Time Passes

Washing bottles tonight I realized I am on the down side of that hill.  The little man is seven months old now and if the bottles go when he is a year...we only have five left. The baby bath left today.  Time is passing and the little kids are growing.  Changing.  And while it is nice to reclaim space, it is kind of sad that the little baby days are now done.  We move into toddlerhood and pre-schooler.  Wow.  Enjoying each stage, but mourning the passing of the previous stages.

The Story Gets Bigger and Better....NOT

So today we were told a story.  Seems our son got ripped off at a homeless camp...yeah right...anyway he told this story to his sister and her boyfriend.  Said boyfriend decided they needed to do something about it so beer bottles got filled with gas and lit and thrown into the homeless camp.  OMFG Really??  And Tanya thinks this man is the worlds greatest father, man, etc.  He truly is garbage and hopefully one day he will be caught doing these vindictive, malicious, dangerous, stupid, felonious pranks.
Me, I'm staying away from him.  Feel bad for her daughters, but there isn't anything we can do about that.  Tanya has made that clear and what her choices are.  Randy....the winning man.  Loser piece of garbage. Wonder what he will do to her when he gets annoyed with her.
Since our child went along with it, he isn't much better in this situation.  The only thing that can be said is it wasn't his idea.  And how does a young man tell an older man no?  Especially when they are drinking.
I obviously did not get my morals instilled in the children that I have raised.

Summer

Way back when, I started making summer plans with Mike.  Every week had something going on at least one day.  I have continued that trend.  So far this summer we have been to the zoo, the rose festival, the recycled arts fair, local farmer's market, and the Vancouver farmer's market.  We have been to four different parks.  Still on the list for this year;
Saturday Market in Portland
OMSI because I heard Audrie is big enough for one section now.
Beach trip
Harvest Days in BG
Another bbq with David
More parks
More Farmer's markets
Trip north to see Treva and Nana Nita

That's a pretty good list for this year.  :)

Trials and Tribulations

It is so hard emotionally to be the parent of an addict not in recovery.  The ups and downs are hard.  Mike is back binging.  Wanted to come here and we had to tell him no.  He was picked up by some women who were taking him to the Portland Rescue Mission, but he didn't feel comfortable there.  So they brought him back to Clark County and dropped him at lifeline.  We have no idea what that means...detox, inpatient, or just there.  Guess we will wait and hear eventually.  Sigh.

Hands and Knees and a Scrub Brush

The little man is on the verge of crawling.  He moves in many directions.  So I decided that it was time to do the hand and knees thing and scrub the kitchen floor before he starts crawling all over it.

Periodically I have to do this.  And I never look forward to it.  My cantakerous knees cringe at the thought and I don't have a big kitchen floor.  

So this morning Audrie and I did the floor, the baseboards and the cupboards.  All nice and clean.  Ready for the little man to mess them up with drool, food and whatever else he makes messes with.  

On another note...we are at seven on the tooth count, with a whole lot of drooling going on. Must have another one on the way.
And on another note....at the zoo, Audrie walked the whole thing.  Never once asked to be carried or complained about the walking.  She is getting so big.

Picnic at the Zoo

It was a lovely day and we decided that the clouds may have kept the crowds away, so we went to the Oregon Zoo and had a picnic.  We left after naps, taking our dinner with us.  We strolled around and looked at some of the animals.  The cougars were awake and that was cool.  We guessed right and there were no crowds.  Either that or it was the time we were there.  But it was great.  We had our picnic in the concert area.  Audrie chased birds and kids.  We saw an elephant and some monkeys.  On the way out we heard the wolves howl and that was cool.  Stopped at the gift store and got Audrie and Nana a t-shirt.
It is so nice to be able to go and not feel rushed.  We looked at what we wanted to look at and will save the rest for another day.  The little man fell asleep before he even made it to the parking lot.  It was a great outing.

