Totally Jealous = Me

Katie (my super cool little sister) just got accepted into the London Study Abroad program at BYU.

We might have been best friends, but forget about it.

Classes

This is what I do while Pete is learning to become a doctor. Heck yes.

PS... for those who are truly interested in my incredible art work-- just wait till you see my frog cycle picture. It's AHHHmazing.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Daddy's birthday. Mommy made him quiche for dinner (his request) and a yummy a carrot cake-- I KNEW I like carrots! Daddy doesn't like it when anyone makes a big deal about birthdays, but he let mommy have some friends come over to eat cake n' ice cream and sing some silly song.

So happy birthday pops!

Love, Caleb

How Far We've Come

My mom grew up in a two bedroom home without indoor plumbing. She always clarifies this by saying, "We had a pump in the kitchen, just not a bathroom. We got it by the time I was six." She was fifth of seven children. All seven siblings shared a room. Her grandparents lived with them for a long time, since they were unable to take care of themselves. Her father was a remarkable man who was known for his caring and concern for everyone he ever met. He dropped out of high school when he was 16 so that he could take care of his three sisters. Her mother (who is still kickin' it at 92) dropped out of school after 9th grade so that she could take care of her own parents who were aging.

Her parents encouraged education beyond belief. All of their children went to Catholic schools and worked to support themselves. Even though they did not have even a high school education, five of their seven children went to college.

This is the way my mother grew up. She is so incredibly proud of where she came from-- who her parents are and all that they did to give her a better life. Tears fill her eyes when she begins to talk about all that her father did, and that her mother continues to do, for all of their children.

Which brings us to today.

Today, I purchased an application for the iPhone. My brother owns the company that created it. My mother's indoor plumbing consisted of a pump in the kitchen and my brother is writing applications for smart phones. Shayla, my older sister, worked to put herself through undergrad and medical school. She's now a very successful doctor-- working as the first D.O. at the University of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Residency Program. My other brother is currently enrolled in one of the top programs in the nation for his Masters in Accounting and my little sister is smarter than any of us.

To top it all off-- my mother is currently working towards her Masters in Nursing.

I just had to take a moment to be all sappy and say how much I appreciate who raised me. I also have to thank my lucky stars that we live here in the USA. This country is far from perfect, but it's the best place out there. A smart man once said, "America is the worst country in the world, except for all the rest of them." We don't do things perfectly and sometimes I get caught up in my disappointment of America, but I am grateful that I am reminded of it's greatness.

The best part is-- my family is not unique. We are not oh so special. We are Americans. And sometimes, I'm not particularly proud to say that. But on days like today, I am.

I am very proud.

PS... want to check out my brother's iPhone app? It's called "How Long 'Til" and is created by JadeTower.

One Day

Over the last week in particular, I have gotten a lot of comments on how much Caleb eats. I didn't think much of it, but since he is going to be tested for some mal-absorption problems, I am supposed to keep track of what he eats in a day.

Here is what I have down for today:

(3) bowls of cheerios with lactose free milk
(2) bananas
(2) pieces of oatnut bread
(4) granola bars
(2.5) peanut butter sandwiches
(2) Tilapia fillets
(2) cans of carrots
(1) can of green beans
(3) 8 ounce sippies of lactose free milk
(3) 6 ounce sippies of apple juice
untold amounts of water, puffs, raisins and I'm not even going to guess what random things off the floor he consumed.


And he is currently standing next to the couch yelling at me because I am eating a sandwich and he wants a bite.

So yeah, I guess he eats a lot.

Say Please

There is a museum here in Philadelphia called the Please Touch Museum. Geared towards children (as well as stir crazy moms and dads) The museum has a ton of displays for kids to run around and play on. They have half a SEPTA bus, cars, grocery stores, a McDonalds, a house, a dump truck, etc. All in effort to get children to interact and play! Pretty much, a mother's dream come true.

The other day I went to purchase a pass (I had been bumming entry in off of my friends' passes) of my own. When I showed them my ID, they said, "You're military? You don't have to pay."

Reason four thousand and eight why I love this museum :)


Here are some pictures of our last visit:

Playing in the car with Taegen.

Apparently his life's mission is to be a mail man. He would have played here all day.

