Graduation and Birthday Celebrations

Last Friday, Austin graduated from the 8th grade!  He is officially moving up to high school, and the "poor guy" has ten whole weeks off of school now.  What on earth is a kid to do?  ;)

Austin actually has a pretty busy summer planned, but until those plans get kicked off, the days will most likely drag on for him.  But if you ask him, I'm sure he'd rather that over going to school anyway!  Oh to be a kid again!

Friday afternoon, we went to Austin's graduation ceremony that was short and sweet... only 30 minutes- whoa!  Here's a picture of a quarter of his graduating class.  (The graduation was split up over two days, two sessions per day, so four sessions total.  That's why this is only a quarter of his class.)

Here is Austin, waiting in line to receive his diploma. (He's in the white shirt, in the far right.)

After junior high, the kids are split up between two high schools.  While a good amount of Austin's friends are going to go to his high school, his best friend and several others will be going to the other high school in town.  So he's a little sad about not seeing them next year.  However, I don't think he knows how high-schoolers go to each others football games and events, and still see each other regularly... this isn't goodbye, it's just a see-you-later!  :)

Here is ghost Austin receiving his diploma.  My camera is not the best.

Afterwards, we got a few family shots to remember this special day.  Look how tall Austin is next to Carl!  STOP GROWING, KID!  FOR REAL! 

He's passed me up in height (of course)... and this isn't even him standing straight up!  He was leaning in for the picture!  Tall 8th grader, I tell ya.  I mean... 9th grader.

And hey, future Luke, if you are reading this, look!  You were at your brother's graduation!

As the kids walked out of the building, they didn't play traditional graduation music.  They played "What a Wonderful World".....and I lost it.  Full on boo-hoo, tears running down my face...I almost got in the line with the kids (I kid) as they walked by just so I could get away from the music.  That song is very special to me and other members of our family.... and it normally chokes me up a little bit, but not that bad.  These pregnancy hormones are quite insane.

Later that evening, we went to Boomers to celebrate Austin's birthday.  I think I mentioned this in a previous blog post, but just in case I did not, we celebrated Austin's birthday a week early because of so many things going on on his actual birthday.  For one, there's a graduation party for one of his friends.  Two, it's the day my mom arrives in Turlock.  And three, my baby shower is that day.  We tried to plan around Austin's birthday (so the shower didn't fall on his birthday) but it was impossible.  June is such a busy month for everyone out here, the 8th was the only day that could possibly work.  I explained the situation to Austin and asked if he minded, and he said he completely understood.  He's such a trooper.  I assure you though, he won't be forgotten on his actual day.  Carl and him will be hanging out for part of the day, he'll be going to friends' during other parts of the day, and he's getting some pretty cool gifts this year.  I can't wait to see him open them!  At the end of the day, we will be taking him out to eat at the restaurant of his choice, and doing a family birthday celebration at the restaurant.  I'll make sure to post photos and videos to share!

So anyway, we went to Boomers, like I said.  Four kids showed up to the party, and they were all great kids.  It was nice spending time with Austin's friends and getting to know them a little better.  There was only one girl there, but she hung out with the boys like a real trooper.  When Austin introduced her to us, I thought he said "This is Candice" so the entire night, when I would talk to her, I called her by name.  The next morning, I was looking through my phone and saw that I had a text from Cami, when she RSVP'd for Austin's party.  So, I asked Austin about Candice going by Cami and you know what he replied? "Candice?  No her name is Cami."

"But is her real name Candice?"
"No."
"But you call her Candice?"
"No....."
"Well you introduced her as Candice...."
"No I didn't...."  At that point, him and his friend who stayed over bursted out laughing.  I had called this girl by the wrong name the entire night, apparently.

Oy.

Here's Austin on the racetrack. 


And here's Austin with his birthday crew, racing!


Here's the crew when we celebrated with a yummy ice cream cake!


Austin brought a friend home that night to spend the night, and they played video games till they couldn't hold their eyes open any more.  Actually... I'm not sure their eyes ever did close that night because Austin was a zombie the next day.  He slept all day long!

Yawn!  I get tired just thinking about it.

Next week, Austin will be going to Yosemite Bible Camp.  He's really looking forward to going this year- it's his first time since we've lived here! 
Then, in a couple of weeks, Austin will be going to Florida for three weeks.  He's going to be going to his usual Florida Bible Camp while there (he always has a blast) and spending lots of time with family.  He'll fly back out here with my dad, very close to Luke's due date, and then he will have a baby brother around the house.  Lots of changes coming up!

