My Vaccuum Review

I don't usually do any kind of "reviews" of items I purchase, but I found this to be rather impressive and thought I would share.  So, we had a vacuum, some wind tunnel that I have had for a really long time.  I knew it hadn't been working super well, but thought it was working adequately.  But then the other day, it really died, so I had to buy another one.

I wanted a Dyson, however didn't want to pay the price tag, and saw that many were comparing this to the Dyson, but at a fraction of the cost. 

This was a Hoover Windtunnel UH70120 which retails at around 100.00 with free Amazon shipping.  Now, before I show you this next picture, I want to remind you that I am a slight OCD when it comes to clean and thought I had been doing well.... and our carpet is only like 3-4 months old.............. 

My ending review is: My old vacuum was more broken than I thought, and the new vacuum ROCKS! 

Update on Summer Bucket List Status

1. Go to Las Vegas!  (date set! :-) Reservations made, childcare arranged.... OFF WE GO SOON
2. Organize my craft room Room is cleaned up, and about 3/4 organized--work in progress
3.  Plant a small herb/flower garden to hang off my deck Ughh, this has stalled
4. Take the kids to the beach for the day
5. Take the kids to the Children's Museum (Lauren had been begging for a year!)
6. Partake in the "free movie days" at the local theater
7. Lose, at least, 20 lbs
8. Spend 1 full week at my Mom's Lake House with kids
9. Secure a new babysitter and make a regularly-planned date nights with my husband
10. Let my kids grow their hair out, even if the long-shaggy look bugs the crud out of me Still holding strong---and it is driving me NUTS
11. Organize the garage for my husband, so he can do his beloved wood working YUP!   DID IT
12. Learn how to use my sewing machine in above stated "newly organized" craft room
13. Go to the zoo with the kids and not be annoyed because I do not like the zoo
14. Pay off all of our credit card debt (which should be done by July!! :-))  SO CLOSE!  1 payment left
15. Obstain from buying my kids anymore summer clothes--and instead just do more laundry Doing really well with this
16. Teach my older kids to ride bikes
17. Sign them up for at least 2 extra curricular activities this summer
18. Go one full week without any drive thru/fast food Surely did.  Myself, Lauren, Julia all went a week without.  It was easier than I anticipated.
19. Talk my husband into allowing the kids to have a trampoline
20. Enjoy a weird/special show or fair  (one time we went to a tractor show.. it was fun!)
21. Go Berry picking and make our seasonal jam
22. Get my husband a new grill so he can cook at least 3 nights a week ;-) He got a beautiful new grill for Father's Day, and has been expertly cooking!
23. Make a dream board to hang in my bathroom to view everyday
24. Go on a bug hunt with my kids
25. Get our deck painted (our house if I feel ambitious!)
26. Family day to the Amusement Park that is not too far from us
27. Take my loud kids to the library
28. Completely break my baby of watching Barney! :-) I had her completely broken---no shows for at least 2 months--and then my husband broke down and let her watch it.  *sigh... I yelled at him "You screwed up my bucket list :-)"  But other than maybe 2 random viewings, she is broken.
29. Get my kids an amphibean (frog/lizard/etc)
30. One day without TV/phone/computer/Facebook/Blogging/Email.......
31. Organize and use my label maker to clean out and label my kitchen cabinets I did about 1/2 thus far and still in progress

Pacific Science Center

I had extra helpers and lots of energy yesterday, so tried to take advantage of it..... in lieu of their help, I treated my sister Tracey, and her friend Nicole, to a free-fun-filled day at the Pacific Science Center.  It was awesome to have an adult per kid (Joshua's buddy was Tracey, Lauren's buddy was Nicole, Julia's buddy was Me).  Each kid could do what they wanted and were safely monitored by a "buddy". 

Here are some pics of our fun time!

Dr Call, update, and on to further testing.......

On our way to our day outing yesterday, I received a call from my Dr regarding my recently done pelvic ultrasound.  As you may (or may not) remember, this was part of the series of testing I was to do to figure out what ails me...... (TMI alert: I have been having very frequent/heavy/long/painful periods along with constipation issues, pelvic pressure, tenderness, and via Dr palpation---a uterus with the equivalent size of a 12-16 wk pregnancy.....)

So, she called and let me know the results: She started off with "You aren't planning on having any more kids, are you?"  Of which I replied, No, that my tubes are tied.... and she said "Good, because if you hadn't, I would suggest you do".... this was due to the results that my c-section scar area of my uterus was so thin that she didn't feel it would ever be able to carry a pregnancy to viability....(they weren't even sure if they could see the actual lining, but knew it was enclosed, so it is there)  My uterus is indeed enlarged, that there is some significant thickening the myometrium (most likely fibroids).  She then said that due to my weird labs previously taken, the ultrasound findings, my symptoms that she wanted an endometrial biopsy to rule out uterine cancer..... she didn't honestly think that was the case, and the ultrasound findings didn't point to that at all, but something "wasn't right" and her gut was to refer me.  She also said that generally she does do endometrial biopsies, however, due to my very thin uterus that she would fear that the instrument could accidental pierce the lining, causing a rupture and lead to an emergency hysterectomy---of which she preferred that it be done in the hospital, under general anesthetic, and with a GYN vs her (a family practice) who could do such an emergent surgery.

