Lauren's artwork on the web

Anyone who knows Lauren knows she has a knack for art- since the tender age of 3 she has been amazing audiences alike with her unique talent. She draws pictures with the most amazing details and her imagination is displayed in her work. I'll never forget her kindergarten teacher telling us "Lauren's artwork is not typical of a kindergartner", and now it's that very talent that makes her popular with her peers. The first thing kids say when they meet me on a field trip or whatever is, "Lauren draws really good". Now you can see for yourself one of her art projects that was chosen by her art teacher to be displayed online! It's not a drawing but something she worked on in class. The online picture does not do it justice but go check it out!

www.artsonia.com/Lauren3800

I'll find my other two favorite drawings and share them with you but right now Gavin is competing with the computer for my attention!

We're Back! Hooray!

Pics to come soon! We've had a problem with our security certificate or whatever and haven't been able to access certain websites- blogger being one and I don't know how we've gotten by without Club Penguin! Our neighbor Max will be excited- he and Lauren meet up on Webkinz or Club Penguin and they sit and play- while they're on the phone-while they can see each other through the window from across the street. It's kinda cute. Poor Max only knew that Lauren "couldn't play Club Penguin" but he didn't know why. He came over with a prepaid membership card for her so they can play! We're just getting ready for summer! 8 days of school left! Hunter's on his 8th grade trip to Springfield today- I'm so excited for him. I got out my album and showed him pictures of my trip- it seems like yesterday!

We'll be back in full swing so keep checking back!

My VERY BEST friend- EVER!

I'll explain in a minute why I'm sticking my neck out like that. . . :0)

So one must give credit when one is due right? Well I haven't read my comments yet but JULIE (that's my BEST friend Julie up there) called to give me a heads up that she wasn't very happy about my referring to her as "my other girlfriend" (right now she's mad at me because of course I know she was just kidding. . .) Then seriously, when I reflect back and look at all my past posts they're all kids, kids, kids. . . nowhere do I mention another very special person in life- someone who is just as important as all those kiddos- someone I couldn't live without! (and I mean it) This is my very best friend in the whole world, Julie Party-- (the "party"s the important part-hee hee- love ya!) Anyway, there's something to be said for "quality over quantity". In just these past couple of years this girl has come to know me even more so than some of my friends that I've known for years. She has cried with me when it hurt so bad and we have laughed until we pee'd our pants- many many MANY times! She brings me Dunkin Donuts turtle mocha cappacino's exactly when I need one, and Dr. Pepper's even when I don't! The day I took my boards I was stressing out so bad and who shows up at my door with a biggie Dr. Pepper? Julie P. Who was there the countless times I was ready to give up on nursing school, when I said "I guess this isn't for me?" Julie P. Who skipped through the parking lot and sang "we studied, we worked, we're gonna be a nurse. We're gonna pass this test and allllllll the rest" Julie P. (I'm dying right now LOL!) We can be the biggest dorks together- the most professional together- the studiest little book worms- the biggest goofballs- We have seen all sides of each other- in and out- no secrets. We've poured out our hearts and souls and we've slapped each other around. We've been angry with each other and we've been so proud of each other. All under the security "because we can". Because no matter what... we're gonna walk away and know that we'll be back. My friend Tina got me a tree for our backyard as a graduation gift. Along with it she spoke of how it was a sturdy tree, can withstand all the elements- comparing it much to our friendship. Sadly, despite all the water,care and attention, my poor tree died. Oddly enough, I haven't talked to Tina for a year. Trees die. Friendships die (even after 30 years) and new one's are made. And Julie's friendship has truly been an honor and a blessing. They say God puts people in our lives for a reason. I believe I was given Julie for a reason. Here's to my best friend ever- who not only took over the "best friend responsibilities" (panicking before a party, etc) just as well- but even better- and those were some mighty shoes to fill!!

P.S. The reason I'm sticking my neck out is because the saying goes "if you reach out your neck it hides your double chin"- so I thought I'd give it a try! :0) hey- gotta love me!

