I know God has a plan!

I lost a friend, Jami, to breast cancer Sunday night. I am sad....but I know that she is wrapped up in the loving arms of our Savior, so I have peace. I am hugging my kids extra tight and I am looking forward to seeing my friend again. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Geez, Louise!!!!!

Welp, obviously I haven't been blogging like I promised. I am sure I have missed many opportunities to entertain everyone as my children are constant laughter fodder. Well, not exactly true. Yesterday was filled with TEARS instead of GIGGLES....

Flu shots. Ouch. Evan was freaking out beforehand, so I let him decide what he would rather do:

Choice A: Get a flu shot. Hurts like crazy for a smidge of a nano second-then it's over.

or Choice B: Risk getting the flu and ending up hospitalized with an IV-which hurts worse and for a while!

He chose to get it.

Gus went first. He did great! Only cried for a second and stopped as soon as I showed him his spiderman bandaid.

Evan was a totally different story! He usually does fine but yesterday he went bonkers! I was holding him in my lap and two nurses were holding his arms down at his side. It was terrible! Then outta nowhere-you hear Gus screaming,"Don't hurt MINE BUBBY!" I look down and he is punching the nurses thighs and knees!!!! HAHAH!!!!! What made it even funnier was that his arm was so sore from the shot that each time he landed a punch he would look down and yelp!

I know it shouldn't have amused me, but hey-I'd worked the entire night before and I was a little slap happy....

No worries. They made it through and by the time we got home, the only issue was Gus continuing to press down on the injection site and crying because it hurt!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Geez...has it really been two months?

I feel terrible I haven't blogged in so long! We've been busy, though not alot has been going on! Does that even make sense?

Evan: Graduated Kindergarten!!! He is so excited to be growing up. I just bought him new shoes (marvel comic ones with wolverine, spiderman and hulk on them!) and he said,"I can't wait to wear these to first grade!!!"

Gus: turned two!!!! He is a wild man! He is finally talking up a storm, so I am not as nervous as I was about his lack of speech. That kid repeats everything! The other night I told him he was my sweet little baby. He pulled out of my hug and looked at me and said,"I not a baby. I a BIG BOY." It was so funny! Right now my favorite thing he says is "you wanna a sugar?" (a kiss!!) HAHAH! I just love it!

Craig: still working hard. Still hating it. We actually spent 2 saturdays ago in the er for about 5 hours because we thought Craig had gallstones. Turned out he has a badly pulled/maybe slightly torn muscle. Ouch!

Heather: has decided to go back to school!!!! Hopefully I can start the LPN to RN nursing program in January. I am really excited. Also, I am back to the gym. Trying to go 4 or 5 days a week. I am doing great so far!!!!

Imperial Beach Teen Blog: Win Zombie Haiku!

Imperial Beach Teen Blog: Win Zombie Haiku!

Yippee for Ryan Mecum!

It's a beautiful day!!!!

Thank you Lord for the sunshine .(And the wind!!!! Perfect balance!) Evan and I went out early to wait for the bus and took in a little rays. Then Gussie and I went on a walk. He was so excited to see the ducks at the lake. It was wonderful until we stumbled upon a nesting Canadian Goose who thought we were a little too close for comfort. Did you know geese hiss? I didn't....but that's a little lesson I learned today! :) She hissed at us and stretched out her neck, ready to beak us! Mommies! Ahh....I totally get it.

Gus. Whoa, nelly!

These past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind. Well, actually-more like a level 3 tornado. The boys have been bananas! Gus has decided that sleeping is a waste of precious time. No sooner do we tuck him in, before we are tripping over him in the living room! He can climb outta bed, turn off his noise maker, turn on his light and get out the door before we have barely closed the silly thing! What do I do?!??! I keep putting him back in bed and telling him he MUST obey. I have sat with him. I have rubbed his head. I have spanked. I have sat ON him. I have cried. I have given him a pacifier back. EVERYTHING! Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!