So, off to yet another Dr appt I go.  I am hoping to sneak in next week and get things rolling.  However, right now I am going through a decision process on which GYN to go to.  My choices are:

---Local whom my Dr chooses/refers for me in a hospital I have about 85% trust in
---A Dr local that I trust immensely (worked with her), but in a hospital I don't really think has the resources I desire
---The Dr that delivered Joshua and who walked me through the pregnancy with Lauren... whom I trust wholeheartedly and in a hospital I trust----but who did a hysterectomy on my Mom and (from no fault of the doctor) my mom didn't fare well (understatement---but my Mom doesn't heal worth BEANS), and since this physician works closely with my Mom at work, I feel may have some PTSD and would it be selfish of me to make those feelings while asking her to possibly perform the same surgery on me????

So, I have some decisions to make.  However, I am glad that things are getting done, and I am looking forward to (someday) feeling much better!

Happy Birthday to my Baby Sister, Tracey!

I cannot believe my BABY SISTER is 23.  Really, 23?  How old does that make me?  (Too old, so don't ask).

Her and I have gone through many a tumultrous times... mostly with me not "liking having a younger-annoying-sister" around.  But she has grown up (as have I) and she has turned out pretty cool.  Actually, she is even here now for the weekend (I am staring at her as I type and she is playing with the puppy with a balloon while being tormented by Julia! :-))

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACEY, and I feel blessed to be able to spend this special day with you!

Lots of love,

Heather, Chris, Lauren, Joshua, and Julia

Tracey (1yr) and I (12yr)

Tracey 2

Tracey 4

Tracey 5

Tracey 11

Tracey at my wedding with Lauren (23 months)

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy, Joshua!

I remember the day you were born, and nearly every day leading up to it( since it was such a scary time.)  But, you have not disappointed us for one second.  With you angelic baby years, to your chubby cheek smiles, frequent cuddles, and your very sensitive feelers, your love for drawing, your bright eyes when we enter the room, and your disappointed sulk when we leave.......  We LOVE YOU SO MUCH, Joshua, thank you so much for coming to us and being our son.  We hope you have a wonderful wonderful birthday buddy!

5 days old

3 months old

6 months old

8 months old

10 months old

15 months old

2 year old birthday!

3 year old birthday party

3 years old

3.5 years old

4 year old birthday party

4 years old

3 days shy of 5 :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!

I have returned.... Miss me?

I took a week off, with the attempt of avoiding my computer, phone, text, Casey Anthony trial, and reconnecting with my family.  And after a slight altercation with the neighbor kids, and me overreacting due to being stressed, we decided to take off for the week.  We had already planned on going to my mom's lakehouse for the 4th, but we left early to just get away.

I have to say, that while I was gone and trying to avoid all of the above things, I realized my dependence.  I did avoid all "computers", mostly because I left mine at home :-).   I was pretty good at avoiding my phone for a few days, but then went downhill after that..... I did text probably 1/16th of what I normally do, didn't make any phone calls, and searched things only at night while trying to go to sleep.  Unfortunately, the Casey Anthony trial did me in.  I picked the WORST time to try to avoid it.  Closing arguments and mega courtroom drama.  BUT, at least I tried, which of course led to less obsessiveness than I would have had had I not tried at all.

Back to our mini-vaca.  I got up Tuesday morning, starting packing/cleaning (H-A-T-E coming home to a messy house), and finally early afternoon we were ready, kids packed, us packed, dogs packed, and we set off.  We made pretty good time and got there by dinner time. 

We had a great time for our week there, taking walks, playing outside, the kids doing puzzles and playing nicely, playing with our doggies, and relaxing.  My mom/stepdad/niece all came out on Friday to enjoy the 4th of July weekend too, and my niece rocks at keeping the kids entertained, so that was nice.

The kids got to swim in the lake (super cold---braver than me!), and go inner tubing a bunch.  Here are some pics:

Lauren going for a swim

Joshua too!

Lauren showing off her swimming ability!

"I thought this was gonna be exciting"

"Come on, Lauren, Cheer up!"  (She bonked her head while getting in the tube and was in a sad mood)

Wooohoooo!

YEEHAW!

This was the only water play Julia got to do.... even though she would have killed to get in the water.  (It was way too cold for her)

And..... then my camera battery died, and I forgot my charger.  So, that is about all the pictures.  :-(

We had a great time hanging out as a family, but are super glad to be home!