Birthday, PTC and the dentist

 

After church we had a little get together for some of our friends from church and had birthday cake for Jarrod. He didn’t have much of a birthday this year, since he was gone Monday and Tuesday to Springfield, MO for something with John Deere. He didn’t get back till late last night.

Arden and Sawyer are so big sitting at the kids table!

Cake time!

Yesterday was super busy. I had to get the kids up and out of the house by myself- which is (honestly) exhausting. Then I went to work and got as much done as I could before 1:30. I went to the school to meet with Stratton’s teacher for “Parent Teacher Conference” (which was great, apparently he’s an angel at school- go figure!) then I went to his classroom and picked him up and we came back to my office for awhile before heading to his consultation at the new dentist!

He did absolutely fantastic! I was shocked! It probably helped that it is a pediatric dentist and the waiting area is packed with toys and games and it looks like a rain forest. Really cool! He let them take xrays, and look in his mouth several times. I was so proud of him! We did find out some discouraging news. One of the cavities in the back is approaching the gum and the doc thinks he will need a cap on it to keep the filing from falling out in the future. It’s on the very back tooth and she said he would more than likely have it till he is 12! She said she’d leave it up to us to decide if we want to do the cap or not. It’s so ugly and more expensive, but I also hate to have to go back in a couple years and have to have it re-done. Ugh. From today on: Less juice and MORE brushing!! But I’m afraid he’s inherited his daddy’s soft teeth, and it won’t matter too much, he’s probably just going to have cavities. The earliest we can get an appointment is June 3rd. Insanity. I know she’s good, but come on!! Hopefully they will have a cancellation and we can get him in earlier! But since he will need to be sedated, they will do it first thing in the morning and I guess those appointments are just limited. I think he will do fine, they said that the medicine they give him will just make him drowsy. . .we will see, I’ve heard that before! I’m sure it will be an adventure! He did tell me that he likes it better than Gigi’s dentist, so I think we may start coming here for his regular check-ups and cleanings. Might as well, it sure is a lot closer and he seems a lot happier!

Really neat waiting room!

Watching TV in the ceiling!

After his appointment I took him to get icecream, Andy’s of course. Then we went to pick up Arden from school. We made a stop by Dillon and Brandye’s on the way home just to visit for a minute, and that turned into an hour. . . Stratton was having too much fun playing with their puppy Abe! We decided to go get some pizza together (So Stratton had a GREAT day- Ice Cream and Pizza both!) then after we ate we came home and took baths and I got them to bed! I was really sleepy! Jarrod got home late, and pretty much came in, dropped his bags and went to bed! Poor guy, not much of a birthday! I am hoping we can do something this weekend maybe? I feel horrible, with everything going on we didn’t even get around to getting him a card. So is life. . when your old and have kids!

Valentine’s Day

Such a busy day!!

I was supposed to go to Harrisburg to help with the Make A Wish bucket brigade, but after Arden got sick I decided it would probably be best for me to sick around town just in case the school called. Plus, I knew I’d be out all afternoon with the kids parties and I had some stuff I needed to get done at the office.

Here is our crew from Armor, in the safety vests I had customized! Never a dull moment!

 

School got out early for teacher inservice, so Stratton’s party was at 12:30. The parking lot was packed. I had to park way over by the football field house and walk-in the rain. The things we do for our kids!

This is Stratton and his friend Jaston. The two blondies and the two tallest. They cracked me up.

After the school party, we left and went to Arden’s party which was at 2pm. I didn’t get any pictures there. She had already ruined her Valentine outfit before we even got out the door that morning, and basically all they did was give them some cookies and cheetos! So there wasn’t much to document.

After we left the daycare we ran home and I changed Stratton’s clothes real fast and got Arden some milk and then we were gone again! We headed over to Amy and Juliet’s house to meet them to leave for South Haven to see the Disney Live, Pirates and Princesses show! Arden got to stay with Amy’s mom, Mrs. Cindy (also her sunday school teacher) until Jarrod got off work. We were a little late since traffic was horrendous. But the kids had a good time and the show was cute. (Note to self: If we ever go back to the Landers Center get seats on the floor, or as close as possible!) Our seats were pretty high, and the way it’s laid out you feel like you are right on top of people in front of you- I almost got sick, it made me so dizzy! There was also a very large group of what Amy thinks was gypsies. They were crazy looking. I don’t even know how to describe them. The women were all young, dark hair and LOADS of makeup and overdone hair. The little girls looked much the same, just smaller versions of the women, high heels and all! The only difference is the little girls had on outfits (scandalous for their age) and the women mostly had on SUPER tight white jeans with airbrushing up the sides- I have never seen anything like it!! The little boys looked like they were from a different era almost with black or white jeans, a short sleeve button up shirt under a tshirt with the sleeves rolled up and their pants were rolled up as well. A lot of the boys shirts and jackets were airbrushed with names on them, that I think might have been the name of a girl? Strange. I saw teeny tiny babies with what little hair they had curled and make up on! They all had on red, black and white, and some of the little girls had on some pink. I should have been less embarrassed and just took some pictures of these weird folks!

