I Want It All & I Want It Now!

There is a TV commercial (for a credit card, I think?) that I hear alot right now with this song playing. It always makes me smile. First of all, because the wife tells her husband to get whatever TV he wants (which makes me think of Scott always joking about getting a "BIG" TV someday & me saying no because I think it's kind of a waste), but mostly because it makes me think of Luke. Those words are just about perfect when it comes to describing him. Whenever hunger sets in, there is no waiting-he definitely lacks patience! He wants it NOW! (Why do I always have to waste time making a bottle-shouldn't I just have them all made up and ready to go?! There should be no waiting for him to chew, just keep shoveling it in, who cares about him possibly gagging/choking!) These words also pop into my head whenever I'm holding/carrying him, especially if I have anything at all in my hands. (Don't I realize yet that everything is his! Who cares if it's glass or a plastic bag that could cause injury/suffocation?) And of course whenever he is playing, I think of those words again, especially if he is trying to hold more than 2 things at a time. He is always trying to figure out how to get the third thing without losing one of the other two, but just can't ever quite manage it. As soon as he gets it, he loses one or both of whatever he was already holding & then has to start all over again! (Is it wrong to get so much enjoyment out of watching his struggles? It's just so cute!) I don't think it is so long as he isn't getting too frustrated, which he usually isn't. It's just fun to watch him trying to problem solve! (I'll enjoy it for now because I know in the not so distant future it may not be so "fun" when he's trying to get into things he shouldn't! Yikes!!!)

A "Blog" in Progress

I feel like I have come a long way with all of this technology stuff in the past year. I used to feel quite overwhelmed by alot of it and really didn't have much to do with it outside of checking email, surfing the internet when I needed something, & to complete projects (writing papers/lesson plans, adoption portfolio, etc). This year, though, has been a different story! I jumped on the digital scrapbooking bandwagon (slowly, but surely I'm getting there anyway-when I can find the time). I find that I'm actually beginning to understand some of the terminology (for instance, I now understand what kb, mb, & G are & which one is the biggest). Also, I can easily crop & edit photos (simply) without anxiety about "losing" the picture & am learning more everyday it seems. And last, but not least I have become a blogger. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would like doing this, but I admit that I find it a little bit addicting & I love reading other blogs. Maybe it's my nosy nature ;) but I like to think that it fulfills this curiosity I have about how other people live (I realize that I basically just said the same thing again, but it sounds SO much better the second way doesn't it!) :) I've always been one of those people who wonders what other people are thinking. Anytime I am in a crowd, whether it's traffic; shopping; etc., I always find myself looking around and wondering what it would be like to step into someone else's shoes for a day just to see what their life is like. I wonder: are they close with their family, are they in the middle of some kind of crisis, what is there reason for being here? Frankly, I'm just curious to see what goes on behind the "social masks" that we see out in public & wonder how "easy" or "hard" other people have it. So for me, blogging is like a little peek into someone else's world to see what life is like for them & to help me better understand things or to gain a new perspective about things going on in my own life. Of course, I am never completely satisfied with my own work so occasionally you will probably see some changes go on with my blog (new template, different features, etc.) & keep in mind I'm still figuring out ALOT :) so if anyone has any advice I'll gladly take it (as long as it's free of course!) :) On another note, has anyone noticed that the more techno savvy you become the more "toys" you want? If anyone wants to donate to the "Anita technology fund", I'll gladly accept donations for a new digi camera, wireless internet, laptop, scanner, digi scrapbooking products, & on, & on, & on! :D Thanks for joining me on my technology journey

Happy (Belated) Father's Day!!!

I realize this comes a day late, but Scott & I got back later than expected from our anniversary trip, so today was kind of his Father's Day. We didn't really do anything too exciting to celebrate it (he did some gardening), but after being away from Luke for over 48 hours (Yikes, I know, but we made it) it was just nice to be home and hang out as a family. This holiday & Mother's Day have just been so much more extra special for us this year with Luke being around, especially considering that this is our actual "first" in every shape & form since I've never been pregnant & since we didn't even know about him yet at this point last year. It just makes us feel so blessed this year! Luke has changed our lives in so many ways & it is still so amazing & hard to believe at times that he is ours to love & raise. Even with all of the joy of this year's holidays, the anxiety/pain we were feeling at this time a year ago is still never far from my mind & it breaks my heart to know that there are still people out there waiting for their "dream" of having children or who want to add to their families (but have little to no control over it-like ourselves down the road) to come true will have a very hard time on these holidays especially. So to all of the "lucky" ones (myself included this year), I say don't forget what a gift you have been given in the form of your children & make sure to give them lots of hugs & kisses on this very special day. I wish all of the father's, soon-to-be fathers, & most especially the "waiting" fathers (& mothers) who have no idea yet when they will be blessed with a child of their own-a very, very special holiday & if you know anyone in that last category just make sure that you give them "space" or a hug-whatever they need! Happy Father's Day everyone!

