The Vances' Journey Through Life

My Baby is not a baby anymore!

2009-06-24T23:53:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Christian's birthday, he turned 9. Where does time go? Yesterday I realized that he is no longer a baby, he is a young man. Where did my baby go? I guess that means no more "baby kisses", they were special kisses he would give me. Where did the last 9 years go? He did sit in my lap and cuddle with me, it has been way too long.

I smile just thinking about him. He has the most incredible laugh, and the sweetest smile. He just melts my heart. He is absolutely goofy and wild, but that is Christian.

This year has been so eye opening. I now have a teenager and no baby anymore. I have finished school, and am now living my dream of becoming a teacher.

I just wanted to let Christian know how much I love him, and that I hope he had a wonderful birthday. I love you, Tutor Bill!

2 down, 1 to go....

2009-06-18T19:07:00.004-05:00

I will be finishing up my second week of summer school tomorrow. Next week is the last week and it is a little sad. I have really enjoyed the kids. However, I did forget about all the drama that goes hand in hand with high school.

I got an email from the principal yesterday and she told me how several of the students have been in to compliment me on the great job I am doing. It was really great to hear. I have also had several students go in and request to have me next year since I will be teaching a class of Algebra 2. I do have a good group of kids that just needed to be pushed and held to a higher standard.

I have settled into the routine of things, and will start my lesson plans for next year. I am so glad that my Granny Hill pushed me to finish school so I could teach. I love it and the kids. It is a wonderful feeling waking up and wanting to go to work. I guess that is why it is a career and not a job.

Today, I realized that the students do like me and my class. One of the girls missed the bus, and sat in my room from noon until around 3pm. She cleaned my boards and just sat and talked to me. I didn't ask here to, I just told the students that as long as I was there my door was always open to them for anything. I feel like I am becoming the teacher that I wanted to be, the one that students like and respect. The one that helps the students learn that won't learn for anyone else.

I have also been told by several staff and students that this one student never does anything and is never motivated has turned over a new leaf this year. They say that it is something I have done. I have done nothing but tell him he is smarter than what he or anyone thinks when he tries.

What an awesome two weeks it has been! I look forward to next year!

Oh, I was asked Friday if I would teach a class of Algebra 2, the Math Modeling class along with my 3 Algebra 1 and 2 TAKS Math classes. It was a great feeling that out of 3 teachers, they asked me.

My Room

2009-06-06T01:26:00.003-05:00

On Monday, I will be an official teacher and also finishing up part 1 of my Alternative Teaching Certification Program (ATCP). WOW! I got my keys to the building and my classroom on Wednesday. I was able to get the room set up and cleaned a little. The teacher I replaced was not nice about how she left the room. She was let go.

The room is in the corner of the school with a hallway in front and on the side. When I walked in, the smell hit me! It is hard to describe, but it stinks! It might have to do with the fact that the building is 80 years old. The plus is it has carpet, I don't know if I would take my shoes off and walk around, but better than hearing my heals click as I walk. There are two boards, but I will only be able to use 1/2 of one until I figure out how to get the permanent 08 off of one and the ink off the other. It was much better after I moved everything around, and turned on the AC (the smell wasn't as bad). After getting everything just so, I stood at the front of the room and just stood there in amazement! This was MY room, and in a few days it will be filled with students.

I guess I am still in shock over the whole idea of me being a teacher. The kids ran the last teacher off, so I keep telling myself show no fear. I do feel better because I have an idea of what I need to cover. I think it is mostly because I feel unprepared.

I have homework to finish this weekend for my ATCP and a week worth of lesson plans that I have no idea how to write (the part of the ATCP that I still need to take). I guess I will manage and at least have a few mentors I can call.

I remember as a young child making my siblings play school, well really just Math class, and wanting to grow up and be a math teacher. Who says dreams don't come true? On that note, God is doing wonderful things in my marriage that I have been waiting 9 years for him to bring to pass. Life is great!

I will post pictures later of my room (before and after Sean helps me paint it this summer). I just wish I would have taken pictures before I got a hold of it.

Summer School

2009-05-27T13:43:00.002-05:00

I will be teaching summer school at Mart High School. Next week I will be signing my contract for next school year and seeing where my classroom will be. I will be teaching Algebra 1 and TAKS/credit recovery math. I guess all I need to do now is get a few posters for my classroom.

Mart ISD

2009-05-14T22:16:00.004-05:00

I was offered an invitation to join the Mart ISD family tonight!!! I will start work on August 9th and observation on Tuesday May 19th! (Happy Early Birthday, Kelly!) Mart is a great school. It is small with a total of less than 200 students in the entire high school. My average class will be a whole 15 students. WOW!!!

I am excited to start this new chapter in my life. Hunter, however, is not happy at all that I will be teaching in Mart. I have learned that Mart and Lexington are huge rivals! This will be interesting! I guess I will have to learn to sew a Mart and Lexington shirt together for the athletic events when we play Lexington.

