Rate My Professor

If you have gone to college or currently attending, check out this website.

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/index.jsp

It's pretty cool. You can look up your school and professor to see what peers have said about them. Helpful when trying to decide what instructor to take.

My Kids

"She's her own fashion coordinator."

















"What? Carrots are good for you!"

"Poor Pitiful Me!"

I am sure that at some time you have had, what I call a "Poor Pitiful Me" day.

Well, I have had a "Poor Pitiful Me" couple of weeks. I really don't know what my problem is. Sure there are many things that I sit around and think "why can't this be better, God, why won't you help me with this?" But in reality the truth is, I have so much to be thankful for. And not only that but, It's not all about me. That is what I keep telling myself, "Desiree, It's not all about you." I just can't seem to get it through my thick head (or heart).

So this is my attempt to make it about others. My prayer this Christmas is that all women out there, like me, who are doing their best, but just don't seem (in their eyes) to measure up, who try to do things God way, but still fumble it all up, who just can't seem to give themselves a break, those who lack self esteem, I pray they are able to let God and let go. Dear God, help them to let You and let go, amen!

What's Up?

I have been on break from school for two weeks now. It goes so fast. Graysen is finally feeling better. After the croup episode he ended up with an ear infection and sinus infection. He is now on his second round of antibiotics. Poor baby has been through the ringer. He is still having a little trouble sleeping at night, but overall doing much better.

Malayna just got over a little flu bug. She woke up early Monday morning, throwing up. It last for about 12 hours and then was as if she was never sick. I sure hope we are just getting the sickies over with early and this is not a sign of what is to come this winter.

On Sunday Scott celebrated his tweny ninth birthday. His mom and dad and brother and his family came down to celebrate with us. We spent the afternoon hanging out, watching Christmas with the Cranks and then we went to supper at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was a good day. It is hard to believe we are so close to 3o. Oh, well I am sure it will just get better.

I went down to school today to purchase my books for next quarter. They weigh about 25 pounds. I also happened to meet a girl who is already a 'nurse. She didn't have much good to say about it. Not that I haven't heard it all before, but it would be nice to run into to someone who thinks it is worth it, considering my classes are extremely challenging.

The good news is...I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. Yeah! I pray everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

Just For Mom

"A child can sense a mother's feelings and moods, sometimes before she recognizes them herself. This unconscious unity connects them in the most ancient and strongest of all bonds, parent and child."

Write Ann F. Caron

Decorating for Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Finals Are Over!!!

Praise the Lord!

Another quarter bites the dust. I managed to pass all three classes. I got an A, B, and unfortunately C. (Of course the C was an 84%, but I have to have an 86% for a B in nursing)

Woo Hoo!

Croup

On Friday Graysen started to run a fever and was fussy. We figured he was still teething, so did not think much of it. He then started to sound really hoarse when cooing and crying. He was still irritable, but that night he slept well through the night.

On Saturday, I had to work. Before I left Graysen woke up and was running a temp. I told Scott to call the doctor and keep an eye on his temperature. The doctor of course also thought it was due to teething so she told Scott to monitor his temp. and be aware of any wheezing if it occurs. By this time we thought maybe he had a cold.

When I got home from work, Graysen seemed to be in a better mood. When he went to bed he still had a low fever, but not as high as it was earlier (101.9). Around midnight he woke me up because of the way he was breathing. It sounded kind of like a wheeze, but I wasn't really sure. So I listened for a while longer. The longer I listened the worse it got. I got my mom up so that she could listen and she thought he was wheezing so Scott and I decided to take him to Childrens Hospital in Dayton.

We left the house around 1 AM and arrived at the hospital about 1:30 AM. Fortunately no one was in the waiting room and they got us right in. The nurse listened to Graysens breathing, she said it sounded like a stridor and speculated that he had Croup.

After a visit from 2 more nurses, an intern and another doctor the diagnosis was unaminous...Croup. They treated him with an oral steroid and a breathing treatment of racemic epinephrine and saline. They then had us stay for two hours longer to make sure he would not have a rebound. We got home at 5:30 AM.

