Tuesday, June 30, 2009


I should remember not to talk up a program at the library too much before I am sure that they are performing. The puppet show well, they were relaced by a folk story teller. A bit over the little girlies heads. But, a fun change none the less.


During nap I made plans for a girlfriend to come over with her son for dinner. But, since the girls were sleeping it meant that it would be a mad dash to the store to secure items for dinner. When Jay got home I ran with Madeline. Do you ever feel like the faster you try to go, the slower you actually are? Well, that is how this was. But, we made it to dance, then home for our guests. Jay was actually able to get to see Emma tonight. I think that he had fun and I know that she was so proud to have him there.


Had a ton of fun with my girlfriend. We all laughed and joked and got caught up. I have been with her a couple of times a week for the past few years, but our lives have been very busy for different reasons the past couple of months. But, she is a great friend and will always make time for her.


Wishing for change, wanting change - but, hoping that nothing will change.....

Monday, June 29, 2009


Today was a day (like many others) that I tried to pack in to many things before lunch time. That is why lunch didn't happen until 1:30. Thankfully the kids were fine. We just were all sick of running around. I always try to do AT LEAST one educational thing in the morning and we were lucky to have some time at the library this morning. A great plce for kids to easily get in learning and love of knowledge. So happy that, so far, they both have that!



When Jay got home, we were both kind of at the point of tired and just wishing we could sit, and well, sit. The kids were kind of on edge and just one of those evenings I felt sad for the kiddos that we probably weren't much fun for them (in all fairness, they really weren't that much fun either!).


Jay re-created a great sandwich that he had when he was out of town - see there are some benefits to going out of town. The cuisine in Michigan is devine! No really, great sandwich.



After the girls were put to bed, Jay put on the tv concert by Darius Rucker (fromerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, now doing country music). He has the song "It won't be like this for long." It was so appropriate to listen to tonight. Waking up tired when they are babies - it won't be like this for long, dropping them off at preschool - it won't be like this for long, she probably will think she hates you as a teenager - it won't be like this for long.....the joy of the kids, that will hopefully be around forever!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Lucky enough to have had Jay home for four straight nights - and by "home" I mean sleeping in his own bed at night. He truly hasn't been home much at all. I think he said 25 days working with 3 days off . . . . Poor guy. Thankful he doesn't have to work the next couple of weekends so the girls and I are going to be selfish and keep him all to ourselves. Every morning, and I mean every single one, they ask "Is daddy up yet?", me "yep, he is at work already", "Will he come home tonight?". I hate that our kids have to ask if daddy is coming home.


Anyway, did church and a little swimming today. When daddy got home we went to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's to celebrate Auntie's birthday. Jay got to relax a bit (just a little) and everyone crashed out when we got home.



Have to get this next week in order for the girls and I. We have lot of things going on and a lot of fun learning things too. We are pretty sure that daddy gets to come and watch Emma at dance on Tuesday (she is so excited)!!



I am thinking of so many things to touch on and write. But, not sure that I have the oomph to write about much else right now. Thought about life and how things can change, how some people come and go in life - some sadly and others not so much, funny how some can ignore the obvious and some can try to make something out of what isn't there..... Funny how life is.

Friday, June 26, 2009



It is late and we are all tired. So I will leave you with pictures of the girls and their (almost) matching boo-boos on the face. Emma's is from falling off of a swing (on Tuesday) and Madeline's from falling off of our front cement steps (we will see how Madz looks tomorrow since hers just happend tonight).... More tomorrow.

Thursday, June 25, 2009



Oh the joy of the day in spending it out in the heat - LOVE IT!! We met some friends and went to watch the Teddy Bear Band in the park. Yep, sweating just sitting there and even more so when we got up to dance but it was wonderful! The kids had so much fun and so did I!




Jay and I had a couple of hours to ourselves when the girls went out to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Mostly were able to get done some outside work without "little interruptions". We should have tried to get some other stuff done insude the house, but what the heck. We had fun!




Running around and playing all day makes for tired little kiddos (and moms and dads), but oh the sunshine!! We have all been getting to bed so late because it is so nice out and the son is shining. It would be a shame to waste it.




