Oh What a Week!!!!

So to start of the week, when Syd got home on Monday, she just looked so sleepy. So I took her temp. and it was fine, but I thought to myself,"how could that be?" So an hour later I checked it again and it was on the climb. Funny how a mother knows her children like that. So we started the Tylenol remedy. I had already bumped her Flovent up the night before because she was starting to cough. So with her asthma and all, I decided to go ahead and get her to the ER for influenza testing. And they did an influenza and strep because her throat was so red. Both negative at the time. But they both have a pretty good rate of a false negative also. So we went home for the night with a follow up in the clinic in the am. Fever was 103.5 in the am when she got up, so we got ready and headed to the clinic. Not alot of change, other than the sound to her cough. So they put her on both an oral antibiotic and the Tamiflu as they were pretty sure she had the H1N1. We came home and she laid around most of the day. Fever would go up and down, and held out around 101. Then after her Tamiflu at bed time she started to vomit (because of the med). And with that she spiked a fever of 105!! OMG! What to do? I already had cool clothes on her and she was chillin. But she was not keeping things in her tummy, so Tylenol wasn't going to help. So I again called the ER and got to talk to Dr Kelly (the provider she saw in the clinic), and he said to come down and get some suppositories of Tylenol for her. So I did. She didn't much like them, but it did bring her fever down. And she finally broke the fever around lunch on Wed. So I took her to her Halloween party at school on Thursday. But she still hasn't got much for appetite and is quite pale and out of energy. So it has been a long week here. Just after recovering from Dylan and Xavier's illness, she got hit.

And on the note of Xavier, he's been a little fussier than usual. But I found a molar coming in on the top right side of his mouth. So I am sure that has been the problem. And the fact that his mommy time has been a little on the short side this week :)

So everyone enjoy the weekend and have a safe and Happy Halloween and I will try to post Halloween pictures this weekend.

On My Mind

So I have been thinking too much lately maybe. But there are a few things I would like to share with you. Like, if I had to describe my kids in one word what would it be? And it would go like this.

Madison = hard working

Dylan = Tenderhearted

Sydnie = Sassy

Xavier = Determined

And the other things I have thinking of are this. What is one thing that sticks out in my head about loved ones who have passed? And that would go like this.

My dad loved to eat sliced cheddar cheese with his apple pie. And my Grandma Jeanne ground her teeth like no other. Grandpa Flentie loved pineapple upside down cake and also hated it when us kids would eat all his dried pineapple that Grandma kept in a canister on the dishwasher. My Grandpa Eisenbarth would pop his false teeth, and it was annoying. And he loved sandwiches with those little u shaped bologna rolls diced up on them. And Grandma Eisenbarth, well I have alot for her, but some that stick in mind was that she almost always had an apron on, just one that tied around the waste and house slippers. And she didn't rinse the soap off her dishes when she washed them, strange that I know that huh. And one of my fondest memories of my Aunt Elaine is at Maddy's birth. She told me to PUSH, and she was in my face. And that day she had on these pink scrubs. My mom was video taping and she didn't know that the camera was still on. The picture is of Elaine's legs and the floor haha, and my mom pipes up "she's nice and pink isn't she and Elaine agrees, all the while what you are seeing is her pink legs. LOL. How about my Grandma Ayers. She didn't watch much TV and if she did it was like a Nashville channel or something. Anyway, she used to sit and tap her toes to the stereo a lot. She made the best cinnamon swirl bread, and she always had a Schwan's ice cream bucket of homemade cookies, usually sugar, in the freezer.

So, just a little of what's been on my mind lately. The kids are still passing the illness around the house. Dylan had probably had a touch of the H1N1. He has been running a fever for most of the week off and on. And now has a bad cold. And he and Xavier both have or had the hand, foot, mouth virus. Poor X had like 4 or 5 bad sores in his mouth. I had to break down and give him liquids from a bottle today. I guess the sores are in the wrong place when he tries to drink from his cups it hurts. Hopefully with lots of hand washing and disinfecting the house, we are in the clear soon. I am just coming down with what seems to be a head cold. So hopefully I nipped it early. Hope you are all staying healthy.

15 Months and ........

Well I will start with the fact that my little guy is 15 months old today. My oh my where has the time gone? I just cannot believe that he is not really a baby anymore. So what is he up to? Well, he is just into everything. As they say, he is a "shaker and a mover". He loves to run, dance, climb, and he is the biggest outdoors man that I have ever met. He loves to be outside. He is still really big into tractors and big trucks. He still has only 8 teeth in his mouth, and he does like to use them occasionally. He bites aggressively in his defense. He still has every inch of hair that he was born with, minus a trim enough to keep it out of his eyes. I am starting to think that he might be needing a hair cut soon. When you stretch out the curls, they are about middle of his shoulder blades. He talks up a storm, although, most of the time we don't know what he is saying. Some words we do understand are of course, mama, and dada, sissy, milk, tractor, yes, cracker, hmm, I can't think of any others at this time. So that is what Xavier is doing at 15 months.

Now, if you notice the time I am posting this, that is because we have been stricken with some illness at our house AGAIN. Dylan this time. He has been having a low grade temp. and tummy aches off and on since yesterday afternoon. And he got up about 2:30 this morning with a bad tummy ache. So I am sitting up with him and making sure he doesn't need anything. Gives me time to update the blog I guess. May have to hope for a nap later though. Somehow I am sure that will not happen as the girls will be getting out of school today at 11:30 for the end of the 9 weeks. So hopefully he will start to feel better soon, and no one else will be getting it.

