Just Me!!

I did it! I confiscated all the violent toys from my five year olds bedroom. I am sure more are lurking around, but I grabbed and hid the majority of them. I don't know if I am the only mom that feels this way, but I hate the behavior that stems from certain toys, movies, gameboys, computer games that my son consumes with his time. I don't know if it will change his behavior but I am sure willing to try. I remember several times, where my mom would steal the T.V. and store it in her closet for months at a time. I also stated that I would never be so dramatic! I am to this point now. I understand now why she did these things too, she did them for our own benefit. She wanted the best for us! She wanted us to be creative with our time, to learn and grow, to play outside and enjoy the fresh air, and get along with each other! I have come to discover that with the joys of parenting, comes "guilt" and "uncertainty." Am I doing what is right? I don't know. I c...

Okay, I know Bart might not be your favorite character, but when I searched for images in yahoo it provided me mainly with pictures of Bush! After paying (or "giving" is what they call it here) 42.00 for one tank of gas I have no feelings left to defend that man! Speaking of insanity, I finished my last nursing rotation this week at the "mental hospital." I didn't like being locked in and up with these mentally challenged individuals! I spoke to rapists, murders, schizophrenics, antisocials for four whole days! I listened to them rationalize every action that they had taken, took, and will take. I came to learn that our minds are extremely fragile. You think that this couldn't and wouldn't happen to you, but think again! One minute you are a fully functional, sane member of society and then "pow" something or someone changes all that! I feel for the kids, the adolescents whose parents cared with so little regard to their safety and physical we...

I thought I would share a recipe with you! All you from Arkansas, try this! It is something you have probably never tasted. Granted this is not as good as cheese dip, but it is a close second! This is something you have to try! Please notice I said try, not buy! Mark and I discovered "Hummus" last year when we were practicing vegetarians! It is our favorite late night snack! We are having some tonight, as we watch "Gray's Anatomy". Hummus: 7oz can of chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)/2 garlic cloves crushed/6 tablespoons lemon juice/4 tablespoons of olive oil/1 teaspoon of ground cumin/salt and pepper to taste/Kalamatta Olives (optional). Drain chickpeas, put everything in a food processor! Enjoy with tortilla that are warm or pan fried! Yummy!

How can you be Mrs. Wendy and the dentist? This is the question Ethan asked our friend, and dental hygienist, when she came over to pull Valerie's third loose tooth. Valerie can't handle them sitting in there loose, so after three weeks of waiting for it to get loose enough we called Mrs. Wendy to come do it. Handy to have a friend who is skilled in such things! This made me think...the question Ethan posed that is! I feel people who have known me my whole life (okay and some for only 12 years) have the same reaction now that I am graduating. How can you be Angela and a Registered Nurse? Well definitely one answer is four years, two of recent, of the worst hell one can endure (okay, a little exaggerated). The other, I am not sure! I have my schooling, but not my feet firmly planted. What this means, don't expect me to know everything a 10 year veteran knows. First, let me dispel what my actual degree means. I am graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. What does t...

Ethan's Prayer Dear Jesus, Please take my mom and dad away. Please keep Valerie here. Please take away the kitchen. Please make our room's pretty. Please let Valerie and I get into heaven! Amen! Okay, hold on. He doesn't hate us. Let me give you some context to this prayer. He had been sitting at the kitchen table for about 30 minutes refusing to eat his supper. He told us that he wanted Jesus to take us away for awhile so he wouldn't have to eat the "yucky" pasta! It was cute. Don't worry, we will let him get up from the table to sleep :)

So, I receive this email from Linda Webster today talking about the famous website... ratemyprofessors.com ! She stated in her email how my husband had not yet received a chili pepper next to his name, indicating that the students didn't label him "hot!" Well, two seconds later, I found myself frantically signing up, posting my comments, and applying that silly, red, chili pepper to his ratings! Compared to some who were included in this hot, chili pepper club, I was astonished to find out that Mark was not the president of the club! Mark is incredibly sexy! I can't tell you all how much I love this man (can we say "hunk")! He is the best companion (can't say lover, because it would be too embarrassing), best friend, awesome daddy, excellent encourager, smart as all "get out", intuitive, and the best man helper I know (for some reason here in Arkansas, apart from Kristi's husband Mike, the men tend to believe household chores and child rear...

Days like these, we truly miss our families! You are probably having ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings! You are gathered around the table enjoying each other, conversating, laughing, and smiling. We miss doing that with you. We miss you. You know who "YOU" are! If my grandfather would learn how to use his lap top computer he too would know that we miss them as well! Here are some things I am thankful for... The colorful kid's Bible that Harry and Arlene sent years ago (when Val was two or something). We had an opportunity to read about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Valerie loves how they drew Jesus' beard, and the sandals he wore! Ethan was sad that Jesus had to die for his sins (hitting his sister, and lying to mamma are the only ones he could thing of)! The wonderful boxes both sides of the family sent for the kids. These are the best things you could give us! We love care packages...even though sometimes we're greedy! See the post...

