I thought everyone knew, but I'm slowly realizing that is not the case. I filed for divorce last month and it should be final later this month. Leonard and the kids will continue to stay in the house in Minden and I am getting an apartment in Omaha. Our kids have moved around so much in their short lives. Our boys have never been in the same school two years in a row. We would really like them to have some consistency, so I think staying put is the best option for them. If it doesn't work, we can always make changes later. I travel a lot with work (4 continents this year, not to mention the ones in the country) and am gone quite a bit. I work long hours too, so they are used to that. Leonard has stayed home with them and will continue to do so, something they are used to. Jennifer of course is very upset with the divorce, but likes the arrangement we have come up with better than anything else. The boys don't even know the word divorce, so we aren't using it. They just know Mommy will have an apartment in Omaha and will come see them too. My hope is that if we do things right, by the time they do understand the concept of divorce, it won't matter because they will know we still love them more than anything.
So, if I didn't tell you, it wasn't a secret, just not something that most of us consider happy news and I didn't know how to share it. Leonard doesn't want the divorce, so he has shared with even fewer people than I have. I know in my heart that this is what is best for me though. I will not be happy any other way. I hope my friends will simply accept this choice and not stray away because it's hard enough. I want and need my friends.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2010
We started 2010 slowly because I just couldn't move at any other pace. Being 9 months pregnant after such early babies was a new experience I don't care to repeat. (I would love more kids, I just don't want to be 9 months pregnant again). On Christmas day, I started having contractions and they lasted for the next month, until he was born. Unfortunately, they weren't productive contractions. Early in January, we learned he was breech and the doctor suspected the baby might be tangled in the umbilical cord was. When I finally went to the hospital on January 24, they said he was still breech and in distress, so we had to do a very quick C-section. I didn't even get to see the end of the Saints play-off game because they went into overtime. It took them less than 30 minutes to decide to do a C-section and get me into surgery. They even started to cut before I was numb, but we stopped that pretty quickly. Turtle is by far the prettiest baby I have every seen. He really should have been a little girl, but he's perfect in every way. He was tangled in the umbilical cord, it was around is neck numerous times and the early photos show the marks. So, being breech was actually a blessing because if hadn't been, it would have been a traditional delivery and we would have probably lost him. I don't think I would have survived that.
He's a week and half old and doing beautiful. He goes to the doctor next week and we'll see how much he's grown. He eats well, so he should have put on weight. He's so good. He sleeps well and has yet to be really fussy. He went to church last night for the first time and was quite content to sleep through my Bible study. His sister and brothers seem to like him. The older boys aren't too interested because he can't play baseball yet, but Elmo and Baby Bear think he is theirs'. Elmo likes to feed him and Baby Bear gets very concerned if he so much as squeaks. They both really like him.
It does look like he may be our last one. We'll see what is in store for us and not make a decision to quickly, but the C-section has taken a lot out of me. I am not Michelle Duggar contrary to what a lot of people think. My body is getting too old for this. It takes too much work to get back into a bikini and I'm not ready to be that old. We shall see though...you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you.
Work is wonderful. I have never had a job I've loved as much as this one. I only have two classes to teach this semester and one is online. I only have 5 students I actually see. I wouldn't know the other 30 if I walked right by them. I have four research articles out for review and am anxiously awaiting verdicts. One of my main goals this year was to have 2-3 scholarly publications. I need 3 for tenure (I can't go up for tenure for another 3 years), but I'd like to have them out of the way. It would take a huge weight off of my shoulders. In the meantime, I'll just keep working on it. I have 3 other articles I'm working on right now. When I get tired of one topic, I switch to another for awhile:) Now you know why I went into special education, I can directly relate to the kids:)
He's a week and half old and doing beautiful. He goes to the doctor next week and we'll see how much he's grown. He eats well, so he should have put on weight. He's so good. He sleeps well and has yet to be really fussy. He went to church last night for the first time and was quite content to sleep through my Bible study. His sister and brothers seem to like him. The older boys aren't too interested because he can't play baseball yet, but Elmo and Baby Bear think he is theirs'. Elmo likes to feed him and Baby Bear gets very concerned if he so much as squeaks. They both really like him.
