Connor Mack Jones, May 25, 2007

Words can not begin to describe the depths of emotion and love that I felt from the moment Tasha pointed out Conner's head coming through the birth canal. I had never expierenced a vaginal delivery and for me this was completely extraordinary. Janelle wasn't due till June 10-15th but her blood pressure rose, and her blood work showed that she her liver was not producing enough enzymes. Her condition is similar to preclampsia but is known as H.E.L.P. It is all complicating and the point is that my nephew was born on Friday May 25th at 11:52 am and he weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and was 20 inches long. He had to have oxygen after delivery due to his cord being wrapped around his neck twice. He was also a little sluggish due to the magnesium that Janelle had to have in order to get her blood palettes back up and her liver enzymes normal. It makes the mother and the baby very very very drowsy. Needless to say he is in rare newborn shape and nursing. I spent the night with them at the hospital last night to help Connor nurse and to support my sister. I am tired but the two hours he slept on my chest were irreplacablable. I love this aunt thing, and finally know what it is to love another besides your own. These pictures aren't the best but he has black hair and is very cute!!!! Look for updates from the rest of his huge family.

Bachelor of Arts, Degree in History

Saturday was my graduation from HSU. Friday before graduation my family and I attended an All Nations Graduation where all Native American students who are active on campus received their sashes. The sashes are to be worn at graduation and they symbolize Native American leadership and role models. The ceremony was extremely emotional but deeply personal. My grandmother awarded me my sash and wrote a wonderful speech.

Saturday morning I graduated at 8:30am and I couldn't sleep the night before and I was ready to go at 5:00am. I got ready for the graduation and Grandma took a picture of Travis and I before he took me to school. I wore a traditional cap instead of the other black whatever its called. After graduation my family and I immediately went to the history reception and I received an award for my senior seminar paper. In all the hustle and bustle we didn't get very many pictures after the reception. Oh well.... I wanted one with Travis and the kids for a Thank You card.

After graduation we all headed back to my house where we had a Party. It was so so so much fun. They were eighty people here and we all laughed and cried and celebrated education. I really hope that I can inspire one person, old or young to continue their education. I felt that I could give up so many times and that it would be fine to work in an office from 8-5 but I didn't accept average. Everyone has a passion and a purpose that will make them happy but they have to work hard to nurture their talents, it isn't going to be an easier pathway. That was a rant...

I am having an okay week. I am glad to be done with school but I have to make some changes to a paper and then it will be ready for the President of HSU and the Barnum trustees. Work is getting busier, and Travis is getting ready to go back to work. Saturday night my mom and me head to Napa for a couple of days and I can't wait. Have a great summer.

Birthday Bash!!!!!

Today was Cole and Carly's birthday party. I am exhausted and right now there are people over watching the Mayweather vs. De la hoya fight. It was a very much birthday. I made the kids a birthday cake that was similar to a cow. My aunt had made a horse cake for my cousin and she made it pound cake. It was delicous and inspired me. I made the cake on Friday and frosted in before the party. It was cute and thank God my sister Janelle helped me with the finishing touches.

We had hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, and macaroni salad. It was all very good, and I am bias. The weather was terrific, a little windy but very nice. Travis said that at one point he counted 27 adults and there was at least 15-20 kids. Our new playground got it use. Vickie saddled up Speck, Heidi's horse because Stumpey Cole and Carly's pony was being uncooperative. All the kids got to ride the horse and after cake and ice cream they even roped the billy goat. Yes, we have all these animals and no we don't have to rent animals. Next weekend is my graduation party and I thank God that it is going to be catered. Cole and Carly are exhausted and they are truly very loved....Thank you to all of our family and friends that bought them wonderful gifts and spent the afternoon with us.

Carly is 2 !!!!

Two years ago today my little girl was born at 1:45pm. I remember the Monday night before my scheduled C-section so clearly, we had dinner at Grandma Lois and Grandpa John's and then I went home to try and sleep. I was nervous but I knew very clearly what a c-section was like.

