Didn't Want to Forget This One!

Sam, Ben and I were at Wal-Mart the other day wandering up and down the Christmas candy aisle when Ben looked up and said, "Mommy, there's Christmas Daddy." I had no idea what he meant until I turned around and looked up to see a 4 foot cut-out of Santa Claus hanging from the ceiling. I immediately burst out laughing and told Sam that Ben just called Santa Claus Christmas Daddy. Sam proceeded to laugh hysterically. Ben realized he just said something humorous and began chanting "Christmas Daddy! Christmas Daddy" over and over while giggling and giggling.

Sam and I still laughed about it later that night. Christmas Daddy-can you believe it. I'm still chuckling.

Benny

Ben is an absolute delight! Here are a few funny things about him.

• Ben says the sweetest things. He is currently sitting on my lap saying, "you're a nice mommy" and giving me kisses on my arm.
• He loves to say what is his favorite (which is anything he likes at the moment). "Going to the store is my FAVORITE! This train is my FAVORITE! These scissors are my FAVORITE (an actual quote)!"
• Ben LOVES apples. I find him with a whole apple a couple of times a day and most of the time he eats the whole apple right down to the seeds. Other days I find several apples with a few bites taken out of them (that is not so cute!).
• Ben refers to himself as Big Boy. He does not like any references to being my baby. He says B-E-N spells Big Boy. He is not my little boy either. It is Big Boy!
• Ben is a TALKER! He talks and talks and talks all day long. He is also a screamer! If he does not like something or is unhappy about, the entire neighborhood knows.
• Ben LOVES his grandpas! He talks about Grandpa Zee and Grandpa Thomas all the time. It is quite adorable.

Well, those are a few things about my Big Boy. He is currently begging to watch himself and Cookie Monster (an old post) so I must sign off before he yells any louder.

Thanks everyone!

Wow! I'm amazed at how many people still check my blog. Thank you so much! It makes me feel so loved. It give me motivation to keep posting.

Thanks again!

Two Ovens

Okay, I know, I know I have not posted since April. But I decided I would jump in with a random post.

One of the many things I love about my new house is the fact that I have two ovens. I have always wanted two and now I know why.

Yesterday and today has been cold and rainy. It seems like the only time I ever feel like cooking anything is when it is cold and rainy. I had two Papa Murphy's pizza's (since everyone in my family likes different pizza) and I didn't have to choose which one to cook first. I cooked them at the same time! You would be surprised at how much peace that brings to me and my household. Everyone's pizza was ready at the same time!

This morning I decided to make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins-yummy! I doubled the batch since Emily wanted to give some away. I was able to use all the batter and cook them at the same time! This makes cooking so much more enjoyable since I don't have to wait around for the oven to be free to cook the extra batches.

So there. Now I have posted again. I wonder if anyone ever checks it any more.

I'm Off to Boston!

I'll be leaving tomorrow for my trip to Boston. Angela, one of my dearest friends, will be running in the Boston Marathon and I'll be there to cheer her on.

We are so excited to see each other again and spend some time having fun in a new city. I'm looking forward to chatting, sightseeing, shopping, and eating some great food. But mostly, I'm looking forward to having some time without children. As much as I love and adore my children, I'm looking forward to a trip just for me. Whoopee!

See you next week!

PS I promise I'll post some before and after pictures of our new house when I get back. It should be just about ready to move in when I come back. It has under gone an amazing transformation. I can hardly wait to move in!

Ben and His New Friends

Happy Birthday Ben!

Today my baby turned two! He was so excited it was his birthday because he knew that meant presents! He had a hard time when it was Sam's birthday and we told him on his birthday he would get presents-he remembered! We had Grandma T and Thomas over for dinner, presents, and cake and ice cream. I'll post pictures soon (I always say that don't I).

Ben is a great kid and he fills our house with love...and screaming. Ben has a very strong personality and often vocalizes his opinions very loudly. He is not timid or afraid of much (except dogs due to his run in with a roaming dog in the backyard). He is always willing to give a hug or blow a kiss. He loves Emily and Sam so much and is sad when they are sad. He loves to cuddle and read a book but also loves to play with trains, trucks, balls, dinosaurs, blocks, or whatever Sam is playing with. He is excited to show off his new room to anyone who visits our new house.

