One Year Ago

One year ago today my mom and I took the kids over to the park in the early afternoon to play. The weather was perfect It was warm and sunny. There were tons and tons of kids at the park playing. It was the most packed I can remember. Avalon and Nolan both found new friends and we stayed for about 2 hours to play.


Then Avalon met a little girl who had a horn on her bike. And they played together for a while. Then Avalon started crying because it was lunch time and time to go home and eat. And Avalon did not want to say goodbye to her new little friend who was so cool because she had a horn on her bike. Avalon cried and cried because she wanted a horn on her bike too. We promised that we would come back the next day and even made plans to meet the little girl and her daddy there too.


Then we loaded up in the car. Nolan saying he was hungry, Avalon crying still because she did not have a horn for her bike.


As we were turning left away from the park a young guy ran a red light. I was sitting at the red light begging Avalon to stop crying because she was giving me a headache. Then I looked back at the signal and our signal was green. So I stepped slowly on the gas. Then my mom looked over at me to tell me something and her face turned white and she said "Oh my god! Tiffani" So I looked over out my window and I saw a car coming toward us. He was going fast enough you could tell he was not going to stop. To me it seemed like it took forever. I looked back at my mom. Totally frozen. I had no idea what to do. It never even occurred to me at the time to step on the brake. I just looked at her and said "What do I do?" But as soon as I said it all of a sudden I just saw all white for a second. And then I knew that we got hit by the car.


The other driver hit my car right into the middle of the driver’s side door. But at first I did not know that. I turned off the car and looked at my mom. I was having trouble breathing. But I wanted to know if the kids were ok. Nolan was sitting right behind me. And I was too scared to look behind me to see if they were ok. I thought Nolan had taken the brunt of the hit. I totally thought I would look back and see Nolan covered in blood and I didn’t even know if he would be ok. Avalon was sitting in the other side of the car. But I was scared to look at her too. Who knows if her car seat held up?


My mom told me the kids were ok and just fine. So I finally (like a whole 3 seconds later, but seems like forever!) turned around and looked at the kids. I was totally crying because I had been so scared. And my mom was telling me she was having a hard time catching her breath and that was freaking me out too. So I turned to look at the kids and talk to them and then realized that my leg was stuck under the door that had been smashed against my leg. So I tired to turn around as best as I could and to see the kids and to talk to them and calm them down. And try to calm myself down.


But I totally started getting freaked out because I could not get to my kids. And I was trying to get out of the car but the door would not open. It was stuck. All I wanted to do was get out and hold my kids and make sure they were ok.


The guy that hit me came running over to the window. At this point I realized I was covered in broken glass. All over me. And I had all these tiny little cuts all over my face and arms. So I had blood everywhere it looked like. SO I started freaking out even more. But very soon I realized that they were just tiny little cuts. And I was ok. The guy told me that it looked like my leg was broken. I kept thinking there is not way! I can't see my feet because the door is smashed around my leg. But I can move my toes and feet. And there is no pain. So it can't be broke. In fact, if I can just wiggle out maybe I can get out myself.


But I knew that the best thing was just to stay where I was and try not to move. And when I can move the firemen will tell me. I really and truly thought that I was ok and that I would be going home very soon. All I wanted was to get out of the car and hold me kids.


Finally the firemen came and they took away my mom and they guy that hit me to the hospital. Then the firemen took my kids out and showed them to me so I could see that they were ok. Then they covered me up with a big yellow tarp and got to work. I was sitting there thinking OMG people are going to think I am dead. My in-laws just happened to be close by so they came down and stayed with the kids in the ambulance. I heard one fireman say "well, we don't know where her feet are? If we do that we could cut her foot right off." Then I really started freaking out more and hyperventilating.


They finally got my door cut off and started to pull me out of the car. And whoever said childbirth is the most painful thing in life. So. Not. True. Getting pulled out of that car is by far the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my whole life and I hope that nothing will ever come close to that much pain. lol. And I have a really high tolerance for pain too. :)


When I got in the ambulance it finally started dawning on me that maybe I really did break my leg. But I can still move it. So what the heck? Then I looked over and saw my kids sitting in their car seats in the ambulance and I didn’t care anymore. I was so happy to finally see them and be able to touch them. And talk to them. I kept asking them over and over if they were ok. And then finally I relaxed and calmed down.