There are also some soccer and tennis camps Austin is interested in... but we haven't figured out the specifics yet.  There's only so much time in the day, ya know?


On Sunday night at church, we celebrated the graduates (middle school, high school, and college age).  Each graduate's pictures were submitted for a slideshow... and now's the time where Austin is going to say I am embarrassing him, but I just HAVE to share the photos that we selected.  







Austin, if you are reading this, I hope you had a great birthday celebration so far (we will continue the par-tay on Saturday!) and please know that your dad and I are very proud of you for your accomplishments this year, and moving up to high school next year.  It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by.  We love you!

27 Weeks

Baby and I went and visited the doctor yesterday, for our 27 week checkup.  Man, time is flying by!  The doctor listens to his heart and feels my stomach every visit.  She calls him "happy baby" and says he's big.  Yesterday, she estimated him being between 2 and 2.5 pounds (which is right on target according to the books) but she says she is concerned he will be a big baby.  ("Big" meaning 8 pounds.... we shall see.)  In case you are curious, I was barely over 6 pounds and Carl was over 10 pounds.  An 8 pound-er for us might be considered average, if it even works that way.

So, what's new in the past week?

Lots, I tell ya!

Well, I started feeling baby get hiccups finally.  I wasn't sure that's what I was feeling but after holding perfectly still and concentrating at the dinner table, I came to the conclusion that yes, it must be hiccups.  At regular intervals my stomach would flutter.  I picture his little face scrunching up at the annoyance of having the hiccups and I think it's adorable, although I feel a little bad for him.  You know how annoying hiccups can be. 

Last Thursday, I had to go for the glucose screening test.  I was DREADING this test more than anything..... for those of you that don't know, the glucose screening requires you to fast after midnight, and then go to the doctor and have blood work done.  (And they make you leave a urine sample.  TMI?  Sorry.  There's a reason I'm telling you though, so bear with me.)  So, the tech draws your blood, then makes you drink a really sugary drink within five minutes.  After the five minutes is up, the timer starts.  Exactly one hour later, the tech draws more blood.  Then, an hour after that, more blood is drawn...and you're finally free to leave.  

I have no problems with blood work (mom says I'm blessed with my dad's veins) so why was I dreading this test so much?  The fasting.  The sugar.  The fasting and the sugar.  If I don't eat soon as I wake up in the morning, I'm extremely nauseous and will throw up (or dry heave).  It's a pregnancy thing- this isn't my normal self.  And also, if I eat any sugar, I get nauseous and sometimes throw up.  So I basically avoid sugar (giving in to the occasional ice cream cone- hey, nobody's perfect) and I keep fruit, granola and protein bars by my bed to eat when I wake up (I switch what I eat per day, I don't inhale all of that at once).  I was so desperate to avoid this test that I researched the test online, and learned that the doctor is basically checking me for gestational diabetes.  There aren't any symptoms of gestational diabetes (other than frequent urination, which is also a pregnancy symptom) but there are qualities that can make you more "at risk."  I had none of those qualities.  I asked my doctor if instead of taking this test, could I please just prick my finger and check the blood using a monitor every single day for the rest of my pregnancy?  She said no.  And so, the test day came.  Much to my chagrin.

So, Thursday (the day of the test), Carl took Austin to school for me so I could sleep until the last minute (and avoid hunger pains if I could sleep through them) so that I could literally roll out of bed and head to the screening (and pray I didn't throw up).  I arrived and got signed in, had my blood drawn, and then they asked for a urine sample.  I had been fasting and I couldn't go.  Since I had to leave a sample before drinking the sugar juice, they told me I was allowed to drink water right up until I drank the juice and so I needed to start chugging.  I drank as much ice cold water as I could and poor little baby was feeling the coldness as it went into my belly.  He started kicking and turning around... poor guy.  "Mom!  That's cold!!"  Sorry buddy.  Finally I was able to drink the juice and start waiting for the hours to pass.  The office was kind enough to give me a bed to lay in, in my own cubicle instead of having to wait in the waiting room.  Thank goodness.  I just laid there for the next two hours and hoped I wouldn't throw up.  (I did take anti-nausea meds because my doctor gave me the 'okay.')  Had I thrown up, I would simply have to re-do the entire test another day.  And I did NOT want that to happen.