Happy Flag Day!!!

That's right-it's Flag Day-and around here it's one very special holiday! Of course, we are a patriotic family & we do like to celebrate/honor our country (& flag), but the main reason that this holiday is so special for us is because it is the day that Scott & I got married! This year we are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. It is so hard to believe that it has been 5 years already. It has not all gone exactly like we imagined that it would on that day 5 years ago, but I know that we can both say it is like a fine wine "it only gets better with age"! So here's a little walk back in history to see how far we've come:

5Years Ago...

*We were going to start a family right away and hopefully have at least 2 kids before our 5th anniversary (definitely did NOT go as expected, but we were finally blessed with Luke this past year)
*We would build a new house on the Scott's family's original homestead (check)
*I would finish student teaching, graduate & have my own classroom (sort of check-first 2 done, as far as my own classroom-not quite yet, but at least I've always been happy with whatever I'm doing-subbing, teacher assistant, etc.)
*We would still maintain a fairly active social life once we had kids (slowed down a little, but check)!!
*We would continue to communicate well each and every day (check)
*We would love each other even more 5 years from now then we did that day (check!!!)

Go out enjoy and celebrate this very special holiday today-I know we will! :)

Water Anyone?

This is the view I woke up to this morning:

Front Views

Back Views

I believe I said, "Wow, I think this is the highest I've ever seen the water out before!" But Scott "knowing all" corrected me quickly, "Oh no, I don't think it is the highest it's ever been, but maybe close."

Later (7:20ish a.m.), my MIL calls & tells her son "The water is at record levels everywhere." (Me): [clearing my throat & speaking sarcastically] "Oh no, I don't think the water is the highest it's ever been! Hmmmm...was I right earlier or what?!" Scott: "Yes, you were right." (I take such great pride in it when this happens!) (hehe)

More pictures:

Believe it or not, but there is a bridge under all of that water somewhere!

Oh No, our garden!

By 10:30a.m. the road was covered! (First time in 60 years, since the road was first built up & probably the first time since Scott & I got married that I was glad that we have an early Mass time [8 a.m.] because we were home before the water was over the road!)
What a fascinating & historical day! Watching the water rise so quickly during those morning hours & then getting to watch it start to slowly recede as levees in the area started breaking-I hope I NEVER see it again in my lifetime! :)

Rodeo Star

I'm beginning to feel like I've chosen the wrong profession! Sometimes, I really think that I've missed my calling as a rodeo star-you know, one of those calf roping people. Changing Luke's diapers always makes me think this. Between trying to keep his hands out of his "boy area" (especially when he's poopy) & trying to keep a hold of his feet (because kicking them up & down is so much fun-again especially when he's poopy) & then trying to apply diaper rash cream (which can be just as much fun as poop especially when he's trying to kick-are you catching on to a theme here?), it can be TOUGH! So I got to thinking today as him & I were reenacting the above scene several times this morning, that maybe I should be a calf roping rodeo star because I'm obviously getting lots of practice with my technique (& before it is suggested-yes I do try to distract him during the whole process with a toy or bottle, but he just keeps getting smarter-who needs TWO hands when you can hold an object with only ONE). The only real difference is that they get to use a rope & I just have my two hands (so I might actually be more advanced than the rodeo stars!) YEAH ME!

Lazy Days Are Here Again!

If my house could talk, this is what it might be saying...

Floors- "Don't worry about cleaning us-dirt helps keep us nice and insulated, especially during all of this wonderful humidity."

Dishes- "We don't mind the dirt, since the view is so much better out here on the countertop. Plus, it's a little cramped stuck inside the cabinets."

Laundry- "Forget about cleaning us for now-the stench gives us personality-same goes for the wrinkles we get from not being folded when we are clean!"

Toys- "Please just let us be. It's so much more fun to be out here free on the open range of the living room floor. As for the other suckers still stuck in the basket...don't worry...they'll be free soon enough too."

Books- "We're just dying to be opened and read, please join us. Don't worry about all of those other things...they're just fine!"

I'd hate to disappoint everything by cleaning-NOT! I need to get motivated!!! I hope none of these items put up too much of a fight! :) Wish me luck!