Oh the places you'll go

and the things you will eat!

SO far I have eaten
My moms homemade spaghetti
Taco Bell
Arbys
Eat-n-park
and had cake for breakfast

The spinal tap was a bitch. It took two hours and 14 (3in needles) and countless smaller needles to get the tap done. I didn't cry once but I did swear a few times. I look like a human pin cushion. Today I am trying to recover and reconnect with lost friends. Rose is bored (whats new). Its 60 some degrees and raining not typical for Pittsburgh in the winter. We expect snow on Saturday.

We have reconnected with my sweet Eli and bad little Leah. Rose and Eli fought twice violently. Poor Eli got bitten twice by the evil Rose. She has not done that in years not sure what got into her. Leah is so funny. She won't let anyone near her food. She will spear you if you get to close.

We have been invited to two parties on the same day so let the fun begin! I have spoken to one school and I am awaiting the return call from the principal who probably will give me a hard time about Roses age. Nobody wants to believe a 4 year old can read. I am telling you there are tons of kids out there who can do why not her!

Well I am going to go my back is killing me. If you didn't receive a call from me it may mean I have lost your number so just drop me a line and I will call you soon.

Back in the USA

Were back...

Hey quick note to say we made it. Not without its bumps and bruises. I threw up off and on from Melbourne to Pittsburgh. My parents were called and met us at the gate (something not normally done these days). We made it through the weekend seeing most of my moms side of the family. Monday I went to the Neurologist and will have a spinal tap on Tuesday morning. I have also been moved over to a high risk OBGYN. The lack of a car and a school for Rose to go to is causing me frustration. Hope to see you soon. I just need a few more days to recover.

Home safe

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the girls are home safe and sound.

And cold.

Cheers, S.U.

Transitions...

Hello readers, Spousal Unit here.

My girls are off on their own now. I saw them to the gate and watched them go this morning.

I miss them so much already.

Daddy will be home with you soon, my darlings!

Save me some pumpkin pie, too!!!!!

1-4-3, S.U.

Chapter Ending

This will be my last post from here in the beautiful land down under. Today and tonight was quiet. We all just laid in bed together. Rose had her fingers and toes painted something she couldn't do for a year due to school regulations. I will pack our carry ons tonight and then it will all be over. This chapter will end and a new one will begin. We are all very excited and apprehensive about the flight. When you are traveling between two countries and four airplanes things can get a bit harry. I have only summer maternity clothing so I will be under dressed for the occasion but there is nothing I can do until I can get to a Walmart. I still have a nasty chest cold which is making my life that much more fun. Liam has a lot of work ahead of him and Rose well she is just happy to be on "vacation". The bags have been packed and what ever isn't in them we will have to live without. The weather is beautiful tonight and I wish I felt better so I could go and sit out side. Liam is putting Rose to bed for the last time. We will not see him for a month and who knows what kind of state. The kitties are running around playing. I am praying that Liam is able to find a cheap way to get them home. They are all still fairly young but you still worry about what can happen on a 27 hour flight. I will miss them all! How does one sleep without a cat on your face? Liam and I don't like to be apart so that will be very hard. I pray that soon things will settle down for the 3 (soon 4) of us. I would love to sit with my family and not worry for 10 min. I think that may have to wait. Loving you and missing you all. Jenny thanks for setting up to send those photos for me! Talk to the Aussies on Gmail and the Americans in person. Love you all! Its been a wild ride South Australia! Couldn't have landed in a better country!

Roses Party

Last night was unbearbly hot. I didn't sleep much now that my cold has moved to my chest. The worse part was the heat. I am only 4 months pregnant but I feel for all the Aussie women further along then me. This morning Ann-Marie and Ji Young visited me and we said our good byes and then Liam and I headed for the Market. That's were we did our bargain hunting for goodies. We did rather well, but he is going to have to make another trip because we didn't get everything. After that we picked up flowers and cupcakes for Roses class. Rose passed out her treats and received a sweet card and journal and stuffed teddy from her class. Both reception classes then drew her pictures and I put them together as a book for her. We passed out flowers the the principal and her secretary and her teacher. We love this school and will miss it terribly. You could not ask for a better start in your education life. Rose took it all in strides and seemed to enjoy the attention. She is well loved and will be missed. Tomorrow will be her last day. I am sure tears will be shed.