Finished up the day with a shot in the thigh. I missed the MS meeting that I was going to go to last night. But, contacted the gal that runs it. She is a younger mom of three small kids and we are going to get togehter in the near future. So excited to talk with someone else "like me".

Wednesday, June 24, 2009




Spent a fair amount of time this morning watering the sod that the city had layed out in the middle of the road project. They have so kindly left it up to us to water. Not so keen about wastin a fair amount of time and water doing that for them. I think that an email to the city again is in my future.




Off to Madeline's class - kind of a mommy and me type thing. It is so much fun and she loves it too. After class the girls and I sat down with Casey (she works in one of the other classrooms) during her lunch and chatted. Emma didn't say much, but she was excited!!




Came home to enjoy some time and clean up a bit. Rumor had it that Jay was on his way home - for a day or so...Nap time, then poof, Jay was home! You can tell that all the travel and being away from home is really, really wearing on him. It is wearing on all of us not to mention almost everyone else that he works with. I told him to wait until the company picnic and see if the bosses will acknowledge and "reward" all of the sacrafices that the guys have given. Jay said doubtful. I prefer a cup half full. We will see.




A nice evening grilling out and playing. Such a calm about the house when we are all together as a family.


Tuesday, June 23, 2009


Geez, I have really been slacking here lately. But, there hasn't been al ot of time to spend on the computer in general. I think that is one of the beauties of summer - everything is busy doing all sorts of wonderful things.


The past couple of days has been REALLY warm and humid. I have heard a lot of complaining, but certainly not from me. I love it! I love the heat and the warmth. People think that I am kidding or exaggerating when I say that I hate the winter and living in MN - but, I am not!


Jay had to leave this morning for somewhere in WI - sad when I don't even know where he is. He should be home tomorrow. I had been planning to go to a group meeting with other MS people, so I am not sure with him getting home and me going to the meeting how we are going to work it out, but we will I guess.



I am starting to look into some alternative menus that I have been hearing a lot about for people that have MS or other things that "cures" them or changes things in their body. But, it is a BIG, BIG change in what you eat and what you make. Kind of a scary thought since I am not a great cook. And it is really a pain when you have to make changes around people's personal diet, etc. I am not intersted in being one of them. But, this would be for more then vanity reasons I suppose..... I will have to get some rock solid recipes since I am sure that I will have to convince Jay that this crap is edible.



These photos are from Emma's dance class tonight. She is doing really well and seems to like it a lot. I think Madz feels a little put out since she is done with gymnastics and she LOVED that. Perhaps in the fall again. Anyway, the pictures aren't great, but she looked so cute and Jay couldn't be there so I wanted him to see her.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Finally, the weekend and some time to spend as a family with Jay! Yipee! However, as with most weekends or the little bit of time that we have had together, it went too fast and we had a lot of stuff to pack in.


We made it to the Como zoo on Saturday for a short visit. Very warm, but an aweome part of the day together! Fathers day today. We ran from place to place. We had a nice time and got to see a small portion of the fathers involved in this day. But, to see them all would probably not be possible. The girls, and I, are so lucky to have Jay. He is a great father. I don't think that any kiddos could ask for someone better.



Trying to make plans for the week, but with a small out of town work trip for Jay possible, the plans are proving difficult to make. We will do our best. Emma is thrilled that he is going to (doing his best to make sure that he is) going to be around for dance on Tuesday night.



I am feeling great - just in case you thought I forgot about he reason that I started this blog. I haven't forgotten. Thankfully, as my neurologist had once said, eventually the MS won't be the very first thing on your mind anymore. Gladly, I think that it has found it's place in my brain - so to speak.

Thursday, June 18, 2009


Our house is filled with lovely songs from Emma's VBS. She will sing "Jesus Loves Me" at the top of her lungs several times a day as well as several other diddys that she has learned. It is so fun to see the joy she has in learning!


Today I watched as the yahoos, I mean, the highly talented absent minded cement crew came to yet again fix my driveway square off against the professional team that was putting in a whole driveway across the street. They would pause in their work to ogle across the road and see what the other is doing. Already the stuff across the street looks better. Oh well, when you don't have extra money to give them, you have to take the best you can get from them.