And I will have to post pictures later, but the painter was here yesterday and got the wall going down our steps painted with the first coat anyway. And what a difference it made changing the color of that wall. I cannot wait to see the finished product. So the little projects we are trying to get done before the home tour are starting to fall into place. Now just to get it done and the decor up. But I thought I should at least wait til Halloween is over. Speaking of Halloween, Xavier is going to be a monkey, and the costume I got for him is so easy and cute. And how fitting. Can't wait til Halloween night.

So for now you are up to date on what is going on in the Boeckman house.

PRAYERS PRAYERS PRAYERS, PLEASE

I am asking for prayers for a friend today. We have never met in person, but her husband and I have. He used to be a drug rep, that brought us lunch and drug samples, when I worked in the clinic in Onaga. Eileen Huffman is her name and she has been battling breast cancer since her son was about a year old in 2003. She also has two older daughters. She is having surgery today at 1:00 to remove her thyroid gland and other glands to try and control her calcium levels, which are too high. The cancer has spread to her bones and she is in a lot of pain. However this may help and it may do nothing. It is in God's hands, please pray that this is a miracle and gives her peace and time on Earth. Thanks.http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/eileenhuffman

Lazy Day

Well yesterday I went to work for the better part of the day. Michael is just so busy and needed some help to get caught up. When I got home, Xavier was just not acting like himself. I picked him up to change his diaper and he was burning up. Took his temp and it was 103+. And he was breathing fast and just not acting right. So we ended up in the ER. He checked out OK other than the fever and a thick green mucous from his head. So he got a Rocephin shot and we were on our way. Today he started an antibiotic. We are starting him on a Pedisure a day also for a few extra calories, as he is such a little guy. He is a good eater when he feels well, but has had his bouts of not feeling well this year. And since he has not yet tripled his birth weight, and is so incredibly active, we are going to boost him with a few extra calories.

So today was a lazy day. Just laid around cuddling with my little man and catching up on missed sleep from last night. Did some laundry and dishes. Other than that, along with the cool wet weather, made a great lazy day. Xavier's fever did break during the night and stayed away til about 4:30 this afternoon and then it returned, but only 101, not the 103 that it had been.

So it looks like I will be home tomorrow with him as well. We will hopefully get a trip to the grocery store in since Syd needs a sack lunch for the Pumpkin Patch on Friday. But if he is still feverish, we will leave that up to daddy. I also need to work on statements, and get them out tomorrow.

The kids participated in The Living Rosary tonight at church and they all thought it was so neat. They explained it to me and it would have been neat to go, but I couldn't since Xavier was not feeling well.

We are working on getting some new paint done and a little bit of remodeling done. Our house is to be on the home tour for the Library in December and will be decorated for Christmas so we are hoping that it is all done by then.

Not much else to report. Maddy has taken a new interest in cleaning and helping me out today. She is wanting an allowance, so she has done a fair share of house work today. That is really nice beings I was a little on the lazy side today. It just goes to show she is growing up so fast.

We are headed to Nevada Mo this weekend for our Nanny's wedding. I am sure it is going to be a beautiful wedding and I cannot wait to hear all the music. It should be a good time I am sure. I will try to post pictures next week.

Oh Happy Fall!!

Wow, I haven't posted since Xavier's 1st birthday. My how time flies. Well where do I start. Maybe I should start by telling you all "I'm sorry". I know many of you have been checking regularly to see what we have been up to. Well truth be known we have been terribly busy, but that is no excuse. So here it goes. As I sit here trying to pay bills, get statements out, clean off my desk, get the paperwork entered, I look at the blog and decide there is no time like the present to get up to date.

Xavier is my little helper each and every day. Not a day goes by that him and I are not together and I thank God for that. He even goes to "work" with me on the days when I do go and help Michael. Those days have been few and far between lately. Have had a lot to do I guess. He started walking when he was just a week or so past his first birthday. I have video I will try to dig out and get posted. He still has not had an "official haircut". We have trimmed the front to keep it out of his face, but the sides and back is long and curly. He eats table food with the rest of us. He is a little peanut and has yet to triple his birth weight. But he is a good eater for the most part, just very active. He loves to dance, any time anything with a beat comes on he is boogieing. He not only walks not but runs. He goes up and down the stairs. He has pottied in the potty 4 times, each one before his bath which he loves. He still only has eight teeth, which he likes to use I might add. He says mama, dada, milk, uh oh, bye bye, yes, no, hmmm that is all I can think of right now. He loves to be outside no matter the weather. He also throws huge tantrums when he doesn't get his way. He is a lover, he loves to give kisses and hugs and blow kisses. He recently learned to blow his nose, due to a nasty cold and ear infection unfortunately. He loves tractors, which is another word he says, a lot. I am so looking forward to what he learns to due next.

Sydnie is in Kindergarten this year. She is off to a great start. She loves her teacher and loves school. She can write her name first and last. Is reading about 30 words or so. Knows all of her colors and shapes. Can count and write to 100 or past. She has homework every night and doesn't care, she just does it. She is my little helper. Whatever I might be doing, she wants to help and the same with her daddy. When he is going out to the farm to do anything, she wants to go along. She will be turning 6 in December.

