Things I can control.

I can control most things. Things like what Ava eats, drinks, watches on tv. I control who she interacts with, what books she reads, when she goes to bed.

Last night I realized she controls one thing: her body. And let me tell you, she CONTROLS it!

Last night I noticed her shaking her leg, which if you know me at all, drives me INSANE. (This hatred for all leg shakers started with my mom...she shakes her legs all day every day. I can feel her shaking her leg now..and she is an hour and a half away. UGHHHHHHH. And then I married a leg shaker. The house is shaking. KILL ME NOW!!!)

Ava wouldn't stop shaking her legs. Then I noticed the "dance." I told her to go to the bathroom. She refused. So I literally DRAGGED her to the bathroom, and MADE her sit on the toilet. So far, I'm still in control. She is on the toilet, but refusing to go. I can tell she needs to go, so "GO!!!" (This is me starting to lose control of my temper, which I tend to do with leg/body shakers.) "JUST GO ALREADY."

Then the mood changes. Something is terribly wrong. She has the most terrified look in her eyes. Not a look of fear of me, because I have lost control of my temper. She, unfortunately, is used to my own personal lack of self control. (That's not a proud blogging moment right there.) She is terrified of peeing. She starts crying uncontrollably, begging to get off the toilet. I ask what is wrong. She won't tell me. She calls for her daddy. Daddy comes in the bathroom too.

I'm totally lost. What's the problem? I'm losing all control...

John tells her to use the bathroom. Screaming ensues. A few hours later, after an emergency call to the pediatrician, a couple of baths, a TON OF BRIBES, and finally a rush to go to the emergency room, she pees.

Long story short, I believe she has a urinary tract infection. 48 hours will tell. The doctor thinks it is because of bubble baths. I think it is because I let her have soda. She is now enjoying the distastefullness that is cranberry juice.

I am also enjoying the distastefullness that is cranberry juice. Mine is on ice with a splash of vodka. This is how I regain control.

(No, I am not an alcoholic. I very rarely drink. So quit judging me.)

Random blog.

Growing up my parents had a hidious avacodo green electric can opener. This can opener was so incredibly ugly that I was embarrassed to have anyone see it. Whenever our babysitter (or anyone for that matter) came over, I would hide the thing in the back of the cabinet. This can opener lasted until I was a senior in high school. So, we had this can opener for at least 17 years. When that can opener finally died my dad bought one of those crappy metal manual can openers. I think they still use it.

My grandma has a white electric can opener that has that fake wood panel on it, made by Black and Decker. She still uses that same can opener from when I was probably 5 years old.

When I was registering for my wedding, I wanted to register for an electric can opener, but John didn't want one. Didn't matter anyway, because on the night of my wedding one of my great aunts walked up to me and INFORMED me that I didn't register for an electric can opener and she got one for me. I was so excited.

That can opener lasted me about a year. Since then I have gone through 4 more electric can openers. I threw the latest victim away last night. (So, 5 can openers in 9.5 years of marriage.) I am preparing to buy another can opener tomorrow. This time I am bypassing the Black and Decker/Hamilton Beach brands and going for the Cuisenart for the stupid price of $49.99. At least I get a discount.

This is KARMA. If only I hadn't despised that avacodo green can opener. If only I had proudly showcased the thing on the counter for all to see.

I would give anything for an old avacodo green can opener that would last me 17 years.

Sarah Palin

Wow!

I don't even have the words to describe how excited I am to have her run with McCain. Move over Hilary, there is a new woman about to make history!

First day of PreK.

First day of school and she acted like she was on the catwalk! What a rotten kid!

Water Buffalo and Lions with Crocs

I am so sad.

I feel an incredible saddness over what has happened in Scotland. I did not know the woman who had her life taken, but I have on overwhelming sense of grief for her and her family. I do not want to begin to imagine how her family feels, but I do pray they feel the love I send to them. I have grieved all weekend for this woman. I don't think I have ever grieved so intensely for someone with whom I had no relations with. I pray that her family, with the help of friends and surrounding communities, can push past this devestating tragedy and live a blessed life.

A few months ago I was in Windthorst for a benefit. I remember getting out of the car with my husband and this van slowly drove by watching us. That man kind of gave me the creeps. Usually I can recognize the people who are driving past and watching us. Having people stare at us is something I have become accustomed to when I go home. I think everyone in Windthorst knows when a strange vehicle is in town. It might be that we are the only vehicle in the parking lot that does not have a Windthorst/Trojan/Trojanette decal. Anyways, I could tell that this van/man did not belong at the benefit. I told John to go back to the car and get my purse and camara because I didn't feel safe leaving them in the car unattended. (Usually I leave my purse in the car in Windthorst, at church, at my parents, whatever. That day in March was the first time I ever felt creepy on the beloved church hill. John noticed the van parked by the grotto when he went outside to get my stuff. He came back in and I told my dad I had a weird feeling. My dad went outside and looked for the van but it was gone. I dont know what he would have done had he found the van, but he went out looking for it. Maybe it was coincedense, but I think that man was out and about to search cars.

Point of my story, I guess the bubble of protection in the Windthorst/Scotland area has been burst. I've been gone from the area a long time, but I know how strong the sense of community is there still. I hope we all do our part and take care of this family who has been dealt such a devestating blow.

I'm not going to open the bag of politics, but I also hope this man is tried in Archer County. I hope the judicial system learns that any person who has to be registered as a sex offender does not have the right to be walking our streets and hurting innocent lives.

God Bless Mindy Daffern.

Keaton Issaic Berend

He was born July 28th and he is a very healthy little boy. Kenslie is so great with him. We are so thankful!!