Our newest family member

We've been waiting and finally we have been lucky enough to adopt Harley, the American Bulldog. We took a ferry ride today - that was the big fun thing of the day as far as my daughter knew. When she found out that Harley was going to be ours forever and ever she just couldn't stop talking about how much she loves him.

There was also a cute comment about the Dog Cloud in the car! A window open seemed to help! What a good boy, we are so happy. We took him to Pet-Co when we got into Redmond and got a new collar and some toys. Plus more dog food. His introduction to Brittney (our cattle dog) went better than we'd hoped! She ran all over and played with him so much that she's feeling her age tonight. She likes him, and Harley really likes her too.

Bears repeating - My song for Dusty

All of these lines across my face

Tell you the story of who I am

So many stories of where I've been

And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to

It's true...I was (Eva edit: meant to love you) made for you

I climbed across the mountain tops

Swam all across the ocean blue

I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules

But baby I broke them all for you

Because even when I was flat broke

You made me feel like a million bucks

Yeah you do and I was (Eva edit: meant to love you) made for you

You see the smile that's on my mouth

Is hiding the words that don't come out

And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed

They don't know my head is a mess

No, they don't know who I really am

And they don't know what I've been through like you do

And I was (Eva edit: meant for you) made for you...

All of these lines across my face

Tell you the story of who I am

So many stories of where I've been

And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to

It's true...I was made for you

Oh yeah, it's true... I was (Eva edit: meant to love you) made for you.

It took my mom 4 marriages to get it right - and Dusty is my 4th husband. I sure didn't want to be like my mom, but I did find the right man. I love him so much and he is a man. The ladies will know what that means. Dusty is precious and gentle, loving and wonderful - he's a grown up and he is a man I can count on. He's my best friend. I can make a mistake and my best friend won't beat me down. We figure stuff out together.

Brandi Carlile really belts this out with heart... I love her; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EgHF_SnsLQ

Brandi Carlile, The Story. My song to/for/with Dusty.

All Clean!

Brogan had a bath. He loves his baths. He splashes and plays with the toys. Then I use baby oil while he is still in the tub to soften him up and he smells so wonderful!

Naked boy - I'm just waiting for the moment he escapes from me and runs down the hallway laughing and naked. Coming soon! Maybe even on video!

More cool JavaScript accomplilshments this week

I know it's not so interesting for my family that reads my blog, but it sure is cool to me.

I've had a wish for a long time now - to be able to trigger a function from within a popup window function (that is quite complicated itself).

I've tried running one function after another from the main form, but that doesn't work because it doesn't let the first one finish before it fires off the second one.

If you want to make it a common script library, you have to be able to pass in a variable as the function name. What if it's a function with arguments? Then you need to pass in the arguments.

Well, here is what I came up with and I am very please that it works. Here is the gist that will give you the syntax:

"

//set up the variables ... onClick event:

runFunction = "manyNames";

runFNArgs = "1";

ThisisMyfunction( runFunction, runFNArgs);

//run an add on function passed by a variable not a string

if (runFunction != null && runFunction != "" && (runFNArgs == null || runFNArgs == "")) {

window.opener[runFunction ]();

} else {

if (runFunction != null && runFunction != "" && runFNArgs != null && runFNArgs != ""){

window.opener[runFunction ](runFNArgs);

}

}

self.close();

}

"

So anyway, I did it and I am quite proud. The real secret is in the square brackets [].

What a relief today!

It's Friday - what a relief!

I've been working on a special maintenance feature for a web application at work. I have an entry form and a display form. The user enters an order for copies of a document with paper style, color, covers and what not. The people receiving the order view it with the display form.

Well all of the "select" type fields were translating fine using selectedIndex.text, but NOT the checkbox fields. Seems I couldn't get the text out of those no matter what I did. I didn't want the value - that's only used to add up the order estimates.

I finally figured it out this morning - and wanted to whoop and holler!

So for any techies out there - and poor non-techies can try to muddle thru, here is a code fragment that gets the basic concept across:

"

docfinishingField = "finishing_" + (f-1);

docStorefinishing= "doc" + f + "_finishing";

//save values for display form

ftype = document.getElementById(docfinishingField).type;

if (ftype=="checkbox"){

for (var c = 0; c <>

if(document.forms[0][docfinishingField][c].checked){

// alert("test nodeValue: " + document.forms[0][docfinishingField][c].nextSibling.nodeValue);

frm[docStorefinishing].value = frm[docStorefinishing].value + document.forms[0][docfinishingField][c].nextSibling.nodeValue + ",";

}

}

}

"

I am so happy to have THAT figured out. Then someone on my team overheard me discussing the solution and wanted the code too as they had been having the same trouble!

So - whoopie!!! It was a pretty good day, but I am so thankful for the weekend!

Routine and more Routine

What a lovely Thanksgiving weekend we had. I give thanks for having such a beautiful family.