Dylan is in 4th grade this year. He is loving school and of course his teacher. Nothing too new to report on him. He is still in the gifted program and has a new teacher in there this year. He started football again this year back in Sept. His team has not won a game, but they play hard and have fun. They scored their first touchdown last week, and it was #25, Dylan, who got to carry the ball in. How exciting! Before long he will be starting basketball. He wants to do gymnastics terribly bad and with his latest accomplishment of doing a back flip on his own, I think we may have to enroll next year. His grades are a reflection of the smart little or not so little boy that he is.

Madison is in the 5th grade this year. She recently made a big accomplishment in getting both tubes out of her ears. She also got her spring jet appliance off her teeth the other day ( just in time for Halloween ha). She is turning into such a beautiful young lady. She went to her first boy girl party on Friday. And she has now informed us that her and a boy are "dating" ha. She started band this year and is playing the clarinet. She is progressing nicely on it. She is still a book worm. And her grades also reflect quite nicely that she is a little smarty. She just has a bit of trouble turning things in once and a while. hmm She is wanting to start babysitting and does a great job with Xavier.

Michael and I try to keep to keep up with the kids and the business and still find time for each other. We recently participated in the go pink 5k walk in Sabetha. It is a fundraiser for cancer patients and families. We walked in memory of our family members who have had cancer, including my Dad, Aunt Patty, Grandparents, and cousin. This Saturday we are doing a 5 k for the coins for cause walk in Seneca that is also for cancer patients and families. We have a birthday party to attend and a party at a friends, along with the Cow Creek Opry. Next weekend we have a wedding to attend. We have not even found time to fit in a K State game yet. Michael is incredibly busy which is a blessing due to the economy. So many are looking for work, and yet we are at our busiest yet. Currently we are in some stage of about 25 houses. I try to help when I can, and keep up here and with the kids. Currently that consists of Tuesday night football practice, Wednesday night religion, and odds and ends the other nights, with football games on Sundays. Tomorrow night we happen to have tickets to the stage production of the Wizard of Oz. This is a reward to the kids for their grades. We have made it a point to reward them with something for the whole family for good grades. So as you can see we have been busy. I leave you with a few pictures. Hope you enjoy and I plan to keep this up as much as possible and do apologize for the delay.

Where to Start??

Well, it has been an extremely busy and fast paced summer so far. Sydnie and Dylan played soft/baseball this summer. So that meant a ballgame 4 nights a week. They both did great. Dylan's team finished last night taking first place in the tournament. I am glad to have it over for another year.

We went on vacation back in June. We left on the 18th and returned on the 27. We had a great time while gone. The ride out to Virginia was definitely not one we want to experience again. Madison was on an antibiotic for strep throat and wouldn't you know it the day we left, Syd and Xavier, fevers and sore throat. So needless to say it was a very long trip. We ended up staying over night in Ill. Our plan was to drive straight through, but Xavier was not eating, drinking or sleeping so we stopped for about 5 hours of rest. Then back on the road. We arrived at my aunt's house about 10 o'clock the following night. The mountains we drove through we awesome. While there we visited the National Aquarium in Baltimore, went into DC and saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House, Capital building, the Pentagon and 9-11 memorial. We went to the air and space museum, and the National Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. We rode the Metro into DC and yes we were on it the day of the crash. However not on that train thank goodness. We did however have to ride the red line the following day to the Cathedral. We had a great time while we were there. And the ride home was much better with healthy children. We drove straight through and it took about 21 hours. We arrived home on Sat the 27 about 6:30 am. That night we went down to Havensville to their 4th of July celebration and the kids loved it.

Also on July 11 we had our annual 4th of July party. It is put on by the business as an appreciation for all our friends, family, contractors, and sales reps. It is a good time to be had by all. We had a great day for it and had a great turn out. And I must say the fireworks were the best show yet.

I am still working 3 days a week and have a nanny coming. Her last week is next week and I am not looking forward to that yet. I am enjoying my time out and having some adult conversation. The kids are loving her being here and enjoying summer.

Mr Xavier has turned one. Yesterday was his big day. We are celebrating his birthday on Saturday. So what is he up to these days? Well, he is crawling like a maniac, which he has been doing for quite some time. He is taking a few tiny baby steps, but has no real interest in walking. He will go from a sitting position to a standing position without help. He has 7 teeth currently and has another in the works. He is eating table food and loving it. He is on whole milk and drinking it from a sippy cup. He had tubes in his ears in June and they really have seemed to help him. He is trying very hard to talk, but at this time, mama, Dada, and no no are about all we understand. He waves goodbye. He loves to give out kisses and hugs. He still is very attached to his blankie, but is doing very well with leaving his Binky in his bed and only having it at bedtime. So now you are caught up on where he is at at1 year.

I do have so many pictures to post but tonight is not the right time to download them and put them up, so I will try to get to that tomorrow if you can handle the anticipation of some very cute kids. haha

Happy Birthday to My Big Guy!!

WOW, where in the world has the last year gone? I cannot believe that one year ago today we were celebrating Xavier's birth. And what a year it has been for him. There is so much I have to tell you about what he is now doing (beings I have neglected the blog for awhile). And I do promise to do so tomorrow. I will make time to fill you in on what we have been doing. I just wanted to be sure and give a shout out to the world to let them know that my baby is turning one today.

We just got home from Dylan's Peewee baseball tournament championship game and Corning took first place. Way to go team. More tomorrow, I promise.

Real Quick

Just wanted to let everyone know we are going in in the morning to have tubes put in Xavier's ears. He just continues to have problems with ear infections and fluid. And last week he failed his hearing test. So even though it is a minor surgery, please keep him in your prayers in the morning. And that he will have no complications with the anesthesia.