Stratton with his “real” sword

Stratton and Juliet (and a few the more normal looking gypsies behind them)

Saturday, I got my fabulous Valentine’s day present- which was a night away with a friend to a B&B in Hardy! Jarrod and our friend Ryan arranged the getaway on Friday and had made Erica and I a room reservation and dinner reservations for Saturday night! Jarrod worked Saturday morning, so we didn’t leave till around 3pm. We got to the B& B around 5, it was nothing too spectacular, but it was nice. We had a really nice dinner there at the B&B that is also a steakhouse on the weekends and then we went back to our room where we read, and relaxed! We didn’t even turn the TV on! Ha! It was so nice and quiet! We got up on Sunday, had breakfast then headed back! It was short lived, but so nice to get away! Our hubbys did GOOD!!

Sick again.

Arden has been sporadically throwing up the last 2 weeks. I stayed home with her on Tuesday because we were afraid she had a virus after throwing up twice in the middle of the night. She was less playful and took several naps but didn’t get sick again and by Wednesday seemed fine. But then on Friday when she threw up again as we were walking out the door to go to school I decided I’d had enough! Time to go to the Doc! My kids are notorious for throwing up with both strep and ear infections, so I thought it best to get her checked out. Jarrod took her to sick call and the doctor said it was likely just congestion and lots of snot backed up. So they put her on an antibiotic and steroids just to help it clear up. Jarrod took her on to school since she wasn’t acting like she felt bad and wasn’t contagious. Plus I had a super busy day and couldn’t really stay home with her. The steroids are keeping her up at night (worse than before) and making her really cranky. She is starting to have more of those “terrible twos” meltdowns. Ugh. Otherwise she seems to be doing ok, she hasn’t been sick again- Knock on wood.

Taking clothes off the baby is so much fun. And doesn’t everyone wear Mardi Gras beads around their house??

This. Child.

She wanted me to put socks on her HANDS and then refused to take them off. And then got very frustrated because she couldn’t do anything because of the socks. But every time I tried to remove them she would scream and pull away!

This is hard to see, but short stuff is having a hard time reaching the play stove, so why not pull the oven door down and use it to stand on??

Moment of sweetness- and some crazy hair!

Resemblance??

Not sure if I should be proud or scared.

“My mommy”

By Stratton Staggs

Get up already!!

As she jumps from my arms into Stratton’s bed to wake him up. . .

{This is my narrative of what I assume she is thinking!}

“Stratton, I know your under there, Get Up!!”

“Fine. Then I will just sit on your head!”

“You’re not fooling anyone. I can see you!”

“Ah-Ha! I got you now!”

“Wait, where’d he go, he was just here!?”

“C’mon! It’s time to go play!! Get up!!”

“It’s about time! Now get out of bed!!”

More Ice and Snow

The kids were out of school Monday and Tuesday. It was mainly just sleet and freezing rain. Monday, I worked from home, and I actually decided to take them in to work with me for a little while on Tuesday. Not the best idea. We only ended up staying a couple of hours. I got very little work done, then it really started sleeting hard so everyone that was in the office decided to head home. At least we have a TV and cable! My kids are so comfortable at the office, they just walk around like they own the place. I am glad everyone seems to like them being around!

The rest of the week it was slightly warmer, but a lot of the area schools were still out most of the week. Jonesboro schools went back on Wednesday even though it was still pretty slick in some spots. The rest of the week wasn’t too bad, weather wise. Jarrod’s Mema (Margie’s mom) had a stroke on Thursday afternoon. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but she’s in the hospital and has a long road to being able to get back to where she was. Please keep her and the family in your prayers as they decide which course of treatment she should have. I’m sure she will have to have some sort of therapy and rehab, and that could take months. We decided to wait till the weekend before heading to Little Rock to see her. Neither of us really needs to miss work (me especially with all these snow days!)

It snowed Friday night. We got about an inch or so. The kids FINALLY got to play in some SNOW! Everything else we’ve had this year has been ice and sleet- nothing to really play in! It was Arden’s real first time to get out in it! I was surprised that she liked it as much as she did! I thought she’d hate it! She just stomped around and had the best time! Stratton wanted to throw snowballs. . .thanks to my mom and dad for teaching him that.