Anyway, at yesterday's appointment, I found out the test results came back normal and I am gestational-diabetes-free.  Thank you to those who prayed I would not only make it through the test without being sick, but for those who prayed the test would come back with good news!

Thursday night, most likely because of the fasting and the test my body went through, I started having several braxton hicks contractions.  These are the painless contractions that the pregnant body goes through to prepare for labor.  They can be brought on by a few things, two of which are dehydration and over exertion.  I did everything they say to do when you have a BH contraction (like drink, change positions, lay on your left side, walk around, have a snack) and the contractions persisted.  I did some research and every website said if you have more than four BH contractions in an hour, to call your caregiver immediately.  I watched the clock and had my fourth one within five minutes so I was getting nervous, but it was midnight and I had no other symptoms so I decided to wait until morning.  I didn't have that feeling or intuition that anything was wrong, so I went to sleep.  Throughout the night, I had a few more contractions.  My stomach was even feeling hard when it wasn't contracting and this confused me.  First thing in the morning, I called my doctor.  I spoke to the medical assistant and she told me she would speak with the doctor and call me back.  She never did.  Meanwhile, I had called my mom and one of our friends for advice.  After talking it to death, I realized that the hardness I was feeling (without the contraction) was just the baby!  He's running out of room and I wasn't used to feeling a section of my stomach feel more firm than the rest, so I didn't know that was him I was feeling.  The contractions did not come back but I made sure to talk to my doctor about it yesterday.  She said everything is just fine and as long as I didn't have any other symptoms (she told me what to look for) then there was no need to worry.  Amen!

Saturday night rolled around and I found myself frantically texting my mom and our friend once again.  After a calm day, baby decided to stretch out and poke his foot into my rib.  He must've felt he had more room utilizing that cavity (you know, the one that just holds my lungs, no big deal)... because he stayed there for far too long.  I tried pushing him down, sitting, standing, laying down in multiple positions, "hula hooping" with my hips, and even playing music against my stomach to get him to move.  He was too cozy and fell asleep in that position.  He would not move!  After feeling him tucked in there for about an hour, I was almost in tears from sheer panic that 1) he was stuck, or 2) he broke my rib.  Austin was at a youth devotional, so Carl and I had an impromptu date night that was now in jeopardy.  I was determined to go on and have our meal together, and not let this pain get in my way.  Baby was content, and as long as he wouldn't move I would just have to make due.  We made our way to the restaurant and I had to take an extra ten minutes or so in the car to try to wiggle this foot loose.  Carl and I waddled (well, Carl walked; I waddled) into the restaurant and I tried my best to disguise my face of someone who is not in pain.  Carl reminded me to smile; I think I was scaring the waitresses.  They were probably wondering if I was in labor and was about to give birth right there in their restaurant.  Here is Carl talking to baby and trying to coax him out of my rib.  Love him!

A few bites in, baby decided to move.  Aaaaaah, what relief!  I could breathe!  I could move!  I was all of the sudden not in pain!  *Happy dance!*  So Carl and I continued our meal and then all of the sudden, BAM.  Foot in my rib, again.  I went from happy and smiles to pain and panic in a matter of 5 seconds as I told Carl "I think I'm going to pass out."  This time, not only was baby's foot in my rib, but he was leaning against my diaphragm as well.  (Just another little organ important for little things like, I don't know....BREATHING....)  Carl assured me I wasn't going to pass out (and even if I did, my books say that the baby won't be in any danger... yes, I've researched this after a scare a couple months ago).  I know it sounds silly but just little things like Carl taking me by the hand and telling me I won't pass out actually calms me down.  I get panicky sometimes, thinking that I'll pass out, or baby is in trouble, and Carl always assures me otherwise.  Even though he isn't a doctor, he's always been right so far.  Thanks, honey.  Anyway, baby did end up moving out of my rib shortly after I started feeling panicky, so all was well again.

And while on the subject of Carl, let me just say that he's been so great to me throughout this pregnancy.  He gives me massages when I request them, brings me food and drinks, is sensitive to my hormonal crying (Picture me sobbing saying "I don't know why I feel like my best friend just died!"....yes, that happens...), and he rubs my belly and talks to our baby.  Some days he tells me "Hurry up and have him so I can play with him."  He just warms my heart.  And I love that he enjoys feeling the baby kick.  We will sit together in awe and watch my belly jump around, and he'll put his hands on him (which often calms the baby down right away) and he gets to feel him kick.  Sometimes the intensity and frequency of the kicks prompt Carl to double check with me that we aren't having twins.  He's so sweet and thoughtful... a real catch, that guy.  

