A WRAY OF SUNSHINE

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

...I can explain...

Ok, so, I haven't really been on here in a year. I've checked out a lot of other peoples blogs but I just never seem to find the time (even though I have plenty of it at the store) to do mine. I will be doing a full update this week. I have to finish cleaning the store today and don't know whether I'll be here tomorrow or not. BUT I'M GOING TO DO IT!!!

In the mean time, here's a picture of our newest addition, Sadie Skye Wray. Fun fact: We unintentionally gave her a meaningful name. Danny's family is mostly Scottish (on his dad's side, obviously) and Skye is an island in Scotland. So, her name literally means Princess of the Isle of Skye...love it :)

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Oh boy...

Well, I suppose it's time for a major update. After months and months it's just like, "Do I really want to do this anymore?" And I always convince myself to keep with it because I really love reading up on everyone's blog and love the updates. So I guess I should assume that some people feel the same way about mine. So, here it goes:

I guess the most important piece of news is that I'm pregnant for a 3rd time with a girl, Sadie Skye Wray. I found out about the same time of my last post so I'm currently about 5 months pregnant and I'm starting to feel it. When I was pregnant with Kailyn I was go, go, go until I had her. Nothing slowed me down, not even dealing with kids at work. With Jet it was a little harder because Kailyn was still in diapers, couldn't dress herself, couldn't climb into her car seat, and always wanted to be picked up. If it was just us at home all day it wouldn't have been so hard but we were going to work everyday at the water store. I started getting pains in my pelvis at about 6 months and they made things pretty miserable. Other than that it really wasn't too hard. It was time consuming and irritating but I just tried to be super mom and that lasted most of my pregnancy. This time around I'm already starting to feel the weight of the baby and how much of a toll it's taking on my body. Little pains are starting in my pelvis, my back is always tight, I'm always tired, and I had to stop carrying Jet around in the car seat. He's just too heavy and awkward to carry. There are conveniences (Kailyn is potty trained, dresses herself, knows how to buckle herself in, etc) but Jet isn't walking and I'm starting to worry he won't be interested in it for a while. I NEED him to walk by the time this baby gets here. And everyone says, "He'll definitely be walking by 15 months" but who hasn't heard from one person or another that THEIR kid didn't start walking or talking until 15+ months? I normally wouldn't care and just let it happen when it happens but since I'm still planning on running the store until I run myself into the ground I cannot carry a newborn and a chunky 15 month old everyday. It'll be too hard and dangerous. Forget it!

Jet- He's my little monster. Half of the time that's what we call him: Monster. He growls, yells, screams, hits, kicks, rolls around, throws, pulls hair, bites, and does all those things that drive mommy insane. On the plus side he crawls, holds his own bottle, has 4 teeth (5th one coming in), is starting to say words like "up", and walks around in his walker well enough. I know it's not right to compare kids and their development, especially because I'm so glad that Kailyn is the oldest and the best helper, but I really wish Jet took after his sister a little more. I could use talking and walking. I know every mom says they can't wait for them to start walking and talking and then when it happens you wish they were little babies again. Not me. I don't care if he gets into trouble as long as he's walking. I'm ready for progression and, until the last week or so, there really hasn't been much. He is just starting to talk so I guess I'll just keep my hopes up.

Jet is also anemic so we have him on iron supplements and hopefully by his 12 appointment we'll hear good news on that. Oh, and he's been breaking out in a rash, for lack of a better word. He's had little bumps all over his body for 5 days now and has had them on his cheeks for about a month now. UGH! Hate not knowing what's going on with my kid.

Kailyn- She is blossoming! We got her potty trained about 5 months ago and it's been the best! It took 1 week for her to grasp the concept and 2 weeks to fully be potty trained. And it didn't require much work on my end. She just wanted to be a big girl and did it. Ever since then she's just learning everything! I decided I wanted her to start up at a preschool/daycare for social interactions and to start learning beyond the basics. She already had her alphabet and number memorized (for the most part) and I thought it was time for a push. We visited a school literally around the corner from us and I was fairly impressed (although the building was older). But when I got the package and pricing Danny and I decided it was a no go! I knew this because I already had worked in a daycare, but there is a 2 hour period required for naps. I'm all for nap time but 2 hours is a long time...especially when you think about the fact that you are paying for your kid to sleep. So after some research and brainstorming I decided I'm going to teach Kailyn here at the store through Kindergarten. I've worked as a teacher's aid from infants up to 2nd grade. Plus, if we are still working the water store by the time she gets to kindergarten age I cannot take time to pick up or drop off in the middle of working hours. And I'm sure as heck not going to pay an extra $300-$400 dollars a month for her to stay full day. So after kindergarten we plan on (hopefully) a charter school or private school. If not, I guess I'll keep homeschooling for a while. I really do not want to put her in public school. They are so bad here in Vegas.

So, as far as her schooling, she's doing great! She's starting to draw discernible pictures on her own and adds letters that she remembers how to draw. I love this! I never thought I'd do any sort of homeschooling, and probably won't beyond a certain age/grade, but I love watching her learn and love that she's always wanting more.