Until we got to the hospital. Where I immediately started crying for some pain killers. And what do you mean the doctor is busy? What do you mean I have to wait? Can’t I get some Tylenol? Anything? lol. I turned into a big huge baby. But then my mother in law came in and sat with me for a little bit and I calmed down. Then after about 3 hours they finally gave me some pain medicine and then I was very happy. lol

I spent all night in the ER next to a guy that was super drunk and apparently jumped off of a wall or something. I don't know if he was really hurt or not. But he kept peeing all over himself. Gross!!! And he kept moaning. He was so annoying. Good thing for me that I was loaded up with pain killers. So for the most part I really did not care.

I spent the next week in the hospital and it turned out that I had fractured my pelvis and hip rotator something in several places. And guess what? You have to use your pelvis to do anything. Anything at all. So, I was in a lot of pain and was constantly on pain medication. I think I was pretty much out for that whole week. I kind of remember people coming to visit and I remember the kids coming and Avalon got scared seeing me in the hospital bed. I remember that I was constantly just going to sleep. And that Nikol spent a few nights in there with me so I would not be by myself. And I can remember Dan coming and going a lot. But mostly I was just totally out of it.

Then I went home and spent 2 weeks loaded up on pain medication and sleeping. Days would go by were I would not know if I even ate or anything. I lost a lot of weight. Which was good I guess. lol. Except when I got better it all came back. I was in a wheelchair. And I had a walker. But I could not put any weight on my pelvis. I had to go to physical therapy for two months to learn to walk on my leg again and rebuild all the muscle that I lost.

I was very depressed for the first 2 months I was home. I could not take a shower by myself. I could not go to the bathroom by myself. I couldn’t help take care of the kids. I could not help with simple household stuff. The kids were pretty much waiting on me. They were always bringing me something to drink and asking if I needed a blanket. It was really cute of them. But it really made me even more depressed that I could not do anything with them.

I was almost constantly in pain. I was not even sleeping at night for more then an hour at a time. Finally after the first two weeks of being drugged out I opted to go off of my pain medicine so I would at least know what the heck was going on and what day it was. Then I also got my appetite back. And gained some weight back. I learned from my physical therapist about other ways to manage the pain so I would not have to take the medicine. I was worried that I would rely on the medication and would end up one of those people who get addicted because they are scared to stop taking it. lol. And eventually I got better and after 5 months finally returned to driving and returned to work.

The kids were physically ok. Nothing happened to them. For a while afterwards they were scared to get in a car because they thought they would get an another accident. Avalon would freak out going through the intersection of where the accident was. Nolan is still paranoid of being run over by a car all the time. But after a few months even all that died down. Every now and then they still talk about the accident. But that is normal I guess.

My mom compacted her spine or something like that. She had to go to a chiropractor for a few months to get better. She had really bad bruises from the seat belt. After a few weeks those went away.

And that is the story of how we rang in 2007.

And so this year for New Years Eve everyone told me to stay in the house and hide under the covers.

So, I got the kids up and dressed and took them back to the same park. I made a point of not letting the accident affect us. We went shopping. Met Dan for lunch. Then on the way home, at about the same time as my accident last year. Another accident happened right at my street corner. We were coming home from target (with my new camera!) and there was a big accident. It couldn’t have happened more then 5 minutes before we got there. And the car was smashed up pretty bad. My sister Vicki told me I was freaking her out and I needed to get home ASAP and stay there. I admit I got a little freaked out because if we had been five minutes earlier that could have been us. I found out later that the guy in the car died. It was very very sad. I don't really know what happened. It looked like he was driving to fast and lost control. But who really knows.

But the Wagner family got through New Years Eve and New Years day unharmed and safe. And hopefully that means our 2008 will be a lot better then our 2007 was.

Happy new years to everyone and we hope that you are all safe and happy and healthy and thankful for everything and everyone!

Disney Princesses on Ice

Tonight Gma took all the girls to go see Disney Princesses on Ice. It was one of Avalon's Christmas gifts. Boy did we all have so much fun. Avalon was a little upset that half the show was just the little mermaid. Which is her favorite princess. But she really wanted to see more of Cinderella and Snow White. But other then that she had so much fun. Most of the pictures are very blurry because it was so dark that you could not use the flash or the pictures came out even darker. And taking a picture with the flash off the people kept moving. But we hope you enjoy the pictures we were able to get. Click here to see all the pictures.

Where is Nolan?