Today

I am breathing.
I am practicing ahimsa.
I am taking care of the little kids' needs.
I am surrounded by beautiful blooming flowers.
I am enjoying the sunshine.
I am watching my garden grow.
I am up with the birds and the little man.
I am blessed with Dave.
I am grateful for Dr. Handelman and his sense of humor.
I am basking in all the love in my house.
I am enjoying Minnie doing the face wash thing.
I am staying connected with my siblings.
I love my mom.
I miss my dad.
I am happy to be able to help Kristie with her plans.
I am always loving and missing my sons.
I am still planning that wall change and the painting and other good things.

Nana Nita Visit

Nana Nita and Aunt  Tracy came over today to visit the little kids.  They were in town for a couple of days finishing some stuff up down here.  So Audrie showed off her playing in her pool, but not in the pool.  She showed Nana Nita how technology savvy she is with the ipad.  It was a lovely afternoon so we visited on the deck.  Thanks for coming over.

It Ends

Mike's streak of making every visitation ended today.  Neither parent made it.  Cassie is again at four weeks missed.  I don't get it.  It is just sad.  So much has changed in the life of the little man and Audrie in that four weeks.  I guess it is all just important to me and Papa.  And I guess that makes us the lucky ones.

Attention

This I know.  Audrie needs more attention.  If she isn't getting enough she will create attention in a way that doesn't make us happy.  So she started in with the choking and the roughness.  So I took her outside and we played with her balls for half an hour.  Just the two of us.  Then we came in and she had a bath.  Just the two of us in the bathroom singing the itsy bitsy spider song and twinkle twinkle little star.  After that she was calm and ready for bed.  It works.  It is just hard when there is only one of us around with the two little kids.  We take it one day at a time.  We have to remember that she is changing and growing daily and her world is expanding.
Today she had her speech therapy.  Looks like it went well.  More practice with asking questions and sorting toys.  We have noticed that her vocabulary is growing in leaps and bounds.  We're pretty sure it is coincidental to the therapy, but it's all good.  We are understanding more and she is getting less frustrated with us.
She is such a great little girl.  She is loving and kind sometimes, she is smart and funny, and she is a big helper.  I love this little girl who calls me Nana.

Shot Day

Today was shot day.  It took two numbing shots to get the eyeball numb.  That is always fun.  I like it better when the first one works.  He gave the second shot above my pupil this time.  And then he did the shot up there also.  This time I have blood going around the pupil on both sides.  Lovely.
When he was finished he told me he wanted to see me in two months.  I reminded him we talked about three.  Then he said he was just too chicken.  I said I wasn't.  So we compromised and scheduled the next appointment for ten weeks.  And so it goes.  Today made my 22nd injection.

Blast From the Past

Kristie had me doing a search of my pictures for some specific ones.  In the process we naturally found tons of pictures of Mike when he was small.  Haven't looked at them for awhile.  We were so surprised to see how much the little man looks like Mike when he was a little man.  It kind of changed Dave's mind on the possible parentage.  I have always kept an open mind and have hoped for the best.  Doesn't prove anything, but it sure is interesting.
The picture of Mike is a little older than the little man right now.  Mike is 17 months in the picture and Doug is 16 years-old if you can believe it.  They are both men now.  Time flies.

WIC

The little man and I had a WIC appt. today.  Since we added him it seems like I go all the time.  They can't seem to get it together for one trip every three months.  Well today she did.  So we don't go back till Sept.
Since Audrie's dshs stuff still isn't fixed we just used income for her and it is all good.
So the little man now weighs 23 pounds 2 ounces and is 27.5 inches long.  Growing like a weed.

A Day of Art

We went to the Recycled Arts Fair at Esther Short Park this morning.  We met David and Emma there and walked around. There was a lot of interesting art.  I bought a windchime that isn't really a chime, but more of a decoration.  I like it.  We also checked out the Farmer's Market and the playground while we were there.  Bought some cherries, onions and squash.  Dave bought me some flowers.  It was a good time with good friends.  Thanks David for meeting us.

