A Day of Love

Thanks to all my sweet friends for sharing all their fun Valentine's day ideas. I got busy at midnight and my kids loved it. It was worth the loss of sleep. The highlight of the day was heart attacking (in a nice way) grandma and grandpa's. Bedroom door.

Each Kid got their own personalized place mat and Valentine from Mom and Dad

 Conversation Hearts Hanging from  their bedroom doors 

(each has a personalized one from mom and one from dad). There are some basic fun ones too.

Love this sweet girl. Kaila woke up and saw all the decorations and came to give me a big hug and to say "Thank you!" It doesn't get much better than that.

Love Glenn's little hand shaped heart

She was so excited about her Valentine from mom and dad

Yummy French toast breakfast 

One bonus about having 32 kids in your class...lots of Valentine's

 Valentines from Preschool! The kids LOVED the "long term stickers" (tatoos) and Addie LOVED the little Sophia notebook and bubbles the most.

Goodie bags from school 

Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's

 Each kid decorated about 12 hearts each for Grandma and Grandpa's door.  We put it on their bedroom door instead of their front door so Grandma would be able to see it frequently and know how loved she is.  The kids LOVED doing this.  Addie was the most excited jumping up and down while putting up the hearts saying, "Grandma is going to be so excited."  "Grandma is ..."  Ending with "Grandma is going to be jealous."  I think she couldn't think of another word to explain how much Grandma was going to love it.  How I love that little girl.  It made me think of how much joy service can bring to us.  Addie had a fun day receiving things but the most excited she got was by serving someone else.  LOVE IT!!

 Showing Grandma and Grandpa their door

Traditional Heart Shaped Pizza for V-day

Glenn's two story castle

Testing out Grandma's new wheels

So Tired...

Oh so tired!!! That seems to be the state of my being right now. I'm hoping to feel some energy again soon though that might not be until mid September when Kevin's finished with work if he gets this next job which I'm hoping he does because it would pay him so well and bring me peace of mind and allow our family to make a much needed trip down to southern California. We haven't seen family or friends down there since LM was about 8 months old and that's so long ago...especially since we have a new member to our family.

I'm starting to feel a little better about this service project. The unknowns are killing me. I really wish I knew how many people to expect on the the drop of night at the school and to know exactly what people will be bringing so I know what we might be missing. I'm not good with dealing with the unknown. I know I need to have more faith that the Lord will take care of these children. I'm just shocked at the amount of road blocks we have come up against when mentioning the churches name. People really find us a controversial church which saddens me to think they don't realize all the good our church does. We are always one of the first if not the first at any crisis situation. There before the Red Cross or at the same time and there till the end. I can see why we have been asked to now do this service project while spreading the name of our church while doing it so others realize our such is involved int eh community. Usually we are just there without publicizing it but after hearing from others it make sense that we need to let others know what we do.

We will see what tomorrow brings (or the next two weeks)

Helping Family

HeGetting ready to be outside

Don't you just love all her "poses"

Today we went to visit my mom since DH's parents were going there too. They just got an RV and needed to trim down some branches to get it parked on my parents property. Since I was going to take the kids there on Monday but DD got sick I thought this would be a great time for them to play with Grandma and Grandpa there too. It was so nice to visit with my mom and for the kids to play around outside. It was FREEZING but thankfully dry.

Getting the driveway clear for the new BIG RV

My friend came and picked up my laundry today! It was wonderful. She returned most of it but had two more loads that she will deliver tomorrow probably. It's so nice of her to help me out. She said all her clients canceled on her on Friday/Saturday for today with having family in town or other reasons so she was looking to see who she could serve today and saw me in the hall and knew I was it. How sweet is that!

Poor SP has something wrong with her. I think she has acid reflux too like the other kids. She had so much spit-up/throw-up coming out of her mouth and nose today. It was so scary! Twice this happened and DH saw the last time and said that's not normal and more than what DD ever did though I think DD did a few times that bad too. It's so sad! I'm hoping to get some meds to help her out soon but I haven't heard back from the message I sent her doctor earlier today.