To make a long story short, Carly was my easy nurser, sleeper, and mellow child until about 6 months when she got mobile. She has had a difficult time realizing that I am the boss...but these past two weeks she has listened wonderfully. I love her hair in pigtails and the way she tells me she wants to kiss my cheeks? I would have another 100 of her anyday (Okay, just one) Happy Birthday Carly Ann Carmesin

Weekend Yardwork

-These pics are of Cole feeding our calves that we have at our house right now.....

Well, this weekend was nice. I had been telling Travis all week that we needed to finish our projects around the yard. We have Cole and Carly's birthday party this weekend and then we have my graduation party the following weekend. I am going to take some pictures of our landscaping to post. This afternoon I finished my senior seminar paper!!!! I am glad to be finished with it. I am also submitting it to a local history contest. It is just for fun since I worked very hard on it. I have one more paper to write and another to finish and then I will be done with my work for the semester. My last day of classes are on Thursday and I can't wait. Cole and Carly have both been really awesome lately.

Friday night, Travis and I took the kids to the Sea Grill for dinner. I wanted to spend some quiet time with Travis but I miss my kids because I have been doing so much school work. They were both good and we had some quality family time. It is nice to have time with just the four of us. It is hard some times because we want to see our extended families..

Janelle had her shower last weekend and of course I forgot my camera. I got sick from abalone the night before her shower and was a little out of sorts. I think she has six more weeks to go. I am jazzed to be an aunt and to see his little face. Cole and Carly are really in to babies and it is going to be interesting to see how they interact with him.

Oh yeah, I got accepted into the credential program at HSU for the fall!!!!! I should be hearing from Sunnybrae Middle School any day. I am excited to graduate but have two very busy weeks. Well, I will keep everyone posted.

I finally got my camera back and was going through my pictures and realized these pics of Carly were super "cute." She is growing up so fast and in two weeks she will be 2 years old. Her attitude seems to be improving everyday but she has her moments. I love her more with every sweet moment. I can't believe that her skin is still so soft, because Cole is all boy and no matter how much lotion I put on him he still isn't baby soft. His softness is in the inside!!!HA. Today, Travis drove to Fort Bragg to dive for Abalone and he got home this afternoon. Cole spent the day with my dad and they went to Willow Creek, and they said that we have five new baby calfs... I am excited for our new calfs. Carly spent the day at Annie's and I was so excited to hear that she was good. I don't want it to seem that she is bad, but she has a strong personality and I wonder sometimes if the way she acts with Cole is the way she is with others. I remember growing up that my mom always thought that we were guilty until proven innocent and I know that is how I am with Cole and Carly. I will not be a parent that thinks there kids are perfect and defends them without finding out the truth. I think that you should support your children but if they do something wrong I will correct them and not make excuses. I think parenting without excuses begins even when they are little because how do you not make excuses for them when they are older...Just a thought or maybe a ramble, oh well. I hope everyone has a great week.......

Easter Weekend

The newest member of our family is Taylor Lee. She was born on April 1st to Lily Lee Davarais (McCullough). She is beautiful and Lily is doing fabulous. I had the chance to see Taylor on Saturday and Janelle and I are going over tomorrow to stay the night with her.

I am horrible at keeping up with my pictures. I took my camera to Shasta Lake this past weekend but I was too lazy to get it out of the case and take some pictures. I promise to try and be better. Thursday, John and Vickie took Cole and Carly over to Redding and then Travis and I met up with them after I got done with school. We took our trailer to Shasta Lake again and went bass fishing over the weekend. This past weekend our family all came over to Shasta and we had Easter dinner Saturday night and there was 40 people there. It was great... Saturday consisted of a family bass tournament and coloring Easter eggs. We didn't pack up and leave till Monday morning. Carly stayed at Shasta with John and Vickie and Cole came home to go to preschool. Tomorrow when Janelle and I go visit Lily I am going to pick up Carly and Cole is going to get to stay and going fishing with his grandparents. I am very lucky to have such wonderful inlaws. We had a wonderful Easter and I am looking forward to warm weather.

This weekend I am hoping to work in my yard and plant some flowers and possibly plant some roses and a couple trees by our new dog kennel. I know that sounds kind of funny but I will have to post a couple of pictures of our new and improved dog kennel. Oh that reminds me we had our first baby calf for this year!!!! We put our bull in with our cows in June and we just had our first calf which is right on schedule. I might have to turn the digital camera over to Travis because he is better at taking pictures. Well I hope everyone is enjoying Spring and I am sure everyone is excited for Summer.....

