Is this really my last month of being 29?

WOW.
It's here, it's really here! I am going to be 30 next month. I am finally going to be the age that lets people know that I am not a child anymore! Some of the statements that have bothered me over the years?

"You look too young to be a mother!"
"You have for kids? But you're just a baby"
"Four kids? Are you even old enough to have one?"
"Did somebody put speed in your lifeclock?"

Now all of these comments may seem on the surface that I am very mature for how I look or my age or whatever, but they bring up so many questions for me.

"What, young people can't be good parents?"
"Why is it bad that I am accomplishing goals before the normal age?"
"Does aging well directly make me young and stupid?"
"Am I any less of a good mother because I was young when I had them?"

There is something about turning 30 that no longer warrants you to act like a kid, make stupid choices, and get away with all the crap that you used to when you were in your 20's. I have felt like I am 30'something for years! I have a hubby, house, kids, dogs, job, responsibiliites that have come first in my life, and most of all, I have common sense. Since when were these bad things? Since I gained them all in my 20's. I can't wait for people to see me as the adult I have been for the last 10 years (14 if you talk about how long I have lived away from home) and I can't wait to earn the respect of being in my 30's.

It's odd, I know, but it's like the grandparent that brings the kid a baby toy when they are 7 and just can't relate. It's not the number, it's the maturity level.

Found the goals I wanted to accomplish by turning 30 (1996)
Be married
Have a degree
Be involved with an international trade company
Have at least 2 kids
Live in a home that I designed
Be on the track to retire at 50

Now most of these I have accomplished. I wanted an MBA, it's on my list of to do's. I work for an global company, just not in international trade. I have four kids, guess I over achieved there, LOL. I did design my house, with an architect! And althogh we could retire at 50, we would have to live in a 1 bedroom apt. So we are getting there. I am sure once the kids graduate, we can put more money away to retirement anyway.

So what am I doing at the age of 30? To celebrate my growing up? To celebrate my frist 30 years (Thanks Tim McGraw :) )???

I am getting a tatoo!!!!

Speaking of Cupcakes-Jovi!

Harley's sister is currently named Cupcake. She's just as good as Harley!

New Beginings in Spring

So spring brings on many things. Many new things in most cases. The snow melts, the buds show their faces, and the neighbors are out on the lawn chatting and all of a sudden everyones schedule is BOOKED SOLID! It comes with great excitement and everyone (in the north) often waits 6 months for this time of year.

My friend Jovi (NY) just posted about how here bean sprouts are growing. My friend Wendy (IN) talks about how the lawn needs to be mowed. My friend Andrea (CA) talks about how frickin' hot it is. My daughter is depressed every day because school will be out for about 4 weeks. All of these conversations, comments, and observations tell me that summer is almost here. It's really a good thing, I could use the sun.

But in all this commotion, all I want to do is go home, get in comfy clothes, grab a pillow, blanket, and start a good movie fest on the DVR. Why you ask? All so I can snuggle up with this...



The newest member of the Falkman Family...

Harley Davidson

In the SPIRIT of Mondays...

You Are In a Good Mood

Today, you're feeling pretty together and happy. While not everything is going you're way, you're keeping things in perspective. And it seems like things are looking up for you!

What Mood Are You In?

Today has been so odd, some things going my way, others not, but all in all, I just can't get focused enough to work today. I am not sure what it is. I feel like taking Mikayla's photos (her own photo box) and just scrapbooking! I know that I need to clean, do laundry, and get stuff done but sheeesh! I dunno. Maybe I will pick up some caffeine on the way home to insure house cleaning completion, you know, that level of java that is so high that you really can't sit, but if you move, you can't notice the shaking?

A GREAT WAY TO KEEP BUSY WHEN STUCK AT HOME!

Ok, so I knew this was National Scrapbook Weekend, but I didn't think I could participate because I was overbooked this weekend. Baby shower 75 miles away form 11-2, friend's premie son's 1st birthday at 4, 45 miles away from that, and then home to sit with my kid who was hooked up to an EEG on Saturday. Then Sunday was supposed to be the day we celebrated Mother's Day with a bruch, but my aunt cancelled with school year coming to a close. I had already taken the day off from work at my second job, but I was going to work at my primary job. Then Camryn had a seizure about an hour before I was to leave for the baby shower. Funny how plans can change in an instant!
So I found out about an online crop where they post challenges and you create and upload to compete. Every competition is a lottery drawing, and it's a 5$ GC to their sight. What an idea! So here is some of what I did, some is the challenges, some is just in spirit of the weekend itself. I would post more, but I think at this rate I will just be putting in slideshows!
Pages completed over the weekend? 46.

I love this 2 page LO




A picture of Mikayla 3 weeks old, from her book.


Sooo Big!


Challenge #2 Paper Piercing


Challenge #1 Flowers

What a Weekend...

In the begining, we put it on, we kept it on, and we moved as one with the back pack.

So here is Camryn happily wearing her back pack. That's right, it's an ambulatory EEG. Not the best thing, but what kid doesn't like wearing a backpack?
We have finally had enough when it comes to the seizures or migraines, or whatever it is that is happening with this shunt. My child's brain needs to give us an answer, we just can't bare to see her in pain if there is something that can be done. Now we came home on Friday somewhat skeptical that we would see anything as Camryn never has seizures over the weekend. Even though lately she has had more zone outs here, we just hadn't seen the real deal. Or should I say, Dan hasn't.
The doctor was clear, if you think you know what is triggering the behavior, please, figure it out and test the theory. So I woke her up Saturday morning at 5:30 (ouch!) and we sat up and played, I posted on my mommy group board, I ate, and just hung out. About the time the family was up to have breakfast, she was complaining of a headache. She wouldn't eat. (Not a good sign) Then she really started crying and complaining that her head hurt and that she was going to puke. Then she did, white neruo puke. This child hand't eaten since 6 the night before and there was no red sauce in this. Then she passed out. About 60 seconds. Then she slowly woke up, came back into it, and then puked again without warning and was out again for about 2 minutes, but then was able to be aroused. So we just let her sleep. Almost 1 hour. Then she woke up slowly and withing 20 minutes was up playing like nothing happened! WTF? Did we really just see it? Did it really happen at home? Was it because of waking up so early? We will find out more Wednesday.
So here she is sleeping off what we thought was a seizure. So adorable and such a trooper, man I love this kid!