Problems with Internet

Hi All !! This is Rachel's friend Laura, from New Jersey passing on a message from Rach.

She wanted me to let you all know that her internet is having problems b/c once again...she has reached her FAP threshold (happy to report...we don't have such issues in NJ).

She'll be back on the airwaves as soon as she can. She's headed to sell purses this weekend and hoping to find a wireless connection there, but in case she doesn't she'll be back on Sunday, from her parent's house.

She says: "Please don't give up on my blog!! I'll be back, just have to limit the amount of pictures that I download. GRRRR...I HATE wireless"

Change Of Pace

Going to stop with the vacation updates just once. Our town is celebrating it's 125th b-day this weekend, do any of you others have this? Besides all the other stuff I'll be doing, parade entry, working for the community center food/beer stand which I'm just SURE will come with it's own drama, I've been asked by my pastor to give my testimony.

I declined the first time she asked but she asked me to reconsider. Sooooo being the kind of person that i am, i agreed. I really do have a testimony but just wasn't sure this was the place i wanted to start sharing it. But I'm doing to do it. I'm basing it on a verse out of Matthew about having faith as small as a mustard seed. Those that read this and know me via this or in real life (IRL) please send me some input. I have the rough draft written but it's very interesting to hear what other people see. For instance my pastor could write it for me and i used some of what she said. Do any of you have anything you think i could use?? I'm not going to get to personal in that I'm not going to talk about the many Clomid cycles, the IUI and then the 5 IVF's, the fits of rage i had after the last failed cycle i did and the ever so lovely filling of being over stimulated. Ahhh i just thought about those times. WOW i really can't believe i survived. Heck i only have 3 minutes:)

When it's done I'll post it on here for you all to see my soul bared. Of course i think i bare my soul more here then i will Sunday. BFF-E is coming too this weekend. little does she know how much i have her doing. She offered, i took her up on it:) She didn't want to sell beer, neither do i, so i have her helping with my purses and kids! Boy will i need help with that part!

Please share with me some ideas, sentences, etc i could use. I would forever be grateful!

Vacation Recap #2

Boy i wonder how many recaps I'll have? EVERYONE is sleeping, C'man, DH and Miss A. The kids need it too. C'man hasn't napped in days and with Bible School these past couple days he is CRABBY!!

OK but this is about vacation. I left off Thursday i believe.

Lincoln Tunnel

Friday was the big day where we went in to NYC for the Broadway show of Spamalot. We left mid afternoon. Laura's friends daughters watched the kids and i think they all had a good time. We had a great time. When growing up we would head in to NYC every summer for 1 or 2 days. I never was to fond of the city but it's better now that I'm older. Still very loud, smelly in some places and lots of people but now that I'm an adult it's not as daunting as when I was younger. We ate at a great restaurant called Carmine's. Shout out to the new friends we made while sitting at the bar. I gave them my blog so say hello if you're reading this. It's a family style Italian restaurant where the portions are HUGE and you share it. It was great. Here are some pics.

It was this evening too that we started talking about tattoos. Maybe it was the one to many $11 drinks I had, but if there had been a tattoo shop right out the door and i knew what i wanted, I'd probably had done it. No regrets either:)

Then we walked to Broadway to catch the show. It was just amazing seeing a show IRL (in real life) The sound effects, the backgrounds, just EVERYTHING was way cool. Of course no pictures were allowed but Drew Lachey was in it and did a great job and then Stephen Collins who was the dad on 'Touched By An Angel' I believe that's the show, was the lead. Great job by all. It was just a great evening. I could use a weekend like that, NYC, Adults only, food, drinks, etc and i really hope someday we can do that. See me in there!?

Oh and we took a cab and i was busy looking for the 'Cash Cab'. Do any of you know that show?? Well we didn't find the Cash Cab, maybe next time. I used to watch that show with the guys i worked with and was hoping we could find it b/c b/w Laura, Mario and Jeff i know without a doubt we'd win some $$. Sorry, I'd had been no help at all! L & M had never even heard of it....have you?

