The last 20

41. Ever go to college? Yes, When I check it on forms....it's called a Dipolma degree. But the hardest 3 years of my life...education-wise and I'm proud of it! Before Kids....I took numerous credits towards my Masters in Nursing and actually did the FASTA to enter a NP program....then the call came for Luke. Education for Mom can wait!!
42. Where are you right now? In my dining/computer room, listening to 2 eight year boys who are suppose to be winding down.
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? NOT KNOWING, where we go next.
44. Last song listened to? Hey Delilah.....the kids play it all the time!
45. Small town?/Big Town? Big town, looking forward to living in small town soon.
46. Are you allergic to anything? Sulfa and molds....big town by big river!
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? None!
48. Are you jealous of anyone?I don't think so.....gotta think about that. Oh - I know Kate!!! :-) She'll be done in July!! I hope she gets a big party... She deserves it.
50. Is anyone jealous of you? I think Leah is sometimes....I get to wear makeup and lipstick and make all the rules!
51. What time is it? 10:44 PM
52. Do any of your friends have children? Yes.....beautiful children!
53. Do you eat healthy?yes. I eat healthy IN ADDITION to eating crap (Completely stolen answer!) Actually I focus more on the crap part. I saw my Dr at the hospital and she asked about my health. I already had an appointment for 3 weeks from now......to get the scale to at least register lower and proudly told her I gave up the DP (I didn't focus on the just 40 days part) She wanted to make sure there was no sugar inmy tea! I don't like anything in my tea....but she's on to me!!
54. What do you usually do during the day?depends on the day... Most everyday includes wiping bottoms though. some days paid....some days not!
55. Do you hate anyone right now? I honestly don't think I do.....sometimes frustrated...but hate, no.
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Yes, I always have to concentrate not to answer the phone...."This is Patty, how can I help you?
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?38, wow
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?yes, we go several times in the summer when it is not so blazing hot.
60. How did you get one of your scars? My Siamese cat Jenny, bit me when I was about 14. She thought it was all my fault.....I moved in my sleep. I didn't think I'd ever move my shoulder again for days.

OK - done even though some of the questions are missing....and I don't have the energy to think up new ones! Time to throw my title of "Amazing" Mom around and convince the boys to fall asleep!

Super Mom!

I'm flying high. Tonight, Luke has a sleep over and his young friend brought his own game DS player and action replay. It was very hard, but I got the action replay to work again. Luke shouted. "I told you my mom was amazing!" Lets just overlook the fact that action replays are actually cheat codes to help them win the game boy games. OK!?!? Thanks!!!!

Gottcha Day

Happy Gotcha Day Luke!!!!! It is amazing 8 years has past since THE court date. To hear the words...."I agree with this adoption". A load of pressure just flew off our shoulders. The birth certificate changed to our names.....I am amazed by that. It makes it so easy to pretend the adoption part never happened. We believe in sharing our kids story with them.....It's their life. But, I can see why some families don't. It has been a wonderful 8 years......wouldn't change a thing. I realize though......He'll be 9 soon.....the childhood years under our guidance is HALF over. Now, hopefully he'll continue to seek our guidance and support in his adult years. And I hear....you never stop worrying. But his childhood is speeding by in a blink....the next will be even faster.....and I bet challenging in the teen years. I am so GRATEFUL to be Luke's mother. Thank you God!!!!!!

snow day

Snow Day!! Well, actually it's crunchy ice. YUCK. Thank goodness we only live 9 blocks from school, as the first notice school was closed was when B pulled up to the front doors.....Made for lots of upset parents I guess.

I love the kids home together....until the fighting starts anyway. Luke and I played Chess (He has the Marvel super heroes set) all morning. That is we play a game of chess...then clean a room in the house together and throw in a load of laundry.....then play a game of chess etc.... Kinda Fun! He's getting really good....I really need to concentrate on my next move - rather than last year.....just responding to his move. Actually, He's probaby as good (and that is a stretch on my part) as I am....but he has the constant distraction of Leah trying to steal his superhero queen as "she is so pretty" and matches her Disney Princess collection. Fun times!! But we are safe and warm and together!

The middle 20

Continuing with the next 20....but I have no idea what happened to 21,22 and 23. ???? So I make something up.