Today

I am blessed with rain for my garden.
I am blessed with a garden that I didn't have to plant.  :P
I am blessed with a little girl who loves to help.
I am blessed in my friendship with David and how he is always up for anything.
I am blessed and amazed with the little man and his growth.
I am blessed with Dave's continued recovery.
I am blessed to have a great many wildlife in my yard to entertain me and teach the little kids.  Best thing was the hawk this last week.
I am blessed with all the people in our life that help the little kids.  Amazed at the number of people that have passed through our house in the last six months.  Makes the little kids blessed also.
I am blessed with facebook to keep us connected with our family including Nana Nita.
I am blessed in how loved I am and how many I love.

In Awe

Every day.  Every day I am amazed at the two little people who live in my house.  Watching them grow.  Watching them learn.  Loving them and being loved by them.  I am so lucky.
Last night the little man had his first bath in the big boy tub.  He just loved it.  He splashed so much.  Audrie had to join him even though the water level was low for her liking.  I figured if he could play in the pool, it was time to move him to the big tub.  And now we can get rid of the baby tub.
Starting to reclaim some of the space that all of the baby things take up.  While it is good, it is also sad that the little baby days are done.

Ecstatic

So Treva and I were talking about babysitting and how Nana Nita was now going to have to do days instead of hours.  Living up north makes hours kind of crazy.  Well Treva then offered to babysit anytime. Well I took her up on it for the first weekend in August.  Then I broached the idea with Dave about Seattle and King Tut.  He actually said yes.
So the sitter is arranged and the hotel booked.  And if Dave should change his mind, as he has done with most of my plans this year....well I will still be going.  :P  I am so excited.
That will be a busy week for me.  Reno in the beginning and Seattle in the end.  :)

Walks II

Today the little kids and I connected with Jodi and Zach and walked around their neighborhood.  There is a small playground so we stopped and played.  Zach took the little man down the slide several times. Jodi was so worried Zach was going to hurt him.  I knew he wouldn't.  It sprinkled on us almost the whole time, but we carried on.  We do live in the PNW and are used to it.  After we were all done then it started to rain harder.  We timed it nicely.

Walks

So I was reading yesterday about brain development in babies.  One of the things suggested is a daily walk.  So after baths and dinner the little kids got in their jammies and we went for a walk.  Walked up to Betty's to see if Norman was still around.  He was.  Butch needed one more day up here so they will leave today.  Visited for a bit.  Audrie kept catching Frank and carrying him around.  He didn't seem to mind.  And that was pretty amazing.  He minded when she was a lot littler.  Betty gave me another bag of books to read.  I have quite a stack now.
From there we ventured on towards home.  Made a stop at David and Maria's and talked to David for just a minute.  Maria wasn't home.  Then we kept working our way home. The little man took in everything. It was a nice walk and they both went to bed pretty easy.

A Class Act

Ran into Kas this morning.  She used to be a friend of Tanya's before Tanya cut them off for being critical of her choices.  Mike, being Mike, asked her why she didn't talk to Tanya anymore.  I guess he forgot all the chaos from that time.  Anyway she simply said they don't.  I thought that was pretty classy, and not at all like the person we were led to believe she was.  I'm beginning to suspect we have never been told the truth about anything.  Oh well.....I'm not as classy as Kas, but I'm going to learn from her.

Tooth Count

The little man did hit six teeth.  Number seven is close.  You would think number eight would be right behind it, but I can't feel that one.  Amazing.  And other than just a little fussy and not wanting to eat sometimes...he has teethed like a champ.  Got to like that.

Splash Pad

Audrie discovered the splash pad at the park today.  I don't know why she never noticed it before, but she hadn't.
I could hear her squealing quite a ways away.  I think she liked it.

Talking

Audrie had another speech play session this week.  She is doing really well.  Now we are working on sorting and still asking lots of questions.  Trish thinks she won't need the next step when she turns 3.  I tend to agree at this point.  Audrie has come so far the past couple of months, it is amazing.  I'm just happy that she is getting this little boost.

