Hells Angel has clean teeth.

Today I was once again reminded that my little baby was no longer that. He called me from his dad's house to tell me about his day. He went to the dentist and had his first cleaning (second trip), for his efforts he was rewarded with a goodie bag. "mom, mom, Dr Mushroom (monfort) gave me a goodie bag for doing so good, and mom - mom, it has TWO flosses, TWO!!! and the (Colgate) total toothpaste, that i always wanted! Mom, I'll go back again"

On top of that he rode his bike this weekend for the first time without training wheels. I think the ice skating aided the balance. I've posted the video evidence. It was all i could do to not let the girly emotions take over.

I hold myself in contempt! Why should you be any different?

I am writing for the sole purpose of venting. I have had it. I'm done. I am mentally exhausted. Ryan still hasn't removed me from the loan. He lacks credit and his debt ratio is too high to do a "qualified assumption" or refinance, no one will co-sign on the loan with him (can you blame them) the only other option is to sell. The house doesn't have enough equity and would end up being a short sale or just get foreclosed on.

This has been going on for over 2 years. As part of the decree he was given 1 year to refinance, because he hasn't I can have a contempt order issued. If he declares bankruptcy, which is a very real possibility, it will hurt my credit. It'll look like I have a judgement against me. I can provide all of my paperwork to the credit report agencies and hope that they will read it and note my score.

Ryan tried to do a loan modification, which would also negatively affect my credit and still keep me tied to the house. He did all that under the guise that it would remove me from the loan. After 2 hours on the phone with 7 different people I confirmed that I would still be attached.

To top it off, I listened to him scream at me and rant over how this is my fault. That I want him to live on the streets, etc. It's ridiculous. I feel helpless and useless. I'm screwed either way. I hate this. I hate being reminded that I was stupid enough to marry this person. I'm stuck and have extremely limited options and none of them are a clear choice.

DISNEYLAND

Hello all - we're just back from our fantastic Disneyland Adventure. We had a magical time. We started our lovely trip in the Economy Parking Lot at the Portland International Airport - PDX. Matt's truck was parked in a light rain in W-3. We got to ride the first of many buses to the terminal where Owen asked, "why Matt's truck not coming with us?" We waited in NO line at the check-in, got our tickets without incident, checked our bags and proceeded to security. This is where the only meltdown of the entire trip occurred. We got in line, removed our shoes and were at screening in no time. We placed all our items in the bins and put them on the belt. Owen then started crying crocodile size tears - "I don't want Elmo to go in the shoe place." So of course Elmo goes through and the security guys are very nice and one gets on his knees to comfort him and they rushed Elmo through and walked him over to him, I thought that was pretty nice. We got some lunch and purchased a plane for O, then got to get right on ours. The flight attendants let him meet the captain. We got settled into our seats and Matt's internal anxiety set in along with O's hatred for being detained. It was a short wait and we were taxiing down the runway - with a "Bye Buoy's Airplanes" we lifted off with ease. O loved it and had his cheeseball grin and wanted one more time. Matt quietly held in all of his uneasiness.

The flight down was pretty smooth with only about 2 minutes of mildly rough air. O slept most of the way and Matt calmed down too. We landed and proceeded to get our bags and car. My bag got misplaced somewhere, but they found it quickly for Matt. I was busy using what little feminine wiles I have to procure our chariot - aka PT CRUISER!

So we're off to meet my parents at the hotel in our fancy car and we got to drive on the 5 for about 10 minutes - the whole trip took about 30 minutes, not too bad considering. After we got settled in and had dinner we went for a swim and Owen kinda hated it. He didn't want to be in it for more than about 5 minutes. I kept in him for 15, but it was pulling teeth.

Thursday we woke up early and thus the Disneyland adventure began. We got to the happiest place on earth via a shuttle bus, which incidentally we could have rode non-stop for three days and O would have had just as much fun. Thursday was great, we didn't have to wait in line for too long anywhere. We rode teacups, Mr. Toad's wild ride, a carousal, the Matterhorn, roger rabbit's something or another, and a few more. The boys all went back to the hotel for nap time and mom and I rode a few more rides.