I will try to do a more thorough post tomorrow to update everyone on what is going on in our world.

Good Night!

I Need a Nanny!!

First of all, before I even start this I want all of you to know that this sounds like complaining, but it is actually venting. It is just something I am going to have to get off my chest before I drive myself crazy. So here it goes, are you ready for this?

I know there are plenty of mothers out there that go to work every day and would love to have my stay at home job. And yes there are days when I am so glad that I don't have to get up early and get ready to go to work. However, more and more, I am wishing that I had a job, outside of the house, at least something part time. I never, and I mean never, have anytime to myself. When I go to the bathroom, I ususally have someone following me. When I take a shower, Xavier is usually on the floor watching me, more so that I know where he is and what he is doing. I just wish for one morning, I could just worry about me. And I am not wanting that to sound selfish, for I love my children and I am so blessed that God chose me to be their mother, but more for the fact of my husband. Michael gets up at 5:30 in the morning with no care in the world other than what he needs for the day. He eats his breakfast in peace and quiet, and then heads off to get ready for work. He has no idea who doesn't want to get up in the morning and get ready for school because they didn't go to bed on time the night before. He doesn't have to listen to the bickering in the morning because the kids are tired (still from not getting to bed on time the night before((I'll get to that in a minute)). He doesn't care, at all, what clothes is or isn't clean for the kids for school. He doesn't have to ramble on every morning about what there is for breakfast food, so that each one is satisfied and goes to school with a full tummy. He doesn't even ask to see there school work, or ask to see their book bags, in which I have to sign Dylan's planner each night. Then as they are finally off on the bus, he does not have the monotony of doing the same ol' housework every day. I never feel like I have accomplished anything, because what I do today is still there tomorrow. At least on his job, he might do the same thing (wire a house) but at least he has the sense of accomplishment, as he moves on to a different house. I never feel that. Then while the dishwasher is running, or the washing machine is washing, and I have finished vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning toilets, I still have payroll to do. Or the book work that is piling up (haven't entered any receipts since the first of the year, and I am going to start to catch up on them before I fall even farther behind), or the statements he brought me late last night then need sent out so that we get paid. Or the contractor that owes us thousands, and has not paid since Jan, so I have to make that phone call to the attorney and send him the paperwork so that we can eventually get our money. Oh hang on, the washer just completed, let me go hang out those clothes. Wow, the grass really grew up over night, I will have to get it mowed that afternoon. Now back to the bookwork, let's see dang it, I forgot to pay bills, better get that done. While I'm on the computer, I think I will check the kids grades. Incomplete, what, how did that happen, I will have to remember to ask about that when the kids get home. Now where was I, oh yes, paying those bills. Hmmm, what should we have for dinner tonight, something that everyone will like, and have no complaints. Xavier, did you dirty your diaper? Whew, that was a stinker, off to the garage trash. Oh trash, another thing, better get it ready to go out tomorrow morning. Where is all the time going, time to get lunch for Xavier and watch for Sydnie's bus. Now to make lunch for Syd and get X down for a nap. Still need to get those statements done and finish those bills. Well, now that Xavier is down for his nap, I had better go get the lawnmower greased up and get started on that grass. While mowing I notice that the flowers, trees, and garden are in need of water. Mow around the garden and get the hose going on it. Sydnie comes out of the house with the phone, take the phone call, have to quit and look something up for Michael on the computer, now back to the mowing. Well, now that my afternoon is shot, and the kids will be home soon, Xavier is up and oh yeah, I still haven't laid any meat out of the freezer for dinner tonight. What should we have? Now does anyone have any homework that needs done? Run someone to ball practice. Still mowing the yard. Get Xavier fed dinner and get dinner on for the rest of us. Finish that load of laundry in the washer, and get dinner on the table. Now off to get the little ones in the tub for their bath, read a story (maybe if we get time) and ready for bed. Still have those bids to get in the computer that Michael is working on while I give the kids baths, only to come out and find him playing Mafia Wars on the laptop (a facebook thing). Wow really, he was at work all day, came home and got to ride out to the pasture and count cows, to come home and play on the computer instead of having the print ready so that I am not working on bids at 10:00. Hmmm, did he even think once about the kids, or I , or what needed done around the house today? NOO!! All the mean while, I still am getting the older kids ready for bed. Sent them off to their rooms only 20 minutes behind, bedtime is 8:30 not 9:00. While I am now rocking and feeding X, I hear them goofing off downstairs, really, Michael, can you go and tell the kids they need to get to sleep. Put Xavier to bed, finish the laundry and cleaning up after dinner as I haven't done that yet. Now are you ready to work on bids? Do the bids and by now I am exhausted, so I am going to bed, guess I will work on the statements and bookwork tomorrow. But will I accomplish any thing tomorrow?? We'll see!!