Audrey was worried Thursday and Friday and Saturday --- will we ever have our Thanksgiving dinner? She loves the tradition of waiting for everyone to sit at the table and tell all what we are most thankful for.

Well we didn't do Thanksgiving on Thursday. Dusty and I carried out the broken Range and carried in the new Range on Thursday. By the time we got done cleaning and changing out the plug, we were very tired. My sister Fawn called around 11 and we chatted a while in the rain - my stupid cell phone doesn't get good reception in the house... geez.

Friday: We all went to whole foods and bought our Thanksgiving dinner at a discount. That was cool with me. My first time at that store - and we cruised aisle by aisle until I saw the beautiful vegetables! Wow.

So - hey we finally started cooking on Saturday. Dusty made a lovely crown roast of lamb. I was so excited about having leftovers that I wanted tzatziki sauce - if you have never had it I Feel for you.

Not to be defeated - Dusty made it a mile up the road on Sunday. He nursed Pearl home and cleaned connections

, worried about vacuum hoses and checked my girl out. Nothing that daddy did

seemed to make a difference though - except for the fact that I really wanted tzatziki sauce! Well

I love Greek cuisine.

I'd like the world to know that not only did Dusty go to the store and back in my ailing vehicle,

he made a very luxurious dinner that night - homemade tzatziki sauce - with lamb, pita and salad.

NEVER have I enjoyed my life so much. Dusty thinks it and I say it... I think it and Dusty says it...

we are of the same mind, same loving cloth. I am blessed to have married my best friend.

Audrey as a big sister

I want all the world to know that Audrey is a wonderful big sister. I also think they should know what an ordeal bringing her brother home was.

Audrey's first introduction to her new brother was scary. Dusty and I tried to prepare her and she was ready. We told her that her little brother was born a little early and he had wires and tubes measuring and feeding him.

This WONDERFUL girl (my Audrey) learned the ropes very quickly. She was such a darling that when she saw new parents come in to the NICU, she took it upon herself to put them at ease by telling them what every wire and tube was for. We really didn't want her to do that, but she felt it her new job to help parents just like she was helped to understand that her brother would be ok.

Now, as Brogan has grown older, and stronger and it's 18 months later... Brogan may fall, Audrey might be playing with him at the time (12-18 months). Brogan might get hurt and cry.

The hardest thing for us as parents is to hear our baby cry. But then to hear Audrey cry. She may have had nothing to do with Brogan getting upset (dirty diaper?), but she sure takes it seriously. I feel so bad for her because she saw her little brother clinging to life, wires taped to his body and tubes in his body that she still fears for him these days when he cries.

Lucky for all of us Brogan is a tough guy. But if he does happen to cry you can count on his sister crying alongside of him because she is so worried about him. She cares for and loves her little brother. There is no better gift to a parent... and I now know there is no better gift to a big sister than having a new wonderful being in your family to love.

I love Audrey for her wonderful caring spirit. She is exceptional in her love of others.

Living with an ADHD Child... more...

Anyone who knows Audrey understands how bright and intelligent and very articulate she is. She is wonderful and I've always been very proud of my girl. My co-workers are always very impressed when they meet her or get a chance to see her once again for a visit in the office. Audrey is very bright and very articulate in her speech which is quite an accomplishment for one so young.

We had an appointment with her doctor on Monday re: ADHD. I swear she decided to be the worst kid she could be that day. She was overexcited, hyped up out of control - you name it. I couldn't believe it. She's usually able to straighten up after some reminders when we are out in public. I know daddy packed apples for her snack, so I wasn't ready to blame it on sugar.

I wonder if she was being super ADHD on purpose? I felt that she was. I know her better than that, she doesn't seem that deviant, and she did do a word find with me, but she was just so wacky. What do you do. So the doctor finally came in after 30 minutes of us waiting and we discussed side effects, the fact that there was no change in behavior and we will need to double her dose from 5mg to 10mg. Still a small dose.

I am hoping that in the next 2 weeks we see some improvement. Audrey is bright, sunny, lovely, smart, caring and so wonderful. I don't know what else to say. I'm at my wits end with her ADHD, since she is failing in her schoolwork and in remedial reading all because she can't focus her talents. Her parents are working with her as much as possible to get through to her and explain the mysteries of math and reading. She is good at math, so I think it must make more sense to her than some of her other subjects.

Hi Mom, you're home! Weaning, ugh!

For months and months and months, the greeting I receive from my boy goes like this:

Hi Mom, you're home - where's the boob! No cuddle or hug or anything else. Just a fussy boy wrestling his way sideways and pulling at my shirt.

Of course I try not to let it hurt my feelings - or my self esteem. Am I just a cow for this boy, geez! Makes a mom feel extra tired after putting in a full day at work too and a little down.