On a positive note the kids were so good for me today. I got up and got them cereal but was able to head back to bed while they played nicely together till 8:45 and then got a little nap in too. DD was such a great big sister and helped clean up LM's spilled milk on the floor by getting the paper towels off the counter, tearing one piece off, and wiping up the mess and throwing in away. I'm so proud of her. LM also learned how to jump with both feet leaving the ground today! He's growing up so fast. My little boy is getting so big and it's making mommy so sad to see him growing so fast.

Jumping with BOTH Feet!

Friendship and Love

Everyone got a nap in today which was desperately needed after a rough nights sleep. Usually one of us ends up being up with one of the kids during nap time...generally DH since the kids don't like to let him sleep for some reason.

Tonight a friend made us dinner which was wonderful and thoughtful too. It was so yummy. She made mini meatloaves with mash potatoes, corn, and biscuits! The best part was not having to make it or clean up afterward! She even made apple crumble too for dessert. All we had to do was cook it.

We took dessert over to Nana and Pa's house so we could see all the work Nana and Pa have done on the house. The kids loved running around with the dogs and exploring the property. I was impressed with all the clearing out that my Dad has done! He was able to get some equipment to use to help clear things out from a guy at church (their home teacher). What a blessing. It looks fabulous too! Sadly Pa was gone at orchestra but Nana was able to show us everything. It was fun to talk to DD about how I lived there as a little girl and played in the woods. I'm not sure she fully understood that concept though. I told her how I climbed the trees and she told me she's not big enough to climb them. Not yet at least.

Beautiful Sunset

Organization here I come...

Today I started organizing a closet that I have been putting off since we moved in. It's my wrapping/sewing area kind of. We will see once I get it finished. Helping my friend out has inspired me. I'm actually making plans to get all the little areas organized better in the next couple of weeks. I have a lot I want to get finished before the baby gets here. I hope I can get most of it finished. I really need to get the kids scrapbooks finished. DD's is still at her being in the hospital and I haven't even started on LM's. YIKES!! I figure if I can get it all set up and just focus on it for a the few weeks before the baby comes I MIGHT be able to get it done if not close to finished! That's my goal.

Sadly I got another migraine today while helping my friend organize her craft room again. I'm glad it was today though instead of yesterday or tomorrow since DH was off today. Thankfully I'm feeling better now and hopefully it will be completely gone tomorrow when I get up. I have my 33week appointment tomorrow. I'm also hoping to go on a hot air balloon ride on Friday with my cousin for our birthdays! I'm hoping that will work out!!!

Today was to nice. My MIL came and watched the kids for me so I could go help a friend do some more organizing. I just love to organize things. I need to do some in my own home too. The kids had a great time with Grandma. She took them on a walk, played outside, and fed them lunch. I put them down for a nap right when I got home but DD didn't take a nap for the second day in a row. She asked to take a nap at 4pm and I told her it was too late now. She went to bed right away though!

DH had three jobs fall through between today and yesterday. We are hoping one of two jobs will still come through. My mom called today to see if we wanted to split a house at the beach in August with my SIL and kids too but we really would like to have a job booked before committing to that. We hope to know tomorrow.

Having Fun in the Backyard

(LM got this little car from my SIL and LOVES it...though DD fights for it too)

The kids were so happy to see daddy. He was trying to eat dinner and they all wanted bites of his food. Then they were crawling along two chairs to his lap and running around to climb up again. It was too funny! They loved it though. DH gave them a bath and we put them to bed. Kai decided to play a game instead of a book and I just love it. We played memory which is what we played last time too. I love games that make you think. She's really good at them too.

I actually got a moment of peace today WITH the kids here. They were both outside playing (nicely together) and I was finishing up dinner. It was quiet and lovely. I just relished in the moment. Hopefully more of those moments are in my future BUT I'm sure they will be far and few between until the kids are older.

Today I helped a friend from knitting organize her craft room/office. We have a lot more work to do but made some great progress today. I also had a little meeting for my new calling at church. We didn't get as much accomplished as I would have liked since the kids were kind of crazy. I think I will have to do a lot of planning on my own. That's fine though. Tonight I get to get away from the kids! They are driving me crazy today: knocking things over, throwing things, drawing on things they shouldn't, tantrums galore... Thankfully tonight is just for the women at church. We are having a progressive dinner so I will get to know more people. I'm so excited!