Goal: Have a job before graduation. Check!!!!!

Here is the website for Mart ISD http://www.martisd.org/index.html

Busy, busy, busy!

2009-05-12T16:22:00.003-05:00

I have been super busy! I had two job interviews today and one next week.

I interviewed at Mart ISD with less than 200 students in the whole high school. They had the largest stipend I have ever seen at $5000. Hunter, however, is not going to be happy with me if I get the job because Lexington and Mart are like A&M and t.u.! I guess I will have to wear the split jersey if I work there.

After finishing up with Mart, I had to hurry to Temple ISD. I met with all 5 principals with a follow up phone call tomorrow. When I finished meeting all the principals, I found out that Temple only pays $500 more than Mart a year and I would have to worry about guns and gangs in Temple.

I then came home and called Region 12 about getting into the Alternative Certification Program (ACP). She said that I just need to come in for an interview and I could start classes. The program has already started, but they are going to let me make up in the spring what I missed.

After that I contacted WIA, which is a program that will pay for my ACP. I was worried that if I started before I went through the process they would not pay for it. The lady understood that they were making an acceptation for me and so I have an appointment with her on Monday.

I then checked my e-mail and found that Rosebud-Lott would like me to come in the following week to interview.

WOW!!! Things are really taking off and looking up! And not to forget that graduation is THIS Saturday!

Granny, we did it!!

2009-05-05T04:58:00.006-05:00

I feel a overwhelming sadness when I think about how you are not going to be watching me walk across the stage in just a few weeks. Our goal we started years ago has come to an end. I know how proud you were of me, and I know how proud you would have been. I finished my last class just hours ago, but what do I do now? You would have been the one that I called to ask. I miss hearing your voice, and reassurance. You always knew just what to say exactly when I needed it. I look back over the last few months you were here.

I am saddened when I think of the times you would call so early in the morning just to talk or check on me. I would look at the phone and tell myself I would talk to you later. Why would I not get up and talk to you? You were always there when I called. Now the phone will never say Granny again. I miss you so much! I am unable to sleep because for the first time in my life, I don't know what to do! You are not here to guide me and tell me what I should do. Everyone tells me that I am strong, but my strength came from you. When will I stop picking the phone up to call you? When will it stop hurting? Will the hole ever get smaller? You weren't suppose to go, you weren't suppose to go yet, not yet!

Granny, to hear your voice again..... to hear you say, "Kristi, it's Granny." as if I did know. To hear you tell me how proud you are of me. Just one more Granny hug was all I wanted. To feel you frail arms wrap around me. To hear your rings clink together because they were to big. To call you after the A&M, t.u. game.

I miss you so much each and every day. You were my counselor, the person that would tell me the truth no matter if it hurt or not. The one that no matter what I did or said, you always made sure I knew you loved me unconditionally.

I will always treasure our conversations on my way to school, and even though the miles separated up physically I could always feel your love. Granny, we did it, we finished school. From one graduation to another!

Almost Over, and then I can sleep!

2009-05-02T19:33:00.003-05:00

We went to Galveston last week to help Sean's mom move, and finish my Ceramics classes. It was a crazy week. We got there on Thursday and dropped my fish and cups off to be bisque fired. Friday, I spent all day in the library doing research and printing stuff off for a major paper I have. Saturday we helped Sean's mom move and clean her old apartment. Sunday, I spent all day at school under glazing the fish and glazing the cups. Monday, another all day affair at school. It was better because I was able to Raku fire all my pieces. Tuesday morning we got up at 6 am so we could be at school by 7:30 to see if my professor would do my critique. Come to find out they moved class from 8 to 8:45 this semester. I finally got my critique done about 10, and we were on our way home. We stayed the extra day so I didn't have to make the 4 hour trip again before graduation. I think I made an "A" in both of my ceramics classes.

Since we have been home I have been at the computer. My legs hurt right behind my knees when I sat down this morning. I think they were telling me I had been sitting in this chair for way too long. I think I have maybe had a total of 20 hours of sleep in the past two weeks.

I have been working on a research paper about college abandonment versus graduation attainment that was due yesterday. The professor gave me a 24 hour extension because my computer was as tired as I was. It kept freezing on me when I would try to save the work I had done. Doing something you don't want to do 4 and 5 times gets old fast. I will be glad when it is done and turned in. I was able to finish and submit my PowerPoint presentation on time.

When I was reading some of the information, I realized that right now that my education will come to a stop in just a few days. I'm not sure what to feel. I am excited that I will be done, but sadden that it is over. I would like to get my Master's, but not in Math. I don't know the first thing about applying to a Master's program. Where do I go now? What will I do? Will I find a job? I'm not a frightful as I think I would have been at 22 or 23. We will see.

After I turn this paper in, I have another 6-8 page research paper due in 2 days. Good news is I can sleep in three days! Break is over, back to the paper.

Graduation

2009-04-16T18:34:00.002-05:00

Graduation is finally here, well in about a month! It is a time for reflection, tears and joy.

