Surgery Tuesday

Well, somehow, this time being right holds absolutely no satisfaction. Last time I at least had a couple of weeks to mentally prepare, but not this time. Garth Lee's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Garth said the doctor was really very nice and personable which always helps. I know that Garth Lee is going to be very unhappy when he realizes what is happening, but luckily kids are resilient creatures. Last time he was running around the house about 6 hours later, hopefully things will go just as smoothly this time. I'll keep everyone posted.

It's Back :(

Last night, Garth Lee's hernia was much bigger (these pictures are from the first time we went to the doctor--the last one is after pushing it back in) and we were not able to completely reduce the hernia (which is not a good thing). At least this time, they just sent us to the surgeon instead of having us come in. We have an appointment with the urologist in the morning, so I guess we will know more after that. I hate to say "I told you so"...oh wait, no I don't--"I TOLD YOU SO!!!!"

P.S. Those are my fingers in the pictures, I was trying to make sure I didn't inadvertently produce some sort of prosecutable photographs, but they ended up still looking questionable...

Public

Sorry for the whole "going private" scare. I have found it to be way more of a hassle than I thought, so here we are back naked for the world to see. I just have a really hard time believing the world is really that interested when I only have a few friends who are remotely interested, kwim? Anyways, I actually have lots of stuff to blog about, but I want to get my pictures downloaded first. Please bear with me, hopefully I will get them on here tonight and blog about them tomorrow. I know you will be waiting anxiously...mom :)

Well, I guess I could go ahead and post this picture:

If you have never tried REALLY hard to get pregnant, you may not even really be able to see these lines very well, but if you have tried REALLY hard, then these lines are VERY obvious to you. I stopped taking pictures of them when they were darker, but we have already had 2 ultrasounds and have seen the heartbeat (one of the few advantages of being fertilly challenged), so it is actually for real and hopefully this little one will stick. We are of course very excited and are looking forward to our March baby.

P.S. Yep, you are totally looking at a picture of something I've peed on...that is so gross!

I'm Pretty Sure It's ESPN...

Or ESP, or maybe even PMS, but I had a dream last night. I dreamt that I got online and checked the Texas State Board of Pharmacy website and I saw my husband on there, with a license number, a for real pharmacist. I got up this morning and got to work, checked the website and what did I see...you can probably guess (or already got a call this morning at 8 am) that he WAS there, he IS licenced FOR REAL!!!!!! Can't you hear the HUGE sigh of relief (and the jumping up and down) coming from our house?!?!?!?! Garth is officially official. He has a license number and everything. He called CVS and they already want him to come in to cover for them, surprise, surprise. YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! The last 6 years of our lives has been consumed with pharmacy school, and that isn't even counting the 4 years of undergrad before that. Wow, 10 years, I can't believe it's over (or just really starting). As Sarah said, we are "like" real grown ups now.

I would just like to add that I would not trade these years we spent in school, together, struggling with a young family, for ANYTHING. We have learned so much about one another and we have learned to lean on each other and count on each other. Thanks for all the support and encouragement from everyone.

ROTFL

I just added a new blog to my blog list that is too funny for words. I actually saw it because one of the other blogs I frequent is in some contest for the funniest blog and I clicked on this one because it was FAR in the lead, and after reading it, that distinction is well deserved. The blog is called cake wrecks and it has actual professionally (sometimes that term is used loosly) decorated cakes that somehow have gone wrong. The cakes themselves are really funny, but her captions are HILARIOUS! Here are some of my favs.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/07/and-so-fourth.html
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/07/taking-liberties.html
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/06/tassel-hassles.html (I esp like the Yoda cake description)

More to come, it's time for me to go home now.

Over Halfway There!!!!!

My husband (and I) got some excellent news in the mail today. He got his letter from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy that he passed his law exam! The law exam is BY FAR more difficult than the NAPLEX so...knock on wood...we are so close to being in the clear. We so needed some good news this week and we are very excited. Thanks to everyone who has supported us through this looooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggg journey. We are almost finished, I can hardly believe it. I am so proud of him (but secretly glad that he scored one point lower than I did on the law exam, heh heh). I truly hope he blows my NAPLEX score out of the water!

I'm a Liar

So I went private already. I put all the contacts I think I had on here, but if there is anyone I forgot, it was not intentional, and now that I am private, email me at brooketpharmd@hotmail.com if you overhear someone really upset about not being able to read my blog ;) Liza, I need your mom's email, cause I think she actually reads my blog and it makes me feel special. Have a good 4th!!!