We got home that evening by midnight so that wasn't even bad. But we didn't get to bed till 130! See a pattern here. That's why i say i think we averaged 5 hrs off sleep the entire time we were gone. But is it ever worth it.

On Saturday L & M had a wedding to attend mid afternoon. We spent most of the day just hanging out by the pool. It's so divine. C'man is a swimming machine with his goggles and swimmer floaties and just loved jumping off the board. Once Miss A got IN HER floaty, she loved to just float around the pool.


That evening my brother, his wife and there new baby came to visit. They were already in NJ so they stayed over night by us. I don't have many pics of Baby 'O' and hoping i can scam some off of my bro and Laura. He's ADORABLE! When he cries he sticks his lip out and it's SO funny! I was to busy huggin and lovin him to take pictures AND making sure my kids didn't have to much fun with him. So cute.

OK I'll leave off here and save the next recap for another day. I promise they won't all be this long! Shout out too to my niece Megan. Her and I talked today over facebook. She just came out of a relationship and I'm worried about her. She's down in Florida and trying to not think of the bastard, ass hole, sorry 'guy'. I told her I may have to come down and kick his ars and then get her in to gear:) Sorry for the harsh words but doesn't it make you mad when someone you love and care about gets hurt or is hurting??? She'll pull thru i know she will. I gave her my blog so that will leave her with lots of reading to do. Don't forget Meg's gotta leave comments or better yet, you could start your own blog.

Vacation Recap #1

I think we're finally getting back in to the swing of things. However C'man has decided he's done with naps. Therefore it really limits my time to blog. But he's outside playing now so i have a couple minutes. I may have to do my vacation recaps in stages.


Marley and Dreyfus

OK so from the beginning. These two dogs are how Laura and I met. We breed our Chocolate Lab 'momma mocha' with another lab. I then listed the pups on the Internet and somehow Laura found me. They had lost there beloved dogs years earlier and were ready for another and thought 2 would be the way to go. The every day communication began. They were going to be a surprise for her husband. In the course of 3 + weeks of communication I often wondered why they didn't have kids. Having just completed my first IVF i was yearning for someone to share my journey, sadness, hopelessness, despair, etc with.

I'm really not sure how it came up but she too had been thru IVF and knew EXACTLY what I was going thru. What an answer to prayer! It really turned out to be a small world b/c Laura and Mario live in New Jersey, that was where my mom was born and raised. Then they, like us, loved labs AND the infertility left bruises on their heart just as it was beginning to on ours.

Flash forward the dogs are now 5 years old?? and our friendship continues just as strong as ever. She surprised me by coming out for a baby shower in honor of C'mans arrival. What a surprise that was. Anyone that knows me knows that surprises are very hard to pull off. She stayed the weekend and we were able to bond in person. Then she and my mom, were the first to hear C'mans cries as he entered the world. At 5 1/2 weeks of age C'man and I flew out to there house for a week and then the next summer she came here for a couple days. This trip was the 2nd summer we've been out there.

It's pretty amazing how God brings people in to your life for a reason. I can not express how amazing God's timing was in this friendship. Feeling such loneliness and despair she is just what i needed.

OK so back to the vacation. We flew out of Omaha Wednesday late afternoon. Everything was fine till we laid over in Detroit. We ended up taking off 1 hr behind schedule. I'll spare you the details but just say how relieved i was that unlike another lady we met, we didn't sit out on the runway for FOUR hours!! I'm not kidding, i would have plead insanity if I had to be on a runway that long. Heck i wouldn't have to plead it i would BE IT.

We got in at 1145PM and were home and in bed by 2AM. Late night. Thankfully the kids were just amazing. They slept most of the way from Detroit to Philly and the once in the van they quickly fell asleep again and we were able to put them to bed at Laura's with no problems! Thank you GOD!!!

Thursday we hung out in there beautiful pool. Here we are living the good life. What vacation is all about! Friends, pool and drinks!