My grandmother passed away on February 12, 2009. It was very hard on me because I would call her at least once a week on my drive to school. She was always pushing me to do better and telling me I could do it. I noticed how my grades improved because she would always ask me how they were. If it was around midterms or finals, and I ha not called her, she would call me. She was a huge part of my education, and I knew that I had to finish or deal with her. Now, she is gone!

This semester, has been the hardest one of all. Right before my grandmother took a turn for the worst, my best friend was rushed to the ER with three, yes three, blood clots in her lung. She had stopped breathing before the ambulance got there. She has two small children that I have been helping her take care of. She was on the road to recovery when she fell and hurt her back. About a month ago, she got a call that her mother was deathly ill, and they didn't know how long she had. Besides her kids, her mother is her life. I picked up the pieces, and her mother is doing better. This was as of a week ago.

With everything going on and still trying to deal with my grandmother's passing, I have fallen behind in my classes. I cannot drop because then I won't finish. If I don't graduate this semester, I am done with school for good! However, I did get some great news today!!!!

I have been worried about these two classes I am taking. This semester I had to take 15 hours all online. The first 8 wk class I managed to make an A! I was looking online at my grades, and found that a class I dropped because of Ike was not dropped. It was showing up as an F, and therefore lowering my GPA. I just got a call from the school and was told that it had slipped through the cracks, and would be fixed by tomorrow. This meant that in the two classes I was worried about, as long as I don't fail them, it doesn't matter what I get in them. I will still graduate!

A huge stress has been lifted, and GOD is so good! Granny, I'm going to finish! Also, my mother has really come through for me this semester. Mom, thanks for your help, and I can think of at least on happy memory!(I know there have been more and I do remember some) Thank you and there are no words to let you know how much it means to me for the help!

I AM GRADUATING FROM UHCL WITH WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update

2008-07-31T11:40:00.003-05:00

Well finals are here, and nothing has gotten better.

My grandmother has been in the hospital for about a week now. She had a PET Scan done earlier this month. She went to the doctor for some anxiety pills, and the nurse said they had the results from the scan. There were several spots that showed up in differnt parts of her body. They were concerned that she is now down to only 87 lbs, and is in so much pain. So, they admitted her to the hospital. They did a biopsy of her lung on Monday. That night they had to take her back in because her lung had collapsed. Tuesday they came in and told my aunt that they weren't able to get the spot they needed, and needed another shot. Tuesday they took her in and tried again. They had to take her in once again Tuesday night because her lung started to leak again. Wednesday they said they were able to get the spot they needed, and we should have the results either today or tomorrow.

I have fallen far behind since I have not been able to focus from the events of this last week. Finals are next week, and I am really only worried about one class. History of Matematical Science. It is more of a history class because of all the reading, and memorization I have to do. There are very few acutal math problems on the test. We only have 3 grades in there, 2 tests and a paper. First test a 70, I think he felt sorry for me!

I had to go back to work at Fisherman's Wharf. My body was not happy at all when I started back last weekend. I am working Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday mornings. This will change when the Fall semester gets here. I will be in school Monday-Friday.

One day at a time! One hour at a time! One class at a time! 10 MONTHS LEFT AND I WILL BE DONE WITH SCHOOL, for a while.

What Next?

2008-07-15T10:06:00.002-05:00

Where to start? The last few days have, to say the least, been very hard and trying! The up side to everything was that nothing happened before midterms.

I went to go see the boys on Friday, and that is the most amazing part of the last few days. After a wonderful visit, details in another post, I was leaving to take my brother to Austin when I was told that my Granny might have pancreatic cancer. She has been sick for a while with a bacteria in her stomach, and her sciatic nerve not letting her sit or lay down for any period of time. They thought it was her gallbladder, but now cancer might be back. My grandmother has been through a lot over the last few years. About 30 years ago she had Thyroid Cancer, and then in the last 6 years or so she has had Breast Cancer and Lung Cancer. It has taken a toll on her body, and I know she hurts and is super tired. It makes me said to know that there isn't much time left with her. I didn't know what I was going to do when she moved to Arkansas 5 years ago. What will I do with out her at all? I know I will have to be strong for my kids, but mostly Hunter! They have been two peas in a pod since he was born. There is a special bond that nobody but them fully understands.

On Thursday when I was at my mother-in-law's she asked if Sean and I could came over, she need to talk to us about something. He kept telling me he didn't want to go over there, and I just couldn't figure out why. Anyways, it took me all weekend to get him to go, but on Sunday we made it over there. We walked in, and she turned off the tv, and I knew it was serious! She proceeded to remind us of how she had a biopsy done of some moles on her inner thigh. We both nodded our heads because that I think is when it hit us both like a ton of bricks....she had cancer! She has been diagnosed with a very rare form, Bowen's Disease. If that wasn't bad enough, she is in the 1% of the abnormal group. She said the doctor had referred her to MD Anderson in Houston, but she had to wait to see if she was accepted to the hospital. Good News and Bad News, she called me yesterday and said that she had been accepted to MD Anderson. Does that mean that it is bad enough, or is it just rare enough, or both.....?