21. Favorite color? Periwinkle blue....makes my eyes stand out.
22. How long off DP? almost 2 weeks!!!! I have about 6 oz of Coke in the am. I know...I know!
23. What do you drive? A green Grand Caravan....a mom mobile....and I love it!
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? No....and I am so looking forward to calling it Pop again! By the way, Nurse Patty is here to educate that using a straw leads to even more "effects from carbonation"...
25. What did your last IM say? I have no idea how to IM...learning how to blog takes all my tech concentration.
26. Are you someone's best friend? I hope so.
27. What are you doing tomorrow? Working. I am REALLY counting this job as a blessing....now that I am updating my resume. But the Lord may lead to a new Hospice job. Hopefully :-)
28. Where is your mom right now? With Jesus. Oh, how I miss her. Her grave will be much closer to me next year. I have missed this. She has been in Heaven, 14 years on April 29.
29. Look to your left, what do you see? My Van Gogh calender, lots of x's for the countdown. :-) :-)
30. What color is your watch? I don't wear one, but have a necklace type watch that I wear for assessments. Kinda of geeky....yep geeky nurse!
31.What do you think of when you think of Australia ? $$$$$$$$$$$
32. Would you consider plastic surgery? Never thought I would, but my eyes may need a lift.....and of course a breast reduction. That will happen some day. While I'm under....a little more work wouldn't hurt!
33. What is your birthstone? aquamarine
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Drive through all the way. Even Krispy Kreme's....but I feel real guilty!!! I just know they are thinking she does't need a donut and at least she could do is walk to the cash register. But then I couldn't stop from ordering many more! When I was my mother in law's housekeeper, it was my twice monthly treat. I'd make sure they saw the baby in the backseat, to ease my guilt!
35.How many kids do you want? Some days just 2. Somedays a dozen! Don't tell B! Actually he knows.
36. Do you have a dog? No, I love my kitties.
37. Last person you talked to on the phone? The commons at campus. Where is B?
38.Have you met anyone famous? I took care of the mayor of my home town once.
39. Any plans today? Reclean the house after the kids redestroyed it. School tomorrow!!!! Then M.G. and I will scrapbbook. Get out the glittery stickers!
40. How many states have you lived in? 4, I want to return to my birth state soon!

Wow - this took forever....blogger autosaved every 2 minutes....and I have no idea how to stop it. Ann???? I also need to add to my sidelines.....but have NO clue where to start. Ann?????

All of the above is true. Probably not as exciting in world terms....I'm pretty boring. I'm happy about it though!

The picture

This is the picture.

Confessions

I feel I need to clarify......I have never been to a strip club....nor do I ever desire to. My mother always said to never be anywhere that you would not want Jesus to find you when he returns. I take that to heart!!!! I don't like casinos for that reason either. My sister wants to visit Las Vegas (just the 2 of us) ....and I'm sure thats a very nice city....filled with very nice people. But it's nicknamed 'Sin City' and I just can't get past that....even if the hotels are priced right and the buffet lines never end.

A different subject....I am also feeling guilty that I asked our chaplain to remove a poster in the conference room that I use as my office when admitting patients. The requst started somewhat in jest....but I still can't get this beautiful child out of my mind. It's a poster for Catholic support for immigrants. It is of a 1 or 2 week old baby and her 15 year old mother. Both are just BEAUTIFUL and their dark eyes penetrate my heart. The baby has just a diaper and their carmel skin is draped in the black background. I found a picture of MG at the same age. The comparison is uncanny. Everyone at work agreed, that my little princess could have been related to both mother and child. The chaplain said this baby is up for adoption and my heart soared!! Of course, there is no way that we could adopt now--- and this baby certainly has found a home. But the BABY BLUES!! We just found out that we are probably going to a very rural area and possibly only for 1 year. This closes the adoption door for at least a year. B and I have discussed our future adoptioning or not. We have decided to let God open doors or close them to help us decided if or when the time is right. I AM SO SCARED the doors are closing. Learning to trust in him......learning to trust in him.

60 Things copied off http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com

60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me



1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? Actually pretty clean...although could use a good vacuum. I know there is a Game boy charger...can't live without that on a long trip. Wet wipes and a couple of coloring books from the bank and a spare set of mittens and hats for both of the kids.
2. When was the last time you threw up. Last week with the crud ....I HATE to throw up. I hold my breath or breathe through my mouth when my patients vomit....can't have a nurse upchucking along with them can we?

3. What's your favorite curse word? I say crap and SB says that is a curse word.

4. 3 people who made you smile today. MG, SB and Lela (a patient of mine that can make anyone happy just being near here....and she is dying. I love her!!)

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? In the shower, after sending SB and B off to school and convincing MG she still loves her daycare after a week off.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? Reading emails and starting to blog...loving the quiet of the house!

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? Hopefully sleeping!

8. Have you ever been to a strip club? Sure, lots of times. My favorite is BYOB.

9. What is the last thing you said aloud? Won't Kate and Andrea just die...after they read #9. Should a future Pastor's wife even respond to that question? Oh, well, anyone that knows me knows that to have a good time - I go to Christain bookstores and eat Carrot cake....or cheese cake!