On Monday, Austin and I went to the high school and registered him for classes.  9th grade is just around the corner!  Here is a photo I snuck of him filling out a survey while waiting on his guidance counselor.

He mostly got the classes that he wanted, but he was prevented from one elective due to his grades this year.  While the child is bright as can be, he just "doesn't care" about his grades right now.  We can't figure it out, but he has outright told us that his grades don't matter to him.  We are hoping it's just a phase, and we've stressed the importance of good grades so that he can get into college or get a good job.  Right now, he plans on joining the Navy.  Even so, he needs his grades to be up to get accepted there.  Hopefully being prevented from taking a class due to his grades will get him to understand that it isn't just his parents who are telling him to make better grades... it's a real issue rather than us just being nit-picky. 

Aside from that, tomorrow we will go enroll Austin in soccer for the fall (like last year).  Not much else is new on the Austin front.

And because I can't leave our fur-babies out, here are a few pics of them.  I call this one "Will sit for cookie."

Every day, when Carl gets home, he has to sit down or lay down right away so the girls can jump all over him and love on him.  They get so happy to see him!  Their little tongues are a-flyin'!  Kisses all around!

And I will leave you with this little bit of cute happiness.  Hope you have a great weekend!

 

Austin's 1st Wrestling Match

Here's a video I took for Carl, who couldn't be at Austin's first wrestling match.  Excuse my frustration as the kid from the opposing team kept dancing in front of me.  He was sitting the entire time we were at the match, but then Austin got up there and he felt the need to stretch and move right in my line of sight!  At the end, I say "Austin won" with the final score... but I was wrong.  The score I read was correct, but apparently the higher points don't necessarily mean that he's the winner.  Had he not gotten pinned, he would've won.  But it was just his first match, and I think he did a great job.  Without further ado.....

Game Video (Not Video Game!)

My parents sent me a text before Austin's last soccer game asking me to record him playing.  So, here it is!  It's hard to make out, but once he was put in the game, I recorded the first little bit of him playing because the ball was on his side.  He's number 15, and if you know him pretty well, you'll be able to tell it's him by how he's running.

Also, please ignore my voice.

 He was much more aggressive this game... he did great.  The team still didn't win.... but they made SO much progress.  The players were showing much more skill, confidence, communication, morale.... it was great.  So neat to see how far they came in just a week!

Good job Madrid! :)

The First Game

Austin had his very first soccer game last Saturday, so this post is going to be inundated with pictures.  The grandparents will love it... the rest of you, possibly not so much.  Feel free to look away!

Here's the first huddle for team "Madrid."  (I know, right?!  What kind of team name is Madrid? )  And yes, Austin does have Tim Tebow's number.  That's right, Florida boy.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Austin played defense.  He was still a little timid around the ball, but we're encouraging him to be more aggressive.  He says he has to to stand still until the defense leader tells him to move... but I'm not sure he understands that correctly.  But who am I to say, I am learning soccer as we go here. Hey, I've never been a soccer mom before!

(Don't look too hard, I don't think Austin is in this shot... but that's a lot of green, so correct me if I'm wrong.)

This is awful, but I don't even know what the other team name was.  I was expecting parents to be on the sidelines cheering for their team, but they mostly just sat and talked with each other.  When a play got to be heated, they would perk up.... but no shouting "Go Madrid!" or any other team name for that matter.  (Maybe if the team name was the Lions or Pirates or something more fierce sounding.  Is Madrid fierce?  I admit to not knowing much about that place.)

Check out this action shot.... that's our goalie.  So yes, the other team was about to make a goal and I took a picture.  There seems like there should be some sort of code against that... soccer mom's taking pictures of their kid's team getting beat.  However, in this particular shot, our excellent goalie (who blocked several shots) did succeed.  

Final score?  8 to 3.  Poor Madrid.  Stay tuned for this Saturday's game!

Busy Bee!

Although we're still in the beginning of the school year, Austin seems to be doing great.  He has come home every day with his planner filled out completely, and is in the good habit of starting his homework right after his after-school snack.  This year (so far) has been the year that he's had the most homework.  We're only a few weeks into the school year, and yet he spends a couple of hours on homework almost every day.  But, he doesn't complain, and he gets it all done before supper (most of the time).  It's kind of weird, but I almost feel like having more homework makes him actually more responsible.  Instead of having one simple worksheet that he could do later, he has several pieces of homework from different classes, so he knows he has to take time to do them, and he has to plan his time wisely in order to get everything done.  And, not only that, but he's taken on a few extra-curricular activities this year.

