Dimples and Sweet Pea

Peter Cottontail

2008-03-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

We have to wear bunny ears at work until Friday. "Make sure you ask the magic question," Mary says. "What's that I ask?" "Where's the body?," she answers. The ears are mandatory until Friday, along with the little phrase. This just reminds me of how out of control people get when it comes to religion. Don't get me wrong, I believe in proudly stating your beliefs; just as long as it doesn't make you look silly in the process.

So somehow we have to incorporate this into the whole "checkout" process...do you know how creepy that sounds?, "Here's your reciept, oh, and where's the body?"

Whoooooooa.

Off the Beaten Path (4/27/07)

2008-03-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

The other afternoon while sitting over at "D block," (A.K.A. Courtney, Sam, and Natasha's apartment) we (Sam, Natasha, Travis and I) decided to go for a hike down the trail on Tollgate. It was sooo nice, windy yet warm outside. We all headed out, looking like a posse heading into the woods to do some damage!, ha, ha, anyways, as we were trekking down the turbulant trail, I quickly did some reassessing of my footwear situation...Sam had on his "all terrain," extremo, hiking boots, while I had on my brown New Balance's! "Oh well." I thought, "these will have to suffice." The mood was so surrene, we were all about two feet apart, just walking in our own silence, lost in our own thoughts. It rained the day before, so soon my shoes were caked in mud, I got used to it. Before you knew it, I was just walking through the creek, my socks became water logged, but I didn't care. It was pretty awesome I have to say:) Natasha made a joke about how I was probably going to be the first one to slip on one of the rocks and fall, when actually she was the one who took the fall, man, that crap was so funny, we all had the perfect view of that!!! Ha, Ha, Ha. I kept myself from falling, by going into "debbie downer" mode, and just pictured myself slipping on one of the rocks, resulting in a blunt head wound of some kind.
We decided it would be fun to walk down the creek. Carefully we all stepped rock to rock. At one point, Natasha said, "Andrea let's jump to the next rock together...1, 2, 3!!!" only she didn't jump, I jumped, expecting her to jump with me, so I lost my balance and nearly fell, yet another laugh. There was a spot where we rested. Out of nowhere, Sam, saw a baby turtle! It was pretty neat, the turtle blended in with the leaves and rocks, and for Sam to just see that turtle, I don't know, it was just a cool thing. As he held the turtle in his hands, holding it within eyesight, he reminded me of Griffin, innocent and curious. I guess it's a boy thing:)
All in all, it was another good endeavor. A little thing really, but a good thing.

Tuesday is gone

2008-02-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

Joleen, my co-worker; brought her cat into work yesterday. Apparently, the cat swallowed a string, almost as thick as a piece of rope! One of the Dr.'s performed surgery to remove it, he squeezed it in on his lunchbreak. Anyways, I remember conversing with the Dr. about it.

This morning, I must have forgotten about the cat, Joleen called me and asked me, "How's Tuesday?" I said, "what, no... it's Wednesday." She replied, "Tuesday's my cat." Ha, Ha.

Sundays

2008-02-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

While waking up today, I felt refreshed and ready for the beautiful day. Just like every Sunday, Griffin and I, joined the rest of the family for breakfast at Jessica's. It's very interesting when we all get together, I can only imagine what it would be like if the rest of the sisters were there too!

Idle family chit chat fills the living room, in the kitchen you hear Natasha and Jessica having a disagreement about how Natasha brought over the "Humpty Dumpty" eggs, that break too easily, and Natasha telling Jessica she's "Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs," while pointing at the actual cereal on Jessica's fridge. Laughter then breaks out, well, from me anyways. I usually enter the room after the two of them start their funny way of sisterly bonding. I am the sister that will remain neutral to both sides, I guess that's why they like for me to be in there while their silly shenanigans unravel.

Meanwhile, dad's outside on the porch drinking his coffee, while the kids play this REALLY annoying basketball toy that sits in the living room. It's just something that needs to be outside in my opinion.