This morning he snuck past me while I was drinking my morning joe and went into my bedroom, shutting the door behind him. I peeked in at him only to find him cuddled up in my bed. I gently shut the door and prayed he was going to bed (since he only slept 5 1/2 hours last night!) When I crept over 5 minutes later-certain he would be slumbering-instead I found him with my eye glasses bent and horribly askew (upside down) on the bridge of his nose. AHHHHHH!!!!! Help me!

Broken things.

We've had a rough few weeks. Craig's aunt died, the boys and Craig were sick and that was fun....The worst stuff was Wednesday though. I woke up to Gus crying for me in his room. I jumped out of my bed and slipped on water. I was so confused! Why was there water in my bedroom floor? I turned on my light and realized that my bedroom, closet and bathroom were completely flooded. I started throwing towels, blankets and clothes down to sop up the water without knowing even where the water was coming from. Finally I looked up and noticed my ceiling was wet. I ran upstairs to check on my elderly neighbor who lives in the condo above us. I was worried she ran bathwater and had a heart attack or something terrible. Thank goodness that wasn't the case! She's fine, but she went to bed without her hearing aids and didn't hear her toilet overflowing ALL NIGHT!!!!!

Long story short, we now are missing parts of 4 walls, 2 ceilings and our pergo in our bedroom is completely gone. We can't live there, so we are staying with family. In the midst of all this, our washing machine broke, so I couldn't clean any of the nasty laundry and then I accidently Gus's heel in the hinge of the heavy door to our condo building while getting Evan on the bus that day. (I fractured his little foot, but PRAISE JESUS we didn't have to get a cast put on!) We are doing much better and I am thankful for our wonderful family and friends and their prayers. I know God knows what he's doing and I am just going to trust that all the insurance stuff will work out and cover the damage. Sorry this was so long!

Something funny before I forget....

It's Friday, which means Rumpke guys come by for garbage pickup. Whenever we happen to home when they come by, we always run to the door and watch. The boys are amazed at the strength of the garbage men and also the massive door that comes down in the dumpster and sqaushes and compacts all the trash. This morning, I was trying to explain how the "arm/door thingy" compacts the garbage to take up less space. I told him it squeezes it all together to make things smaller. Here's Evan's response:


You mean it shrinks things? Like washing and drying clothes? Everytime Dad does laundry-that's what happens!

HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

Just getting over being sick...

I have been sick since the 21st of February. It's been awful trying to kick this hacking cough. I am thankful that despite my wheezing and nasty gunk in my chest-it never went into pneumonia. My little Gussers got the funk on Friday, so he's been on antibiotics, ear drops and 2 inhalers since Saturday. Poor bubs. Now he has the trots from the antibiotics and is pooing out of his diaper constantly. I am trying to keep his tush from bleeding, so I am giving him a bath everytime he "goes." Today, as of noon, he has been bathed 3 times. (I have had to bathe once as well due to an unfortunate smattering on my forearm and legs that occured when Gus was sitting in my lap and had a case of grumble-guts....)

In other news, I have lost 14 lbs and am now entered into a weight loss study. I get to meet with a nutritionist for a year!!!! I am SOOOOO excited!!!! I hope to get this weight off once and for all!

Cleaning when I am sick.

I hate it. I can't stand cleaning in general, but I ABHOR it when I am sick. Sometimes I wish I could wiggle my nose (ala' Samantha Stevens) and magically the shoes would put them selves away and the dishes would jump into the cabinets, clean and dry. Ahhhh.

This week I have had the worst head cold. It was terrible! Sweet relief came only two nights ago, when my friend Shannon suggested I get a neti pot. If you haven't heard of it-google it. The instructions are too grodie to write. That said, it completely cleared out all of my sinus junk and I am a forever fan! LOVE it!

On Valentines Day....

Five years ago today I almost quit being a nurse. It all has to do with a blue eyed little guy who completely stole my heart and took it with him to Heaven.

