Life In My Own Lane

It Is What We Thought It Was

2012-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

OK so deep down inside I really do like the funny football quotes. Being a wife of a husband who is obsessed with football it is bound to rub off. Now on to the real news at hand...

Although the ultrasound tech lady was just having a bad day she did give me some info. The beans are measuring 6 weeks 4 days and 6 weeks 5 days, when I am 6 weeks 6 days and have heart beats in the 130s.

This is an all new ballgame for me, but I am hoping to do my best and give the guys 2 healthy babies. Morning/all day sickness is kicking my butt with two in there and it showed up a week early. I got my Zofran in had so I am holding up and trying to make sure I eat for 3, although hard, I have broken the meals into small but often.

More to come when we have another ultrasound, but for now great news!!!

Life Full Speed Ahead

2012-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Where to start??

The kids are doing great. Ariel got straight As for her first semester in 6th grade. Samm now has a boyfriend so she is distracted to say the least, but she wouldn't be 15 if it happens once in a while, and Alexya is just trudging along at average. I have such a great trio of girls with such different personalities, but that is what makes them great!!!

On the surrogacy front, my numbers were down by mid-November so we got started right away. AF at the beginning of December and away we went. Everything went along very smoothly.

So with some IM progesterone and IM delestrogen...

3 frozen little totcicles

And of course the fertility fries...

We got these...BFP.

We are currently 5 weeks 1 day. On 10dp5dt BETA was 406 and on 16dp5dt BETA was 6145. We won't know how many little beans until ultrasound on the 17th, when we will be 6 weeks 6 days so we should see a heartbeat or two.

And this is the house we bought. It is a 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2200 sq ft house, with a built in pool and a barn on 6 acres in Red Bluff. We got it for the purchase price of $112,000 and after $8,000 worth of work we are financing just $116,500. We get the keys in just 15 days on the 20th of this month. Needless to say Christmas was light and we told the girls get to have their own rooms and get to pick their paint.

Overall life is just going great. Next update is ultrasound and the move!!!

Ummm...Yeah

2011-10-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

OK so I just remembered about this blog. I had really just crawled within my own self pity for a while.

Kids are doing great. All are at 3 different schools, so that is a bit more driving, but I am in the country, driving is a part of life.

Surrogacy has had some bumps. We had a transfer in September and it was an ectopic. I had 2 rounds of Methotrexate and my numbers finally went down. I have hopefully only one more blood test this week and then we will have a direction. I am thinking it will be a January transfer, but you never know if this world if uncertainty. I did get to meet my IFs, which was amazing. They are great guys and I know I made a great choice in helping them have a family. I have just been taking the time to just get my weight back down and stay positive for the future. Oh and riding my horse in this great weather.

Also we are putting a bid on a house. An awesome house. More info when and if we move forward.

Happy Halloween!!!!

A Little Update

2011-07-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Things are just trucking along. I have been trying to keep busy. Greg's brother was here and they had a great time visiting. He was such a good uncle and played games and went swimming with them. The girls had their first horse show of the year, as all the others were cancelled due to the horse equine virus that was going around. Here are the girls with the horses.

We are starting to introduce Monkey to the shows and he is doing great. When Samm comes back for the summer she will start to work with him more so he will be ready to actually show in the riding events.

Things are moving along with the surrogacy. Guys got the contract and are signing today. ED goes into the clinic on Thursday. It looks as though we are still on for a late August transfer. I am just worried as I have no meds and hate to put pressure on the pharmacy and mail system to get things here in a timely manner. Well now is the waiting part again. I hope to hear more news on Thursday.

New Journey

2011-06-30T15:47:00.001-07:00

Well how life has changed in just 4 short months. Kids are on summer break, went and visited with Caleb and his parents, my first IPs are moving back to California (just 45 minutes from my second IPs), and I am starting another surrogacy. I know, I know, I didn't know what my plan was, but now I am so happy I decided to do another one, and only one more. I think 5 babies is more then enough for me and my body.

They are a great set of IFs from London. They have been through a rough patch with past surrogates, so I am hoping to renew their faith and give them a bundle of joy or two to snuggle. We just finished contracts, actually just yesterday I sent off the contract for them to sign, so it is officially official. The ED stuff is coming along for the fresh transfer in August, so it is exciting. I am hoping to get a calendar soon and be able to have a concrete date.

I have to say I am forever grateful for what surrogacy has brought to my life. I don't think it defines me, but it most certainly a part of me. I love the families I have helped. I will make sure to keep up on the blog now that I have a little something to talk about.

Caleb and beyond

2011-04-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

40 weeks 4 days

39 weeks 3 days

38 weeks 5 days

And here is Mr. Caleb Ian. He was born February 21st (Yep at 41 weeks) at 10:51 pm. He weighed 9 lbs 10 oz. and was 21 inches long. He was not very cooperative in the beginning, but he came out in only 2 pushes. Again he was purple per his very quick entrance, but as you can see he was pinking up by the next day.

The next day

The proud parents, me, and Caleb

Me holding Caleb after his parents got there snuggles. It was amazing that he was actually looking at me.

I am so grateful to have been a part of this family. I know that they are great parents and are going to spoil the heck out of this big little boy. He is already the light of their lives and has daddy and mommy wrapped around his pinky toe. I don't know if I will ever be apart of another surrogacy, but I know that I have helped two deserving families and for that I am fulfilled.

I pumped for Caleb for about 6 weeks and sent it down south and although the first 70 ounces didn't make it frozen, I sent them another two shipments equalling 250 ounces and they are slowly giving him that and I believe that it is helping as he has yet to even get a sniffle.

In other news, the girls are back in school, had a rough patch with the hubby (all better now, actually a lot better), back down to a size 16/18, and looking for a job. Also I'm looking into doing an egg donation. I still want to be able to help families and this is a great way to still know the joy of helping. I love seeing the look on a new parents face holding their little one for the first time. It is such a priceless moment for me.

So looking forward to moving forward, where ever that may lead me.

Home Stretch

2011-02-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

This is the gift I made for my IPs for Christmas (held onto it so the post office couldn't ruin it) and will be giving it to her the second she gets here.

I know it has been a while, as I tried to update from my iPad, but it wouldn't work. I am just chugging along with Mr. Caleb. He is going to be a big boy, as I am now measuring 2 weeks ahead at 39 weeks, when I was only 37 weeks. Here Is my 37 week 3 days picture. The doctor said that I am still not dilated and he is still high, as you can tell from the picture.

I do have an appointment in two days so I am really hoping I am at least a 1 and can feel like progress is being made. On a happy note my IM is starting her trip up here. She is coming with her mother and the motor home so they are splitting the trip into two days. She will be here for the OB appointment on Thursday so I am focused on that to get me through.

On the home front, school is going good for the little girls and they seem to really be in the swing of things and getting them done and not messing around. Alexya has really improved and it makes things so much easier. I really enjoy helping them learn new and exciting things. Samm got straight A's for her first semester grades so her being here is really showing to be beneficial for her. We are gearing back up for horse shows, soccer, and dance, so that should keep me busy pretty soon. Monkey (my 3 yr old gelding) will be heading off for training and be ready when I am all recovered from baby birthing, so that is my life in a nut shell right now.

Yeah...32 weeks

2010-12-06T22:06:00.000-08:00

Well time has been flying by and it is hard to believe that little Caleb will be in his moms arms in 8 short weeks. All of the OB appointments have been going good. Still only measuring a week ahead, not sure if that is on the closer end of 2 weeks and he is just making me feel better as I feel like he is 3 weeks ahead. At the appointment yesterday I did have him check to see if he was head down and low and behold he is. It was painful but great to know he was where he is supposed to be and all the pain will be worth it to have my VBAC. When I get a chance I will get my facebook picture of me at 32 weeks as I just got my iMac and have to figure out how to do all that stuff all over again as the iMac is so much different.

Girls are out for winter break and it is a nice break for me as well. We did Christmas early as Samm was going to her mom's house and we wanted her to be able to enjoy them with the other girls. It is fine though as more gifts have been trickling in over the past week so it was not all lost.

So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Still Gestating Along

2010-11-10T16:21:00.000-08:00

So we are 26 weeks 3 days along now and he is getting bigger and more active. He seems to be really high and when I sleep my DH tells me I sound like a birthing whale. All in a days work and I don't mind it if I can sleep. Here is the bouncing baby boy with a very big grin. He was very happy all snuggled up against his placeta pillow. We are getting the PBO in order to make it all legal and the hospital to know what is going on.

We also went to Disneyland for Alexya to dance in the ABC Christmas parade airing on Christmas. She had so much fun and all the money we fundraised and saved was all worth it. I had not been to Disneyland in 10 yrs (when I was pregnant with Ariel), so there was so much more and also California Adventure now too. Here is Alexya in her costume for the parade. She is growing up so fast, and to think she is my baby.

I'm still alive...

2010-10-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

OK so here I am in all my glory at 22 weeks 5 days and I am even bigger now at 24 weeks 4 days.

Also here is a practice belly picture (at 23 weeks) with some of the blocks that my IM made to take professional pictures, which I did take, but am not so pleased with so I am going to have a friend help me do my own.

Everything else is good. Kids good, hubby good, baby boy good. Getting ready to go to Disneyland next week for Alexya's parade in Disneyland that will air on Christmas morning and get to visit with the IPs and are gonna get a 3D ultrasound. Well there it is in a nut shell...I'm off to watch the Giants in the World Series.

It's A...

2010-09-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well we had the "big" ultrasound last Friday. It was great having J and P there to see their baby in person for the first time. I am sure it was great getting the ultrasound pictures through email right away, but it is just more special seeing it for yourself. The ultrasound tech was great and made sure to let them see every possible part of their precious baby. J even started crying when she saw a little foot pressed up against the ultrasound doppler thing. I know it has been a hard road for her and it was just one of those moments that makes everything all worth it. I don't know if I tell her enough, but every time I had to do Crinone or put my head in the toilet, I was just so thankful that it was going towards growing a healthy baby and her getting to be a Mommy. Sometimes I just watch her with my kids or hear about her hanging out with her nieces and nephews and know she is going to be a GREAT mom.

So without further adew...It's a proud baby BOY in all his glory

OK and here I am in all my glory at 18 weeks 4 days. I have to say I feel like I am bigger than I should be and it doesn't help when people ask me how far along and I and when I tell them they say, "That's all." Thanks ;o)

So school is going. Some days are better than others, but in general things are moving along. I make sure the kids have fun projects to keep them interested and motivated.