I am always amazed at Ben and the happiness he brings to our family. Ben can be a handful (those of you who know him, know what I mean) but he is worth every minute. Emily and Sam adore him and put up with so much because they want him to be happy. Lately Sam and Ben have been buddies and they play with each other a lot. It is sweet to see these two brothers play with each other and take turns. Emily loves to baby Ben and he eats it up.

It has been a crazy two years since Ben was born. We got a house ready to sell, sold a house, finished residency, moved across the country, started a practice, and bought a new home. Wow! Happy Birthday Ben! Your family adores you!

Spring Break

So much for a fun Spring Break. My plans for Spring Break was to take the kids to Utah on Saturday (my nephew was being blessed on Sunday) and come back on Wednesday. But things don't always happen has planned.

I started to feel a cold coming on Thursday night but I tried to rest up and nip it in the bud. I was lethargic on Friday afternoon but not too bad. Friday night Emily started throwing up. So I called my family on Saturday and told them I wouldn't come down until Sunday evening or Monday morning after Emily and I felt better (I was very sad to miss the blessing). But then on Saturday night, Sam threw up and early Sunday morning Emily threw up again. I still wasn't feeling well and slept in until 3:00 in the afternoon. I'm so glad Brad was home so I could rest.

So I called Mom once again and told her I probably wouldn't come down at all. The weather was poor anyway. Snow and rain were forecast all of Spring Break and so between that and all the sickness it didn't look like we would be having much of a Spring Break.

Emily went back to school today and I am still sick. I felt better on Tuesday but yesterday I started to feel sick again. I haven't done much today but lay around (thank you Sam for playing nicely with Ben). I really have too much to do to spend my days laying around.

Hope everyone else had a better Spring Break!

No Nap for Ben

Ben will be turning two on Sunday and he thinks that now he is old enough to stop taking his naps. He is only napping maybe 4-5 days a week. Today, he stayed in his crib for about 45 minutes just talking and asking for me. I finally got him out when I went to pick up Emily from school.

I really need Ben to take a LONG nap every day. He wears me out so that I need that nap time to recoup my energy and get something done. Also, if he doesn't nap, he is a mess by 5:00 pm.

Emily was about this age when she stopped napping. When did your kids stop napping?

Daily Musings of Nothingness

I have a few minutes and thought I would blog some of my musings.

• The new house is coming along nicely (sorry about not posting pictures yet). The master bedroom was has been demoed and repaired. The electrical work is done. We added 10 new recessed lights in the master bedroom and 3 in the kitchen. The cabinet work is supposed to be done tomorrow or the next day. The windows are being trimmed today. So exciting.
• The intercom system at the new house is kind of fun. Brad and I messed around with it today. You can talk to whoever is at the door from any intercom in the house. Cool.
• I feel the need to organize a bit before I start moving. Today I sorted through Emily and Sam's room. Emily consented to give up a few things but not as much as I hoped.
• The kids did something to my m key on my keyboard. I have to press really hard to make it work.
• Ben is a stinker! He turns 2 on Sunday and is starting to throw temper tantrums. He can be very stubborn. If he wasn't so lovable, I think I would go crazy.
• Ben fell out of his crib last night. He refused to go to bed and tried to climb out before I even got out of his bedroom. Thunk! Emily had mastered climbing out of her crib at 16 months or so and Sam sometime around 18 months. I guess I should be grateful he waited until now. Although maybe that fall might keep deter him.
• We were supposed to go to Utah this weekend and see Vicki's baby blessed but I have come down with a cold and Emily and Sam have had the stomach flu. So much for spending spring break at Grandma's house.
• I spent last night organizing my primary stuff (I'm secretary). It feels so good to finally be organized. It was driving me crazy!
• I leave for Boston soon! It will be fun to spend time with Angela and cheer her on as she runs the Boston Marathon. Angela is amazing!
• It is time to make dinner and I would rather blog (the kids are outside-whoo hoo!). I really hate making dinner. So did my mom. Darn they are inside, now my fun ends. Waffles for dinner tonight.

