Fifth's Disease....probably

Harper had been on a 20 day antibiotic for about 10 days Saturday.  The doctor said she would be sensitive to the sun.  Saturday morning the kids had a soccer game.  Nonna and B rayden came to watch and my family was there.  Harper was outside for about an hour.   I took the kids to a skating party and when we got home we noticed Harper's cheeks were really red.  We headed to Somerville that night to hang out with the Atwood and fish.  Great time but Harper's sweet face was just looking pitiful by the time we left.
  Sunday morning she woke up and looked burnt to a crisp on arms and face.  I felt horrible and made Kev stay home with her while we went to church.  Her skin was on fire.  This morning she woke up and her face was back to normal but her entire body was splotchy.  Off to the doctor we went.
  They took her blood and she is possibly allergic to the antibiotic, but he really thinks it is fifths disease.  It just has to run its course and isnt contagious once you break out.  I am so thankful I didnt burn my child to a crisp and luckily it doesnt seem to bother her!!  Always something:)

To Flip or Not!

This past week was stressful.  Friday we had to sign whether or not we were going to commit to another year at the gym.  For us this means a lot of time spent at the gym, which means less family time, and a lot of money spent.  Money that we dont always have.  We have spent the past few years living by faith,  and God has always graciously met our every need.
  I never want my kids to not be able to do something they love and that I think is good for them.  I dont want a talent to be wasted, and I do think Maddie has a talent in gymnastics.  All she does at home is gymnastics, and yet at times she complains about going to practice.  She has said she wants to quit and then five minutes later is asking for a new leotard.  At 7, I think it it is hard for Maddie to know what she truly wants.  She does know that once she quits,  there will be no going back.  That always makes her say she wants to continue on.
  Monday the kids went to the dentist.  Maddie has to have $1100 worth of dental work done next month.  I just cried, not knowing how we were going to pay for it and felt God might be shutting the door to gymnastics.  I know that God calls us to do things at times that aren't easy or not what we necessarily want to do.  So the week was spent in prayer.  We prayed for wisdom and discernment.
  We have two other children that we want just as much for.   We aren't willing to sacrifice one for another.  I was beginning to think I was making gym too much of a priority.  Was I wanting Maddie to do gymnastics for me or for her?  So many emotions and hard questions have been asked this past week. 
  Thursday morning I woke and felt like it was time to stop.  Kev and I talked, and with me crying, pretty much decided we were going to make Maddie quit.  We were willing to do that if it was what God was calling us to do.  Let me just say-we signed the commitment letter Friday and are there another season.  After that conversation, different doors were opened and I think we made the right decision.  I also think I was given a wake up call.  I try to make so many decisions on my own and they all need to be made through prayer.  All things all possible through Christ, and he has proven that to me over and over again. 
  This might seem like a silly long post just about gymnastics.  But this week was about so much more.  My Sunday School lesson this morning was about hope....his timing is and always will be perfect.  So thankful for hard decisions and opportunities to grow closer to him!

Easter Sunday!

We had a great Easter.  The kids were up at 5:30 anxious to see if the Easter bunny had come.  He did not disappoint and all three kids enjoyed their baskets and hunting for eggs.  We then got ready for Church and celebrated the tomb being empty- He is alive!!
  After church we had lunch at Mimi and Boo Boo's and watched the kids hunt for eggs- the 10th and final time for the year:)  Harper took her first few steps...to Megs!!!  It almost brought tears to my eyes.  It was a great and relaxing day!

Easter Weekend!

We have spent the last few days preparing for Easter, going to the doctor for H, playing soccer, Family Fun day for T, and partying with Campbell for her Birthday.  Lots of family time, which is what we like:)

  Harper woke with a fever Thursday which extended my weekend by a day.  Kevin had already taken off to spend the day at his Family Fun Day.  Mimi, Boo Boo, and Aubrey joined them and they had a great time!  I took H to the doctor and she had a double ear infection and staph.  She is on a 20 day antibiotic and I see tubes in our near future.  I was able to sneak off at lunch and surprise Maddie at school.  She was excited and I realized there we hadn't done her homework for the week-whoops!  I love her teacher and she told us not to worry about it.  Maddie has blown the class away with her AR points (111!) and has done great this year.  A good example of grace by her teacher!

