The Most Memorable Halloween Ever!

            Oh what a day! Today was the busiest most memorable Halloween ever. It started off with a race. Faith and Courage ran a 2 mile race called the "Goblin Gallop." It is a Halloween tradition for elementary kids here. Courage's time was 14.45 minutes. He finished in the top 3rd of about 60 4th-6th graders. He came in 6th of all the 4th graders. He did very well considering he was the youngest kid in his race. Faith came in near the back, but she just wanted to run with her friend who is not so athletic. They socialized and Faith gave her friend support.              

Then Casanova was sent to Heaven. I already wrote about that. And, We carved pumkins and set them outside.  But, the squirrels destroyed them in less than 15 minutes.

But, in this post I want to share with you what we did as a family for Halloween night. My kids have been to 3 Halloween parties this year. So, instead of rushing out to get more candy trick-or-treating, I suggested we go trick or treating for UNICEF.
I told them that each year 25,000 children die because they don't have important life sustaining things, like water, medicine, food, shelter, etc. My kids decided they really wanted to do it. So we went down to Pier 1 Imports to pick up our 1st 4 boxes just in case our Trick or Treat for UNICEF package didn't come in time.

I was a little unsure how it would go. I was hoping people would donate for the children, but I didn't know.

Then the night came and out we went toting the UNICEF boxes in less than 50 degree weather.
The kids really got into it! This is what they said as David and I watched from the sidewalk:

"Trick or Treat for UNICEF! We are collecting money for kids to help them get medicine, clean water, food, blankets and other stuff."

Just about every house we visited was impressed and open to donating. And regardless if the kids collected money or not they finished by saying, "Thank you! Happy Halloween!" Although Justice said every time: "Happy Halloween for UNICEF!"

It was awesome. And they even got 2 giant bags full of candy to share. In the end, my kids collected a total of $108.66 from people in our neighborhood. David and I gave them enough money to turn it into an even $150. That is amazing!!! $150 for kids in need!!!

My kids felt so proud. David and I are extremely proud that my kids were willing to give up their candy for others in need. We have decided that this will be a new tradition for our family on every Halloween from here on out.
Now we are sitting down and celebrating my kids’ success by watching a movie and having ice cream sundays. My kids said this was the best Halloween they ever had. I am so proud of them!

Til We meet Again....

Casanova

7/02/98 - 10/31/09

Today we sent our beloved Casanova to heaven. It was his time. He just became too old and frail among other physical challenges. And, we wanted him to pass in dignity and grace.

He was a very good and smart dog. He was possibly the sweetest and most gentle dog I have ever known. He never once bit a soul. In fact, David and I always called him our police dog because if there was ever any argument between human or animal he would place himself in the in between individuals and break up the fight 100% of the time. It was amazing to watch.

He also was a therapy dog for Therapy Dogs International. He passed the test with flying colors and loved to visit the elderly in nursing homes. he was so big and had such a kind look that he melted hearts where ever he went.

His name fit him perfectly. Casanova - a lover through and through. All he wanted to do was love people and no one can deny that.

He was so gentle that we trusted him completely with our children. He watched over them and was very mild around even the tiniest baby.

He will be greatly missed. I doubt we will ever find a dog so endearing as he was, ever again.

A Beautiful Walk

Today was a very nice day out. And, I wasn't too freezing so I took the kids for a walk. They of course were thrilled. (We should get out more.) We also invited our friends across the street to join in the fun. We collected leaves. The kids rode their bikes. We breathed in the fresh air... It was a nice break from the dog smell reaking from our nasty carpets. In all, we had fun.

           

 

The Battle of Insomia and Narcolepsy

Day in and day out thousands are plagued with insomia or narcolepsy. I happen to be special, though.
I have the priviledge of suffering from both. Ok... I am not technichally narcoleptic. But, I sure feel like it!
How is this possible? Some crule joke in nature? Or, maybe because I want a baby so bad, my body is trying to remind me what it would be like.... up all night... exhausted all day. Yeah, I am just becoming one big baby. No surprise to my husband who sees me blubberring frequently.
But, how can I get the most out of this situation?  That is the true question.  So, I have come up with some thoughts on the matter to make it all more productive and fun.

My Joys of Insomnia & Narcolepsy Top 10

1. 
   
   Playing with David all night long
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Homework all night - uninterrupted
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Cuddle-sleeping with my kids at naptime
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Guilt-free midnight blogging
   
   
   
5. 
   
   I can use the excuse too tired to clean, might as well watch TV
   
   
   
6. 
   
   I can stay in comfy PJs 24/7
   
   
   
7. 
   
   I am able to let our geriatric dog out during the night so he doesn't pee on the rug 
   
   
   
8. 
   
   If the world was ending at 3 am, I would be the first to know
   
   
   
9. 
   
   No expectations during the day
   
   
   
10. 
    
    Playing with David all night long. Did I already say that????
    
    
    

Trash to Treasure

Twice a year my neighborhood has a major trash day. This is not your run of the mill garbage man comes to pick up a load of trash.  I am talking about the mother of all trash days. And, my neighbors really get into it. In fact it is so major that trucks driven by people from all over the city are seen hitting our neighborhood streets from before sun up to after sun down rummaging through our neighborhood trash to find treasures. One of my very good friends, and partners in crime, came over to my house the day before trash pick up day to take me out to rummage.
We loaded the kids up and headed out. This is what I collected:

Games for the kids. They are all intact and in great shape.