Daily Musings of Nothingness

Back by popular demand: MORE DAILY MUSINGS OF NOTHINGNESS!

• Ben is talking up a storm now. Two of his first two word sentences: Make mess! (More about this later) and See dog (he wanted to watch Blue's Clues while we were waiting for Emily at gymnastics).
• Thursday was a hectic day. I spent 4 1/2 hours at Emily's school doing PTO things (Pizza Party for Read-A-Thon winners and PTO meeting). When I got finally got home, Ben hadn't taken a nap and was soooooooo cranky. Emily was crying because she didn't want to go to gymnastics and then Ben dumped an entire box of goldfish crackers all over the living room floor followed by a basket of glittery confetti that Emily was supposed to have thrown away (But Mom it is so pretty!). Hence, Ben's first two word sentence, "make mess!" Meanwhile I was on the phone trying to figure out why our new home owners insurance policy was $1,000 more than other quotes. I didn't realize what was happening until Sam turned on the vacuum. Out of that chaos, Sam was my hero that day. Wow, this musing could have been it's own post.
• I have been elected PTO secretary for next year. I'm really excited to get more involved in what is happening at the elementary school.
• I am the most disorganized person lately. I have stacks and stacks of things I need to go through. I really hate not being on top of my clutter. It makes me moody.
• I stopped really organizing stuff lately because I figure I have to move it all soon. It will all catch up to me soon.
• We sign our part of the house closing paperwork tomorrow morning. It should all be taken care of by Tuesday.
• We bought our fridge, microwave, and cook top last weekend. We saved a bunch of money!!! We picked out the cook top we wanted and got prices at two places in town. We came home and googled the model number and found a brand new one on Ebay! We saved $350. It came yesterday and looks great! For the fridge, we bought the floor model and saved $500. I love getting a deal!!!!!
• We went shopping for our granite counter tops yesterday. I am so overwhelmed by making the choice. It is so expensive that I don't want to mess up. Any advice?
• I have dirty laundry stacked up to my ears.
• My sister, Traci, and her family are planning on visiting this weekend. I LOVE having visitors come to my house, especially family.
• I have two people who have offered to help me with decorating my house. I am so relieved! I am really bad at it.
• I really need a haircut. So does Ben. I refuse to cut my kid's hair.
• I really do need to get to that laundry so I'll end here.

Have a great week!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Today my little Sam turned 5 years old! Where did the time go? He has been so excited. He has been counting down the days for about 10 days. My mom, dad, sister Vicki and her new baby Dimitrie came up this week and they gave him some birthday gifts (I hope to post pictures later). He has been playing with them non-stop since. He will disappear to his room for hours and when I check on him, he is playing with is Matchbox Mega Rig Space Shuttle, Launcher, and Rescue Copter. He loved Vicki's Car Doodle kit and was so excited to open his birthday cards this morning at breakfast. We are having friends over tonight for cake and ice cream and more presents. He can't wait to see what is in store tonight.

It is so fun to see him so excited and happy. His primary teacher gave him a small gift and he just feels so special today. We love this little guy so much!

March 17th

Just wanted to give a quick update on the house situation. We now close on March 17th despite the bank wanting to move it back a few weeks, then up a few weeks, then immediately. I haven't been to the house in awhile but we should be back tonight and/or tomorrow and I'll take some better pictures and get them posted.

We have spent some time looking at carpet, mudroom ideas, and other things we plan on improving in the house. If anyone has any great ideas, suggestions, pictures (especially of mudrooms) please forward them on! I am very overwhelmed with the prospect of all the new improvements. I'm afraid I'll do it all wrong and tacky. Sarah P. I wish you lived around the corner again. You helped me though decorating my kitchen and playroom which were the only rooms I ever really decorated in my last house. You have beautiful ideas and taste and an eye for decorating.

