We're still here!

Yes it's true, we still exist! We have had strep throat, colds, ear infections, sinus infections and I have a bum hip. I wish I had better news! At least I haven't injured my children, but unfortunately my children are still getting injured! Poor Abby tends to be a chew toy at daycare. A 2 year old girl can't seem to NOT bite my little 'angel'. One of these days I hope Abby really gives it to her! I know that wasn't very Christian-like of me. I guess I will have 1 more thing to pray about and ask for forgiveness! :) On Sunday Zach decided that he wanted to see if anything would happen if he stepped on a rusty old nail. Grandpa Faz had just warned him to be careful, but Zach couldn't resist. He had a life lesson- natural consequences. He found out the hard way, that nails can go through shoes. I took him to the urgent care clinic (still groggy from my meds- you'll read that part soon!) and dingy me forgot that Zach had a tetnus shot right before Kindergarten! Then to top it off, he was still on an antibiotic for his strep/ear infection/sinus infection! All they did was change his band-aid!!

I'll just get all of the bad info out of the way now! Every so often my left leg feels like it slips out of the hip socket. I have had a couple of bad episodes in September. I have excruciating pain and my leg locks up on me. After procrastinating way TOO long, I finally went to the doctor. The funny thing is that Ben really wanted me to go to the doctor because he was so freaked out by it. For those of you that know Ben, doctors are not his 'thing'. Ben is notorious for telling everyone that I am a hypochondriac! Needless to say after 3 doctor visits(GP & 2 Orthos), 1 hip xray and 1 MRI; I will be having arthroscopic surgery on my hip December 1st. Some how I have torn my left hip labrum. I never knew what it was until I tore it! The pain is caused from arthritis that has developed in my hip from the tear. Needless to say, I hate labrums! When I have the surgery, they will be able to clean out the arthritis, but it may return. If it comes back, then the Dr. said that worse case scenario is that in 5-10 years I will need to have my hip replaced. The only good thing out of this is that I am supposed to be out of work for 1 week after my surgery! I am going to be positive about this! I tried to talk my surgeon into just amputating my leg. I told him I didn't need it, I am really not into image. I told him that I could easily get a prosthetic leg. I was partly serious. I don't think my doc knew what to think of me. My doc used to play football for NE and in 1985 was drafted to the Dallas Cowboys. When I saw him the first time, I said, "Wow, I thought you'd be bigger!". The PA laughed, but I think I stunned him. After a few minutes he warmed up to me. He also tried telling me that we were in the same age group (30s). I believe that was after he told me that they would "put something in my crotch" during surgery. I kindly reminded him that I was having hip surgery and that nothing was going in my crotch. Thankfully he corrected himself and told my that they would have to stabilize my hip during surgery so that they can dislocate my leg! UGH!!! He probably has referred me for a psych consult and will happen to miss my surgery date. We then had a nice conversation about Mississippi Mud Pie. My doc went to med school in Memphis. Ben went to high school there for a year. About 5 years ago Ben and I went there for the weekend. I kid you not- there is a little dive restaurant that serves the BEST Mississippi Mud Pie. I would seriously consider going back, just for it! Anyway, my doc knew exactly where I was talking about. I guess you wouldn't understand our conversation unless you have had the joy of trying this! Speaking of our trip to Memphis, it was my first and last time at Graceland. Ben thought that I was rude when I said that Elvis' house was tacky- but it really is!!

Ok, I have to end on a positive note! Don't you just hate when people are so negative?!? It can be so contagious. Anyway, I just paid $2.99 a gallon for gas....................

Also we are coming back to IL for Thanksgiving! I am so excited. We aren't sure if Ben will be able to make it because of his work schedule, but the rest of us will be there!

Later-
Jen

Mom gave me a black eye...........

Typically when I hear that I am inclined to pick up the phone and call social services (I have been known to do that!). Unfortunately when it is your 5 year old son telling everyone then it's a different story! My 'never naughty' son, Zach and I were riding quads (4 wheelers) near Harlan County Dam this past Monday (in Nebraska). He was sitting in front and pressing the gas. I was steering and in control of the break. We were on a designated trail in corn fields- a lot of fun I might add- when we came upon an 'intersection'. I hit the breaks a little too late and poor Zach's head flew forward and smacked the handle bar when we hit a groove in the trail. No blood though and he still had fun riding with me, of course he did decide to sit behind me and hold on for dear life the rest of the ride.



I think what made matters worse was that each day this week at school, Zach decided to tell a different story to different people. Thankfully the staff at our school know me and my sense of humor- so I am confident to say that I have not been contacted by social services....yet. The picture that I have attached today obviously it looks much better than it did 4 days ago! I won't even tell you about Abby's black eye on Sunday- there was blood!