Having Jay home is great! I look forward to it and so do the girls. Today I drove Madeline past where he was working. I think she was as stunned as I was that he was right down the road!


As I was making dinner today and Emma, Madeline and Jay were playing in the front yard. Emma told Jay that there was "a whole lot of shit in the front yard, shit everywhere" It was true that there were toys everywhere, but geez. I think that I am guilty for that one.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Everything today was done with anticipation that Jay would be home - and probably stay home for a week or so! Wow!



Emmas teacher at Vacation Bible Scool (VBS) told me today that Emma is so "amazingly smart". Here teacher teaches during the school year and she was so excited by the interest in learning and the skills that she has. Awesome - who really are her parents?!?
The girls helped me pick up the house and Emma earned a little bit of allowance for doing some thins around the house. She is starting to learn saving, donating and such.
I have decided that poppy blooms do not last long enough and how great it would be have been Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz falling asleep in the field of poppies. Strange train of though, but mine are in bloom and they are amazing!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009


Crazy, running around kind of day! A highlight of the day was Emma started dance class tonight. Thankfully I took a couple of picutres of her before we left for class because I forgot my camera for class. That was too bad because she was SOOO cute in her little socks and tap shoes doing the little dance.


I STILL have several phone calls and many emals to respond to. I am hoping with Jay in town the next week (thank goodness!!) I might finally get caught up. I hate that stuff hanging over my head!

Monday, June 15, 2009


Jay was off to the lovely "DuPuke", Iowa - as we calls it - bright an early this morning. Come to find out later, his van ws not thrilled to go their either because it broke down near Waterloo.


The girls have been sleeping much better which is great until you have to get up and going for something, then you really need to kick it into gear. So with 15 minutes before Emma's Vacation Bible School started, I hopped in the shower, fed Madeline breakfast and got her dressed, got Emma up, packed her things for class, stopped and got her a muffin and was only 5 minutes late for class. Wow, I amaze myself sometimes. But, on the other hand, that was moving far too fast!


Emma gave Madz and I quick kisses and was eager to get into class - yes, this is the class that she didn't want to go to. Madz and i swung into the gym for a quick workout which turned even quicker when I got going an realized how blsted hot it was in there, then off to the library for story time and to church to pick up Emma.


This evening the girls and I went to a art/book thing at the library. It is only a little over a mile away, but I haven't taken that walk for a while. Needless to say, it is a much different walk when you are pushing a double stroller with 50 lbs of kid in it! But we made it, did some art then made our way to Subway and home.

On our way home, Emma referenced her birthday party that she wants to have with her friends. She said "But, I will tell you when I want to have it". I said ok, but when might you want to do it? She said "I will let you know. I have to wait until I know that daddy can be there." Poor kid, they are both missing him. I said f course daddy will be there, he wouldn't miss it. But, she made sure that I was clear and said "I don't want to plan it without daddy". At the end of this week into next week he should be here doing a job right down the street. Yeah!


Sunday, June 14, 2009



Jay was hard at work this morning first thing. Thankfully he was at home, but was on the phone diagnosing a problem that he was hoping to not have to drive to. So the girls and I headed off to church.


Jay was able to join us for lunch then home for lots of play time before he heads off to Iowa again - but hopefully for only a few days. We took great advantage of a terrific day! If everyday could be just like this oh, I would be a happy girl!! We filled up the pool and put out our new sprinkler and some water toys and had a great time as a family which we haven't had much of lately.



The neighbrs invited us over for dinner tonight. They are great cooks and great company and the girls love it.





We have a busy, busy week nect week. Emma is going to be doing vacation bible school, as long as she doesn't have a meltdown along with some other classes and fun things. I also have to start working on my fathers day projects. Not confident I can get everything done, but sure can try!

Saturday, June 13, 2009


Jay rolled back into town yesterday evening. That made for three very happy girls in the Viera household!! It is so nice how there is such balance in the household almost immediately. We enjoyed the evening together.


