Everyone's Sick

Well we have had quite a week all ready. We went to church on Sunday and realized Tanner, Jayden and Stephen weren't feeling well. So they went home. Jayden started running 103 fevers. I have now come down with it too. Urggghhh, there is no time to be sick. I have felt really run down and just achy all over. I guess we have the gunk everyone has. Thanks to Mom for coming over and helping me get everyone to bed. Madison has been a total sweetheart as well. What would I do without her!

My uncle is not doing much better. They had to do a tracheotomy and he is still hooked up to a vent. To add insult to injury my grandfather is now in the hospital. This is really hard on me. He is very special to me - especially since my dad is gone but since I am sick I really can't go visit him. Please pray for my family. Pray God would pour over all of us.

Thanks!
I hope to post with some more uplifting news but for now my heart is just really heavy.

The weekend is here....

Well after a two hour delay for rain this morning :) Madison was off to school. We had a good afternoon. Chrissy came into town which is always a huge hit with Madison and Tanner. They think she is their own personal playing machine. We took the kids out for pancakes and then to Tanner's first indoor soccer practice. It was really pretty cute - although he totally doesn't get it. He likes to use his hands ;) Tanner also did very well at swimming this week. I am really proud of him.

Madison had a good week too. She got two more jewels at AWANA's - yay! She did great at school and we got a week off from cheer leading practice :) She is a precious jewel to her Mommy.

Jayden has had a great week. It seems he is feeling better from his ear infection and starting to sleep through the night again. PTL!!!

Sadly, my uncle Ricky is not doing as well as I had hoped. We are continuing to pray and there are a few indications that he may be getting better.

Well that is all for now - I will post pictures eventually. I know I am terrible with that! If you think about it drop me an email to let me know you read the blog - just wondering if I am writing this to myself :) Love to all!

It's Monday

Well we had a fairly good weekend. Stephen and I got the wonderful treat to go out to dinner with Allison and Jerry (and NO KIDS) on Friday. Thanks to Grandma G for keeping the kids!!! That was very nice. Then on Saturday we went to Madison's last cheerleading game for the season and of course she did great. She is so darn cute cheering out there. On Sunday, Madison and I went snow tubing with her friend Hayley. Now that was a blast!!! I wish Tanner and Stephen could have been there - it was awesome.

On a sad note, my uncle Ricky (who lives with Pappaw) is in the cardiac intensive care. Please pray for him that he would respond to treatments soon so they can get him off the ventilator. My grandfather is up in the air with his own life and just makes me sad. Pray for my whole family. I know God has a plan - it clearly says in Jeremiah 28:11 but sometimes the waiting and watching is so hard.

Well since the boys are in bed asleep, I guess I will try and make it an early night for myself!

Tanner is 3!

Tanner turned three on Monday! What a great day. I can't believe my baby is three. He is such a sweet precious child (although if you had seen him at the mall today you would say otherwise). I apologize to anyone who was within 30 miles of Hanes Mall :) Seriously, Tanner had a wonderful birthday. We celebrated with about 20 friends at Bounce U. He racked up in the gift department. The Jeffords came down from Roanoke and stayed with us. Tanner was sad to see Holden and Carter leave today. Mom and Bill took Tanner tonight and celebrated with him. He racked up once again.

Tanner had his three-year old check up and he is a healthy 5 year old. Just kidding. He is very healthy but in the greater than 95th percentile. He is about 43.5 inches and 41 lbs. Since Tanner was going to the doctor Jayden decided maybe he should go too. He has an ear infection and is wheezing a lot. Right before bed time he was running a 102.5 temp. Ohhh it never ends.

I am excited though to see the beautiful snow. Allison and I came out of K-Mart tonight to be greeted by the blizzard. I haven't seen it snow that hard in a long time. Well, I am off to soak in a bath and read my book (two of my favorite pleasures...eating being the one I love the most). I'll post some pics of Tanney's party soon.

Has it really been six years....

Well it is hard to believe it has been six years since my Dad died. I really thought that by now it wouldn't hurt quite so much. Don't get me wrong it is easier in a lot of ways but in some ways it is even harder. Holding my boys and seeing Madison grow is a stark reminder that he has been gone sooo long. He never got to meet Tanner or Jayden. He always wanted a boy and then I have two. We named Tanner after Dad. It so happens that Tanner was born on the day (3 years later) we found out Dad had died. He died right after Madison's 1st birthday. I probably talked to him for the last time around her birthday. I still have the toy he gave Madison for her first birthday. It is a Bear in the Big Blue House and he dances to the Cha Cha song. I can remember where I was and what I was doing when my sister called and told me that he had passed away. I remember having to tell his Dad (my Pappaw) that his son had died - he had only been home for moments from saying goodbye to his brother (he was dying also). Dad loved Madison!! That is really an understatement. He wanted her all to himself.

My prayer is that Dad is in heaven sitting with my sister and that they have a front row window to see my kids (and my nieces) playing and living life. I know without a doubt he would be proud of me and them. So with a heavy heart and a smiling face, I will remember my Dad and I will dedicate this blog to him .... I love you Dad and I miss you more today than yesterday.

So...I couldn't Sleep

Well I figured since I couldn't sleep I would do an update ... this week has been pretty busy.

Tanner started swimming lessons on Tuesday. Let's say my boy is very confident in his skills. The class hadn't been going but about a minute when the lifeguard had to rescue him. They have all of them in the water and holding on to the side. Tanner just assumed he minus well show them all he could swim ... or not. Anyway, other than that incident he was very compliant and did an overall great job. He is with older four year olds and since he isn't quite three he still has a lot to learn. His teacher is very patient and understanding so hopefully it will work out. He goes back on Thursday.

Jayden had his appointment today with the Asthma/Allergy specialist. He did great. They did allergy testing and thankfully he is allergic to nothing. While I am very happy that Jayden has decided to be VERY healthy it made it hard to explain that his wheezing is very bad when he was all smiles for the doctor. The doctor was kind and believed me and has started him on Pulmocort (I think) and Prevacid for reflux. We will pray this is the answer.

Madison had AWANA's tonight. To make things simple Allison went in to get all the big kids while I stayed out with the younguns. Madison let me know that tonight she asked Jesus into her heart. Those were beautiful words for a Mom's heart.

Anyway, better get off to bed as I am sure morning will call soon....I think the coffee at Panera may be to blame. I have always claimed caffeine doesn't bother me but I am feeling like I could bounce off the walls. Too bad I am not using the energy for something good like cleaning the house :)

Daddy is Happy!

Before I get to why Daddy is so happy...

Jayden slept really well last night. Hooray!! I forgot what it felt like to sleep through the night. Boy, does sleep make a difference in my overall mood and when Mama aint happy...nobody is happy :) Jayden is also trying to learn to crawl. I am strongly discouraging such irrational behavior.

Madison woke up not feeling so well, so me and the kids stayed home from church today. Hopefully she is okay.

Tonight we went to the Barnes for the Superbowl and I am not sure which was more entertaining Jerry or the game. Anyway, Stephen is very glad to see the Patriots lose as he really hates the Patriots. So our family is very happy.

Boy I'm Tired....

Well we had our good friends the Jefford's in town today. That is always a special treat - especially for Tanner as he LOVES Carter and Holden. Jayden slept fairly well last night although I stayed up way too late preparing for a party at church. Not much to say ...except TGIF ... Happy Friday everyone!