on and run around the house. Jacob gets so excited to be doing the same thing as his brother. I got my camera back and was ready to take some pictures when a fight broke out. So it didn't happen. Maybe next week you can see the super boys!

I went to the neurologist and I've been referred to a neurosurgeon. Basically they want to cover the bases, make sure I don't need surgery. I've got pictures of my tumor, and it is basically my entire T-10 vertebrae. There may be a little extra tissue around it, that they want to check out. The appointments in two weeks, so I'll update after that. It is an hemangioma, which means a tumor of blood vessels. It is benign and nothing to worry about extensively.

Rob has been busy with work and other stuff. He finally met up with his friend Jared. They've been friends forever, and Jared moved to Raleigh about six months ago. It's taken this long for them to get together. The two families met and hung out together. It was a lot of fun.

Hoof and Mouth Disease

This week Jacob suddenly broke out in blisters on his hands, feet and mouth. I thought it was hand, foot and mouth disease. Not a big deal, but then his rash spread up his arms and legs. So off to the doctor we went. Well, it can spread up the arms and legs--who knew? He's doing much better now. He never really acted sick, and never ran the typical fever. Just got the rash.

Beth is really reading. I think it is so amazing to have her sit down and listen to her sound out the words, and get them. She is reading over thirty sight words, on sight. : ) And then doing a great job on the sounding out of the longer less common words. Soon she will be devouring novels like me. I can only hope. I want a family of readers.

Caleb is in a jumping mood this week. He jumped into the tub, and landed on his back. Unfortunately the water was deep enough that it ran up over his face. It scared me and him. So not five minutes later, another big splash and blood pouring out of his mouth. He jumped again, and gave himself a fat lip when he hit his mouth on the side of the tub. Sometimes it takes little boys awhile to learn that they can't fly.

Rob and I are both doing well. We've committed to living a healthier lifestyle. Eat better, exercise more, and go to bed earlier every night. We'll see how long this lasts! Have a great week. PS I see my doc about my tumor this week (to find out more info) and I'll post updates midweek.)

Week of Cooking

This week I am cooking for the whole month. I've averaged putting together about six dinners a day for three days. Usually I only work for two to three hours on the meals. It may sound like a lot of work, but it is so worth it. I love not having to think about dinner. I also love that it saves us so much money on groceries as well as eating out. However, I am very tired today. Very tired.

The kids had a lot of fun at Grandma's last week. Rob and I enjoyed the quiet. Jacob stayed with us. I think it was really good for Jacob. He started talking more and interacting more with us. We also figured out his natural sleep schedule, since he didn't have to squeeze in naps around others. This will make life a lot easier down the road. Beth is having fun back at school. She is doing great reading and loves it. I am so proud of her. Caleb is a sweety. He cares a lot about others and their feelings.

I'm pretty busy with writing and mothering. So I'll run. Oh and on the news of pictures. We sent our old camera in because it has been recalled. As soon as it gets back, I plan on using it posts pictures on the blog.

Jacob's Back!

After two weeks of not being himself, I am glad to say that Jacob is back. He is happy and smiling and playing. It makes me so happy for him to be himself. He did end up with roseola. It is great to know why he was feeling so miserable as well.

It's spring break for Beth. It should be a fun week for her. She will be spending most of it at her grandma's house. Caleb is going to go as well. I hope that he does all right for that long. We'll see. Rob says that he'll drive to pick him up if he needs to. I worry about what Jacob will do without his big brother and sister to play with.

I started my other writing job. I'm trying it out. I'll give it a month before I decide if it is right or not. I love working at About.com. It is a great gig. I love what I'm writing about, and that I have the opportunity to help others. It's just awesome.

Rob is doing pretty well. He is currently watching a Ghosthunter's. It's his current favorite thing to do. Well and play video games. He's doing pretty well.

Yipee! I have a tumor!

Technically it is a hemangioma, and it is next to my T9-T11 vertebrae. Basically it isn't bad, just there. No reason to worry about it.

Now the reason I'm excited about having this tumor thing is that initially we thought I might have multiple sclerosis. The tumor was/is causing problems with tingling and numbness and pain. The weird thing is that it wraps all the way around me, and the only thing even remotely close is called the ms hug, because it is a big sign of ms. So I finally got up the courage (after about three months) and went into the neurologist. And she even said that there was a good chance it could be MS. But today I found out definitely not! Yeah! Hooray! Yes! That would have been a scary path to start down.

I'll head back to my usual work and such, but I just had to share my happiness, though I really didn't tell anyone about my worry.

Thoughts on turning 30

So a little over a week ago, I hit the big 30. In a lot of ways it wasn't as bad as I thought. But I thought I would share thirty little known things about me and 30.

1- I went clothes shopping last week, looking for professional clothes for said possible job. And I didn't know what section to shop in. I'm no longer a junior--wouldn't look right in those clothes anyway. I don't feel like I belong in the ladies (old ladies) department. And the misses department just confused me. Truth is I haven't been clothes shopping in so long that I turned around and left without buying anything.

2- One reason I haven't been clothes shopping in so long is that I'm about 30 pounds more than I want to be, and it is a way that I can deny that. Truthfully that is why.

3- I got new glasses for my birthday--well not really for my birthday, but they came at about the same time. I have a negative 6.75 and7.25 prescription. Something I didn't know until this week. Rob just told me that they are semi old women glasses!

4- I've always been afraid that my body would begin to fall apart at this age. Strangely enough when I woke up that day--everything was still the same.

5-I don't think I can come up with thirty things about me. Hmm, maybe I lost myself somewhere between 5 and 30. I might change the list to ten!

6- I am currently rereading Harry Potter, for the thirtieth time. (Honestly I don't know how many, but I probably read the series three times a year--you do the math) Love the books. I want to write something as good someday.

7- I love that my birthday is in Spring. It's time to get out the shorts, buy new clothes and shiver outside as I wear them. Love the 30 percent off sales celebrating spring!

8- Chocolate. I love chocolate. I will choose chocolate over any food. I probably ate close to 30 pieces of chocolate this weekend.

9- I kind of planned on being done having kids at thirty, but we are still trying to decide on a fourth. Hey I've still got eleven months to fit her in!

10- of my list of thirty one things I want to do in my life. I've completely accomplished one--leaving me thirty to go!