Enough for today. It's already taken me hr to do this much and now both kids are up and ready to go. Say a prayer tho if you could, for my dad. He is very sick and in the hospital. He's had diarrhea for a number of days and then high temps. Docs don't know whats wrong. Pray for knowledge for them and peace of mind for Dad. He is very down about having to be in the hospital and still feeling rotten. Poor guy I'm so sad and hope he comes out of this all soon!

We're Home

We made it back to Iowa last night. No delays on the way home this time, however the kids were a little more buckie. We got back to our house shortly after 11pm. I tried to drive home but i could not stay awake in fact i don't even remember driving. DH took over and i fell asleep immediately. Still very exhausted today. I think we averaged about 4-5 hours of sleep/night! I'm not used to that at all. But it's all worth it.


This was us a week ago:






I'd post a picture of me now but it's to scary:) We had a fab time. NYC was great, food, socializing, the beach all just amazing. I really loved the beach. Laura's sister in law rents a house just 6 houses down from the beach. That sure was nice for us to have some where to change, shower, etc. Wouldn't that be divine to rent a beach house for the summer?

We all have great tans and colds:) The kids did amazingly well. C has Bible school this evening. I hope he's not to tired.

I'll download the pictures some day soon but for right now i need to get things cleaned up and put away.

Thanks Laura for the amazing time!!!

Tattoo ideas

I want a tattoo and needing ideas. Those that know me, and don't know me, tell me what you think? What should I get? Where should I get? I am thinking of getting it either on my big toe or shoulder. I would like to be able to 'hide' it if necessary. Keep in mind i'm on the more conservative side of this.

Broadway was AWESOME last night! We ate at a great restaurant, Carmincs. We sat next to a nice guy at the bar, sorry we never caught names although I did give him my business card WITH my blog, and the bar tender. Hi guys if you're checking in! The food and drinks were wonderful. Maybe to wonderful with the drinks.

I just can't say how amazing last night was. It was fabulous. We are so lucky to experience broadway, NYC, Time Square, etc. Having vacationed in the NYC area growing up it looks a lot different at night. What a lot of people and hustle bustle everywhere.

Ok the laptop is getting HOT on my lap. I must get going and continue my search for my tattoo! Please give me ideas!

New Jersey

We have made it and having a great time!! I'm actually sitting in Mario & Laura's beautiful kitchen listening to the kids play, DH is putting silverware away for the last 30 min and two dogs are sitting peacefully by me. Tell just now when C'man dropped something and they jumped 5 ft off the ground.
Getting here was a little interesting. Real quickly Omaha to Detroit was fine accept for the man sitting next me had to use the bathroom 40 min in to the flight and A had just fallen asleep. I was rather cross to say the least.
Then in Detroit L told me that N'west had laid off 4000 people. N'west was what we were flying. Our plane was delayed do to mechanical problems so they had to bring in another. Then one of the 2 wingman needed to back the plane out 'walked'. That was our 3rd strike!
Eventually we got in the air. Our kids were great considering everything. There was a baby on board and older kids that were far worse then ours. I heard the mother tell her 3 kids to shut up! You could feel the tension in the air by everyone.
We got in one hr later then planned. So that wasn't bad. We were here and in bed by 2AM!!
OK this lap top keeps skipping around on me!!!

Yesterday was spent in and out of the pool! They have just a beautiful pool, back yard, and house. Laura cooked a delicious supper of chicken, hamburgers, shrimp and a variety of salads!YUMMY!

Here shortly the 4 of us are going to the outlet malls!! This afternoon by 2 M&L will be home from work and we will be heading in to the city, NYC, for Spamalot!! We can not WAIT!! I hope and pray the kids cooperate for the babysitters b/c they've been a little bit of a handful!!

Gotta run!!