Samm is still boy crazy, except she now has a boyfriend, OK well I think she had a boyfriend. It lasted a whole 2 weeks, I think, and apparently he lied about going to a dance and now she wants to dump him. I am sure I will find out more as the week goes on.

Well TTFN.

Moving Right Along

2010-09-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

So although I am a slacker nothing exciting has been happening. I am just happily gestating a baby. We (IPs and I) go in on Friday for the BIG ultrasound and to hang out for a day and a half. Morning sickness is mostly gone, but does rear its ugly head every now and again.

Home schooling is going good. Still trying to find what makes Alexya tick. She is just like her father when it comes to school, do the least amount to get by. I am much more excited about starting the home schooling year at the beginning as the girls can do much more that the school has to offer. Ariel starts the photo club next week and then PE for the both of them at the local gym. They love it and especially the gay aerobics instructor that they find so entertaining and gets them excited to do the activities. He wears these crazy tight, short spandex and is just so excited to be there.

Samm is doing good in high school. The freshman volleyball team didn't have enough people so we got all the crap (a two hour trip to the doctor for the physical) done so she can participate. They really stink and the girls are kind of catty (typical for volleyball girls), so she just counts this as trying to have fun and keep in shape. She is still boy OBSESSED. It worries me that she is smitten with any boy that tells her she is pretty. I do know that 14 yr old girls like boys, but she can meet a boy one day and the next be worrying over if he likes her or not and where the "relationship" is going to go. Seriously she knows him for one day and she thinks they have "relationship". I cannot wait till we just get this all out of the way and she can just go back to being normal, well as normal as a teenager can be.

That's all for now, but I will make sure to be more responsible about updating.

Here is the Latest

2010-06-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

ultrasound that is...

The little bean had a beautiful heart beat of 109, which is in the mormal range for a 6 week old baby. This time the baby was measuring at 6 wks 2 days, when we are 6 weeks 4 days, so the baby is all confused as to be ahead or behind, which is perfectly normal.

Ariel had her first horse show last Saturday. I was really, really hot, but she enjoyed herself despite the heat. She placed in all her classes, even beating adults. Go Ariel!!! She ended up with three 2nd places, one 3rd place, one 4th place, and one 5th place. She needs more practice, but is coming along nicely. Nothing else really going on, just staying out of the 105 F heat and eating Ice Tickles.

Lookie What We Saw

2010-06-17T22:05:00.002-07:00

Yep one beautiful little sac with a little bean. No heartbeat yet as it is too early, but not next week when we go again. i am just head over heels excited for my IPs, J and P. This is a feeling that never gets old. I swear it is addicting making people happy.

Oh and it is a chore to keep these kids busy. I think that the queasiness is not making it easy either, but they think that we have to be going 90 miles an hour all the time. Today was the fair and tomorrow is a horse show for Samm. Saturday is lunch with the girls in Sac and Greg trying to get a side job. Then on Sunday we have to drop Samm off to her mom at the Sac airport. Guess it will keep me busy waiting on the ultrasound. Now I need to busy up my Monday through Wednesday...or maybe just sleep through it :o)

A BIG update!!!

2010-06-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Well....6dp5dt 6.75dp5dt

7dp5dt

9dp5dt

And at 10dp5dt my BETA was 145, 12dp5dt my BETA was 410 and at 18dp5dt my BETA was 6547. We have our first ultrasound tomorrow for sac and fetal pole. The following week will be for the heartbeat. My IM is starting to feel a little better about the fact that she is going to be a momma. With so much heartache that she has had I don't blame her for being cautious and with the ectopic from before I am in the same cautious boat. I just can't wait to show her that all is going to be great.

With school being out I am just trying to keep the kids busy. Alexya spends a lot of time next door at Kayla's house and Ariel at her friend Leann's house (she has a pool and is way cool). Samm will be heading off to her mother's house on Sunday (yeah on Father's Day no thanks to her mom). I am excited to be going to go see the surro gals on Saturday and pictures of one of my really good surro friends that had twins for her great IPs. Things are going good and just trying to avoid morning sickness like the plague (although it doesn't seem to be working).

Happy Hump Day Everyone :o)

Officially Official

2010-05-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well as of yesterday I am a college graduate. It was a great day and I couldn't have asked for more.

As for surrogacy, only 4 more days till transfer. PEO shots are going well and all 12 pills are going down smoothly.

We have a softball game today and tomorrow so that will keep me busy and not thinking about it so much. Soccer and dance are done for now and will start up again in 2 months. I am excited to have the summer to camp, swim, and sleep in. Hopefully I am pregnant and I can keep the morning sickness away, although I have had it with all 3 of my pregnancies, but one can hope right. Well here's to a great week.

Sad Sad Day

2010-05-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well today my little Sissy Beans was ran over by a car. Thankfully she didn't suffer but 30-45 seconds and was gone. What is the worst is that all the girls saw it happen and it was just chaos after. This was at 7:45 am and I had to leave for an ultrasound in an hour. I frantically put a blanket on Sissy and knew that she would have to wait till I got home, which made it even worse. I dropped the girls off and cried the whole 45 minutes to Redding. I was a mess when I walked in and they just stared at me waiting for something. I held it together through the ultrasound, but I have been crying off and on all day. I finally dug a hole next to Larry the chinchilla and put up a little wooden cross that my dad and the girls made. We put her name on it and the girls drew some flowers and hearts. I took off her collar before burying her and I put her name tag on my key chain so I can always remember what a special dog she was. She has given me some of the best memories in her short almost 5 years of life. Thank you Sissy Beans.

Single Digits

2010-05-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well there is only 9 days till I am in LA. I cannot wait to spend a day with my IM before baby making day. My IPs are the most deserving parents and I cannot wait to make my IM a mommy. The meds are going good, the only side effect is that I am in the mood all the time, damn estrogen. I go in for my second and last u/s to make sure I have a thick lining and that I am suppressed. I will take an HcG chot on Friday and then start taking 10 pills and a progesterone suppository on Saturday and then adding a 1CC shot of progesterone on Sunday. WoooooHoooooo...I'm excited, crazy I know, but all worth it in the end. Well that's all for now, I am off to bed. I'll update about the u's tomorrow night.

Time Flies...

2010-05-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

When your kids are in all different sports. I'd swear it was still April. Everyone is doing good. Sports only have about 3 weeks left and then a little summer fun. I am thinking of swimming team for the two little ones to keep them busy and cool. Samm will be with her mom most of the summer so can't really plan much for her. She has a couple of horse shows she plans on going to, but most of the time will be with her mother. Oh and Ariel is gong to try out for the U-11 traveling soccer team. She is very excited to be on a more competitive team. Alexya will pick back up dancing come August and then the push for Disneyland continues with more fundraisers. We have sold like $300.00 in chocolates alone. I say we are making America fat one candy bar at a time, but Alexya will get to go to Disneyland :o)

As for surrogacy I am just taking the meds and thickening my lining. I have an ultrasound next week to make sure and see how think it is. I cannot believe that we only have 15 days till transfer. Here's hoping for a think lining.

Movin' Along

2010-05-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

So things are just moving forward. Ultrasound was good, except for the lady not telling me my lining and then making comments about fibroids. I seriously wanted to just tell her to just look at my lining and ovaries and leave my other crap alone. Mind you I have had like 10 ultrasounds in the past year and not a single person said anything about any fibroids. In the end it was nothing as the NC said my ultrasound looked great and it was at 5mm, which means AF will be light, hopefully as she is light so far. I offically started my medications today and I start estrace tomorrow and then the next ultrasound on the 19th to make sure I am thickening up. It is getting exciting now that things are moving along.

The girls have been doing good. I feel like I run around like a mad woman though to all their sports practices and games. School is almost over and I am ready to start the summer. I would love to go camping and hiking. Well I am off to our play date to make our solar system.

Holy Lazy Cow

2010-04-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

So Life has been way busy, but I am back and ready for action.

OK so for the kids, their activities are starting to overlap and making it a little bit hard to manage, but I guess that is what Grandpa's are for. I am no longer the coach for Samm's team as they had to break the teams apart and create only one and the drama that ensued from all of that and the coach from the other team was a bit of a drama king for me. So know I support her from the bleachers, which is OK, but she wishes I was there with her in the dugout. Ariel is doing really well in soccer and seems to be picking up the positions better. Alexya, well, she tries her hardest. Coreography for little ones is very hard to pick up so I have seen. I am doing fundraisers like a mad woman to earn the $750.00 she needs for her to go to Disneyland. Here are some pictures of the girls in their sports. Oh and Samm does horse shows as well with Jazzy. She got 11 ribbons 2 Sundays ago.

Samm Batting

Ariel Kicking

Alexya Dancing (she is the one with brown hair)
Samm Riding Jazzy English

As for my surrogacy journey, it has been wild that is for sure. We agreed to work together and got started right away. HSG went great, with a little help from the pain meds, and I my tubes were all clear. Next I met with the RE and he said I was a great person to transfer to according to the mock transfer. He was such an outgoing and fun guy and it really put me at ease. I spent a whirlwind of a day with my IM in LA where I had Panara for the first time and now I am sooooooo in love with the cinnamon scones. Shortly after we got contracts started and then well a huge surprise. My IM was pregnant. Naturally, which has never happened before. Then tragedy struck as only a week later she miscarried and is now hoping to get tissue to test the little bean to see if we should use her three little embryos on ice or only use the ED embryos. I am signing the contract today and mailing it to them tomorrow to make everything official. Oh and our transfer is May 28th.

That's it for now, but I will make sure to update all the time.

Oh and I will graduate May 22nd with my bachelors degree in Biology.

Contracts Here We Come

2010-03-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

So after having a great weekend with my new IPs, we are officially moving forward. I have my HSG scheduled for March 9th and then we can really moved forward as that is all the RE needs before we can go a go-go.

I am getting my papers done for virology and studying like crazy for the test on Friday. Then comes Herpetology on Monday, which gives me the weekend to cram. I think that things are going to be done before I know it. Seriously I will be done with college in 6 days. I cannot wait to show my kids that persistance does pay off.

Also the kids are all signed up for their activities. Samm is doing softball and I will be her coach, Ariel should be getting a call for soccer any day now, and Alexya is on a drill team that will be doing parades and in Disneyland (on TV and everything). I am making sure all the kids are busy with what they like and helping out where I can. This is going to be a busy 4 months with all the girls activites, but will take my mind off of the waiting in surrogacy. I am thinking we can possibly have a early May transfer, which is only 2 months away. Onward and Upward :o)

Goodbye Dial-Up

2010-02-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

Hello high speed. Boy does it feel good to catch up with the rest of the world. It is through Verizon and I am hoping that there is enough usage on it for the stuff I do online. I try to do most of the simple stuff on my phone because I have unlimited internet usage on it.