The first second I met Jarrett, I loved him. He was three and adorable beyond words. He had snow white hair, soft and feathery. He had been born with a chromosomal defect which caused him to have developmental delays and left him unable to walk. That was fine with me, because I could hold that kid all day! We used to listen to Sesame Street songs on his little tape player and dance all day! He used to laugh so hard it shook his whole body! I think it started in his toes like a little grumble, but as it reached his tummy-it burst out loud and gasping,like he was choking. But then he'd start making kissy sounds and you knew he was SO happy.

The biggest obstacle Jarrett faced were the seizures. They came swiftly. They came hard. They were scary. It was horrible. You wanted him to be happy and healthy, even if it meant to go on to Jesus-but yet you wanted him to FIGHT IT. STAY. PLEASE. In the end, it was truely a blessing. It was on this day of love, Valentine's Day 2004, that God hand selected the most beautiful and lovely of all Valentines and took him home and gave him rest. Although my heart hurts and my arms physically ache to hold him once again, I am thankful. God put me in the life of a very special family to learn what it takes to be selfless and to love wholeheartedly-no matter the risk.

Still though, I would give anything to go with Jarrett down to the park, lay out a blanket, listen to the creek, birds and other kids playing and roll around under the clouds...just for one more day.

Jarrett Rhys Price Jan 19,1998- Feb 14, 2004

I am Thankful.

I don't have anything exciting going on right now....so I thought I would start listing just a few of the many things I am thankful this afternoon.


I am thankful for my son Evan. I love his tenderhearted nature. I am thankful for his willingness to forgive me when I have been cross with him.

I am thankful for little Gus. I love his round tummy and endless laughter. I can't wait to tell him of all the ways he tormented his big brother as a carefree and reckless toddler.

I am thankful for our health. (Especially the fact that I have two healthy children.) I am thankful that my children have the ability to tip over the laundry basket, clear out my dressers in one fell swoop, squeal, belly laugh, wrestle.... All this and more.

I am thankful for second chances. (For FINALLY getting it right with my husband.) Things are better between us than they have ever been.

This has been a strange few weeks. I have been increasingly aware of how blessed I am and how God is changing me. Truely. I am trying to not feel guilty in the midst of all the pain and trials I have witnessed in those around me.

We got more snow! 6"! What is going on?

Well, it looks like the little bruisers and momma are hanging out at the house again today! This time, I am prepared!!! I went out yesterday and borrowed a ton of books and DVD's from the library! My main concern is the break and bake cookie batter in the fridge! I can hear it calling my name!!!!! Ugh. I don't want to eat it, but I think we all know how this story is going to end... :)

I am going to post a few pictures of the boys and one long (but really cute!) video of Gus trying to feed himself yogurt!

This is Evan, my half naked cowboy. He was singing me a song he wrote!


Gus is not the best self feeder-but he sure tries!

If one more snowflake falls....

I AM GOING TO LOSE IT, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Okay. So we have not had school since last Friday and momma is about to go 100% loony ( as opposed to my typical 88.3%!) This week has been nothing if not interesting. The kids have pulled all sorts of shenanigans and my home is taking the brunt of it!

1 The number of times I have actually sat in the corner rocking myself and crying.

2 The number of flooded toilets flooded from exactly the same number of full rolls of TP.

2.2 The number of liters of water Gus just dropped on my floor as I was typing this.

3 The number of times Gus has poured out an entire box of cereal.

2 The number of loads of clean ( and folded) laundry in 1 basket that Gus coated with Cookie

Crisp.

1,397 The number of times Evan has asked me if he has school that day.

1,397 The number of times I have unfortunately had to answer "no." So sad. :(

This a picture of the toilet Evan flooded. (The second time.) The first time, I scolded him and cleaned it out myself. The second time, I grabbed a pair of gloves and some construction goggles and handed them to Evan. I bet he never does this again! (Notice that there is literally almost no water left in the bowl! He used THAT much tissue!

Snowed in!

It's been snowing since Sunday afternoon, but the brunt of it has been in the last 24 hours...I hope. More to come, now with ice. All this has blended together to make the perfect recipe for disaster. CABIN FEVER. It's worse than being actually sick! The boys have been practically hanging off the ceiling fans. Craig had to leave home at 2:30 this afternoon to head north. He wants to get on the other side of the river (Ohio river) before the ice hits. He is spending the night at his momma's and will head to work in the morning.