About an hour, or so, after talking with Mom yesterday, I get a call from one of my very best friends. She got a call from the doctor, and the results of her tests were back and they needed her to come in. The tests are the kind that if everything is ok then they just don't call.

WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY IS ALL THIS HAPPENING TO ME? DID I DO SOMETHING FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING TO THE ONES I LOVE?

They next few days, weeks, and months will be hard. I know that God won't put more on me then I can handle, and I trust in him to know what is best. Please just keep them all in your prays!

Getting Older

2008-05-23T02:05:00.018-05:00

After much anticipation, Sean and I went to go see the new Harrison Ford movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, today. It is a wonderful movie for the whole family!!!! I grew up watching the Indiana Jones' movies which this movie makes several references back to, which most of the "kids" just didn't get. I will have to say they did a beautiful job making it look just like the other films, bad CGs and all :) which they actually intended to do. It was NOT like the action movies of today, which I found very refreshing. It was the first movie I have seen in a long time that didn't use a single curse word. It wasn't a "G" or even a "PG" movie, but a "PG-13" movie. This movie seems to be one of the first movies that did not change for the younger generations, but is relying on "us" the older generations to make it a hit. However, the younger generation didn't seem to appreciate it as much as those of us who remember the first three Indiana Jones movies, last released almost 20+ years ago in the theaters. All I can say is, "WOW!"

I remember my mother telling me once that she remembered the first time she felt old. It was when the Hollywood Stars that were she grew up with looked "old" on TV and the big screen. Tonight, as I watched Harrison Ford on the big screen, I realized that we're getting older, a lot older, and I knew exactly what she meant.

As we were driving home from the movie, I realized I have grown up and I'm not a "kid" anymore. For the first time I was actually happy about it. I had a feeling of accomplishment. Turning and being 30 was hard for many months, but now it is not so bad. I have been married to a wonderful man for 7 years now and have two wonderful young men!

Next March, I will have a teenager. Wow, how time flies! When Hunter turns 18, I will be 36 and that's not bad. In about 5 years, Christian will be 13 and I'll be 35, I will then have 2 teenage boys, and that's not to shabby. I will be the "Cool Young Mom!" I guess getting older does have it's advantages. Several of my friends are in their early to mid 20's, and I feel reassured in what I have learned since I was their age. As they say, "Wisdom does come with age."

A week with my 4 nephews!!!!

2008-05-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

My sister had baby boy #4 on April 22nd! Her mother-in-law went to stay with her the week after Brennan was born, and I was lucky enough to stay with her the following week. I HAD A BLAST!!!! I didn't feel like I did enough while I was there, but I enjoyed spending the day with Brennan and the nights with Brandt, Brayden, and Bryson. The boys were boys, but it was so much fun. I felt needed again and it was great! I have now been dubbed "Aunt Sissy", and was informed I am not Kristi. I went with Kelly to Brennan's 2 week checkup, and watched Brayden during Kelly's doctors appointment.

Later in the week Brandt had a t-ball game. He did great!!!!

I helped the boys make Kelly's Mother's Day presents, and they turned out better than I ever thought they would. Each boy painted a pot and base. We then glued two "not real" Gerber Daises into each pot and put moss on top for "grass". The boys were so impressed with themselves and couldn't wait to show Kelly. Brandt was so funny, he wouldn't let Kelly come out of her room unless we hurried and put everything away. He was so worried that she would find out what we were doing. Little did he know that Brayden "wasn't going to tell" her. Dustin told me that Brayden had told Kelly "Mommy, I'm not going to tell you what we got you. I'm not going to tell you we painted pots, and I'm not going to tell you we got your favorite flowers. And I'm not going to tell you we are going to put them in the pots." I just had to laugh, and promise not to tell Brandt.

The boys also helped me put together Geemaw's, mine and Kelly's mother, and Gram's, Dustin's mother, presents. My mother has all the grand kids' hand prints on her bedroom wall in her house in Cedar Park. They moved to Lexington at the beginning of the school year and leased the house. She was worried that someone might paint over the hand prints. So, Kelly and I had the idea to get each kids' hand prints and put them in a frame so she could take them where ever she went. The trick was to find one that had six openings and one of them had to fit, Hunter, my 12 yr old son's hand. We found one that worked perfect. It had three 3x5 and three 4x6 frames in a collage type group. Could we just have picked one color paper and paint, oh no, that would be too easy. I want you to know it is not the easiest thing to get a 2 week old baby to give a single perfect hand print, but we were asking for two. However, Brennan came through!! Gram's got a single frame with four matted 4x6 openings. Under each boys' hand print I wrote their names, and on the top is "2008." I thought they turned out great, of course I had to wait for the boys to go to bed before I could finish the presents.