So now let me explain a little. Michael used to be such a big help to me. He ALWAYS gave the evening baths. I at least used to get 5 or 10 minutes to myself in the evenings. Now, never. He rarely, but sometimes, give the kids their baths. He is soo, soo, addicted to crap on facebook, Mafia Wars, and Texas Hold 'Em. And yes I do play Texas Hold 'Em as well, usually when the kids are tucked into bed, and I am tuckered out for the night. Not when they are still up and need to get things done and off to bed. It seems like the more I do, the more I am just expected to do. I would just love to be able to not worry about what needs done, or who has what going on tomorrow after school, or what to cook for dinner, or WHATEVER, for just once. Sometimes I even feel like he is a kid. I have asked him several times to clean up a cooler that he used for some beverages when they built fence. It was in the garage, and he managed to get the water and cans out of it and then put it in the hall bath to wash up. I eventually, after asking several times for him to clean it up, moved it to the front door step to get it out of my way in the bathroom. Now I have again asked him to get it cleaned up and put away and it still sits on the front door step. This bothers me most because if that were the kids, it would have been thrown away long ago. They don't get that many chances. I just get tired of nagging, but if he would just do it I wouldn't have to. And I am NOT doing it. That is what I am talking about the more I do for him, the more he expects, and the less he does. I am not wonder women. I would like to think that I am, however, I am not. Okay, this is a lot longer than I had hoped, but maybe I feel a little better to get that off my chest. I do love to be at home most of the time, but sometimes, I think if I had to work outside of the house, I would get a lot more help here at the house. So this is just venting, something to get it off my chest, I am trying not to complain, as I know it could be a lot worse.

Now on to the kids. Sydnie has only 2 days of school left, then off to Kindergarten in the fall. WOW! And the other kids have 5 1/2 days left. I cannot believe it is almost summer. We have been working hard on getting the pool put in the back yard, it will be so nice. Xavier is crawling and climbing and trying hard to stand up on his own. He is loving the ability to be outside. He is fascinated by the cows. He still has only 4 teeth, but is really loving the finger foods he is able to eat. I am going to try and post some photos and maybe a video later, probably tomorrow. For today, it is off to get the statements out in the mail, and then mow this afternoon, hopefully. Hope you all have a great day.

Where Did We Go Wrong?

You know, I have been recapping the whole illness thing we have going on. As many of you know, Xavier was in the hospital overnight last Saturday/Sunday. And Syd, Monday and Tuesday. They mainly were hospitalized for dehydration secondary to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. As it goes, Xavier had the diarrhea since Monday of last week and intermittent vomiting. I took him to the Dr on Wednesday, and we thought it would pass but did do some lap tests on him. Turns our he had rota virus. No big deal, a normal childhood disease, which most children have had by age 5. Usually the most critical in children under the age of 2. And usually mild symptoms in older children and adults. Well, Sunday morning Michael called me at the hospital and wanted to know when I would be home for shift change. WHAT? He said he was up all night with Syd. She continued to not be able to keep anything down until Monday so I then took her to the dr. We assumed she just had a good case of the stomach flu. Really no diarrhea, just vomiting and nausea. We came home on Tuesday afternoon, and she has had the "squirts" since. So I kept her home from school again today. Michael was also sick on Tuesday and yet today is not feeling the best yet.

So now on to what I was thinking. My kids have never really been in daycare, and have been extremely healthy kids for the most part. And I was thinking back to last summer when Syd was sick with the Crypto. Where did she get that? It is usually caught from a public water source, like pools. We hadn't even been to a public pool when she got it. And not only had we not been to a public pool, we hadn't been a pool at all. She was down for a good 2 weeks with that, and to this day thinks she is a vegetarian because of it. She hasn't really eaten meat very well since.

Syd had the flu in November right around Thanksgiving. She was sick and it lasted only about a day, but came back about a week later. That was when she was vomiting so often that she got so worn out we had to take her to the dr. Maddy then had the flu in Jan.

Then Syd's asthma got really out of control in February. We had it so well controlled for 2-3 years now. What happened? She ended up in the hospital twice with that episode.

Then back in Feb./March I got pneumonia and mono. All at the same time and ended up with a pleural effusion.

And now this? What is going on? Why are we getting all these illnesses? I am not complaining. I do know that it could be a lot worse. But it just seems odd. Up until the last year, we had a few minor illnesses, colds, and 24 hour flu bugs here and there, but nothing like this.

So enough about that, I am just hoping for a good healthy summer, if it ever gets here. It is raining again today. We are so wet right now. I got most of the yard mowed yesterday in between showers. Our garden is mostly under water. We really need the sun to shine for a while to dry us out a little. We will probably be begging for rain in July. A quick story about Syd this morning. I was singing "Rain, rain, go away". And looked out and said "my, it's pouring" and Syd looked at me and said, "God is spitting on us!" Ha ha. "Mama, why is God spitting on us?" And I told her he must not have liked something that we did, but explained that we should not spit on people, even if they did something we didn't like. And she said, "Probably he doesn't like us, he likes the people in China."? What? Where did that come from? I just laughed and let it go.

Not much else going on. We have our soccer tournament this weekend. And Dylan and Syd start base/softball the end of May. Practices have already started. Won't be long and summer break will be here. Syd gets to go to Kindergarten all day tomorrow and next Friday. It is transition for next year, so they know what to expect.

I still have pictures I want to post, but am posting this from the laptop and the pictures are on my pc, so I will try to get to that later. Right now I better get back to my cleaning. Seems as though I am a couple weeks behind, and with all the illness, have tons of laundry. I also have been trying to sanitize and disinfect everything in hopes the rest of us will stay well.

Happy Birthday Deagan Michael Ronnebaum

Well today was the big day. My little nephew made his arrival into the world around 11:30 this morning. He weighed 8# 1oz. and was 19" long. Both mom and babe are doing great. When I ask Derek, the now big brother, were he was going to live and I ask if he could stay at my house, I was told it was his baby and going to HIS house. haha He is too cute, Derek that is. And Deagan is not to shabby himself. They are such a cute family, full of D boyz. Love you Kara and congrats on the new little guy.

