Good morning ladies! It's a very chilly one here today! My WDW trip can not get here fast enough!
Thanks for all of your opinions everyone - you all helped bring me in off the ledge!

It still makes me sad. I walked into Lauren's room this morning and saw the bare walls and just felt a pit in the bottom of my stomache; same with the basement - all the Barbie stuff is AWAY!(although I don't feel as bad about that one because the basement does look 100 times neater now!

) Anyway, I've come to the realization that what is making me so upset about this is that it's the cold smack of reality that my little girl is growing up. She swears that tonite she's putting everything back out; but I know the day is coming sooner, rather than later, that it will all be put away for good.

I really have a hard time with my kids getting older; I'm going to need to be seriously medicated when she goes away to college!
So Amanda is home today. She didn't have a very good day at school yesterday; very congested, which makes her breathe heavier and faster. Had an ok night but I thought she could use a day home on the vent to help make breathing easier. She happily went right back to sleep this morning!

I have to say, while the trach and vent makes her high maintenence, it really, really is a blessing to have it. I think it's what helps cut down on her hospitalizations. I didn't want to mention it at the time because I was afraid of jinxing it, but this past Nov. was the first time in four years that she wasn't hospitalized. She would always get really sick as the weather would get colder; but now that I'm working with a dr. who is easy to get in touch with and works well with me, we make adjustments at home and nip these illnesses in the bud. (watch - I've probably just jinxed us now!)
Renee - Welcome back! It's good to see your name pop up around here again! And, silly girl, don't waste your time going back and re-reading what you missed - that takes too much time. Just jump right back in; we'll fill you in on what is going on.
Kara - Your theory is a good one and I think every girl is well-served learning how to take care of things - without needing a man. As for teaching the boys - in my situation, it backfired. My ex was one of two brothers and did ALOT of things around the house while growing up. Thing was, when he married me, he was so bitter about having had to that he was perfectly content with now sitting back and letting me take care of all things domestic!
Tammie - You are a saint! I certainly hope your sons and daughters-in-law know what a gem they have in you. You certainly do go above and beyond. What are they going to do without you when you and Jim head to WDW?
Jillian - Did I read right? You fell and bumped your head on the bath tub? Are you ok girl? As for the bill left in the car -- I've said it before, and will say it again: if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself!
Erin - Meant to mention earlier - but Chloe is really pretty and looks a little older, my dear! Your pix from HSM on Ice looked great!
Laura - Ok, what was up with the dancing gators? Did I miss something?
Debbie - Thanks for sending that cold weather our way! It's frigid here!
So I'll keep you guys posted on this homework "date". I was given orders by Lauren as she was leaving this morning:
1. - "Don't embarass me."
2. - "Don't mention the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus."
3. - "Don't talk about me watching Drake & Josh on Nickleodeon."
4. - "Don't tell him that you zip up my coat every morning." (yeah, I do that;
coat has a double zipper & she can never get it straight.)
And my favorite one, as she's walking out the door.........................
5. - "And make sure you're wearing a bra when we get home."
Now let me just make something clear: I shower, get dressed, and put on a bra EVERY DAY. It's just when I get home and I'm in for the day, I put on comfy clothes and the bra comes off. I don't have big bewbs, so there's no problem there. Certainly, though, if someone was coming over, I would stay properly dressed. I swear, our kids
really think we're idiots!