On Monday, Kelly had told me that Dustin came home at lunch because it was the only alone time they got. I know how expensive it is to pay for a babysitter for 4 kids. So, I told her and Dustin that they needed to take advantage of me being there and have a date night. I know they enjoyed going to eat and being able to focus on each other without having to worry about kids and messes.

I knew I was going to miss the boys, but had no idea how much. I was driving to see Hunter and Christian when it hit me, I really missed all the boys! I'm not sure if I missed Brennan the most because he is just so cute and new, or if it is because I have really been wanting a baby for several years now. Either way, Kelly was blessed with a wonderful baby to end with.

Kim's Birthday weekend

2008-05-17T13:21:00.000-05:00

Sean and Matt, a friend of ours, took me Friday, May 2nd, to Houston to spend the weekend with my baby sister. We had a great time and I enjoyed spending time with her! Friday night we went to a bar in Houston called the ROCBAR, and had a blast! At midnight we had Kim's first BIRTHDAY SHOT, and she toasted herself, mine wasn't long enough I guess.

Saturday we went to see the boys at Lexington's homecoming. They were tickled to see me, as I was them! They knew I was coming for Mother's Day, but had no idea I would be there the weekend before. There were a lot of things for the boys to do on the square.

Hunter and Christian begged to ride the mechanical bull. I really didn't want them to, but it was sure better than a live animal!!! This is why I didn't want them to:

Yes, Christian broke his nose! The upside is he doesn't ever want to ride a bull again, real or mechanical.

For Kim's birthday she got to ride in a helicopter with Hunter and Christian! Christian begged Kimmi to sit in the back with him, and Hunter wanted to sit in the front so he could see everything. The helicopter didn't have any doors so both of the boys were apprehensive before they got on. However, when they got off they were grinning ear to ear! That is all they talked about and how they wanted to go again for hours, but at $20 per person, once was enough.

After we left the Lexington Square, we went to the house on 112. We rode Champ, Christian's horse. Kim was the first one on Champ and she looked like a city girl on him. Well, I guess she does look out of place in the country!

I also got to see most of my siblings. KELLY WE MISSED YOU!!!

Then Saturday night, for Kim's birthday, we went to Heather and JD's house, some friends of hers. I laughed so hard watching her and Heather play beer pong. I know she had a great birthday!(minus the bummed knee she doesn't remember how it happened)It was also a total shock when I knew someone there. Julie, Heather's lil' sis, was in my Cal 1 class @ Temple College. My weekend ended with Kim dropping me off at Kelly and Dustin's house. About an 1 1/2 hours after Kim left, Kim's ex left his dog! Yes, he left Mya. Kim thought she was in front and he thought she was in back with Kim. So, I got to doggie sit for about a week.

Doctor's Appointment

2008-03-31T19:42:00.003-05:00

Went to see the jerk from the clinic today. I had to drive to Texas City, where I thought I was going to get to see someone else, guess not. I had a well woman exam a couple of weeks ago, and they did blood work. When he came in I told him about my most recent trip to the ER, and what the doctor said. He looked at my chart and the blood work from the well woman exam. He turned around and I guess he realized that I wasn't blowing smoke up his butt. I had been on a very strong antibiotic for about a week when the blood was drawn. My white blood cell count was up, and in combination with the swollen lymph nodes, it doesn't take an idoit to know what the next round of questions were going to be. I don't have Lymphoma on either side, but there is cancer on both sides of my family. He FINALLY looked at my legs!!!! Of course they were swollen, I had been sitting upright for over an hour at by this time. He wasn't a jerk any more. He said just like the ER there was nothing that the clinic could do for me anymore, but he would refer me to a specialist at UTMB. So, now I have to wait!

Another trip to the ER

2008-03-29T19:07:00.001-05:00

Friday night I was weak and was breaking out in sweats of and on. I went to work this morning, after about a hour I got something to eat and hoped that it was just a sugar problem. It didn't help, and I wasn't getting any better. I went and sat down hoping that would help, but nothing was. Then, my boss walked in and took one look at me and told me I couldn't work today. He is the type, with everything that was wrong with me a couple of weeks ago, that made me stay and work. I knew I had to look just about as bad as I felt. He told he I couldn't come back to work without a doctor's note, and I need to go to the ER so they could find out what was wrong with me.

So, I went back to the ER. What fun..... Anyways, this time I was in and out in about 2 hours, what a difference from last visit. I talked with the doctor and told her everything form the beginning. She looked at my legs and said there was definitely something wrong. She went and looked at the CAT-Scan from my last visit, and came back with some different news than before. My lymph nodes in my abdomen were enlarged. Great, since all this started with a lymph node on my neck swelling! She told me that it wasn't enough to raise a red flag for the radiologist, but it was something to let the doctor know at my appointment on Monday. So, I am again on the couch where I seem to spend all my time when I am not at work.

HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY, BABY!

