Reality Check....

I think I might need to curb my television viewing as I dose off to sleep at night. Ryan Sheckler narrated my dream last night. Before every event occurred I heard him voice his innermost thoughts. I did, however, become one of the finalists on the biggest loser. Pregnant and everything. I managed to somehow avoid any meal plan or exercise regime and be one of the 4 finalists. Kelly, one of the other finalists, announced her pregnancy while we were stretching. She is due in 13 days. Her pregnancy caused a lot of commotion. Producers, trainers, and anyone else involved was panicked with the thought of a law suit should any complications arise due to her vigorous exercise routine the last 5 months. I was just ticked that she didn't even look pregnant and I'm due 5 months after her. Good thing I managed to avoid the hubbub surrounding her. Last night wasn't so bad, being a finalist and all. It was the night before when the Bachelor chose not to hand me the rose that devastated me. Who would've thought he wasn't into pregnant married women with 4 kids? Was I not pretty enough? Funny enough? Was 5 children and an extra husband not in his life plan? I actually woke myself up crying. I apparently was more attached to this man-without-a-face than I thought. I'm not about to analyze these dreams like a psychologist would, though it would be easy to see I'm insecure about my size and I feel like my husband isn't around enough. Maybe I should continue to watch right before sleep. These dreams are actually kind of entertaining. If I'm not the one getting sent home early.

A Day Worth Noting....

Yesterday was my birthday. Wahoo for me. It actually had the potential for disaster due to my husbands absence and the unpredictability of my children's behavior. However, the day turned out amazingly wonderful. In the morning one of my good friends (I'll call her Mrs. Doctor for privacy reasons) took Jack and Landon into her home and left me to the stillness of my own thoughts for a few hours. Moms sure do know what other Moms would like for their birthdays. It was blissful alone time. At 10:30 the doorbell rang. I was greeted by a woman holding these:
I'm almost embarrassed to say that I really didn't know who they could be from. I had a few guesses, none of which were Shawn. It actually didn't cross my mind that he would have sent them (sorry babe). When I opened the card and they were indeed from him, I cried. Gifts completely unexpected like this from him really touch me. I was just arranging them as my centerpiece when Alana showed up with a card and some cherry Hershey kisses. (No picture due to the speed in which the said kisses were inhaled.) I took a short nap due to the excess of chocolate in my system, then went to pick up the kids to take them to preschool. I was greeted at the door by a loud "surprise!" and this:

Each of the boys and their girlfriends had made me a card, and they all helped with the delicious chocolate cupcakes. Jack has said they are the best he's ever tasted. I think I would have to agree. After the preschool drop off it was lunchtime. I figured Lunch = Ruby Tuesday curbside to go. After all, it's my special day.

Kids came home from school after I dozed on the couch with Blue's Clues and Dora in the background. Then, Lisa showed up with this delectable creation:

Too bad you can't taste pictures. This baby is one that Lisa is famous for and I happen to be the lucky recipient. And I mean lucky. After playing outside for awhile the kids were hungry so we headed to Burger King for dinner. Not really my idea of birthday dining, but 30 minutes of playtime for the kids and them actually eating what was put in front of them was worth it. Not to mention the fact that I had no need to clean up after. Perfect. When we returned home I put Landon to bed early and then the older 3 banished me to my room for 45 minutes while they planned something themselves. When they were ready they held my hand and took me to the basement where my eyes were pointed in the direction of these taped to the walls:

They couldn't find real balloons so paper had to do. Adorable. They were so proud of themselves, and I was proud of them too. Off to bed, and Jack's present to me was he only came out once to complain about something. Best gift ever son. Thanks. The night turned out not to be over quite yet. Two of my most favorite people in the world showed up bringing this:

Katherine happens to be a very creative and amazing chef, and Natalie is a great supporter of this quality. It was a white cake with layers of homemade strawberry ice cream covered in white chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries. Yum. They were both great company and we indulged in dessert while also indulging in a secret love of MTV's "The Hills". I know, high school show. You need to have at least one vice or what fun is life, right? After all the love shown me with food, I'm grateful for the pregnancy factor. What's an extra 5,000 calories when you have a watermelon for a stomach? Thanks everyone for celebrating with me on my day. You definitely made it a notable one.