Music

I love music! If there is one thing that I have always wished I could do it is to sing. Not just to sing, but to sing well (and trust me, that wish has not been granted--just ask Garth Lee who is always screaming at me in the car to stop singing). A few months ago, I went to "Time Out For Women" in San Antonio with my sister-in-law and a few of mostly her friends (who quickly and truly became mine as well) and the most impressive part of the whole weekend was the music and I didn't even know there would be music I just went for the company mostly. Honestly, I had never heard of Hilary Weeks before that weekend, but I have never been as impressed as I was to hear her voice and to feel the spirit flooded you as you listened to her songs. Her CD's are great (and of course I bought several of them), but they do not do her actual voice justice. Anyways, I have been listening to one of her CD's lately and a favorite has emerged, it's called "He'll Carry You". I am so blessed in my life that I really don't think of myself when I hear these words. I know there have been and will be times that this song is for my own uplifting, but lately I have thought of others when I heard these words. I hope that those people can be comforted and know that they are never alone. Here are the words:

He knows your heart

He knows your pain

He knows the strength it took just to simply breathe today

He sees the tears that you cry

He knows your soul is aching to know why

He hears your prayers each humble word

When you said you couldn’t face another day he understood

He knows the path that you will find

Though you felt alone he’s never left your side

He knew there’d be moments when no earthly words could take away your sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He’ll bring you peace and leave you hope

And in the darkest night he’ll comfort you

Until you know the sun will rise and each new day

You will have the strength to live again

And when there are moments when no earthly words can take away your sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you

He hears you when you’re crying in the night

He hears you when your soul longs to find

Till the morning will come

And the light of the dawn reassures

That in the moments when no earthly words can take away your sorrow

And no human eyes could see what you’re going through

When you’ve taken your last step and done all that you can do

He will lift your heavy load and carry you

As a little bit of a funny...There was a little introduction period in the middle where all of the presenters and performers formally introduced themselves and Hilary sang a little song that described her favorite things, to the tune of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. I can't find the lyrics, but I think I have a link to the actual song, but I will have to do it from home and I *hope* to load it tonight. It is sooooo worth the wait.

Going Private

It kind of stinks, and no I haven't had any weird stalkers or anything, I just think I would feel more comfortable posting whatever I wanted to. I am so glad that I have had people stumble upon me and I hope that I get everyone's comments so that you can all get on. Please comment to this post if you would like to be added to 'the list'. I think I will do it in the next couple of weeks so I can give the laggers time to respond (you know who you are).

For a laugh, go to this post on The Meanest Mom (her posts are usually cute, but this one made me laugh out loud): http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/2009/07/bike-raffle.html

Her blog says to make sure and don't take anything from her site without proper attribution, so I hope I have done enough and I don't get in trouble since I don't remember my APA reference formatting, especially not for blogs. This lady is so honest and FUNNY!!!!

A Couple More

This morning, Garth and I substitute taught Garth Lee's 5 year old Sunday School class. The lesson was over repentance and the Atonement. We talked about being sorry if we do something wrong and making it right. I asked the class "Why did Jesus Christ die for us?" My own son answered very seriously and reverently "So we could have Easter."

The following is a joke Garth Lee made up all on his own:
What do you call cheese that is rotten? Stinky!

Little Things

Nothing too blog worthy to post lately, but there have been a few little things going on, just for update's sake.