We plan on improving the upstairs right away before moving in. Even though it will be a money crunch, we figure it will be best in the long run to just do it now. We will do the downstairs later. Our realtor recommend our backyard neighbor and he is overseeing all the improvements.

Our rental house is on the market and I have to say I'm really, really, really annoyed about having to show my house. It is so much stress to get the house clean and ready to show. We did it on Saturday and I feel like it is a BIG inconvenience to leave my house so Jake can show it. Also, because we are moving I stopped keeping my closets organized because I figured it would all have to be packed up before too long. So now I feel weird having people look into my messy closets and pantry. Part of me feels like Jake should give us a break on the rent or be willing to end our lease early if we have to show it. What do you think is reasonable. The stress from showing our MN house is still fresh and I really don't feel up to doing it again so someone else can sell their house.

I guess my blogging time is over because Ben won't stop climbing on me and grabbing the mouse.

Daily Musings of Nothingness

Ben was sick last week and now he is back to his happy, giggly, messy self. Sam is sick this week. I would rather my almost 5 year old be sick than my almost 2 year old. Not that I want Sam to be sick but he just lays around, rests, and is willing to be cuddled. Ben cried and was irritable, constantly. Any questions.

I went to the school this morning to get the Read-A-Thon daily prizes organized. The principal forgot to draw the winners and announce them. Tomorrow I'm going to do it for her and give her a written note to read and hope it gets done correctly tomorrow. If you want something done right....

I went to Brad's office after the school. I didn't have much to do. Tobie showed me the inventory list we have to do for tax purposes. I really hate stuff like that. We'll do it later.

We had someone come over tonight and talk about renovations on the new house. I wonder how we will pay for them? Cash or loans. Now or later. convenience or total inconvenience.

I miss Rochester's library. A LOT! My new one only lets me check out 50 books at a time. Can I get a gold card for the library. They don't know who they are dealing with. 50 books at a time; what a joke!

I reread Twilight. It was better the second time. Just like the movie.

I spent Monday cleaning my house. I got rid of all the little clutter piles that mysteriously appear around the house. Today you could never tell that that was how I spend President's day.

Yesterday Ben wrote on the wall with a pencil and on my computer screen with a pen. Brad said that he was lucky it happened while he was at work.

When Rick came over this evening he asked Emily what grade she was in. Her reply, "I'm in first but I read at third."

Ben loves to wear shoes. Especially mine, Brad's, Emily's and Sam's.

I took a nap today and I didn't even feel guilty about it. It was lovely. Unfortunately, the kids made a mess in my office. It was worth it.

I made dinner tonight (shock!) and everyone loved it and ate it (shock again!!). Emily even gave me a hug for making the best dinner ever. Hawaiian Haystacks: 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed added to 2 cans of cream of chicken. Dilute with milk to desired consistency. Serve over rice. Top with Chinese noodles, cheddar cheese, olives and add a dash of lemon juice. Emily will have the left overs for lunch tomorrow.

I love Emily's lunchbox-sized thermos. It keeps food hot or cold. Makes packing a lunch much more imaginative.

Even though I had a nap today, I'm going to bed now. Thanks for reading my random thoughts. I should do more posts like this. So easy!

Grateful Sunday

It has been forever since I have done a Grateful Sunday post and I figured I should do one this week.
This week I am grateful for....

