Where in the World is Humpster?

You're probably wondering who is Humpster...Let me give a little background before going into why I am so confused as to where he is....

Several months ago, Julia was playing with her Barbie and Ken doll. They were in the middle of getting married when I asked her what her Barbie's name was (I am a proponent of naming Barbies something besides "Barbie"...I don't know why). She said "Ella." Cute. Then I asked her what Ken's name was. She took a second, looked up and smiled. "I think his name is 'Humster'." I was rolling. The thought of the male doll upstairs in her closet of naked DD Barbie's was too much for me to not bust out laughing - though I promise I was protective of Julia's innocent mind.

Fast forward to this Christmas - We had family and friends over several times and I can't remember when/who, but after one of the many get-togethers, Humpster ended up with out a head. Julia was devastated and I promised her we'd find another Humpster to marry Ella.

Since then, I have been looking for a Ken doll at every store we go to...Target, Walmart, Kroger, Kohls and more - - NO ONE HAS A KEN DOLL! Has there been a re-call? Has a pycho bought up all the inventory? Is a militant feminist holding them hostage?

I have found him on Amazon, but srsly, does anyone know why he is MIA in all the toy stores?

...just a weird ramble of a blog....I know....

How Much Does a CT Scan Cost?

Well, I'm sure I will find out in the next week or so - but regardless, I learned today how much it is worth!

I was in the kitchen as Julia and Joshua were playing with the "tent" Jason built them around the couch when I heard the smack of Joshua's head hitting the coffee table - like a rock hitting the pavement! I rushed over and picked him. He reached for Jason then his eyes fluttered and closed. Panicking, Jason held him and I tapped his cheek saying "Joshy, wake up, wake up." He finally came around after the longest 20 or so seconds of my life.

So we all went up stairs and threw our clothes on to take him to the ER. I ran Julia over to our amazing neighbors who took her w/out question. When I got back, Jason said Joshua had done the whole eye-fluttering/closed thing again. While I'm not normally a jittery mother, all I could think about was Natasha Richardson and those boxers on Cinderella Man.....we flew to the hospital fast....

We went to Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus and were taken back immediately once I explained what had happened. Let me tell you, this place has it TOGETHER! Super-friendly nurses got our information and took vitals quickly. The Dr. did was a perfect balance of concern and relaxed. Once she looked at Joshua and had us tell the story, she ordered a CT Scan to be on the safe side. A Child Life rep. came in with toys and information about how a CT Scan works with little ones - knowing what was going to happen before hand was so helpful cuz it was kind of crazy.

Joshua was not a fan of the CT Scan. They strapped him in a papoose as I held his arms and chin, Jason held his legs, and Ms. Tiffani the Child Life Rep. held a DVD player with Barney playing over Joshua's head. It took about 5 (felt like 50) minutes to get a good picture as they moved the bed back and forth (with all of us moving with it) through the big doughnut, but we did it and thank God, the scan came back normal.

We had to stay for 4 hrs so they could observe him. Nanna and Poppa came bringing tic-tacs, books and company for us as we waited for the ok to go home.

Anyway, we are home now and so happy Joshua is ok.

Peace of mind doesn't have a price - my lesson of the day...

Oh Julia.

So Joanna (my new co-worker, car poolist and sister) and I took Julia to school the other day. Just as I had turned out of the school I realized that I still had her car seat...so I whipped into the second entrance, pulled in the drive and asked Jo to hop out and put her seat under the front desk as we always do when someone else picks Julia up....

As Joanna did this, little Mrs. Hayes (who has to be pushing 80) turns around and ask Joanna (who she has never met) if there is a name on the car seat. There are, after all, 70+ children at her pre-school. Joanna says "No, it's Julia Ennis' seat. Should I write it on there?"

Mrs. Hayes smiles with her eyes twinkling, "No, we all pretty much know who Julia is."

Joanna responds, "Yes, I'm sure you all do."

New Year's Diversion

So it's 2010. Writing the year 2010 kind of makes me feel like I'm writing about a sci-fi novel. I mean, have any of you seen Back to the Future Part 2? Remember Marty going ahead in the future to the year 2015? Are flying cars really only 5 year away?

As I look ahead to the next 364 days, my emotions are a little mixed. In 2 months, I'm making an "employment change" that has me constantly swinging from absolute delight to paralyzing fear. I think of people dear to me to whom this year brings change and growth. My sweet Julia starts kindergarten this fall and I know I'll be a basket case. Joshua will turn 2 in June and witnessing my baby turn into a chatty toddler makes my heart melt. Jason and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage June 30. Thinking about how I've been married 1/3 of my life is both sobering as I'm really getting older! - and exhilarating knowing our love story continues as beautiful as ever. While my mind is trying to wrap around all the possibilities, I am trying to look at 2010 as a clean slate - nothing is concrete except the relieving fact that God is in control. From jobs to health to family to friends, He's it, when you let Him be it.

May this year bring us all peace.