Sorry, my camera was not able to get fixed at a price we can afford so close to christmas. So you have to look at my werido pictures again. :)

Where in this picture is Nolan?

He is in the picture. Did you find him?

Did you look really close?

well?

And not to be left out. Ever. Of anything......

oh yeah, please ignore my dirty Oven. Just don't even look at it! Stop!!! Looking!!! at!!! My!!! Dirty Oven!!!!!! :)

My first computer

The kids got the leapster My First Computer for the grandparents for Christmas. They love it. Here are some pictures of the kids playing it. Please remember these pictures are taken with my crappy broken camera. I am going in tomorrow to see how much it will cost to fix my beloved best friend. But, if it can not be fixed, then please feel free to buy me this. :)

Taking my kids

Whenever I do almost anything I take my kids with me. Go to the Dentist? I usually take my kids. Go to see the Doctor. I usually take my kids. Go shopping. Kids are with me. Lately I admit I have done a few errands more then normal without my kids since my mom is there to watch them. But if I am not working that day and it is not an errand on my way home, I usually will take my kids. Avalon and I had a girls day last Saturday. We went shopping together. We went and got the oil changed on the car together. We went and got our nails done together. And since that was in Chino Hills (i.e. not by my house) and the girl I was getting my hair cut at was also in Chino Hills, I took Avalon with me.

I have taken Avalon and Nolan with me several times when I go and gt my hair done. They are almost always very good and will sit there and play with their toys while I get my hair done. And since Dan is not always home and there is not always a convenient babysitter around it has become quite normal for me to take them with me pretty much anywhere I go.

So, I have been in search of a new hairstylist. The places around my house and work either totally suck or are way overpriced. So, a guy at my work told me that his girlfriend is a hairstylist. And she has a shop in Chino Hills. Whoa! cool. Avalon and I are going to be in Chino Hills on Saturday getting our nails done. SO that works out perfectly. Can she see me on Saturday in the afternoon? yes? Cool.

All day Avalon and I were doing everything together. So when I went to gt my hair cut she thought she was getting her hair cut too. When she found out she wasn't she had a total meltdown. I mean she didn't scream or cry. She just very quietly whined the whole time.

So then yesterday the guy at work kept telling everyone "why would Tiffani take her daughter to get her hair cut? That is so weird? Why would she do that?"

So, my point is, am I the only one? Do you other parents out there usually take your kids with you? Or do you always get a babysitter.

Finally, my Christmas Blog

Where to start.lol. I don't even know. Lets see....

We had to wake up the kids around 9:30am and make them get up and go see if Santa Came. The walked out to the living room and said "yea, he was here." Then plopped down on the couch and went back to sleep. We made breakfast and then finally talked the kids into opening their presents. Santa brought the kids new pajama's and new bathrobes. And Avalon get a makeup and jewelery box from Santa that had Giselle from Enchanted on it. Also her pj's and robe were from Enchanted. Nolan got toy cars from the movie Car's and his pjs and bathrobes had Lighting McQueen on them. They got shopping carts so they can push their own carts now at the grocery store. Avalon got a sleeping beauty doll and a Beauty and the Beast Doll. Nolan got a toy truck and the Claw machine. Like the ones you see at Denney's with the stuffed animals. Only this one is filled with candy and little toys. Avalon has already mastered it. Nolan already figured out he can pick it up and turn it upside down to get the stuff out. Who needs to use the claw? lol. They also got more play food for their Dora Kitchen. Lots of toy cars and make up. But the one gift the opened that they totally freaked out over excited about? Batteries. Who knew? lol. My mom got them batteries to go with all their toys. She wrapped them up so they could open them. I guess we have told our kids a lot that the Batteries died and that is why their toys don't work. Because they went CRAZY!!! when they saw the batteries. Screaming about how now all their toys are will work. It was funny.

Then we all get dressed and went over to the parents house to open more presents and eat a light lunch. Gma and Papa got tickets for Avalon to go see Disney Princesses on Ice. And yea! I get to go too! woo hoo! I don't know who is more excited. Me or Avalon or Gma. lol. The kids both got their first leapster computer. Which I can't wait to check out. It looks like so much fun. The got some really cute clothes. Humm.. It is hard to remember now everything they got. There was so much stuff. Avalon also got a talking little mommy doll. Which once we really figure it out is going to be so cool. Right now we are still figuring out how it works and can you believe that little doll gets all mad at us when we can't figure out exactly what she wants. lol. It is so funny. But the more Avalon plays with her the more we are figuring out how to use all the functions and the less Isa (that is her name) gets mad.

