Elmer Fudd?

Levi cracks me up. This hat is a Pooh hat and it is supposed to velcro under his chin to keep him warm, but he insists on wearing it this way. Other people think he looks really cute, but I can only see Elmer Fudd. He insists that he looks "cool" with his hat this way. He's in this phase where he's all about looking"cool". I hear this countless times a day...his overall goal in life is to be and look cool! I thought girls were the ones that were so into their looks, but maybe not. Apparently he's too cool to be warm.

Still Going

Is this some new age type of the latest TV you ask? No, it's the kids still watching the washer yet again this morning. And yes, they are covered up with a blanket for viewing comfort...go figure! At least I'm not the only one that thinks the new washer is pretty cool!

Special Delivery

Yes, I know that I am pretty lame to publish a post about my new washer, but this is a really big deal to me and my time. As you can imagine the amount of laundry that we accumulate in this house especially with Emily who needs 4 outfits and 4 blankets a day alone is quite substantial. I have put up with a washer that was way too small that I overstuffed all the time which made it malfunction and take up even more of my time than if I probably did more but smaller loads. But, NO MORE!!!As I type, my new washer is washing away and when it spins it sounds like it's going to take off into flight...the kids have been entertained all night just watching it...how's that for cheap ( or expensive ) entertainment? My old washer was purchased by a little old man that I'm sure will not abuse it in the way I did and I'm sure it will work just fine for the amount of laundry that a man in his mid-eighties must generate. Have I mentioned that Craig's List is my new best friend? I sold my Total Gym and washer all within 4 days of posting them. I thought ebay was pretty cool but this is amazing and no shipping to worry about. The next time you come to my house you may find it empty because I may take up selling things just for sport. I seriously am trying to think of what else I can sell to get some more easy money in my hot little hands. Out with the old and in with the new, I say.

Emily and Mom

I always do a "portrait" with my babies and this weekend was it for me and Emily. I love her little face in this one. It's so cute and yes, her cheeks are really that chubby. They get kissed and sucked on countless time each day. It was a bit of a struggle to get her to not spit up long enough to actually snap the picture, but I'm happy with the end result. soon enough this will be hanging on my wall next to the other precious "Mom and Baby" portraits.

We're Going on a Tree Hunt

Yes, it's that time of year again...time for the annual Christmas tree hunt. It was a good day for weather and the kids did really well...it was really a great time. We went with my parents as usual and this year both of my sisters were able to go and it's been a really long time since Marissa has been able to go. That was really fun too! Emily slept most of the time and we tried a new place where the ground was really sandy and therefore the kids had a much easier time walking and less tripping. After much walking ( or running )we finally found one that was just right for us after we chopped a bunch off the bottom. And then what's tree hunting without hot cocoa and Krispy Kreme's thanks to Grandpa and Grandma (thanks Mom and Dad). I could have stayed all day since I was actually hot with my down coat and my wool mittens, but everyone else was cold, so we got on our way. My arms were SO tired from carrying Emily that by the time we were done they were actually shaking quite a lot. I guess I can skip lifting on my biceps at the gym tomorrow! But then again that will give me some more time to work on cardio to burn off the extra calories from the Krispy Kremes!

Thanksgiving Thursday

Thanksgiving Thursday was indeed better than Thanksgiving Wednesday...except for the fact that Jim ended up working later than planned...so the turkey went back in the freezer for another time and we had our annual Thanksgiving breakfast casserole with the traditions I had planned for at lunch time in the morning instead. Dressed in Sunday best ( one of my requirements and traditions) we each have to write 3 things we're thankful for on our place cards and I'll share what the kids said as they are too cute.

Annalise: Our family, our cat (she doesn't have to clean up the pee and vomit!) and extended family

Levi: Stuffed animal from the Dr. yesterday, his dinosaurs, everyone in this house

Rebecca: Special things she got for her birthday, our family, food that's from groceries

Emily: (as decided by the group) Our family, her swings and going for walks

Annalise was also required by her teacher (me) to write a list of things she was thankful for earlier in the week. This list was quite long and included things like God, God's Son, our house and kindly people...(that's right, she used the word kindly...who but Annalise would use this word!) Jim and I had more practical things on our list like good health insurance (for xrays and MRI's of course), the fact that Jim's almost done with school (YIPPEE) and of course my emotional thanks for Emily. Even though the past few years have been a little rough around here, it was great to take a day and reflect on the fact that we DO have A LOT to be thankful for and have such great things that are so close to FINALLY happening this next year. I am also so excited that as of 5am this morning I am indeed the proud owner of a new washer to be delivered on Wednesday...no more sitting on the washer will leave me with so much free time I'll have to take up another hobby. I'm so glad that I have a husband who doesn't mind shopping, which I detest, and dickering with salespeople ( I wonder why) and I was able to be home, snug in my bed while acquring this new washer. Jim's so social he decided to walk around the mall just to take it all in (I would run as fast as I could in the OPPOSITE direction ) and acutally socialized with quite a few people that he knew and apparently had quite a good ol' time.