Today a friend and I went over to another friend's house to help clean her house since she's going to have her baby this week. She has been working full time and has a 13 month old too. I can't wait to see her baby and hold him.

I just LOVE cleaning. It makes me so happy. I really missing being able to do that and have the satisfaction of seeing something look beautiful again. Sadly my body won't handle doing it. It's such good money and a lovely break that I get to think and get into deep thought.

Samaritan's purse

Samaritan's purse is an awesome idea. I came across this on one of my blogs I follow that is doing the 12 weeks before Christmas to help get ready for the holidays without being stressed. This week (week 9) is about remembering to do service and to stretch your family to think outside the norm of their little existence. I know my kids are little but I figure if I start traditions now then they will follow and continue to do these things too as part of their life. We can always serve more. We always sing at the local nursing home which I love but think it's time to do a little more and these boxes would be fun! I love the alternative gift idea too for the grandparents or for other family members.

May 30, 2009

I can't wait for LM to be walking (well maybe sitting up would help too). It's so hard trying to entertain him now. He gets so bored and then DD gets so jealous. How do you manage with two? It's just so hard...one more thing to figure out as a parent.

We all love it when grandpa (and Grandma), when Grandpa comes to stay...[primary song variation]. Sadly this was just a quick stop over from MIL weeding and Grandpa picking up DH to help move stuff.

Today was so HOT. My mom came and helped plant some ground cover for us and my MIL came and weeded another 2 hours today for me. She's awesome. DH went with his dad to a Father/Son thing. It was suppose to be a camp out but DH worked until 9:45pm so they just went this morning for breakfast and games. Thankfully this kids were good for me since my back hurt more this morning. I must have slept wrong.

DH put DD's toddler bed together this morning. She loved it! She went down for her nap really well but tonight for bed was another story. She got up and knocked on her door and was calling out for us. Thankfully she still can't open our doors yet. She fell asleep in the middle of her floor with her arms up above her head, binky in her mouth, and legs split. It was so funny to see. DH moved her to her bed again and she cried (woke up too much). I'm hoping she stayed in her bed this time. I guess we will see in the morning.

Night One in her toddler bed

DD seeing her bed for the first time and her first nap in her bed!

My friend and I left the kids with the boys and got pedi's today! It was so much fun. I've been wanting to do my nails but couldn't bend down with my back hurting. It was great sitting in a massaging chair too! I had it rubbing my back the entire time. It was heavenly. We went grocery shopping afterward too which was wonderful to do without kids! I told her we need to go get our nails done together every three months since we went in January too and make it a tradition.

LM with one of his favorite...his burp cloth! He loves it over his eyes to sleep, to catch his spit up. and to plain suck on!

May 28, 2009

So this morning my daughter was a hellion! Seriously she was screaming from the moment I got up till after her nap. I seriously can understand why someone would hurt their child. I would have called someone to help me out so I wouldn't do something I would regret but my MIL was coming over already. DD was clinging on to me and following me everywhere. She wouldn't let me sit down, wanted to eat (yet dumped everything on the floor I gave her- and refused to pick it up), hit me and her brother when she didn't get what she wanted, and was just so LOUD!! I thought I wouldn't make it to 10:30 when my MIL was to arrive. I was suppose to help my MIL on the computer today but she realized what help I needed and we put it off till later. She finished the laundry DH started, did the dishes, watched the kids so I could turn in my OHP paperwork, and just listened to me vent. It was just what I needed. I'm so blessed. My FIL picked up the free swing set for us. DH wants to give it to DD for her b-day but I just want to put it up. We will see what happens this weekend. Her b-day is in 2 weeks! Thankfully DD was her normal self after her nap and we had a wonderful afternoon evening together. She only smiled once maybe twice this morning which is VERY abnormal for her but was singing and dancing around this afternoon and ate lunch and dinner too. I hope tomorrow she is still a happy girl.