Mad Max

Adrian Bennett

Rose has joined me in my cold. She has a runny nose and is slightly more whinny. I slept most of the day trying to make up for night of illness. Rose headed for school and Liam taught in the morning and then picked me up so I could go to the doctors. We do not know the sex of the baby. The doctor said she wasn't good at reading Sonograms and so we wait. Rose went to step dancing and was picked up around 5pm. We then went to dinner trust me when I say it was to hot to cook. We hit around 92 degrees. We then stopped off at the Bennetts to see Adrian's world famous Interceptor from the Mad Max movie. This car has been featured in many English and American Magazines for being probably the only Interceptor replica in all of England. The famous cars steering wheel was done by none other then our guy Brad who's web page can be accessed from my side bar. Adi, Liam and Brad have all been online friends for at least a year or two and have finally all met. They are all fabulous guys. Liam is hoping to have Adrian paint his motorcycle to look like Gooses bike from the first Mad Max movie. The Bennetts and the Coulters will be missed.

Nov. 19th 2005-2006

My cold has taken hold of my nose and body. I slept most of the day just trying to breath. Then at 5:00 we went to Glenelg Beach for the last time. It was one year today that we set eyes on the ocean for the first time. Rose loved it tonight as much as she loved it a year ago. We had Copenhagen Ice cream and walked along the beach. Rose stripped to her underwear like most of the little Aussie kids do and went swimming. Daddy kept yelling "don't splash me". I didn't care and went in up to my knees. By 7:30 I had had enough and needed to go home and put Rose in the tub and lay down. So now we are laying around in shorts and t-shirts trying to stay cool in the heat of summer. Only three more days and we will be in the freezing cold. Living with my mother who loves to keep windows open even if there is a blizzard going on out side, she claims it keeps us healthy. I have my doubts. Tomorrow we go to the doctor to have the baby checked out from head to toe. We maybe able to find out if its a boy or a girl. Talk soon.

Last Saturday

Today I woke up with out the ability to breath. I caught a cold and it has effected my already swollen head. Lets just say I am not happy camper. But that did not stop me from doing the things we had decieded we were going to do. First off I didn't sleep so I woke up at noon and declared we were leaving. So off we headed to Jenni's for Micheal's birthday party. Where we met her family Sarah, Laura and her mom. All are so sweet you want to keep them in your pocket. Sarah makes the most wonderful bears and sells them through her web page which I will post later. Laura makes belly dancing costumes and makes amazing dream catchers. She made me pillow with lavender and a dream catcher for me. Both of her sisters are house bound do to illness but I was thrilled to finally meet them. We left Jenni's at 5 pm and headed to Tania and Brads to see them and the Bennetts for dinner. We stayed there until 10:30. We had dinner and I had a small glass of wine. We had a great time but we know we will real miss them when we leave. Saturday was a good day and Liam is looking forward to the Michigan/Ohio State game on TV. I will probably spend the day in bed making up for my wayward ways but oh well I had fun.

In a split moment

I have just come home from what I hope will be my last LP here in Australia. Liam got to stay with me while it happened and that helped a lot. While we were in the emergency room a man was rushed in followed by his wife. Moments later she was in tears screaming apparently he had died on the trip over. Her cries were gut wrenching as she came to grips with her loss. Liam turned to me and said "it really puts things in prospective." He was right. For the rest of the day I kept her in mind. I just could not image how her life must have changed in split moment. I feel so grateful to have Liam and Rose in my life. I can not imagine life with out them. Take a moment and think about your life and the people in it. It made my little tap seem like nothing.

Last friday

Today will be our last Friday here in Australia. I will spend it at RAH but that's okay. I can't believe we are leaving. My mom keeps wanting me to change my ticket and come a little latter but to tell you the truth I'm ready to come home. Having a short amount of time is both good and bad. Rose is very excited to becoming home. She is sad about leaving her friends and school but she is ready to see Eli and Leah. Liam assures me he can handle all that is left for him to do. I feel bad about leaving him but with each passing week I am losing sight of my feet and I am starting to move slower. The eye and brain issue is its own problem. Rose will be happier and safer at home and not underfoot. So if there is anything you have been dieing to get from us but have been to shy to ask now is the time. I am going shopping on Tuesday for the things we wanted from this beautiful country so put in your order now.