It does look like he may be our last one. We'll see what is in store for us and not make a decision to quickly, but the C-section has taken a lot out of me. I am not Michelle Duggar contrary to what a lot of people think. My body is getting too old for this. It takes too much work to get back into a bikini and I'm not ready to be that old. We shall see though...you never know what Mother Nature has in store for you.
Work is wonderful. I have never had a job I've loved as much as this one. I only have two classes to teach this semester and one is online. I only have 5 students I actually see. I wouldn't know the other 30 if I walked right by them. I have four research articles out for review and am anxiously awaiting verdicts. One of my main goals this year was to have 2-3 scholarly publications. I need 3 for tenure (I can't go up for tenure for another 3 years), but I'd like to have them out of the way. It would take a huge weight off of my shoulders. In the meantime, I'll just keep working on it. I have 3 other articles I'm working on right now. When I get tired of one topic, I switch to another for awhile:) Now you know why I went into special education, I can directly relate to the kids:)
Monday, October 12, 2009
What a weekend!
You may or may not know that Leonard, Tractor, and Elmo were all diagnosed with the H1N1 flue last Thursay and have been confided to Dancer's room. She is bunking with me until they are better and her room can be decontaminated. Now, it looks like Scout might have it as well. She stayed home today as well. Baby Bear has been coming to work with me. That was cute the last Thursday and Friday, but he's tired of it now. I took him home at 10 to take a nap so I could go to an 11 meeting. Hopefully, he'll sleep until I get Dancer home around 130. He doesn't understand why he can't play with Elmo or go see Daddy. Poor baby. He's just too little.
I think I have washed everything in the house. I don't remember ever doing so much laundry. I've put everything in the washing machine or the dishwasher and everything else has been disinfected with Lysol or Clorox. My Bath and Body Works Blossoms can't keep up. I have chili in the crock pot for dinner tonight though and I'm looking forward to it. The house smelled so good when I took Baby Bear home for his nap.
I was supposed to leave for Newfoundland tomorrow, but due to everyone being sick, I had to cancel that trip. I leave for Baton Rouge on 10/21 and that trip can't be cancelled. So, they have to be better by then or suffer while I'm gone.
In addition to everyone being sick and me being exhausted, we had to get rid of our beloved dog, Lani Saturday. We had been talking about it, but putting it off. When we moved to the country in July, we had to move her completely outside because the house isn't conducive to a dog. (No doors on over half the rooms, narrow hallways, small rooms, etc) That left her with no shelter from the elements. When we woke up Saturday and she was limping outside because of ice frozen between her paws, we knew something had to be done. I called the Humane Society and they told me to bring her in. I pray someone wonderful will adopt her and make her the kind of family member she deserves to be. It about killed me to leave her there. She looked so confused. I can't write this without tearing up.
I think I have washed everything in the house. I don't remember ever doing so much laundry. I've put everything in the washing machine or the dishwasher and everything else has been disinfected with Lysol or Clorox. My Bath and Body Works Blossoms can't keep up. I have chili in the crock pot for dinner tonight though and I'm looking forward to it. The house smelled so good when I took Baby Bear home for his nap.
I was supposed to leave for Newfoundland tomorrow, but due to everyone being sick, I had to cancel that trip. I leave for Baton Rouge on 10/21 and that trip can't be cancelled. So, they have to be better by then or suffer while I'm gone.
In addition to everyone being sick and me being exhausted, we had to get rid of our beloved dog, Lani Saturday. We had been talking about it, but putting it off. When we moved to the country in July, we had to move her completely outside because the house isn't conducive to a dog. (No doors on over half the rooms, narrow hallways, small rooms, etc) That left her with no shelter from the elements. When we woke up Saturday and she was limping outside because of ice frozen between her paws, we knew something had to be done. I called the Humane Society and they told me to bring her in. I pray someone wonderful will adopt her and make her the kind of family member she deserves to be. It about killed me to leave her there. She looked so confused. I can't write this without tearing up.
Friday, October 9, 2009
H1N1 Flu
For those of you who aren't also on Facebook, Leonard, Tractor (5), and Elmo (3) all have the H1N1 Flu and are confined to Dancer's bedroom. Dancer, Dennis the Menace (6), and I have been busy disinfecting the house with Clorox and Lysol. Boy does it smell wonderful:) We have washed or are in the process of washing every linen, washable, toy, etc we can trying to get rid of what we can. My washing machine hasn't stopped in 36 hours and I can't fold fast enough. Scout gave Baby Bear a bath last night. He's been at the University 'helping' me. My co-workers and students both love it because "he's so cute" and he's a great distraction from anything productive. I have managed to get some papers graded though, so that's a plus.