Did I mention how excited I am about my new IPs coming?? I know I did, but I am just so exciting. It doesn't look like the greatest weather, but I am hoping that there is no rain. I am really sick of it. When there is rain I cannot ride my horses. Monkey has made a full recovery after his gelding procedure and swelling the size of a small melon on his sheath. He was very pathetic. The fence is up now and all three horses are together now. They look happy.

School was good today as it took a little longer than yesterday, but not to bad. We had an interuption when we couldn't find the 5th duck and then found it kinda chewed on. We gave it a bath and cleaned her up. Hoping she will pull through. Ariel was crying thinking that she was dead, but now she wants to bring it in the house. Oh I don't think I mentioned that Alexya got a soft-shelled turtle named frisbee. He is settling in nicely and we went and got him some rock and a plant to make him feel better. She loves him and does nothing but talk about it and every story is about him.

Well I am off to explore my new found freedom.

Lets Meet

2010-02-23T13:07:00.000-08:00

So my new IPs are coming on Saturday and I am over the moon excited. We have talked for hours like teenagers, facebooked about our exciting lives, and emailed a lot. I think that there is a special connection and it puts my mind at ease. Things have been so easy to talk about and I am just soooo excited to meet them.

Well on the home schooling front, yesterday was a bad, bad, bad day. It took the girls 4.5 hours to finish school. I was seriously at my wits end. I know there are going to be bad days, but I don't think I was prepared for that, well now I am. Today we got everything done in 2 hours and then went to the library. My bargining chip, some stupid movie on Disney Channel. I really do think that they needed the little motivation and kick in the butt. So we will see how tomorrow goes, but I think it will be better then Monday for sure.

As for the college front, I will be done on March 8th (test for Virology on March 5th and Herpetology on March 8th). In Herpetology I only have the lab test left, yeah I got credit for the paper from the research that I did, which was about 25 hours total and no final. Yeah for almost being done. Well I am off to make my lunch and count my points, go Weight Watchers!

Other News

2010-02-19T15:10:00.000-08:00

After all the missing in action of my herpetology professor, things have worked themselves out. So I had to write a paper, take the lab practical on reptiles, and then the final. Well all the research and field work I did he decided to count as my paper (got a 93%) and I don't have to take my final. All I have left is to take the lab practical. Yeah me!!! So by March 8th I will be offically done with college and hopefully be getting my degree. I cannot wait to walk in May and have the pictures for a lifetime and proof to my kids that they can do anything.

Oh and also tomorrow is my 10, that's right 10 year anniversay with my wonderful, handsome, and loving husband. Can we say LOBSTERFEST!!! Have a great weekend all!!!

New News

2010-02-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

Well I am off and rolling with a new set of IPs (and not the ones that I was talking about before as then are grade Acrazy coo coo birds and I do mean crazy) They are on SMO, well at least the female coo coo bird is and does nothing but complain about finding the "perfect" surrogate in CA and cannot because of the REs strick criteria (which is a lie as I found out otherwise). On to better news, I have new IPs and I think they are great. I had my phone appointment with the RE and he said we are good to go. Only thing I need is the dreaded Hystiosalpiniogram (sp), where they inject your uterus with dye and take x-rays and even though I cried with the last one I got (for no reason) I am willing to prove that I am A-okay in the uterus front. Well I am off to bed, but I will update tomorrow with the other good news, holding you 5 followers in suspense and make you wanna come back for more. HaHaHa......

Maybe...Just Maybe

2010-02-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

So here is some news. I received an email from a place called surrofinder. I had put an ad on there when I started looking back in October. Now mind you every once in a while I get an email from there and think to myself about how I need to go and take it down. Well life gets in the way and I forget. Well in this instance I guess fate knew better because I ended up getting that email a couple of days ago. Well about 15 emails and a 2 hour converstion later, I am sitting here waiting to hear if the RE is good with me and we can move forward. At first I thought maybe this was too soon, but then I thought if they are the ones, I would be kicking myself later. So in the end I took a chance and it paid off. I will update when I know more.

Onto school, it is going good. The girls are more focused (with threats of no art class or DS time), but none the less focused. I turned in the paperwork today before art class and picked up social studies. So we are now up to 4 subjects and about 3 hours a day, so still not too bad and because we start it at 8 am (generally) then that means we are done by 11 am and still have so much of the day left. I am thinking that mabye in the next week or two we will plan a ski trip.

Oh and Alexya turned 8 yrs old on Tuesday, the 2nd. My baby is growing up way too fast. I sometimes catch myself just staring at pictures of when they were babies. Where did the time go. Before you know it they will be having babies of their own. I'm gonna make myself cry. Well everyone (all 5 of you) have a great Thursday!!

Lost

2010-01-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

So I guess this means I am starting from scratch, which sucks because it is just such an emotional process to go though again. I know that the right couple is out there for me, it is just going to take the time to find them or them me. I guess I should start by carousing the ads. I was thinking also about an agency as they take so much of the financial aspect out of my hands and relieve some of the work involved in the search. Not quite sure, but I'm sure it will work itself out.

How it Goes

2010-01-27T22:33:00.000-08:00

Well on another note, school is fine I just can't seem to get the kids to focus. I need to try and find the motivation for them to focus and get things done. I actually made Alexya cry today because she was just staring into la la land and I said she was going to be at the desk forever if she didn't get crackin'. She flipped out saying I never help her and she can't do the work. Again GGGGGGRRRRrrrr.....once she calmed down I just said I was not going to give her the answers and she needs to try on her own first. After that things were OK, but I really think that they are just sick of being in the house from the crappy weather. Good thing tomorrow we have art at the school, that is when I spend some one on one time with them while each is in the art class (they are split up, K-3rd and then 4th-8th) Time away from each other is good too. They are finding new friends and setting right into the group of kids there.

School fun

2010-01-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

So for home school, today was a little rough. I just couldn't seem to get the kids up and motivated. They finished, but not until about 11am, which is an hour late for us. Oh and we now have two days a week, Tuesday and Friday, that we head over to a friends house for art, cooking, sewing (I have made two dolls), or whatever we can come up with. It is nice as we bounce ideas off each other and the kids enjoy each others company.

Oh and I did my flash cards for my herpetology test coming up. I am going to do this (I repeat it over and over, like the little engine that could).

Getting Closer

2010-01-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

TAXES ARE FILED, with an estimated date of getting the money on February 5th. It is going to come in handy with all the things that need to be paid though. We always pay our insurances (home, car, and life) with the money so that will eat up some of it. Next will be the bills with high interest rates. Oh and we are going to build a fence for a bigger area for the horses and so I don't have to listen to my dad about feeding. Also a small barn/stall area for the horses. They have really taken a beating with all this rain. I had to move Monkey because he was standing in 6 inches of mud.

Things are moving forward with school too. I picked up the science curriculum for the girls. Although they are not officially tested, I really think it is important to start learning it now. I actually am getting excited at the projects I get to come up with.

Oh and I have my herpetology lad practical set up for February 18th and then my final in virology on March 5th. I am going to make sure and buckle down and get all of this done before the end of March. I can't believe that I will have my Bachelors degree in just 2 months. Go Me !!! (yeah I am tooting my own horn)

Rain Rain Go AWAY

2010-01-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

Our front yard

Our walkway and driveway

So now that we are almost fully under water, the rain can stop. Oh, but that is not what the forcast says, it is calling for 7 more days of rain. Really???? Who needs 10 inches of rain in 10 days??? I'm OK with 10 inches over 10 months, but mother nature is just being cruel. As you can see we are from the country and we don't have all those fancy drains that the city has. Our creeks are over-flowing already and we cannot take much more. My monkey is standing in water , the dogs hate me for making them pee outside, and the kids are just getting restless. On the other had the 5 ducks are having just a swimming time, literally. Well enough complaining, about the rain.

As for home schooling, things are going great. I will pick up some science curriculum on Thursday. With our tax return we will be getting some more things for the kids, science activities, art activities, oh and high speed internet (yeah we are on dial-up). We have play dates with my friend Jodi and her home schooled kids. We do baking, art, sewing, and nature walks. Well hope this finds you dry :o)

My New Monkey

2010-01-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

So this is his monkey face

And this is him walking with Samm (can't you see her leg on the other side)

So this is my new monkey boy. I got him from a friend of Ariel's whos mom works at our dentist office. He is a 18 month old stud paint. He is already 15.3 hands and will probably grow another hand. I will be getting him gelded as he cannot be around my mares with all his parts. He is also to big for my younger mare anyway. So this is my project. I will prove everyone wrong and I will make him a really good riding horse. It will take about 6 months alone just to get him to get all his manners so I have some time before he will be riden while I am pregnant.

Holy No Teeth Batman

2010-01-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

OK so after Ariel had her last 3 teeth removed I peered in and I wasn't sure how she was going to eat. She has one molar on each side on her bottom and two molars on each side of her top and of course the 8 teeth in the front. Thursday was really rough for her dealing with her mouth and the permanent retainers. I resorted to more powerful medication then just Tylenol as she was just crying and whinning all the time. It is much better now and she is actually trying to eat more than just soups and ice creams.

Went for a horse ride to day with Samm and a friend for 3 hours. We went in the creeks around here and there was just enough water to have fun in. A little too much fun as Jazzy (Samm's horse) went face first into the water, she was dripping. I was surprised that Samm didn't end up in the creek too. Well that is all the exciting in my wonderful crazy life. Oh and home school is still going great.

Wonderful Wednesday

2010-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

So today was the first day of home schooling and things went great. I got everything done in 2 hours. I am really thinking that I made a good decision.

Tomorrow is school in the am and then dentist for Samm (for cavities) and then Ariel getting 3 more teeth pulled (save her from 5 years of braces), for a total of 7 in 2 days. She is one heck of a trooper though, I don't think I could handle it like she does. I do pay for her to get the loopy juice, and man let me tell you if you could imagine a child drunk that would be her. I went to check on her in the bathroom and she was falling down laughing, like a drunk person.

Slacker am I

2010-01-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

That is what I am, but I can tell you everything that happened in not much time. Went to court and offically have Samm. She is doing great up here, but it has been a lot of work on both of our parts.