Like last year, we had Austin sign up for cross country.  Last year, he loved it.  His grades went up when he was running, he slept better at night, and he was much calmer.  This year, he did not want to join!  We couldn't figure out why he didn't want to, because he loved it so much last year.  We had him do it anyway, just so he could get some more exercise.  Last year had such positive benefits!  He's no longer complaining about going, and he's talking about his running times that he's achieving.  We haven't heard a direct "I like cross country" statement from him...yet... but I think it'll come. 

It's not exactly "extra-curricular" but Austin is enrolled in band this year.  He decided to continue playing his flute, like he did when we lived in Florida.  He told me that one of the keys was broken,  so I took it to the repair shop and was given some bad news.  They told me it was a really bad brand and they could repair it for $65 and guarantee it works for about five minutes, but no longer.  They said if I tried to sell it, I might get $100 for it.  Or, they said I could buy a new flute form them for $1000.  Austin told his teacher about this, and she told him to only buy from a different local music store.  So, the next day, I gave them a call.  Their minimum price was $1200.  Are you guys kidding me?!

We asked Austin if he really wanted to continue the flute, or if there were any other instruments that he would want to switch to.  He was insistent upon the flute.  (He did consider saxophone for a little while, but decided against it.)  So, we asked him how long he would want to play the flute.  "Are you thinking just until the end of 8th grade, or are you wanting to continue in high school?"  We talked over high school options, and told him we could either invest in a good instrument that will last, or we can rent one if he would prefer to stop playing after this year.  We also told him if he did decide to keep playing into high school, we would need a commitment from him because purchasing a new flute was going to be a big investment.

He decided to stick with it.  So, several hundred dollars later, Austin has a new, high quality flute.  Today was his first day bringing it to school, and I basically told him to guard that flute like his life depended on it.  He said, "I think it might."  Hopefully that means he understands how valuable it is.  I felt the need to emphasize the importance of him taking care of it because in Florida, he actually lost the cheaper flute we had purchased for him.  It turned up several weeks later at school somehow.  And there was another time that I found Austin's flute sitting on the top of Carl's car.  At 6am.  I had left for school while it was still dark, and when I backed out of the driveway, I saw something sitting on Carl's car (Carl and Austin were both still asleep so I knew they didn't just put it there).  I hopped out of my car, and there was Austin's flute.  Covered in water droplets from sitting out all night.  So, needless to say, the importance of caring for this new instrument was emphasized heavily.

In the Spring and early summer, we felt like Austin wasn't being challenged a whole lot.  When he's not busy, he gets bored and restless.  When he gets bored, his television and video game time go through the roof.  When that happens, he actually becomes moody and tends to get in a little more trouble.  I imagine it's like that with many teenagers.  We kept asking him to sign up for a sport at school, and he actually decided to join wrestling and track.  But he never actually joined.  "I will." he kept telling us.  We told him he needed to get in a sport again, or we'll put him in one that we find.  He called our bluff and ended up in soccer.

Hey Austin, we put you in soccer!

You did WHAT?!

We put you in soccer.  {Smiling} 

Why???!?  I HATE soccer..... man!  Are you kidding?

We asked you to sign up for something at school but you never did, remember?

So you put me in soccer?????

Yeah, we think you're going to love it!

I won't.  I hate soccer.  I can't believe you guys put me in soccer.  Man! {stomps upstairs to his room}

{Fast foward a few months.}

So...soccer starts in a couple of weeks, are you getting excited?

Soccer?

Yeah.... soccer....

Who's playing soccer?

You are.. remember?  We put you in it...

I thought you were just saying that.

??????  You're starting in a couple of weeks, so we're going to get you some soccer gear this weekend!

Man.  I hate soccer.  Why'd you put me in it?

Just give it a shot.  If you hate it this season, you can choose another sport for next year and we won't make you join soccer again, as long as you try to find something you do like.

Uggggggh.  {Exaggerated sigh.  Moan.  Lip biting.} 

That being said.....