Dancer is dancing in Omaha (3 hours each way) this year because we were so disappointed with the competitive studio in Kearney. She is taking ballet and jazz at another studio in town and is enjoying that so far. She will dance in Las Vegas this summer for Nationals and will perform her first solo. She is doing the choreography herself and pretty excited.
Poker Boy is loving second grade. So far, he has a perfect 100% in spelling and is quite proud of that. He really likes school. He has continued with Scouts this year and still enjoys that and church quite a bit. It's not uncommon to hear him singing hymns quietly to himself. He is, of course, still addicted to the computer as well.
Dennis the Menace is in 1st grade and likes it as well, but he generally likes everything and everyone. He is just a happy kid, going along with life. He started Tiger Scouts this year and loves it.
Tractor started Kindergarten and loves everything about it. He has three girlfriends (not sure about that, but one is in Louisiana). He can listen to enough books being read to him. He and Elmo will sit and listen to someone read to them for hours. They recently discovered Poker Boy can read and they are always trying to get him to read to them. Sometimes it works, usually not. He's looking forward to being a Scout next year.
Elmo goes to half day Preschool four days a week and thinks he's big stuff. He's still a 'little boy' though. He won't be a 'big boy' until he turns 4 in January - his words. I guess he's our Peter Pan. The others all want to grow up, but not him. His big accomplishment this school year has been learning how to use scissors safely and he's very proud of himself.
Baby Bear is just growing like a weed. He's a pretty happy little chunk. He loves music, eating, and the cats. Just looking at the cats makes him smile and he loves to pet them. They don't even mind it too much because he's so gentle with them. Right now he's rearranging my office at work. Just what I needed. I'll never be able to find anything again:)
Turtle is due February 2, and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival. We just found out he was a boy last week and Poker Boy was devastated. He has decided we can have a baby sister next year. He doesn't seem to understand Turtle won't be here until next year and even if we do have another one right away, it could be another brother. The other boys were fine with another brother - now the in-field is full. Dancer would like a sister, but wasn't really expecting one.
I am still dreaming of Alaska and the job is still there, but I know better than to apply for it. Maybe if it's still there again next year...If I were them though, I'd just recycle it. Oh well. Maybe for my retirement I can end up in Fairbanks. I can always dream.
Keep in touch. You can always email (chioalum@aol.com). Either way, I love hearing from family and friends.
Dancer is dancing in Omaha (3 hours each way) this year because we were so disappointed with the competitive studio in Kearney. She is taking ballet and jazz at another studio in town and is enjoying that so far. She will dance in Las Vegas this summer for Nationals and will perform her first solo. She is doing the choreography herself and pretty excited.
Poker Boy is loving second grade. So far, he has a perfect 100% in spelling and is quite proud of that. He really likes school. He has continued with Scouts this year and still enjoys that and church quite a bit. It's not uncommon to hear him singing hymns quietly to himself. He is, of course, still addicted to the computer as well.
Dennis the Menace is in 1st grade and likes it as well, but he generally likes everything and everyone. He is just a happy kid, going along with life. He started Tiger Scouts this year and loves it.
Tractor started Kindergarten and loves everything about it. He has three girlfriends (not sure about that, but one is in Louisiana). He can listen to enough books being read to him. He and Elmo will sit and listen to someone read to them for hours. They recently discovered Poker Boy can read and they are always trying to get him to read to them. Sometimes it works, usually not. He's looking forward to being a Scout next year.
Elmo goes to half day Preschool four days a week and thinks he's big stuff. He's still a 'little boy' though. He won't be a 'big boy' until he turns 4 in January - his words. I guess he's our Peter Pan. The others all want to grow up, but not him. His big accomplishment this school year has been learning how to use scissors safely and he's very proud of himself.