Evan just said two funny things I had to jot down before our electricity possibly goes out. (They said that is probably coming, too!)

He ate cereal for dinner tonight. I know. Not the healthiest, but he wouldn't touch the ham I made with a ten foot pole! So, after he ate he said, "Mom, you know.... that cereal had 100 calories. It said it on the box. I just read it. Well...I think it was calories. Maybe it was a hundred fiber. Isn't fiber that thing that makes me poop all the time? Good thing I don't eat that anymore! Who wants diarrhea all the time anyway?"

He followed THAT little gem up with saying this (out of the blue...)

"Hey, kid. Please don't skip on the soap. Shew, son! You smell like a week old hotdog!" (that was to Gus, of course...because he did stink.)

Busy Weekend!

First of all- PRAISE JESUS that we are all healthy!!!! It is so nice to not be constantly wiping noses or cloroxing EVERYTHING!!!!! Just a couple more months and we're clear of flu season!!!

A couple fun things happened this weekend. Evan had his first basketball game EVER! So cute. He is one of three 5 year olds playing on a U7 team and lemme tell ya- It's hilarious! He did get a steal, which was cute. Here he is dribbling (kinda). He's number 2!


Saturday night I went out for my friend Dre's 30th birthday. I can't believe we will all be turning 30 this year. Funny, 30 used to sound so old to me! Now that I am almost there, it's not so bad...

Today we had cousin Dillinger's 5th birthday (GO DILLY!!!) at Jump Zone. I had no idea it was snowing, so thank goodness we left early! The roads were a mess! We had to leave Dillinger's party a little early to go to another birthday party! It was for Evan's first friend he made all on his own! (Not one of my friends kids, not a cousin, not in his class...) It was a kid that rides his bus! So fun. Evan had a blast, but Gus and I were so tired! (He didn't get a nap until 4pm!)

Now the boys are both in bed and I am just waiting for my honey to get home from work so we can get some shows off the DVR before I go into work tonight!

Sorry I have been a terrible blogger.

So, nothing exciting is going on. Between the boys and Craig, our house has become an infirmary. Starting January 1st the rounds of illness began. Gus didn't eat for a week, got croup, which led to an ear infection-causing his eardrum to burst. Evan got the cold from Gus's croup, then an ear infection. Craig got the cold from Gus's croup, which turned into possible pneumonia, definitely an ear infection and a busted eardrum. Whoo hoo. I am the only one to pass this unscathed. I am a nurse both at home and away for the moment.

All that aside. Things are just lovely. Craig and I are doing great. Kids are benefiting from our happy home.

Here's two cute things Evan said this week:

Evan and Craig were out in the living room yesterday, while I was attempting to rest. The history channel was on tv. It must have gotten Evan thinking..... "Dad? Did they have electricity when you were a kid?"
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I was washing dishes one day, looking haggard. (Taking care of a sick family is no small feat!) Evan walks up to me, holding a mirror. He said," Do you see what I see?" I asked what he saw. "The most beautiful girl in all the world!"
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New Year, new beginning.

I am going to shock everyone by saying the following statement....

There. Have you recovered yet?

Yesterday was a rough day in my home. Almost 11 years ago, I met a guy (who also is not perfect). We fell madly in love and ignored all little pieces of eachother that weren't quite compatible. We were CRAZY about eachother. Fastforward 8 years of marriage, and two adorable little scamps later. Now those incompatabilites are mixed with not enough "couple time," overall discontent, messy house, grumpy parents...you get where I'm going. I'm sure.

I thought we were through. I really did. I spent so many years wishing he would change and that things would be different. I ignored him. I nagged. I prayed. I screamed. I scolded. I threatened. I did alot of things I wish I hadn't. He ran. He partied. He screamed. He ignored. He closed me out. Yesterday, we came to the decision we needed to change. For us. For the boys. We needed better for all of us. I wanted counseling. He wanted divorce. I said that I was fine with whatever he wanted. I just was tired of fighting.

