News

Thad and I are expecting baby #4 in early October! I am 12 weeks along with another little Stafford baby. I am still in shock over it all. Obvious concerns are: can we afford this? (no), do we have room? (no), are we crazy? (yes). 

But, we wanted to share this piece of news with you all. Keep us in your thoughts please!

Oh the guilt

Just read an email written by Thad at 3am. Olivia got the tummy flu during the night. I feel so guilty that a) I wasn't there b) because those of you who really know me, know of my phobia of barf. If that would have been me, who knows what would happen. I almost always get dizzy, run away, and get so anxious that I have a panic-type attack. I am having one right now sitting here in D.C. I know he if fine with it all, but it certainly stirs up my own issues.
I am set to be home tomorrow by 2:15 weather permitting. I am paranoid that I will spend the day at some airport. We have to leave our hotel at the lovely time of 5am (3.5 hours prior to our flight) so I am not too thrilled.
Today is our last day. This is our "free" day. It's 17 kids and their teacher: me. We are going to the Holocaust museum, some Smithsonians, and I think the ESPN zone.
Yesterday I went to Mt. Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, and did a tour of the city at night. It has been action packed, but I miss my family and am ready to see them all.....let's hope all are healthy though :)

This is what I wrote to family, friends, and a couple colleagues today. I think only two or three people actually read this, but I thought you few and wonderful peeps might enjoy it.

Hello: Here is a little run down of Monday....
Had a darn nice breakfast and then we headed to our first electives of the day. I had wanted to do the National Archivies, but since I am a "first timer" here I sort of had to go to the walking tour of capital hill. Of course I froze my tail off being outside. Seems it doesn't matter where I am, I am a wimp. Anyway I got gallery passes from Rep. Peterson's office for Wed. As we headed to the Senate side, we decided to see a case being heard at the Supreme Court. We ended up waiting 45 minutes, got to the front of the line, and then were told that we couldn't get in. Oh well. There was already a forming line for tomorrow's big case: it's about the D.C. gun ban. It was neat to see people lined up. We only get "line ups" for x-boxes back home. I am going to try to get in Wed with the kids. You can take a 3-5 viewing and that would be fine with me. Just to say I got to see it would be cool.
By now we are a little late and are making our way to the meeting spot. We notice a problem: blocked streets, cops everywhere with their big huge guns hanging out (don't worry I got a pic), and the beginnings of a motorcade. Guess the Prime Minister of Ireland is in town. After a few minutes, a new motorcade goes by so I pull out my camera to video it. This time it was G.W. himself! A girl next to me saw him waving, but I didn't. I think I recorded myself swearing for missing him, but when I get home I will check to see what I really have. It was very cool nonetheless. **Now do I like Bush as Pres? Hardly, but to see any President is too cool to not appreciate.
Then we had lunch at the National Press Club. We had an excellent speaker from a PR firm.
Then we went to the brand new Newseum. Very, very cool. There was a 4-D movie (kind of like those fun Disney World ones), but the chairs also moved. It was just so cool.
We headed back to the hotel. Since I was starving, I went to the Crystal City shops underground--by myself--to eat and look around. A few teachers were going out later than I wanted to wait. Honestly I am taking in the quiet time.....
So that's it for today. Tomorrow we have a workshop at the Holocaust Museum. I guess we will get lesson plans, DVDs, posters, etc.

Busy busy

The kids are in the ice show this weekend. Kate is in the group "bubbles" and Ryan is a "baseball player."  If that isn't enough, I am flying out Sunday morning at 7am to Washington D.C. for a week. I am taking 18 students through the Close Up foundation. Oh and I am taking them by myself.

I have no idea what to pack, when I will pack, or anything else. I guess this has all just crept up on me.  Other than being very worried about being responsible for 18 kids, the fact that Thad is alone for a week, and never having left my own kids for this long, it should be a pretty exciting trip.  I can't wait to see the sights and sounds of D.C.  I look forward to seeing the historic sights, moving war memorials, the holocaust museum, Arlington cemetery, and Mount Vernon.  I will probably shed a few tears for my family, but I will survive.

On a lighter note, Thad & I are returning to Vegas in June with the same couple we went with last year.  This is our 10 year anniversary gift to each other. Now THAT will be fun!

Excuse me WHAT!?

Here is the setting: I bought Kate some new panties. She is walking around in them & a shirt.
Ryan: "Mom, Kate is sticking her butt in my face. She is showing me her virginia."
WHAT?!?!?!??!