This morning, bright and early, Jay was off to work already again. The girls and I played before they went to go swimming with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Cheryl. I wasn't sure what to do with myself since I am never alone. I ran some errands and spent a little time walkting around the Excelsior Art Fair. That was a nice time and beautiful weather. Got home just before the girls did, then they took a nap.


This evening was a family time together and working in the yard. I am trying to take lots of drugs - nothing exciting, just some Robotussin - to take away te symptoms of this cold. It is taking away my voice - Ah, what I am I supposed to do without my voice?!? Not to mention it is exhausting to strain so much to talk. I must hit the sack.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I took some awesome pictures today of some flowers about to bloom in the garden and some of Madeline's last gymnastics class. But, the camera is in my car and I just don't have the oomph to go out and get it. I will have to see what else I can find....


I figured out that I was so over tired and worn out during the day yesterday because when I took some cold medicine (which I never do, by the way) I accidentially took "night time" medicine. That might explain why I was so groggy and had "medicine head".


The girls have booth been sleeping in pretty well these days. I tired to make Madz shade in her room close a little better to keep the sun out. It seems to be doing the trick - so far.


We took a road trip to BFE today - i.e. White Bear Lake. A good college friend of mine lives there and we wanted our kids to play. My friend has an Au Pair from Germany and she helped to watch the kids while we chatted and got lunch ready. Although Emma felt the need to stay attached to my hip. My friend has a boy and a girl just slightly older then Emma, but that didn't spark her interest much.


By the time we left it was past nap time and close to rush hour. And I was almost out of gas.... The girls slept in the car and I am sure that I could have forced them down for a nap when I got home but it was late, so they stayed up until Madz gymnastics.


Came home and played and ate. Just got done discussing with Emma the reasons why she is suddenly scared to sleep down in her room all by herself. All of her other friends homes that I have actually been to are newer then ours so all of the rooms are on one level, so I was having a hard time convincing her. Besides we are going to start working on moving Maddie's bedroom down next to hers. Although lately she doesn't like much of anything - the summer park program that she is to start tomorrow - "I don't want to do that", Vacation Bible School (she LOVES regular bible school) - "I am not going to church", Soccer (she has been talking about doing that for months) - "I am not doing that". The only thing she wants to do lately is go to the pool and start dance lessons (and T-ball and tennis, but we haven't signed her up for those). It must be damn hard to be 4!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

No really, I AM going to bed tonight before 11pm! This cold has taken hold and is running me down. It was so hard to get up this morning. But, that is what I get for going to bed at 1am with this nasty cold looming.


I just put the girls to bed. Before they went to bed we called Jay in Iowa to say good night. After they got off the phone I realized how truly annoyed I am with him being out of town. In his job he can't just take time to talk or have time to give a call. So in the past 4 weeks that he has been out of town we really haven't TALKED much. So when the weekend comes we work so hard to try to catch up, do stuff around the house and going here and there. We haven't been able to plan the girls birthday party for their friends (Emma talks about it everyday, so there is no getting out of it), we haven't been able to talk about bills or just everyday things. Yes, lots of men work out of town, but many of them have jobs that allow them more "free" time.....Yep, we are happy that he has a job obviously. But, this out of town stuff is wearing on both of us!


Emma had her last gymnastics tonight. She had fun and did a good job. Madeline was just as happy to be able to take advantage of the sucker and stamp that accompany the last day of gymnastics. Now I need to work on signing them up for their summer classes that start next week! Ugh!


I had a great phone conversation with a friend of mine. I wrote a letter of recommendation for her for a job opening. Since I have a lot of volunteer experience with the area she was looking into she wanted me to write a letter. The letter came out pretty good and she called to thank me and to tell me how much she loved me. She said that she has always felt that we were old spirits together. So very sweet!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009


Oh geez, it is almost 11pm and I still haven't done my shot and I have a couple of emails to respond to yet.....Thankfully, I should knock on wood, Madeline slept until 8:15 this morning (ha, I knew she had it in her!) so I might not have to be up with the roosters tomorrow morning!


Felt better on the whole today. The "flu like symptoms" went away, just in time for a cold to set in. We made our way to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house for a while to spend some time with them and with the cousins. The kiddos were maniacs, but they had lots of fun!


