I didn't realize how bad i've gotten when it comes to updating my journal.  It's sad. 

Anyway, I mailed out most of the christmas cards.  I feel bad because I didn't mail half of the amount I normally mail out.  I will admit, this year, I'm very behind on everything for the holidays.  Let's just say that Rob and I went out last night to get a few things for the boys (our first time shopping for christmas).  Yes, I'm ashamed. 

If you didn't get a card, please don't feel left out.  Many people didn't... But hopefully you will get a change of address card before next christmas : )

I promise to post pics and an entry all (ok, not all) about our trip.  We had a blast and could have used another 4  days.  We were blessed for family coming down to take care of the kids for us.  I still haven't had the chance to load pics from the camera.  As soon as we got back, Rob's aunt and uncle left to go back to AR.  Rob's mom left Sunday.  Rob left at wee hours in the morning on Monday to Hilton Head for a golf tournament all week. He got back the following Monday at wee hours in the morning again.  I've been non-stop with the kids in Judo, work and being on my own while he's been gone. 

In the mean time, Rob and I will be attending an adult costume party tonight.  Yeah, we've been so busy we weren't able to decorate our house to host a party. : ( 

What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas....We shall see!

Family comes tomorrow.  Rob and I head out wee early Monday. 

I'm ready but not packed.  I figure if I don't bring it, no one knows us.  We will barely sleep so no need to change. lol  J/K

I've got my few outfits I need and will shop for more when we get there.  Even Rob told me so! ha!

Airlines booked, Limo is booked, hotel booked...everything else happens when we get there!  Yayayayayayayaya!

I can't wait to get in the regular rhythm at work.  It's been packed and busy since my new boss came on board.  I'm ready for it to slow down but that won't be happening for at least three months.  EEEEEKkkkkkk! 
I'm going to welcome Rob with open arms.  He will be home for a whopping 5 hours (if that) before he's off to a golf tournament.  He sure knows how to get me to slowly adjust to him being home after being away. 

The kids started school last week.  It's been a challenge for me.  We got Kavan's schedule changed to some of the classes he requested but he wasn't able to get into a drawing class so he's stuck with visual arts.  He's enjoying life as "freshmeat" and says High School isn't as bad as some people made it seem.  He's got classes with friends from last year and is slowly adjusting.  I'm still trying to adjust to how his school operates.  They don't do block schedule like I was used to.  Instead they do a 4 block for half the year and then a different 4 block the other half.  He's in classes longer and can't miss much class time which is hard on his doctor appointments.  Try finding a doctor with openings after school hours. urrrrr.
Landan is doing well.  He's still adjusting to his new teacher, riding the bus with Kavan and he's got a new special ed teacher this year.  Both his special ed teacher and his classroom teacher need to adjust to him as well.  I'm waiting for an IEP meeting since I wasn't pleased with the one they had at the end of last year.  (I wasn't included due to mis-communication which is a whole different story). 
My new boss has been on board for almost two weeks.  He seems very nice and interested in my job duties.  This has made my work load go from a 2 to a 10 (which is a good thing but oh so busy)!  Plus I have inspection next month so on top of my normal work load, I've been busy preparing everyone for the inspection. 
Rob's still away at school.  I found the other me so things are going better.  I miss the help and having him around to calm me down.  Him being away makes me think of my friends who are going through another deployment.  If they can do it, I sure as heck can too.  He's been enjoying his time at Bliss and making many trips to their PX : )  I can't wait to see goodies! hahaha  He's doing well on his tests so I guess he deserves treats too.  
I'm almost done with my Chiropractic appointments.  I go back on Monday for my follow up xray and exams.  I'm excited to see the change.  Heck, I feel so much better already...I just hope I look like i've gotten younger and no longer look like a 80 year old in xrays. 
well, I've got a cat running from a dog- a dog driving me crazy. She's been so good...which she'll be great if she can just learn to leave the cat alone. 

I did not realize how much time has passed since I've updated my LJ.  I know my great uncle and aunt have been wondering if I'd dropped from LJ but I didn't.  I've been caught up with so many different things...to include work and FB.  I sit in front of the computer all day at work that I dread getting on at home and thanks to new technology, I do most of the stuff from my phone when home.  That may change once Rob's back with my laptop. : )