So what is Croup? Croup is a common respiratory problem characterized by a harsh, barking cough. Croup most often affects young children. It causes inflammation, swelling, and narrawing in the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and breathing (bronchial) tubes leading to the lungs. It is caused from a virus.

Graysen appears to be doing better. He has not had much of a fever today and has been acting more like himself. They do say that it becomes worse during the night, hopefully he will be okay and we will not have to make another trip to the ER. It really sucks when your baby is sick. Mommys are supposed to be able to fix everything and I just feel helpless. Dumb Virus! Go pick on a dog or something. Anyway, pray for a quick recovery for Graysen being sick is NO FUN!

Where's the toothbrush?

Graysen got his first two teeth today. They are the two front bottom teeth.

Bath Time...

No Rubber Duckie, but bath time is still lots of fun!

Old Picture

My aunt Pat sent us this picture today. This picture was taken in the house that my mom grew up in and my brother and I also grew up there. I am the cute little baby in front, sitting in my grandmas lap. My mom is the one holding the little girl in the pink (my cousin, Kris) and my dad is standing behind her. He really looks like my brother in this picture. My Grandpa is next to my dad and then my aunt Marie, she is holding my cousin Danny, my uncle Ray, aunt Pat, cousin Bobbie Jo, and aunt Vicki. I am assuming my uncle Mike is taking the picture.

Kitty Sitting

Look what we have gotten ourselves into now. Our friends Chad and Reenie's cat had kittens, the mama kitty, Moses was killed so the kitties don't have a mommy. Chad and Reenie had to go out of town for a business trip for a week and they were not able to leave the kittens alone. So, we of course volunteered to watch them. Malayna and Graysen just think they are the best. The first thing Malayna said when she woke up this morning was "I want to hold the kitties."
Christmas, however, is not very fond of them. She has been perched on the steps, like a gargoyle sulking and hissing at the kittens everytime they walk by.

If your interested in HDTV check out Chads web site, http://hdtvbychadb.com

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat
I say they are "treats"!

Concert Picture

( Left to right, top to bottom) Paula, Mandy, Lisa, Heather, Me, Beth and Reenie.

"Change Me"

The Superchick concert was last Thursday. I wanted to post a picture, but I forgot my camera. One of the girls I went with did take hers, so if I get a copy I still may put the picture on.

We had a blast! It was awesome just to hang out with the girls.

I heard some new bands I had not heard before. I was very impressed with Sanctus Real and reccomend them.

Superchick of course was awesome!!! Although they did not play long enough. And Audio Adrenaline was a great headliner.


From Sanctus Real "Change Me"

Would You change me from who I've been lately, cause I know I am nothing without You.
Did my words betray the patience I once claimed? Can't You see it in my face, I need Your Grace.
Would You change me from who I've been lately, cause I know I am nothing without You.
Would You save me from the way I've been lately, cause I can't see living without You.
So would You speak to me and show me what I need.
Is it patience, kindness, all thats in between?
Loving others the way You love me?

http://sanctusreal.com

Malayna and Graysen

Layna went on her first field trip today at school. She got to ride the bus to Fulton Farms. While they were there they went on a hayride, petted some animals, picked out a pumpkin and had lunch with her classmates. I stayed to watch her get on the bus and for the bus to leave. I was a little sad, but overall took it very well. I did worry a little more about her through the day. Layna has also been learning how to identify her letters and write them too. She is doing really good writing her name.



Graysen has definately started teething. As you can see from the picture above he has been slobbering on overtime. That was even with a bib on, I took it off for the picture. He has been a little cranky at times, but has been doing pretty good with it. He is getting so big, last time he was on the scale he weighed in at a whopping 19.5 pounds and is 28 in. long. (Definately a heavy weight champ.) That is what Layna was at a year and Graysen is not even six months yet. It is amazing how different two kids from the same mold can be.
I can't wait until he gets some more hair, I want to give him a punk rock hair do. You know, that messy just got out of bed look. He'll probably hate me for it later, but hey he'll look cool now. I asked Scott if he would mind and he never answered, so I am taking that as he does not mind.

It's been busy and it's just going to get worse.