The kids both got alarm clocks. That they totally wanted for when they start school and new backpacks for school. Can you believe Nolan and sleeps right though his alarm clock and Avalon already mastered the snooze button. Just like her mommy. :) I know they got other stuff. I just can't think of what until I get home and finish unpacking everything.

Then off to Aunt Pam's house we went for dinner and even more presents. I think Aunt Pam had more presents for us then all the presents we had collectively over the last two days. lol. The kids got a cookie making kit and a pizza making kit. Dan got Guitar Hero 3. I got some photo albums and a gift certificate to snapfish. Which by the way, lowered their price to 9 cents a print. Yea baby!! Oh yeah, Angie got me this digital key chain that I had posted about last year that I wanted and forgot all about it. This thing is totally cool. I love it! And bill and Pattie got me a digital photo album to keep in my purse. it is so cool!! Everyone got tons of new clothes. Yea! We really needed those too.

Then we ate dinner and talked and visited and had a great time. Avalon was sick and running a fever. Mommy was sick. Nolan was sick. So it made for a great night. lol. At least today we are all feeling much much better. I wish I had pictures but since MY CAMERA BROKE!! I don't. So if anyone ever emails me any pictures then I will add them to the post. lol. And I am putting on my list for next year a new digital camera. If I can wait that long. lol

Thank you everyone for sharing Christmas with us. It was by far the best one ever and we love you all and hope you all had just as great a Christmas as we did.

It was so super windy on Christmas and the wind made it freezing cold outside. So here are the last two pictures my camera took (sniff, sniff) of the kids all bundled up in the car.

Our Christmas Eve

Am I the only one so far who has not had time yet to post the Christmas blog? lol. Honestly we have been so busy over the last couple of days and I just have not had the time yet. So here I am at work. With nothing to do. As usual. So I decided I will try to write up our blog. We will see how well we will do. lol.

Here is the link to view our pictures. Christmas eve I was sick and not in the mood to play paparazzi this year. :) So there is only a few pictures. When I get a copy of the pictures everyone else took I will add them and let you know. Then there are pictures from Christmas Morning. All the way until we got in the car to head over to the parents house. And for no reason what so ever my camera broke! And we could not fix it. So there are no pictures of anything else. But again, as I get more pictures from everyone else I will upload them for you too look at.

Christmas Eve we went over to the Great Grandparents house to have dinner and open presents and visit with everyone. Dans Aunt Carole and Uncle Monty and cousin Cody were out this year visiting from Tennessee. They have been absent from the last three Christmas eve dinners. So it was so nice to see them again. It was nice having everyone there this year.

The kids got so many awesome presents. And they were so excited about everything they got. This year they really ripped into all the presents. Nolan afterwards went around and picked up all the wrapping paper and ribbons and threw them all away. He is so good. Avalon kept asking why they got everything they ever wanted this year. lol. I told her because her and Nolan were so good this year so everyone wanted to give them everything they ever wanted. Nolan's favorite was his bulldozer which he has been asking for for months. Avalon got her my little pony baby backpack thing. Which she has been asking for for months. They got so many other really awesome toys and games and puzzles. And they are having a hard time trying to decide what to play with because they love them all so much.

Nolan got a bunch of toy cars and planes and a little box to carry them in. He loves them! He also got a toy spider man that sings to him and moves and everything. He was memorized with it. He loves playing with spidey.

Avalon got some cool movies and these magnetic balls and sticks building things. She loves those too. And a bunch of other stuff that she opened so fast I ma still trying to figure out who got them what and what all they got. As we are still putting stuff away I am finding stuff that I never even saw. :)

Our dinner table was specially built and was huge! gigantic! And it held all 23 people. I know someone took a picture of it and I hope to get a copy of it so I can post it here. It looks great. Very festive. And now that all the "kids" in the family are getting older and will start bringing home people with them for dinner. Eventually. Maybe one year even Brian will join us. :) he he. I don't know what we are going to do. The great Grandparents are just going to have to get a bigger house so that we can all eat together.

It was such a great night. We all had so much fun. I did not get totally drunk and pass out this year. Yea!!! I know you were all wondering if I would repeat last years incident. Well I didn't. so yea!!!