Bug #20

"thank you fireflies our friends, you led us here so brightly. We do appreciate your help. We do not take it lightly"

Here's what ya missed- listen carefully because she's fast! Only 4 little lines. That's our bug #20! The play was too cute- about "Bugz" and ants on a picnic. Bug #20 got to be any bug she wanted so she chose to be a monarch butterfly. There were lots of bees and ladybugs. I saw a misquito, a stink bug (that kid wasn't happy about it- per Lauren), some army ants (their little presentation was so cute) and Lauren's best friend was a gypsy moth who got to sing a solo! That's Hanna though- she is always dancing and singing around. She brings out "the girl" in Lauren :0) It's nights like these that I feel even more grateful for Gavin. I'd be leaving all these little programs so sad that "this is the last 3rd grade play I'll ever come to". Gavin is giving me so much to look forward to. They all are really- they're each in such different phases. Hunter's awesome. He's such a good kid. Lauren's just too sweet. Gavin? Now he's giving me a run for my money but secretly, I enjoy every minute.

Lauren's starring role in the upcoming musical

"Bugz" on Wednesday, April 30th 7:00pm at Wolf's Crossing Elementary! Don't miss Lauren Knill! She was so excited to bring home her program and as she was telling me all about it I thought "oh is she a lady bug, an army ant, the queen bee?" Then she proclaimed "I'm bug number 20!" I rooted her on and agreed that "bug number 20 is the BEST bug! I always wanted to be bug #20!" So for the past few weeks she has been rehearsing her lines for her upcoming role in the 3rd grade musical. Only 4 lines, but hey- bug number 20 needs no more! (at least she's not a stink bug or the maggot- or a grub worm! ) In case you miss it, here are Lauren's lines:

"Thank you fireflies, my friends

You led us here so brightly

We do appreciate your help

We do not take it "lightly"

Her 10 seconds or so in the spotlight will be posted you bet and autographs available shortly thereafter!

My new position!!!!

You may or may not know right now exactly what my job as a nurse has been for the past 2 years. I've taken care of moms and babies after the babies are born (post-partum) and I've taken care of pregnant moms before they deliver (ante-partum) -say a mom goes into preterm labor and it's too soon for the baby to be born- but I have just been offered a labor and delivery position to be their delivery nurse! I'll be delivering babies! I'm soooooooooo excited I can't stand it right now!! I wanted to jump out of my skin when I got the call! My friend Julie was here so I had to "play it cool" but the truth is, I feel like cartwheeling all around the neighborhood right now!! It's been said that you're scared to death every time you come to work- because the liability is so huge- (we're responsible for mom AND baby) but I'm looking forward to the adrenaline rush. I was getting bored. And in this day and age with all the fertility patients, we're seeing more and more twins, even triplets. So I'm looking forward to the challenge, the joys, there will be sorrows and especially I'm looking forward to the difference I can make in my patient's life- by being an integrel part of their birthing experience. This might mean that National has to wait (I've been thinking about continuing my education at National University and getting my doctorate in chiropractic medicine) but that's okay because this is a HUGE, exciting opportunity for me! Wish me luck! :0)

No cell phones allowed!

What did we ever do without cell phones? What did we ever do without ipods, laptops, portable dvd's, etc. etc. etc.? We spent quality time with each other- that's what! As Gav and I were out and about, driving to our next destination, I called mom. She couldn't talk. I called my sister- not home. My friend Julie? Not available. So as I jokingly thought to myself "noone wants to talk to me" I simultaneously heard the sweetest little voice call from the back seat "mama?"My heart SANK! I was so busy occupying my time looking for conversation with a friend, that I was tuning out the one person in the world who was looking for conversation with me! While I actively sought ways to neglect my son, he actively sought ways to capture my attention- and I didn't even hear him! Turns out, he was sharing with me all his insights on the farm we just passed. How many times have I missed that because I was chatting on the phone? How many opportunities did I miss to moo like a cow and niegh like a horse because I was too busy sharing some trivial gossip? What was meant for "emergencies only" has become an all too important luxury-and I want to thank Gavin for reminding me that in this day and age of electronics, emails, video games, etc. what stands the test of time- what will never-ever change, is a child's need for his family- not his "stuff". Whether he's 13 or 2 or anywhere in between.