On Friday, December 5, 2008, the love of my life and I joined in holy matrimony… two souls became one before God, our family and friends.

On Sunday, November 16, JT and I had a drink (mine was Bahama Mama) and a couple of appetizers (fried mozzarella cheese sticks and popcorn shrimp) at Buffalo Wild Wings. The twins were hanging out with their Nana (my mom watches this every other Sunday). After we ordered the drinks and food, JT and I started to have a serious conversation about our relationship.

The discussion was neither positive nor negative but intense and thus my emotions were running high. We talked about the past, present and future… and I was a tad bit overwhelmed while I relived some of these events in the back of my mind. JT then started to talk more about where we were headed as a couple and for our family. Out of nowhere, he asked me the question… yes *the* question. JT asked me to marry him. I was in shock. I paused for a long time to replay the question, as if I did a quick TiVo rewind. Did I hear him correctly? I looked in his eyes. I looked away again. I have no clue how long this went on but it felt like a long ass time. I looked back in his eyes and I said yes.

Technorati Tags: celebrate, ceremony, emotions, family, life, love, marriage, personal, relationships, restaurant, wedding

Earlier in the day, I had my own doctor appointment. The appointment went okay, I guess you can say. I felt a little rushed in the end. Maybe my doctor over scheduled himself. He is usually more attentive than he was yesterday *shrugs*

To save on leave at work, I basically worked a split shift. Came into work after my appointment and left at 2 p.m.(ish) to take the kids to their appointment. We arrived at the appointment on time *cheers* but the nurse did not call our names until about 3:30 *boo* The downside of going in the afternoon is that Pediatrics is extra busy at that time of day. I was also annoyed that the receptionist did not believe me when I said my health insurance has a zero co-pay for children under age 16 with their primary care physician (PCP). I do not usually have that problem.

William weighed in at 42.8 pounds and is 44 inches tall. William gained the weight back that he lost when he had a bad cold 2 weeks ago. Keisha weighed in at 37 pounds (I guessed it right on the dot) and she is 41 inches tall (she is in the 25. William and Keisha then had their blood pressure taken (first time for Keisha, routine for William). Next was the audio and visual tests. Keisha’s vision is 20/30 (normal for a 4 year old) and William’s is 20/20 (I have been calling him Eagle Eye and Atom Hunter for a long time). The hearing tests were fine for both of them.

We then waited for a long time again for the doctor to come. We were seen by a resident because their regular pediatrician was not in and he is leaving the hospital soon. I was very sad to hear this news. Anyway the children were thirsty, so I had JT wait with the kids while I went to get some juice and a snack (Swedish Fish FTW) at the gift shop. When I returned, the doctor was in the exam room with JT and the twins. Everything went well with the exam (as expected)… and then it was time for the shots. I knew that we were going to get them a flu shot and lead test (for school), but I did not know it was time for some vaccinations (chicken pox, polio and a couple of others).

I felt bad for the twins but the shots are necessary. JT then had to run an errand so I was on my own to attempt to comfort the children. William went first (he had 5 shots total) and as Keisha watched her eyes widened. William started screaming as I held him in my lap and the two nurses double teamed with the needles. I felt helpless but I held William tight as I whispered in his ear that everything would be okay, I am here for him and give him many kisses.

Then… it was Keisha’s turn. She screamed many things… such as “NOOOOOO…” and “I don’t want to get a shot.” She was articulate with these words, no stuttering at all. I thought it was amazing. I did the same thing for Keisha as I did for William, held her tight and showered her with kisses. With Keisha, I would say the event was more horrifying. I had never heard her so scared before. Keisha had 4 shots, 1 less than William. She was able to get the flu vaccination as a mist inhalant. William could not do that because had wheezing issues with his bad cold two weeks ago. The nurses covered their thighs in blue bandages. The twins felt and looked like drained warriors.

The last event of the long drawn out evening was the blood work. As we journeyed over to the main lab I explained to the twins that they needed just one more needle for a blood test. Keisha looked up at me and said that she did not want that. I sighed and continued to walk to the lab. JT met back up with us just in time before the lab tech called our names. JT went in with William and he cried again, but not quite as bad as the *five* shots. I went in with Keisha and like before she screamed many things. This time she screamed, “I don’t want a shot” and “take it out.”

Needless to say, after everything was done, I believe I was more tired than the twins were. I had no intention of cooking so we stopped at Captain Ds to pick up dinner then went. I crashed in bed at 8:30 and slept well over eight hours. I cannot remember the last time I slept this long (without medication).

Technorati Tags: appointment, blood, children, doctor, family, health, immunization, Keisha, lab, life, pediatrician, personal, shots, William

Technorati Tags: family, history, holiday, life, military, national, personal, United States, veterans, Veterans Day

6 little known facts about me:

1. When I first tried calamari, I was tricked into eating it. JT was right, if he told me it was squid, I would not eat it. Early in our relationship (about seven years ago), we went to Red Lobster and ordered an appetizer that had calamari in it. I asked him what calamari is and he said don’t worry you will like it. I kept asking and then he said that they were fried onion rings. I thought to myself oh, I like onion rings. I dipped the calamari in the sauce, said that they were delicious then JT told me the truth.

I hate being tricked into eating new foods. …But yes, I still love fried calamari.

2. I do not like wine, champagne or beer. I know, what the hell is the matter with me? I have not come across any type of these drinks that I like. If you have something in mind, please leave a comment as a suggestion.

3. I have many dreams where I have supernatural powers. I often dream about flying and having Bewitch-like powers. Does this mean anything deep down or did I just watch too many reruns of I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched as a child?