• Our new house! We will close in late March (sorry I haven't posted pictures).
• My new calling as Primary Secretary. I was disappointed to leave my previous calling-teaching the 14 year old Sunday School class but it is nice to get to know some new people.
• Book Club. I finally got invited to a book club. Oh how I missed being with people who loved books and talking about books. Carma, I'm so glad I get to be your neighbor!
• Steve, Tobie and Maddy V. We went out with Steve and Tobie for Valentine's Day and their oldest daughter Maddy who was home for the weekend watched all our kids for us. Steve and Tobie even paid for dinner to thank Brad for a favor he did for them. It was a wonderful Valentine's Day evening. Thanks!
• My MIL, Dianne, for watching Ben and Sam so I could help at Emily's class party. I was hoping Brad would be home in time to watch the boys or else I would take them with me but Brad had a late appointment scheduled and Ben was sick and grouchy and I didn't want to take them after all. I decided I wouldn't go but then Emily actually asked for me to be there. I appreciate Dianne taking the time to help me out.
• The Jason and Ashley Y family. Brad and Jason have been friends since Brad was 12 and we have been friends as a couple since before Jason and Ashley got married. They came over to play games on Friday but Ashley and I ended up sneaking away to watch Twilight again. Thanks Brad and Jason for watching the kids! Thanks Justin and Hannah for playing Powergrid with Brad and Jason.
• Cheap movie theaters. It is so much more fun to see a movie knowing you only paid $3.50 instead of $9. With that price you can actually afford popcorn! Which is only $3.75 for a large.
• My new nephew, Dimitrie. He turned 2 weeks old on Friday. We are so grateful he was born. It was a close call during his delivery and we thank Heavenly Father he is with us and healthy.
• Winter. I actually don't mind it but I'm glad it doesn't last forever. Brad has taken up skiing and it is fun to see him enjoying every ski trip (except for the first one).

Have a great week!

Big News!!!!! and NO I'm not pregnant

We are buying a house!!!!! I'm so thrilled. I will post pictures soon but if I wait until I have pictures ready, I'll never get this post written.

Last Wednesday, a friend from the neighborhood called me (she has taken it upon herself to keep me in the neighborhood) and let me know she has "found my house". She saw it with her MIL (who wasn't interested because it was too big) and knew immediately she needed to call me. The house is owned by a bank and it was being drastically reduced because it has been vacant for a year or so.

Brad and I arranged to see it that night with the seller's agent. I really liked it. Brad wasn't as thrilled. The house has 5,031 square feet (HUGE) and 9 (nine) bedrooms! It is a rambler style. The main floor has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, a living room, family room, kitchen, lovely laundry room and large mud room with a drinking fountain! Oh, and yes, a time out room. A TIME-OUT room-a small room 3'x6' with a built in bench and a windowed door. I hear the previous owners had a difficult daughter. But, my kids favorite thing about the house is that it has a slide from the kitchen to a playroom downstairs.

The downstairs has 4 bedrooms (including the playroom), 2 full bathrooms, an exercise room (which could be another bedroom) that has a drinking fountain in it as well, a HUGE, HUGE food storage room with a direct staircase to the kitchen, a "little library", and an unfinished theater room. Oh, and a dungeon. Okay, not really a dungeon just a 4'x6' concrete room (probably a cold storage room) but I didn't let my kids know that-hee, hee.

The house is on a HUGE lot (I keep using the word HUGE, don't I). It is 0.81 acre. It has a covered patio which is sheltered by the house. This is a big plus since it is sooo windy in our part of Idaho. It also has a trampoline pit-cool huh! There are a couple of garden boxes established, I'm told by the neighbors, and a large RV pad next to the 3 car garage.

Can I tell you again how excited I am?! There are a lot of weird things about this house (i.e. time-out room) and wasted space especially downstairs. But we are buying the house at a steal and so we will (should) have money to make some changes.

Let me tell you the house buying drama. I'll be as brief as I know how (which isn't too brief).
I got the call on Wednesday afternoon. We saw the house at 7:00. It took until after 8:00 to look at it. I was supposed to go to book club but I thought it was too late until I noticed people arriving at the house next door. I realized that was probably book club and joined them. I got the "scoop" on the house. Coincidence, huh

The next morning, Thursday, I met with our realtor (actually our landlord, Jake) and I went through it again with a friend. I loved it even more in the daylight and they had dropped the price $5,000. I told Jake I was very interested and to let them know so no offers would be accepted until we made one. He didn't think that would be necessary since this house has had NO INTEREST. But will do it anyway.

