Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving recap


Thanksgiving was wonderful.

I ate and relaxed all day....and in between, I looked through sales ads for Black Friday. The kids played and played and played some more. Football was watched, family memories were made, and food was eaten. I think that adds up to a fabulous Thanksgiving Day.

Sadly, I relaxed so much...the only times I picked up the camera were to put it in my bag and then take it out of my bag when I got home. I know sad for y'all and for me...but memories will live on.

So for now...you will have to be content with a snapshot from Lily's birthday party. I am on my husband's laptop and all the birthday pictures (except for this one) are on the desktop.

I'm sure this will hold y'all over til I can get to the desktop and do a proper update.

Jed and I have what is referred to by Texans as the Texas crud....kinda comes on like a cold and makes you feel miserable...sinus junk, cough, runny nose, etc. But the kids are both well. Now, just if Jed and I can get to feeling closer to 100%, all will be well.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A little diddy for you....

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Have a Wonderfully Delicious Thanksgiving Day!

Thanksgiving ramblings

I am Thankful for my wonderful kids

I went for Take #3 for Christmas pictures today. It was a rather windy day for it, but the kids enjoyed being outside. We met up with my sister and her kids, and my Sister-in-law and her daughter. The windy weather was a much needed break from the "humuggy" weather we have been experiencing lately. And thanks to the wind, and a front coming in from the northwest..by this time tomorrow night, we will be in jackets, jeans, and comfy socks. A far cry from my attire today...shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops.

Dakota, Alexis (cousin), and Lily

Lily, Cash and Samantha (cousins), and Dakota

And again...still trying to decide which one to send to Grandma

Today is Thanksgiving day...it is super early on Thanksgiving Day, and I am wide awake. Go figure! It doesn't feel like Thanksgiving Day...It feels like just a day that most people have off to prepare for Christmas. I was talking with Jed about it this evening..and he was saying that it feels that way because we have commercialized it too much. We went for quick last minute shopping trip to Sam's Club this evening and I saw a friend there. I joked that we were out for some last minute items before tomorrow when all is closed down...and they said...well, not everything is closed down. Almost everywhere is still open. I remember (and I'm not really that old here) when everything shut down for the holidays. Now, everyone is out to make a quick dollar...I often wonder if we all went back to the way things were...when we set aside a day for Thanks, a day for time with family, good eating, and just making memories...if we, as a nation, would really be in the financial and emotional situation that we are currently in...I wonder?!

We just need to bring back the traditions.

Now, I'm not against shopping...believe me! I will be with the crowds tonight at midnight trying to get the best deals on some items to finish out my Christmas shopping list...but can't we just stop this rapid pace of jumping from one holiday to another? Just kick our feet up and enjoy the time we have with our families? Sit back and count our blessings? Because I know with these struggling times, we ALL have many blessings to count. It may not be the blessing of the latest model of car, the ginormous bonus at work, the latest gadget....but the blessing of Family, Love, our Health, just having the opportunity to celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday..our Freedom.

Just a little on my mind tonight...as I lie awake thinking of all the things that I am thankful for.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving Day?

Monday, November 22, 2010

I am Thankful for.....




All is well on the Home front...
We are almost halfway through with Lily's antibiotics. She doesn't seem as whiny as before...and we are down to only using the "fishy" when she really needs it.

Dakota is out of school this week....This morning, he woke up and asked, "Mom, am I going to school today?" I call back, "No." Then I have him come look at the calendar and show him how many days he will be off from school, what day we go for Thanksgiving dinner, the day we go shopping (Friday), the day we celebrate Lily's birthday, etc. He was excited....but he does think that Dad should be home from work since he is home from school.

This past weekend, we (well, Jed and his mom...I helped a tiny bit) finally fenced in our backyard. The majority was fenced when we bought the house over 5 years ago, except for one side...and now it is all fenced in. The gutters were cleaned out and repaired..and the front of the house washed...now, it is ready for Christmas lights to be hung.

Lily enjoyed playing with the dirt that we dug up from the side of the yard. We are attempting to fix the drainage on the side of our house. When it rains heavy, the water builds up at the back down of our garage and then comes under the door and through the garage...which is NOT good. With the gutters fixed and the side of the yard sloping a bit to the ditch in our front yard, we are hoping this will fix the problem. Tomorrow is the BIG TEST...we have rain in the forecast. Now, we will get to see if all our hard work was futile.


I had to share this with you all...This is what Dakota is thankful for. With every picture colored, drawn, or painted, the teacher asks "what is it?" Most of Dakota's pictures come home with the title "I don't know" and a smiley face. Well, this craft shows that Dakota is thankful for "a dog", "a kitty", and "that's all...my dad said". I guess that was all that Dakota was thankful for...Gotta love how kids think and what they say.

So, what are you thankful for?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

It's not the Flu

It's not the Flu for Miss Lu.
But there is a reason for the onset of fever...Lily has a middle ear infection in one ear and fluid in the other ear (but no infection, yet, the doctor said)...and on top of that, she has a case of Bronchitis. The doctor said that the odd part about all this is how fast it hit her. It's not normally that fast...but the doctor was glad I brought her in. So, now Lily is on breathing treatments at least 2 times a day, cough medicine (as needed), and amoxicillin for the ear infection.