Australia

Missing you all already!

To every season...

Sometimes God answers us in the most amazing ways. For a long time I have been praying for direction. I had not a whole lot in mind just that I needed to feel like we were on the right path. Well today God answered our prayers. He came in the form of Wills boss who offered him a position back in Pittsburgh. This is an answer to a lot of prayers and fears. We have fallen in love with Australia. The people are amazing and kind, the land beautiful. Great things happened here. Rose blossomed into an amazing young lady who loves school. We have learned to depend on each other for our stability. We received the amazing gift of the newest Bosley growing quickly in my belly. We have made some fantastic friends who I hope we will always keep in touch with. Coming home means help while I am sick and after the baby is born. It means Rose can grow up with her cousins whom she adores. She will get the time she deserves and needs from both sets of Grandparents. We will now get the chance to see our oldest nieces graduated and our youngest ones go to kindergarten. Its hard to believe that in a week and half I will be leaving Australia for good. I am struggling with my thoughts as I write this. I will miss so much about Adelaide and yet I can't wait to be with my family again. Liam has a lot on his plate. He will now have to get the house and the cats home. I can not tell you how I feel for him. He is excited to be coming home to teach! There are a lot of exciting things in store for him. Rose and I will be looking at schools and convincing them that she may be young but she can do the school work. I will get better and then give birth close to my mom who held my hand through Roses delivery. We look forward to coming home but a bit of our hearts will be left here in Australia. There will always be part of us connected to Adelaide its where we got baby number 2. We will always remember our time here with fond memories.

Yah I'm that good!

Your Language Arts Grade: 100%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

sounds about right!

You paid attention during 69% of high school!

68-84% Pretty good, you know that there are libraries and newspapers, and you remember what you've read. You were a child that wasn't left behind!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Definitions of Blog on the Web:

Definitions of Blog on the Web:

Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site.www.bytowninternet.com/glossary

A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.www.conceptwebsites.com/SEO/common-terms.htm

A blog is information that is instantly published to a Web site. Blog scripting allows someone to automatically post information to a Web site. The information first goes to a blogger Web site. Then the information is automatically inserted into a template tailored for your Web site.mason.gmu.edu/~montecin/netterms.htm

A short form for weblog, a frequent and chronological publication of comments and thoughts on the web. They usually include philosophical reflections, opinions on the Internet and social or political issues.www.epolitix.com/NR/exeres/0CE8163A-7446-43D7-A038-91C95E078E97,frameless.htm

a public web site where users post informal journals of their thoughts, comments, and philosophies, updated frequently and normally reflecting the views of the blog's creator.www.worldwidelearn.com/elearning-essentials/elearning-glossary.htm

Web LOG is a journal kept on the internet. This journal is often updated daily and contains all information that the person maintaining the BLOG (Blogger) wishes to share with the world. Also applies to websites dedicated to a particular topic and being updated with the latest news, views and trends.www.optymise.co.nz/resources/glossary.asp

Wisdom from my father.

Some days
Some days you become weary. Really rest for a while, not too long, then get back on track with renewed vigor and purpose. Some days you become satisfied. Be careful not to let that stop you; build enthusiastically on what you have accomplished. The greatest value is of no value if it is not put to use. Some days you'll be sad. Take comfort in knowing that your sadness is possible only because joy is also possible. It is painful and yet it is beautiful that you're able to care so much. You'll get through it. Some days will be frustrating. Though you have the best of intentions, though you make a genuine effort, the results fall short of the mark. Learn from these days. Take a deep breath. Know you're making progress even if it doesn't seem so. Some days will be joyful. Treasure these days. Live them completely and with no remorse. They are yours to live and to hold as well. Fully experience them so that they will be with you always.
-- Ralph Marston

Megan

I have been truly blessed with some amazing friends. I am going to take a moment to thank Megan and her family and their church. They have made it there personal mission to help me get through this illness. They have sent friends to my home who have sat with me and prayed for me. Megan's mother who met me once has repeatedly called me and sent me encouraging emails with personalized prayers for me to pray. Megan has been a friend for the last 5 years since we met online when we had our first miscarriages. We supported and cried with each other. We later became pregnant 4 months apart. Last year she lost her beautiful daughter Victoria at I believe was 25 weeks gestation. Even though she has had a Hugh loss in her life and recently gave birth to her son Harry she has prayed for me and been there for me with calls and emails. She has let me know that I am not alone. You know what I can feel it. I am calmer and free to prepare myself for the upcoming events. I am blessed to have people in my life who understand that I am just one person dealing with a lot of stress. That I can only do so much and have only so much space in my head. She is my love and I am blessed to have her in my life. There are so many of you please do not think I have forgotten you I just wanted you to know about my sweet Megan.