4. I am an unorganized person at home and an extreme pack rat. I keep many things with the intention of, oh I will add this to my scrapbook. I have many many many books and no where to put them. I yearn for a gigantic home where I can have a library all to myself.

5. Within the next two to three years, I plan on going back to school. I am going to get my Masters degree and I will not look back. I miss studying Arabic and Farsi. Time to work toward my long-term goals in life.

6. I am scared to death of swimming, but the strange thing is that I used to know how to swim. Something went wrong between the ages of 4 and 5 (when I learned how to swim) and age 12. Maybe I will tell this story another time.

Technorati Tags: Arabic, books, dreams, drinks, education, entertainment, food, life, meme, memories, personal, Red Lobster, relationships, restaurant, school, swimming, television

I have never traveled outside of the country, so the furthest places from home have been Las Vegas and New York City.

2. What is a blog that you would recommend for us to read and why?

Dooce.com is my favorite mommy blog because I can relate to a lot of things she goes through in her life with her husband and daughter.

3. What is the biggest surprise you ever have had and was it a good one?

My 25th birthday party was my biggest surprise and yes it was a good one.

4. What is your favorite quote?

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” Abraham Lincoln

5. Have you ever been hospitalized for a major health situation?

The only time I was hospitalized was for the birth of my twins.

6. Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself?

Long hair. I wonder if it will ever grow back like it used to be.

7. What was your favorite amusement park ride growing up?

The Screaming Eagle at Six Flags.

8. How long do you talk on your phone on a typical day?

Not very long typically, but this morning I talked to my Dad for a very long time. Catching up I guess because we don’t talk on the phone regularly.

9. Other than Saturday 9, what is your favorite meme to do each week?

The Friday Five.

http://samanthasaturday9.blogspot.com/2008/11/so-far-away.html

Technorati Tags: life, meme, personal, roller coaster, Saturday 9, Screaming Eagle, Six Flags, travel

Last night was exhilarating. I was glued to the television, where CNN was on 95% of the night (the holograms were great), and my computer where I read friends tweets via Twitter.com and the election updates on CNN.com.

I know look forward to January 20, 2009 when President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. I am calling dibs on this as an early birthday present for me (my birthday is January 27).

Part of me thinks that the moment has not fully set in yet because I have not cried yet… and I am normally a very emotional person. Maybe I am holding out for January. Tears or not, I am full of joy and thankful that the right man won the election.

“America is a place where all things are possible”. President-Elect Obama said this in his speech last night in Grant Park. I love this quote… someone should put it on a t-shirt.

Yesterday, JT and I took the kids with us to vote early in the morning before work. I was worried that the lines would be too long and we would have to vote after work. The lines were extremely long, but thankfully the lines moved fast. We arrived shortly after 6:00 a.m. and left at approximately 7:10 a.m. Afterward, we took the kids to school and then to work. Painless and smooth.

The only thing more exciting that voting yesterday was hearing the announcement of Obama as the winner of the presidential election.

“…That out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can.”

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, black history, Chicago, children, democrats, family, Grant Park, history, Illinois, Joe Biden, John McCain, life, local, national, news, personal, politics, president, Sarah Palin, Vice President, video, vote, youtube

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/3000493153/

I would first like to express my condolences to Barack Obama and his family for the lost of his grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

And on another note, I am looking forward to tomorrow. I am so excited that I am nearly nervous. We are going to the polls early in the morning. If the line is too long, then I will vote after work in the afternoon. Going to bed soon so I can wake up to an important and historical day.

We will change this country and we will change the world.

Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, election, history, life, local, national, news, personal, politics, president

This Thursday, October 30th, please join Joe Biden in Arnold, where he will talk about Barack’s vision for creating the kind of change we need.

Change We Need Rally
with Joe Biden

Fox High School
Gym 1
745 Jeffco Blvd
Arnold, MO 63010

Thursday, October 30th
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.

http://mo.barackobama.com/ArnoldChange

This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required; however, an RSVP is strongly encouraged.

For security reasons, do not bring bags, umbrellas, or chairs. Please limit personal belongings. No signs or banners are permitted.

Get more information about voting for Barack:

http://mo.voteforchange.com

Technorati Tags: Arnold, Barack Obama, democrats, election, high school, Joe Biden, Missouri, politics, rally, United States

Download the song.

Technorati Tags: Beyonce, download, entertainment, music, video

Please join us Saturday, October 18th, for a rally with Barack Obama in
St. Louis:

Change We Need Rally
with Barack Obama

Under the Gateway Arch
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Memorial Dr. and Market St.
St. Louis, MO

Saturday, October 18th
Gates Open: 10:15 a.m.
Program Begins: 12:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required but an RSVP is encouraged.

Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please RSVP using the form to the right.

For security reasons do not bring bags or umbrellas. Please limit personal items. No signs or banners allowed.

My family and I will definitely be attending. Keisha and William could possibly be the most excited four year old children about the election. They love Barack Obama. I have not felt so enthused about an election since 1996 when I attended a Bill Clinton rally in University City. I was a freshman in college at Washington University in St. Louis at the time. Wow… 12 years later and I am taking my children to their first rally.

I hope that we can get there early enough to get a decent view.

If you would like to RSVP for the event, you can go to this link: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mobostlouis

Updated: I have several pictures that I took at the rally, posted at my flickr here: http://flickr.com/photos/missnexus/sets/72157607046810631/

Technorati Tags: Arch, Barack Obama, democrats, downtown, election, local, national, news, politics, rally, St. Louis, United States