LM loves to sit in the bumbo and see everything that's going on. He's a very social guy and HATES being left out.

Weeding + BBQ = A great Memorial Day

May 25, 2009

Tonight was great at our friends house. DD even napped on my friend's bed. The first time she has slept without being in a crib or p-n-p!! It gives me hope for her transition soon. I really want my back to heal so that I can get a crack down on getting her potty trained. Today she grabbed extra clothes and a diaper with wipes for my friend to change her (she was poopy). It was funny since the clothes were her brothers and her swim top and her brother's diaper. It let me know that she is ready to be trained though since she is ready to be changed too.

The house looks so much nicer after DH and our friends weeded outside. DH says he will do some more tomorrow. We are so blessed with so much help. They are the best. DD had fun playing with our friends' kids and showing them around all her toys. We have play group here this week on Wednesday and thankfully she shared better today than her last play date so I had hope she will do well on Wednesday with all the other kids playing with her stuff.

The girls were so cute helping carry the weeds to the big stack. It was a wonderful help and gave them something to do too!

May 24, 2009

LM is getting so strong! Check out his latest "trick"

Well, my back is still doing okay. It's not all better so I will be going back on Tuesday for some more "needle therapy" but I am a true believer and I HATE needles. We had a wonderful and relaxing day today as a family. DD had a rough morning (waking up WAY too early again). She was so cranky and is still throwing things when she's upset. I hope after at least 2 weeks of us putting her in time out for that she will stop. We are now putting her in time out in her room. She hates it again. The end of the hall wasn't working anymore unless we held her there. She thought it was a game to come out and run back before we got to her. I'm just glad something is working. LM didn't really nap much today until about 6:30pm tonight. I pray he sleeps tonight for us.

Both kids lucked out with baths from Daddy! I just love kids wrapped up in a towel. They are just adorable and smell so good.

She LOVES reading books and is obsessed with animal sounds.


Playtime with Daddy is DD's favorite time!

Playtime is the best time...especially spinning.

.

Tomorrow our home teacher (friend from church) and his family are coming over to help us weed since I am out of commission with my back. I think I won't be doing much weeding anymore this year except to maintain the little bit I did earlier so my back doesn't go out again. It's just not worth it and my family needs me functioning more than a nice looking yard. I'm so excited for help! His family will be coming over too so DD will have some buddies to play with in the morning. It will be so nice. Later at night we are going over to a friends for a BBQ. It should be a very fun day

March 9, 2009

Happy 7- week Birthday Little Man (LM)!
(Can you tell he wasn't in the mood for picture taking???)

Well, DD has coup! The pour girl. They gave her a steroid shot and DH has to hang out for a half hour with her to make sure she doesn't have any reactions to it. His parents are bringing dinner over for us tonight! That's so nice of them. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow at noon. I hope there is something they can do to help me. DayQuil seems to be the only thing helping me too and sucking on cough drops all day. If I talk to much then my throat really kills.
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DH's parents came over with dinner and dessert tonight. It was a really yummy pasta dish. We have left overs to eat tomorrow too! My Father-in-law is a saint! He did all the dishes and the pots and pans that have been sitting in the sink since the day I got sick (DH refuses to clean them...silly boy!). Then he wiped down all the counter tops, vacuumed the living room, and cleaned our bathroom! I LOVE HIM!!!! I just feel so much better in a clean house. I was exhausted when he was done too which is funny since I didn't do anything (other than cough up a lung). My mother-in-law held the baby while DD cuddled with me and she picked up the toys in the living room. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful in-laws in my life.

LM's 7 weeks old today! I was looking at him while feeding him this evening and I can't believe he's grown so much. I weighed him on our scale on Saturday and he's already 12.8lbs. We will see how accurate that is at the end of the month when he goes in for his two month check up. I can't believe how white is skin is too (porcelain like). He has such red skin when he was born and to see it so white is amazing! He's such a sweet little boy and sleeping so well now. He slept until after 7am this morning though he was up late not wanting to sleep till around 1am. He went to bed at 11:30pm tonight so I hope he sleeps just as well.