After naps I got to do a little gardening. Planting and weeding. Now I think that my flowers would appreciate some sunshine - as would I!


This evening we were invited over to Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don's for dinner and play time. It was nice to get out and have more adult interaction and the girls liked the change of scenery.


Got home late and had to finish drying Emma's sheets. So everyone to bed late and I still need to do that damn shot.

Monday, June 8, 2009


Geez, I had it all set to get to bed early! Then I sucked into getting caught up on emails that I haven't yet returned.... Still not caught up.


I was wide awake at 4am. Thankfully no one in the house was. I didn't feel great. And as Jay kissed me on the way out to Iowa and Madeline woke up, I knew I didn't feel good. Did what I never do, brought Madz into bed with me, as I needed a bit more sleep.


When I pulled myself out of bed, I had what can only be described as "flu like symptoms" - a typical side effect which can come from Rebif and I did have a shot last night. I had a terrible headache and really achy all over. I thought it strange that after almost 6 months on the drug NOW I get one of these side effects. So, needless to say, I was moving a bit slow all day long.


We made it to the library for the storytime then to the gym for a half assed workout. I haven't been there in about 2 weeks - can certainly see and feel the effects of that!


Bright and early this morning, one of my trusty guys from the City offices called and was eager to set up a meeting with me, the owner of the cement contractors that are doing the road/driveway and himself. I set a meeting up for 2:30, hoping that it would be quick so that I could have time to rest.


To spare you all the gorey details, I was not budging on my feeling that they needed to re-pour our driveway, they didn't seem to interested in that. In the end, we are getting a new driveway poured (not the whole thing, just the portion that they originally fixed). Thank God, now I can go lay down. I fell into a deep sleep.


With this totally crappy weather, everthing feels blah again. Stuck in the house tring to pass the time, especailly with Jay being gone. We played games, the girls watch Seasme Street which they were excited about, and played house. We worked our way to dinner and bed time. Sometime in between eating and bed, I took some ibuprofin to try and get rid of the body aches and headache. It did wonders almost immediatly. Started to feel not so crappy.


One of the highlights of the day, was that our friend Casey Carlson (she was on American Idol) was on one of the local tv talk shows this afternoon! They asked her a question about her fans and she talked (using her name and all) about Emma! Emma was thrilled and couldn't beleive that she was talking about her! Too fun. Then she emailed me and asked what Emma thought about that. Casey is such a sweet, sweet girl.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

So yesterday was Emma's big day and the last big celebration in the Viera's month of celebrating! I love this time of the year with so many things to look forward to. But, we have been so busy lately it will be nice to have a reason to settle down.


After Emma woke up, we presented her with her gift - her own car! Ok, it is a little car. But, she can really drive it. Unfortunatly, the weather was pretty crappy so her time on it was minimal. It ws so fun to watch she amd Madz take off like Thelma and Louise.


Our whole little family packed up and went to a birthday party for one of Emma's little friends - she was ok at being at another kiddos party. She just kept reminding us about her upcoming party (which I still have to plan and put together, by the way).


Home for play, naps and all of that fun stuff. Then a visit from Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don for some more birthday fun, then on to Chuck E. Cheese. The four of us had a ton of fun running around going on rides and playin games. Thankfully we bought just enough tokens to last a while, but not too long.


Chuck E. Cheese's is an interesting place to encounter persons of all backgrounds and parenting/personality styles. Jay and I were amazed by the lack of "editing" people have out in public.


Today we went to chuch, then to the store for our little get together later and naps. Emma NEEDS naps, but don't try to tell her that! I think that she is hitting the pinacle of a growth spurt. She has a snappy little tongue and is in a fluxuating state of crabbiness. It is like she turned 14 instead of 4! So after she started crying because she said that she bit her finger, we gave up the napping thing for the day.


I received a call from a friend of mine from L.A. who was passing through town on her way to the airport. She and her fiance stopped by for a visit. It was great to see her. We caught up with her Hollywood lifestyle and work on some movies and her fiance's work in animation - got some inside stuff on Shrek 4!


