HAPPY BIRTHDAY CJ!!!!

Today's my best friend's birthday! I haven't got the first clue how hold she is, nor does it really matter in our relationship. She has blessed my life for over 10 years now and I cannot imagine life without her. For those of you who don't know, I first met CJ when I was dating her brother. When that didn't work out (thanks to CJ herself, and a few choice words) I was lucky enough to have her there. She needed me, I needed her. Each of us showed the other how to live. Now, over 10 years later, we live over 1,000 miles apart, and don't even see each other every year. But I know she's there. She knows I'm here. And as each of us have grown over the years, we've remained the truest of friends.
So Cindy, this post is dedicated to you- the strongest, most faithful and true woman I know. Thank you for being all that you have been to me. I thank God for you. Happy Birthday, friend!

My Baby and Kindergarten

My son starts Kindergarten in 2 weeks. OK... let me re-word that. My heart says, "my baby starts Kindergarten in two weeks." (yes, that's him- 5 years ago!) I cannot believe it! And boy am I in for a shocker. I was finally provided the supplies list. OH YES.. the supplies list. Now, may I remind you that Big Brother will be attending a private school. Interpreted: Big Brother will be going to a school where I am paying a large monthly fee for him to go. OK. So.. The large monthly fee doesn't cover the price of things like Kleenex, wet wipes or hand sanitizer. (because God knows how we ever got along without hand sanitizer in the classroom!) Hmph. We also get to purchase poster board, pens, pencils and other things in mass qty so that the class can share. Hmph. Now I don't want you to think that I'm not empathetic to the plight of the teachers. I'm not. And I certainly don't expect them to foot the bill for this type of thing. But I do expect the school to pay for basic necessities! I half expect the next, updated list of required sundries to include toilet paper and bottled water. Oh, I shouldn't complain about all of this. I'm excited to think that Big Brother is going to be getting a good, quality education. I can't wait to see him excel. And I really do think he's going to do great!

Little Brother is coming along nicely. I'm finally in my 29th week and I started gaining my first bit of weight. I am now at 10 lbs. He kicks right on time every day and I'm beginning to think that his nightly routine lulls me to sleep! Physically, I'm feeling pretty good now-a-days. Mentally, I'm a wreck. It's nice though to be able to blame all emotional swings right now on hormones. Mostly, I'm fully aware of my mood at any given time, I'm just sick of stupid people.
We finished Big Brother's new bedroom last week, and he's now the proud owner of a Chicago Cubs room. He loves it and has adjusted fabulously. I really don't give him enough credit, and am always worried that every little bit of change is going to be some huge adjustment. He continues to prove me wrong- you'd think I'd learn! Now we need to get started on the nursery and I'll feel like just about everything is falling into place...

From my favorite contemporary poet: Javan

Sometimes we have something

Without truly knowing

What we have



Sometimes we hold something

without knowing completely

What we hold



sometimes we are given something

Without fully appreciating

What we are given



But that knowledge usually comes

When we realize

What we have lost

Time

I know it's really sad when I take so long between blogs that I have to do a password request just to remember how to get in and update the blog! Ha... can't help it, just can't make it the priority that so many others do!
Well, I'm in my third trimester. That's hard to believe! This pregnancy hasn't been quite so pleasant as the first, but I can't say that I mind. It's all worth it. And has me thinking that maybe a third isn't such a bad thing. My God, I think I'm addicted to pregnancy! Seriously, you know- some people love the rush from a good tattoo, me, I just need a kid or two, and I'll be pacified.
I'm in an odd mood today. Happy, yet volatile. Does that make sense? In other words, I'm in a great mood, but I just dare you to make me mad!
My parents, who have been on a cross country road trip for the last two months have arrived home and I couldn't be happier. I'm so glad that they seem to have had the time of their lives, but I can't help but selfishly be relieved and elated that they're back home safe and sound. Now they live 50 miles away, and while I don't see them all the time, and still talked to them on cell phone every day- even when they're in Wyoming and Nebraska and New Mexico. But there's just something comforting in knowing that they're home. That if I did just want to stop and go to them, they're there. I live for that. And I know that it won't always be the case, but for now, I'll take advantage of it. (I'm reading over this, by the way, thinking "what it the world is that? a fragmented sentence?) Sorry to all of you fellow English majors- I'm not changing it!

I miss blogging. I'll be back for more later!