Out of My Mind

On Saturday (remember, this is back in June) we decided to take the kids to a waterfall. That sounds like a great idea with my kids, right? The one I really wanted to go to was still closed (for the third time in a row). This one was not too far from my parents' house, and you can get in the water and swim at the bottom. Great idea, right?



I used to consider myself semi-smart. I could remember things that most people could not. However, most of my brain cells have really been depleted since I had my boys. As long as I have a few left, my boys will be safe and alive. I am not totally out of my mind. This was as close to that waterfall as they were going to get this time.



The boys were not happy with my decision to make them stand there and watch. They kept asking (ok, begging) to go down there with the others. I did not wear a bathing suit. I had no way to keep a tight grip on all three of them. Did I mention that my kids do not know how to swim? Or that there are tons of slippery rocks down there? I bet they wonder why Leigha gets to do so many things they can't.



I wonder if they realize that Marcus was the same age as them. In my defense, my children outnumber me. That's the excuse I will stick to for awhile longer. Lee swam all the way to the bottom of the waterfall. At that same time my mother turned a lovely shade of white and grey. Guess it doesn't matter how old your kids are, they are always going to scare you to death!

It's About Time!

Two days after we arrived in NC, my brother and his family arrived. This is the first time our kids have gotten together since our boys were one year old. Amelia is 6 years old and Marcus is about 3 weeks older than my boys. Nothing like shocking my dad with some noise in the house!

I finally found the the capes that went with the pajamas right before we left. Matthew was so excited to get to wear the Superman that night. I swear, the costume went on and he immediately took on the roll.



The kids were just happy to be at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Can't you tell?


After awhile, the kids started settling down and picked up their video games. We had 5 Leapsters and 1 Nintendo DS between the kids. All I can say is THANK GOD!

Miracles Do Happen!

As I have said previously, I hate the rest stops until you hit the more central/eastern part of the United States. I did remember that we had seen a gorgeous rest stop last year and we made a note of it on our map. We decided that we would stop there and let the kids play for awhile.

The kids played on the playground equipment for at least a half hour. My mom and I took turns taking the kids for restroom breaks while the others played their hearts out. We were hoping this would wear them out for awhile.



This was the first time I had seen Robert and Noah climb up the bars!


Matthew just ran back and forth at the top of the equipment, and then finally started coming down the slide.


Leigha had a great time, too, but she kept playing shy with my pictures. I thought about posting the one of her butt, but I thought I would give her a break this time! I wish there were more rest areas like this one. It would even be better if there were restaurants there, too!

We stayed just outside of Little Rock, AR that night, and then we made it to Asheville the following evening. I am really impressed with how well my kids do on long drives. They are so much better than their father!!

Let the Games Begin!

On June 14, we started off on our annual cross-country trip to North Carolina to visit my parents. Every year my mom flies out to make the drive with me. I am so lucky to have great company and help on my drive (probably wouldn't be visiting every year if I had to do THAT alone).

If I remember right, last year Robert asked us if we were almost there when we were about an hour into our trip. That made my mom and I laugh (the first 10 times) considering we still had about 29 hours of driving time left to go. This year we made it all the way to Arizona before Robert asked for the first time. It was our first pit stop, to use restrooms, and he thought we were there. WRONG!

We had not seen our friends in a long time because we kept going out of town opposite of each other. Laura and Don were on their way back from a trip to NC and VA, we were going to miss each other by a half of a day. After our bathroom break we called to check in on them and it turned out we were going to be passing them in a little bit. We decided to make a quick detour off of one of the exits and pulled up to each other!



We would have tried to make it somewhere where the kids could play together, but two of Laura's boys were fighting something. As much as I love them, I had no interest in my kids getting sick on day of a three-day car trip!



About an hour later we stopped at a rest stop for lunch. We had packed our lunch for this first day, so we just needed a rest area. From previous years of experience, we have never cared for the rest stops in Arizona and New Mexico. We were lucky to have stopped at the one we did. They had covered picnic areas, so we spread out our food and let the kids enjoy. As we drove in, we had noticed that there were some rocks that the kids could go climb on. We figured we might as well let them run around for a few minutes before loading them back up.

My mom and my kids found this little guy as soon as they went over to play. He stuck around long enough for me to run back to the car to get my camera. That doesn't happen around my house. I just see a big blurr as they run into my bushes!



My mom gave my kids these Asheville shirts the year before. They were finally big enough to fit in them. Considering we were Asheville bound, thought it would be appropriate for my monkeys!


Leigha could barely keep her hair out of her face. The wind was blowing it everywhere!


We drove until we were well out of Albequrque, NM and getting closer to Texas, before we pulled over for the night. Just like last year, the kids were handling the trip well!

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...

No, it's SUPERMAN! Every time I think Robert can't shock me, he proves me wrong. I am not sure which shocked me more, the fact that he could climb up the cat pole, or the fact that he was able to hurdle over all of the TOYS to get to the cat pole. Maybe he did fly!

No More Excuses!

My boys are getting big! Sometimes it's hard having the boys attend a year-round school when I attend a nine-month school. However, it has it's advantages, too! When school was out for me, the boys still had another week of school left before they went on track break. I was finally able to put them on the bus myself!