Thanksgiving on Wednesday

Why is Thanksgiving on Wednesday and why did I post pictures of Levi's thumbs you ask? Well...Thanksgiving came for me today because...

1. I'm thankful that I only had Levi with me at his Dr's appointment today.

2. I'm thankful that I was in the parking lot of the Dr's office when he slammed his thumb in the car door, thus saving me the drive there.

3. I'm thankful that Levi is all boy and was not crying so much about his mangled thumb as he was about the shots he was supposed to get today.

4. I'm thankful we didn't actually have to get the shots today.

5. I'm thankful that Jim was already taking the morning off work so that he could take Levi to get his xray done since being with Annalise while they xrayed her broken leg was more painful for me than it was for her.

6. I'm thankful that his thumb isn't actually broken, just very swollen and bruised

7. I'm thankful for his sweet personality that is taking this all in stride and not complaining at all ( I just can't picture my girls doing this...or myself for that matter).

8. I'm thankful that my girls love their brother so much that they cried when I told them what happened to Levi ( and made him get well cards of course).

9. And finally, I'm thankful that Thanksgiving on Thursday can most likely only be better than Thanksgiving on Wednesday was this year!

Family Day

With Jim's crazy schedule he isn't around very much and the kids are always asking when Daddy is going to be here ALL day and if we're lucky, that usually ends up being once a month. We were so lucky on Monday to answer that question with "Today!" We had some great family time and some things that really made us laugh. We went to Sears to look at washers as I think I have finally decided that I can put up with my washer that needs to be babysat during every load no longer! While working with a salesman, Annalise saw a sign that said:

they will.

you will.

thank you.

Annalise said to the salesman "Excuse me, but you have a problem with your sign."

We all said "What?"

"Well, you have a period but the first letter of the next sentence isn't capitalized!"

She's so smart sometimes it scares me, I think in a few years she might be teaching me school!

It is very important to me that my boys are able to be good men when they are grown, so we have a phrase that we use in our house a lot and it is "Boy's work". This is things that Levi does like helping Dad or Grandpa anytime there is something being done with tools. He hauls dirt for me in his little wheelbarrow and this year he stacked almost a full cord of firewood by himself while Jim was chopping. Yesterday was another boys work day as Jim was hauling a bunch of firewood from the backyard to put up closer to the house for the fire he had built. Levi was hauling 3 or 4 pieces at a time, working very hard and it was cold enough to "see your breath". Levi said, "Dad, why is there steam coming out of me?" How cute.

I also included a picture of Annalise with Emily because this is one of the many pictures I have with them like this because I probably hear 15 times a day "Can I hold Emily?" And then of course, Levi showing his big muscles! Precious times all on a family day!

Emily Explained

I wanted to take a few minutes to explain what happened with Emily for those who may be reading but don't know. Here it is...She has been doing these really weird things with her eyes, they are spasm, seizure like movements anytime she would look down. I managed to catch one of these episodes on tape and took her in to the pediatrician. Her physical exam was fine, but he was very concerned when he looked at the tape. He called and consulted a pediatric neurologist from DeVos Children's Hospital and he basically said that we were most likely dealing with seizures or very serious brain stem issues. We had an appointment to see the neurologist the next day. This 24 hours is where all the tears and prayers came in. The next day, he examined her for 11/2 hours and everything with that turned up fine. When watching her episode, he ruled out seizures right away and eventually ruled out the brain stem issues as well because she would have other signs, symptoms and developmental issues which she does not. She is developmentally fine...in fact she smiled, cooed and laughed at him the whole time. He ended up saying that although eye issues like this are usually of great concern, he can't explain what hers are...only that they are not any of the previous fears. They are just one of those medically unexplainable things that sometimes happen. The best way that he could describe her condition is that it is similar to any of the other"twitches" that babies can often have as they are forming all the pathways in their brain and that she should outgrow it. She does have an MRI on Dec. 17 to be thorough and completely rule out brain structure and tumor problems, but he expects those results to come back normal as well. We were so relieved and thankful to God to receive news that was far better than what the pediatrician had prepared us for.