Baby Bear is just growing like a weed. He's a pretty happy little chunk. He loves music, eating, and the cats. Just looking at the cats makes him smile and he loves to pet them. They don't even mind it too much because he's so gentle with them. Right now he's rearranging my office at work. Just what I needed. I'll never be able to find anything again:)
Turtle is due February 2, and we are anxiously awaiting his arrival. We just found out he was a boy last week and Poker Boy was devastated. He has decided we can have a baby sister next year. He doesn't seem to understand Turtle won't be here until next year and even if we do have another one right away, it could be another brother. The other boys were fine with another brother - now the in-field is full. Dancer would like a sister, but wasn't really expecting one.
I am still dreaming of Alaska and the job is still there, but I know better than to apply for it. Maybe if it's still there again next year...If I were them though, I'd just recycle it. Oh well. Maybe for my retirement I can end up in Fairbanks. I can always dream.
Keep in touch. You can always email (chioalum@aol.com). Either way, I love hearing from family and friends.
Monday, September 28, 2009
I'm sure most of you figured I'd forgotten all about this, but really, I haven't. I've just been so busy, I couldn't see straight. We moved into a new house in Minden and so far so good. It's a little longer drive to and from work, but we have about 5 acres for the kids to run around on, so we like that. The boys are especially fond of the frogs that seem to inhabit the acreage:)
Our newest exchange student, Petra arrived in August and seems to be adjusting well. I imagine our family is pretty overwhelming, but she seems to be be acclimating. She is a senior at Minden High School and doing very well. She likes the school, has made friends, and the classes don't seem too difficult. She even went on the school senior trip - a one day trip to Washington DC. I've never heard of such a thing, but they flew out at midnight one night and arrived back home around 3 AM (27 hours later). She was tired, but she had a great time and got to see quite a bit.
What's ironic is that I was in DC the same day she was and we passed and hugged in the airport. Me on my way in and her on her way out. I was attending a conference on accreditation for work. Not nearly as much fun and didn't get to see any of the sites. I did attend a good conference though.
We are now 5 months pregnant and our ultrasound is tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll be able to find out if it is a boy, girl, or turtle. Our 3 year old thinks it's a turtle. I told him probably not:) As long as it's healthy (and not a turtle), I'll be happy.
Our newest exchange student, Petra arrived in August and seems to be adjusting well. I imagine our family is pretty overwhelming, but she seems to be be acclimating. She is a senior at Minden High School and doing very well. She likes the school, has made friends, and the classes don't seem too difficult. She even went on the school senior trip - a one day trip to Washington DC. I've never heard of such a thing, but they flew out at midnight one night and arrived back home around 3 AM (27 hours later). She was tired, but she had a great time and got to see quite a bit.
What's ironic is that I was in DC the same day she was and we passed and hugged in the airport. Me on my way in and her on her way out. I was attending a conference on accreditation for work. Not nearly as much fun and didn't get to see any of the sites. I did attend a good conference though.
We are now 5 months pregnant and our ultrasound is tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll be able to find out if it is a boy, girl, or turtle. Our 3 year old thinks it's a turtle. I told him probably not:) As long as it's healthy (and not a turtle), I'll be happy.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mom
For those of you who I have seen or spoken to recently, you know that Mom is in the hospital. She had open heart surgery on Monday, June 8. The doctor says she is doing fine, but she is having a rough time with the pain. She could definitely use your thoughts and prayers. I created a web site to keep everyone posted on how she's doing. Feel free to visit it at
www.caringbridge.com/visit/peggybostic. There is a guest book and you can sign it to leave her a message.
Other things new in our life...after strongly considering it (and a lot of tears), I turned down the job in Alaska. I can't tell you how hard that was for me. I have dreamt of it for years (since I was 17) and actively pursued it for the last 2 years. I do know that no matter what, they will not offer me another job. They were more than generous, I just coulnd't make it work. Some dreams are hard to let go of :(
So, I am back at work and Leonard and I are busy looking for a house here in the Kearney area. Our lease is up July 23. We found a beautiful 1912 farmhouse in Shelton, about 20 minutes away, and are looking into it. Waiting for the realtor to call me back... It has 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 with a clawfoot tub - Leonard loves this), lots of storage (critical to Karen), a formal dining and living room, a huge kitchen (always important when you have a big family and love to cook), sits on abotu an acre and a half, and is just gorgeous. It also has a root cellar whcih we would love to have to store veggies and other items. Keep your fingers crossed that this might be what God has in mind for us.