Work is a job.  I'm happy I have one.  We had a change in Command this past week so things can be changing in the near future.  I had a short talk with the new boss and his wife.  They both seem nice and are a complete 360 from the last.  I welcome the change and hope for the best.  I'm already preparing for my work load to increase. 
Rob's at school at Fort Bliss.  Since he's been gone, I have told myself I need to find the "other" Nina.  The one who's able to do all things on her own.  She's been hard to find and hopefully she will come through by midnight tonight.  The kids start school this week.  Registering them for school wasn't all that easy.  No one told me the HS is in it's own district.  I have no clue what time the buses will come for the kids ( still waiting for the calls).  Mattie goes to training this week (which means I have to drive the BEAST (Rob's truck) on the HWY and in town) and take KJ to a doctor appointment afterwords.  Still don't have his classes correct and need to make time to take him by the school to request the changes.  LB's school has open house but the date wasn't understandable on the automated message.  Oh and maybe when I find out what time the kids will be catching the bus from home and returning, things will work out.  I just might have to change my work schedule if Kavan's first gone and last home. : (
Rob is doing well.  He will be home in time for a few more golf tournaments.  He's been invited to play at Hilton Head in OCT.  I'd love to go with him but due to the boys' schedule for school, it doesn't look like we will be able to join him. 
KJ is now 5'5 and over 105 lbs.  Yeah, he's much taller than me.  He's grown A LOT since the beginning of last school year.  Now it's time to start putting the weight on!  He's starting HS this year....geez, a 9th grader already!  He's hoping to get into playing golf for the school.  He's growing up! 
LB is doing well.  While registering him for school, I found out he made honor roll again.  He is starting 3rd grade and thinks he will have a nice teacher this year.  He can't wait to see who's in his class. 
Mattie's doing well with training.  She's now in Off Leash Training and has picked up on a few commands for Home Protection.  I wish we would have started her in this training at 12 weeks.  He's done great work with her. 
Harmony and Mattie are slowly bonding.  Mattie does well with her until Harm wacks the crap out of Mattie's face with the paw.  The chase is on!  

Well, I guess I could update later this week after the first day of school.  I hope to get back on LJ more often like before. 

It's been FOREVER since I updated.  Yes, I know.  I am making myself take a moment to do this.

It's been a few days (since April 13th)...My heart is healing.  I feel that I can now start to talk about all that's happened this week with out bawling so I'm going to try and type it...and hope that it works like my conversation did this morning with a friend...tearless.  I have to get this off my chest.

Last Thursday, Mattie came home from her training.  She seemed very different to me.  She wasn't jumping (what the trainer worked on that week), or hyper, or well, herself.  She didn't want to play, run or eat.  She laid around.  I figured maybe it was her way of trying to adjust and I would give it a day or two.  Something didn't feel right still come Friday afternoon.  I asked her trainer if she'd seemed different- no but to call his vet (Dr. Bob) and bring her in on Monday if she's not acting herself.  Long story short, Mattie ended up being very ill...105.7 fever, SUPER HIGH white blood cell count, and bloody stool.  She stayed a few days/nights at the trainer's vet.  

Jessie was suppose to go Monday for her weekly check up.  Due to Mattie being ill, I had to hold off and take her Tuesday before work.  I got a call a few hours later from Jessie's vet, Dr BR.  I couldn't answer since I was on the phone with someone for work.  I called right back.  He sighed (and I knew he didn't have good news) and explained to me she wasn't making progress, her skin wasn't reattaching...it was now dying.  Now, let me explain...Rob and I have been talking about making a decision to continue or to stop surgeries.  Jessie's been ill since June.  I had the trainer's vet look at Jess's records a month ago and give me another opinion.  He told us he thinks Dr. BR has done everything he would have done and if nothing progressed or was healed by now, he didn't think it would change.  Dr BR and Dr Bob are both very well known for being EXCELLENT docs in our area.  Dr BR is known for fixing dogs hit by cars and other harder surgeries.  Dr Bob has been voted best vet in the region.  Rob and I have struggled for many months... trying to figure out whats right and what's not.  We've tried to see if Jess has been in pain or suffering. If she was happy or not.  I told her last month, no more surgeries.  I didn't want her going thru the pain of another one and that I needed/wanted her to tell me when she was done.  We believe she let us know a few weeks ago what she wanted... she started growling / snapping at the staff when I'd bring her in for her check ups.  
When Dr BH told me her skin was dying, I knew it was time.  Longer story shorter- I asked for them to clean her up...take all her drains out, not to send her home with any bandages or braces on.  I wanted her to be HER, what she was before all this happened.  I brought her home and had a good night with her.  We took pictures and told the boys what was happening.  They said bye to her Wednesday morning.  Rob came home and spent time with her during the day.  I picked her up before the boys came home.  Jess and I had our time together.  The staff at the office were ready for us.  Some stayed late so they could see her.  It was an emotional time.  I truly believe she either knew what was going to happen or she showed me she DID not want another surgery or her elbow to be messed with.  I stayed with her.  I talked her through it.  She gave me kisses and went peacefully in my arms.   Sept 25 2002 - April 13 2011  RIP McKinley's Angelic Borealis Jester

Dr Bob called me...He thought Mattie was doing well enough to come home.  What a bittersweet day.  Mattie's doing better.  She was diagnosed with a bacterial infection.  She's home and on a special diet for two weeks until her check up.  So far, no problems. She's adjusting to being the only one in the house.

The boys are doing ok.  They asked questions and we have answered them truthfully.  They called and talked to Jessie before I took her in.  They wish the doctors could have closed her elbow.  Rob is dealing with this differently than me...but he's doing ok.  He doesn't like to talk about it or hear about it.  Me, I'm finding the more I talk about it, yeah, I 'm sad but it's getting better.  It's still hard...but we've got each other.