Brad got a call from Jake around 3:00 or so to let us know that someone already made an offer but because the bank is on the East Coast they had not looked at it yet. We went to see it again at 6:15 with Brad, Steve, and Jake. We notice about 8 realtor cards on the counter that were not there that morning. We decide to make an offer. Jake pumped the other realtor to find out any info but with no luck. We make an offer for $1,000 over last listing price. We sign the offer that evening and Jake promises to get it in ASAP the next morning once our pre-approval letter is faxed (it was just waiting for documentation).

On Friday we find out that a total of 4 offers have been received-I'm dying!!!!. All Realtors have been instructed to bring back their client's best offer. By this point I am so anxious I have made myself physically ill (I do that when I am very anxious). Brad and Jake work out the details ($10,000 more than original offer and an earlier closing date) and I just sign my name. We head out for Utah to see my brand-new nephew and to take my mind off my house. I'm still anxious. I have already mentally moved into that house. It is mine!

All weekend I think about the house; I can't sleep at night. We drive home and discover more water in the basement. Not much but the carpet pad is soaked and the carpet is damp in the corner of the toy room where we have had previous water problems. We think about the comparison between the two houses. Our offer was actually less than what we could buy the house we are renting. We call our realtor and ask if we can increase our offer. He checks on Monday and is told it is too late. The bank is already reviewing the offers. We are waiting to find out what the bank is deciding. The agony!!!

About 11:30 am Brad calls and lets me know that the HOUSE IS OURS!!!!! It turns our that there was a cash offer for $6,000 less than ours and the other offer was actually $4,000 more than ours but had "strings attached" that the bank didn't like so they went with our offer which was clean and no strings (the 4th offer never countered).

Needless to say I am thrilled. Every time I go back to the house I like it more. We went back tonight with someone who helped build the house and we told him some of our ideas of what we wanted to change/improve. He is going to let us know how much it costs.

We close on March 17th so we plan on making the improvements before we move in. Our lease runs until June 1st so it should all work out. The house is in our neighborhood, just a few blocks back. It is a great location. I didn't think I wanted to stay in the neighborhood but now that I am getting to know a few people, I am feeling more comfortable.

I'll post some pictures soon. Unfortunately, I didn't take many and I'm not sure when we'll go back through the house. It was a quick decision but it is just what we are looking for!

It Feels Like It Is finally Over

This post is a few weeks late but definitely news worthy.

Brad took his Neurology Boards in November. There were a few stressful weeks previous to the test while he tried to work full time AND study-flashbacks of medical school and residency. But all his hard work and years of studying finally paid off. Brad is now a BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROLOGIST! We are truly excited! He did very well if I do say so myself. We are very grateful because the test cost about $4,000.

So a big CONGRATULATIONS to my very dear husband.

Now I feel like we are finally done with the schooling part of our lives. We have been married for 15 years and now the only ones who are in school are the kids-hee hee.

I never thought we would get here. Now that we are here, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself.

Newberry and Other Book Recommendations

I was reading the BYU Magazine this morning and discovered an article about a professor at BYU who participates in the selection of the Newberry Awards. There was a website with some of his book recommendations that I thought was interesting and useful and I thought I would share it with y'all. Click here for the link. I already put some of his choices on reserve at the library. Stay tuned to my GoodReads to read my recommendations.

I finally posted!

Thanks for checking my blog even though it has been weeks and weeks since I last posted. I haven't had the time or emotional energy to blog but Vicki asked me when I was finally going to blog again. So Vicki, this one is for you. It is very long but hopefully enjoyable. Vicki, I hope you can read it before you have your baby (he should come any day now).

Scuba Experience

Brad has always wanted to go scuba diving. I have never in my life wanted to experience scuba diving. Once when we were visiting an aquarium, we walked through a tunnel that gave you the experience of being surrounded by marine life. Brad mentioned how cool it would be to scuba and see everything up close. I replied, "Why do you need to? This is just as good and you don't get wet!"

Getting wet has been the issue for me. I don't enjoy water. I don't like getting my face wet. I take quick showers and don't really swim. Although I do enjoy going to the beach, I like to keep my face out of the water. It seems silly but I had tubes in my ears until I was 10 years old. For 10 years all I heard when I was near water was, "keep your head out of the water." It is no surprise I don't like to get my face wet.