Update

Okay, the school semester is closing in on me and I have been working on two papers and still have a project to complete. I have five weeks of school left and need to make sure I don't waste any valuable study time. Cole is doing well in Preschool and seems to not be as shy as when he first began. Carly is forever spunky and her and Cole are best friends.... Travis has been working around our house to complete some projects before he goes back to work. He poured cement for our dog kennel and he also enlarged the kids playground and put more pea gravel into it. My parent's are getting ready to go to Rome on Thursday for 13 days. I am very excited for them but I am going to miss them. Well I wanted to say hi to everyone and give a Crazy Carmesin update and I will try to post more frequently...

Vacation Part 2

The pictures below are from our fishing trip to Shasta Lake. They are late but I think the one with Carly is priceless.

Vacation

I know what everyone is thinking...Where are all of my pictures from the week? Well, I forgot my camera in our travel trailer which is in Redding...I am sorry and promise to post as soon as Travis gets back from his boys weekend fishing in a couple of weeks. I am excited to share all of our fishing stories with everyone.

I had a great week. We left early Friday morning and Travis pulled our trailer and I took my car and pulled the boat over to Shasta Lake. I was excited to get away from school and work and just spend time with Travis and my kids. We made it over to the lake in the afternoon after lunch in Redding and some quick stops for "fishing lures!" As soon as we reached Jones Valley we picked out our site and we loaded the kids into the boat. I was a little nervous to see how they would act on the boat but I soon found out. They were very excited and a few time Travis and I looked at eachother and tooks some really deep breaths. The next morning I went to Wal-Mart and bought a strap on highchair and Travis rigged Carly's seat into the boat. To make a long story short the kids were fabulous in the boat and Carly made it 6 hours on the lake one day.

I finished two books, laid in the sun, and ate way too much. As a side note I am currently addicted to CHEESE and costco was selling this gourmet cheese made by Yancy Fancy and like everything that costco does they discontinued it. I found the cheese online and I ordered a bunch. I have to wait two days for it to ship. Yes, she will ship well!!! Now I must hit the treadmill to be able to soak myself in cheese!!!HA.

Back to our vacation, We packed up Thursday morning dropped our trailer off to get a water leak fixed at the RV dealer and then we had lunch and made our way home. I have been doing laundry since we got home and didn't realize how much I would have. I will probably think of more to post once I have my stupid camera....

Potty Trained????

Okay, my sisters would all say that I need to post pictures each time I blog but, hey they aren't the only ones who I type to....Anyway, Carly is officially potty trained!!!!! Everyone always said that Girls were easier than boys but they have never met my daughter!!! Learning to go on the potty has been one of the only things that she hasn't been stubborn with. One day she just pottied and the rest is down the drain!ha She is wearing a pull-up at night but undies all day. Cole has been potty trained since 2 years old and he still wears a pull-up at night. I just wanted to share with everyone that when I didn't stress about Carly doing everything when "expected" she relaxed and taught herself. I am not kidding myself, this is one point for missy but I am still the boss for a couple more years!ha

Update

Hello, Everyone just an update on what the Carmesins' have been doing lately.... I had my first interview with the social science committee on Saturday. It went well, and was a lot easier than I expected. They asked each canidate 5 generic questions and then 1 specific question to the lesson plan that I had created. The questions weren't hard and I felt that they represented who I wanted to be as a teacher. On Sunday, we went to church, lunch, and then while the kids were napping Travis and I worked on getting our travel trailer all situated for next week. We are taking the kids to Shasta Lake to go bass fishing. I LOVE IT!! I love fish tacos (Yes, they are good, not fishy...) We go every year around this time and Cole is extremely excited to go. I have spring break so it will be nice to get away. Sunday afternoon we took Cole and Carly and our dog, Tippy, to the beach. It was a nice day for Mckinleyville and the kids had a blast. Since we are going to be gone next week I am having to work a lot to make sure the office is taken care and trying to get a firm grasp on my homework before the break. I need to dedicate what time I spend doing anything related to school on studying for my CSET tests that I take March 17th.... Anyway, I have midterms this week and then .....Graduation.