Prepare For Take Off

Tomorrow, Wednesday, we fly out to LAURA and MARIO'S!! We are SO excited. I'm busy packing suitcases and trying to stay with in the generous 50lbs they allow us!! Kidding of course. However, since we purchased 3 tickets that allows us 3 suitcases. My plan is pack 3 large suitcases 1/2 full. But looking at a half empty suitcase only makes me think i can pack more. Oh dear.



4th of July was nothing exciting here. I've been incredibly sick with a kidney infection and very dehydrated. This past week has been hell. I'm fully on the mend and can now fully agree how important drinking water is. How much better i felt after drinking and drinking! Amazing! We, well the kids didn't, see any fireworks this year. That is just to late for my little ones to stay up to. Especially with us leaving on vacation. I enjoyed some from the bathroom window upstairs and fell asleep to the banging. Yes living way out in the country we still can hear the booms. The dogs can too thank you very much!!



Here's some pics i attempted to take on Sunday before church. You can judge for yourselves how well it went. Typical
Miss A having a fit and then remembering she doesn't like grass.
ok so a little better. Not the height of the corn. This lines our backyard. I love it when it's this high. Feels so private back here.
Of course C'man can ham it up so good for the camera. Mr Photo Man
Now i REALLY am mad and this dam grass. GET ME OUTTA HERE!
How about daddy. I wish we all could have our picture taken but i haven't taught the dogs how to do that yet. BFF-E when you come that's your mission:)

When C'man sees a plane in the sky he says 'someday', his 'someday' is coming tomorrow buddy!

Happy 4th

I can't believe it's the 4th of July already!! The summer is 1/2 over!! Celebrate our independence today and be thankful you have it!! So many don't and pray for those that are fighting for it!!!



We leave Wednesday for NJ so lots of things going on in preparation!! I'll leave you with some pics of my favorite little life guard in training!!!

Picture Problems

Get out of HERE!! I just had a post ready and it disappeared. GRRR So TAKE 2:

I'm having a problem with some of my pictures in that i click on say, a cute picture of the kids in the pool, and get ME looking like a dork. Anyone know what's going on? It's not all my pictures, just a/b 30 or so, but they are the cutest ones of the kids. Please help.

Then anyone know how i can reference back to a post or blog, with out listing the entire URL. I want to be able to say click here and have it take you to it. Or in what i'm going to share now from Wendi's blog i'd like to have it where you just click her name and it takes you. Oh wait!! i figured it out!! Golly darn!! OK now i have to see if it works.

At any rate please check out Wendi's blog. Her and her DH adopted a beautiful little boy and she recently found out she's pregnant. STOP right there!! Don't even think yeah that's what happens or say anything out loud to that effect. Read her post and you'll see why. I couldn't have said it any better then she did and i feel pretty darn close to the way she does.

Take a moment and read it please.

10 Years of Marital Bliss

DH and I celebrated 10 years yesterday (June 28th). I was able to find a new, and great, babysitter and we headed to the city for supper and errands. Nothing romantic in fact DH fell asleep before me and I stayed up late reading! But it was nice to run errands without kids. We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant where the food is great, it's fast, and the service has been A++. Although i did get something I didn't order, or there was a misunderstanding, but I did get what I wanted and quickly.

Afterwards we ran to SAMS where we picked up the usual, dog food, cat food, lemonade and I think that was about it. Oh a present for Laura:) Those items are our staples!! Usually diapers too but we're going thru less and less of them these days!! Potty training here we come!!

We went to a variety of clothing stores trying to find denim shorts and shirts for DH. I don't think i updated this since requesting advice on air travel to NJ. That's DONE we're going!! Actually July 9th!! Coming right up. However, DH has NOTHING for clothes. I mean it too!!

I'm going to share this little story and I guess I'll find out if DH reads this. We were in Younkers and DH INSISTS that he can still wear the same size he wore 10 years ago!! What is up with that men?? Really, it's not going to make us think any different if you have to go up ONE size!! So he grabs this shirt in a XL, i think it was. I didn't like it. It was one of those waffle knit, boob showing shirts. You know one of those men who think they have pecks they need to flaunt but since they can't go shirtless they wear theses kind of shirts. I didn't like it. I knew it wasn't going to fit. But i thought FINE go try it on.

