one thing after another

I promise I'm alive! It's been quite a week. Let me fill you in:

First off, my vertigo was acting up, putting me into a constant spin. I fell into walls, into tables and onto the floor numerous times. Went to the doctor and laid low for a few days until it passed. I had a toothache (yes, the same one that I've complained about for the last 17 1/2 months and couldn't eat on the right side of my mouth...haven't since October 22, 2007!!) My ears ached and I really didn't think anything of it. My inner ears have issues anyway.

But the tooth pain intensified.

This toothache grew and grew. Ryan left for Boise the afternoon of Easter Sunday and wouldn't be back until Tuesday night. I was in such great pain, I could hardly see straight. I don't remember being in that much agony since labor. Seriously! My cheek swelled and throbbed like crazy. I knew there was infection but my awesome dentist was out of town! He is so wonderful, he called in some antibiotics for me on one of his layovers and took care of me. That night I couldn't sleep, so I was awake in the front room sitting in the chair. Then I'd pace. I'd cry and sob in one room to another. I was in such pain there was nothing for me to do except for counting the throbs to 100, pray, cry then start again. I'd count to 100 throbs and then pray that I'd be able to handle the next 100 throbs. It was absolutely the worst night in a long, long time.

To make matters even worse, Dawson was throwing up every single hour. I ran out of towels and blankets. Every step sent chilling pains up and down my face, which made my head hurt, and then my body was hurting all over. Plus I kept having to clean up throw up!

Interestingly enough, I believe that Dawson being sick that night was answering my prayers. When I was helping him, I was distracted from my pain! Be careful what you pray for.

The next morning, I went in early (because my fabulous dentist came into work an hour early, just for me!!) and started a root canal. Ryan is still gone! This is the second root canal I've had without him present...maybe I should keep him home more often.

I survived and just hung out for the next few days. Until Wednesday.

I got a phone call from a realtor saying that she's going to take some exterior shots of my apartment for the flyer. And then she'd like to take some interior shots the next day. My landlord was going to put the house on the market! I had no idea. We talked about it, but nothing was set in stone.

I scrubbed and cleaned profusely (while I was still aching and my cheeks are still incredibly swollen) and the pictures were taken. And as of yesterday, this sign was out front of my house:
Even though we're not moving yet, the house is going up for sale. We had a showing tonight and have another one tomorrow. I don't ever remember my house being as clean as it is right now! It looks awesome.

That's been my week, and now if you'll excuse me, I think I've earned a bubble bath.

Oh yeah, AND I lost a diamond out of my ring. Sorry for complaining, but seriously how much can a girl take in one week?

six-thousand-five-hundred-seventy-days-old

My little brother, Aaron, called me yesterday morning:

"Hey Ang! It's my birthday! I'm 18!"

"No it's not, your birthday is tomorrow."

"Oh, Annnnnnnnng! Come on. Today is my birthday for me and tomorrow is my birthday for you!" (or something totally NOT confusing like that!)

Wow, how a 13-hour difference can throw me off! The point is that my little brother, he who used to be so innocent and short, has sprouted and grown into a handsome young man. I'm so proud of him for his good choices and I just love him to pieces. Happy Birthday Aaron!

I love you because of your style



Because you're so fun to talk to (while totally pulling off the Zac Efron look!)


You always are fun to hang out with



I love you because you're one fun and awesome uncle



Because you're fun to celebrate with


And just because you're YOU! I owe you something ice creamy when you move back to America. Love you!

a little stuck, are ya?

I've never had a child climb and get stuck in places like Carter has! I often hear this muffled whine of annoyance coming from various places in the house. I have to keep a close eye on him...especially these days! If he wants something, he'll go get one of the chairs that he can handle dragging several feet over to where he wants to be and then climb up to what he wants to get!

It started at an early age, before he could walk, he's been climbing.

This is a little scary...not sure how he did this. (I think Ryan did this one to scare me)

He's always loved climbing on the kitchen table. Even our old one!

A couple weeks ago, I found him up on the desk. It wasn't Carter that was whining out of annoyance, it was Dawson. Carter kept stepping on the mouse and wouldn't let Dawson play his game!

Last month, I posted on this one. He climbs on the toilet, then into and over the sink and onto the counter where he can get a hold of a toothbrush. He brushes a while and then wants to get back down, but he can't!

I HATE when he does this. I organize the books that are on the table and organize the shoes on the shelf, and then he'll come along and throw the shoes off and climb upon the table, messing up the books. He just wants to play with the keys. (hanging down from the hooks on the top right hand side of the picture)


He'll get stuck on Ryanna's desk that's apart of her bunk bed and not know how to get down!

I love you, my little climber!

busy busy birthday

It all began yesterday morning...had to whip up two dozen cupcakes to bring to Ryanna's classroom.

I threw one on the floor for good measure. (I was rushing...)

Cooled them, frosted them, decorated them. (Yes, I know that they aren't very original, but they had to be simple and uniform)

Got the presents wrapped and the table decorated.
(do you spy my little "helper")

Barely getting to the classroom on time (it was snowing like crazy)

Her class sang to her and she beamed. (Totally eating up all the attention, where does she get that from?!) She picked her helper and it was, of course, Isaac!

She and Isaac passed them out.

And she took her ceremonious First Bite. (see all of the kids anxiously awaiting their turn?!)
After she got home from school, she was chomping at the bit waiting for Ryan to get home so we could open the other couple presents on the table. She was going mad! She was so tired of waiting and when Ryan got home after dinner, he had never been greeted like this before. There was yelling. There was screaming! Not because of him returning from a long day at school and because we missed him, but rather because now she could open the presents!

We sang Happy Birthday and lit up the cool candles. They burn the color of the candle!




She got some cool stuff! A porcelain tea set from my parents, a darling outfit and Little Women book from my in-laws, a big Sleeping Beauty Doll from her brothers and a Bratz Makeup set from my grandparents. Lucky Girl! Along with other sweet cards, phone calls and letters from the rest of our extended family and friends. Thank you all!

Another fun birthday surprise was 5 new inches of snow overnight! Who would have thought that we'd still have to hear the snowplows at 3 am in Springtime?! (See how lazy I am lately? That same blanket is still there waiting to thaw and then be air-dried)

Wow! Sure was a busy busy birthday....and it wasn't even mine!

it's no joke!

Seven years ago today, I was in labor with our first child. I had an ultrasound and we were told that we were expecting a boy. I was even dreaming about a dark-haired boy! His due date was supposed to be mid-Marchish.

We were told: "Prepare for blue and green!" and "Think of boy names!"

Well! After a long labor and delivery, our first beautiful child was born. As I took this gorgeous newborn baby in my arms, I realized something:

My new baby had just pulled the ultimate April Fool's Joke!

On April 1, 2002 at 7:32pm my baby was born. It was a girl. A beautiful baby girl! And we named her Ryanna after her wonderful Daddy, Ryan. Oh, Happy Day! She shares this special day with my great-grandmother. It's also Nana's birthday, but she passed away before Ryanna came into the world. I'm sure they knew each other in Heaven though!

2002

2003


2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Happy Birthday Ryanna! You're a neat kid and I'm so lucky you're mine. Love you so much!!