My sister will attest to the fact that I have overused this phrase during the last couple of weeks, especially when speaking of the fact that our kids had yet to have any sickness this fall. Now I can quit "knocking on wood" because our time has come! Fortunately, I'm not having to clean up puke and diarrhea-knock on wood, but all four of the little munchkins have nasty coughs and lots of congestion and nasal drainage. Allison was burning up with fever last evening and then again in the middle of the night. Her favorite phrases today are, "It hurts very bad! My nose is drippin'! I need a tissue!" You can only imagine. It is quite unusual for all of them to have something at the same time, but if they have to be sick, I'd rather have it this way. A month can be shot fairly quickly when just as one starts to feel better, another succumbs.
So, I'm looking on the bright side...this all waited until after our huge fundraiser (which was an enormous success) on Saturday, but hopefully will be gone before the Thanksgiving weekend!
Hope you all are having a wonderful Monday. For the last several weeks, I have been basking in the love of a faithful God, and focusing on all the blessings that He daily showers upon us. Contentment and fulfillment have worked together to bring pure joy to my life, and it is all because of my faithful God!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Love This Article!
I cracked up as I read the title of this article in last weekend's Parade section of the Lima News. As a "Pilgrim" of 33 years, I know we like to eat! Anyway, I thought others might find this informative and entertaining, and be able to use some of it in Thanksgiving celebrations...I know my boys would love the "shin-kicking" game...yikes! Just copy and paste the link...
http://www.parade.com/food/2009/11/15-pilgrim-for-a-day.html
http://www.parade.com/food/2009/11/15-pilgrim-for-a-day.html
Thursday, November 12, 2009
My Baby Turns 2!
Happy Birthday, Allison Brooke!
I can't believe how the days since Allison's birth have moved by so quickly! I also can't believe that we ever debated having #4, and I can't imagine life without her! Although the two years have flown, it seems like she's been part of the family forever. We have enjoyed watching our older three children bond with her. Allison is very conversational, and communicates with them quite well! She has been speaking sentences of 6+ words for quite awhile now, and we are constantly amazed by the things she says. The evening of her birthday we noticed that her skirt was missing. We asked her where it was and she replied, "In the dryer." Since our laundry room door is usually closed, we really figured that she was just saying that. Every time we asked, she gave the same answer, so I told Greg he should probably go check it out. The dryer was full of clothes, and he did a quick search and said he didn't see it. Throughout the evening we would try to get her to find the skirt, and she would always give us the same answer..."In the dryer." Late that night, after the kids were in bed, I went to retrieve the clean clothes to fold them. I was going through the pile without really paying attention, when it struck me that I had her skirt in my hands. She was right...it had been in the dryer all along. She must have taken it to the laundry room and thrown it in the dryer all by herself, and she probably thought we were just a bit feeble minded for not understanding what she so plainly told us!
The next day we were in Kohl's, and Greg brought Alli to me in the stroller. After pushing her around in the store for quite awhile, I realized that her hair bow was missing. I said, "Alli, you lost your hair bow. I hope it's in the van and not laying around the store somewhere." She said, "Daddy has my hair bow. It's in his pocket." When I met up with Greg I questioned him about it...his response, "Oh yeah, it's right here in my pocket." She loves to help do simple chores, and is willing to take the blame for everything, answering, "I did it!" whenever we are trying to see which of the children did something they should not have done. Alli says "Thank you" for just about everything...even sometimes when I change her diaper or take her to the potty...by the way, she is about done with diapers, and even gets angry sometimes when I put them on her! I'm not fond of accidents since I'm away from home so much. Had I been home more, we would have been done with this in May! She has been ready for a long time. Anyway, I'm getting more brave, and will soon be finished wasting money on diapers! Yay!
Although the "baby" days are gone, we are thoroughly enjoying Allison's talkative, fun loving personality. Upon waking in the morning, her first words are usually "Where's Kait?" or "Mom! I waked up! Come here now!" or "I need more milk!" (no, we're not quite done with baba :)) At night when I tell her that it's time for bed she usually says, "I wanna sleep on the couch." So, of course, I give in and allow her a few minutes to lay there while we get our things ready for the next day.
At her appt. a couple of weeks ago, she weighed in at 29.5 lbs, and I think 33 in. She seems to be a healthy little thing, with her only problems so far stemming from teething issues. She was slow in cutting teeth, and still has quite a few to go! Allison's beautiful red curls and twinkling brown eyes are appropriately paired with her adorable little smile, and my heart melts when she gives me hugs and kisses.
Sorry this post is long and rambling, but I love my girl!