Attempt to take a picture of them together. . .

“Mom! Arden’s getting in the street!!”

It’s all fine, till someone loses a glove. . .

Saturday afternoon, we took the kids to Hickory Ridge and then Jarrod and I headed to Little Rock. Apparently, the kids had a good time. They got quite a bit more snow than we did and Stratton got to play in the snow a couple more times. He and pops played snow football.

The snow didn’t slow us down too much. But it was still on the roads some and the closer we got to LR the worse it was. We grabbed at bite and then spent some time at the hospital with his mom, aunt and mema. It was getting late, so we just decided to stay the night in Little Rock, especially with the snow still on the roads. We had a wonderful night’s rest! With no interruptions! We got up and made our way to our Favorite restaurant, Copeland’s, for brunch. Something I’ve always wanted to try but we’ve never been in Little Rock on a Sunday. Jarrod put a hurt on the brunch buffet and I had the crab cakes benedict (one of my all time favorite brunch foods) and it was all SO good. Borderline amazing. We were so full we couldn’t think about dessert, and they have the best gourmet cheesecakes. We’ve never been there and not had dessert! We have got to go back for brunch sometime again! We ran a couple errands in town and then headed back and picked up the kiddos and got back to Jonesboro in time for evening services. We had dinner with some friends after and then came home and crashed! We’ve got a big week ahead with Valentine’s day on Friday!

Also, my friend Amy and I are taking our kids to see Disney Live, Pirates and Princesses on Friday night! (How’s that for some romantic Valentine’s day plans?!)

January wrap-up

January.

It’s been rather uneventful. We’ve all had the sinus crud and cough, but so far Jarrod’s the only one that had it bad enough to go to the Doctor (or he’d tell you he was the smart one and I am the hardheaded one who wouldn’t go. . . ) I think we are all on the mend now. Therefore it’s probably time for someone to get sick again. It’s a never ending cycle!

Last week Stratton was out of school on Monday. He spent the night with Gigi and Pops and then my mom took him to the dentist to get his teeth cleaned. I wasn’t there but both she and the hygienist (yes, I called to talk to her) both said he did good. He does have a cavity in the very back. He will have to get that filled, and since he will need to be sedated we will see a pediatric dentist here in Jonesboro for that on the 18th of February. That’s going to be fun. Last Tuesday we took Arden to her post-op appointment. Her ears looked great! And we got to be one of the first patients to be seen in the new clinic at the new hospital. . .it’s swanky. And it’s clean and shiny and new. . .and as nice as a hospital can be!

Jarrod has been hunting on Saturdays. Torture. I mean I’m fine with him going, he deserves to get to do something fun once in a while, but the kids have been cranky and hard to deal with. It’s just difficult to handle with them alone. Arden is a leach. Stratton is a perpetual whiner. They drive me crazy. I sure love my kids.

I feel ya, sister.

Stratton woke up last Friday with a fever. A low fever, but it was a fever and you know what the rules are for school! So he got to spend the day with me at work. He likes to visit (I think he might be coming out of his shy shell) and I’m fairly sure no one in the office got any work done. He was disappointed that Nathan wasn’t in the office that morning. He adores Nathan. He will sit in his office and talk to Nathan all day. And I’m not sure why?? Anyway, on this day Nathan was out of his office so Stratton left him a note on his desk. I sent him this picture and told him he was being replaced. . .

The next CFO??

Arden is doing good. She is starting to talk a lot more. I’m not sure if her hearing is better now that the new tubes are in, or if it’s just her time?? Either way, she is trying to say pretty much anything we want and it’s adorable. I totally forgot how cute this stage is. Jarrod took Stratton to see the Globetrotters last week but it didn’t start till 7pm so Arden and I stayed home so she could get in bed on time. I love spending time with her alone. She’s a completely different child when Stratton is not around! Sweet and snuggly. And as usual right beside me at all times. Sometimes this behavior is endearing-like this night when I avoided the laundry and dishes to get some one on one time. Other times like on Saturday’s when the house is a disaster, laundry is piled to the ceiling and the dishes are spilling out of the sink it’s not quite as cute.

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

The only pic Jarrod got of him at the Globetrotters.