Oh yeah, Cole is starting preschool March 19th!!!! He is going to go to Dows Prairie Children's center. I have met the teacher several times and feel great about it. We went yesterday to pick up some paperwork and Cole was shy but warmed up really quick and then didn't want to leave. He is going to go two days a week in the mornings. I think it is going to be great for him to go somewhere that he isn't related to everyone and has a lot of interaction. He told me when we were leaving that "Mom, there isn't a lot of kids at my school." I said no there isn't, compared to the 25 2-3year olds in the church nursery! I think he warmed up quickly because there wasn't a load of kids. It was 8:30 and there was about 6. Wish us luck on our vacation and i'll post some cute pics when we get back

I have had a busy week. Cole and Carly have been really sick this past week. They both got flu shots this year but this flu was lethal. Vickie is out of town this week in Hawaii and thankfully my mom had school off because she watched the kids for me. I don't know how I would do it without the support of my family. I would manage but I would definately have to downsize my school load. Anyway, Travis has been working at the ranch in Salyer for the past couple of weeks and everything is looking great. My dad and Travis's dad ripped all the blackberries out and now Travis is rebuilding the rotten fence. School is going okay I have an interview for the credential program on Saturday. I had to submit a lesson plan on the Cold War in under five days and now we have an interview with two members of a committee and they will ask me questions specifically about my lesson plan. I am nervous but I have reread my lesson a couple times and at least I have the chance to expand my vision instead of the committee just reading it and that being it. I take two more tests on March 17th and I have to pass them. These tests are required to be accepted into the credential program and they are tough. I have one class at school that is very fun and that is the psychology of women. The class is funny and interesting and doesn't require extra out of class thought! I hope everyone has a great week and March is almost here......

Weekend Getaway

Hello Everyone, well it seems I don't like to blog unless there is something great going on or I've done something fun. This last weekend, my sisters, my mom, and my grandma went to Calistoga to a bed in breakfast/Spa. We drove down Friday afternoon, met my grandma at the hotel and had a late dinner. Saturday morning we got up and headed for our treatments. We all received massages, and mud/lavender hydrotherapy baths. We got into the hot tub, sauna, and laughed a lot. We drove from Calistoga to Napa which is about 30 minutes and did some shopping. We stayed at the Mount View hotel and Spa which is in downtown Calistoga. The website is www.mountviewhotel.com if anyone wants to see it. It was a great weekend and I loved shopping. Eddie Bauer is my new favorite store because they sell petite jeans that aren't too short and I don't have to have them hemmed. I also like their clothes because I will be able to wear them into the classroom, when I finish school!!!

School is going and I have to write 15 pages of my 25 page paper in two weeks so I'll probably be very stressed, but "this too shall pass." Carly is sick right now, and I have been up with her all night. Travis took the kids to Trees of Mystery on Sunday while I was gone and took some really cute pictures. He used his camera which isn't digital that is why I didn't post them. Well, life is going by and I am poking along. I hope everyone had a great valentines day.

I haven't blogged in awhile because school has started. This is my last last undergraduate semester and I am really excited. I have only 12 units this semester but it feels like 20 again. I have a senior seminar class in history where I have to write 25 pages. This may not seem that bad, but all historians know that 25 pages will range in the hundreds of footnote citations. Anyway, back to something more interesting...

Life has been pretty much the same lately. We had a superbowl get together yesterday and my mom wanted to do a football pool. We laughed really hard every time my mother-in-law would try to figure out who was going to win the pool. We ate prime rib, for the main course and last night when Travis and I went to bed we both felt like we had gained 10lbs.

Carly and I start Tadpole swim lessons tonight and she is going to love it. She is a water dog!!!!! Cole and I went last year and he hung on to my neck the entire time. I am looking forward to seeing one of the many differences between my children. I am not looking forward to a swim suit!

I know this has been a random blog, but sometimes those are necessary!!!