Labrynth! Here is alittle fact that you probably didn't know about me. This movie, staring David Bowie, was my all time favorite when I was younger (years ago :)! I would rewind this crazy movie over and over again....wishing I was Sarah ( I would have stayed with the goblin king)! Weird thing is, I watched it again and still felt the same way about the movie, even though I am older and wiser now. So, I thought it was high time Valerie watched this fantasy based movie. I got it from Netflix because they have everything! We had a family movie night last night, after making Easter baskets, and coloring 18 eggs (they are going to have to eat lots of egg salad!). Valerie and Ethan both loved the movie. My tom boy daughter loved the beautiful princess' outfit the character wore when she danced with the goblin king. She agreed with me, that she would have stayed with the goblin king. Maybe it is David Bowie handsome looks...he hee. You should watch it and decide for yourself!!!! Wou...

We were treated to a special "idol" concert. Ethan has recently discovered his guitar again (who would've guessed that there were toys in his toy box :) and enjoys entertaining us with rock concerts. His concerts are pretty wild. The guitar is usually up in the air one minute and down on the floor the next. I wonder if he will be an entertainer...maybe a Ryan Secrest with musical talent. We always talk about how we were suppose to get one quiet and shy child, but I guess we missed out! Next thing I know, my curling iron will be missing :) Right mom! Aside from my "idol" son, I just found out that my friend had her third baby! I feel like I am missing out...or behind! She is such a great mom. Hey, she even cooks meals a month in advance! She told me that she had two to three months of meals made so that after the baby came she wouldn't have to cook. I told her she needed to blog and tell the rest of the "world" how to accomplish this great task. If ...

Who? This man pictured to the left!!!! What? A brown UPS package from "THE WEGLEY'S" When? Approximately 4:10 pm on April the 11th! Where? From the hands of two tiny, helpless, crying, children!! Why? Held for Ransom, due to a vicious, endangering craving for TIM'S CASCADE CHIPS How? Thievery, pure and simple! If anyone has seen or heard from this man, please contact me! A reward, of love and kisses, has been set by the deprived children of this package! If anyone can pay the fee, don't hesistate to call or send the ransom immediately!!!!!

How do you survive nursing school? A great supportive husband! Easy going children! Family Support! AND A group of friends that refuse to let you fail! Thank you Lauren, Dana, & Mitchell!

Well, today has been packed full of thoughts. We got up this morning, put on our Sunday best (okay mom W., see we do need a Easter dress), and visited a church in the area (that will remain disclosed). The main reason I felt the strong need to take my children back to church is because my seven year old could not tell me what sin was. She had no concept of the word. By her age, I had memorized 50 scriptures, new several stories and probably had heard a lesson or two about my own sin! I was confused and frightened to think she has missed out on the concept of sin...and much more the concept of mercy (we explained both over doing the dishes one night). I have talked about going to church for a week now and have been having mixed feelings and aweful dreams that these church going people are going to let my children run into the road, get lost in a forrest, or stolen by some sicko pervert like Mr.D! As you can see, this has been a struggle for me! Well I will tell you the children are jus...

Yes, we all saw the movie "Ice Age 2" the other night. Well, Ethan only saw parts of it because he took six bathroom breaks! The movie was pretty funny minus the couple of inappropriate words they used in front of the children. These are our favorite characters: Mark loved Mannie . Manny's the typical two story tall, 10,000 lb elephant covered in fur. But behind those pearly whites and cool exterior is the biggest heart of all. I loved Ellie . Ellie's a female mammoth who believes she's a possum and she is comfortable with that. She's fun loving and a free spirit who continually challenges manny's rigid sense of mammoth propiety. Valerie loved Diego . The meat eater of the group (who would've guess that Valerie would go for the carnivore). Diego used to be the baddest part of a pack of mean saber tooth tigers. Now he's the best part of the weird herd of adventurers. Ethan loved Scrat . Scrat is the sabertooth squirrel. Frantic and compulsive. Nothi...

April 7 2006 Almost there! There are 35 days of school left! I just completed my clinical rotations this week. I went out with a bang by managing a junior student. I thought I would hate this rotation but I loved it. Even though I sent one of my juniors home for being unprepared :( It made me realize how much I have learned and the excitement of teaching other people!!!! This picture is a true representation of me in nursing school. Completely flabergasted! I have never truly worked so hard in my life to complete something so wonderful. I love school but hate tests. I have to get to reading my Hesi book so I can pass this Readiness exam for the NCLEX.....!