Daddy Time...

Way back last September Shawn had arranged some moonlighting time for both April and May, not anticipating his absence from home. Friday afternoon he made the trek from Southwest, up to just 30 minutes Southwest of here. He was moonlighting in a tiny community with a very small hospital. The kids and I decided we wanted to catch a glimpse of him, so Saturday afternoon we drove down and met him at the hospital. He was finishing up with his last two patients when we arrived, and he had zero calls while we were in town. Bliss. We went to a local park, then headed to a place the locals call "The Sugar Shack". Small town ice cream cones. Turns out Landon loves ice cream. It was super windy, hence Shawn's sexy hair-do. Gotta love what the wind can do to some coiffed locks.

After 3 hours of spending time with the love of my life we bid him farewell. We headed home and he headed to get some much needed sleep. It sure was good to see him, even if it was only for a short time.

Landon's Girl....

Landon has a girlfriend. Funny thing is, she is the younger sister of the girl Jack can't get enough of. I love to have these two girls over to play because then both my boys are occupied with fun. Last week we had them both over and the little ones pretty much just followed the older two around. Yesterday when they were over, however, the little two did their own thing. It was fun to watch 2 year olds interacting in their own little games. I have to say that my boys have pretty good taste when it comes to their ladies.

After we took the older kids to preschool, these two laid on the end of my bed eating cadbury eggs and watched their favorite show Blue's Clues. Could it get any better than that?

1st Grade Program....

Kennedy had her school program last week. This music teacher always does a phenomenol job of entertaining the parents with her songs and story line. The kids were all dressed up as farmers in this one called "the cheese stands alone". Kennedy didn't have a major role, but she sure does know how to swing those shoulders as she sways! What a cute little cowgirl I've got.

Negative Effects.....

I figured the kids wouldn't really notice Shawn's absence. Sad, but true. They are used to coming to me for just about everything. Sometimes they go a few days without seeing him, and other times he's home just in time for family prayer and a quick kiss goodnight. I was actually wrong in my thinking. This morning Kennedy handed me a flyer for the "annual daddy/daughter dance" the community holds. Tears were streaming down her face and she was actually choking back sobs with the realization that Shawn wouldn't be around to take her. Heartbreaking. I consoled her by letting her know that when her dad was back in town they could get dressed up and go to a fancy dinner. She at least seemed okay by that. Jack has also been acting out more than normal. I've caught him saying mean things to kids, and that really isn't Jack. Not unless he's really provoked. I think we are all feeling the effects in our own way. I keep telling myself that all is well and I'm fine. However, I think I'm lonely. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of adult conversations throughout the day. Some are quite entertaining (Natalie, thanks for the comic relief last night). But, they aren't Shawn. I'm so grateful that I have a husband that is truly my best friend and that I really like him. I think there are some people out there that don't really enjoy their spouses when they are around. Sad. In an ideal world Shawn and I would be able to stay home together everyday doing whatever the heck we wanted. Someone else would just send us money to live on so we could spend our days lounging together without the financial burden. Dream on lady. I know this will never be reality, but that is how much I really enjoy his company. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be married to Shawn. I just wish his job allowed him to be home more often where he belongs. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.........I just don't know how much fonder my heart can take.

Kite Flyin' Fun....

For Easter the kids each received a kite in their basket. I figured they wouldn't make it out of the package until May, but a few days in March surprised us and the wind speed and temperature rallied together to make the perfect kite flying day. I loved watching this year since Ethan and Kennedy are both able to do it by themselves. In the past it's been them watching me do the actual flying. It was a nice change. Jack and Landon busied themselves with other outside activities claiming their kites were "broken" because they weren't flying like they were supposed to. Fine by me.