Current day:

I pulled my two little ones from school and home schooling as I am tired of the bull crap with the school system, in particular the principal. Also Greg has been laid off for a month and a half and we are praying that he goes back to work on Monday.

Well that is all in a nut shell and I will make sure to update more often as I know my 5 followers oh so miss my life updates. Home school starts Tuesday so I will update on how that goes.

Wanna Hear Some News

2009-09-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

I know that I have not been blogging in a while, but life has been full of much to stress to think about this. Now it has all settled down and I am now ready to update.

Sammantha is now up at our house full time. We had to file twice, but it was worth all the stress, money, and time, to just know that Samm is now in a safe place. She just went back to school yesterday and has a vollyball game today. I will take pictures and post them later. We will go to court on Sept. 22nd and make everything final.

Now that everything is settled down, life is grand. I am hoping that all of this is done for a while as I just want to enjoy being pregnant and a mom to soon to be 4. Happy Hump Day :o)

Getting Back on the Blog

2009-08-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been a slacker, but between the mini vaca at my sister's house and my husbands baby mama drama, I have been a little stressed.

As for the baby mama drama, Samm called us and we are now taking action according to what Samm wants. It is just so hard to trust a judge, who knows nothing about what is going on to make a desicion on what should take place. I just hope they talk with her and get where she is coming from and what she wants. I know that judges need to make sure that the child is not playing games, but this is the first and only time Samm has called us and said she was done dealing with her mom's verbal abuse. Here is hoping we get good news on Monday.

Everything else is just peachy. School starts for the girls on Wednesday the 19th. I have been trying to get them to bed earlier and up earlier so it is not a shock when they have to wake up at 7am. They seem to be doing good, just a couple of whines here and there, but overall not a problem. I am going to do better about making them eat breakfast this year. Ariel especially is not a big breakfast person and most of the time says she isn't even hungry. I just know that she is going to have to be on top of her game this year as we made the decision that she willb e going into the 4th grade. So she pretty much skipped 2nd grade, but still has a bit of catch up to do in language arts, but I really don't see a problem. She is a very hard worker and I have faith that she will accel. Alexya is going into 2nd grade and is right where she should be. I will have to kick her in the butt a bit to make sure she is understanding everything as the teachers don't really do a good job of that. Speaking of school I think I will head down there today to see if I can find out what classes they are in. Well TTFN :o)

Moving Right Along

2009-08-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

This is what is going on.

Nessa's 1st birthday is tomorrow. They are not really planning on do anything big, which stinks, but I told them to take some pictures for her album at least. She has started walking now too.

I am leaving for my sister's house at 6 pm to drive 10 hours with my two girls and both of my nephews in the car. I am driving at night so that they will sleep, hopefully.

I took my virology test and waiting on the results. I have to say that this is the first time I want to know what I got on the test. I have not gotten the results from my herpetology test either and it is killing me not knowing.

I went trail riding yesterday for a couple of hours, not long enough though. It is really cooling off here and I think I am going to take advantage of it while I am not pregnant and it is not hot enough to fry an egg on my forehead.

Well I am off to start studying for my next herpetology lab test :o)

Also the bank refunded all the fees and things are slowly moving in the other direction of luck.

And So It Goes

2009-07-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

4:30 am - Wake up and make Greg his breakfast and pack his lunch and send him off to work. Back to bed at 5:00 am.

7:00 am - Wake up for the second time and take a shower.

7:30 am - Get the kids up and ready to start the day.

8:00 am - Head out the door to go over to my dad's house and water the garden and plants and feed the chicken and collect the eggs.

8:30 am - Start the drive to Redding for Samm's post-op appointment.

10:15 am - Head off to the orthopedic doctor to wait...

10:30 am - Still waiting and ....

11:15 am - Finally get into the room and then, yeah, wait...

11:45 am - Leave the doctor's office and head off to the Super Wal-Mart to get groceries in Anderson.

12:00 pm - Stop and eat at Subway, because at this point I am starving because in all the hurry to get the kids ready I didn't eat breakfast.

12:30 pm - Shop till I well, until I get everything we need and 1 hour later and $166.57 later...

1:30 pm - Start the drive home.

2:00 pm - Get home and unpack the groceries, get the clothes off the line, look at the dog bowl, feed the dogs, check the mail, stare at the bills, swear at the bills, and then go on SMO to get the latest gossip.

4:00 pm - Call my past IM, Angel, to see how her, Ben and Nessa are doing.

4:15 am - My phone call gets interrupted by my cell phone ringing the tone of my husband. Hang up with Angel and then talk with Greg. I find out that he just got a speeding and no seat belt ticket leaving work after 10 hours. I think OK I can deal with this.

5:00 pm - Start dinner, chit chat with Greg about his day and then find out that one of the journeymen that is working on the same job as him hasn't been paid in 2 weeks, which also means his benifits are not being paid. OK this is starting to suck.

6:00 pm - Eat dinner.

6:15 pm - Get online to pay some bills through online banking. See that is says $0.00 funds available. Go to the main page and see that the money we borrow from my dad via a check had bounced. We are over drawn by $1700.00 and there are 7 over draft charges of $35.00 each (and so you don't go and get you calculator that is $245.00) and then I start to freak.

6:20 pm - Call my dad and tell him and then he realizes he wrote the check out of the wrong account. Yeah I can see. I then call my bank and find out that not only are there the 7 overdraft charges, but there will be 2 more that will go through tonight (another $70.00) and that there are 4 more pending that will be going through tomorrow night ($140.00) and that is for a grand total of $455.00 I now owe to my bank thanks to my dad.

6:40 pm - Make myself a Madori sour, a big one too.

7:00 pm - Send Samm and Ariel out to get the horses so I can rind and unwind, relax, and just forget the day for a moment.

7:05 pm - Samm calls to say that the horse had stepped on Ariel's leg. I run out there and see a nice hoof print on Ariel's calf. Help Ariel limp back to the house. Check out her leg and watch it to see if there is any swelling.

7:20 pm - Ground Samm for 2 months from the horse for going out in the field in flip-flops and not putting the halter on the horses, she told Ariel they could just drag them by their fly masks.

7:30 pm till now - Just thinking how I am going to handle the bank account tomorrow, wonder if Ariel needs to go to the urgent care in the morning, how much Greg's ticket is going to be, and dreading the drive tomorrow to drop-off Samm because Greg has work on Saturday.

All this in one day. Enough to make me want to saddle up my horse and ride off into the night. They say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, well after this night, I am superwoman. Well I am off to watch the recorded So You Think You Can Dance and drink a water.

Hot, Hotter, and Hottest

2009-07-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

I know it is hotter other places, but I think there are times I am going to melt, like when it is was 111 F. It has been cooling off though to 99 F. I have to say if I could live in Alaska I would in a heartbeat, but I couldn't drag my husband there.

As for Samm she is a-okay, back to the same old snotty 13-year-old that she was before just minus Steve.

Steve before

After surgery
We are waiting till her hand heals and there is no scab to take an offical after hand surgery picture.

Oh I forgot, I am leaving for my sisters house on the night of August 5th and driving 11 hours down south to lovely town called Murietta. I will be there for 4 days and then making the treck back home. I will be taking my 2 girls and both of my nephews (taking them home from visiting up here). All I have to say is thank goodness for the person who invented the portable DVD player.

Well there is my life this summer. I know not really exciting, but it is mine none the less :o)

It's Officially Official

2009-07-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

So other news going on in my life: Sammantha is going to have surgery on her hand to get the ganglion cyst taken off (we call him Steve) on Wednesday. She is excited to be put out, but not for the IV. It is only a 20 minutes proedure so we will be in and out in a couple of hours. I am going to take her to dinner and then the midnight showing of Harry Potter tomorrow. Also we found out that Samm is a prime canidate for Invisalign and it will only be a 12 weeks timeline and half the cost of braces. We are going to do this next summer when she comes up and all her teeth are fully grown in. Yeah, no metal in her mouth for 18 months and $5000.00 that we have to pay.

That is all for now. I'll take a picture of Samm before and after the surgery to show you Steve and no Steve :o)

Only One More Week

2009-06-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

My neurologist made me go to physical therapy (what a joke) and they had me doing these stabilization things and then squats. Yes fricken squats. My legs hurts so bad I can barely walk. No, my back doesn't hurt my quads and hamstrings are killing me. I look like a cripple again. I now know that taking 3 months off from any exercise is bad and for me I look like I have never worked a muscle in my legs for years. They said it takes about 48-72 hours to go away but when I go to physical therapy on Wednesday and then on Friday how the heck is it supposed to go away when you have me doing more. My hubby even ran me a hot, hot bath to try and help them feel better, with no such luck. I have also been trying to stretch them, but that hurts even worse. At least I have 3 days to try and get them to heal.

As for the family, we pick Samm up on the 12th for the summer and the little girls are excited to have her here full time. I am thinking about going to the Taste of Redding on Sunday, we went last year and it was a blast. We left there full and it is way better then the Taste of Chico. When you buy a ticket for Redding you get to taste everything there and at the Chico one it is only like 10 tasting and when there is like 40 vendors you have to pick and choose which one you want and don't want. Well I am going to head off to watch a little tube and then I am off to bed. TGIF (for at least another hour) :o)

I'm Gonna Do It

2009-05-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

I noticed how I have been really slacking on blogging, so look it is two days consecutively. Can't you tell I'm proud of myself.

Anyway, today I am going to go grocery shopping, long over due, at Winco. I am not a big Winco fan when it comes to their fresh produce (nasty looking), but they have good prices on most everything else. It just stinks though because I have to drive 40 minutes just to get there. Don't ge me wrong, I love the country, I just get sick of shopping at foodmaxx (who has even worse looking veggies and meat).

I am excited to go to Chico though as that means I can go to Celestino's and get a meatball sandwich, mmmmmm. I am telling you, this is a sandwich you need to try before you die, honestly.

Well I am off to mail a letter, visit a scrapbook store, and grocery shop. TGIF :o)

Here come summer break

2009-05-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

School is out for the girls on June 10th, although Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are all half days. They love the last day as it is water day and they get to play in their swimsuits and not have a care in the world, oh to be 8 again. Well happy Thursday everyone :o)

Fun At The Fair

2009-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

We spent yesterday at the Silver Dollar Fair. The kids had a blast and Greg even won (OK paid the man off) a huge beaker (from the Muppet Show). He is my favorite because he is the scientist. I had me a funnel cake, because you can't go to the fair and not have one right? We plan on going to the Richfield creek today. It seems hard to find stuff to do for a 3 day weekend.