Caleb is always trying to steal someone's food. I can't figure out why he's not 85 pounds.

Remember Me?

How do you make the happiest little boy even happier?

Let him find the package of Oreos!

Tell my mom I need a haircut!

I'm not so sure about this, I think you need to bribe me.

Yupp, Thin Mints will do!

PRE HAIRCUT:

BABY BOY

POST HAIRCUT:

BIG BOY

I Don't Understand

I'm confused.  Maybe it's the medication I am on.  But really-- I just don't get it.

I cannot understand how people (read-- Republicans, others who are opposed to Obama, etc) are all of a sudden up in arms about national debt.  Were you sleeping the past eight years?  You know, those past eight long years when we went from having a 50 BILLION dollar surplus with Clinton (but I know, we can't say anything good about him because *gasp* he's immoral) to having a TRILLION dollar deficit.  

Last year, with the cost of the Iraq War, we spent $800 billion (yes B as in Billion) on ONE department-- the Defense.  Now, as my husband is a part of the military and we get a nice check from them each month AND they pay his tuition, we are big fans of the Defense Department.  However, I also know that it's not tuition dollars costing them $800 Billion a year-- our check isn't THAT nice.  

It just seems rather hypocritical that people were in favor of spending to keep our country "safe."  Who cares about being safe when you don't have money to feed your family?  What's the difference really?  Shouldn't we also be spending money on making sure American families are economically "safe"?  

I totally understand that there are different ideas on economics.  Some believe that government spending is the worst thing that could happen right now-- and I completely believe in the right to have that opinion and that it has definite validity.  Others think that the only way to get out of this recession is for the government to spend its way out-- another point that has serious evidence backing it up.  I am not an economics guru.  In fact, I've never even taken an econ course.  So who am I to talk?

What I don't understand is how people are suddenly so upset about government spending.  What about the 700 Billion G. W. Bush pushed through last year?  What about the 1 Trillion deficit he wrapped up in a bow and left on Obama's desk?  Where were Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh then? Where were their charts and t-shirts complaining about Bush's spending?  Rush came up with a genius idea--- the authority to spend money should be divided based on the popular vote from the election.  Wait, didn't Gore win the majority vote?  Where was his 51%?  

It is a given fact that Congress loves to spend money.  Republican (see the 70 billion tacked on the package in Republican tax cuts in the last two days) or Democrat (see the 132 million for STD prevention-- job creation? Interesting).  That's their job-- bring home the bacon (or pork...) to their constituents.  The only difference now is the party in control.  The actions are the same.  Stimulus package--- stimulus package.  Yupp, looks the same to me.  

I'm not saying don't complain.  I'm asking for people to be consistent.  If you railed against spending during the Bush years-- fantastic.  Keep on railing.  But don't pretend like Obama is the first President to spend spend spend, cause he's not the first, and he won't be the last.  But your opinion on government spending shouldn't change depending on what party is in power.  

I'm not a fan of the spending package.  Pete is.  But at least we remain consistent in opposing each other :)

Yumm Yumm

It's Girl Scout Cookie Season and I am ready to purchase some. If anyone is selling them, don't walk, RUN to my house and I will gladly order a trillion million boxes. Because if anything can cure pneumonia, it's Thin Mints :)

The end.

On Being Sick

1. I thought Pete was a lousy sick person, but I beat him hands down.
2. I do not own enough sweat pants.
3. Sick people need cable. Reading makes my eyes hurt and soap operas just make me want to die even faster.
4. Benadryl, while making it easier to sleep, gives you crazy, crazy dreams.
5. Friends are the best people in the world.

Six Pack Baby!

I went to see my doctor today and he diagnosed me with pneumonia, an ear infection and strep throat. I am so doped up on medicine I can barely type, but I have have have to comment on the game.

THE GAME.

It was an awesome, nail biting game. The Cardinals played incredibly well and all I can say is Larry Fitzgerald went to The University of Pittsburgh :) In the end though, while the Cardinals had an incredible journey, the Steelers have an incredible team.

Here's to being proud of the Steelers-- 'cause we all know that the Pirates give us oh so much to cheer for... not.

PS-
Who else thought that Harrison was going to die right on the field? I love watching defensive players run. They're all pumped for the first twenty yards and then they look like they are suffering a heart attack right there on the field.