Sunny Days and Still Sick Kids UGH!

Well the weather is beautiful. I mowed the yard for the first time this season today. I love to mow when the sun is shining and it is not too windy. The fresh air is just refreshing.

Xavier has a stomach bug. He had diarrhea yesterday after his nap and into the evening. And he wasn't real excited to eat as dinner time. Then about 8:00 or so, he vomited. He was pretty tired and worn out. He hadn't vomited for a couple hours to at 2 this morning we went to bed. He slept til about 8 this morning. Acted a little better today, just really tired. He cat napped most of the day and had a fever most of the day as well. I had taken him outside to get some fresh air after his really long nap, and he was acting much better. Like he had a little energy. Then around 6:30 I brought him in and was going to give him a little cereal for dinner tonight. He had had some Popsicles, water and a little milk (formula) today, and it all stayed down. I had just mixed the cereal and he got sick again. I tried to feed him a few bites, but he was not interested. And he was acting really tired again. So I rocked him for awhile. I needed to get a shower from mowing the yard, so I put him on a blanket in the kitchen where Michael was and went to take my shower. Well before I even got in I heard him vomit again and went to Michael's rescue to help him clean it up. He was busy making dinner. So since then X has been really unhappy. Not feeling well. He and I got in some great bonding time in the rocking chair, but I feel so bad for him. He is still running a fever, but the Tylenol didn't stay down. So I guess we will wait and see what the morning brings and I think if he is still ill, I will make him an apt with the dr. I wish all this illness would just go away. You would think with spring weather, that we would be getting out of all the bugs. Hoping for a better day tomorrow and that no one else gets it.

We Are Still Here, Livin' Life in the Fastlane

WOW! Where do I start?? Hmmmm. Well since my last post, we had a mini vacation and are leaving today on another. Xavier's first top tooth popped through (Monday April 6). Soccer is in full swing. What am I forgetting. Oh, Easter has come and gone. Wow any thing else. Oh yes, Madison did a great job on her state assessment tests at school. She got 95 math and reading, both exemplary, and 91 science, also exemplary and according to her the highest score in her class. YES!!

So the first weekend in April we headed to St Joe for the National Federation Bull Riding finals. We have done this for the last 8 years I believe, maybe 9. Anyway, a good friend of ours rides bulls in this circuit. Way to go Seth. He rode Thursday and Friday nights, but wasn't able to hold on Saturday night. I am not sure of his place, but he did place in the finals. Dylan was excited to get his shirt from his ride being the highest of the night on Thursday night. We are going to put it in a shadow box on his wall next to Seth's photo.


Xavier, like I said has his 3rd tooth. He also has been battling with an ear infection. He goes in for a recheck this morning. And he will be having his, drum roll please, 9 month visit today also:( At least there will be no shots. YEAH! He is pulling himself up to furniture and walls and gates and legs and whatever he can get ahold of. And is starting to let go. Also he is starting to show signs of wanting to walk if he is holding on. He also mastered crawling all the way up the basement steps on Tuesday afternoon. He just continues to grow and develop and it seems to be happening too quickly.

Sydnie had started soccer. This was a little bit scary for her at first, but now she loves it. She cannot wait for the next soccer game/practice. Dylan is also playing soccer and like always is so competitive.

So a few quick cute stories. Last week we went out to eat at a local bar. They have like $2.00 cheeseburgers on Thursdays, and while there some friends came in. They are actually the parents of one of our employees. And Terry ask Sydnie "where is you pretty pink cowboy hat?"

Syd: (And I am sure you can hear the attitude) "You mean cowGIRL hat?"

Terry: "Oh yeah, cowGIRL hat?"

Too cute!

And the other day after school, Syd was sitting on the floor watching TV and Xavier and I were in the rocking chair and he was getting a bottle. Well, Syd tooted, and instantly she turned and looked at us and said, "Who was that?" And she was so innocent about it. Little turkey.



So I leave you with photos and video. And if I don't get them all posted I will try to do it later on today.

I am not able to figure out how to turn the video, so I guess you have to watch it sideways;-}

Okay, I guess the photos are not able to download right now and I am out of time trying, so I will have to post the pictures next week. We are headed to Hannibal MO this afternoon. So I will post pictures when I return.

On another note, we had Xavier's Dr apt this morning and the ears are clear. He is 28" long (48%) and 19# 4oz. (28%). No shots today, but next time, at one year, he will get 5, yes 5, shots. OUCHY! Until next week........

Oh the Little Smarty Pants!! Way to Go!!

First and foremost, Madison and Dylan put forth all their efforts in school and it showed. Dylan got 100% in math on his State Assessment testing!! Way to go bud! See what happens when you try! That means 3 days of testing and his didn't miss a beat. He also got 95% on his reading assessment, which according to the state is also exemplary!

Madison's report card for the 3rd nine weeks is awesome! She not only brought home straight A's, she brought home A+'s in math, science, social studies, and spelling! Way to go Maddy. She is taking her state assessments still. I believe they are done with reading and she also brought home a 95%, I think, and I know it was exemplary, whatever it was! Way to go Maddy, you have really put forth all the effort this year and it shows. Keep it up.