I just realized today that once I start my job I will not have a day off. Mon. - Thurs. I will have school. Fri. and Sat. I will be working. Sunday is always busy, we go to both services at church because Scott teaches the elementry school kids and I help out in the nursery, and we are back at the church on Sun. night because I lead small group. I really hope this will be worth it. Please pray for my poor children. I fear that they will feel they do not have a mother. And my husband may feel like a widower. That really breaks my heart.

I suppose we could give up the extra things at church even though I really don't want too. God, help us make the best decisions for our family!

I miss my dad!

I had a dream this morning about my dad. It started out really strange as most dreams do...

I was sitting at a picnic table with someone whom I don't remember. A man came out of an apartment building across the street and started to head towards us. The person I was sitting with said "You better get out of here." Before he was able to reach us my dad shows up with a gun and starts shooting at him. The man started shooting back at my dad, but not with a gun, with some sort of darts. Then all of a sudden the mean man was gone. I gave my dad a hug and he held me patting my hair. I told him that I missed him so much. I then woke up, crying.

This Sat. it will be six years that he has been gone. I am sure that is what triggered the dream. Of course our lives have gone on and they have been amazing, we have been blessed. But I can't help but wonder how it would be if he were still here. I am not sure that a person can ever get over the loss of a parent.

Go Forest!

For a while now Scott has been mowing the yard next to us because for a long time no one lived there. Recently we got new neighbors (whom seem really nice). Well, they are moving from Indiana and have not gotten their lawn mower here so Scott has continued to mow both sides.

In addition to this we also got new neighbors behind us. And because they moved from a condo, they do not own a lawn mower, so they have also asked to Scott to mow their yard so they do not have to worry about it until spring.

Scott really enjoys mowing and working outside so he doesn't mind doing this. I think it's hilarious and like to poke fun. The last time he was mowing I made a big sign that said Go Forest, and held it up for him to see. Cracking up all the while. Fortunately, he did appreciate my humor. Anyway here is a picture of Scott (aka Forest Gump) mowing our neigbors yard.

(I am very proud to have a husband who is so wiling to help out his neighbors!)

New Job

I got a job today.

Unfortunately our finaces required that I get a part-time job. Of course I already feel that my plate is full. But sometimes I just have to do, what I need to do.

I am excited about the job though. My friend Beth recommended it to me, and me for it. Whom I cannot thank enough! I will be working with her for a company that administers exams such as insurance exams and real estate exams. I will only work one day through the week and Saturdays. It doesn't seem like very much but school is taking up more and more of my time.

I just pray that my family doesn't have to suffer much.

Food

Graysen got to eat from a spoon today for the first official time. He was a pro. At lunch he ate yellow squash and for bedtime snack, rice cereal and formula. Yum Yum!
( Click on the picture to enlarge the view)

Shh...

It's 9:30 P.M. and all is quiet in the Krites household. Kids are tucked in snuggly. I am just sitting here listening to the music of the nighttime and smelling the rain in the air. Off to the books, I go...

Feels like Fall

I always get excited at the end of each summer when it starts to feel like fall. Fall is the best time. The temperature is perfect for jeans and a comfy sweatshirt. The trees begin to turn the most beautiful colors. It's a time for friends and family to slow down from their hectic summers and just spend some time together around a bon fire.

I suppose my love for fall comes from my dad. Every year at this time he would start acting like a kid in a candy store getting giddy over going dear hunting. I don't really like the dear hunting part but there really is just something about this time of year and it always makes me wish my dad were still here. October 8 will be 6 years that he has been gone.

So, tonight was the second to last night for Big Brother 6. We decided to have some friends over to watch it and then afterwards we were able to spend some time around the fire and sing some fun songs.

Layna on her first day of school.

My baby has started Pre-school. Next thing I know she will be graduating from High School. At least she promises to live with me forever.

Superchicks

I am so excited! Some of my girlfriends and I are going to see the Superchicks one month from today. Check out their website for some great tunes,
http://www.superchickonline.com/minisite/mini.php

The headliner is Audio Adrenaline and they are also playing with Pillar, Sanctus Real, and Kids in the Way. It should be a great concert, I can't wait. Rock on!