Friday proved to be much busier everywhere. There were more crowds and it was hotter. We rode more rides and the Disneyland Express and the Monorail. In-between we - wait for it - a dramatic pause is needed - we had lunch with Ariel the Little Mermaid. Not only did we get to meet her, we got to meet, Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and someone else. To add to the amusement, Owen was the ONLY little boy in the whole place. He ate it up, he loved seeing all the ladies. He told them all how pretty they were and gave them kisses and hugs. It was super cute.

Later that night we went on Pirates of the Caribbean and also saw the fireworks, O and Matt both liked them a lot.

Saturday was pretty low key, we packed and loaded up the cars first thing and then headed to the bus again. On our last day we rode the old time firetruck and pirates again. Then O got to meet Lightening and Mater. We had to stand in line to meet them (big surprise), we took pictures. Then he forgot to give them their loves, so we waited in line again. This is when it got super cute. He went right up to them and gave them kisses and hugs - all of the locals, "ahhhhhed" and swooned. We also went and saw a 4D show called "it's tough being a bug." He was pretty blown away but the 3 of the 4D's.

This picture was taken during the "princess lunch" Matt learned this look from my father - it is affectionately know as the "Disney Face."

6 days and counting...

Well it's 6 days until Disneyland and we are all super excited. In reality the excitement is probably similar to Kathy's 3 bears story, that O loves so much... Only Matt and O would be flip flopped.

We had a fabulous time at the beach this weekend it was a little bit busier than the trips usually are, but enjoyable none the less. We were at the children's Loyalty Day Parade on Saturday. One of O's favorites was the Ilwaco firetrucks with Murphy. Murphy lures the kids in and acts like he is stuck on the curb, then squirts them in the face. This was one of my favorites from the weekend.

Here's a couple other pictures that I thought you would like. I'm really glad that these clowns didn't come after Owen a la William... Rest assured if they did I would have opened a giant can on them and made them my B's.

Before the Parade we hung out at the bookstore with Karla.

Here's Harper looking very photogenic.

Here's O at the Big Loyalty Day Parade on Sunday in Longbeach. He is so excited to be on the fire truck. Matt and O even got to ride up front with Dale. Shortly after this there was a major meltdown that only Matt got to enjoy. Dale took the truck back to Chinook and the rest of us were back at the parade headquarters. So think of that while you're watching the smiling laughing baby.

10 days and counting

Loyalty day is coming up, it's right around the corner. We're all getting excited especially at the prospect of nice weather that weekend. Owen is looking forward to the firetruck ride(s) and has requested a yellow helmet like Dale. I'm hoping that the Dollar Store still has them. I mean really we can't have him wear his black one or one of the 10 red ones.... no. no. We NEED yellow, just like DAY- yell!

I'm hoping to have new batteries for the camera by then. I didn't have many pictures from the Easter Beach Fun, because they crapped out. If anyone wants video from the weekend let me know. Thanks Kelli for sharing your pics!

Superhero Montage

Owen has many disguises at our house, Spiderman, Superman and Batman are our current favorites. We also have our Handyman gear and our Fireman outfit... But as the title suggests this is a superhero montage.

Spiderman is showing everyone his friends - It's a WA ST Trooper Car. I really like the face he looks soooooo serious.

Everyone goes potty - EVEN Superman!

Even Batman needs a rest.

Fireman Superman starts the fires with his laser vision then puts them out.

Spiderman is webbing everything, even though he looks like he's just flexing.

Batman, Spiderman and Bike Boy

I don't' have a lot to say, but I do have a video of Owen riding his bike. It's from last weekend and already the wiggle wiggle of his butt has diminished.





Owen or rather Batman has been really tired lately, this was twice this week. He's getting ready to grow again... Eating and sleeping and eating. Both times he was watching TV for about 5 minutes and was completely passed out.

Since super heroes are "our" new thing we also had a visit from Spiderman. He was webbing up a storm. Possibly the cutest picture is of Spiderman holding the police car with his best police man face.