Daniel and myself- Danny has a job opportunity that is in the works, but there's no way to determine when or if this will work out. It's a government job so we are really just playing the waiting game. In the meantime he's been keeping himself busy with school and helping me out with the kids. And I'm still at the water store. I am comfortably sitting all day and the kids all have their own spaces for activities. I am not sure how we are going to make the store work out with 3 but I'm going to give it my best effort. I'm not much of a quitter. I may not always be on top of things but I don't have time to allow myself to be overwhelmed. But, it still concerns me.

Well, I'm sure there were a lot of other things I could have talked about but I'm not really in the mood. I'm tired, as i constantly am, and want to take advantage in the break between customers to start thinking about lunch. Loves!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Update

I'm really not much of a blogger, I've come to realize. I love the concept and everything, I'm just no good at it. But I get on everyday to check up on everyone else. I'm just on Facebook all day at the Water Store so I usually just update on my life there. Well, here's what's been happening.

We went to Reno to check out the eclipse a couple weeks ago. We stayed with Daniel's brother, Joe, and his pregnant wife, Shae. The first day was mostly spent walking around Scheel's, a sporting goods store. It was pretty impressive. There is a huge fish tank at either entrance, a ferris wheel in the center, a food court, virtual sports games, an indoor play yard for the kids, and lots more. All in all it was pretty impressive. After that we headed to a couple parks and ate at a yummy restaurant. The next day we went the the university planetarium to pick up our solar viewing specs. While we were there we watched a video on the mysteries of the universe but everyone (except Daniel) took a nap. It was hot and humid so I'm surprised anyone slept as long as we did. Daniel told us after that the video lasted about an hour. We then went and got some yummy pizza at The Blind Onion. The pizza is good but I LOVED the crust. They give you honey at each table to dip or cover your crust in. It's like a sweet dessert right after salty food. Genius! After that Shae and I went through the closet in the baby's room and finished sorting ALL the baby clothes she got. I brought her 2 large trash bags full of Kailyn's old clothes and saw she had plenty of baby clothes already. That kid will never have to wear the same outfit twice. Danny and Joe took the kids to the park so we could finish up. It was a lot of work but fun to do with my sissy in law. On Sunday we went out to a park in a high end neighborhood bordering California and watched the Eclipse. Kailyn had more fun on the play set than looking at the Eclipse but everyone got a kick out of it. After that we toured the neighborhood and went to this really cool rock/mountain and named it Wray Rock. Great view from up there. Then next day, Monday, we got Indian food with Joe (Shae had to work) and were on our way home. The 7 hour drive is considerably easier during the day.

In other news, Daniel had to have his dog put down about a week ago. Daniel's dad takes care of her at his house because we don't have the room for her (or the time)So he came home late from work Saturday night and found Foxy having a seizure. He brought her out and tried to help her out. He went online to see what to do. I'm not sure how long she seized at home (including the time BEFORE Bill came home from work) but he finally took her to the vet and an, at about 3 am gave us a call and the doctor told us that Foxy wasn't responding to any medication and was continuing with the seizure. We discussed options and Danny chose to have her put down. She had been seizing, at this point, for 6 hours and quite possibly a lot longer than that. Her brain was swelling and we knew she'd never really recover. So, after about 4 years, we had to say goodbye. We didn't see her that night but I think it was better for Danny to not see her like that.

So, I loved that dog, too...but I have always had the mentality that they eventually die and when it comes down to it your family, even if you've integrated the pet as a part of yours, the pet always comes second. Maybe I'm just a terrible pet owner. I've always found pet animals a huge inconvenience. Loving and fun, yes, but too much work when I have 2 kids of my own and I work everyday. I've never understood people's deep attachment to animals. Animals survive on animal instinct, even domesticated animals. If they lose the ability to care for themselves then why make them suffer? My opinion, which is right for me, is don't let an animal suffer just because want to hold on because you love it. And I can't stand when people compare animals to a person. "Well you wouldn't euthanize a person if they were blind and had arthritis." No, because I can communicate with a person. And eve if that person can't communicate anymore they likely contributed more to society than any dog did.

Well, my opinion is just that...mine. I don't expect anyone to agree with me and I didn't intend to start a debate. It's just that Foxy's death made me realize it really was what was best. She stopped suffering and we didn't have to spend money on medications we can't afford. If you can't afford medical bills for a pet then don't have one. HAHA. Ok, I'm really done now. RIP, Foxy. You were sweet and loving...lazy, but that just made you all the more sweet.

For Memorial Day we opened the store until 2 pm. I am surprised to say we had 7 customers. I was sure I'd have 3 max so I guess it was good we stayed open as long as we did. Then we headed over to Daniel's parents' house to eat and swim with his dad (his mom was in Korea). Jet loves the water and Kailyn learned to hold her breath. She still hates going under but progress is progress. We went to the park with Kit (no Foxy for the first time) and the kids and had fun just hanging out. Later that night there were fireworks that we watched from the back balcony and that was our day. More than anything it was just relaxing. And when your a parent relaxing is the best.

Up by "Wray Rock"