The Rest of the Story

Seems Joyce made a sign for the girls, Adrianna and Elizabeth.  She posted it on Elizabeth's way to school so she would see it.  She said within an hour the sign had been changed to say rude things and Mom is having Randy's baby.  It is so hard to say whether it is true or not.  What isn't hard to say is that it was simply to inflict pain while Joyce's sign was to remind the girls that she still loves them.  We don't know if Elizabeth wrote over the sign or if Tanya did it.  Either way garbage is as garbage does.  I feel so bad for Joyce who is still so hurt from the estrangement of her grandchildren.  Elizabeth is firmly ensconced in the muck with Tanya and Randy and that is sad.

Unexpected Visitor

Josh came by for a minute.  He had an accident yesterday with the neighbor's truck.  I had taken him to urgent care later in the afternoon.  Today he went up to the neighbors to check on things and maybe get his stuff from the truck.  He had a confrontation with the neighbor's daughter.  It kind of shook him so he stopped here on the way back home to calm down.  Then he left.
Wasn't even a minute later and there was a knock on the door.  I thought Josh had left.  Well he had.  It was Aunt Betty and Uncle Norman.  He is up from California for a funeral.  Will only be here for a couple of days and returning home.  We had a nice visit and brought him up to date on our family doings.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  He looked really well.  So does Betty.  It is always good to see them.

Books

I've noticed that some books take a long time to read.  The difference must be in the substance.  I can rip through a Harlen Coben book in three days, but it takes me three weeks to read  a John Irving book.  Kind of like the difference between cheesecake and angelfood cake.  Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking quick reads.  I love them.  And I have a whole stack of them to work through and return to Betty.  But every once in awhile I have to throw in a book with substance.
I've also noticed that I have been including more non-fiction into the mix.  Not a bad thing at all.

Counting Teeth

I had my usual three day weekend off of work.  And each day the little man got another tooth. He now has five.  At this rate he'll be eating real food in no time.  We keep telling Audrie that he has to have eight teeth before he can have crackers.  She wants to feed him so bad.  If he has eight teeth by Wed. I'm not sure he will be ready for crackers.  :p

OMFG Again

Seems the grapevine says Tanya is preggers.  Wow.  She aborted the last one because she doesn't want to be a parent.  Bet Randy won't let her this time.  I don't know if it is extremely amusing or extremely pathetic. Either way it is her baby.  My guess is she did it on purpose like she did before.  Gets everything that she wants and deserves.

Father's Day

The little kids and I went with Dave to Lowe's and bought a new bbq grill.  Our old one just fell apart.  Dave had rebuilt it last season hoping to make it last through this one.  That didn't happen.  So this time we opted for a smaller infrared one.  Figured we weren't cooking for crowds anymore so didn't need the big monster.  Imagine how happy I was when they rang it up and it was on sale.  I didn't know.  I was happy happy.  Saved me $60.  Got to like that.
Brought it home and unloaded it onto the deck.  Dave put it together and it is ready for a test run tonight with Mom's steaks.  She likes to buy steaks occasionally and have Dave cook them.  Tonight is one of those nights.  Got some nice red potatoes to go with them.  Should be a lovely meal.
Happy Father's Day Honey.

Four Years

I have been blogging for over four years now.  I found the photo album for the blogs and was amazed at the changes that have occurred throughout the years.  It is kind of fun to look at the album.  It is a quick look at how Audrie has grown and the little man.  It was fun seeing the other girls.  And all the various extras like Jason's trees from planting.  Just the progression of time.  I know that I was sad when I deleted everything from facebook.  At least this still gives me a record of all the important stuff.  Makes me wonder what it will look like in another four years.