Oh, the joys of cold and flu season. Lily has roughly 10 days to be back in good health. Because in 10 days, we celebrate her 3rd birthday.

Way Back When-esday: Round 2

Dakota with Boba Fett (Star Wars) and Woody (taken earlier this month)

Well, it's Way Back When-esday...and it feels like it was "way back when" when Dakota was sick with the flu...and can you guess who is sick now???

It's Miss Lu Bell.

She started running a fever yesterday afternoon. It's been in the 100's and higher since yesterday. Today, it hasn't gone over 100.9, but she is also on Motrin as I speak...You can see it in her eyes. And she keeps complaining that her eyes hurt (from the fever) and her nose hurts (don't know why about her nose), and her mouth hurts (possibility of strep?!). I don't know...but the Dr wants to see her. The nurse who called me back said it was too far passed the "breeding period" for her to have the flu...but Lu DOES have all the same symptoms that Dakota had when he was diagnosed with the flu on the 8th. So, we are off to yet another Doctor visit...oh me, oh my! This is the 2nd visit in the last 2 weeks and we are still 14 days away from the start of health insurance coverage on the kids. The state says that we make too much to still qualify for Medicaid...so now, the kids are covered under CHIPs...which is still through the state, but there is a waiting period. And of all times for my kids to be sick, it's during the waiting period. I bet on December 1st, they will both be as healthy as a horse.
The pictures below were taken yesterday before nap time and before the onset of fever....This was my "Take 2" at pictures of Lily.

Lu Bell...on the trampoline...given the static-y hair

And again...My Pretty Lily Lu

Posing by the tree...looking at this picture now...you can see the sickness in her eyes :(

We were listening to the wind chime

Doing a breathing treatment...when the kids get sick, I let them do the "fishy" with water in it instead of medicine...it seems to help open them up and calms the cough.


Playing along with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Makes My Monday: Take 1 (pictures)

2 "seasons" in one...changing leaves in the background and holly berries in the front

Here are a few snapshots of our attempt at Christmas pictures.

I was trying to go with a different approach to pictures this year. Instead of having the kids pose in front of the Christmas tree, I opted for some outdoor shots. We weren't very successful, but we did make some memories. And I now realize that infants are much easier to take pictures of....they can't run from you, or hold a poochie lip for the entire photo session. They will hold whatever you tell them....and you always get the perfect smile when playing peek-a-boo. I miss that stage. They grow up way too fast for my liking.

Lilyann standing by the tree..I just couldn't get her to keep her hands away from her face

Dakota hiding behind the tree...Lily not really wanting the picture taken

My favorite of Dakota

Lily and Me

I'm going to try again....I would love to have a picture of Lily and Dakota together. But if not, I can always do single shots.

What's your trick to snapping the best pictures of your energetic toddler/preschooler?

Playing along with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday in hopes of receiving some magnificent tips for holiday photo taking.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Makes My Monday: Kota

Kota found a lizard...it was cool outside..so I figure that was the reason the lizard didn't really put up a fight with the giant little boy picking him up and carrying him around for most of the afternoon that day.

Here are some pictures of My Kota man....these were from last week. Kota is now home bound for at least the next 2 days. Kota tested positive for Type A and Type B influenza...I had taken him into the Doctor's office to get checked for croup. Since late last night, he was barking like a seal...which usually means croup. Well, he DID have croup in addition to the Flu. After the Dr's visit, it was off to pick up medicine and call everyone Kota had been in contact with including the school nurse. The dr reminded me to inform the school just in case anyone else came down with the same symptoms. And as far as the nurse knows, Dakota's case of the flu is the 1st in his school.
So far, it's going good. I think it's a toss up between keeping him inside occupied and getting him to take his medicine as to which is the hardest task. Gummi bears are our current reward for taking medicine like a big boy. And the privilege to play some video games.

Lily was not used to having Kota home today...she kept telling Kota " My Mommy, My House...NO, Kota, NO!" I guess she enjoys having run of the house while he is usually at school. But I'm sure she will adapt for the next few days...hopefully, she won't catch anything that Kota has. She has been inhaling orange juice lately. I can't seem to keep it stocked in the house. But this new favorite juice may keep her healthy...I can only hope.

Swinging on the tire swing one evening

Kota man being crazy on the trampoline

Now...how can I turn this into a Makes My Monday???
It makes my Monday that we caught the flu early with Dakota...so, maybe the Tamiflu will have help lessen the symptoms and the course of the flu..I can hope, can't I?!

playing along with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

still kicking

just dropping by to let all my readers (y'all haven't given up on me yet, have y'all?!) that we are still alive and kicking.
November is a busy month and we are only 2 days into it. I am working on finalizing the kids' insurance right now; and oddly enough the people at CHIPs won't share any information with me because I am NOT the head of household. It's crazy how at times they choose (yes, I said, Choose) to follow rules and policies. Due to checking "yes" to one question about who brings in the money of our household, Jed's name is now on everything related to health insurance for the kids. So, NO ONE will talk to me or answer any of my questions since I am not Jed....how frustrating!!! I am the one who signs each and every application for the kids' insurance...My signature counts for clarifying information but not for receiving information....absolute CraZiness!!

So, that is what I am doing lately....that and laundry. I will get back with y'all soon to share about our weekend. Until then, pray for my sanity while finishing up the insurance paperwork for the kids.