Oh, Baby!

We had a little guest in our home this weekend. . . a baby!
It was really Nikita's baby, though.
She was given a computerized doll for her "Adult Roles" class that is used to show kids what it is like to have a baby. The student is assigned the baby and has to care for it for the weekend. These dolls are incredibly sophisticated. The baby cries, burps, coos and even screams. It is up to the student to figure out what the baby needs and fill that need. Nikita was given a bracelet with a sensor in it that identifies her as the "caregiver". Everything the baby experiences is recorded and the info is then downloaded by the teacher. Response time, how long the baby cried, if it's head was ever moved in an un-safe manner, everything.
Nikita had been so excited about bringing the baby home. She couldn't wait for this wonderful opportunity. She was so attentive to it all day and was very careful about letting the boys hold her baby. But then, . . . . .
Around 1:00 in the morning after the first night, she actually came in and woke me up.
"Mom, could you take this thing for me? It's woken me up twice already. I'm not getting the sleep that I need!"
I really had to stifle a laugh.
I still can remember the very first night at home with Nikita. She had been so quiet all day. I can still remember that heart-pounding sudden awakening and wondering what that noise coming from the other room was. Then the sudden realization that the screaming was coming from MY baby and that it was screaming for ME!
Anyway, needless to say, it was a very eye-opening, educational weekend for her. And a great reminder for me that my next child will be a grandchild!

New Hobby

I'v found a new hobby that I can't seem to get enough of. . . . .

Yes, it's FISHING!

Max has been hooked on it (pun inevitable) for a couple of years already, but this last week was the first time I've done it since I was a little girl. I took the kids out a couple of times during their spring break to some nearby rivers and ponds, and we all loved it. Jim did too.

It's a wonderful way to spend time with the kids and it is so relaxing just sitting at the water's edge, watching the ducks, listening to the water, and waiting for a bite.

I haven't gotten one yet, but the anticipation is all part of the experience.

And now I'm wanting my own fishing pole. It's a good thing that this isn't an expensive hobby.

But, unfortunately, another hobby that I want to indulge in is more expensive. . . . . photography. And I wish I had a camera to take with me when we go fishing. You don't realize how many photo ops there are out there until you see your kids enjoying each other's company doing something together, and having fun.

Cleaning House

So, apparently I wasted the lives of three families today.
And. . . I got paid for it, too!

My life, however, is not the least bit wasted.

Out of the Mouths of Twins

(Overheard in the bathroom):

Andre: Ivan, you look nothing like me, but when I look at pictures of us, I just see two of me.

Ivan: That's funny. . . I always see two of me.

My American Idol

I am starting to love this boy.

He is quickly becoming my favorite American Idol.

Did you see his performance tonight of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"?

I've always loved that version of it and he did an awesome job! (He's also a total cutie!)

Who's your favorite Idol?

It's Snowing Again. . .

. . . . . and I love it!

As much as I love spring, with the warm weather and sunshine and the flowers starting to bloom again, I can't seem to get enough of the snow.

My budding roses and my tulips and daffodils are being covered with a coating of of white powder today.

Something about those fluffy white flakes falling silently from the sky makes me feel peaceful and happy. I know it won't stick around forever. It'll probably be gone by dinnertime. And, unlike rain, which I do get very tired of, it isn't going to fall in the summer and ruin my 4th of July or a camping trip. And here in Utah, rain probably won't do that, either.

So, I'm going to enjoy the snow while I can.

Unbelievable!

Well, life is full of change, isn’t it? We get ourselves into a routine, or even a rut, and live our lives from day to day. Then, all of a sudden, something happens that turns it all upside down. It isn’t necessarily bad, and not necessarily good. It’s just the way it will be from now on. The “new normal” shall we say?

So, I’m 43 years old now. I go to the doctor for a regular check-up since it’s been a while. I get all of the routine stuff done, not expecting anything unusual since I’m not feeling unusual, except that I’ve been really tired a lot – fatigued, actually. But, you know, I’m getting old and working a lot, it’s to be expected, right?

Well, to get to the point, I will soon have to change the name of this blog. If you remember reading about the reason for the name of this blog, it will have to be changed so as not to leave out any newcomers to the family. But, of course if a newcomer had a name that started with the letter “B”, it could work. And for now, that’s what the newcomer's identity would start with anyway. . . . . . . . . . . .

BABY!

What a way to start the spring, huh?
And how ironic that I would tell everybody this on

April Fool’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Did I getcha?)