I couldn't sleep all night. I prayed. HARD. I had friends and sisters on their knees pleading with God to step in and cover our family. I am so excited to announce that this morning, Craig changed his mind. He wants to work it out. I am going to go to counseling. Even if he doesn't. I have to let go and let God. I just wanted to share my joy with everyone. Thanks for your prayers. And keep 'em coming! I know this isn't going to be easy, but I do know that it's going to be worth it.

Skinny Minnie bubs.

I am off to take Gus to the dr's office. I just called the nurse to ask about Gus's cough. (He woke up this morning with a barking cough. Hopefully it's not croup.)

I weighed Gus then and realized that he has lost a LOT of weight since Thursday (when he started feeling sickish...) He went from 28.8lbs to 23.6lbs! That's like losing 20% his weight! (In a week!) Obviously the picture on the right is photoshopped. Just wanted you to get an idea of what I'm talking about! He's lost his innertube! (Not really, but sorta, a smidge...)

Evan gets on the bus (first day back to school-PRAISE JESUS!!!) at noon and we go across the street to our appt at 12:10. Please pray that Gussie is okay and doesn't have to go to the hospital or get an IV. I don't think he is dehydrated (still has tears, mouth wet, still has wet diapers and not peaking skin)and that is why I didn't call dr earlier....Now I feel bad, though=

UPDATE: Just got back from the Dr's appt. He said Gus is around 26lbs, and not to worry about the weight b/c he is hydrated. However, poor bubs has Croup. :( I just put him down for a nap and all I hear is him barking in his crib. Poor thing.

When you're here, you're family! - Olive Garden

After last night-I think they will reconsider that slogan. Afterall, family is always welcome, right?

Yeah. Last night, after waiting an hour and a half(!!!!!) for those delicious bread sticks and salad, we finlly got sat. This is after Evan, Gus and two of my nieces ran around terrorizing the masses in the lobby for the better part of the evening. All was well...at first. The kids were behaving as best they could and Gus was as cute as ever. (Playing "where's Gus?" with the green linen napkins, and jabbering to all the nearby tables.)

Right after our dinner came (I got Chicken and Shimp Carbonara-YUM!)I heard a strange sound. If you ever had a dog, it's that sound they make when they accidently swallow the stuffing of your favorite childhood teddybear and are attempting to cough it back up. Followed soon after by that whooshing sound your washing machine made that time you accidently flooded the laundry room with your mixture of too much clothes/too much detergent...

Oh yeah. Vomit.(WHOOSH) EVERYWHERE. (WHOOSH)I just kept throwing linen napkin (WHOOSH), upon napkin (WHOOSH), upon napkin.( DOUBLE WHOOSH.) My sister and her husband were in tears laughing (because it was JUST THAT KINDA NIGHT.) The poor waitress came over and asked how our food was and I just said, "I need a to-go box and you need a bag!"

Oh how I despise the word fart. (ack!)

The other morning, I was lying in bed and Evan came in to use my bathroom. I heard him "toot." Then I heard him chuckle.

E: "Oops. I farted."
Me: "Evan. Do not say that word. It's gross!"
E: (totally ignoring my request and missing the point!) "What? I always fart when I pee."
Me: "Evan! Cut it out! I can't stand that word!"
E: (closing his eyes and inhaling deeply) "Ahhh. I love the smell of fresh fart in the morning!"

AAAAAH! What a little stinker! (Pardon the pun.) I was caught so off guard that I laughed and totally forgot to scold him for not listening to my demands. That kid just kills me!

BTW- Am I wrong? What do you teach a little boy to say when he passes gas? My husband thinks I am a dork for calling it tooting.

What should he say?
I:
stinkered?
passed gas?
shot a bunny?
cut the cheese?
broke wind?
have flatus?
pooted?
have thunderpants?
laid an air biscuit?
let one rip?
stepped on a frog?

I am all out of ideas on this ridiculous subject...but definitely open for suggestions! :)