I will be back later to post about Christmas Day. Promise. :)

This is a picture of Jena helping Avalon with her new doll\pony\baby\whatever. lol. Avalon idolizes Jena. Jena is her favorite person in the whole world. As soon as Jena walked in the door Avalon was stuck to her like glue and is happy to just follow Jena around the house. When I ask her why she loves Jena so much she says because Jena always looks so pretty and wears pretty clothes. And the girls just like to be pretty like Jena. lol. I think it is so cute. Plus the fact that Jena likes to play and color and do all the things that Avalon loves to do. Avalon just can't believe how lucky she is to have a cousin like Jena.

Guitar Hero 3

Dan got Guitar Hero 3 for Christmas from Wendi and Angie. The family played it all day yesterday. I suck by the way. Is that a surprise? I don't think so. Dan so far is winning everyone. He named his band Dynamite. lame! lol. Just kidding. Avalon and I are naming our band Barbie and the Rockers. Because come on! They rule. The best rock and roll band ever!! Avalon is actually beating me right now on points. Because I suck that bad. Nolan, well. Is 2. So that about sums it up. lol. Here is two videos of the kids playing. Enjoy!!



By the way. Avalon gets very upset when me and her get booed off staged. lol. And as soon as Nolan realized I was video tapping him he froze up.

Happy Birthday Nikol

Happy Birthday Nikol. Hope you have a great one! The big 2-5! You are now a quarter of a century old. This was the one big birthday that depressed Dan. lol. He said this is when it really hit him that he is getting older. lol. So, how do you feel now that you are 25 years old?

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Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas to everyone. We hope you have a happy and safe Holiday.



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Our New Car :)

Dan bought me a new car for Christmas. :)

My camera broke before I was able to get any pictures of it. So I have to wait now until I get my camera fixed. But here is a picture of the car from Desiree's website. lol. And it looks just like this. Only hers is better. :)

And congratulations to Casey and Desiree who also bought the exact same car the day before we did. Great minds. lol.

It is even the same color. Sorry I had to steal your picture Desiree. But I couldn't even get one to download online. So? lol.

UTI

Avalon has been having a lot of UTI's this year. A few weeks ago was her 6th one this year. Which is not normal I guess. I have no idea. So the doctor was a little bit worried about her. Wednesday the Doctor's office called us (which is a first) to see how she was doing and if the UTI had gone away yet. Which we think it has since she is not having any more pain. But we are not really sure. Her urine is still very cloudy. So, they asked us to bring her back in and they did another urine sample. I don't know yet if it came back positive still for UTI. Just that her urine is still very very cloudy. So the Doctor was still a little worried and is having Avalon scheduled for an ultrasound so that they can check her kidneys. He thinks her kidneys might be backed up and not flushing out properly or something. Or that the UTI went in to her kidneys? It was kinda confusing. But I think if the UTI went into her kidneys then the antibiotic would have gotten rid of it? I don't know. The doctor at this point is not worried about it at all and neither is Dan. We will wait and see what the ultrasound says I guess. It is getting scheduled for sometime in January.

Me, of course, being the horrible worst thing ever that could possibly happen thinking kind of person I am totally paranoid that they are going to tell us her kidneys are not working and she is going to have to get a transplant or something. Or dialysis or something horrible and life altering. But, that is just me. So, after we get the ultrasound done I will let you all know how it comes out.

Family Picture Day

Here are our great Family pictures. Thank you Amanda! We loved them!! Here are my favorites. Click here to see all the pictures from that day.
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Irvine Christmas Train 2007

After our tree trimming party on Saturday Dan and I took the kids and Sissy ant Auntie Wendi and we all went over to the Irvine Christmas Train. We of course every year are so super smart we get there at 4pm. It does not start until 5pm. Then we buy our tickets and usually I will wait in line and Dan and the kids go play. Then I just stay in line until it gets dark. Letting people go ahead of me if it is still light out. Then when it gets dark Dan and the kids and Sissy and Wendi all came and we all stood in line together and got on the train. It was perfect. We got to sit in the very back which is the kids favorite spot.

We rode the train and stood in line to go see Santa. For the first time ever the kids actually talked to Santa and sat on his lap and told them what they wanted. Santa was so good. He had little conversations with every kid that came up. You definitely were not rushed which was so nice. He asked them lots of questions. The kids were so happy and excited.