In the mean time, the sales associate working is in the area and being that I just returned a pair of dress slacks that were TO SMALL, i knew I could recruit her to help. He's insisting that the shirt fits, I'm insisting HELL NO!! I suggested we ask the sales associate. You know where this is going???

I push him in front of me i stand directly behind him. I ask 'so what do you think of this shirt?'. DH 'models' it for her while I'm standing there shaking my head, doing the cut throat thing, you get the idea. She politely says 'well I think a size larger might be better'. (i knew there wasn't a size larger) THANK YOU SALES ASSOCIATE!!!!

OK so don't attack me. It really was to small. One washing and it would for sure be known as his boob shirt!! I can't him humiliating Laura and Mario while in NJ!!!

So yeah, shopping with him is HORRIBLE!! He agrees. He kept saying I'm going shopping by myself next time!! But we did end up with some shorts and shirts. I think he's set!! I can say i got NOTHING! Oh wait i got a pair of 'Iowa' shorts. It says IOWA on the arse! Probably not what i should be attracting attention to at the beach eh??

I have some great pics to post at a later date of the kids and life on the farm. Make sure you check out http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=81313&v=1a you'll see me on his website!! Looking just HORRIBLE I look like i have a pole coming out of my head!! Darn wind!!

Peddaling Coast To Coast

Oh don't worry, I'm not going to do this!! Are you kidding? I can't be on a bike for longer then 1 hr without my ars hurting like no other!! But i met someone that is doing this!!

In comes Richard Ostrowski. He is biking across America! Can you even imagine? I most certainly can NOT!! I get exhausted even thinking about the idea. Besides the obvious of training there is no way in HECK I'd be able to live with everything right on my bike. Camping behind schools, eating fast food, sleeping in a tent on the ground, oh my just no way!!

But Richard does this all and really seems to be enjoying it. I actually saw Richard last night biking through town after we finished eating supper. Had i known then what/who he was i would have picked him up and brought him home with us giving him a nice bed, home cooked meal, shower and do some laundry. But i had no idea. Instead i saw him today.

DH called for me to come get the kids from the farm. On my way over i saw Richard on his bike as he passed our house. I passed him, rolled down my window and asked if he needed anything think. Nope he was good to go. I

asked the obvious 'Where ya going?"

to which he replied 'Across America' Excuse me???

I chuckled. HE WAS SERIOUS!!

We talked a little along the hwy before i asked if i could run home get my camera and pen and paper to write down his blog.

I met back up with him in a neighbors driveway where we talked about what he was doing. I was just shocked!! It was so amazing listening to him!! I was glad i could come home and get a pen and paper b/c i got to write down his blog and i asked if he would like me to email his wife to let her know i saw him and he's doing well. Although a little lonely he said.

I offered him my cell phone to make some calls but he politely declined. He hasn't had tv/radio/etc since he started his journey. He's enjoying himself and all the great people he's meeting. I sent him on his way but not before giving him a bunch of cookies i had made the other day. He was so excited! I told him the weather should cooperate for him but I'm WRONG!! it has done nothing but rain and right now I'm feeling terribly bad that he's stuck somewhere in the elements. I'm real close to calling DH and go look for him and bring him back here. In fact the longer i sit here and type the more I'm thinking i need to do this. He shouldn't be more then 30 miles from our house.

Here is the blog he's keeping. I'm sure there will be a picture of me in the days to come. I was really less then thrilled. I hadn't done my hair, no make up, looked horrible. Here's the blog:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=3141&v=aF

This Ought To Be Good

DH's friend works for an Implement dealer and brought over a mower for us to try. I'm not sure what kind it is I just know it mows FAST and it's a John Deere. I also know that this thing could be deadly for me or anything in it's path.