Austin has really taken off with soccer.  He's doing great!  He's only had a handful of practices, but we can already see a difference in his performance.  Not only that, but he's actually talking about soccer outside of practice...in a positive way!  I knew he would like it!  And that brings me to this... I have something to share with you.  

And now I get to say "I told you so."  

But I won't actually say it.

So, in the words of my own mom, said with a smirk, "What'd I tell ya?"

;)

Soccer Time!

On Saturday, Austin participated in his first team sport in Turlock.... soccer!  He is so great at running, Carl and I really felt that we needed to get him involved in using that excess energy.  Last year, he participated in Cross Country and his grades went up, his energy went down, and he slept like a baby.  We are hoping he will sign up for Cross Country again this year.  

{Let me explain this photo- the kids were doing leg exercises where they basically did toe-touches.  Apparently, I only captured Austin doing them and so it looks like he's mad and stomping... but that wasn't the case.  They were supposed to touch their toe to their finger with each step, and keep their leg straight.  Make sense?}

So on Saturday, Austin and I made our way to the sports complex where there was a kick-off carnival being held.  (Carl had to work, boooo!  But he does a wonderful job providing for our family and making sure we are taken care of, so the reason that I "booo" him not being there is because we missed him.) There were snow cones, bounce houses, face paintings, a band, and other vendors there to help rev up the soccer season.  Austin was feeling a little down about playing a sport he had never played before, so I got him a snow cone before his first practice, and encouraged him that he'll get better with every passing day.

He's on a team with kids older than 12, but under 18, and he says he's the only one on the team who has never played.  I watched the kids practice different exercises for a while, and I told Austin that although he was the only kid without experience, it didn't look that way.  Austin was more coordinated than some of the other kids who had played, and with how limber he is, I have no doubt he'll be picking up the sport in no time!  

While Austin was running, I texted my friend (who played soccer in high school for a few years) Mia about how Austin was feeling, thinking she might have some advice for me to give him.  She said "You play soccer for the fun of it!"  I was ashamed I hadn't thought to tell Austin that!  Here I was saying that he'll just get better with more practice, he doesn't look like a newbie on the field, and encouraging him in his abilities.... but really, that one sentence from Mia should cover all of that.  You play soccer for the fun of it.  You will improve with more practice, but you do it because it's fun.  Next time Austin is feeling down, I'm going to throw that line out there.  Thanks, Mia!

Anyone else out there have any advice for a new soccer player?  

{*Fun fact- as I typed that last question mark, my phone told me I had a new text.  It was Mia, saying "Being on a team is important, whether you are playing or sitting on the bench encouraging your teammates."  That's another good one I'll have to make known to Austin!  Thanks again, Mia!  I hope you don't mind me publishing your advice!! *}

What a "Lousey" week this has been.

What a whirlwind of a week this has been.

I've been still fighting migraines, which most of you probably know.  I visit a chiropractor very frequently in order to adjust the alignment of my neck, which has been out of whack for quite some time.  So when I let my hair down on the his table earlier this week, and I saw the strange look on his face, I knew right then that I had to explain why I smelled horrid, like pesticide. 

Let's back up to Tuesday night when Austin came downstairs after his shower.  "I think I have lice."

Fun fact #1: Did you know that the singular for "lice" is "louse?"  (I felt the need to explain so you would for sure understand the pun in the title of this post.  But I guess if you have to explain it, it isn't that funny.  I digress....)

The boy has been known to come up with some crazy thoughts before, as all kids do, but this is not something I would mess around with.  "Carl, you have to check him.  I can't get near it.  They will get me."  I have extremely vivid memories of getting lice as a child.  My mom would sit on the blanket outside with me for hours on end, combing my hair strand by strand, just to get rid of those little bugs.  My hair was down to my waist, so this was no easy task.  But she did it.

"Yep, he has it." Carl declared.  I cautiously leaned over his shoulder, also checking but making sure to remain at a distance.

In my pajamas already, I kicked the blankets off of me and hopped off of the couch.  "I'm going to the drug store."

"Well we can wait till the morning...." Carl started.

Remembering my childhood days with lice, "No, we can't." I corrected him.  [Now is a good time to tell you that I didn't CONSTANTLY have lice as a child, it was only a two- or three time ordeal.  But those two or three times really made an impression on me.]