And now to mr Xavier. Over the weekend, (for my record March 20) he learned to pull himself to a standing position on the furniture or whatever he can get a hold of. He did reach the milestone of 8 months over the weekend also. His only problem now is once he stands up he can't always figure out how to get down!! It is so cute. I will try to get some video and post it. He is also saying Da Da, Ma Ma, Ba Ba. He sometimes waves bye-bye. He is eating all baby foods. Likes most except green beans, and broccoli and carrots. We are still waiting on his top teeth to come in, they are close. He is crawling all over and into everything. It all just is happening so fast. At this pace, he will definitely be walking before he is a year old:-(

That is about it for now. Dylan and Syd are staring soccer this week with their first game on April 4. It should be an exciting season.

Where Have We Been

SPRING IS NEAR!! WE WELCOME HOLLIS THE FIRST OF THE SEASON, 03/17/09.

Well, I do apologize for the delay in posting. I can't believe it has been almost 3 weeks since my last post. So what do I have to share?

First and foremost I guess, I had been under the weather. I am feeling somewhat better now, still continuing to heal. I finally went to the Dr on the 6th. Only to get the diagnosis of pneumonia (which I suspected). She changed the antibiotic I was on again, this was the 3rd round, and gave my an injection of Rocephin. If I was not feeling better by Monday I was to return for lab and chest xray. So Monday rolled around and I was not feeling much better, still had a lot of pain in my chest and cough. So I waited it out and on Tuesday went for the lab and xray. Not only did I get the pneumonia, I had mono as well. Well that explained alot. Why I seemed so drained all the time. And on top of that the chest xray showed a pleural effusion, which is fluid in the lungs, which is not uncommon with the extended illness I had had. If you remember it started back on Feb 17th. So tomorrow I go back for a repeat chest xray to make sure the fluid is gone. So enough about me.

The kids have been on spring break all week. They were also out of school on last Friday due to the Centralia girls and boys teams going to state basketball. Both teams took 3rd. Way to go Panthers. We do know that spring is very near. We just love this time of year. Yesterday the weather was perfect, 80 degrees out and not a lot of wind, a plus for Kansas.

So how do I know spring is near, other than the weather? Well, let me show you. This is our first little sign that we are getting into spring.

"Hollis" was our first calf to be born this year out on the farm. There are several calves out there that belong to family, but he is our first. Grandpa called and we arrived out at the farm just in time to witness his birth. This takes me back a few years to when Maddy was about 4 or so. She wanted to be a Vet. So the arrival of Spring came and with it calving season. We took her out to help with one of the deliveries, and low and behold, the sac didn't break around the calves mouth when it was born. So to those of you that are city folk, you have to break the sac and pull it back so the calf can breathe or it will drown. So Michael reaches down and breaks the sac, and the fluid comes out, the calf coughs, and Madison said "I don't want to be a Vet anymore." lol Just instantaneously. But is has grown on the kids now, they don't mind. Seeing Michael shoulder deep inside the cow to pull calves is not uncommon, and bothers no one anymore.

I have video to post of Xavier crawling. Once he mastered it, he went from crawling to running on all fours. He is just a little too mobile. He had his first tumble down the steps the other day. I happened to be there so I just let him go down the first 3 to try and teach him he would get hurt if he went near them. I have a baby gate on order, but had to special order one because of the width of our steps. He is also pulling himself up on his knees. He tries to get up to his feet, and has accomplished it, only in his crib. So the other day he pulled himself up to his walker, and slipped and bumped his face on the tray, so he got his first shiner.

Sydnie had decided to become the big girl we all know she is. We have been working with her to stay dry at night, and using the bed alarm. This worked very well for Dylan so we tried it with her. She does not like the alarm. It scares her. But it is working to an extent. I think because she does not want to wear the alarm, she has been dry more often the last week than wet. She is so proud of herself and so are we. Hopefully, we will continue and not have to buy anymore pullups. YEAH!

Other than that, pretty much the same ol stuff here. I will try to be better with keeping you all up to date, but it will be a challenge with the weather turning so nice. To my mom I would like to wish her a Happy Belated birthday. Of course, I told her on time also, but on here it is late.

Prayers for the Neel Family

It is a very sad time for a very close friend of mine. And it hits very close to home. Her mama has been battling cancer courageously for over 2 years now and has been doing extremely well. In the last week, they go bed news that it was spreading and fast. And the Good Lord be with her she passed peacefully today. It will be very tough on the Neel family to be with out Shirley I am sure. She was a mother of eighteen children. And seemed to be able to not only work two jobs to provide for all of them, but have time for all of them and the grandchildren as well. So here is to Whitney and all the Neel family, you are all in our hearts, and we pray that you are all able to find comfort and peace knowing that your mom is in a wonderful peaceful place. Reunited with your brother. And I also pray that you are all able to find a new "normal" without her. It is a tough road ahead and some days it is hard to fight through it as everything will remind you of her in some way, but I know that you all can do it. I pray that you all find peace and comfort in your lives. My Sympathies are with the whole family.

Even More Pictures

Madison's funky hat she got at the circus. This was her expression while Casey was singing happy birthday to her at the soup supper in Havensville.
Red Robin singing Happy Birthday to Madison.

Diggin into the ice cream sundae that they brought her at Red Robin.

Little X sitting up by himself like a big boy.

Dylan's basketball team.

More Pictures

My sickies. Syd not happy in the croup tent.

Like puting her in a big bubble.

Xavier one night when he was not feeling well, fell asleep in his walker.

Look at those puppy dog eyes. She was really not feeling well. But the next day she looked even worse. Dark, dark circles formed under her eys.

