The monster has struck.  I’ve been awake since 3 AM.  This happens to me towards the end of every pregnancy.  I get uncomfortable so I keep waking up and then finally I give up because I’m unable to fall back asleep.  The positive is that I usually sneak into my office to get some extra work done.  The negative is that by 6 AM when I usually begin working I really just want to go right back to bed.  Woe is me.  I think I’ll survive.  Maybe I’ll have a little snack and try to tuck myself back in for a few more winks.

Am I happy that the Peanut is home?  YES!  Do I wish that she would leave for another 2 weeks? YES!

Parenting is a crazy journey of emotional highs and lows.  I want my children to be respectful and obedient yet I want them to be independent and questioning.  How can I accomplish all that with a daughter who is so much like me that it makes me insane.  She wants things her way or no way at all.  Boy, can I relate to that.  It is a wonder that my hubby puts up with me.  I always want things to be done my way or not at all.  I can be a pretty big whiner when I don’t get my own way.  Hubby has a new saying that I love-”I want” has been fired and doesn’t work here anymore!  The Peanut does not like this hardline that dad is towing.  She lost 2 days of playing with cousins-that is how badly she wanted her own way.  I’m sad that she has lost the priviledge of that but I’m glad that hubby never even once lost his cool while dealing with her.  I lost my cool early in the game and was sent to bed by that incredible guy.  I knew I married him for a reason.  He is often very logical and level headed.  That is a pefect match for my emotional reasoning. 

Well, the Peanut is home and I really am glad.  I just wish the transition would have been a bit easier for us all.

John Deere Lamp

John Deere Lamp

We’re 2 weeks into our project to turn the boys’ room into a little slice of farm heaven compelte with John Deere colored walls sans the bright yellow.  Here’s the inspiration piece.    It was given to the Almond last year for his birthday.  When you press the tractor seat it activates the light.  It can even make some fun tractor noises as the wheels go round and round.    There are a few more shots below of the paint job too.  My hubby has really worked hard on the painting and clearing out the room to get started.  My task was to do all the taping and to keep the boys occupied while painting was in progress.   I’m very excited to start working on the decorations next.  I have some cute farm animal vinyl clings to put along the windows.  I’m hoping to find some John Deere or farm themed sheets too.  In the future we plan to put shelving along the one wall that will hold all their little farm implements.  But for now we need to get Marek to sleep in a big bed without the temptation of playing with the toys.  I’ll post more pics as we work on it.

I was really crabby with the hubby last night.  I think it is because I’m really starting to miss the Peanut.  I’m tired of all the testosterone around here.  My boys are just too wild.  I count on my Peanut to help take care of them.  She actually has the energy to keep up with them.  I do not, especially in my preggo state.

On another note, good news at my preggo checkup today.  Baby Girl O. is doing great.  Only 13 or so more weeks to go!

We got 2 letters from the Peanut today.  One was for her dad and I and one was for her brother the Walnut.  I will let him open his when he gets home from grandmas house this afternoon.  The Peanut said that she is having a great time at camp and that she did not cry the first night like she did at Bible camp.  I’m glad to hear that.  She also said that she has made a new friend so I’m very thankful for that too.  I really miss her.  It’s been pretty quiet around here with just the boys.  She is also an awesome helper about 90% of the time so I miss that too.  I’m not sure how my mom let my twin and I go to camp all those years.  Now I know how much she must have missed us and why she always wrote us letters just about every day.  Thanks mom!

The Pecan is a girl-at least that’s what the ultrasound tech said today-and she checked 3 times just to make sure.  I popped a letter in the mail to the Peanut at camp.  She will be so excited to hear the news about a sister.  I would have been excited either way.  It’s time to Think Pink!

Some gals at church have gotten together for a 2 month weight loss accountability group.  I joined even though I’m preggo and more likely to gain than lose.  My group seems to like me anyway.  We’ve gone walking together about 5 or 6 times now and it is fun just to have some gals to chat with while we’re strolling along.  On Thursday night they’re all coming over to play Wii Fit.  Should be fun to see how many hula hoops they can all catch or if there is a ski jump champion lurking in our midst.

My mom heart was bursting with pride today when I opened the mailbox to find a letter from the Peanut.  She has been at camp since Sunday and is actually coming home tonight.  Her letter said that she cried the first night because it was dark in the cabin.  (I forgot to pack a flashlight for her!)  Otherwise it sounded like she was having fun.  I have really missed her and so have her brothers.  I hope her suitcase isn’t too grimy and that she is ready to wash clothes and repack for her 2 week camp experience that starts on Monday.  We will really miss her then!!  I better find a flashlight and batteries to pack!

I kid you not, when I presented my project solution to the guy at the other company his response was DUH! and then something about not being able to see the forest for the trees and why hadn’t he thought of that.  I’m feeling BRILLANT, absolutely on top of the world.  Preliminary lab testing was successful-IT WORKED-My solution was brillant-even if it was very simple and easy.  Some days, simple and easy is about all I can handle. 

As many in the family know, I’ve been working on a special project at work since last July.  We’re into the testing phase and some things work well while others certainly do not.  Last October I uncovered an issue which was brushed to the side even though I thought it deserved considerably more discussion.  That same issue came to light 2 weeks ago and boy did you know what hit the fan for a few people who were reviewing the project.  I worked with the project manager from the other company and we could not reasonably come up with a solution.  I’ve been in meeting after meeting to tell people that there was NO SOLUTION!  On my drive home yesterday I just kept mulling over the possible solutions and then one hit me.  I wanted to try it as soon as I got home, but no such luck, I had to haul the kidlets to VBS and then I finally logged in and tried it.  NO GO!  It didn’t work-ARGH!!!  I thought I had it.  Oh, well.  Then, another lightbulb!  I tried it, I posted the change, I updated the test/lab environment,  I manually keyed data,  IT WORKED!  Now I just need to wait to see if it actually works in the lab when data is pushed through the system instead of being manually entered.  BUT>>>I think it will work>>>It has to work>>>My feeling of value to the project is riding on the success of overcoming this issue>>>It MUST succeed.  I’ll keep you posted!

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