Home is where the heart is...

You got 14 days what you get another day older and deeper in debt...

Only 14 days until we're home. Doctor appointments have been made and insurance has been called. Rose and I will be flying 27 hours on our own. I hate to fly and typically have a panic attack while on the flight. So I am praying hard that I can handle the first 15 hours and then last few will be cake. Pray baby squishy gets off my bladder and Rose doesn't drink to much and sleeps most of the flight. Pray I can keep it together. (I do much better when someone is relying on me to keep it together). Liam will be coming home around my birthday so we are hoping his parents will come up for a vist. When we leave I will be 24 weeks pregnant and much closer to delievery. So Liam will be looking for a new house while Rose and I are away. So when we get home we will be in a home that will be ready to outfit 4.

The things I want to do while home

Things I want to do and eat while home.

1. Go to bath and body works and buy stuff!

2. Eat at Taco Bell several times a week

3. Eat a panera bread

4. Eat at Quidoba

5. Go to Hartwood acres

6. See a movie

7. Eat at Applebees

8. Go to Micheals and spend money

9. See Suzers baby 1 day after she is born

10. Have a real Christmas holiday snow and everything

11. Reconnect with Family and friends

12. Eat at Eat N Park

13. Go to Boarders and sit

14. Have cake for breakfast

15. Know the sex of my baby

16. Learn something new like knitting

17. Eat at Arbys

18. Eat at Denny's

19. Laugh so hard I cry or pee myself which ever comes first

20. Relax and not worry about money

21. Feel like I belong

22. See Rose on Christmas morning with her meemaw and popop

23. Laugh and cry so hard it last a whole year.

24. Bake Christmas cookies

25. See friends from out of town

26. Eat my moms Cincinnati Chili and homemade spaghetti

27. Be surrounded by love!

There can be only one!

Let the quickening begin! Yes baby Bosley has let its self be known. There can be only one bladder and I'm going to sit on it! You mommy will never rest longer then 10 min without having to pee! I am Highlander baby warrier! I love to bounce and there is nodda you can do about it!

A patch

embroidered butterfly on Rose's hand made quilt. I had started making this quilt strangely enough when I went blind the first time. I am trying to get it done before the new baby arrives. The quilt is done I am just finishing up the finer details. Pictures to follow.

Green Reader

Rose wanted me to tell everyone on my bloggy thinging that she moved up into the green readers at school. She is now reading 2o some page books that actually have a story and not just a string of words. Reading is so Roses thing. She loves to do it as often as she can. So hurray for Rose! Coming from a family of readers we couldn't be prouder!

Please take the time to read.

Ann Marie just left after a nice vist with her and her 1 year old daughter Sienna ( beautiful little red head). Boy did she have a Saturday! It has come to my attention that some rather unhelpful comments have been left on the blog. First off everyone in Adelaide knows you don't want to go to RAH because of the clientele they receive (mostly alcoholics and drug addicts) on any given night the bays are filled with people sleeping it off with police guards sitting near by reading books. The doctors and nurses are great! Even the orderlies are talkative and friendly.

That being said I do make comments about my daughter Rose because at that moment that is how I am feeling. I am on bed rest and this is my only contact with the outside world. I love my daughter and unborn baby more then life its self and I would be willing to die for either of them. My little one Rose is a well adjusted 4 year old who likes to push her limits (hello she's 4). She is also apart of the gifted and talented program and will be starting 1st grade 2 weeks after she turns five so she is smarter then the adverage bear. Which if you are a mother of a G and T you know they posse their own set of difficulties. They can speak and manipulate like a child 4 or 5 years old then their chronological age and yet have the social skills of child much younger leaving their emotional state somewhere in between. Rose's father and I love each other a lot and have been through 6 major moves, 3 miscarriages and put each other through college not to mention the medical problems that have plagued us of late. We work as a team and have in the past week resolved our daughters behavior problem. We are not abusive but firm and loving.

