Joke's on me...

Here are some fun pictures from the last few weeks:The kiddos with Grandpa. Grammy and Grandpa came for a short visit the weekend before Thanksgiving. The kids couldn't get enough of them...good thing we saw them five days later!So, our rule for ear piercing with Bug is that she has to be at least five--so she can learn to take care of cleaning them herself. Well, one night her and I went shopping, and found some "fake earrings" (stickers). We were going to play a joke on Daddy, and say we got her ears pierced. I coached her in the car the entire ride home to say..."Daddy, I got my ears pierced!". When we got in the door, she said..."Daddy, I have sticker earrings on my ears!!!" I guess the joke was on me. My kiddos starting to feel under the weather... I love this picture!! Baby RK is looking up to her Uncle... Our niece, E, at her dance practice. Grammy and three of her grandkids tickling the ivories.... Sorry to spoil for most of you...this will be December 2010 on your calendars! Can you believe taking this picture took less time than getting them dressed??

We had a great Thanksgiving, making "the loop" this year....first to my family, then to DH's family. We were gone 5 days...it was a nice break. The kids started to have runny noses, and just generally felt yucky a few days prior, but we went anyway. I held out getting sick till Saturday. I had no voice, and could tell that this round of bronchitis that I was going to get would be a doozie. Monday and Tuesday, I had a total of six hours of sleep, because I couldn't sleep laying down. I took the kids to the doctor on Tuesday--and for the most part, they are doing well. After that, it was off to my doctor, where I was told.."Girl, you are about a hop, skip and a jump from going to the hospital". Ok. Great. I guess my oxygen level was a tad low. I had a horrendously bad case of bronchitis (surprise, surprise.), so they made me do a breathing treatment in the office. The rule was if my oxygen level wasn't up after that, and my lungs weren't clearer, then I was going to the hospital. WHAT? Like I have time for that. Well, the treatment worked, and they sent me home with FIVE different medications. I am feeling much better, and last night was the first night of semi-normal sleep (6hrs) that I have had all week.

We put up most of our Christmas decorations last night. I am dreading Bubby and our Christmas tree this year. I just think I am going to buy some junk ornaments and use those, instead of the real ones for fear he will destroy them. I love him dearly, but he can destroy something in seconds if he really wants to. I guess we will see...

This weekend, we are heading to visit with Santa and just relax. Can't wait to just relax....

A missing peace...

This picture was taken July 14th, 2004. This picture signifies a kind of peace for me.

We had just suffered the loss of our first child (we later found it was our first son). We were devastated. After wanting a child for so long, I felt a piece of my heart was lost forever. A friend came over to offer a meal, and brought a card. On the front of the card was a daisy. It was a beautiful card.

The next morning I woke up, went out to sit on the deck to pray and reflect on the short time that our baby and me had together. I looked down, and a daisy had popped up overnight in a place there had never been flowers. We had never planted daisies there. We had been living in the house for five years already, and have never seen any daisies there. I knew this was from God. A sign that peace is coming...everything will be ok. It may not be immediate, but peace is coming. God brought a beautiful thing to a place it had never been before to show me PEACE. That is how I feel right now.

A new chapter is beginning...

The toilet is fun...

So, I am going to REALLY try to be a good blogger--since that's what my five readers deserve! Well, the first week of November was a busy week. Bug had another appointment with her immunologist--just a follow-up, and she was fine (although, currently we are battling another asthma/allergy reaction)--and the doctor gave us one year's worth of Nasonex samples. Bless his heart--that helped the pocketbook! My Mom arrived later that afternoon to help with the kids while I was recovering from knee surgery. Surgery was on November 5th at noon. It lasted only about 30 minutes, and I finally woke up from the anesthetic at 2:30pm. I love the "cocktails" they put in your IV. Ahhhhhhh. I got home around 3:30, and got to eat dinner. I was famished--I was pretty sure I could eat a horse. Instead, I had some beef roast, potatoes and cooked carrots. Now onto recovery... My Mom, Me and Bug playing a game of CandyLand. This was the first time my Mom allowed me to get up (except for going to the bathroom). It felt so good to sit in a upright position...and it had only been 24hrs.This picture was taken the day before my stitches were out.

My Mom left on Sunday to head home. It was nice to have her here--next time, though, we would rather be shopping and having fun! The beginning of the week, DH stayed and worked form home to help me with the kids. Sometime during those days, when I was hobbling around, not able to get to Bubby in time this happened:

Geez...as much as he loves his blankie...I am surprised he put it in the toilet! I guess it is fun to put the wireless computer mouse in the toilet to see the red light blink-blink-blink-blink....Toilets are fun.

