Good Samaritan Run

I went for a run the other day and it was on my old 'route,' on which I haven't run for over two years, since it is farther from home.  I was running along, enjoying my reunion with the road, when I saw a mail truck stuck in the snowbank across the street from where I was running.  I thought, 'What the heck?  I may as well try to help him out.'  So, I jumped through a snowbank and made a pushing gesture to the mailman to signal that I was coming to help.  In the back of my mind I was wondering if I would be of much help to him, but thought that I could at least try.  I leaned into the back end of the truck and rocked it back and forth as the mailman hit the gas...

I pushed that bad-boy out of there!  And I think I really surprised the mailman too!  When I came up along side of him after he pulled away from the bank he had an astonished and relieved look on his face as he said, "You're strong!"  I just laughed and exchanged a few more words before I was back to my run.  I just thought it was fortuitous that I happened to be running that route at that time...Everything happens for a reason!

I felt so good about myself for the rest of the day.  It was great!  Maybe on my next run there will be some more stranded mailmen who need my assistance.

Picture Update (part 2)

A picture of the best daddy in the world in action...

My first attempt at throwing a snowball...daddy helped me make it.

Here's that snowball that I tried to throw at mommy.  It was really cold.

My first sled ride.  I wasn't too into this because I kept falling out.

Do you see the "no-man" (snowman) that daddy and I made together?  (It's behind me...)

I got a new Jump-O-Lene for Christmas and it makes my hair get full of static.

I LOOOOOOOOVE "Big Noise" the vacuum cleaner!

I wasn't too into presents yet this year, I just focused on being really cute; it worked!

In my quest for jumping fun, I also got a new "neigh" (horsie) for Christmas.  Now I can be a real cowgirl!

Santa Claus Came To Town

Santa visited daycare last week and I am finally getting around to posting the pictures.  Joslynn, as you can see, was a bit nervous, but I was happy that she didn't cry when she sat on his lap.  Jack could care less...'Santa?? Who's that?...'

I Wanna Do It...

I am such a big boy now, that I am showing my independence even more by holding my own bottle sometimes, although, when I am really tired, I let mommy or daddy do it for me.

Daycare Dilemma

I have a situation which would appreciate comments.  I didn't know exactly what to get for my daycare providers for Christmas, and since I like sentimental gifts, I came up with the idea to make a calendar of the kids that attend daycare with my own children.  The daycare is at a house that is separate from where they live, so I figured the calendar would just stay there.  I had to secretly enlist the help of the parents.  At first, no one responded to me with pictures,  but now they are trickling in. Anyway, my question to all of you reading is...Is this enough for them for Christmas?  Here are a few more details about the situation: we only have so much money to work with (obviously), and there are three woman (2 full time, mother/daughter, and 1 part time helper) to buy for.  I am also making them a little homemade ornament from the kids, but it is just something small. 

This reminds me of the Friends episode where Monica and Rachel bake cookies for the mailman, the paperboy and the Super of their building.  They too have a limited budget and feel the cookies would show that they really care.  The mailman proceeds to deliver a crushed fragile package with a big footprint on it, the paperboy delivers a shredded newspaper, and the Super can't fix a broken radiator knob for several days.  Joey and Chandler think that they are being cheap with their cookie gift.  Now, I do have all confidence that my children will not be treated with neglect because of my "cheap" gift, however, is it enough to show my appreciation for the care of my children, especially since there are three different women?

Any input from "my readers" would be appreciated.

Four hours later...

Four hours after I started my cleaning/organizing project, I am satisfied with my progress.  I started by organizing the entire kitchen.  I needed to look through all of our food products and read labels so that I could separate anything that has peanuts or eggs (this is what took the most time).  I also set out a few items for the food shelf while I was at it.  I cleaned the entire frig and actually adjusted some shelves so that it is arranged a little better.  I loaded the dishwasher and ran it.  I filled my soap dispensers.  Then, I started a load of laundry and folded two others.  Now, I'm just sitting with my feet up for a quick post before I go to bed.

*Thanks to all my wonderful friends for your comments of support and understanding.  Ms. SuperTelega, I think I'm ready for the story--knowledge is power.