  Friday we headed to the mall for last minute pics with the Easter bunny.  Harper cried but the other two loved it.  Memories:)  We colored eggs galore that afternoon and the big kids headed to soccer practice with dad.

  Saturday we played soccer and headed to our church's Eggstravaganza.  It was a huge hit and we all had fun.  Harper went on her first hunt and got lots of eggs holding daddy's hand.  Precious!!  Our last event for the day was taking the big kids to a park in Lakeland for a Easter egg hunt/birthday party.  It was a lot of fun and we found a new park to play at this summer.  Never knew it was there!

  Knowing the Easter Bunny was coming, meant easy bed time for the kiddos.  It was a great weekend and Easter post will be next.  He is alive!!!
 

Our Crazy Life!

Things are busy around here...probably a little too busy.  The school year is coming to an end, soccer, football, and gymnastics are heating up, a baby is getting close to walking...and this mama is tired.  But we are all healthy and happy.  That is a blessing and we are thankful for all our little activities.
  Here is a recap of our day:
8:30- Kev leaves to ref a 9:00 soccer game
10-  Maddie and Turner have a game and Nonna shows up as a surprise.
11:30- We have lunch at Applebees
1- Maddie has gymnastics
4- pick Mo and friend up from gymnastics and head to swim party at hotel.
6:30- Kev takes Turner to PNO at River City
7:30- I leave party and Maddie stays for her FIRST sleep over!!!!  Not sure how much sleep I will get tonight!
8- I procrastinate and have to work on sunday school lesson for the morning.
9:30- pickup Turner and get him in the bath and bed by 10!
10:30- feeling the need to document our day:)

Whew!!  Sweet Harper was just along for the ride and is thankfully an easy going laid back girl-her days are coming!!

I write this so I will remember.  Remember to be be thankful for the slow days and enjoy the time we have at home.  We were going in all different directions today and sometimes it is nice to take it easy.  It was a good day, just busy.  Already wishing we could schedule a naptime for tomorrow, but betting it wont happen.  If only we had the same amount of energy as the kids!!!  Here are a few pics from the day.

Easter Treats!!

The kids love making and eating Birds nests.  This is our third year to make them and we always do it before Easter and to celebrate spring.  We had the afternoon free yesterday and made them while Harper was sleeping.  Next year she should be old enough to join in on the fun.  The kids also made rolling animals that turned out cute.  I didnt take a pic but I love the $5 crafts Target sales for the different holidays!!  They each made 3 and spent about am hour working on them.  $5 well spent!!

Random!!

On pretty days we have gotten into an outside routine.  Maddie leads the pack riding her electric scooter, Turner is behind her riding his green machine, and I walk Harper in the wagon.  Today Turner's machine was low on battery and moving at a snail's pace.  Maddie got frustrated and said she was going home because we took took too long.  Turner's words-
"In case you didnt realize Maddie, mom is kind of old.  Not a bad kind of old,  but she is getting old".
  Way to blame your old mom kiddo!!

  Today Harper learned how to give sweet closed mouth kisses.  Before today she would stick her tongue in your mouth.  I could just eat her up!!  She has also taken up reading as a favorite past time.   I would love to know what is going on in her little head.

  Maddie has had all kinds of attitude this week.  I am scared to think too hard about what is in store of us.  I have spanked her twice in the past two days.  That is more than she has gotten in the past year.

  Mimi finished radiation yesterday.  She has done great and we are so very thankful.

  Kev is back in football.  I am getting adjusted to handling the herd on my own.  The grocery store is not one of my favorite things to do with the kiddos-craziness I tell ya!!

  I am pretty sure we are about to have to buy a new air unit.  Not sure how we are going to pay for it, but God has shown me too many times that he will provide.  I will just rest in that.

  Busy days ahead.  Think I will go to bed:)