Mike

Well it seems not much has changed.  Actions not words.  But I didn't expect anything else.  I am still proud of him for making it to the six visitations.  I am proud of him for the odd jobs he has been doing.  I am glad that he hasn't been just totally binging.  Other than that I am still waiting for him to seek recovery.  Dave is all upset because he considers Mike to have went back out.  Mike never came in.  He obviously isn't ready.  It is sad, but it is what it is.

Yay!! Strawberry Jam

Last year I almost missed the strawberries.  Weird spring and all that.  So I did get a flat and made two batches of jam.  Well two batches of jam is not enough for someone who can eat pb and j every day.  But I managed to make those little jars last all year.  I have two left.  

Weird spring again this year, but I was a little more on top of it.  Drove by my favorite spot early in the week and saw that the canopy was up.  Checked again on Thursday and there they were.  There was also a sign saying limited season this year.  So I snapped up three flats.  Oh the shortcake was so good last night. 

Today four batches of jam got made.  43 half pints.  The only mistake I made was letting Audrie lick the ladle when I was done.  She discovered that strawberry jam is delicious, so now I'll have to share. 

Still have some berries left so I will have to see how they look tomorrow.  They may be another batch or two.  :)

Mom and I had shortcake tonight also and it was delicious even if we used the leftover biscuits from last night.  Yummy.  

Coffee With David

We met up with our friend David today at Esther Short Park.  We hit the Starbucks across the street first.  Then to the playground.  There were less kids there today than the last time Audrie played there.  Much better playing.  We ventured over to the fountain and she was highly amused with it.  I love the way she says David.  She stretches it out.  We had a lovely time.  And Audrie got a lot of exercise.

Sibling Love

For Today

I am not worrying about the addicts not in my house.
I am supporting the one in my house with his recovery.
I enjoyed my job and counted shirts, flash cards, pens and books.
I am loving the little kids with all my being.
I am enjoying listening to Kristie make her plans for the ceremony.
I am wishing health for Doug's ankle and am happy that it is slowly healing.
I am happy that Mom is good today.
I am looking forward to my sibling trip with my brother.
I am still fascinated with the hummingbirds we feed.
I am proud of Mike for making his sixth visitation in a row.
I am sending light and love to Jodi so that she has moments of happiness.
I am laughing at David.

Puppy Pile

Papa decided it would be a good night to have pizza and watch "Tangled".  That meant a puppy pile in the bed.  We piled on and ate our dinner and watched the movie.  The movie was cute.  The little man got a little bored, but he did good.  It was a good night with family bonding.

Too Funny

And I have never seen it before.  So I heard a thump while I was sitting at a red light yesterday.  Looked over and realized a toyota rav thing had just kind of driven over a hose.  Weird.  Then some guy came and grabbed the hose.  It was the nozzle and hose out of the gas pump.  So my guess is if you drive off while the nozzle is still in your gas tank the hose pops off the tank.  Now I was in Oregon so I have no idea why someone would be driving off when the nozzle was still in the tank, but his little door was definitely still open.  Maybe he was going to leave without paying.  My light turned green so that is all I saw, but I found it amusing.

Play Therapy Begins

So Trish came out today and worked with Audrie.  She seemed pleased with where Audrie is and thinks she just needs a boost.  She gave us homework to work on this week.  We get to ask Audrie questions and be very clear when we are guessing what she is saying.  Audrie really liked her.  But then Audrie pretty much likes everyone.  :p  She will be here every week so we will get lots of hints to help Audrie.

Sunday Outing

We drove over to the transit center at PIR and rode MAX downtown.  Ventured over to the Rose Festival City Fair.  Betty gave us pins to get in so we utilized them.  We saw lots of people, the floats from the parade and the wild animals.  Audrie figured out that rides are meant to be rode, so this was probably the last time we were able to put that off.  This year Audrie was most interested in the snakes at the wild animal exhibit..  She wanted to hold them.
Then we made our way over to the river to see the ships.  Well that was the biggest disappointment ever.  You can't walk along the river where the ships are because it is all fenced off.  Heightened security or something.  So you can't see the ships.  We remember way back when when you could almost touch the ships if you leaned over the concrete wall.  Anyway, then we rode MAX back to the truck.  Went to Elmers and had dinner.
Tidbits...how did she know to check the change box of the pay phone?  She doesn't even know about pay phones.  We didn't catch her on camera when she pulled the phone down on her head.
Thanks again Betty for the outing.