Sometime in the first week of June I get to see Nessa and her parents again. We will be going out to dinner so the rest of the family can see her this time as well.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

And So It Starts

2009-05-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

So I would have been graduating on Saturday, but you know life. It is on my calander crossed out and it is just driving me nuts. I am going to work really hard to make sure I get all this school work taken care of over the summer. With the kids it is going to be a little hard, but I will just lock them in a closet while I study (J/K).

Back to School

2009-04-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

Alexya
Ariel (in blue)

Even though I just got back from spring break there was Ceasar Chavez day on Tues (I go to school on Tues./Thurs.), so that meant I got a whole nother 6 days in a row off. I have though taken this time to try and find out what is wrong with my hip. I went back to the chiropractor and he poked me and said that it was some muscle in my hip/butt area and that he thinks if I come for about 6 weeks 2 times a week he can get the muscle back to normal. At this point it is that or physical therapy which I think is crap and costs way more then the chiropractor. I have good days and bad days, but I think I am feeling much better today. A little sore from the cracking, pulling, and pushing, but better.

2009-03-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

On a me note, I somehow aggravated my siatic nerve. My hip muscle is spasming and then it is radiating down to my ankle. And I mean it will stop me in my tracks and make it very difficult to get up or sit for longer then 10 minutes. I am on some muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories, but there are times when it is not working. I had to have Ariel answer the door for the Fed-Ex guy and then it took my like 5 minutes to get up off the floor. I have been trying to study for my virology test all day long and I have not done very well. I am very scared about the test and I usually am dreading tests, but I have never felt like crap and not felt like I at least knew most of the test questions. Well here is hoping it goes well.

Also I have been on this kick of meatball sandwich's from Celestino's in Chico that is right next to the campus. Also the chicken bowl from Chipotle. MMMMMmmmmm....I am getting hungry just typing about it. Well I am off to study and hope it is enough.

Brain on Vacation

2009-03-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

As many people know it is college spring break and what happens on those breaks. Wild and crazy things, well not in my case, but I have been taking advantage of just not thinking. It lasted a whole 6 days and tomorrow I get to do some homework to at least have the weekend to relax with the family. I have been trying to get some scrapbooking done for Nessa, but I have just not been in "the mood".

Can you believe that I only have 9 weeks left including finals. It will be over before I know it. I will graduate on May 23rd, 2009. It sounds so weird to say that. I will be the first in my immediate family to get a bachelors degree. Well happy hump day everyone :o)

Spring Break Here I Come

2009-03-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

I know that I am not the typical college student so for spring break I don't really get to go to Cancun and take off my close, oh the married mom life. I wouldn't give it up for the world though. I think being in the situation I am in makes me more committed to getting things done.

Well have a happy Saturday.

I Can Do It

2009-03-11T14:37:00.001-07:00

At least that is what everyone around me is saying. I am talking about school. I have been going to school for the past 3.75 years and I am soooooo sick of it. I love the lab areas of school I just really hate the tests. I feel like they don't test your knowledge about things just what you can memorize and cram into you head. I have never been a very good test taker since I can remember and I have not gotten any better. I try my very hardest, but I just can't seem to get my thoughts onto the paper in a way that shows I understand it. On the note of the tests I got an 80/100 on my herpetology test from last Thursday and I am very pleased with that. For me that is a really good first test grade in a class. My virology on is not as good, but I am hoping all my other assignments can bring that grade up.

I love to look at the Nessa picture as an embryo and it is just so special. Oh and also my past IPs moved. They are still in Canada, and only 2 blocks from where they were before, but it is a 3 bedroom basement. I know when I think of basement it sounds small, but it is like 1100 sq. feet. They have their own everything, except washer/dryer, but now they have a room for Nessa and an office (or a room for another baby???) Well I need to get back to studying my frog and salamander/newt pictures for my lab exam tomorrow. Just think this is the last test before spring break (for me that is) and I think I plan on catching up on some scrapbooking for Nessa. Oh and whatever paper I have to write for my Environmental Science class. Happy Hump Day :o)

Some horse and newt fun

2009-03-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

Well I had a blast riding Jazzy yesterday. She was completely covered in sweat and I was hot as well. We ran quite a bit and it was a lot of fun. Then today I went salamander hunting and tagged them. Oh and Welcome Spring :o)

A little update

2009-03-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy with school and tests that I have been a slacker when it comes to the blog. Dang life gets in the way of the fun stuff. So I got 4 geese yesterday and they are so darn cute.

They will be in the house for a couple of weeks until my dad gets his chickens and all the coupes set up. I am going to ride Jazzy today as the weather has been crappy and what not I have not been able to ride so I am going to make sure I have a blast. Tomorrow I am going newt hunting to tag them and start my research project for my herpetology class. I also have my lab test for herpetology next Thursday on the amphibians section. I think that will go good as when I see things I am much better on tests then the written ones.

Wanna see??

2009-02-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Oh, I forgot to tell you about the great trip of critter hunting. Look what we found.

This is a salamander (yeah those are teally little arms and legs)

This is a newt.

Tell me those are not the cutest little things you have ever seen. And just think I get to tag all those newts for research. Yep I get to play in the water and mud and get graded on it. I love nature. OK well I am off to take my Environmental Science test, just as soon as I get the kids to bed.

Fun with salamanders

2009-02-25T14:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to go to herpetology tomorrow as we are going to go salamander, newt, and frog hunting. I love going into the field and getting to see the critters first hand rather then a jar with nasy pickling crap. Well I am off to help Ariel build a moose diarama, I know you are are jealous aren't you.

Buckle down Girlie

2009-02-24T15:42:00.000-08:00

I really need to start buckling down on my school work. I am trying to get good grades this semester as it is my last. Although I know I only need Cs in the classes I really think that is just not OK.

One More Day!!

2009-02-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

I booked our room that we are staying in Saturday and Sunday and I really like it. It has a full size kitchen with a stove and microwave. I have to say though that it is not that expensive comapred to regular hotels. All for spending time with the hubby, so it is worth it.

Here We Go!!!

2009-02-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

My anniversary in tomorrow. I cannot beleive that I have been married for 9 years to the man of my dreams. The time has gone by so fast. Just think 2 am in Vegas is going to become more popular. OK maybe not, but I like to think so. We are probably just going to go out for a nice dinner as it is the night before the transfer and no getting drunk for me. I am going to have to look up some restaurants in Palo Alto to see what there is. Being happily married for this long is not common in my family. I just want to announce to the world that I love my husband more then the day I married him and would not change our lives for anything in the world (except maybe a million buck, just kidding). Well I am off to unwind from the night and some of the morning worth of studying.

It's Official

2009-02-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

My house is ready to float away. Since the rain has not stopped here in about 3 days for longer then an hour, we are flooded. My husband is trying to put some barrier around the house as to not let anymore water get under the house. He is soaked from head to toe and had been a real trooper about it. He also got the truck stuck and had to call over the calvery just to get it out. I will have to take a picture of what it looks like here because unless you see it, it is really hard to understand how flooded we really are. Well I am off to study for my virolgy test on Thursday. Oh and did I mention that the kids are off all week and it is really hard to study, the life of a mom huh?

A-okay

2009-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

I woke up a couple of days ago with the worst neck issues. Today I am finally feeling better. I have woke up in the morning with back/neck issues like 6 times since we got this crappy mattress. I really think it is about time we get a mattress that is comfy and ergonomically good. I had to go Alexya's entire party with a kink in my neck and it really made the day hard.

School is moving right along as usual. 14 weeks left not including spring break, but including finals. Oh I finally filed my taxes and we are getting a good chunk back. We are going to re-up our insurances (life, car, and house) and even pay off a credit card. I really think that life sometimes is nothing but debt, but oh how good it feels to pay it off again and again and again. It's the American way. I an really hoping this time to get rid of some credit cards all together and just have a few. I really think though that we have done a good job about paying cars off faster then the loan and I mean by like 2 or more years. Yeah for us and paying off bills!!!

I've Been Tagged!!

2009-02-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

This one is for you Cyn, I am playing along. So this is the 6th picture in my 6th folder. This is my youngest child, Alexya, when she was 4 years old. The bike was much too small for her, but she loved to just sit and walk it around.

Moving Right Along

2009-02-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

I just finished my second week of school as Thursday so that means that only 14 weeks of school left. I really think that life seems to be going at a rather fast pace lately. Oh and also Nessa was 6 months old on the 4th. She just went to the doctors and is 28 inches long and weighes 22 lbs. Tell me if you think she looks like a 6 month old.

I do have to say that I think she is the cutest thing (after my kids of course). I would really love to see her, as when I talk to her mom on the phone I can hear her and it would be nice to put a live face to the cute noises, well here is hoping.

So Much Fun!!

2009-02-02T21:18:00.000-08:00

So I really had a blast on Sunday with all my surro friends. I love BJ's (when their food is cooked right). I had fun shopping afterwards with my step-daughter Samm, although she thought that I should have bought her everything she saw, ah 12 year olds.

I also had a lot of fun on Saturday horse riding with my friend Jody. Here is a picture that I took of my horse, Jazzy and I.

We rode for about 3 and 1/2 hours and it was really peaceful.

One Day Down

2009-01-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

So today was my official first day of school. I really think that the little bit of excitment is gone. I now realize how much work this is really going to be. I have two 4 unit classes and they have a rediculous amount of work. I think that my Herpetology class is going to be fun even though there is a term paper. I really think that I just need to look at having fun and everything else will just fall in place. Well I am off to eat my Tuesday dinner at my mom's house (it is nice to not have to cook after being at school all day).

It Starts

2009-01-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

OK so the first day of my last semester starts tomorrow. I have to admit that I am a little bit excited. I really think that I am going to enjoy my classes this semester.

I am also excited to meet the girls again in Sacramento. Last time I saw them Cyn was still small. I really love getting together with a bunch of other girls going through the same thing. Also Nessa is almost 6 months old, yeah 6 months ago I had A and B's beautiful baby girl. They grow up so fast. I know that it seems like your own kids grow fast, but this seems like even faster. She is offically crawling, crawling backwards. Her mom said when she gets excited to get something in front of her she starts to crawl backwards and then gets frustrated that it gets farther away. I was also talking to A on the phone and she was making noises to her and she was copying it. She is the cutest little girl ever (not like I am bias, right).