Then afterwards we rode the train back and then took the kids on the jump house. The line NOW to get on the train was like now at least an hour wait if not more. The line went on forever. I don't think we ever saw the end of it. And the poor little kids. It was now so super freezing cold. Nolan got out of the jump house after a couple of minutes. Not really his thing. But Avalon stayed in for like 30 minutes. Crazy girl!

Then we all went to Islands in Anaheim Hills for dinner. It was a great day. We all had fun! You can click here to see all the pictures.

Tree Triming

After we had our family pictures taken at the park we went over to the parents house and got to help trim their Christmas tree. It was so fun and we all had a great time. You can click here to see all the photo's. But here are my favorites.

I don't know why I love this picture so much. It is y favorite. It was an accident. I forgot I turned the flash off. So the train is all blurry. But I think that is what makes it look so cool. Nolan was pretending to be a tunnel. The kids loved the train.

Here is a picture of the kids with the G Parents. We don't have very many pictures of all four of them together. And I think this one really turned out great. I think Desiree had a great idea about giving this to them for Christmas. Shhhh!! Don't tell them. lol

Family Pictures

Saturday Dan and I took the kids to Hillcrest Park in Fullerton to meet with our photographer and finally get our family pictures taken. This is something I have wanted to do for a very long time. And I was so excited to finally get it done.

Our photographer Amanda was so great! I can't believe how amazing and patient she was with the kids. Nolan never lets us take his picture. And Amanda not only got him to smile but he actually let her take his picture by himself. That itself was worth it and such a miracle. Avalon of course loved when she got to go around with Amanda and do her pictures by herself. I really think Avalon wants to grow up to be a model. lol. Because she loves getting her pictures taken.

I got an email last night telling me that Amanda is already FedExing my CD of pictures to me. Yea. I can't believe it is so soon. I am so excited. So hopefully by this weekend I will be posting some of the pictures for you to see. I just know they turned out great and I can't wait to see them. So if you need someone to take your family portraits definitely give Amanda a call!

Sibling Love

Avalon is teaching Nolan how to play Caillou online.

Happy Birthday Lance

Happy Birthday to my oldest brother Lance. Today he turned 38 years old! Your an old man now! lol. I love you nad hope to see you soon so we can celebrate together. We hope you have a great day today!! Even though you will never see this! :)


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Our fishey's

This is for Vicki and Desiree. Here is an updated picture of our reef tank. With out four little fish. about a bazillion crabs. And two snails. Enjoy!!

It finally feels like Christmas

We made our own ornaments. We wrapped our presents and put them under the tree. We hung up our stockings. It is finally starting to feel like Christmas around here. :) I would like to add that we bought these plain glass ornaments from the dollar tree. I love that place. Then we went to Micheal's and bought glass stain and angel dust glitter. And Volia!! Perfectly made home made ornaments.

Ice Storm

You should all go over and look at these amazing photo's of the ice storm in Oklahoma. They are fantastic pictures. Plus I did not even realize how bad the storm is out there until I read this blog from my blogger pal Piper. I am praying for everyone out there. I read one article that 22 people died already.

My Other Panera Bread Story

As I think I have told you before I love Panera Bread for lunch. They make the best sandwiches and soups and bread I have ever tasted. I think personally that they are a little overpriced. But in the end I guess it is worth it because the food is sooooo good. Especially the turkey and artichoke sandwich. I am drooling just thinking about it. But, I don't know if i told you about my one very little problem I have with the one by my work. We only get 30 minutes for lunch. Well, it takes us 15 minutes to driver there and back. Which only leaves us 15 minutes to eat. And there is usually a long line there. So sometimes we get back and lunch is over. So, Kathy and I being the super smart people we are, phone in our orders.

Well, the problem is that the one by my work does not like it when people phone in their orders. Because then they have to stop talking for a few minutes about what they did that weekend and what the latest gossip is. So when we call in they always go "ok, hold on" in a very rude and annoying voice. Then they leave us on hold for like 15 minutes and then come back and just say "ok? what do you want?" but very sarcastically. Every time. And heaven forbid if you ask what the soup of the day is. Every time I have asked that they hang up on me. Seriously! I swear. After about the 10th time they were rude to us I called the corporate office and complained. Yes, I hear you all groaning. I am one of those people. When I feel we were treated wrong I call and complain. And when I feel like someone was doing a good job I call in and say how great they were. It goes both ways. The corporate office's answer was to send me and Kathy some gift cards. Hello? That does not fix the problem. When I called in and complained I said we will still be eating there anyways no matter what because they food was so freakin delicious!! lol. I just said I think they should be aware of how rude their employee's are and maybe talk to the manager. Even when we go into pick up our food without fail every time we have to wait like 5 minutes while the girls finish gossiping about their date last night before they come over and help us. And they don't even pretend they are working. They are so obvious about it. Which makes me even more mad.