On Thursday (11/12, if you are following along), Bubby and Daddy were participating in a 3 minute segment on the local Fox affiliate to promote the agency we used in Bubby's adoption, and November being "National Adoption Month". Bubby got lots of "screen time", and Bug actually got to help out with the weather man during the forecast. Pretty cool!!

Waiting for the segment to start--watching the live news cast

The best picture I have of them before the segment started

Bug got called up by the meteorologist during his forecast...totally cool! We, of course, recorded the segment at home while we were there, totally not expecting to have Bug "help" with the weather. Since this day, Bug has asked to watch "me on tv!" like a kazillion times....ok really like a hundred times--but it seems like a kazillion times!!So bummed that this picture turned out fuzzy...it was such a good picture. The lady holding Bubby is the anchorwoman, Kim.

The next day, I had my stitches taken out--which was a relief. They were itchin' like crazy. The doctor was amazed at my recovery. I was/am on a mission to get back on the treadmill and just to be more healthy, and I can't do that with a bum knee. Later that night, DH's parents came for a short overnight visit...and will be back next weekend to finish their visit.

Saturday, we attended the adoption fundraiser. We were quite surprised when we walked in the door and saw this:BUBBY!!

I guess I just didn't realize they were going to use his picture (this was his 3 month picture) for the welcome sign. We agreed to let them use his picture for their brochures, but they didn't mention this. It was fun! I asked what they were going to do with the poster after the fundraiser, because I would love to have it, but they said they are going to use it for future fundraisers. It will be fun in five years to see his little baby face still on the welcome sign. We had a great time at the fundraiser--good lunch, meeting new friends, and a silent auction. I actually won something--$50 worth of adoption scrapbooking supplies for $20! Yay for me!

Yesterday, Bug had a little program at her preschool for Thanksgiving. Her class sang some songs, then we had a "fruit feast" (fruit salad). It was a fun time, even though we had a choking scare with Bubby. THAT was scary. My Bug with her fruit saladThe best picture I could get of the kiddos together

Here are a few pictures of us goofin' around yesterday:

Fighting over a pair of sunglasses

My happy baby girl....

THERE!! I AM OFFICIALLY CAUGHT UP WITH MY BLOG!!! YAY FOR ME! We will see how long that lasts...Have a wonderful week!

October pictures batch # 3

...and one last batch of pictures from October. Enjoy!

The best picture of Bubby I could get...he moves so fast!

A good picture from a 3yr old who listens and smiles when you ask...

Again, the best picture I could get of the two of them...

The best picture of all of us with our pumpkins

A picture of Bug on a day she dressed herself--a pink tutu, a halloween shirt, and pink/black leggings...could be worse, I guess...

Heading out to a few neighbors' houses for some halloween candy...
Having a picnic in the family room...

October pictures batch #2

Here's more!!

Bubby getting a haircut...

What a cutie!

Cousins came for a visit around Halloween, and we took a trip to a pumpkin farm...

Baby cousin "J" not too happy that she is freezin' her heiney off at the pumpkin farm

My kiddos and our pumpkins

I love that sweet smile

The maze for little ones....the kids loved it!!

Bubby sitting on a scarecrow

Bubby choosing his pumpkin

Bug and a huge gourd!

DH with "A" and "E" in the corn maze

Aunt "T" and her daughter "E" in the corn maze

Baby cousin "J" much happier now that she is under her favorite warm blankie!
...and even happier now that she is napping on her favorite Auntie!!!

Playing catch-up....

Here is the first batch of October pictures...ENJOY!

A rare moment of reading together...

My baby girl...pretending to call her Grandma

My babies...one Sunday morning after church

My Little Man...so handsome!

Playing in the leaves... (sniffle, sneeze, sniffle, sneeze...!!!!)

What a good helper!!!
Our happy little boy...

Just like a can of chicken noodle soup....

Hello my two readers...I am sad to say I am again a 'bad blogger'. It has been such a crazy month. We have been constantly busy, so like a can of chicken noodle soup, you are getting the condensed version. Enjoy!!

-Go to knee doctor--having nasty pain

-Sends me for a MRI--mercifully, DH comes home early so I can go by myself

-Go back to Dr to get results--Yes I need surgery

-A friend loses his battle with cancer--Rest in Peace, John

-Bubby says 'pretty' for the first time (while looking at my earrings)

-Go to bible study

-(Oct 7th) Have to cancel playgroup

-Instead, take Bug to a 7:45am immunologist appointment to figure out why she is having so many gland issues.