Here We Go

2009-01-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

School starts Monday (Tuesday for me) and I am excited, but not. I know that this is my last semester and then I will have my degree, but it means tons of studying and lots of tests, I just keep telling myself that it is only 16 weeks. Well I am off to get my parking pass and $500.00 in books, and that is mostly used prices. Happy Hump Day :o)

Oh and a big shout out to my new follower :o)

Hopfully Soon

2009-01-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

OK onto fun things. I went skiing on Monday with my mom and it was a blast. I have not been skiing in about 2 years and I really missed going. It took about 2 hours to get up to Mount Shasta, but it was so worth it. I think I may get my husband to agree to let me and my mom take the kids. It is really a fun thing for the kids to learn how to do. So this is me on the ski lift having fun.

Grades are In

2009-01-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

OK so I have been waiting for Chico State to get their heads out of their behind and they finally did. So here the are:
Plant Physiology: B
Nutrition: A-
Ecology: B-
So this means that I kept my 3.0 that I need for my SMART grant. I have fully registered for the Spring 2009 semester and it looks like I will be taking herpetology, Virology, and Environmental Science (it is on-line and 3 units, which helped me get to my 12 units needed). I cannot believe that I have been going to school for 3 and 1/2 years and that I am almost there.

On a crappy note, I went to the dentist yesterday and found out that I need a total of $2700.00 worth of dental work done. To save my poor husband money I am going to only get some of the work done and only spend about about $900.00 and save the rest for next year. Well I had my first appointment for one of the crowns today and let me tell you, it was bad. I really hate needles (I know I have given myself shots, my husband has given me shots and Labcorp loves to poke me), but the dentist needles are different. Anyway when he was getting to the end I really started to feel a lot more, I think the shots were wearing off. I started to cry and among other things just became very emotional right there in the office. It was great that the ladies love me. I talked to one of the ladies and she just held my hand and said that things would work out. Have I mentioned that I love the ladies there. I visited them for appointments and kids appointments so often during my first surrogacy that they all ask me questions and ask for updated pictures. They are the best.

Holy Computer Crash

2008-12-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

OK so I have been told so amny times about computers crashing. I have not had the displeasure of having to deal with that. Well last night when my computer decided to keep restarting itself after numerous attempts at trying to stop it I had to reload my computer. Thankfully I have my pictures backed up but everything else was gone and I mean gone. It took about 3 hours just to download AOL, my printer, camera software, and all the other junk.

So I really think you know you are getting old when you don't have anything planned for the New Year. I really think that when you're younger you just go and do, but having kids and a family you really don't have that luxury. I really think that the whole partying thing is over rated. Plus I have to be up a bit early to go on a trail ride all day on New Years anyhow. Old, boring people I am.

The Aftermath

2008-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

OK so the holidays are done. I can now concentrate on being a blob. I am enjoying spending time with my family, riding Jazzy, and cross-stitching. I got some great presents from my hubby (this one is for you). He got me a yellow tea pot (to match my kitchen), Guitar Hero (World Tour), and he made me a zen garden. The kids got a lot of things they wanted and are very happy. Have a Happy Weekend :o)

I'm Done

2008-12-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

So today was my last final. I sold back all my books and so glad too. I am done for at least five weeks. My brain is going to become a huge bowl of JELL-O. I am going to enjoy all of this time off till I start again Jan 26th.

Kid Free Friday

2008-12-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

So Alexya is going to a slumber party (her first one) at her best friend Alyssa's house and Ariel is going with Greg to go and pick up Samm. I think I am going to take a long bath, watch some survivor and drink tea. I will probably sprinkle the night with a little nutrition homework to just get that out of the way.

On a school note only 2 more weeks left and that is including finals. I only have a few more things to wrap up as far as projects go and then I am done (at least for 5 weeks, until next semester). Well I am off to pick up the kids and then enjoy them for a few hours.

Oh How Time Passes

2008-12-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

So slowly that is. I really just want this semester to be over. I find it very hard to motivate myself. I know that I need to get all the things done, I just don't want to so them. I offically have senioritis. I know that I am so close, but it doesn't seem like it.

Also Ariel is turning 8 years old on December 7th. We are having her party on the 6th. I cannot believe how fast they grow up. I swear just last year she was a baby. I still sometimes look at her baby pictures and just wonder where the time went. I have to say though I am happy that they get older, I am not one that longs for my kids to be babies again. I really enjoy being able to talk and teach my kids. I love that they pee in a toilet and not in a diaper. Don't get me wrong I love to cuddle, but it is nice they have a bed to go to. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and here's to getting ready for Christmas.

To Good To Be True

2008-11-25T14:59:00.000-08:00

So you know that old saying. Well I was pretty frustrated all day when I had gotten the policy from Anthem. The send the policy as well as the application that was filled out online. When I was submitting it I was talking to someone on the phone and she walked me through the last parts. Well when I had gotten the printed application the one (and only) question that I know I marked yes on was marked no. This was the question regarding if I was currently pregnant, or in the process of adoption or surrogacy. I know better then to falsify anything when it comes to insurance so I know I marked yes. I thought that it had taken so long because of the fact of that question being marked yes, but in fact they are just slow as molasses for a perfect policy. I then faxed over the paperwork to get that answer changed and now the waiting begins again. I know that is the surrogacy world there is a lot of waiting, but come on already. Have I mentioned that I really hate insurance companies.

On the Thanksgiving note, I am really having a hard time. My sister wanted me to come down there (to Murrieta) which is an 11 hour drive from my house. I really did want to go, but not have to make the drive by myself. Well my mom couldn't change her plans around to allow all of us to go together, so here I sit. I talked with my dad and had no problem going there, until I found out that he is just inviting anyone and everyone. To me Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have and being surrounded by the one's you are close to. Well now I am not sure what I want to do. I feel that if I stand my ground about not wanting to be around these people that my dad has invited I will be the bad guy. I know that keeping the peace is important as I live on the same property as him, but when is enough, enough. This has been an ongoing battle with my father pretty much my whole life. I am jsut thinking about my little family of 5 making dinner for ourselves. Samm loves to cook and would probably love it. Well I have a couple more days to think about it.

Got The Card

2008-11-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have been riding Jazzy more also. I rode for 3 hours on Friday and then when Samm was here we rode on Saturday and on Sunday and today I really spent some time making her listen. She is very bossy and when Samm rides her, Jazzy really tries to be the boss. It is really good that Samm starts to show more authority when riding her. My tail-bone is brused from falling on my butt the other day at home so I really can't canter or lope her right now. I love having a friend to ride with and I am riding her on my own in the field across the street to get her used to listening. I think if I fall off the dirt will be much softer then the street.

I am loving that I have all next week off, but I have to get a lot of the projects done. When I go back to school I only have 2 weeks of classes left and then finals. I still have not heard from the financial aid department about the SMART grant money ($2000.00). They act like they are too busy to help out the poor college students. I am really wanting to go to Hawii on a research trip on turtles, but I cannot go until I hear about the SMART grant. I am not one to take from the family. I am just so excited that I only have one more semster (only 8 units, 2 classes) and I am done. Well I am off to get some scrapbooking done for Nessa.

APPROVED

2008-11-18T22:04:00.000-08:00

So after waiting to hear from Anthem I just decided to call the underwritting department. Boy am I glad I did because I was appoved. I was really afraid because of THE question about surrogacy. YEAH!!!
I also have a new horse riding buddy now. We are going to ride at least 3 times a week or more. I have really been needing someone to ride with as Jazzy just wants to be around another horse while riding. Well I am off to be as it is getting late, although I am soooo excited I don't know if I am going to fall asleep fast, well here is to hoping. Night :o)

No Word Yet

2008-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

I really think that with all the people that are working at Anthem they can just say yes or no, but come on make a decision already. I just hope that next week sometime we will hear something.
So my horse had a severe backing up problem and we were all unable to ride her. Well today I finally found someone to get her to stop doing it. After about an hour of training she is back to her normal self. It was nice getting to ride her and not be a bit hesitant. I got her when I was about 5 months pregnant and this is the first time I have actually able to enjoy her. Sammantha had been riding her, but she is mine and I was not able to enjoy her. I will have to get a picture of me on her as I am so excited. I need to make sure to work her about 3-4 days a week. I know with school coming to an end it will be easier now. Oh and only 4 weeks left of school, including finals. I am so ready to be done. :o)

I Hate Insurances

2008-11-12T20:23:00.001-08:00

I pay about $1200.00 a month for this HealthNet policy through my husbands union. Yeah that is $14,400.00 a year and it is still an 80/20 with a $1500.00 deductible for each family member or up to $8500.00 per household. I really hate insurances. You know I am a firm believer of you get what you pay for, but this is crap. I am not getting anything near what I pay. Also going to school I pay a health fee, even if I never use the health center. So now I am going to make sure that if I am sick I am going there and not using my insurance which has a $20.00 copay for doctors visits.

On a good note I paid for my life insurance to be renewed and that is just one more thing taken care of in the long list. Well I am going to go put the kiddos to bed. Night :o)

Look What I'm In

2008-11-09T20:38:00.001-08:00

So I know that it is not a skinny girls idea of skinny jeans but for me this is a huge milestone. I am now in my pre-baby jeans. I still have some weight to loss (lower then my pre-baby weight), but it has only taken me 3 months to get here, I have lost 46 lbs since having Nessa. This just makes me realized that if I just set my mind to something I CAN do it. It just takes persistance and turning down the brownies that I so want to eat, and I mean like 20 brownies that I want to eat. I do know that I have to make sure to feed my cravings, but just in moderation. Well hope everyone had a great weekend and here's to a great week (I only have 3 days of school because of Veteren's Day and I don't have school on Friday). :o)

Only 5 Weeks Left

2008-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Of school that is. I am really getting excited as this has been a rough semester to keep motivated. Although I am doing good in my classes it is just difficult to stay motivated. So I really think my plant phys test went well. My next test is on Monday in Ecology, which shouldn't be to hard.
So I am a Black Friday lover. I know many people don't want to go out becuase of all the people, but I say stay in and let the rest of us get all the good stuff then. I really don't think it is as crazy as people think it is. You just have to plan you day out and if the line it too long then just come back later or find it at another store. I think there are going to be 4 girls this year and I am soooooo excited. This time last year I was in the 2 ww with my first IPs. I gave them the new on the Black Friday and it was the best day.
Another note about the surrogacy, I have offically applied to the insurance. I am really nervous because the specifically asked about surrogacy in the application (it was tied into being pregnant, in the process of adoption or surrogacy). I really think that the insurances are catching on. I think they should just charge a bit more and then allow it. If they make it cost effective for them then why don't they just cover it. If this insurance doesn't work it is going to be a bit of a hassle. Happy Saturday :o)

Much To Do About Nothing

2008-11-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

So as you can see it is 6:45 in the morning and I sit here at the computer. Well to start off Alexya got sick (I think from the corndog at Applebee's) and threw up everywhere, so at 11:00 pm I was cleaning puke off of the bed, pillow, stuffed animals, rug in the bathroom, toilet, and last but not least. Alexya. I had to give her a quick rinse as it was in her hair and in her eyes. I then went back to studying for my Plant Phys test until about 1:00 am. I then had to get up early to make sure that Greg could go to work by making sure Alexya was OK to go to school. So in waking her up, Ariel got up. I then decided to just get up instead of laying in bed awakw, cuz once I am up, I am up. I am sooooo tired and the fact that Greg has to work overtime and therefore I have to miss my last class to take Ariel to her soccer party. Oh the life of a mom.
I am also waiting on my check for gas money for school (via the Dept. of Rehab.) and as you can see it is already the 6th and no check, it is suppoed to be here right before the first of the month. I am not hurting for money, but I would really like not to have to pull from my own account, as the only reason I am going to school is because of the Dept. of Rehab.