First up to try it was Ryan himself. At 745 I look out the window and here he is with this mower. Luckly we were all up, breakfast, dressed, etc I didn't have my hair done, but oh well what's new. He mows 1/2 the yard. I start thinking hmm maybe i'll just hire HIM to mow being that he appears to be loving it.

DH comes home and it's his turn. He gets a hang of it in no time. That only meant I was next. I was less then thrilled. I did not want Ryan here while i tried to figure this thing out, i didn't want ANYONE here! But the entire idea was to see if a women could figure it out. I know probably not a very nice thing b/c of course a women can figure it out, like my friend Shannan she'd have it figured out before a man would!! But i guess i might be more of the typical women b/c i SUCKED at it.

I had a quick, VERY QUICK, lesson and next thing i know Ryan has lowered the blade and sends me off. What do i do?? I RAN UP A TREE!!! DH was taping all of this but i have deleted it. I didn't want the public humilation. I couldnt' figure out what to do and I have 2 men yelling at me to back up back up!! Me saying how the hell do i back up????

Finally i get her figured out and i'm off. I was making all sorts of interesting designs in our yard. I asked if we could kill the blade b/c i really didn't find it necessary for any by passers to see our yard and think what the heck happened!!?? I flew around the yard learning the ropes of it. I liked it accept pushing the levers was HARD! I guess they can be loosened and they'd have to be b/c my arms really hurt from pushing so hard.

After everyone left and the kids were napping I finished mowing the yard. I severed a tree and i got the front wheel stuck behind a tree. Yeah no idea how i did that but i got myself out of it. Our yard looks HORRIBLE and DH is going to be horrified when he see's it.

I'm covered in grass clippings and the lawn mower is sitting peacefully under the tree thanking God it's job is over and hoping that crazy women doesn't come back out!

Now some more pics of us I took today. A side note with C'man on his tractor. I unscrewed a screw so he could go fast on his tractor. Boy does it go faster. I was cracking up when he took off b/c he was like turning the wheel every direction and acting all crazy. I figured he was probably acting like ME on the mower:) Miss A on the tractor is as scarry as me on the mower! I'll try and download a video, but in the mean time:

It Is What It Is

I think I'm feeling up to doing this post now and it's also the quietest it'll be in my house to do such a post. For some of you, probably you men, this might be more then you need to know. But it's my blog and my place to come to express my feelings, emotions and thoughts.

I found out last Thursday evening that I was pregnant. GASP!!! For those that know me this comes as just a much shock to me as it does you. I had just gotten done talking with my mom and discussing some concerns I had about not feeling right. She suggested I might be pregnant. I quickly replied no way b/c i just got done with my 'little friend'. But i went ahead and peed on the evil pee stick. Those same evil things I came to despise during my infertility years.

Well wouldn't you know, positive. Instant freaking out. I called my OB the next day and went in for an HCG. I'm also O- blood type so I had to get a Rogham shot. My hcg was 50, very low. If these years of infertility taught me anything it is that you NEVER get your hopes up and that a 50 was very low.

Things were not looking good and I'd have to come back Monday for a repeat. By Sunday I was bleeding and I just knew I was miscarrying. Sunday was HORRIBLE!! i had a terrible headache and was trying so hard to keep my fear and sadness in tack while at my parents. I couldn't wait to leave. I just wanted to get home and go to bed.

Monday came and my HCG came back '4', I had miscarried. I was relieved to know b/c i felt as tho my life was on hold wondering what was going to happen either way. We were in no way trying for another baby and quite frankly I was stressed at the idea of a 3rd child. Would C'man think less of us thinking why we adopted him if we could have kids of our own? Would he not feel like he was one of us with 2 biological siblings?? What if I had another one like Miss A, a handful or energy and temper tantrums. I love both of them in such different ways what different ways would there be for a 3rd?

Our lives have settled in to a family of 4 and I'm happy with that. I had said I don't ever want to revisit those days of hoping, waiting, disappointment, etc of not being pregnant. God blessed us beyond words with what we have.