I also don't enjoy boats. This is also caused by other "traumatic" boat experiences when I was young but I won't go into that now.

Since scuba diving involves both boats and getting wet, it has been extremely low on my list of things to do before I die. Actually, it has never been there and probably won't ever be....But now that has all changed. Here is the story:

As I previously mentioned, scuba diving has been an interest to Brad for many, many, many years. Now that we have a bit of wiggle room in our budget, Brad has been actively pursing ways to spend this wiggle room. Last Friday afternoon, instead of coming home from work, Brad "dropped by" the local dive shop. He was informed of a scuba experience the next Friday night. It only cost $20 per person and they take you to the local aquatic center and give you a mini lesson, strap on the gear, and let you try scuba diving while assisted by trained professionals. Needless to say, he signed us up. Both of us. Yes, me. The one who has absolutely no interest in scuba diving. No interest. No desire. No way Jose!

He basically gave me no choice in the matter. HE REALLY WANTED ME TO DO THIS! REALLY WANTED ME TO DO THIS! So being the good wife that I am, I agreed, timidly. I dreaded this date night all week. I "forgot" to call a babysitter despite being prodded by Brad on a daily basis. Eventually he cornered me into calling someone before I "forgot" again.

(I know this story is long but I'm writing it for posterity's sake) So Friday arrives and I am sick to my stomach ALL DAY (because of nerves-I get that way when I am worried). By 3:30 I am in bed about ready to throw up. Brad comes home and tells me I don't have to go with this sad little puppy dog face and tells me I can just watch him. Well, that really does not sound like any fun at all, does it? Brad informs me that our good friends, Jason and Ashley, are going to join us for the dive and that makes me feel a little better-Ashley probably hates water more than me.

Time passes and it is time to go. I pull myself out of bed (darn it!) and get ready. We go to dinner and meet Ashley and Jason at the pool. We are a little early and Ashley and I commiserate while complimenting ourselves on being nice wives that are willing to do such a big thing for our husbands. By this time I am actually trembling.

We change into our swim suits (I bought the cutest little cover up at the end of the summer for $4 at J.C. Penney's. It looks fabulous with my swim suit if I don't say so myself-hee, hee) and met the instructors. They were very nice and tried to put Ashley and I at ease. After some difficulty finding the correct size of equipment for me (it turns out I need kid-sized fins). We were ready to be instructed. The instructors were fabulous! They did such a great job teaching us and helping Ashley and I feel comfortable in the water and with the equipment.

They helped us get used to the gear and the underwater breathing experience gradually. Eventually, we were ready to go to the deep end. It took me a bit of time to feel comfortable but soon I was swimming around, throwing torpedoes, and having fun. Only once did I feel claustrophobic and had to swim to the surface to calm myself down. One of the instructors immediately followed me and helped me go back down. It was such a good feeling knowing that they were so aware of us and ready to help us.

We stayed in the water for over an hour and by the end I felt really good. I had problems with my mask slipping and leaking but I was able to clear it underwater without problem (I probably need a kid-sized mask as well). When the time was up and we got out, they asked us how we liked it. I actually replied, "Awesome!" Can you believe it? I actually liked it! Me, who never, ever, ever wanted to experience this actually said awesome. Brad then asked me if we should book the Honduras dive trip with the dive shop. I said I would need more time in the pool before I felt more comfortable but I would seriously consider signing up for dive lessons.

Do I even have to say that Brad was so happy. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience, despite a leaking mask (his had a slight crack and maybe his beard/moustache got in the way), and he was thrilled that I liked it as well. It was a fun experience. I was glad I had such great instructors and friends to share it with. Ashley had a good time but had a lot of difficulty with her ears. I hope that doesn't hold her back.

Now Brad is really pushing for that Honduras trip. I'm not sure if we will go but I did say yes to dive lessons.

Now Brad, I did scuba dive even though I didn't want to and enjoyed it. Just don't get your hopes up that I will ever, ever go whitewater river rafting with you. That is just asking too much!