OMFG

So Dave and I are comparing notes about the gunshots we have been hearing at night.  Last night Dave heard one at midnight and then heard an engine zoom away.  Hmmm.  Last week I could have sworn that one of the ones I heard was from a vehicle.  So we got ourselves a drive by shooter.
We don't know who it is, but we sure can speculate.  Who are the only people in our life right now causing drama and who have no qualms about property damage?  I don't understand the mentality of getting drunk and doing stuff like this.  But hey I don't understand any of their mentality so this should not surprise me.
I can say that Tanya wasn't raised this way by any of her many parents.  So I have no idea where she gets the idea that slashing tires and trying to intimidate people with firearms is appropriate.

LMAO

I needed gas so stopped at my gas station.  This SUV driver, who came in from the other driveway, decided that she was special and needed to pull up before I did so she sped up to make sure she got in line first.  I'm just incredulous and thinking "really?".  She did that for nothing as we got in different lines.  Well my line moved first and I got to the pump before she did.  She then moved over into my line and was behind me at the pump.  So what was the speeding up to be first all about.  I was laughing my butt off.

Dang Dan

I have been reading Dan since about 1995.  We started out on a newsgroup and then proceeded to his blog.  He is actually on his second or third blog.  I peek in on  him when I think about it.  I actually almost met him once when we travelled to Hawaii, but I was too shy.  Anyway I hadn't been to his blog for awhile so ventured on over and he has changed it to invite only.  Dang it Dan.
Experiences in my own life make it so I totally understand someone's need to do that. But I will miss reading him.  And I hope no one got too annoyed with me when I closed my old blog and started the new one.  At least the new one isn't invite only.

Caterpillar Pictures

Dave finally downloaded them off his camera.

Love You

I was feeding the little man.  Audrie climbed up on the high chair and gave him a big hug.  While doing that she told him she loved him.  That is the first time she said it first with no prompting or coaxing.  I think they have a very special bond even if she is a little mean at times to him.  I know he looks at her with such great adoration.  I'm glad I was there to see and hear it.

Really? How Stupid!

It just amazes me when people think their kids should be allowed to have a facebook page even though the rules say no one under 13 years-old.  To me it says we don't have to follow the rules and that is what they are teaching their kids.  And heaven forbid should a predator find them......that will be facebook's fault, not the parent who helped or allowed the child to create a page.  And can anyone explain to me why a 4 year-old would have one anyway...it's not like they can read?  Really?  Seriously?  How cute.

Blessings For Today

The little man's smiles in the morning.
Audrie's kisses.
The nourishing cleansing rain.
The lavender that is almost in bloom.
A snuggly cat.
Good friends.
Dave's meds.
Nana Nita's help.
Kristie's joke.
David's phone calls.
Doug's perspective.
My ahimsa practice.
Mom coming over for dinner.
My brother laughing at me.

So Excited

I just found out that the first Mariposa Forest letters have went out.  Audrie will be getting one due to the special they had when I bought a subscription.  One free letter.  So I had that one sent to Audrie.  Can't wait to read it.

http://www.mariposaforest.com

Five For Five

Mike has made it to the last five visititations with his kids.  Hasn't missed a day since he got out of jail the last time.  He has gone through detox.  He found a place to live.  He is starting to do some side jobs for a guy.  Guess we will see what happens.