Exercise

Every quarter at school I try to sign up for an exercise class. But for the last year, because of being pregnant I have not been able to do so. But this quarter I was very happy to be able to take an aerobics class.

All I have to say is "My poor brain cells, what have I done to you". I have been starving them of the oxygen they need to make me feel great. After I had class today I felt so good. My mind seemed clear and I have so much energy. I actually feel like the self that I haven't seen in a while. It is amazing how important exercise is. Why is it, that it is so hard to get motivated to do it? Things like food, alcohol & drugs make people feel good and they do them over and over for the rush. Well I have to say, that today I felt a natural high just from working out and I want more. I hope this doesn't wear off!

I'll probably feel differently tomorrow when I am sore. So I thought I would record this mood now.

First Day of School

So, I have made it through my first class on my first day. Not too bad! (Not that I expected too much on my first day.) Anyway, I've decided that I can do this, one day at a time.

The Great Outdoors

(Abbey, Katie, Malayna, Tylan & Nickolas)

We braved the great outdoors this weekend and went on a camping trip with some of our friends. We of course had a campfire and roasted marshmellows (or marshpillows, as Tylan calls them), we went swimming, played miniature golf, went on a boat ride (Graysen and I stayed ashore), the kids and guys played soccer and more. We had a great time!

Beth, Heather and Dez

Scott, Matt & Nick

(What's up with the computer? I thought we were camping.)

We couldn't miss Big Brother, so we brought a little TV. It took some work to get the right channel.

And Yes, Graysen went too and he had a blast. He was very good the whole time. Some might say he was even better then the other kids. :)

Prayers needed!

I had my orientation today for the Nursing Program at school. So for three hours I sat through the faculty telling us all the rules and policies. But I also got to sit through the faculty and other nursing students telling me that once I begin the program my life will stop. I heard things like forget about your house being clean, your family getting meals every night, getting enough sleep, being able to be at functions for your children. I feel the need to cry!

Before I even began school, three years ago, I did alot of praying. At that time I felt like God said "put your feet in the water." So I did. Since then things have not always been easy, but I have gotten through it with out too much trouble and without neglecting my family. I told myself then and continue to tell myself that "It's going to be hard, but that just means that it is worth doing." But I am still really afraid! I don't want to neglect my home and family. I don't want to miss out on important things in their lives. I don't want to put extra stress and work on my husband, even though he really wants me to do this.

Do I have what it takes?

I don't really know. But as I face this challenge I do feel that being a nurse is what God has led me to do as long as I can be true to my priorities and values. Mainly; God, my family and then school/career.

So with the strength of God, the support of my husband and family, here goes my best... Please, please, please remember us in your prayers.

P.S. Even though this is a very big deal in our lives, it seems minute to the problems that people are facing because of the hurricane. I especially lift up in prayer those people in this hard time!

Bring on the rain...

Layna had fun playing in the rain today. Sometimes rainy days are fun.

On raising kids...

This is from an e-mail I got from my good friend Heather.

it was time to raise those angels only to find that when all that "cute" wears off, the beautiful little darlings morphed into walking, jabbering, wet, gooey, snot-blowing, life-sucking little poop machines.

I especially like the life-sucking little poop machines. But, hey they are so worth it.

I am Woman

Here are some quotes that I came across in a book.

"Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch - what make you go beyond the norm" Cicely Tyson

"Women's work! Housework's the hardest work in the world. That's why men won't do it." Edna Ferber

(I have to say that in Scott's defence, he is usually very good about helping with house work. However, it doesn't change the fact that it is the hardest work in the world. For one thing, it is never done. Then throw motherhood in on top of that, and watch out. I think this is where that challenge thing in the last quote comes in.)

"I don't like the terms 'housewife' and 'homemaker'. I prefer to be called 'Domestic Goddess'... it's more descriptive." Roseanne Barr

(That one was just for fun.)

Here it goes...

So, I've decided to give blogging a try. It seems that it is the "in" thing to do. Not that I have ever been "in". I just thought it would be a nice place to give updates and keep in touch with friends and family. So, if your interested, just add this page to your favorites and check in occasionally. I'll do my best to keep with it.