Sundays also include doing laundry; which I usually do at my dad's. One thing that this Sunday had, that no previous Sunday had, was me; step by step trying to show my dad how to get on the internet! He really showed an interest today, maybe because he's playing Zelda Masterquest, (he likes the walkthroughs when he gets stumped) My dad's liking for video games started when we were just little girls.

Anyways, it really showed me my limit of patience when it comes to teaching. After I showed him the "ins and outs" of moving the cursor with your finger and clicking on the icon, I went home for a bit. When I returned to dad's to get my laundry, he asks me, "Hey, how do I get on the internet?" Umm...what?? How frustrating is that? I just spent 20 minutes teaching him, did he really just forget everything? I know it's not that he forgot, it's a little thing called "laziness." He says, "I'm not a computer whiz like you Andrea," My family likes to try this strategy just so they don't have to do the legwork, I still remember when were younger, Sarah, telling me, "Andrea, you make the best Kool Aid!," just so I would go and make some. Funny stuff I tell ya.

What do you want to be when you grow up Griffin?

2008-01-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

While taking Griffin to school today, he asked me the most random question. It's been that way though, ever since he started talking. He asked me, "Mommy, when I grow up....will you be a ninja with me?" It was one of those moments where I wish that I had a tape recorder to capture the cuteness!

In the Blink of an Eye

2008-01-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

Things change; relationships, life experiences, as well as, intentions. One thing that seems to remain the same is character. I have found, for me, that no matter how far I go in life, the way that I am when I'm all alone, or when no one is looking; is also the way I am in all of my interactions throughout my life. I like my character I have to say.

OK, now that the intro is out of the way, I recently encountered this very adorable dog at work. She looked like a little teddy bear; a man was giving her to us, he didn't say why, all he said was that he was just doing someone else a favor. I held her in my arms, and I quickly realized that I wanted to take her home. I spoke to her previous owner, and she was elated that "Maggie" was going to a good home. Maggie & Griffin would run around the apartment, Maggie with her tongue hanging out barking, Griffin giggling until his stomach hurt. One day, Maggie started vomiting, and acting lethargic. I took her to work with me, to get her checked out. They said that she seemed to be a little bit dehydrated, so they got her on an IV. By the end of the workday, she was gone. I was so distraught!, how could this dog, that was just running around playing, have died. I immediately started blaming myself, "what could I have done to contribute to her death?" They did an autopsy, her liver was enlarged. It was more than likely, a pre-existing condition, before I got her. Griffin handled her death relatively easy, I guess, because he's so young.

I started school yesterday, I go M-Thu. I'm taking History and Biology. It feels so good to be back at school!, I love taking notes, answering questions, and interacting with everyone. I know, I'm sounding a little bit nerdy; but it's the truth. I feel like it's probably the most productive thing (besides being a mother of course) that I could be doing with my time right now. My only regret, is that I don't get to see Rob as much as I'd like. Right now, I only see him when I don't have Griffin, which isn't very often. Oh well, everything will work out if/when it's supposed to.

Hold the Strawberries Please

2007-09-18T06:21:00.000-07:00

I picked Griffin up from school yesterday afternoon, and as I cleaned out his little stacker that holds all of his artwork and notes from the teacher, I noticed what looked like an accident report. "What happened?," I thought, I read on. The report said that he fell on the playground, and scraped his right arm; while having a race with another boy. I was so relieved it was nothing worse! I mean, don't get me wrong, anytime Griffin gets hurt...I hurt for him:( Our neighbors probably thought that either Griffin was sick, or that I spanked him, because of the way he was screaming and crying. Poor thing, he never usually gets hurt; so when he does, it's like he broke his arm or something. You should have seen him, holding his arm up, letting me know how hungry he was, I said to him, "well, eat Griffin, your dinner is getting cold" His response, "I can't eat mom, I have to hold my arm up like this" It was hard for me not to giggle, it continued until he went to bed, he wanted to call Adam, to let him know that he scraped his arm at school. I told him to try and not think about the pain of the "boo boo," he would stop crying momentarily, but start back up again when a commercial came on. He said, "moooommy, I keep trying not to think about it, but I can't stop!" I just hugged him, my little cutie.