So I called Panera back and told them I was sending the gift card back. And that I was upset that they did not take me serious when I said how bad their customer service is. I understand that most people out there actually just call in and complain to places just so they can get a gift card or a free meal. And I don't agree with that at all. But I don't think you should just throw gift cards out at every problem and ignore that fact that you really do have a problem with you store. And do you know what Panera did? Sent me two more gift cards to shut me up. So I gave up. And Kathy and I went to Panera today for lunch. And the girls there were just as rude as ever. Talking about some new employee that worked there that they both hated and hoped he would get fired. And then when they got bored with the conversation, they asked us what we needed and went and got our food.

Happy Birthday To You!!!

The 7th was my grandpa's birthday and the 9th was my dad's birthday. Or it is the other way around. I am not sure. Really I think the 9th is my grandpa's birthday and the 7th is my dad's. But I always get confused. Either way I missed posting them both a very happy birthday message. I love you both and hope you both ha da great birthday. We need to get together soon to celbrate it for you guys.

Arachnophobia

OMG! I hate spiders. Hate them! yuck!! Gag!! I was driving into work this morning and there was the biggest tarantula I have ever seen just strolling up the road. No big deal. Not scared at all of the cars or trucks going up and down the road. I know they are around here. This is there home and we invaded it. But this is the first time I have ever actually seen one. I made sure to drive around it. I did not want to run it over. Well, I did. But that would be mean. lol. He was not hurting anyone. Just freaking me out!!

My poor little girl

Friday I took Avalon into the doctors because she has yet another bladder infection. We have no idea what the heck is causing it. We always make sure she wipes properly and has on clean and dry underwear. The doctor told me he is worried because this is her 6th one in two years and how that is a lot for her for being so young. For really anyone. SO he wants to run some tests and do a bladder work up. I don't even know what that is. But he said it is going to be very painful for Avalon. So he did some blood work and said he will see what the results are. And He said we will go from there. Also he really wants to wait and see if she gets another one in the next 6 months or not. If she does then we are definitely going with some further testing.

Avalon has been in a lot of pain. She was screaming and crying and in a lot of pain. I felt so bad. I totally started panicking because I didn't know what I could do to make her feel better. And I felt horrible sitting there listening to her cry. So I was going to take her to urgent care. But I had to go to CVS and pick up her medicine first. So I talked to the pharmacist and she told me what I could get her over the counter to help with the itching and burning she was having. And also to give her lots and lots of yogurt. I guess yogurt has good bacteria in it that helps fight the bad bacteria she said. Why did my doctor not tell me that? She also told me that Avalon should not take any more baths. Shower's only. She said lots of kids get UTI's from taking baths. Especially girls. Or only girls. lol I forget. So Avalon is no longer allowed to take a bath.

This upset Avalon even more when I told her. She cried and cried. Then she decided that it meant she was a big girl now. So now she is so happy about it. So hopefully she will not have another one for a long time. Or ever if I am lucky.

Santa Moo

Elf Yourself

Here is me and Kathy from work. Man, we are some great dancers!

Here is the link to see me and Dan and the kids. It is so funny!

My Day Off

Yesterday I took the day off work to go have some fun with the kids. We were supposed to meet our friends Desiree and Brady and go to the La Habra Children's Museum. Desiree and Brady however cancelled. Due to the stomach flu. The big wussies! lol. Just kidding. Obviously I am very happy they cancelled because honestly I would have been very very mad if they had knowingly given us the stomach flu. So I really hope you guys are feeling way better very soon.

So, I debated on weather or not we should still go. I really did not want to go by myself. Even though I know the kids and I would have had a lot of fun. Plus, Desiree and I were planning on going another day when we had time and everyone was all better. Plus it was probably a good hour drive there for me anyways. And I am overdue for an oil change. lol. So I decided not to go.

