Christmas Eve!

This year's festivities just didn't quite turn out how we would have liked.  I spent the morning at the doctor and was loaded up on meds, which thankfully worked after being sick for two weeks!  Harper was still running a low grade fever and after much debate, we decided Kev would stay home with her that night.  We did manage to make cookies for Santa that afternoon.  I also let Maddie and Turner open one gifts from us.  We bought them robes and Turner was real excited about wearing his after bath:)
  So Maddie, Turner, and I headed to Mimi and Boo Boo's for Christmas with the Youngs.  Three babies were born this year, so even without Harper, it was a house FULL of children.  The kids always enjoy being with each other amd excitement was in thr air.  Santa would be coming soon:)
  We drew names for the kids this year so they each opened a gift and the adults played dirty Santa.  The food was delicious and everyone had a good time.  Hopefully next year my whole family can attend!  We headed home so the kids could get to bed.  This is the one night of the year we have no trouble putting them to sleep:)

Birthday Fun...Not!!

This has been a crazy, sickly, not a lot of fun month!!  I am still trying to count my blessings and remember what all we are thankful for, but this has been a doozy.  We had to cancel several fun activities and a lot of things just didn't get done.  I have just realized it is ok.  We can't do everything all the time.
  Yesterday was my Birthday.  Kevin and Harper were at the ER until 1 am of my birthday.  She is a sick little baby.  She didn't have rsv or flu, but her ear infections were back.  She was running fever, very conjested, throwing up, and breathing very hard.  They came home with an antibiotic and we got a little (very little) sleep.
  By 9 that morning her fever was 103 and she was not any better.  I took her to her Pediatrician and they immediately gave her a breathing treatment.  They took her white blood count to rule out pneumonia and gave her a shot.  Lets just say we will never go back to Saint Francis ER.  They didn't help her at all and I was very frustrated yesterday.  Harper spent the ENTIRE day sleeping in one of our arms.
  Between all of this going on my NEW car had to go back to the dealer to get fixed.  They gave us a loaner car which sold while we had it.  Kev then had to go back to get another loaner which I think we will have till Thursday.  Having a sick baby put things in perspective about the car.  I just really don't care at this point.
  Yesterday afternoon I did take the big kids to Bass Pro with the Gaines.  The plan was to see Santa....an hour or two wait to see him was not part of the plan.  So we didn't see him, but the kids did play games and got out of the house for a bit.
  It was a crazy all around bad day.  But...I am a year older and was able to go to sleep last night with my whole family at home.  I was scared at one point a hospital visit might be possible.  Thankful for my family, our overall health, and the chance that next years birthday will be better:)

Last Christmas Program!!

We are about programmed out!  Friday morning Turner had his program at Bartlett Baptist.  Mimi, Harper, and I went to watch and it was sweet.  One of the dads is serving in Afghanistan and came home for two weeks for Christmas.   His girls go to school there and surprised them at the program.  It was so precious to watch!  The kids wore Christmas jammies and Turner sang his little heart out.  After the program I got to take Turner home.  We picked Maddie up at 11:30 and Kevin was home by 12:30.  Christmas break has begun!

MDO Christmas Program!

Whew!!  Last Thursday was a big deal-for me and Turner!!  Part of the reason I was hired at MDO was to direct their first ever Christmas Program.  I am not a singer, nor have I ever done anything to qualify/prepare me for this job.
  Back in October I found a musical for the kids to do and we began practicing.  The past month the kids practiced every day they came.  There were 35 3 and 4 year olds on that stage and it went great!!  Most of these kids aren't from our church and we had tons of family come and watch their precious children.
  Turner was an angel and had a speaking line.  He thrives on the stage and had no problem standing up and remembering his line.  Since I was on the floor directing the kids, I wasn't able to take pictures.  Daddy and Boo Boo were videoing it and Mimi had Harper.  It was a great night.  I was so proud of everyone and the teachers for coming together and pulling this show off!  We had cookies and punch afterwards to celebrate.
  These past few months have had their ups and downs at work but I was blown away last week.  I received so many gifts from the kids and I was not expecting it.  I was also given roses after the show from pur MDO director as a thank you.  It was a great way to end my first semester at MDO.  God has answered many prayers these past few months and that night was affirmation that I am where I am supposed to be for now.  Thankful to have the next two weeks at home with my family.

9 months old!

Our baby is growing up way too fast!!  She weighs almost 21 lbs, has 2 teeth, and crawls everywhere.  She has started pulling up and today stood on her own for a second or two.  She talks all day long and thinks it is hilarious when you tell her no.  I am afraid Daddy might start "patting" her hand soon.
  She is into everything and still such a happy baby.  She isn't the best sleeper, but after 3 babies, I think I will just take the blame.  I am no good at letting them cry it out.  I could give my list of excuses but It doesn't matter.  I am just punishing myself.  One day she will sleep all night!!
  I think there was a ton I wanted to blog about, and am drawing blanks.  She seems to change every day and we can't wait to see what she does next!

The Crud!!

The crud has worked its way through our house and made for a long two weeks.  It began with Maddie coughing and Harper pulling her ear and having a snotty nose.  I took both of them in and Maddie was fine but Harper had a double ear infection and just finished a 10 day antibiotic.  She is still tugging on that ear and I am just praying it cleared up.
  By the end of last week Kev was at the doctor with an ear and viral infection.  Friday morning Turner woke up with the croup.  We can usually get over it without meds now that they are older.  Not this time!  He kept getting worse and worse.  I ended up leaving Maddie's Olympic Day early to take him to doctor.   We did steroids for a few days and he didn't go back to school till Wednesday.  He missed one of his parties and didn't even care.  I still don't think he feels great and I hate it.  He hasn't had an appetitie, has been taking naps, and coughing like crazy.  I think we are close to being over it.
  Of course I had to join in the fun and started coughing two days ago and had a sore throat.  I haven't been to the doctor, but do feel a little better.  I just can't talk.  Praying we all get back to 100% and feel well next week.  We have the next two weeks to rest and are looking so forward to it!

Olympic Day 2013!

Last Saturday was Olympic Day.  It was fun getting Maddie ready like it was a real competition and seeing the routines she will be doing.  She did great!  She has really improved this past year on the beam and looked so serious out there:)  I don't know how she will do in competition,  but she has learned so much and I think it has been a good experience for her.
  Nonna came for the day to watch and we loved seeing her since her birthday was the day before!  We all went to eat at Genghis Grill and even brought a few Gigi's cupcakes home.  We are so thankful for you Nonna and am glad we were able to spend the day after your birthday with you!

Gingerbread Houses!

We had the Gaines over Tuesday for our annual gingerbread house party.  This year my kiddos made a big house (that quickly fell apart) and Trey and Garner made a train set.  As always, it was a fun night.  Mary and the kids stayed for dinner and watched Monsters University.  I love these sweet memories with my friend and her kids. 

Christmas Programs!

So far Maddie has had her school Christmas program and Turner had his choir one at church.  They were both cute and both did a great job.  They are so different on stage and I love watching them!!!  Turner belts out the music and is very serious about it:)  Maddie sings a bit and barely cracks a smile!  Love those two and there is nothing sweeter than hearing them sing, especially when it is about Jesus!!  Turner has 2 more to go this coming week.

On The Move!

We have a crawler!!  She is not in a hurry, and takes lots of breaks, but baby H is on the move:)  I figured it would happen right after we put up the Christmas tree.  She is 8 1/2 months, sporting 2 teeth, and says momma, da da, bye bye, and uh oh....all the time!!  She is also very proud of herself with her new accomplishments amd smiles and laughs all the time.