This is how we sled in Idaho!

Last weekend there was not much snow left in Boise, so Eric and a few friends drove 45 minutes to take our dear children sledding.  What a fun day!!!

 Eric was getting Taylor nice and warm in her snowmobile snow-suit.

 Autumn (one of my dearest friend's daughter) and Taylor hamming it up.

 Autumn and Taylor ....you can't really tell, but Taylor is in the front of Autumn.

 The crew sitting by the fire, enjoying hot cocoa and hotdogs.

 The hill.....here I come!

There I went......

Results of a Snow Day!

What a wonderful day yesterday turned out to be. We drove 2 miles to a friends house so that we could go sledding and drink hot cocoa with her kiddos.When Taylor and I got home I told her that she could make a snow man with me before she took her rest.  (Yes, at 5 my daughter still takes a nap.  She is the kid that needs them.)

SNOW DAY!! SNOW DAY!

Today is a snow day!  Taylor's school is open, but all schools in the area are closed.  That means that she gets to stay home with mommy. Even though I teach "virtually" there are a handful of kiddos that come to my office and see me for their special education services.  Those kids that I see do not have to come in, which means I only have 30 minutes of teaching, online, today before I get to play in the snow!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Taylor's 5 year pictures.

Taylor Jo turns 5!

Taylor Jo turned 5 on November 15.  I have included photos of the 4 days of festivities.  Kind of crazy that my baby girl is 5.  It makes me sad to think that she needs me less today than yesterday. 

 We started off the festivities by going to my dads house where Taylor got a cake, present, lunch and even had a scavenger hunt at a local candy store.   Of course, I didn't get photos from the candy store.

 Saturday was Taylor's birthday party at the bowling alley.  She was able to invite 10 of her friends....crazy she has 10 friends already.

 The decorations at the bowling alley.

 HHHAAAA!  Taylor driving the motorcycle in the game area.

 Taylor Jo bowling.

The family...and ...my eyes are closed....like usual.

 The gang!

 Monday ...her official birthday.  Daddy made her the traditional heart shaped birthday pancakes.

 She was opening her presents from daddy and mommy.  She got a pink, Hello Kitty Razor scooter and jammies.

 Eric and I took the day off of work to spend the day with her. We went to the indoor bounce house.  Notice Eric and Taylor going down the slide.   It was a blast!

The next day Taylor made snacks to take to school.  She made a pudding and Oreo cookie snack with gummy worms. It is supposed to resemble dirt.

Finally am at peace.

Well, last Friday was rough.  I found out I wasn't pregnant and then got the blood test results from the doctor - which again....told me what I didn't want to know.  I was a mix of emotions.  At least I had prepared myself for the fact that I  was almost 100% sure I wasn't pregnant.  I think that helped prevent a massive melt down.

When the nurse called she said that Eric and could do one more round of injections and the TI. (timed intercourse- sorry if too much infor.) Eric and I had talked and decided that we were pretty much OVER it! He isn't willing to try anything further or more invasive.  Which is sad for me, but I have to respect his feelings.  With that said, I am doing okay.  I think I prepared myself enough prior to the official word.

So, here is the plan....for once I can say I feel good about the decision and am not lying to myself.
We are not going to prevent pregnancy...we are not going to "try", and we are going to Cancun again. :)  I am also going to put myself on Fertilaid, just in case I do get pregnant I don't want to miscarry because I have a thin uterine lining. Supposedly this will help with that.  (have any of you heard of this?)

So....unless I am pregnant you probably won't have to listen to me vent about not being pregnant anymore.

An adult night to remember

Not to be outdone by my daughter's love for Halloween. I thought it a good idea to throw an adult Halloween party.  Here are some pictures from the evening.

This is my garage.....converted into one of the "party" areas.

The outside area.....notice the tall tables?  There were 2 patio heaters next to them.

\

The haunted entrance to the party.  You can't see it but, there were cackling skeleton heads and parts all over.

Snookie (my sister in law) and The Situation (my brother) showed up!

The 3 pin up girls.

Eric and I.  LOL....he is wearing a childs size 10 costume. 

Trick or Treat

Here is how Taylor rolls.....and mommy.....25 years ago.

Taylor Jo as Rainbow Brite....

Mommy as Rainbow Brite ...25 years ago.

Another negative pregnancy test.

So, I found out I wasn't pregnant on Sunday, but had a blood draw Monday morning to confirm what I already knew.  Since I was at the Dr's I decided to get an ultrasound because Eric wants me to do another cycle of fertility. My Dr's office requires a baseline ultrasound at the beginning of each cycle to ensure that the medication did not create any cysts.Sounds like an excuse to make an extra $245.