I got up early and left the kids at home and went with my friend Ashley to go get our nails done and then we went out to lunch together. I can't remember the last time I went out with a friend with no kids. And did girl stuff. Hummm, I don't even think I have done that at all this whole year to be honest. And I had so much fun. The only problem was that I spent the whole time feeling so guilty that I was not doing something fun with the kids. That I had left them at home on my day off. I literally thought about that the whole time and was worried they would find out and be upset. lol. Then Even at lunch I was trying to enjoy myself but kept trying to rush through lunch so that I could get home in time to still take the kids out somewhere. To the park or something. Anything so I stopped feeling guilty for doing something with out them on my one day off.

So then I got home and I helped them make their Christmas ornaments. We painted pine cones and covered them in glitter. We made some for our neighbours across the hall who are the nicest people ever! Then we all went and took a nap. And we were supposed to go play miniature golf at Castle Park after the nap with Dan. But we all woke up very late from our nap. Very late. I guess we were all way tired. SO then I got really upset and was crying to Dan about what a horrible mom I am. I hardly ever do anything with the kids these days. Here I took a day off just to sped with them and I ended up not even taking them anywhere. I went out by myself and then we all fell asleep and the poor kids will have no fun memories of me ever! lol. Dan totally stared laughing at me while trying to tell me that I am not a bad mom for taking one day out (and really only 3 hours, not even a whole day) to have some me time and have a fun lunch with a friend.

Of course Dan totally saved the night and became the favorite parents by suggesting that we all go to Chuckie Cheese for dinner. The kids went wild and started screaming and jumping and telling Dan how much they love him and he is their best friend and doing the whole big arms thing and saying "this is how much I love you daddy!"

We had a lot of fun. The place was practically empty. SO this time I actually got to play some of the games too since I didn't have to stay right with the kids the whole time to make sure they were ok. I kept all the tokens with me. Then I would give the kids one token each and they would go play a game and then come back and find me for another token. And they way the place is laid out I could see them the whole time from whatever game I was playing. So we all had fun.

And I put in another vacation request day for next week where I swear I am going to go do something fun with the kids!! I promise!! lol

Knotts Berry Farm

Most everyone already knows about this. But for the very few people who don't:

Every weekend in December you can get into Knott's Berry Farm for free with a toy donation to Toys For Tots. It is a really good deal because all that they ask is that you donate a $10.00 or more unwrapped toy. We will probably be going the 22nd of December FYI. lol. I don't know for sure that we are going to go but we sure are going to try. But you can go whenever you want.

The Norco Winter Festival

So Saturday night was the city of Norco's Winter Festival. I got home from my customer service class at about 4:30pm and then the kids got ready and I took them to the winter festival. WE got there at about 5:45pm. And everyone was leaving. And the newspaper said it did not start until 5:00pm. And the kids and I saw everything getting packed up and leaving and they were even opening up the street for cars again. We walked a few blocks down from where it was supposed to be and saw nothing or no one. So both kids totally started crying and were very very upset as we walked back and went home. As soon as we got home i looked it up online and it turns out that we had just missed the parade and everyone was leaving and going to the festival. About 7 blocks down from where we were. SO that is why we saw everyone leaving. Duh! I am a dork I guess.

Of course I had only had two hours of sleep and was so tired and really did not want to load up the kids and go back. Plus my back was really in a lot of pain and was very sore. I just wanted to lay down and go to sleep. So my mom got the kids ready and drove back down there with them. The kids had so much fun and were so excited. Here is a link to view the pictures.

My mom said that they waited in line for over 20 minutes to see Santa Claus. And then when they got to the front of the line Avalon and Nolan refused to go up there and see Santa because they said he was the fake Santa and not a real one because he had glasses on. lol. Weird kids. But cute.

I had so much fun staying home and taking an hour nap by myself with no one making any noise at all. It was so great. :)

I know you are asking why did I only sleep two hours? Well, let me tell you. I got off work at 11:30pm. It was after midnight when I finally went to sleep. Then at 2:30am the Riverside Sheriffs Department called the house and woke me up. Turns out after talking to them for about 15 minutes they called the wrong phone number. So then I tried to go back to sleep. But I had to be up at 4:30 am to go to the Customer Service Class. So of course I got up at 5:25am. And at 5:30am my foreman was at my door to pick me up so we could carpool and he was wondering why the heck I was not ready to go and just a little mad that now we were gonna be late in meeting with everyone else. Of course we ended up getting there early. lol.