2008-03-22T14:04:00.006-05:00

I was able to go see the boys for Hunter's birthday. I met everyone out at the house on FM 112 that my parents are remodeling. Poor Hunter he had to help out with the remodeling on his birthday, and he was not happy about it!

Christian really wanted to show me Champ, the horse he got for Christmas. The last couple of times I had been to visit we weren't able to get out to see him. My mom walked across 112 to Doughbelly's place, Christian's great-grandfather, to saddle him up. The only problem was she put the child's saddle on him, and it hurt when I rode with Christian. Hunter wasn't too sure about ridding Champ because the last time he did Champ rolled over on him. It was great to see the boys twice in one month.

Back to see the Jerk!

2008-03-19T19:55:00.003-05:00

After going to the ER I was to follow up at the clinic. Well, I had to take a friend up there, so I figured that I would see if I could get in. I was luck, and was able to see someone. Kristin went back to the back with me, and I had told her about what a jerk the P.A. had been. Who, oh who do you think walks in the room? Yap, you guessed it, Jason the P.A. I asked him about the swelling again because it was only getting worse. I must have had "Idiot" written on my forehead because he said it was gravity. Yes, that is right he said gravity!

Well, he added another medicine to the mix. This is to help somehow with the lining of my intestines. It is some kind of powerful antibiotics to clean my system out. I have asked a few of my doctor friends and they say it is the strongest antibiotics out there, and it should do the trick. I have to go see someone in Texas City on the 31st. I am hopeing it is not Jason because he said it would be forever before I would be able to get in to see him. They asked me if I would mind driving to Texas City, and I thought not at all if I don't have to see the jerk again! We will see what happens in 2 weeks.

In the mean time my lab work still isn't back......

Trip to the ER

2008-03-11T08:34:00.000-05:00

Sean had a clinical yesterday and had to leave to drive me to the ER. We got there around 5:20 p.m. and didn't get called back to see a doctor until 10:30 or so. They ran the same blood work that the clinic ran this week, but the results aren't in yet from the clinic. Everything came back normalfrom the ER, but they did a CAT-Scan just to make sure. While we waited for those results I was finally able to have a few hours of decent sleep, after some nice drugs. Finally the doctor came in and said that there was a thicking of the lining in my intestines. I was told that it could be anything from IBD (Irritable Bowl Disease) to Crone's Disease.

Before the results came back, I had one of the symptoms my friends told me about. My friend has a lot of medical problems, and is somewhat of an expert on the subject. So, I called him to ask what I should do. The clinic couldn't do anything because my blood work wasn't in yet. He told me to that I should probably go to the ER since it was 5:00 p.m. and the clinic was closed. Well, Sean came and got me and we got out about 7 this morning.

I think this might just be the first of many

2008-03-06T15:51:00.001-06:00

I finally got the results of the blood work and we were not pregnant. So like Howard said I went back to have a full workup done. I found out I had to see someone because the blood work hadn't been ordered yet. I told the Physician's Assistant everything that had been going on, and how my feet swelled after being on them for 15 minutes. He never looked at my legs or feet, and told me, "Well, just stay off them." I couldn't believe it! He then told me that my heartburn and nausea weren't related, and I need to stop trying to make them be related. You could tell the P.A. just thought it was a load of crap, and I guess he thought I just wanted pain medicine. (which he didn't give me any) What a jerk! Where was Howard? Anyways, I had to go have a full workup done. He did give me medicine for my heartburn and another for nausea.

I had to go pee in a cup, and after about 20 minutes the P.A. came in and told me they found Bilirubin in my urine. I had no idea what it meant, and all I got from him was "It has something to do with your liver." Great, what was the something?

When I left I called a friend of mine, I knew he would know what Bilirubin was. He was able to set my mind at ease, and told me what symptoms could occur and if so to go back to the doctor. I guess it is just a waiting game now.

A long over due visit

2008-03-02T11:26:00.004-06:00

I decided since I hadn't seen the boys since Christmas that I need to go see them. I met everyone out at the FM 112 house. When I drove up my sister, Kelly, and her clan were all there. I didn't know how much help she was going to be since she semed like she was going to pop any day with baby boy #4. Hunter and Christian were across the highway @ Donna Kaye's, Christian's grandmother. Hercules and I walked over there to get them. The kids weren't in any hurry to cross the highway because that meant work.

Hunter and Christian loved playing with Hercules, but he wasn't use to all the little kids and so much going on. Also he wore himeself out with my parents dog Holly. He was just fixed this week, and so all his hormones weren't out of his system yet. He had total over load, and slept the entire way home. It was great to see Kelly and her kids.

Kristi has been very sick

2008-02-27T18:08:00.000-06:00

Everything started a little over a week ago. I had a lymph node swell up on the side of my neck to the size of a golf ball, and it HURT!! Thursday, after about a week, it was no longer noticeable.