Carl and I got dressed in semi-presentable clothing and took off in the car after asking Austin to go completely strip his bed and put everything in the wash.  We arrived home about twenty minutes later with egg removal gel, mattress and bedding spray, shampoo and a preventative spray.  Carl and I grabbed handfuls of large garbage bags and headed straight up to Austin's room.  Austin, looking traumatized, was standing in the bathroom door.  I handed him his new shampoo and the fine tooth comb that came in the kit we bought.  I explained how to use it in the shower, and he hopped in.

Meanwhile, Carl and I gathered up every last stuffed animal, every last hat, pillow, blanket, and loose clothing near Austin's bed and bagged it up.  (Eight garbage bags later....) I sprayed his bed and floor very liberally with the lice spray.  Just when we thought we were finished, Austin opened the bathroom door, close to tears.  He was horrified at the site of all the lice and eggs on the little comb we gave him.  For the first time ever, he begged, "Please just shave my head?"

And that's how we wound up standing on our back patio at 10:30pm with one little light bulb shining on his head.  I shaved every bit I could, in the little light I had.  For doing it in the dark, it actually turned out okay. 

After being around his bedding and him, I was so sure I would get lice as well.  I soaked my hair in the preventative spray (pee-yew!), and then coated my hair in fine sections with hair spray (lice don't like having sticky feet).  I threw it all up in a bun and then leaned back on the couch, knowing I'd done all I possibly could to not catch the plague lice.  Side note: when I retreated to bed a little later that night, I removed my clip from my hair and my hair remained tight up in a bun from all the hairspray.  That was pretty impressive.  Anyway....

It was the next day that my hair was still coated with all the sprays; when I had to explain to my chiropractor why I smelled like the pesticide section in a home improvement store.

Today is Friday.  Austin appears to be lice free (finally) but we are still taking every precaution necessary.  He is still getting sprayed twice a day to make sure the lice stay away, and his bedding is still getting sprayed as well.  Those little buggers are not welcome in our house!

Fun fact #2: Belle is a maltipoo.... meaning she is part poodle.  Poodles have hair, not fur.  Ergo, the thought crossed my mind that Belle could get lice.  So, we googled "Can poodles...." and google auto-filled in "get lice?"  Go ahead, try it.  Type in "Can poodles" and google will finish your sentence.

Fun fact #3: The answer is no, poodles can't get lice.  At least not the same type that humans get.

To end, I'm sorry that this post is making you itch.  I have to assume that you are scratching your head because it's an automatic response every time anyone mentions lice.  Our home is lice free now, and we will do everything in our power to keep it that way!

Dunes in Death Valley

Thanks for continuing on through our trip!  Let's see... where were we... Oh yes.  We were stretching our legs in the desert.  

So we made our way to the sand dunes where our legs got much more than a stretch.  We got a good workout in the dunes!  Man were they gorgeous....

Unfortunately, these were all taken with an iPhone4S.
Carl and I are wondering if we should invest in a good camera.
What say you? (Suggestions on models, perhaps?)

14 Square Miles of dunes.

Amazing how you can scream as loud as you can and it doesn't reach very far.  The air just takes it away and perhaps the sand even drinks it in.

How did we learn about the our screaming not reaching very far?

Well, let me tell you a little story.


You see, it all started with this guy.

RUNNING.

And running.


He's in this picture, too.  Can you find him?

With the zoom on.

Carl and I started chasing after him, but...well, let's just say he was the Energizer bunny.
He kept going, and going, and going.

And going.

Once I reached the top of one of the dunes, I told Carl to (say this in a really dramatic voice) "Go on without me."  Then I pulled out my camera and snapped this picture of him.


He got a little farther (further?)  and got this one of me.  And this is with his little camera (iPhone) zooming in with all its might.

He got pretty far away from me before finally getting Austin's attention.  This was me, with the zoom on Carl's camera.

After finally catching Austin's attention, he was able to direct him to return to the car via hand waving and other exaggerated gestures.  Some foot stomping might've been involved.
{Eh hem.}

*We explained once again that when we are in wilderness, you cannot simply run without abandon.
I don't think 12 year old boys quite grasp the fact that mountain lions, coyotes and rattle snakes are deadly.*

And there are signs posted warning you of such things.
We even saw some animal tracks.  PROOF that the signs weren't telling us a tall tale!

Want to know what these were tracks of?
{Yeah, me too.  Heh, heh}

Again, no idea what little creature made this.

BUT THIS ONE, I CAN IDENTIFY!

By the time we got back to the car, our skin was a little more pink, and the sun was a little lower.

So we rushed on to our next destination in Death Valley...

Stay tuned!