Anyway, my apologizes for not blogging sooner. I have forgotten how stressed out and tired I get when I am back at school. Here's my plea- if anyone has an employment opportunity for me in the Lincoln area, heck I'd travel even farther, that has similar benefits and salary- let me know! After 13 years I think that I am finally at the end of my teaching career. Oops I forgot I have 4 children, a husband, a house and all of the bills that go with those things! I guess I'll keep plugging along! Ben swears that I have gone to school long enough to become a doctor. Hmmm... maybe I should look into that! :)

We are healthy and still happy! My house is an absolute disaster and I don't care! :) For those of you who had asked about our British Virgin Island pictures, I will send them to you in an e-mail. I didn't think that it was appropriate to publish pictures of me in my thong bikini on this blog. That is a very scary thought! Ben would have probably liked it, but I think I would have been harpooned!

Take care and enjoy the cooler weather!
Jen & Co.

My Baby Boy Is In Kindergarten!!!

Yes it's true- Zach is officially a Kindergartener! It went well, no one was sent to the principal's office. However, I did tell him that he had better be good or his teacher would spank him. Of course the threat was ruined when Paxton told him that it wasn't true. I know for a fact Zach didn't believe me anyway, because I got the "whatever, Mom" response I typically get when my humor doesn't make him laugh.

It was fun to see how excited the boys were for their first day of school though. They got up with their alarm, got dressed and had begun eating by the time I had gotten out of the shower. They were ready by 7:15am. If you know our family- that NEVER happens. I am usually still trying to get Wyatt out of bed at that time. My daycare provider was very surprised to see Abby at her house so early (on time). My only complaint about Zach being in school is how obsessive he has become with his cold lunch. He thinks that he needs to make it at the most inconvenient times. He has been in bed since 8:30 and in the past 20 minutes he has been down the stairs at least 5 times to check and see if his lunch is ready!



Abby has adjusted well, as usual, that little stink cried when I picked her up from daycare-not when I dropped her off! Abby has been having stomach issues (don't worry I won't be descriptive!) and she got to see her pediatrician yesterday. Abby is such a drama queen already. She has to have everyone's attention (strangers, too) and now if she doesn't she scrunches up her forehead and waits for someone to acknowledge her. She always gets all of the nurses to dote on her at Michelle's office. For those of you who may see Abby soon- I have a couple of rules. The first is that you may NOT tell her that she is cute and the second is that you may NOT call her a princess! You will unleash the beast if you do- so consider this your fair warning!

***In the pictures be sure to check out Paxton's new haircut! As he puts it- I don't like it, but I don't hate it. He is such a people pleaser.


Well I had better get a few things done around the house before I collapse from exhaustion.

Jen

Just a typical day!

Hi everyone! I figure that since I am SOO horrible at responding to e-mails and returning phone calls that I would blog. I'll pretend for the moment that I am techno savvy. I won't fool myself though.

We have been extra busy lately! The beginning of June we found ourselves visiting Ben's sister Amy in Santa Maria, CA. Ben, the boys and Ben's dad drove. Abby, Ben's mom and I flew. There was NO way that I was going to drive to CA with a 1 year old! We got to meet our new twin nephew's; Peter and James (now they are 9 months old). The kids also enjoyed playing with Amy's other 2 children, John and Grace. We got to taste a lot of good wine and see some amazing sites on our trip.

Then Ben and I celebrated out 10 year anniversary. Since we never went on a honeymoon, I told him that there was NO way that he'd take me to Omaha or Kansas City to celebrate. He came through and we just spent a week in the British Virgin Islands. It was an amazing trip. Oops, I forgot- I am supposed to tell everyone that it was horrible and you never want visit! That is why Ben has made the verbal commitment to go back there every other year! The kids got to spend some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Cafaro. They also got to see their cousins (Jordan, Casey & Drew) and of course their uncles and Aunt JoAnna. All of the kids were absolutely spoiled that whole week. It took a couple of days, but I think I managed to de-program them! Now they are back to fighting, ignoring me and 'forgetting' to do their chores!

We are rushing trying to get ready for school to start. I officially go back to work on Monday and the boys will begin school on Thursday. It seems like it gets earlier and earlier every year! Paxton will be starting 3rd grade, Wyatt will be in 2nd grade and Zach will be in Kindergarten. Abby will continue to go to daycare, where she loves to go! Ben will watch her for about 2 days a week.

I am still teaching at Norris Elementary School in Firth, NE. I can't believe that I am entering my 13th year of teaching! Ben is still a police officer with Lincoln. He works 2:30pm-2:30am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and every other Saturday.

Other than running the boys around for all of their sports and lessons (I get a couple weeks reprieve until it starts up again!) nothing new or exciting is going on! We are still loving the country life. This afternoon Ben's dad and I are going to take the kids to the county fair......that is after I take the boys to get their haircuts!

I almost forgot! Happy anniversary Mom & Dad- 38 years and counting.......

Jen