-Allergy testing, blood test, and an x-ray later: Fairly strong allergy to dogs, dust, and mold.

-Blood tests come back ok, but she needs a booster of one immunization.

-X-ray shows huge adenoids (only 1/4 inch airway)--Dr suggests going to a ENT surgeon

-DH works from home and stays with Bubby, while Me and Bug drive a few hours to attend John's funeral. Spent the whole day travelling, and visiting with his family.

-Free weekend = buy new 42' LCD flat screen TV and install. Yay!

-Bug's good friend has open heart surgery--Thank God she is ok, and healing wonderfully!

-That afternoon, Bug to the ENT surgeon to check on adenoids. Adenoids not big enough yet.
Seriously?!? 1/4 inch airway isn't small enough? REALLY?!? UGH.

-Take Bug to preschool then run errands, fight with a crabby Bubby, pick up Bug from preschool, then home for lunch. Rest. Ahhhh. Wait, I need to do some laundry. Crap...

-Bible Study

-Another of Bug's friends had serious surgery lasting 9hrs--Thanks be to God, he too is ok.

-Preschool again...((why the heck did I sign her up...I hate having to be out the door by 8:45!!)) then home to clean in preparation for family visiting this weekend (Oct 16th)

-Take Bug to visit her friend at the hospital. Get lost, and get home at 9:30pm.

-Make 7 dozen cookies, two pans of lasagna, and a huge salad in preparation for dinner the following night. Go to bed at 2am.

-Do some last minute cleaning. The whole crew arrives Friday afternoon: Uncle M, Aunt T, Cousins T, A, and E, Uncle M, Aunt K, and baby cousin J. Full house, but happy that we finally have room for everyone.

-Saturday morning, off to pumpkin farm-corn maze, picking out pumpkins, had a great time.

-Home for lunch and nap time for the little ones. The three sisters get ready for ladies night out, a play and dinner. Had a awesome time.

-Sunday, Bug sings in church for the first time. I cry. So many years we waited for this moment.

-Home for lunch, family packs and eventually leaves.

-Clean up house, do seven loads of laundry of bedsheets/towels, etc. Ugh.

-Make treats for Bug's treat day at preschool

-Make treats for my bible study

-Playgroup at MJ's--had a great time. Thanks ladies for helping me with the kids!

-Fairly quiet two days at home (FINALLY!)

-Bug and I head to my parents house for the annual girls day at the craft fair. Have a awesome time!

-Home on Sunday, rake leaves, and let Bug run off some energy outside after sitting in the car for 4 hours.

-Knee suffering because of all the raking.

-Scrapbooking night at my friend "T's" house--awesome time with lots of snacks and of course, some scrapbooking.

-Preschool, then home to chill with Bubby. In trying to multi-task, drop cell phone in toilet (clean water!). Back in car head to cell phone store. Halfway there, phone starts working, and is fine. Pick up Bug from preschool, then eat lunch, nap time, laundry time, cleaning time, then finally "oprah" time. :-)

-Off to a pajama party with Bug and Bubby at Bug's preschool

-About 50 3 and 4yr olds and their parents packed into a room...not so fun. Bug had a blast though.

-Was supposed to have bible study after the "PJ party", but hubby had to work, so home with two crabby tired kiddos.

-To bed they go

That brings us to today. I gutted 4 pumpkins (and made two batches of roasted pumpkin seeds), in preparation to carve (as a family) when DH got home from work. He got home at 7pm, just in time to tuck Bubby into bed. So, we are carving the gourds tomorrow night--just in time for Halloween! Tomorrow, Bug is having a "harvest" party at school, and gets to dress in her Halloween costume, which she is super excited about. Friday afternoon I am taking the kids to Trick-or-Treat at DH's work, and of course they will go on Saturday night around the neighborhood. Sunday is 'free'--except for a certain football game the DH will be watching while his posterior is plastered in front of the new 42' LCD TV we have. I am MOST excited about gaining an hour of sleep this weekend though--Daylight Savings Time. Yay for DST!!!

Next week brings preschool and Bible study on Tuesday, Playgroup and another Dr appt for Bug at the immunologist on Wednesday. My Mom is arriving here on Wednesday afternoon sometime. Thursday is my knee surgery, so my Mom is staying to help out till Sunday. MY MOM ROCKS! Thanks Mom for helping out! Our November calendar is filling up quickly....hopefully the next time I blog, it isn't November 28th!! Maybe I will blog next while on my pain pills post-surgery...sure to make you laugh!! Pictures from the past month to follow soon.