Our party guests arrived - Aunt Beth, the cousins, Grandma Kim and Grandpa Don. Emma got to play for a while with a couple of her cousins who she LOVES playing with! The kiddos, for the most part, played and played together and we didn't even hear much from them. We had more guests arrive and Auntie Ashley too! It was a lot of fun!


Rounded out the night with some big kisses and hugs for daddy who is off to Dubuque (sp?) Iowa tomorrow for the week and I will be awaiting the wrath of my email to the city about the damn driveway.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Happy birthday to our little Emma! We all had a great day. Amazing that our little lady is already 4! I will write more tomorrow, but since we have been moving at warp speed lately ging from here to there then trying to fit lots of stuff in while Jay is in town, I am a little tired.

Friday, June 5, 2009


We have been so, so busy lately that days all seem to be melding into one. With each day I think "things have settled down." But, soon comes dinner and bed time and I realize that I haven't called back half of the people that I meant to and I still have about 10 emails that I have yet to respond to. All the while I am feeling great! Things, body wise, are very well!


Yesterday we took advantage of the few and far between nice days that Minnesota has. We went to the pool for a good portion of the day. The girls LOVED it! Unfortunatly, I left my camera in the car and draggin the kids kicking and screaming out the car to get the camera wasn't appealing. We played and played. Emma, the daredevil that she is, head first (no litterally, just figurativly) into the water. I am pretty certain that she was born without the "fear gene". Thankfully I am always, always close by. She looked like a floater a couple of times. A pretty relaxing rest of the day from some tired little ones. Madz seemd to get her oomph back fo gymnastics.


Today, Emma got to have a couple of birthday celebrations. Grandma Kim picked her up and brought her to the flower nursery. They put together their own fairy garden. It is so very cute and Emma spent A LOT of time out playing with it. She has a great imagination! Then a nice lunch outside by the lake with Auntie, Grandma, Madz, Emma and me.


Then without much of a nap for either kid, they got ready for a dinner out with Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Jim. Emma calmly said "I guess I don't mind opening gifts before dinner". She got a doll house that she (ad Madeline) were very excited about.


While the girls were off at dinner, Jay and I enjoyed some time alone at home. We don't get much time, if ever, alone. But, we certainly aren't alone at home without them. It was great. We had a nice dinner and things were very relaxed and quiet.


The girls got home after having a great time. Emma was concerned that she missed my shot. I assured her that the fun wouldn't be again until Sunday night. We played, baths, played, said good night to the fairy garden and went to bed. Wondering if Madz might be exhausted enough to sleep until 7am?? My little baby is 4 tomorrow!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Surprise, we found out this morning that daddy was coming home today! A couple of days early. That changed our "to do's" for the day to include a little more cleaning up around the house, then on to our playdate.


Nap time came just in time as I was about to pull my hair out. Emma has been trying all sorts of fun little tricks to get her way. Thankfully not long after that, Jay was home! After Emma's gymnastics we spent the rest of the night playing and more playing. It seems that when we are all back together, the whole mood of the house changes - for the better!


Must get to bed now, I am tired and have a headache. A headache tends to mean more to an MS'er. Not that it means anything truly in the way of your MS, just a reminder that things just aren't what they once were up there.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Emma was here to "help" me with my shot tonight. Before she helped me push the trigger, she did some child like inquiry about what was in the shot and why I had to do it. We have talked about all of this before, but sometimes I think that they ask things again just because they want to make sure that the answer was the same. One of those times you can truly appreciate the ability to be young and naive - not just playing the part like some adults tend to do.


I would love to say that things without Jay around have been lonely, but that wouldn't be the truth. We have been so, so busy running around. Much of that is my fault for volunteering for a few organizations that need help. I love doing it, but suddenly between all of the summer activities and enjoyment, I add a whole nother level of activity. Although, busy is just how I like things.


This evening some neighbors invited us down for dinner. That was really nice. They love the kids so we all played and had a bonfire and a nice meal, and I was able to have some adult conversation (in between naughty kids who wanted to do whatever they wanted there. But, they knew that they had me since I haven't had much adult interaction for a couple of days).


Now for some reading and relaxing...