Blessed

Had to share a picture of Emily today as she has been the subject of countless tears and prayers over the past 24 hours. Please look past the dried tears and snot stuck in her hair from her mother but washing them out just hasn't been a priority today. I can't take my eyes, hands and lips off her and yes a few tears have been shed today also. What a whirlwind the past 24 hours have been, but also the longest 24 hours of my life. There have been many miracles big and small from the innocently appropriate prayers of my other children who knew nothing of the situation to a good friend driving behind me on the road on the way to the Dr's office making me somehow feel comforted to the unexpectedly somewhat unexplainable news from the Dr. it has been an amazing day from the sleepless hours during the night until now when I am finally ready to rest my swollen, very tired eyes. I did want to take a moment to share with all of you a glimpse at the very special Emily today and thank you for sharing all your thoughts and prayers with us as we are still learning of how far reaching they really were. Honestly, the more people I hear from I'm realizing the number has to be in the thousands as many prayer chains were put into motion. As my eyes are flowing yet again, thank you again for loving her and loving us and for believing in the power of prayer.

Ready For Snow?

Is Emily ready for snow or what? Not really. Since she has reflux so bad she sleeps in a swing every night. The problem with this is, that she can't be covered up with cozy blankets to keep warm. The snowsuit is the perfect solution! So, this is what she looks like every morning when I walk in to get her up and see her smiling face...a little Eskimo baby! In reality the last thing I am ready for is snow since I absolutely HATE winter. I inform my family of the weather conditions in Colorado Springs daily since this is where I'm hoping to move. Much warmer, less snow and sun...lots of sun! We've always dreamed of moving there every time we vacation there, now with AMR headquarters there, we actually could, YIPEE!!!!!! The kids had fun doing their cave paintings today. They've been lusting after doing them for the past week and it was finally a calm enough day when I could get all the paints out and let them dive in. Their assignment was to tell a story with their pictures like the Egyptians that we're studying in history. Quite the mess since Rebecca thinks you paint with the water and not use it to rinse out your brush so her picture pretty much is just puddles of water...yikes! Annalise on the other hand created a masterpiece...it actually looks quite authentic. Now we're on to learning about the animal of choice for today...a horse, of course!

Sweet Dreams

Had to share some cute pictures and stories. Jim even thinks that Emily is an unusually good baby and doesn't mind hanging out with her since she's rarely fussy. Now for the cute stories...The kids were sharing their dreams during breakfast this morning and they made me laugh. Annalise was being attacked by a baby tiger that got into our house. Levi was being attacked by a giant mouth that was stuck to the ceiling with gum and Rebecca found a giant muddy foot on her bed. What in the world could these dreams possibly mean? Perhaps it's just all the candy over the past 2 days!

TGIF

I'm sitting here still sweating like a pig from my workout this morning. I'm still trying to lose those last 5 pounds...and I will!!! Scraping the frost off Jim's car didn't even cool me down. Maybe it's just my anticipation of the day today. This week has been crazy and teaching Annalise school has been nearly impossible. We'll see how today goes, but I may just have to cut us all some slack and take the day off if it starts off badly yet again. I'm sure teachers have to give their class a break every now and then (right Stephanie?). Even if they don't, Annalise really is doing well and I'm sure a day off that is not scheduled won't set her back. I had my first real panic attack last night when I was driving home from Alto and it was pitch dark. I got all turned around and panicked about what state I was even in. I have been dreaming on the Internet this week of all the other states we could move to once Jim finishes school...states that actually see the sun during the winter months and doesn't have such a RETARDED state government. During this attack I just pulled over, not sure of how to get home, terrified that Emily (the only kid I had with me) would start crying soon, having no idea of which way to turn, tried to use my pre paid cell phone that I keep for such emergencies to find that it was dead, and started crying in some person's driveway. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and out in the middle of nowhere it was pitch black and it felt like the darkness was actually choking me. Still crying and gasping for air with my face on the steering wheel I prayed loudly "Please help me find my way home because I can't!" Soon after the tears subsided and I felt my mind returning and knew I needed to turn the opposite way I had been traveling. Twenty minutes later I was home. We're supposed to paint cave drawings today on paper bags as part of History among all the other subjects. Maybe it would be a good day to just put in a movie for the kids and camp out on the couch with them...eating bon bons of course! Something about Little Orphan Annie is just good for the soul.