Saturday I woke up with the worst heartburn I have ever had, and it wouldn't go away. (No matter how many TUMS I ate) Then at work I broke out in a drenching sweat, threw up, and by the end of the night my whole body hurt. This wasn't like any pain I have ever had, it was worse. It hurt to walk, to bend, let alone carry trays and to wait on tables trying to not let them know anything was wrong. I had to look like I hurt really bad because I made some really great tips that night. When Sean came to get me that night, it took all I had to make it to the car. He had no idea I was that bad until I sat down in the car and just started crying. When we got home he took my shoes off and I had no ankles and my legs and feet were very swollen.

I went to the clinic that Monday and saw the Nurse Practitioner, Howard, he was great. Since I had not had a period in over 3 months he had me do both types of pregnancy tests. That was it, I have to wait on the results and that could take up to a week. However, if I am not pregnant, I will have to go back and have them do a complete workup.

Sean turns 32!!!

2008-01-05T17:49:00.000-06:00

Sean was able to get off for his birthday. I had told him that some of our friends were going to be there for his birthday. I guess there were a lot of people telling him they were going to be there that he realized it was a party. It was so hard getting him out the door to go. The whole drive all he said was how he didn't want to go. I told him our friends were waiting on us, and we were already an hour late.

I had talked to all our friends and collected money to get Sean this knife he wanted for Christmas, but didn't get. It is some kind of Emergency knife or something. Everyone chipped in enough that he made like $75 extra. Sean had been bothering me all day because he knew his present was in the trunk of the car and he doesn't do good with waiting for his presents. Plus, I think his mom accidentally slipped him a hint. Therefore, he had an idea of what he was getting.

Everyone had a great time, and I know Sean did too. He was glad he went, and so was I. It was the first birthday since we have been together that he celebrated. Since we have such an awesome group of friends, that love him, hopefully it won't be the last birthday he celebrates.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T17:43:00.000-06:00

We went to Murphy's to celebrate with our friends, and had a blast!!!! We missed Brit, things just weren't the same without her! At midnight they gave out free campaign. It was the first time, in a long time, Sean and I didn't sleep through the strike of midnight.

Christmas with the boys

2007-12-27T16:57:00.002-06:00

As every year, Christmas is a busy time for me. I left yesterday morning for a day trip to go see the kids. Trips to see the kids are usually tough for me, but the ones around Thanksgiving and Christmas are worse. I think it is because I have been running and running and don't get to stop. Any who, Sean and I bought the kids bikes for Christmas this year. This was Christian's first new bike. He had always had Hunter's old bikes. Hunter's bike was several years old, and he could use a more durable bike. Sean took extra care in picking out the bikes for the boys. He remembers how hard he was on his bikes, and it helped a lot in getting the right one for the boys.

We had picked out an orange bike with snake skin wheels for Christian, and Hunter a tricked out blue bike with Mag wheels. I still have no idea what the big deal is about Mag wheels, but what do I know I am a girl. We had gone around town looking for the perfect bikes and found them at two different stores on two different days. Anyways, when we got home and put them next to each other the blue one looked smaller than the orange one. Sean told me he didn't care if the boys switched as long as they were both happy with the switch. No big brother bullying. I will have to say that the snake wheels were very cool.

When I got to Lexington my dad met me right outside of town to take the bikes and get air in the tires. I went on to the house to open presents with the boys. When my dad got back I told the boys that there was a special present outside from their dad. They were very surprised when they walked around the corner of the house.

They of course switched bikes. It took a little convincing for Christian. When he had a hard time getting on the orange bike and the blue bike was a perfect fit, he was more than happy to trade. Christmas night I had asked the boys if they got everything they asked for, and both told me they were upset they didn't get bikes. It worked out great, and all that mattered was they were happy!

Christmas with Mom and Joe

2007-12-27T16:02:00.001-06:00

This year everyone did great! We all got most of what we wanted and we enjoyed each others company. Mom, I will have to say, did the best. She had told me about a head board she wanted around August or September. She was very upset that she couldn't get it because it was what she had been looking for for years. It was on sale, and that just made her more upset. Well, I talked to Sean and we went and I got it for her. It was hard to keep it a secret everytime she would talk about how bad she wanted it. Well, we didn't know if it would fit her frame she had so we called Joe and left messages letting him know what we got and if he wanted to get her the frame. (It was over $100 just for the frame) We weren't going to carry the huge box, with the headboard in it, upstairs after driving 15 mph for the 5 miles it takes to get to her house. So, I typed up a note with a picture of the headboard on it. We never did hear back from Joe, but he got her the exact camera she swore he wouldn't buy her. Sean and I look forward each year to the Christmas gifts Joe gives Mom. (He means well, really)

Here are some of her reactions:

1) The moment she realized it was her headboard

2) She is speachless and in utter disbelief

3) Shocked it is her camera

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!!