Griffin's Halloween Costume

2007-09-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

Halloween is creeping up on us again, and Griffin ALWAYS knows exactly what he wants to be! I asked him this morning on the way to school, and I wasn't the least bit surprised as to what his answer was; a Transformer of course!, but not just any Transformer, a Decepticon. All morning I've been searching for a Decepticon costume, with no luck. I spoke with Adam about it, he says that we could probably just make the costume ourselves. The thought of Griffin wearing a costume that I put together, doesn't sound too appealing!, however, I did stumble upon this site that made my creative touch come flying out! http://www.connectedfamily.com/frame4/cf0406alrn_strs/cf0406costume.html

I now think that making the costume sounds fun!

Fond Memories of Being a Gymnast

2007-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Today, while I was showering, I had my little clock radio on. (I felt like listening to some tunes) Anyways, every Friday, we have a local station that plays eighties music....usually bad eighties music, not today though! As I was lathering my shampoo into my hair, (I'm sure that I looked reeeeeeeally cheesy!) I heard, "da, da, dadadadada," OK, it's a little hard to type the song, but you know the one, with synthesizers? I don't know how else to explain it, I think it was also the opening song for the movie Beverly Hills Cop. It brought back some good memories, of when my sisters and I were in gymnastics; doing our routine, full of rolls and cartwheels deluxe! I'm sure they all know the song I'm talking about.

A Neverending Commitment

2007-08-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

From the very moment that I knew I was going to be a mother, I was in freak-out mode. Just the thought of being responsible for another human being was enough to topple my reality, but I also knew, that I was excited. I knew that...this person inside of me, was a part of me, and everytime I felt Griffin doing his kicking and tumbling routine, it was just a reminder of all of the good and bad things to come with parenthood.

All of that being said, I know that my role of being a mother DOES NOT end once Griffin turns 18. He may be fully capable of making his own decisions, and hopefully, I will have instilled the vital skills he needs to be a successful adult, but I know that he will still need me in someways. If ever a situation arose, where I recieved a phone call, from a young lady or one of Griffin's friends on the other end; obviously distraut over Griffin's actions, I would immediatly take action as a mother. I would be concerned for him, knowing that I did not raise him to be disrespectful, or threatening to others. I feel that you should never just dismiss this behavior, no matter how old your child is! Your "grown" child is just a reflection of how you, as a parent raised them.

Little Kickers

2007-08-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a little while, since I've taken the time to get on here and write. I've just started a new job, as a receptionist for our city school's Special Education department. I have to say that I am really enjoying working with all of the professionals here. Their specialties include children with: autism, slow learners, as well as those who are gifted. It's very interesting to me, and I love learning about everything that their jobs entail. Other than that, I am still working hard to finish up my Medical Transcription, so that I can start working from home. Eventually, I would like to go back to school and earn a degree, but mainly, I look forward to being as much involved in Griffin's childhood as I can.

Speaking of Griffin, we just signed him up for soccer! Everyone is very excited, this will be his first time playing a sport, so I am just curious to see how he likes it. Peyton has also decided to play. I feel like I have thrown myself to the wolves though, the director of the league called me, and asked me if I would like to coach! "Coach?" I thought, "that's absurd!, I'm the most clumsy girl you will come across, and besides I know nothing about soccer!" He assured me that it's more for fun at this age, and less about the technique. I have since been researching soccer strategies for four year olds, and am proud to say that I actually have an agenda:) Wish me luck, tonight is our first practice, and we will be braving triple digit temperatures.

4th of July Michigan style

2007-07-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

Ahh....Michigan in the summertime, spending time with family.