Take It For Now

I have no idea what it all means, but Mike has made it to five out of five visitations with the kids since he got out of jail the last time.  He has a place to live.  He worked today on a side job for some guy with the prospect of more work.  He is still talking treatment.  The last couple times I saw him he appeared sober.  So for now I will take it as it is.  Good for him. Something changed because the last couple of times he got out of jail he immediately binged and ended up in bad places.  This time he has still used, but not to the extreme that he ended up in a hospital, jail or a morgue.

Feeling Better

Dave seems to be feeling better.  He took the mower over to Jeannie's to get started mowing.  He's been on the new dosing for the anti-depressants for a week and a half, with a week of that being correctly.  Things I have noticed is he isn't sleeping all dang day.  He is not grinding his teeth to the point of distraction.  Now we'll see how it goes in another week or so.  Just glad his system is back to normal and he is eating.

Doing Well

The little man had his six month check up with his doctor.  He now weighs in at 21 pounds 10 ounces.  He is 27 inches long.  Growing in leaps and bounds.  The doctor is still very pleased with his progress.  He is still in the 95 percentile for weight and is now in the 75th percentile for height.  He received three shots and got an oral medication.  He has a topical antibiotic for the eczema on his ear so I hope that clears it up.  Doesn't go back now until he is nine months old.  :)
I love how self entertaining he is.  We were talking about it yesterday.  He is really really easy.  Audrie was pretty easy, but he makes her look hard.  He is just so good and so happy.

A Wonderful Morning

It had to be wonderful.  The little man awoke and started making a little noise.  I looked into the crib and he just looks up at me like I am the best thing in his life.  Not over excited, just completely content.  And that smile is almost divine.  Makes the whole rest of the day pale by comparison.  Got to like that.

Last Clothes Box

The little man is just outgrowing all his 9 month clothing.  I brought in the last box from the baby shower in a trailer and took out all the 9-12 month clothing.  Amazing.  Looks like there is a good amount for that size and for the 18 month size.  I can't believe how fast the little hunk is growing.
We'll find out on Tuesday just how big he is now.  He eats well.  Still really likes sweet potatoes.  Now he has peaches and applesauce added to this mix and he likes both of those.  But what is not to like about yummy fruit.

Park Then and Now

Summer 2010

Spring 2012

Cell Phone

I'm looking at the positive side.  Mike borrowed my phone and then did not return it.  Posted some crap on facebook about getting jumped and robbed.  Guess that was his way of telling me my phone was gone. Wouldn't be if he had returned it when he said he would.  That aside......
I was more unhappy with the fact that the last time he used it he had a text conversation with Tanya's boyfriend.  And he in turn sent me a couple of texts just to annoy me.  So if the phone is gone then I don't have to worry about that any longer.  Because along with the phone went the phone number.
So I actually got hooked on texting.  I will be lost if I can't text Kristie.  And if I can't text David.  And if I can't text Nita.  So I am looking at getting a go phone for $25 a month.  That gives me unlimited texting and very limited minutes.  I never used the phone for a phone so that part really doesn't matter.  And I said I would NEVER pay for a cell phone....guess I may have been wrong.

Marshal Center Park

Mom and I took the little kids to the Marshall Center Park today.  It is a fabulous play structure that is really big.  It isn't Audrie's first time there, but the first one she might remember.  At some point she hurt herself.  I have no idea how or even where on the structure.  She just came back to me crying with a big scrape on her cheek.  Looks like it might turn black and blue.  Didn't stop her, just slowed her down a bit.  She took a breather on the swings and then went back at it.  That is one of the nice things about this park.  Wonderful play structure and it has swings.  We miss those at Kiwanis Park in BG.
After that we went to dinner at the Saigon Restaurant.  Haven't been there in a long time.  The vegetable rolls were delicious.
Then we took Grammy home and from there dropped in on Jodi for a bit.  It was a nice late afternoon/evening adventure.  Now everyone is asleep but me.

Happy Kids

Another day at the park.  The little kids always seem so happy to be there.  The little man just likes it and Audrie runs off a lot of energy.  She is gaining new skills all the time, like walking down the slide.