10. What is the best ice cream flavor? French Vanilla. See # 9. Pretty plain gal I tell you!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? Iced Tea....oh how I wish it was a Dr Pepper

12. What are you wearing right now? Pajama pants and a sweatshirt. I still have on my bra...so it's not technically my pajamas ....yet.

13. What was the last thing you ate? Some Valentines candy left over Minature hershey's hearts....yum. So Glad I did not give up chocolate for Lent.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Yes, 80% off gloves for me next winter....as we will be much farther north! We might have some possible good news.

15. When was the last time you ran? You mean on purpose? Why would I do that?

16. What's the last sporting event you watched. When the Packers lost the NFC game....who could watch football the rest of post season :-(

18. Who is the last person you emailed? Andrea -- Thanks for the laugh! Once you are better and cave into fast food.... send your pentance money right away!Don't forget!

19. Ever go camping? Yes. Before kids, I loved it.....I am 9 years older now and its seems like a lot of work ...The kids would love it.

20. Do you have a tan? ROFL!!!

You'll just have to wait for the next 40. I know you are just waiting with baited breath!

Crud has slowly left....dreaming about our future home, closer to family.

I'm hoping the crud has finally left. The kids and I missed church today... because S.B's ear hurt and a low grade temp. - But they are both gone now. Thank you, God! I don't think I could handle another week of the flu... and just put the carpet shampooer away. My ears are still full of pressure, but the sore throat and cough has cleared....without Dr. Pepper. I have stopped counting the hours without my wonderful elixer. In fact, I had to count that I'm 5 days off the DP. Now to be honest I have had 3 glasses of Coke....This girl can't go cold turkey....but the ice tea works most days.



I just picked my brother up at a truck stop north of town and ate at a Bob Evans. Pretty good food and a cold Coke! MG had Kraft Mac and Cheese for 2.99. I think that's Grand Robbery....but the kids say it taste's better than the box at home. for $2, plus....it should!! The kids had a blast with Uncle Tom and his dog - Ralph. They even wanted to take a trip with Uncle Tom and Ralph to Salt Lake City. I could have had a week or longer childless.....but would have missed them far too much.... Uncle Tom was able to really talk up rural life and life in Minnesota. Luke is all for fishing for bull heads, toads and crawdads. Also Non poisonous snakes and snow that you never think will melt. It's a great place to raise kids....but I still hope we don't hear any state north of 90.
Wishing you all good health!
Patty

The crud

The crud has been here since the weekend and is not going away. Poor Mermaid Girl just isn't getting better... Flu and now a superimposed ear infection. She now has antibiotics and hopefully she will be back to dancing soon! Every hour or so she wants me to recheck her throat. She doesn't want to listen to nurse or mommy theories....just get the flashlight out and dispense sympathy in big doses. We have called Grandma several times and she loves hearing my "Dear God -- it's Mommy" prayers. I know illness has struck many households, many of our co-student families also have the respiratory junk. I just read from one Mom that Vicks on the feet calms a cough. FYI --- It works but no one wants to come near us!
Blessings for Good Health in your homes!
Patty

I am loved!!!

From Babycenter.com

1. Your newborn stares into your eyes — he's actually working hard to memorize your face. He doesn't understand anything else about the world, but he knows you're important.
2. Your baby thinks about you even when you're not around. Between 8 and 12 months old, he'll start to scrunch his face and look around when you leave the room — and he'll smile when you return.
3. Your toddler throws wicked tantrums. Nope, those screaming fits don't mean he's stopped loving you. He wouldn't be so hurt and angry if he didn't trust you so deeply.
4. Your toddler runs to you for comfort when he falls down or feels sad. Kids this age may not truly understand the meaning of "I love you," but their actions speak louder than words.
5. Your preschooler gives you a flower picked from the garden, a finger-painted heart, a sparkly rock, or another gift.
6. Your preschooler wants your approval. He'll start to be more cooperative around the house, and he'll look for chances to impress. "Look at me!" will become a catchphrase.
7. Your grade-schooler trusts you with secrets, like his first crush or his most embarrassing moment. You're his confidante, even if he shies away from your hugs in public.

What will a mother do for her children

Pine car derby

It's amazing the difference a few numbers make! Last year, the men in my house (older and young) were devasted with a faulty wheel that caused last place in all of the derby races. This year with very determined spirit, the wheels were perfect! 13th place out of 48!!! The first one SB won ---- the smile told the whole story of relief flooding over him.......too bad my camera was in my purse. This smile is back to an 8 year old trying not to show missing teeth...trying to be cool already. Kodak made it easy to switch the image to "cartoon". Congratulations Guys!!!!

I really hope there is a boy scouts where we move this summer.

Pine car derby

My new assistant works for gold fish!

I have found a great way to get caught up on my scrapbooking. It involves a new assistant who loves to add stickers and glitter and won't take no for an answer to allow me to be a couch potato. Better than doing Pilates!