I still can't believe how big they are getting! (Noah, Robert, and Matthew)


Noah


Robert


Noah and Robert


The best part of that morning was when I got to watch Matthew climb the stairs on the bus for the first time! At his annual IEP review, they talked about it in the future, but told me he wasn't ready for it yet. Matthew HATED his chair. He had to use it to get to his classroom. He would not talk to anyone from the moment he was strapped in, until the moment he was taken out of his chair. It was the strangest thing ever.

I don't use his walker outside of the school setting, I didn't even realize he was using it at school until our meeting. After our IEP I started really thinking about how strong he has become. I called his teacher and scheduled a review of his IEP over the phone. I asked for him to be able to get on the bus without his chair. His teacher seemed a bit hesitant, but said that she would talk with the OT. A few weeks later, Matthew's teacher called me and told me that Matthew had been working with the OT to get on and off the bus. She finally thought he was ready! I just wish I had been there to see his face the first day he didn't have to use his chair. His teacher emailed me and told me that she had tears in her eyes (not usual for her) when she saw how proud he was to climb on the bus with his brothers!



Not only could he get on and off the bus just like his brothers, he also could ride in a regular seat like them, too. His smile says it all!

She's About to BLOW!

In May I was definitely at my breaking point. School deadlines were absolutely crazy (and that's putting it mildly). I had been a single parent for over 16 months. My patience had been kidnapped and was being held ransom. I had a trip planned to Salt Lake City to meet up with some of my friends. It was planned with the idea that my husband would be home to stay with the kids. As the trip got closer, Noe's arrival was pushed further and further back. My anxiety level was increasing daily.

With a ton of help, I was able to escape my house knowing that my kids were in good hands. My niece, April, took the first two night shifts. My nanny was there during the day and then April relieved her. Then my brother used his air miles to fly my mom in on Friday. My mom stayed with the kids until Monday when my nanny took back over. I was home by the end of her shift on Monday afternoon. It was a three-ring circus, but it all went well. My biggest gripe was that I didn't even get to see my mom at all, but I was so thankful that she was able to help me out!

I had almost 6 days to myself. That is something I have not had since I gave birth to Leigha over 8 years ago! It was enjoyable not to be responsible for children. I was free to do whatever anyone wanted to do. To me, that was golden. I was able to go out to eat, shop, and just hang out with my friends.

Ronai and I had great coupons ($50/100) for Old Navy, so we took off shopping on Thursday. We felt we deserved it after working out with Rachel that morning. We were ESTATIC to walk out of the store with size 1 and size 2 jeans! Ok, I am sure my size 1 was fluke, but it was fun knowing it fit!





Isn't Rachel just amazing? One day with her and we magically shrunk!



On Friday morning, Ronai and I got treated to a workout by the owner of the gym Rachel goes to. I was a bit scared of the owner being our trainer. Something about the way Aaron and Rachel laughed when they found out who we had just made me a bit paranoid. The dungeon didn't help either! (This is THE Matt--the one that Rachel, Aaron, Jana, etc. work out with! Jared had left by the time we got our cameras out!)

I have lost weight, but obviously haven't built up very much muscle!



Some day I will be able to pose between Rachel and Ronai and have something to show!



We had a great time though. I won't lie and say it was easy, because it wasn't. However, it made me really wish I lived there so I could go all of the time. I can see why Rachel and Aaron look the way they do!

As a reward for my hard work, I was able to enjoy my first pedicure. I have NEVER had one in my life, but I am now hooked! I live in sandals in the summer, so this would not be the last time I would experience this little bit of heaven. I can't see myself doing it during the winter, just until sandal weather is over. The massage chairs were amazing as well.



Saturday morning was the annual race for the ADC (Association for Deaf Children). This is the same race that a bunch of us participated in last year. I loved being able to meet up with the girls that I had met there last year. I think our unofficial "Team Hopkins" had a good turn out.



After the race, Rachel, Alex, and Hopkins performed for the crowd.



I had lots of fun and even walked away with a 1st place medal for my age group (2nd overall).



My friend Kei completed her first 5k, yet they made a mistake and everyone ended up running around 4 miles! It turned out that they didn't have everyone turn around where they were supposed to, so they went about a 1/2 mile further than they should have. Unfortunately, there was a teenager who was running so fast that the volunteers were unable to get him turned around because he had already passed that point. I believe they had to have someone jump on a bike and go after him. He ended up running 8-9 miles! Must have felt like a long 5k to him. He's ready for a 1/2 marathon now!

The rest of the weekend was just spent trying new things. I became quickly addicted to Red Mango and Spoon Me. They both have fantastic frozen yogurt, but Spoon Me also had a great theme going on. Even the bathrooms were fun!



Two more of my favorite gals, Kei and Jana!



On Sunday, Kei, Ronai, and I joined Rachel's family for bowling for OLD candy! If there was ever a reason for me to bowl a strike or a spare, this was IT! I had barely eaten candy since March! Lucky me (or unlucky me?) I got to eat a bunch!



Rachel, Cathy, Kei, and Ronai sporting Rachel's fabulous bowling shirts!





Words can't express how much fun I had that week. It was great to get home to my family, but I can't wait to go back and see all of my friends again! A huge thank you to everyone that made that week possible!