I hope there's no flamers out there that might take this time to flame me. I'm simply stating how I felt. There is no doubt in my mind i would have loved this little bean just like I do the others. We'd make it thru! Just the timing and feelings was way off.

DH is disappointed probably more then i realize. At this point I'm just trying to make sure I'm ok and that my body is recouping and I'll need to ask him how he feels. I did mention it to him today at lunch time and he said he's still in a state of shock from the positive pregnancy test to the miscarriage. It's all happened so fast he hasn't had time to deal either way.

I'm OK though. I talked with my mom last night and she miscarried too very early. I wouldn't even consider it a fetus b/c there was barely nothing there. At most i was 2-3 weeks pregnant. Had we seen a heartbeat, even a sac, I'm sure I'd feel different.

My FFS and I have talked at great lengths about it b/c she has miscarried 3 times!! i didn't even know about the 3rd. She TOTALLY related to all i was feeling and really made me feel OK with it all. Emotionally she could totally relate. Thank God for her and this is just another experience we have that bonds us even closer.

So there you have it. I hope those of you who know know me are not hurt that i did not tell you this in a personal email. I even wish i wouldn't have even said anything to my parents b/c they, especially my dad, hurt I think more then i did.

Life goes on and I can't think of the would and could have beens b/c if i did that, i wouldn't have what I have today. IVF, adoption, surprise pregnancy, and now this miscarriage is what makes my life mine. It's another way that God has put my faith to a test, faith that I forget I even have!

Our Fathers

Sorry for the delay in this post. Some things have evolved in my life totally unexpected and am trying to deal with it.

Tell me about your father? Is he a man of integrity? Man of God? Loving? My father is all of these and more. He is so special to me, like all our dad's are I'm sure. My father is a God fearing, hard working man, that will do anything for his family. I've learned many things about my father in the 30+ years of my life. I've learned when i was younger that I'd better stop fighting with my brother or he'll pull the car over. He loves math, i despise math. He loves to sing but can't read notes. I can harmonize with him but it has to be by ear. He has worked very very VERY hard at his business and been dam successful at it too!! He never missed a sporting event or music concert and was my number 1 fan (a long with my mom of course). He saw me thru the years of IVF and even offered to drive me to an appt 2 hrs away from me (3 hrs for him). I know he hurt probably then I did with each negative cycle. Then came the adoption of C'man and he glowed with pride. Then the unexpected pregnancy announcement. We told my parents at the same time and I'll never forget dad's response. We said we're having a baby and he said 'wow so soon?' which was nothing out of line but he thought we were adopting again. It took 10 min before he realized I WAS PREGNANT! He cried!!

More recently after Miss A's birth I got very very sick with MRSA (staph infection) my parents BOTH put more miles getting down to help me in that 1 week then they did in one month. But my dad came down to take me to the hospital at 7AM for my pic line to be checked. DH was working and he didn't want me driving myself. That meant he left his place by 530AM! That meant a lot to me b/c I needed the support.

But with all of this comes me wanting to be strong for my dad. I don't want him to see me hurting. It seems when I hurt, he hurts more! I often think my mom has to help dad when one of us kids is hurting. I don't ever want to disappoint him in any aspect of my life. I have the utmost respect for him. I was hurting yesterday and as I left my parents house yesterday in tears, I could not look him in the eyes. I heard in his voice that he was crying too. I could just hear my mom say 'now D (dad's name) get a GRIP'. Can't help chuckle b/c often times she's right.

So with that I wished him a happy Fathers Day by spending the day with him and my mom. (kids of course too)






This also was a big day for DH but unfortunately the demands of farming kept him away. He is a great dad to our kids. I respect his patience so much! I may get horribly frustrated with him but when it comes to the kids, he really does do a great job.




A happy belated Father's Day to any of the Fathers out there that read this. You are great men and I hope you lead a life that makes your kids proud to have you as there father.