• Garth Lee has another hernia, on the other side from his surgical repair when he was 18 months old. We took him to the doctor Monday and he couldn't feel it, so he sent us to get an ultrasound and they didn't find anything, so everyone thinks I don't know what I am seeing. They actually said it could have been just a really big bowel movement making it's way down that I may have felt or seen. So I took pictures (non-kiddie porn style) and I am trying to decide if I feel like I need to take him in again and bring the pictures to *prove* he has the hernia or just wait and see what happens, hope it doesn't strangulate...but I REALLY don't want to do surgery again, anyways, I will post the pictures when I download them and you can judge for yourselves--it doesn't take a rocket surgeon
• We had to separate Princess and Spike (we are nicknaming them Jon and Kate for the time being). They are apparently fighting and can't sleep in the same crate anymore, so now they get 2 crates. Garth asked me why Princess got the old crate from the garage since we have had her for 6 years and Spike only for 1, I told him it was because I like Jon better...
• Garth has started working nights at CVS and he really likes it. Garth Lee and I really like it too because we get to stay up late in the "big" bed and watch movies and eat popcorn and we don't have Daddy giving us "the look"--we have to enjoy it now because school starts August 24th...wow I can't believe how big he is getting. Last night we fell asleep watching "Bee Movie" and Garth Lee was eating a ring pop (don't tell his dentist), he woke up at about 4am with the ring pop stuck to his shirt freaking out screaming "Bees! Bees!" I ripped the ring pop from his shirt and told him it was his candy, not a huge killer bee stuck to his jammies, and he curled back up next to me and went back to sleep. (Wow, I just realized what a bad mom this post makes me look like)
• We found out a few weeks ago that we are getting a new niece. I didn't want to post about it before because I didn't want to be the one breaking the news, but it has been a while now, I am pretty sure that anyone who cares already knows. Spencer and Jenny are having another little girl, due mid-October and her name will be Caroline Ann(e)--I'm not positive on the spelling, but it's cute either way.
• I am working the next 3 weeks straight, my regular week, then a week of nights at Women's and Children's, then my next regular week here. My next day off is July 8th and I have told CVS that I am available that next week. YAY! (Did I mention I can't wait for Garth to pass his boards?)
• We still don't know when Garth will be able to take the boards, but we will most likely know by Monday--so hopefully in a month or so we will be having a party celebrating his licensure!!!!!!

Disney Trip 2009

The early morning ride to the airport was too exciting for words.

Garth Lee's first airplane ride. Ms. K, the music teacher from his preschool, made him a CD with several of his favorite songs on it and he thoroughly enjoyed it. It was too funny because he doesn't exactly understand the concept behind headphones and that he doesn't have to hear himself for us to hear him. He was singing along with the songs at the top of his lungs and laughing. He kept looking at us like we should be laughing and singing too. Thankfully the people around us on the plane thought it was cute too.

This is where we waited for the shuttle to the Disney parks everyday.

Waiting for the ferry to Magic Kingdom, we were already having to make sure we stayed hydrated with their $2.50 bottles of water.

The fam at the entrance to Magic Kingdom

Out of order picture of Garth Lee sleeping the whole flight from Houston to Orlando.

Papa and Garth Lee at Magic Kingdom

Our first show and sighting of Mickey Mouse, there was a whole "wishes come true" theme and Garth Lee kept asking me "Mommy, do wishes really come true", it was very cute!

The Thomas' on the obligatory "It's a Small World" ride

Playing at the Winnie the Pooh playground

Walt Disney and Mickey

This was pretty much the theme of the whole trip-get wet anytime and anyway you possibly can. There were little surprise water springs coming from the ground at the Winnie the Pooh playground.

When shooting fireworks shots, unless you have a really quick shutter, or are a lot better at photography than I am, you just have to get lucky to get a good shot, and I so got lucky here.

And here

Pirate goofy ears...so cool

Mickey ears...with shade

The outside of the resort check-in.

Hollywood Studios Fantasia hat

Our Mickey pic with the family...Garth Lee was so proud

Russell and Dog from "Up". We haven't seen it yet, but Garth Lee was excited all the same to get pictures with them and to get their autographs.

The Incredibles

Frozone

Passing the time waiting in line for something

Our little jedi

Lighting McQueen and Mater

Quincy from Little Einsteins

Oh look...another fountain, this time Miss Piggy

The luau with cousins Reese and Rachel

The kids learning to hula, he warmed up to it I promise.

I just thought this was a neato ornament

more hula

oh yea, he is the hula king by this point

K, so this is so not a girl, and it was kind of hard to concentrate on the luau with it dancing

These dancers were also distracting ;)

Fire Dancer

Animal Kingdom Safari

Feeding the dolphins at SeaWorld. This was pretty amazing to me, and probably my favorite part.

Goofy and Pluto at Animal Kingdom

Mommy and Garth Lee at the Shamu show "Believe"

MiMi and Little G

Garth Lee and the whale trainer

A real shark swimming over us at SeaWorld

The little seal was only one day old

Our last day at Bonnet Creek, one of the activities was face painting. The lady that did it was amazing, she did this in less than a minute and he was very concerned that it stay on and kept asking every 5 minutes if it was all still on his face.

Daytona Beach. I thought he may be afraid of the water, but he absolutely loved it and ran out into it until I yelled at him to come back until Daddy went out with him.

A pretty cute grandpa, Garth and Garth Lee picture.

Our first sunset at Daytona

My cousin Jeni and her husband Bryan

Building sand castles

My boys

The view from our room...seriously

Coming home, Garth Lee enjoyed a little light reading

My little beach comber

We had a blast! And if you got all the way to the end of this post, congratulations.