  Here's to another month of injections, meds, suppositories and hot flashes!

Taylor is a tap..tap...tappin'

Last weekend

Here is how my weekend began.

Daddy just bought Taylor go carts. She is able to reach the peddles by herself, now that daddy welded the seat closer to the peddles.  (usually she has a helmet on - but this time Eric rode in the cart)  We have found out that she is only good enough to drive in an open field. She gets sidetracked in the neighborhood.  Too much to look at.  Taylor almost hit a truck...she actually ended up in the neighbor, across the streets, lawn.


Then........

I met up with Soni Balongi for lunch!!!!! Amazing how you don't miss a beat when you haven't seen each other for 10 or more years.  It was wonderful!  Like Sonia said, "this is what 24 years of friendship looks like."

Soccer star.

On Taylor's first soccer game...of which we were NOT keeping score......out loud, her team lost. The score was 6-8.  However, my daughter scored 4 of the 6 goals!  I almost had a heart attack during the game....what is going to happen when she is 12.  I'm likely to pass out!!!

My pretty ballerina and tap dancer.

So frustrated.

I am so frustrated I anxious I can't sleep.  Since the day Taylor turned 3 she has been enrolled in a small Montessori preschool.  I knew all the parents and children.  I loved the 3 teachers and would converse with them.  Well, this year the preschool teacher sold her company to a woman who is not Montessori certified.  I have an issue with that because now no one is certified.  I also have a problem that the front sign out front reads, "ages 3-6" and there are now 5, 18 month olds in her class. They are not separated either. Taylor plugs her ears because of the noise.  I am also upset because now there are toys that are not Montessori toys around. I am upset because I pay $425 for 3 days per week. (8:30 am -3:30 pm)  I enrolled my daughter under the premise that the preschool would stay the same.  I don't want the validity of the program to be compromised. 

Said frustrations, I asked the preschool teacher for two weeks of enrollment back because I do not feel like I am getting what I signed up for.  She says , "No. I am sorry that you have to tell yourself those things to make yourself feel better."  WTF?!  I am stating facts and am not the only one with these concerns. 

Taylor is now enrolled in a different preschool , but I cannot start her because I will not be getting any money back.  So, Taylor will have to wait until next month. 

AHHHHH!

I am not a bitch on purpose to this teacher. I am sure she is going to be nice and all.  But, the issues I do not like will not go away with time. They will always remain.  I am confrontational when it comes to my daughter and what I feel is best.  If that makes me a bitch....I guess I am.

To that time again.

Well, my package of fertility shots and meds made it to my door today.  I guess that means that I am beginning my two final rounds of trying, through a fertility doctor.  I am nervous and scared. I can't help but think if this first month doesn't work that I only have one more cycle.  .....then if that doesn't work......   Well, it looks like I will be starting everything on or around the 12th of September.  I of course, will keep everyone posted on my mood swings, hot flashes, shots, and ultrasounds.  (Did I mention I get 2 a month.....not on the stomach.)

I keep trying to remind myself to stay positive and try to breathe.

Ahhhhhh!

Oh my gosh!!! This was my first week back to work and Taylor is home with me because preschool is cleaning next week. This makes for a guilty feeling mommy.  I have had 3 play dates in the last 3 days, in an attempt to supplement the attention I am not paying to her.  I think it has worked.  But, I am so over having extra children in my house. AHHHHH!

It also seems like all of the paperwork and computer programs that I use, for work,  aren't working effectively. The paperwork I need is not available, the computer programs are brand new so I am learning them and inputting old information.  AHHHHH!

Then, Eric has been out of town since Tuesday. He will not return until Sunday evening. He is doing an off road race.  It is called the Best in the Desert.  He races from Las Vegas to Reno. Pretty scary.  The day before he left there was a story on the Today Show that talked about a vehicle, the same he is racing, flying off the track and killing several people.  Another AAHHHHHH moment.  To make matters worse, I was supposed to be able to track him on the website and I can't. I don't even know how he is .....

My white water rafting trip in photos.

The way up. .. wow hair!

My Eric.

The HOT 23 year old river guide.. . made me feel like a PUMA.  (not quite a cougar)

The raft.

This is how we ate lunch. .. pretty rough life ?!

Two of the 3 guys I was with.  

A great group of people we met in Riggins. They even let me use the shower. It was great after camping in a dirt pile.

Love him!