**This blog clock is still off by several hours.  Anyone know how to fix it?

Peanut Allergy

So I learned many new things today, one of them being that my daughter, Joslynn, has a peanut allergy.  This was scary news to hear, so my mind is still going about 100 mph.  Now, all of these questions are coming to mind; that always happens after you leave the doctor's office.  Now I need to train daycare and family on how to use an Epi-pen.  It's all a little unnerving. 

More work to be gone

Being in the teaching profession, I still have to prepare someone else to do my job when I am not there.  Sadly, I can't just call in sick or take a day for an appointment without having to worry about what my sub will do with the kids, or how they will behave.  Honestly, as much as I like a break from work, it is so much more work to be gone than to actually be there.

'I'm Going To Sit On My Brother'

Joslynn has this thing now with thinking that it is really funny when she sits on her brother, or pretends like she is going to.  She climbed on top of him while he was in his little lounging chair, so I moved her to a position that I thought he was somewhat comfortable with so I could get a picture, (since I have so few of them actually together).  He, of course, thinks that she is hilarious.  Later, when he was laying on the floor.  Joslynn proceeded to squat over his head like she was backing up to sit down.  I caught her before she actually sat, (thank goodness) and got her to lay down by him and I got some pretty cute pictures.

Sick Kids

Joslynn had her 18 month check-up today.  She was very brave at the doctor's office.  She is usually like a woodtick and clings to me like crazy, so in anticipation of that, my mom came and helped me with the munchkins after she got off work because that is an extremely busy time for them.  They didn't call us in for about 40 minutes after our scheduled appointment.  By that time, Jackson had needed to eat and Joslynn had her snack (on the go) as well.    I was very thankful for the extra helping hands.  Mom stayed in the waiting room with Jack and I think it put Joslynn at ease a bit more too by having my undivided attention in the doctor's office.  Of course, after he left the room, she said, "Doctor."  

To my surprise, she has a double ear infection!  So we have a new challenge ahead of us for the next 10 days: medicine.  If it were Tylenol, she would drink the whole bottle, but of course, the essential medicine is the one that she spits out.  It smells really good too!  So, I can't quite figure her out.

Jackson is having some #2 issues.  LeAnn if you are reading this, I'm sorry.  For the past 2 weeks the little guy is having the toughest time with doing his business and it is really affecting him.  He's not the same baby lately.  Now, tonight, he threw up all over himself in his crib and it was in his eyes and everything.  Poor little lamb... I wish everyone could just be well here at the Stewart house.

Emotional Eater

Since I started on my weight-loss venture about 3 months ago, I have lost 23 pounds.  The only bad thing about that is, I don't know how long I can keep it off when I am such an emotional eater.  If I am sad or stressed, I eat.  If I am happy (celebrating), I eat.  If I am anxious about something, I snack...does anyone else see a bad pattern here?

Feelin' Like Pooh

I missed my run this morning.  Jack was up before 5:00 and was hungry.  By the time he ate and fell back asleep, I lost my motivation to get dressed for running and decided to snuggle him instead.  I told myself that I would run later.  Well, I should know better.  I knew that I had a dentist appointment this afternoon and then had to go to the store for food.  I also knew that Josh would be home late because he had conferences.  It wasn't news that I had the kids alone and it was bath night for both of them (of which, Joslynn pooped in).  So, by the time I fed Jack once again and strategically left him to nap while I put Joslynn to bed, it was already 8:20 and there were still dishes to be done, toys to be picked up and homework to do.  I missed my run this evening too, but I'm sure you guessed that by now.  I hate missing a workout; it makes me feel like pooh.  So, I'm blogging in its place.

Anticipation

I was so excited about my 100th blog that I wrote it this past weekend.  I am so envious of everyone else's "100's" and I was spurred especially by Kelli's recent accomplishment of her 100th blog.  I guess I was just in a writing mood!  Sadly, it will be a while until you can all read it since I am still just approaching 60 right now.  I need to be better about blogging on a more regular (daily) basis.  I just need more time!