I've already weaned him off of nursing at night, in the middle of the night all night. He doesn't nurse in the morning either, because I am getting ready for work. Usually in the mornings I make sure to spend a little extra time with diaper changing, getting him dressed and maybe a book if Brogan is in the mood.

So, since Brogan has teeth now, lately he's really been hurting me when he nurses. I'm feeling so done with this and then I can't take his fussing, so end up giving in nightly while trying to get him to go to sleep. Grin and Bear it eh?

I showed Dusty my injuries, and my husband, reading my mind last night, brought me a sippy cup with Milk in it when Brogan started his fit. I told him, wow I was just thinking of trying that! It worked too! Brogan and I sat in the rocking chair, he had his sippy cup with milk, then I read him a book and he didn't fuss or crab at me at all.

So tonight - what a relief it was, to get this from my son: Hi Mom, you're home! Let's play!

Makes my day.

Cool Dude

Here is Brogan - I am trying to get a picture of how cool he looks in his tennis shoes, jeans and sweatshirt! So here are a few shots - and he is just the sweetest most gorgeous boy ever!

Brogan is taking more and more steps for walking. This picture is awesome!

Not so happy to show off his outfit, but what a darling face! I can't help myself - I have to kiss his sweet soft cheeks.

I love my boy.

Corpse Bride Makeup

Audrey is so beautiful.

Audrey after having her makeup done. Good job Dusty!

A Chuck E Cheese Birthday

15 kids and a great party at Chuck E Cheese - I highly recommend it if you want a stress free party. Those folks have a good system. The kids got to the table, then we set them loose to play the games. They had their pizza and a fun show and everything went well. It's a little expensive, but well worth it!

Brogan's first Haircut!

Business up front, party in the back! Heck, I couldn't cut off his pretty baby curls.

Before his haircut...

Girl Style

Audrey enjoying her Hat and Gloves. We went shopping - always a favorite for the girls! Not so much for the boys!

Happy Halloween!

Audrey as the Corpse Bride. She is getting ready for her big birthday party at Chuck E Cheese this weekend by having a practice run at a friend's house!

Will he ever sleep through the night?

Brogan WAS sleeping through the night, I swear - a few months ago. He's 17 1/2 month's now and he hasn't slept through the night for at least 7 months!

I know he's not hungry. The past 7 month's he wakes up, I lay down and nurse him and after 2 minutes he is asleep again - for an hour. So night after night, every hour on the hour it seems, this kid wakes up and nurses for 2 minutes and goes back to sleep.

Well this kid has teeth now! I'm tired. I want to sleep all night. I don't want teeth marks on my boobs anymore.

So here's the new approach - Brogan "wakes up"/stirs or sleep walks or thrashes or whatever it is that he does. I hold him in my arms and shush, rock, pat him back to sleep with no nursing. For a week we have done this. Guess what - after that first week, he is sleeping through the night!

Hooray!

Mighty Mini Avalanche?

"No..", Dusty says, "Corn dog Mayhem!". Oh do I ever know what he's talking about.

With a freezer full of kid food; Popsicles, Corn dogs, chicken nuggets and more, I can envision the freezer avalanche and everything sliding out all over the floor!

Dusty and I just laugh. Those are the consequences of having kids!

Sadly, the refrigerator is just as full - and there's hardly room for a coke or a beer. Grownups are reduced to snacking on string cheese and drinking capri sun. We love our kids.

Camp Corey Fall Festival

We went to a local pumpkin patch Saturday morning and had the pumpkin pancake breakfast, went on a hay ride and wandered through the corn maze.

Then Audrey and Dusty took a wheelbarrow out to pick pumpkins while Brogan and I stayed under cover (it was raining a bit). Brogan is hard enough to hold onto and hold an umbrella at the same time! He was done being in his stroller.

Saturday also happened to be a record breaking day for rain - but we were brave! Interestingly it stopped raining hard when we got there and didn't start up again till after we left!

Here’s where we went:

http://www.campkorey.org/FallFestival-Cornmaze.html it’s a cool place!

Audrey carving her pumpkin! Her first!

All of the pumpkins together... Spooky! Audrey's is the Kitty.

Trebuche

Commonly known as the Pumpkin Hurl! So much fun for a family and wow the weather couldn't be better either. Our little family really had a good time. It was just amazing!

The Tre Barbaric

The Gourdinator

This is a great time for families. There were food vendors so no one went hungry. There were also wonderful displays of wool weaving and yarn spinning. I think Audrey just liked seeing the dogs that accompanied the people - it was hard to keep her away from those dogs for sure. She has a kind heart and animals can sense it - whether mommy approves or not. Hmmm, it's tiresome. I am trying to teach her good manners - every day.

Audrey is in the first grade and she is having a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Her first offiical birthday party with invitations and classmates. I'm excited too, and I just hope I have the energy to get through it! Wow.

What ya doin' Brogan?

Looking at all my books mom!