I can't believe how the days since Allison's birth have moved by so quickly! I also can't believe that we ever debated having #4, and I can't imagine life without her! Although the two years have flown, it seems like she's been part of the family forever. We have enjoyed watching our older three children bond with her. Allison is very conversational, and communicates with them quite well! She has been speaking sentences of 6+ words for quite awhile now, and we are constantly amazed by the things she says. The evening of her birthday we noticed that her skirt was missing. We asked her where it was and she replied, "In the dryer." Since our laundry room door is usually closed, we really figured that she was just saying that. Every time we asked, she gave the same answer, so I told Greg he should probably go check it out. The dryer was full of clothes, and he did a quick search and said he didn't see it. Throughout the evening we would try to get her to find the skirt, and she would always give us the same answer..."In the dryer." Late that night, after the kids were in bed, I went to retrieve the clean clothes to fold them. I was going through the pile without really paying attention, when it struck me that I had her skirt in my hands. She was right...it had been in the dryer all along. She must have taken it to the laundry room and thrown it in the dryer all by herself, and she probably thought we were just a bit feeble minded for not understanding what she so plainly told us!
The next day we were in Kohl's, and Greg brought Alli to me in the stroller. After pushing her around in the store for quite awhile, I realized that her hair bow was missing. I said, "Alli, you lost your hair bow. I hope it's in the van and not laying around the store somewhere." She said, "Daddy has my hair bow. It's in his pocket." When I met up with Greg I questioned him about it...his response, "Oh yeah, it's right here in my pocket." She loves to help do simple chores, and is willing to take the blame for everything, answering, "I did it!" whenever we are trying to see which of the children did something they should not have done. Alli says "Thank you" for just about everything...even sometimes when I change her diaper or take her to the potty...by the way, she is about done with diapers, and even gets angry sometimes when I put them on her! I'm not fond of accidents since I'm away from home so much. Had I been home more, we would have been done with this in May! She has been ready for a long time. Anyway, I'm getting more brave, and will soon be finished wasting money on diapers! Yay!
Although the "baby" days are gone, we are thoroughly enjoying Allison's talkative, fun loving personality. Upon waking in the morning, her first words are usually "Where's Kait?" or "Mom! I waked up! Come here now!" or "I need more milk!" (no, we're not quite done with baba :)) At night when I tell her that it's time for bed she usually says, "I wanna sleep on the couch." So, of course, I give in and allow her a few minutes to lay there while we get our things ready for the next day.
At her appt. a couple of weeks ago, she weighed in at 29.5 lbs, and I think 33 in. She seems to be a healthy little thing, with her only problems so far stemming from teething issues. She was slow in cutting teeth, and still has quite a few to go! Allison's beautiful red curls and twinkling brown eyes are appropriately paired with her adorable little smile, and my heart melts when she gives me hugs and kisses.
Sorry this post is long and rambling, but I love my girl!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Survived!
I wanted to do a follow up, since there was so much interest in our Chuck E. Cheese visit...lol...anyway, we survived! I must take this opportunity to say once again that my husband was sent to me straight from Heaven. He is such a good dad, and at the same time, really takes care of his woman! Let me tell you what happened.
It was only about 4 pm. when we arrived at CEC. There was just a handful of cars in the parking lot, and only a few patrons in the bldg. We purchased our grub (not sure if it even deserves the honor of being called "grub"), divided up tokens, and I quickly realized that I was going to be bored. I mentioned to Greg that I wished I had brought a book (usually carry one in my purse), and he said, "Why don't you just go to the mall for awhile by yourself? You deserve it." Now that was an offer I couldn't refuse! After feeling guilty for about 5 seconds, I hit the mall for about 2 hours!
By the time they were finished eating and playing games, CEC had become a complete madhouse, and my family was ready to leave. Greg said that at one point Alli covered both ears for about 10 seconds...she is definitely not used to that kind of chaos!
I did figure out one thing...Chuck E. Cheese attracts quite a class of people. Most of them evidently can't afford a decent set of wheels, or enough clothes to cover the massive rolls of fat that hang from their unkempt bodies...yet somehow they can haul loads of kids, cakes, presents, and who knows what else, in there for birthday parties! Go figure!
BTW, Ryan did wake up puking at 5 the next morning. He did not have the flu, and it was an isolated incident. He totally blames Chuck E. Cheese, and won't be begging to go back there for a good long time!
It was only about 4 pm. when we arrived at CEC. There was just a handful of cars in the parking lot, and only a few patrons in the bldg. We purchased our grub (not sure if it even deserves the honor of being called "grub"), divided up tokens, and I quickly realized that I was going to be bored. I mentioned to Greg that I wished I had brought a book (usually carry one in my purse), and he said, "Why don't you just go to the mall for awhile by yourself? You deserve it." Now that was an offer I couldn't refuse! After feeling guilty for about 5 seconds, I hit the mall for about 2 hours!
By the time they were finished eating and playing games, CEC had become a complete madhouse, and my family was ready to leave. Greg said that at one point Alli covered both ears for about 10 seconds...she is definitely not used to that kind of chaos!
I did figure out one thing...Chuck E. Cheese attracts quite a class of people. Most of them evidently can't afford a decent set of wheels, or enough clothes to cover the massive rolls of fat that hang from their unkempt bodies...yet somehow they can haul loads of kids, cakes, presents, and who knows what else, in there for birthday parties! Go figure!
BTW, Ryan did wake up puking at 5 the next morning. He did not have the flu, and it was an isolated incident. He totally blames Chuck E. Cheese, and won't be begging to go back there for a good long time!
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