They were going to buy tickets at the ticket window, but as they were standing there a nice man asked if they needed tickets and offered to give them 2! He said they had bought tickets for all their grandkids for Christmas and 2  of them couldn’t come so the tickets were just going to go to waste, and Jarrod was welcome to have them!! Pretty lucky, right?? THEN they get inside and their tickets are basically on the front row! Stratton LOVED it! He keeps asking when they are coming back! Before they left that night Jarrod was going to let him buy a basketball, but they were all out, so he got some arm bands instead. He was so proud of them!! He even wore them to school the next day.

Arden liked them too. . .

Stratton is back in the swing of things at school. It’s hard to believe that Parent Teacher Conferences are just in a couple of weeks. Seems like they just started back! He is learning so much! The other day he said “did you know a baby swan is called a signet??”. Well, Guess what?? I didn’t know that!! I’m sure this is a trend that is only going to become much more prevalent in the future! He is also doing so much better when I leave in the mornings. It used to be a long process of hugs and kisses before one of the teachers got free and could peel him off of me. The last couple of weeks he barely acknowledges I am leaving! One week he even let us drop him off at the gym and got walked to class by another teacher! He’s getting to be such a big boy. And while were on the subject of big boys. . .

Stratton’s at the top of his class!

Literally.

He’s the tallest in his class by an inch and a half! Craziness. I just had to go buy him new pants. I think he’s grown in inch in the past 2 months. He is now wearing a 6. HE’S FOUR!!!! Apparently, his growth spurt didn’t get the message? It’s frustrating trying to find pants that are slim enough (NOT SKINNY!! What’s with the skinny jeans for boys?? Ick!! I hate them!) and long enough. The only brand of athletic pants that will fit are Under Armor, and of course they are crazy hard to find this time of year! He can still wear a 5 in them because they are about 3/4” longer than the other brands. There should be a rule that kids can’t have mid-season growth spurts! Luckily, there are lots of sales so I haven’t had to pay full price for much.

It’s been such a cold winter! We feel bad for Sadey when it gets below 30, and then she gets to sleep in the house. Lately, we’ve been letting her come in more and hang out. The kids love it, but they get mad because she just wants to be petted and loved on. She will retreve a ball for awhile, but she’d much rather lay her head on Jarrod’s leg and get a rub!

 

Arden thought Sadey should wear a hat. . .

Then Sadey licked Arden. . .

. . .and this was the reaction.

Funny Puppy. Woof. Woof!

We read WAY too many Biscuit books at our house.

Jarrod’s new job is going well. He claims it is a welcome break from working at Entergy. But things will be changing soon, as the farmers start getting back into the field! It’s nice to have him home every night and not get phone calls in the middle of the night! Most nights he gets home before the kids and I do! If he leaves right at 5pm, a lot of times he will call and offer to pick Arden up, which is such a help! I actually cooked supper a few times! It’s amazing what you can get done in 20 mins when a toddler isn’t clinging to your leg! He got his official business cards. You should probably go ahead and plug his new phone number in, we plan on getting rid of his old phone and number as soon as his contract is up in a couple of months.

I’m super busy, as always! But there are lots of new projects that are taking up the majority of my time and keeping 14 sales reps, in 5 different states, happy can be a bit trying. Here’s an example of what I deal with day to day. . .

Yes, that’s a note written on TP. Men?!

Although, it did get my attention.

Our annual Ag for Autism Bracket Bonanza fundraiser is coming up on March 18th. So every free minute I have at work, I’m working on that. We sent out 1200 invitations yesterday. . . . Please pray for me. I know that many people won’t respond and come, but if they do I might need more than a Xanex to deal with planning this event! I’m already developing an ulcer. This event really puts my nerves on edge. It has the potential to be huge and do so much good, but it also has the potential to be a bust! We all work so hard, I’m sure it will be a great event and we will raise more money than last year ($30,000 net) so I shouldn’t worry. But I do.

We have a pretty big event on Monday as well! The president of CornStates (the seed and trait licensing branch of Monsanto that we deal with) is coming to congratulate us on reaching a big milestone. . . selling a million bags of soybeans! They are having a luncheon for us (that I planned, of course) at Omar’s and I’m sure there will be some speeches and blah, blah. . . but it’s a pretty big deal for an independent seed company like us! We are now one of the top 3 independent seed companies in the entire U.S. Monsanto has the data to tell us if we are one, two or three, but they won’t release that information, and we don’t have any way of confirming it on our own, so I will contend that we are #1! Ha! Anyway, all the sales reps are coming in so it should be a fun day.

January is just about over and February is on it’s way! It’s going to be a busy month. . .Super Bowl, Sports show, a concert and weekend in Memphis, Valentine’s day and Jarrod and I both have birthdays. . .whew, I think I’d better get some sleep!