A very nice wooden picnic table. The kids were excited about this

because the dogs won't get their food now.

Three cute little kid chairs.

I did nab a 4th yellow one,

but Hope threw it across the room and broke it.

I have no idea what she was thinking.

Unopen Zone bars.

Still in their cellophane Sams Club double package wrapper.

Don't judge me. They were not expired and not touched. They were also set on top of a table. No diving here.  Hey! Haven't you ever seen the Oprah show about the Freegans?!

Books for the little kids.  Like brand new!

                                                           Great reads for the big kids.

 Cook books in perfect condition.                                             

                                      A brand new note pad.

A 44" flat screen Sony TV with remote. Yup. It works.

The couple upgraded.

My family Freaked!

I also got a very nice intact solid oak or pine 

(it was light in color) bunk bed. 

It had drawers and a desk built in.

We gave that away though, because David didn't like the "L" shaped bed style. Oh well...

Today was the day....

Today is the due date of my lost little baby. I am a bit sad. I have been thinking about it all weekend.
My cat delivered her babies yesterday. I had to help her a little bit. And, even though she is just a cat, I found myself a little jealous of her because I should have been going through the same thing. ...It just brought it all to the forefront of my mind.
I have started back on the fertility drugs to start trying to get pregnant again. David and I just know we have a little boy coming.  You know, that feeling like you aren't done yet?  Well, we have that. I am happy to feel that way and a little upset by it also. I want to be done and just start our adoptions. I hate going through the process of drugs with their crappy side affects.... and timing.... and doctors poking and proding me... the false pregnancies.... and the heartache at the beginning of every new cycle.  It is never a fun thing for me to get pregnant. Then, there is the dreaded being pregnant and hoping that the baby will stay in, but terrified that it won't. Ugh.
But, I have been so blessed with the 4 children I do have. That is more that a lot of women can say.
And until the fifth biological baby comes to us, we will just keep chuggin' along.

Oh what a night!

Last night was the kids' school halloween party. It was crazy. I spent the past couple of days getting ready for it and all day yesterday preparing. I was in charge of the spooky room - the witch's lair. I had spooky webs and spiders everywhere. I had scary music playing. Foggers and black flowers decorated the room also. Then I had several "witch's potion ingredients for touching" Corn silk for hair, corn kernals for teeth, cut up conr cob for scabs, jello for blood, spaghetti for guts, pealed graped were eyeballs, corn husks were skin, asperagus were fingers, a bone, and other stuff I can not think of right now.  Then I stood by a culdron and stirred it with a stick, as I was the cackling witch. Inside was tons of candy and tiny toys.

The room turned out great. the kids thought it was spooky. Mission acomplished!

Then after the party I planned on going home and getting tons of sleep.  But, Mila's water broke at 9:30 pm. So I stayed up until 3:30 am helping to deliver 4 adorable kittens.

Mila did a great job. She seems to be a great Mamma so far.

Thoughtful Thursday

I never really have good stories on Thursdays. Why is that?

I have lots of thoughts, though.

That is me.

That is the problem - always thinking....

It am friggin' cold today!

All I want to do is sit is a boiling hot tub and soak.

The issue I see with that is that it is 58 degrees here

and only 28 degrees in Minot today. 

Oh, man... What have we gotten ourselves into?

I have too many things to do today and I am blogging.

I have a problem.

I need to disect and analyze Mr. Roboto for a paper in my technology class.

I have to prepare a talk about family and being "more concerned for home" for Sunday's church meeting.

Inspired?

Yup.

 I am a blogger and school work junkie.

I need to organize and put together a haunted witch's lair for tomorrow's school Halloween party.

 Lots of work.

Not enought time.

The strobe light is a fun part of it though...

I have to read 3 chapters of Frankenstein for class.

I have to log in my dietary intake for today.

I start my new fertility meds tomorrow.

Gotta remind David to write me a script and bring it home.

Linda at Capital One calls so much we are becoming
best friends.

Man I am freezing!

I don't want to do any work.....

What are your Thursday thoughts?

All in a day's work...

Today was spent on the computer. I have a new blog layout. Did you notice? It even has 3 columns! I learned how to do that in my last school term's class Computer Applications.  Wow! I did learn something!
Don't you like it though. I was feeling great about it until David said, "Well, it has a little girl on it. I didn't think you have picked that one out." He took all the wind out of my sails. Punk.
I think it goes nicely with my message theme....  She is contemplating her mission in life and it takes time. She has her whole life....  Well, maybe it is a stretch. But, it is art. And, art is to be interpreted by the beholder. 
So, that is what I did...
Faith started a blog today. She asked my for help to figure it out. So, I helped her set it up. She wanted one to write her creative stories in. It is named Story Time!!! You can find her blog URL in my blog roll. It is cute. I am anxious to read her stories. She better hurry up and get writing!
Justice got a new cast today. He loves it. And for once, he loved showing off for the camera. So, strike while the iron is hot - I took pictures!

This is a cute cast cover I made to keep the cast clean.