Well I am off to make sure that the kids are ready for school and then off to school with me, I just can't wait to take the test :o(. Hope all is well and happy Thursday (it is my Friday, so TGIT).

Sorrow for Tomorrow

2008-11-03T18:23:00.000-08:00

So I have been paying attention to the polls and I really hope they are wrong. I am not a big person to air my political view, but I do feel that the lesser of the two stupids is McCain. So there it is. Also we have some really hot propositions here in California as well and I have pretty much made up my mind on those as well, even though they mostly are all wanting money for the tax payers to pay. I really do think that the train from the Bay Area to LA is pretty cool it will cost waaaayyyy to much.

We had an OK Halloween, I decided to change things up this year and it really didn't pay off. Alexya was a cat and Ariel was a rabbit and then a princess (due to ketchup all over the rabbit outfit). The kids really didn't get that much candy, not that I am complaining as most of the time they don't eat all of it (and that is spaced out over a year). Well happy voting for everyone as I vote bright and early before school :o)

It's Been Busy

2008-10-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

OK, so I guess it has been quite some time since my last post and I would like to apoligize to you (yeah Cyn I think you are the only one). I have been doing so much school stuff lately and totally forgot. I really think Ariel has reached a frustration point with soccer, she was really upset on Saturday, as they lost again. They have tied 2 games and lost all the rest. She really likes to play, but she said she wants to win just one, well this Sat. is their last chance as it is the last game.

Well I will be sure to post a picture of the kids in their costumes, they really like them and they are not the top of the line, I actually only paid $20.00 for both of them. Happy Tuesday to all :o)

Fun Filled Weekend

2008-10-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

OK so it was not as fun as I made it sound. We first had to find someone to get my horse from jail (animal control) and then pay out the nose for all of that. And to think that they were going to sell my horse the next day for starting at $5.00. I put $3000.00 into that horse. Needless to say I was very upset with my father and he didn't even care. Then we went to Ariel's soccer game. I really enjoy watching her, but I get so frustrated with all the girls just standing there. I know that winning is not everything, but come on one game would be nice, just one. Ariel got to play goalie and she did so good that they coach wanted her to play the whole game, but she wanted to run with the rest of the girls. Needless to say the other team scored in the second half after Ariel was goalie. She did say that she wanted to play it again next game and the coach really seemed to want her too as well.

Then on Sunday my step-daughter, Sammantha, and I went and collected galls. They are what people call Oak Apples on Valley Oak trees. They are not apples though they are a gall created by a wasp. They then hatch out of the galls when the time is right and all their babies too. It took about 2 hours and it was a little muggy in the park. I was then supposed to get my hair cut, something I have needed for like a year now, but was called home to meet some new neighbors. They have a daughter named Ariel as well, one year behind my Ariel. They really seemed nice.

Well I am off to study for my Nutrition test, I'll let you know the results of that probably Thursday or next Tuesday. Happy Sunday :o)

This One's For You

2008-10-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this one is for you Cyn. So I know I am on a "diet" (lifestyle change), but reading all the conld stone creamery remarks from Cyn has really made me want one, so I got one yesterday. But get this, I am standing in line waiting to order and this person in front of me orders, are you ready for it, cotton candy ice cream with reeces peanut butter cups. Seriously the only people that would eat that are someone who has broken taste buds or a pregnant women LOL. I never had any nasty cravings when I was prego with any of my kids. With Nessa it was fruit and tons of it and living out where I live I get it right from the tree.

So while we were in Vegas apparently my father's cows got out of the pasture and my dad made sure he got the cows in, but didn't check for the horse. I get back and notice she really hasn't come around so yesterday I go out in the field and look for her, and she is nowhere to be found. So I start to freak out, she was $2500.00 and about $500.00 more in extras and my dad didn't even check for her. Well we start to troll the neighborhood and talked to some ladies. They say that Animal control picked her up, great. So we finally hear from them this morning and they have her. Now we just have to see how much it is going to cost us to get her out. Also we don't have a trailer yet and she is about 25 minutes from our house and now we are waiting to hear from friends to see if they can help us. I really sometimes feel like if it weren't for bad luck I would have no luck at all.

On another note, Ariel has a late soccer game today and I hated missing last weeks game, so I am a excited to see her play. I really think she has a raw talent for soccer. Alexya just can't decide what she wants to do, but this is her typical personality. I think I am going to put her back in soccer or she can do pitching machine. It really drives me nuts when she cannot decide what she wants to do.

School is going. I am really not into school anymore, I think it stems from the 3 solid years I have been going. Also I just feel overwhelmed with all the projects and waht not that need to be done and I have to depend on a group to get them all done. I am realy more of a person to get things done on my own and not depend on others. Especially when they don't do what they are supposed to do. I feel like I am back in grade school sometimes. These students are adults yet they act like children and you have to pester them to get things done. Guess that is life. Live, learn, and laugh. :o)

Home Sweet Home

2008-10-15T13:19:00.000-07:00

OK so it has been a while. I was planning on posting when I was in Vegas but those money grubbers wanted $15.99 for one day of internet use. Like they don't take enough of peoples money when they gamble. So here are some pictures that I took while there.

This is where we stayed

This is the whole tower and we rode

the ride on the top called the Big Shot

This is an airplane view of the strip
This is the night view of the strip on top

of the Stratosphere

We went and saw Carrot Top and I was
laughing so hard I was crying.

We also when to the Bodies Exibit. Now as you know I am getting my degree in Biology so this was the most fascinating thing ever. They were real bodies. The most interesting part was the area of the development of a baby. They had from 28 days up to 32 weeks (a bit sad though as those babies were going to be someone's child).

I really do think that we walked about 15 miles while there. Everything we did was just walking from one place to another. We ate at this really cool Japanese place called Red and we had sushi (something I couldn't have for the past year) and it was really delicious. We also ate at this place that said they were the world's best BBQ and let me tell you it was GOOD. All in all it was a realy fun time and much needed adult time with the hubby.

Viva Las Vegas

2008-10-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow early in the morning, we will be off to the airport and I am sooooooo excited. I have not been in Vegas since I was 18 (not old enough to drink or gamble) and got married at 2:00 in the morning. We will be staying at the sister hotel to the Stratusphere. This is some well deserved me and hubby time since the surrogacy. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but I really need some adult time. I am not a big gambler so I will be taking tons of pictures and being on a diet I really cannot drink very much so I will be taking tons of pictures. I will be sure to post some of them.

Also I only have 10 weeks of class left and on Tuesday I sign up for my last semester. The closer it get the more excited I get about being done. I feel that the 3 years I have been going to school is finally giong to pay off. I am only going to be taking 2 classes next semester (entomology and herpetology), so I have pleanty of time to be relaxed about the next surrogacy. Well hope everyone has a great weekend.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2008-10-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

So today I am an old 27 years old. I really think that I am getting to an age where it is just another day, but I won't let anyone else know that. My present from my husband was

a pink iPod. He also got pink ear buds and an iPod alarm clock/radio (our alarm clock was on the fritz).

I am going to go to the movies with one of my SMO friends, my mom, and a bunch of our kids. We are going to go to lunch and then to see the movie Igor. I'm going to leave hubby at home as it is football day and he took me out to Red Lobster last night, mmmmmmmm.

I would really love an In and Out burger for lunch (I have been really craving a good burger), but it is so bad for me and my diet. I really think that they should just take all the fat out of the burger so I can have them, but I guess that is what makes it good though. I think reading Cyn's posts have really started getting me into the burger thing. Oh well, I am sure I will find something I like in Chico that is at least somewhat healthy. After my fun time in the city I need to come home and study for my Ecology test tomorrow, as I have been procrastinating for some time now, my birthday present to myself is to get a good grade on that test. Sleeping on that book tonight, as I really think it helped with my Plant Physiology test, or at least I hope it did. Happy Sunday :o)

The Longest Week

2008-10-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

I swear this feels like the longest week ever. I have been studying so much that my brain hurts, I swear it does. I know it is an old college myth but at this point my only hope is to sleep on the book and it will diffuse into my head. I really do hate plant physiology. I just can't seem to get it to make sense.

I have also signed with an agency and hoping for the best. They sound really honest and that is all that I can hope for. I really think that things are going to go good. I also talked with my PIM (past intended mother) and oh how I adore her. She is a great mom and her husband is a great dad. I couldn't have wished for anything better in people. She is also the best person to talk to when I find myself stressed. Don't get me wrong my husband listens to me rant (or at least he pretends), but my PIM seems to know how to help me with and have it make sense. Also Nessa is getting huge, at 8 weeks 2 days, she is 14 lbs 14 oz and is 24 inches long. Happy and healthy and oh so loved. Well I am off for more book time with my plant physiology book. Wish me luck on the test.

Fun at the Fair!!!

2008-09-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ariel won the coloring contest at the fair (the reason why we even went) and had gotten some free ride tickets. I have to say I think it was the best colored one there, not like I am biased or anything.
This picuture is of an alpacas. There is a place that sew stuff out of alpaca fur and sell it. It looks like it is wearing a tupee, huh?
On another note, after the agency that I signed up with went south I placed an ad on SMO and boy did I get a response. I have to say I can multi-task but I think I am a little overwhelmed. I want to have a baby for everyone, there are such wonderful IPs out there and it becomes more difficult to decide what to do. I am still debating on whether to go indy or an agency. I know that I need to make sure that whatever I do it is right for me. So school is going and all the test are starting and it really stinks. Although I did get a 96% on my nutrition test, it is really an easy class, but it makes me feel good just the same. Well I am off to study for my plant physiology class which I don't know if it is even going to help, well I guess I can give it the old college try (I am sooooo funny) :o)

Oh What To Do

2008-09-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

So after dealing with some agency issues, I have now finally decided that I need to move on to a new agency. I feel like I did my research on choosing an agency and now to start all over again stinks. I know I need to stand my ground and I know that it is OK to do.