PokerBoy turns 7 on June 26, but we will celebrate it in Omaha on Father's Day. Dancer has a dance audition in Omaha on June 20. We were disappointed with the dance studio here in Kearney, so we've made arrangements for her to return to her previous studion in Omaha. She loved it there and we were very happy with the owner, faculty, and instruction. PokerBoy has expressed interest in dancing as well. If he's serious, we'll see about enrolling him in a studio in Grand Island. He's not to the competitive stage yet.
As always, please stay in touch. Friends are the jewels of life. One can never have too many. I appreciate you all and miss you often.
Karen
www.caringbridge.com/visit/peggybostic. There is a guest book and you can sign it to leave her a message.
Other things new in our life...after strongly considering it (and a lot of tears), I turned down the job in Alaska. I can't tell you how hard that was for me. I have dreamt of it for years (since I was 17) and actively pursued it for the last 2 years. I do know that no matter what, they will not offer me another job. They were more than generous, I just coulnd't make it work. Some dreams are hard to let go of :(
So, I am back at work and Leonard and I are busy looking for a house here in the Kearney area. Our lease is up July 23. We found a beautiful 1912 farmhouse in Shelton, about 20 minutes away, and are looking into it. Waiting for the realtor to call me back... It has 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 with a clawfoot tub - Leonard loves this), lots of storage (critical to Karen), a formal dining and living room, a huge kitchen (always important when you have a big family and love to cook), sits on abotu an acre and a half, and is just gorgeous. It also has a root cellar whcih we would love to have to store veggies and other items. Keep your fingers crossed that this might be what God has in mind for us.
PokerBoy turns 7 on June 26, but we will celebrate it in Omaha on Father's Day. Dancer has a dance audition in Omaha on June 20. We were disappointed with the dance studio here in Kearney, so we've made arrangements for her to return to her previous studion in Omaha. She loved it there and we were very happy with the owner, faculty, and instruction. PokerBoy has expressed interest in dancing as well. If he's serious, we'll see about enrolling him in a studio in Grand Island. He's not to the competitive stage yet.
As always, please stay in touch. Friends are the jewels of life. One can never have too many. I appreciate you all and miss you often.
Karen
Friday, May 29, 2009
Going to Omaha
I'm at work this morning, but in a couple of hours Dancer, Dennis the Menace, and I will head to Omaha. I have a cheer safety course (required to be a cheerleading coach) and a few errands to run. We'll come back home to Kearney on Saturday and bring Grandma with us. Dancer has ballet recitals all next week and this way Grandma and Daddy will be able to go. We have to have a female who can go backstage to help Dancer get ready and another adult to stay home with the boys or Daddy doesn't get to go. This way, I can stay home and Grandma can help Dancer get ready in the dressing room while Daddy watches. Daddy has missed several recitals over the years because we couldn't find a way for to him to attend, so we are trying to make sure he sees as many as he can now.
Daddy will stay home with the other boys and our exchange student. Brokau, our 17 year old German daughter, leaves in 5 days. She has been busy packing (she has accumulated a lot this year and doesn't have room to take everything home) and getting ready for her parents arrival next week. She has mailed several boxes of items already, but still has a lot. Her fellow exchange student from South Korea leaves this weekend and another from Beligium leaves after her. Tractor and PokerBoy don't quite understand why we can't keep her. We call her a 'borrowed' sister, but they are still very young to understand that she's not really our's. Our next exchange student, Scout, will arrive in early August. We have started telling the boys about her and showing them her photo, but they are still confused. It'll click when she gets here. I can't wait to meet her.
Daddy will stay home with the other boys and our exchange student. Brokau, our 17 year old German daughter, leaves in 5 days. She has been busy packing (she has accumulated a lot this year and doesn't have room to take everything home) and getting ready for her parents arrival next week. She has mailed several boxes of items already, but still has a lot. Her fellow exchange student from South Korea leaves this weekend and another from Beligium leaves after her. Tractor and PokerBoy don't quite understand why we can't keep her. We call her a 'borrowed' sister, but they are still very young to understand that she's not really our's. Our next exchange student, Scout, will arrive in early August. We have started telling the boys about her and showing them her photo, but they are still confused. It'll click when she gets here. I can't wait to meet her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