Thursday Nights

Yesterday, was a very long day....... Wednesday night my Babywise child was up all night!!!!!! How can that be.HA. We spent the night in Willow Creek at my parents' house because Travis was working up there, and Carly woke up crying every hour. She is going through a phase where she is scared of the dark and I think that contributed to her tantrums. Anyway, at about 6:00 on Thursday, I was feeling a mommy meltdown coming. How can that be since I was at school most of the day and I had just picked the kids up at 4:30? I told myself, "Danielle, it's close to 7:30" After baths and books those little rascals were off to bed. Times like yesterday are always good birthcontrol.HA. I finally sat down on the couch and realized my angry mood was from exhaustion and I thought back to my pre-babywise days or sleep days for that matter and remembered why they say "A tired mom is not a good mom" I know everyone is thinking I'm always tired, does that mean I am not a good mom? No, it means that we need rest, and it's vital to being able to withstand mommy meltdowns! Well, there is my random thoughts. The real reason for this post was that I can make it through Thursdays because Friday is next and because of GREY'S ANATOMY!!!!!

Last nights episode of Grey's was an emotional one. George's dad died and everyone felt the effects of it. It was a tear jerker. What is going on with Christina and Dr. Burke? Did anyone else feel that when she finally heard him tell Dr. Shepard he hadn't had anymore tremors, that he had won? Well, I love that show, and can't wait for Prison Break on Monday and Survivor soon...

Mommy Weekend

So this is what happens when Mom is away. I noticed my camera in a different spot when I got home this weekend and I checked the pics out, and this is what I found..... I can't complain because the kids were clean, the house was tidy, and I didn't receive any emergency phone calls while I was away.

My Mom and I left Friday night and stayed at Benbow Inn. It was both our first times there and it was a blast. Saturday morning we got up and headed to healdsburg. We shopped, went wine tasting, and relaxed. Sunday morning we each had spa treatments at our AWESOME hotel (hotel healdsburg) The beds were too die for! After our treatments we relaxed soaking up our hotel room and then we headed to Santa Rosa to finish our shopping. We got home around 7:00 and the kids had just had baths and were VERY excited to see Mommy. I am well rested and relaxed and I am ready for School tomorrow. I had a blast, and if anyone has been to any great spa's in California let me know. We have another girl's weekend in February!

I always have a hard time thinking of what to title my posts.. Anyway, today is Thursday and I stayed home with the kids today. I worked only two days this week and soaked up my children the rest of the time. I thinking working a couple days a week is great. It gives me time to run errands, have some adult time, and really enjoy my days home. I've stayed busy with naps, vet appointments, keeping the house clean, and making dinner. I vowed this week to enjoy being at home because school starts next week. I have a few more things to do to finish my credential application and that is what I need to get done before Feb. 1st.

Travis came home on Tuesday and said that he thought I should call some of my friends up and see if they wanted to get away for the weekend? He thought since this was the weekend before I went back to school that I should enjoy it and have some alone time. At first I was like, I don't want to go anywhere, and then after I talked to my mom I SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY. Needless to say... Mom and me are going to Benbow on Friday night because she has a gift certificate, and then Saturday we are off to Cloverdale to a bed and breakfast/Spa and maybe some wine tasting. Sunday we're going to do some shopping and come home in the afternoon. I AM EXCITED.... My husband is great, and I need to remember these moments when he wants to go...oh say...HUNTING!!! I'll report how our weekend was when I get back...

Okay, so I lied.... I said that since school was over I would be able to blog a lot more frequently and I have blogged a lot less. Our holidays were busy and I can't emphasize how much I have enjoyed being off of school. I have one more week of normalcy and I am going to soak it up. I had a great Christmas and so did the kids. Travis made me an adorable coffee mug with pictures of the whole family. He was very excited about it and I loved it. I also got a new computer, it is an apple and I am having difficulty putting pictures on my blog. Cole got a backhoe for Christmas and Carly got her own kitchen. They really enjoyed opening their presents and Cole said he was happy that it was Jesus's birthday.

After Christmas we went to Lone Pine for 4 days and rode 4-wheelers and Cole and Travis went Pig hunting. They had a great time and I had fun as well. The kids are growing up and getting easier. Note. I said easier not easy! ha.

I got to visit with Lindsey and Izzy on Friday and that was a special treat. I miss Linds a lot. In high school I remember laying on our beds and daydreaming about everything. Linds is doing just what she's always wanted to do, leading an exotic life. (I consider exotic, anything outside McKinleyville...ha.) Love ya Linds.