So I only have about 11 weeks left. School seems to be going by a lot faster then I thought it would. I cannot believe that I am about to sign up for my last semester of college. It feels so good to say that I am going to finish and I only have 6 more units to go after this semester. I cannot wait to hold that diploma in my hand and know I did it and to show my kids that they can do it too.

I am grateful for my husbands support and I don't think I could have done it without him. I know that I have found a good man and I work every day at making him know I appreciate him. Although my womenly emotions come now and then. Have a Happy Hump day (what is left of it).

Look What We Did

2008-09-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

So after a morning of soccer, my step-daughter and I decided to give the horse a bath and do her hair. Isn't she lovely. I think that look was one of "what the heck are you doing to me". We are hoping that this cuts down on the cockaburs (sp) that get stuck in her all the time. I am sure we can find another animal to torture as we have tons of others. I think we will take the sheep for a walk and kill to birds with one stone, getting her used to the halter and me getting some exercise. We just have to catch her first.

Long Time Coming

2008-09-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

So I guess some background is needed. My daughter, Ariel, was born on December 5, 2000 and if you are a parent you know that is 5 days past the cut-off date for starting kindergarten (in public schools). Well Ariel went to 2 years of preschool so by the time she reached kindergarten she really knew everything they were going to teach her. We met with her teacher and the principal (which I cannot stand) and he said that we should be happy she is so advanced and to not let her go above what she is learning, yeah stupid idiot. So when she entered first grade we thought, OK she will be fine, well when we got her first report card she was already ahead of the benchmark that you need to be at when you graduate first grade. So she started her going to second grade math and first grade everything else. Well this year we start out the same, her being ahead of most all the things she needs to know and because of the budget not passing (oh that is another rant) they didn't get a new math curriculum. So after talking it over with my husband, he decided to call the principal and do something about it. Amazingly they said OK we'll put her in third grade, bumping her up (something I have been trying to get them to do for 2 years). I have to say that I should have just had my husband call in the very beginning, I just thought that I should handle it.

I have to say that I am actually feeling really good about the diet thing now. I really feel like I can get down to 180 (or even lower) by February. I also got this work-out set from my secret sister (a surrogate website thing). It is from this guy named Tony Horton, apparently he is really good at what he does. Also I found that I really like most of the Kashi products. I also found that when I don't think about what I can and can't eat it seems to be much easier, eating. Well I guess I should get back to school work as it is a never ending study session. Also we have a very busy weekend of soccer and working out. Hope everyone has a great weekend :o)

What a Long Day

2008-09-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the pictures that I got recently.
I cannot believe she is getting sooooo big. I have to say that I am a very pround surrogate when I see the pictures of her and how she is fullfilling her parents dreams. I love seeing her grow-up and I get so many pictures that it is great.
So some good news is that I heard from my agency. When I talked to her she had informed me that she was on vacation for a couple of days and that the receptionist was to let everyone know who called for her. Well she didn't. Anyway, she had said she got my profile on PDF which apparently took some time as the application was 32 pages and was wondering if she could give my profile to a few IP's (one in San Diego and one in Colorado) and I of course said yes. So she said I should hear from her by the end of this week. So here's hoping.

I also had my 6 week PP check-up and I am glad to say I am not broken. He gave me the all clear to proceed with another surrogacy and I am excited because I really liked him and wanted to stay with him and now I can. I also got some paperwork for my new agency and I hopefully won't have as much medical stuff done.
I think I am getting burnt out of school. I just feel as though that is all I do. Many times I just want to be at home scrapbooking and taking care of my kids. Well, I just have to remember that this is what is best for hte family in the long run. Well I am off to write a plant physiology lab report on the water potential of potato cells, you know you are jealous :o)

Only 13 Weeks To Go

2008-09-12T11:57:00.001-07:00

Of school that is. The first round of exams are to start next week and then continue for about 2 weeks. I am glad that each class is spread out a little more this semester then all in the same week.

I have my 6 week PP check up and am hoping all goes well. The doctor didn't say anything after I had Nessa to warrent any concerns, but it is still a little nervous wondering. I am also going to talk to my doctor about getting pregnant again in 5-7 months. I know they like women to wait a year in some cases, but my kids were 14 months apart and I had no problems.

I have now called and e-mailed the agency which I summited an application and I have heard nothing. I felt like going with this agency would be better because it is smaller and they would be more hands on, but apparently I was wrong. I am now just getting frustrated at the lack of communication. I waited 2 and a half weeks before contacting them about the status. They have not even said if I was accepted or not and if I am not then I can move onto bigger and better things. I think that this is just a sign as to how they are going to handle things in the future and I have already delt with this from the first agency. I know that there is a lot of time that needs to be put into researching the right agency and I did. I had 10 agencies that I was looking at and found that they seemed to suit me best. I guess the best laid plans, still have dead ends.

On another note I have gotten updates on Nessa and that always brightens my day. I now need to run off to town and get my oil changed, packages mailed, car washed(at the manual one), and then pick up the kids. I think that it being my day off from school I should get to lay around the house eating bon bons. Isn't that what men think we do anyways. Well all I have to say is TGIF.

So Much to Do, So Little Time

2008-09-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

Starting my weekend off was having to pick up my step-daughter, Sammatha, at the Sacramento airport (which is a 2 hour drive). We didn't get home till about 10:00 pm and went straight to bed. On Saturday we had soccer at 12:00 pm and my cousin's wedding at 3:00 pm and was there until about 8:00 pm. Then for some reason (probably all the beer he drank) my husband wanted to get The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the kids to see. We went to Wal-Mart, Blockbuster, and then Hollywood, who finally had it. I remember watching this movie a lot as a kid, but I forgot how much stuff was in it and I am telling you I had a lot of 'splanin' to do. Needless to say we all started to get sleepy before the end of it and headed off to be at about 11:00 pm. The next morning I had to get up and get what little scrapbooking done I could and then atr 11:00 am Sammantha and I headed off to meet some fellow surrogates for lunch (in Sacramento). And to kill three birds with one stone I was also delivering my almost 200 oz of breast milk to Cyn, for her IP's twins due in March, and dropping Samm off back at the airport.

I have to say that I usually don't mind not sleeping in, but I wanted to soooo bad today, but no I was up at 6:50 am to get the kiddos off to school. Then off to school I went to start my day off helping one of my professors with research he is doing involving plants. It was not so fun and he is not much of a talker about anything. He is a serious dork and he talks too scientific sometimes. After my 3 hours at school I was headed back home to get the girls and then head off to the dentist for more dental work. Mind you I have been to the dentist about 15 times in the last 3 months and I am not kidding. Between me and my root canal and crown and the kids needing teeth pulled I have practically moved in there, good thing I really like all the women there and the 27 year old hottie dentist doesn't hurt either.

Oh and I almost forgot, 2 weeks down, 14 weeks to go for school. I really think it helps me to count down the weeks, maybe it will make it go faster. Also I am still waiting to hear back from the agency I filled out the 32 page application for. I am so anxious to get started, even to just get the medical stuff taken care of and out of the way. Well hopefully we will get things going or I am just going to find another agency to love me LOL.

Look what I Made

2008-09-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

OK so I would like to introduce Nessa Catherine. She was born August 4th, 2008 ,weighing 9 lbs 4 oz, and 20 inches long to my wonderful IP's. In this picture she is only 2 weeks old and she weighed 10 lbs 8 oz.
In this picture she is 4 weeks old and she weighed 11 lbs 15 oz.
Remember, I told you she was a moose, but the cutest moose in Canada. I am so glad to have helped my IP's to have a precious baby and I would not give it up for anything. I think this is why I want to do it again. I cannot explain the feeling of seeing the parents look at their baby for the first time, it is priceless.

On another note, I hate dieting. I am the most unpleasant person to be around when I am hungry and I know this because my husband told me. I know that I need to get down to my pre-pregnant weight before I can get pregnant again, but I hate having to feel like I am starving. I just need to get through the first couple of weeks and then I am fine. I really do not mind working out at my gym though and my Wii Fit is the funnest thing since eating ice cream. OK no not really but I have to find fun in working out. I am the best hula hooper in the house compared to the 6, 7 and uncoordinated hubby, but I am still the best.

Feels Like Easter

2008-08-31T18:28:00.001-07:00

Bet you wonder what this is!!! This is a duck egg. And where is the duck egg you as? I will have to say you never know, that is why I feel like it is Easter every morning I go out to the front yard and look where the duck have laid them. This one is by the hay and where they will be tomorrow only the ducks know.
There are times I love living on a farm. Nothing is every the same from day to day. I love all my animals (even though some may become dinner). I think that as kids you can never have too much fun when you can learn from your own front yard. Many times I have the kids ask me questions and I think it is just amazing that I can teach them by just taking them outside.

Nothing much has been happening here lately. My surrobaby, Nessa, is one month old tomorrow and I got some beautiful pictures of her today. I will have to ask her mom and dad if I can post them here as I want to make sure they are OK with it. I have to say that she is a moose. I talked to her mom and she said she was 10 lbs 8 oz (on Friday, August 22) which meant she was only 2 and 1/2 wks old. I told you, a moose. She has another appt. on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. I am going to guess 11 lbs 5 oz. Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend and not having to do to work on Monday.

First Week Down, 15 More To Go

2008-08-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

OK so after my first week of school, I don't hate it as much. I have been dealing with a lot of drama in fixing my schedule. At first I only had school on Tues, Thur, and Fri, now due to classes I don't have to take (cause Chico State screwed up) I am now going every day. For most people this would be fine, but I live 45 minutes away from campus and it sucks to have to drive 80 miles a day five days a week for 16 weeks. The good news is that I acutally have some cool classes now and I think I will enjoy this much more. For one of my classes I will be teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th graders science. I have no desire to be a teacher but I have kids and this will be pretty easy for me and it is 2 units. The decision I have to make now is to have only a 7 unit load next semester and take less financial aid or fill it up with "fun" classes, like yoga (never done it but I heard it is fun). I hate that I am a planner (to an extreme) and it will just drive me nuts until I make a final decision.