That lovely feeling of success

I may have mentioned that we go to see a family counselor every other week. Since spending time watching Marian interact with the family, the counselor has said she doesn't think Marian has Aspergers. A little something, maybe. A lot of strong willed personality, probably.

A big reason we go to see her is so I can learn how to be a better parent to my incredibly diverse children. Well, we started going so I could parent Marian better, but really, its all the same- better techniques for one is better for all! Last visit I was crushed when she told me I was not as consistent as I thought I was. It took a few days for me to be able to look objectively and see that she was correct. I started to work on that. Today, she said there was a huge difference in how the girls were behaving. I don't think I have become that much better in 2 weeks, but I'll take all the complements I can get!

I expect the girls are not at 100% energy levels after being sick last week, or something. They were pretty good today. In 2 weeks we'll see if it was a fluke or not. Either way, it sure feels good to impress your therapist!

On the unhappy end of things, I finally got the van in to get it looked at. I know we are leaking radiator fluid, and I know its been going on for about 6 months. It's only in the last week that it was leaving actual evidence of said leakage. That means I can't ignore it anymore. So it is at the shop and we are delighted that our AR tax return hit the bank today. We already know where it will be going!

I'm so proud.

Oooooh, I'm so proud of my cuties who make me bonkers! We did set the clocks ahead and the kids were up, dressed, and all ready for church on time this morning. Since they looked so nice, I had them sit so I could take a picture. Joshua was fine until I started clicking the camera. You can clearly see his attitude here. That's the face I got in every one of the 5 shots I took. Later he told me he was mad that I took away his pencil. Yeah, the pencil he had been holding up in front of his face!

Anyway, since we got the computer wiped, I have lost my Roxio PhotoSuite, which I loved. Now I don't have anything to clean up the red-eye and all. So, sorry about that. I'll suck it up and buy something eventually. Any recomendations? What photo doctoring program do you like?

Making me crazy!

I've been cooped up at home for way too long! Delaney was under the weather on Monday. Marian was sick on Monday and a bit better on Tuesday. I sent her to preschool on Wednesday because she seemed okay. She spent that afternoon on the couch and both Marian and Callie were zonked and miserable on the couch on Thursday. No one went to preschool today. I hate being stuck at home. It makes me nuts. I seriously have to get out of the house every day.

I admit that yesterday I did go to the movies in the evening, and I saw "27 Dresses." I did like it. Today after Dan came home I abandoned him again with the kids and I went to the grand opening of the new Walmart in town. Yay! This is what the kids looked like this week.

When they weren't feeling well, they just lay there. Kind of nice actually. Then they would whine because they felt bad and everyone wanted to cuddle with mom, and then there was the crying and unhappiness. Marian was cute. She wanted all her meals on a tray, since that's what Joshua demands when he's not feeling well. I did oblige and she felt special.

Now if I can just keep Dan and Joshua healthy, life will be good. Hopefully everyone will be healthy and happy tomorrow and we can move on with life. This was a time-warp kind of week. I felt like I accomplished nothing because we were mostly stuck at home. I missed Playgroup and my alone-while-kids-are-at-school time, and I've had waaay too little adult conversation. Next week will be better!

Stupid Military

I may have mentioned that Dan had web orders as of Friday. Maybe I forgot. Anyway, he did. We were going to go to DC in June. Well, we planned to move out in June, and I'd run off to visit family while Dan reported in.

On Monday the monitor called and told Dan he had to take the orders back, he couldn't offer Dan the spot. That position had just become a "nomination" position. So now that Dan is excited about this billet; now that he actually WANTS it, they are taking it away! Well, now he has to apply for it. He's been putting together an application package this week, and I guess some other guys will be doing the same thing, and the SecNav will go through them and make a selection. Dan really hopes it will be him.

But it means we are back at square one- hoping to go to DC, but we won't know for a week or 2. The real downside is that if Dan doesn't get picked, we could be screwed. There are no spots open, and we do not know where we would end up. Odds are, not somewhere we want to be, and not doing something Dan wants to be doing.

Oh the thrilling life of the military!

I survived

I did survive being sick. It lingered longer than I wanted. I'm never that sick for that long, so I refused to accept that I might be. I am over it now, as is Delaney. She was only sick for 2 days! Today Marian is feeling puny. We'll see how long it lasts with her and if she's the last or merely in the middle!


Delaney thinks the train table is her personal domain. She stands in the drawers and then climbs on top and hangs out there. She'll play there all afternoon- tossing toys down and complaining until someone gives her more. She's a funny kid.

Joshua got a haircut yesterday. I'm not sure how I did it, but I may have lost my mojo. I can't see what the problem is, or how to fix it, but his hair is just wrong. Somehow I got it wrong and I can't figure out how! Whoops! Hopefully it will look okay in a week! If not, I'll give it another shot. Hee hee hee. He was pretty wiggly, so its not entirely my fault. And Dan always starts it and he manages to get Joshy covered in hair. So then Joshua is itchy and cross and wiggly. That's when it becomes MY turn and I have to even up the fade and make it look good. I did my best! And all because Dan refuses to wait for an hour and spend actual money to have someone else do it.