2007-12-25T15:01:00.000-06:00

There has been this stray running around the neighborhood for about a month now, and I felt so sorry for him. About a week ago Sean told me to go inside and get him a can of beans or something because he was so thin. I took it across the street to the dog, he had been staying under the house. I asked the guys if the dog belonged to them and they told me he just showed up. As I walked up to the dog he shyed away, so I just put the beans down and started talking to the guys. i was startled by something cold on my hand. The dog had walked up to me and licked my hand. He was saying thanks but no thanks, he didn't eat the beans. I stayed and petted him a while. He jumped up on me once and I told him no and showed him how to sit.

That night we had chicken and so I went outside to try and see if he would eat that. I got him to cross the street and stand at the edge of our yard. I threw chicken to him, when it was gone he ran back across the street.

The next night I took 2 pieces of cold chicken out and this time he ate out of my hand after 45 minutes of coaxing him closer. It surprised me as hungry as he was he had the softest mouth I had ever seen on a dog. Like a gentleman he reached up and gentle took the food from me. As he ate he would let me pet him for just a moment, and then he backed off to his comfort distance. That was fine with me, at least he was eating something.

As the week went on he would let me touch him for longer each night, and he started laying down near me. However, if Sean came out he would head toward the house across the street, but less and less every night. Then one night we were putting the kids' bikes, we had bought for Christmas, in the garage and I heard something behind me. I'm not sure who was startled more, the dog or me. He had heard us pull up and was only about 2 feet behind me when I turned around. I was shocked!

The next day Sean went with his mom, Kym, to run some Christmas errands. They were at Sam's Club when he called to tell me to find the dog something to eat, and to go buy a very small bag of dog food. I was one step ahead, and had already fed the dog. So I was off to Wal-Mart to get a "very small" bag of dog food. Little did I know that Kym was giving Sean a hard time, and told him he might as well buy a dog bed and food. Sean told her we were NOT bringing "that dog" inside. While I was looking at the dog food, and trying to figure out if I should get puppy food or dog food, I get a call from Sean. I answered,"Hello." "He let me touch him!" came Sean voice over the phone. I smiled I knew I had a dog! I still bought the "very small" bag of food and came home.

When I pulled up the dog came running from across the street and I put the food in a bowl. He ate all of it and hung around for several hours letting Sean and I pet him. He was so thankful that someone was feeding him. I don't know if it was the first time he didn't have to hunt for food his whole life, or since someone put him out on the street. Sean told me before he could stay he needed a bath. I ran back to the store to get a collar, leash, and shampoo. The bath was going to be the test for me. Strange dog, me, water, and shampoo in a very small bathroom, it could get ugly fast! He passed with flying colors, no agression at all, even though he hated the bath. This was December 23.

Sean wanted to name him Achilles because he was my achilles heel. After his bath we went outside to play, and I started to call him and Hercules just came out. I think it was a combination of our other dog, Harley, who passed away and Achilles. The name fit perfect, everytime I looked at him I just thought about the Eddie Murphy movie where the lady chants, "Hercules, Hercules, Hercules."

He is so smart! The one and only time I had to show him how to sit was the first time I met him. He is picking up everything so fast, after only showing him once or twice. He has not had an accident in the house yet, knock on wood!

Then yesterday Sean, Kym and I took him to the beach. He loved it. I'm not sure who had more fun. We are going to have to work on the come when he is called, but he has come a long way in a short time. He follows me around the house, andI love it!

Life in Glaveston

2007-03-26T12:16:00.000-05:00

Hello all:

I guess this is the best way for our friends and family to keep up with us. Never thought I would be doing this, but I guess it is about time.

We have been in Galveston for 9 months now. Sean and I moved here after we graduated with our Associates degrees from Temple College. We left some great friends, and we miss you guys a lot!

I am attending the University of Houston in Clear Lake (UHCL). NASA is in our back yard, and there are strange things flying in the sky on different days. It is about 40 miles from the house, but is the closest school that offers a degree in Mathematics. I do enjoy the drive, and the time to myself.

Sean is attending Texas A&M!!!! I knew it was just a matter of time before he saw the light! He is majoring in Ocean and Coastal Resources. I think it is a degree that will fit him. We have found thins aren't as easy as they were @ TCAT. (Temple College at Taylor)

As for what pays the bills...Sean has an interview at Academy today on the Island. I work at UHCL as a student worker, tutor through Galveston College (GC), and then work at Fisherman's Wharf on the weekends. Working at the Wharf I get to see great things. I see the Cruise Ships leaving, dolphins daily, and just the scenery of the water.

We live in a great little duplex that has great character. It is located 11 blocks behind the San Luis Hotel, and almost center of the Island. We are just 1 block either way from our routes to school, work, and off the Island. The neighborhood is quite, except for the cars that drive through going boom, boom.

God has been great to us, and continues to bless us. In September we got our second car. We now have two cars that are paid in full. Wow, look where we have come in just a year and a half, from walking to 2 cars. We are members of a small church "Speak the Word of Faith Church." It is nothing close to Harvesting Ministries, and Bishop Moore, but it is where God has put us for this season.

We will keep you updated and hope you are all in good heath and high spirits. May God pour his blessings out on you, and your families.

Kristi