No Surprises/Answered Prayer/Book Finished

The results from the allergy tests came back way sooner than anticipated. Thankfully, there are no surprises. It told us mostly what we already knew.

My part-time job is officially over as of Wednesday (9/3). I resigned because David is now able to do some part-time work after teaching that will get him home before Drew goes to bed and we can try to still eat dinner together. He will not have to work as many hours as I did to replace the income I earned, and he will actually make more than I did.

I look forward to slowly acclamating back to somewhat of a reasonable bed-time routine. I know it won't happen all at once, but there has to be benefits to going to sleep before 2 am!

I just finished book #14 this past week, and though I didn't know the plot when I checked out the book, it was about the rodeo circuit- a bull rider named Cody and a barrel racer named Ali, who has cystic fibrosis. It was the perfect time to read about rodeo, because we are off to Arcadia tomorrow night to show Andrew some bulls and horses- we are sure he will be fascinated, as he loves cows and horses right now. The book is called A Thousand Tomorrows by Karen Kingsbury (she is a Christian author). It was also an educational read with regard to cystic fibrosis. I never understood much about the disease, but now I feel that I at least could describe the disease in words to myself.

Anyway, I will continue to update by book list on the left each time I finish one. If you need an author's name for any of them, or just want to know more about a particular book to see if you are interested in reading it, just send me a comment.

Today we voted... tomorrow we test!

No photos to upload right now because it's late, I'm tired and being lazy.

However, Andrew was able to go with me this morning to vote and then tonight with Daddy to vote. He received I voted stickers both times. I was so proud of him because he walked in holding my hand, just like a miniature adult, looked around, greeted the poll workers, didn't wander from me once, and said "thank you" to the poll workers when I did. How funny!

Tomorrow I am planning on trekking over to the lab in town to have Drew's blood drawn for his allergy tests. We think we know all the food he is allergic to, but considering we just learned of a new one last month, we think it is in his best interest for us to be sure.

Meanwhile, if you think about it- please pray for me to remember to give Drew all his medications EVERY day. Some days it's hard because I have to hide the meds in his food, and getting him to eat some days is very difficult :)

Good night for now-

Drew's Drawing

Andrew put this on his magna-doodle this morning, and proceeded to tell me what each item was as soon as he drew it, very matter-of-factly. So, there are four things- starting with the largest on the right side and moving clockwise:

1. FISH

2. SNAKE

3. BIRD

4. SKY

Happy Retirement, Papa!

Today was Papa's last day of work for Lee County. To celebrate, Nana, Drew and I waited at the bus stop and road the bus with Papa for about a half hour or so. We had a two minute break in between the end of the route and the start of the same route again, so we stopped to take pictures of Papa and Drew in the driver's seat! This was Andrew's first bus ride, and he really enjoyed it!

"If they behave when they are away from you...

... then you are doing something right."

I have heard this saying a lot lately, and I want to believe it is true, but I am not so sure.

Today was exceptionally challenging for me and my little Drewster. I had to go to JoAnn (okay, had to may be a slight exaggeration), but I really did HAVE to go to WalMart. At JoAnn, he was an angel. Once we got to WalMart, oh my- I became one of the mothers that everyone looks at and gives the "why don't you take that child home" look. Drew did not want to sit in the cart where he is supposed to ride, would not sit in the basket part (sometimes that works), would not let me hold him (not that I could have done that for very long anyway), and would not walk and hold my hand.

He didn't want water, he didn't want snacks, he didn't want to hold the grocery items like he normally does, he didn't want his toys I brought to keep him occupied....

Everyone always tells me how well behaved and obedient Andrew is when they are with him... and I believe it, because we work hard at rewarding good behavior and applying consequences to wrong choices/behavior. Most of the time, he is my sweet little angel... but, wow, today blind-sided me. Screaming, throwing the head back, oh my- he has me spoiled. I am not used to this- I am praying that A) this is short-lived (probably isn't) B) that God helps me to be patient, loving, discerning and assertive all at the same time and C) that we don't have to endure a shopping trip like that again!

However, on a lighter note, Drew made it a point to tell me tonight that he went to "church" and also reminded me where Jesus lives: in the "ky".

The Swigers are Leaving for the Lone Star State

My cousin, Sonja, her hubby, Ron, and their son, Jay, are leaving today for Texas. They are moving because Sonja is going to be on staff at Texas A&M. She has her PhD in Forensic Entymology (I, on the other hand, am not even sure I spelled that correctly). I am so proud of her and her determination to achieve her personal goals. She managed to complete her doctorate work while being a first-time mom and living far from family.

I am so happy for Sonja, Ron and Jay. Of course I am sad to see them go, but I know they have waited a long time for this opportunity. Their patience has paid off and we rejoice with them for the new chapter in their lives.

Songwriting/Current Music

I originally typed this post earlier today, and managed to lose it, so my words won't be as eloquent.

I tend to be a purist when it comes to music lyrics. I am not "moved" by most songs I hear, although because I appreciate many types and genres, I like most songs I hear. Well, lately, I have come across four country songs (yes, I know, all you twang-haters are mad now) that each made me stop, focus my attention, and say to myself, "Wow- now that is what country music is all about!" I suppose these songs 'caught' me because I felt that I was able to hear the song, the words, the music, and 'see' from the point of view intended by the writer and/or singer and/or musicians.

The songs are listed below. Click the titles to hear them for yourself:

• Don't Think I Don't Think About It, sung by Darius Rucker (Yes, front man for Hootie and the Blowfish has gone country!)
• Every Other Weekend, sung by Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
• Another Try, sung by Josh Turner and Trisha Yearwood
• Better As A Memory, sung by Kenny Chesney

Warning: If you are in a sad mood, don't listen right now. Or, on the other hand, if you want some help crying, then go right on ahead and listen away!

And, in case anyone wants to know about a great new group on the country scene that I really like so far, Lady Antebellum.