As for my mental state. Everyone has their good and bad days. When you are told you have to pay more money then you have in the bank to pay for a procedure you have to have you have a bad day. I am a big believer in prayer. God and my husband and daughter and even this tiny little person living in me help me everyday. I have strength because of them but that doesn't mean I don't get down and I have a right to complain as much as I want because this is my blog and I need an outlet its not like I can go out to coffee with my girlfriends and have good cry. This is my sanctuary my release. My time to say what I want with out judgment. I don't mind comments being left on the blog its your rights too. But I have as of today turned on the right not to publish comments I don't see helpful or respectful of me or my family.

If you have been lurking and recently left a comment that was not published don't feel I have in anyway disrespected you. I appreciate people coming out of the woodwork! I would just hope you would take the time to read the whole blog and not just take my recent body of work as my life. I have been very sick for nearly 3 weeks and so my blog will reflect my current situation.

Have a sense of humor! The art of never making a mistake is crucial to motherhood. To be effective and to gain the respect she needs to function, a mother must have her children believe she has never engaged in sex, never made a bad decision, never caused her own mother a moment's anxiety, and was never a child. Erma Bombeck

the plan

Howdy folks, Spousal Unit here again.

My Mrs. is currently resting in the hospital after another spinal tap this afternoon. They hit a nerve (again), but she is handling it like the trooper she is.

I must say that while there must be some sort of universal law against effeciency in hospitals, the folks in the trenches here in OZ seem to be more polite and considerate. With the singular exception of the gal at the private hospital who tried to guilt Morgan into paying a lot of money up front for a proceedure we got for free, (sort of, the PUBLIC hospital is progressive enough to bill our international insurance directly, while the private [read: for profit] hospital isn't) the folks here have been fairly helpful and understanding.

What has been frustrating is that every Doc we talk to immediately (seriously, every time!) mentions that if we were to aport the pregnancy they could treat her, and potentially try a diferrent operation that could cure her. I understand their point medically, but what I don't understand is thier reluctance to discuss treatment options that allow us to keep the baby first and only then discuss the alternatives. That seems rather callous to me, especially after hearing it for the ninth time.

We are sane enough to know that tomorrow may put us in a position to consider what we simply cannot consider today, but Morgan and I are in complete agreement that our goal is to keep both mama and baby around for as long as possible. The docs have all grudgingly agreed that we do have options (like our current regimine of regular LP's) to do just this.

As for the travel plans, it is looking like Morgan and Rose will be headed for Pittsburgh on Thanksgiving, and I will follow after my semester wraps in mid December. I have to return around the second week of '07, and the girls return will likely be toward the end of January, assuming that we have no medical complications.

So at the moment, we are rolling according to plan. Insurance is doing what it is supposed to, baby is kicking, Rose is getting better, Morgan is coping as best she can, and I am the anchor.

Let's hope there no new storms on the horizon.

In a fit of hopefullness this afternoon while Morgan was in the O.R., I bought a lottery ticket for her.

Perhaps our prayers have already been answered...

S.U.

The Money Pit

I am the money pitt. I just spoke to the hospital where I was suppose to have my LP done and they said I need to pay 1,440 dollars up front on Friday. I then nicely explained "we don't have that kind of money floating around and to cancel the appointment". She then told me to contact family in the states to borrow money. I said "that ridiculous nobody has that money and I am not calling family for it.". She said this is too important to give up like this somebody must have the money. "No we don't" I stated in the calmest voice I had. Then proceeded to cry. "Just cancel the appointment we don't have the money." She retorted with "You'll go blind if you don't have this". No shit Sherlock. So tomorrow I will be back in the emergency room of Royal Adelaide Hospital where they will take my insurance and my will to live (this hospital has been described to me as the place healthy people go to die). I must have been one hell of a person in a past life to be dealt these cards. I don't know what to do anymore. I can't get the medical help I need and when they do speak to us its never anything good. I am at wits end. My body and brain can't handle much more of this. They have me terrified that they will sacrifice the baby at 20 some weeks just to cut into me. They have me fearing we will be living in a hole soon all because my brain wont absorb fluid like its suppose to. I don't know how much more this little family can take.