As you can see, Xavier was just as happy as ever at the hospital.

The pictures I have been promising

The kids riding the elephant. Syd up front, with Dylan and Maddy behind her.

And Again.

Just some of the performers, on balls juggling.

Silly clown.

Trapeze Artists.

Happy Birthday to You, You Live at the Zoo

You know the rest, you look like a monkey and you act like one too!! Today is Madison's birthday. She is TEN, yes TEN years old. I can hardly believe it. I can remember back 10 years ago so well. There was a train derailment in Onaga, and coal was spilled all over. We also had a healthy snow on Feb 21st, 1999, or early morning on the 22nd. Michael and I had a bottle of wine out in the snow from our suite at the hospital. Of course, it was more for him.

We took Maddy to the Red Robin last night for her birthday, and then off to the circus. She, Dylan, and Syd seemed to have a really good time. They got to ride the elephants at the circus. I do have some pictures to post and hope to make time to do that tomorrow.

Michael and I worked on getting the shelving up in all of our closets today. This has been a long time coming. We have been our house now for almost 5 years, and it will be great to actually have lots of storage in our closets.

So we took a break and headed to Havensville to the community building for dinner tonight. They had a fundraiser, soup dinner, to raise funds to make a handicapped bathroom in their building. While there, Casey Jordan, Tanner's (Michael's employee) sister and the band played and sang happy birthday to Maddy. She was just a little embarrassed. For anyone who has not been to Havensville to the Cow Creek Opry, and hear Casey and all the other local talent sing, I would highly recommend it. They are great. And for about $20, you can eat, and see the concert, and that is the whole family. Great, cheap family entertainment. Their next show is March 28th. And the Legend show that they put on, where they dress and act like the entertainers is May 2nd. We cannot wait to see these shows again.

So I promise to try and make time tomorrow to put up the photos that I have been promising. Oh, and I almost forgot, Xavier is 7 months old today also. My how time flies. We will talk more about him tomorrow also.

So to Maddy:
Happy Birthday baby. We love you so much. You have grown into quite the young lady. We are so proud of you and the qualities you have. You have so much compassion for others, and determination and endurance in you. You can do anything you put your mind to and you have proven that. You are such a big help to me at home, and sometimes I am sorry that I don't let you help me more. I am going to try and let you do more to help me out and let you take on some of the responsibility that you want to have. I guess it is just hard for me to let you grow up. But I guess there is no stopping it. Daddy and I are so proud to say we are your parents. Keep setting the examples you do now and strive to reach the goals you set in life. We love you!

Momma and Daddy.

UUGGGGHHHHHHH

Well, I am sure you are all waiting on me to post some pictures that I promised. I am hoping to get it done soon. I also want to get a video of Xavier starting to crawl, actually on all fours posted. So hopefully I will find time soon.

I am not sure where to start. So when I left off, we had just gotten home from the hospital and Syd appeared to be on the uphill side of things. Well, she is still not feeling 100% better. She is very clingy and wants to be held. She has a really good cold going on now. However, she is much improved from Friday.

Now on to Xavier. He started with a cough and cold on Saturday. Sunday he was a little fussy, but not bad. However, Sunday night he did not sleep well at all. He was up most of the night. I noticed he was still rubbing his ears. So Monday we headed off to the Dr again. Yep, both ears were infected. And there is a good possibility that he has RSV. The Dr said we were going to give him a shot. And even if he had RSV at this time, we wouldn't treat him any different, so we didn't test for it. For those of you that have seen the test for RSV done before, you will understand. For those of you whom haven't. They take this little tiny hose (about the size of a pencil lead) and stick it way up into their nose. It is hooked to a syringe with sterile saline in it. They inject the saline into the nose and withdraw it back in to the syringe. It is no fun at all. So that is why I opted to not run the test. If he were to get worse, I was to bring him in. Well, he is not sleeping the best still, and up until today was not eating much at all. Only 16 oz yesterday. About half of what he normally eats. Less than that on Monday. He has been extremely fussy. Doesn't really know what he wants. So lets pray that he is on the uphill today. He has already taken 12 oz of milk. And ate his lunch. Right now he is resting.

So yesterday I went to KC to a trade show with my sis. We had a good time. It was great to get away and get a small break. Love you Sis! So I had this tickle in my throat all day and kept coughing because of the tickle. Now this morning, my chest hurts bad. I have a bit of a headache. And a terrible cough. So now that makes 3 of us.

Maddy told me this morning that she had a bit of a sore throat. And I heard her coughing a bit through the night. She is not complaining yet, but somehow I have a feeling it won't be long. And that makes 4.

And now Dylan. He has been getting a bit of a cough the last few days. But this morning, he woke up with hives. With Dylan that is a sure sign that a fever and illness is on the way. It is just a way that his body deals with it and it is a warning sign for us. So that makes 5.

NOW, Michael chose not to get a flu shot this year. And I will be really ticked if he is the only one who doesn't get this crud. I really hope for his sake he doesn't get it. It seems to be able to get the best of you.

So, we are all going to take it easy and try to get to feeling better. My hospital bill is definitely going to be on the rise this month. With Syd's meds, and being in the hospital for 2 days, and all of us being on antibiotics, and all the dr visits, it will take a toll on the ole checkbook. So I am going to try to get the energy and time to get the pictures and video uploaded soon.

Have I mentioned I am ready for Spring? Only a few times. I hope all of you are staying healthy and staying away from all this crud.

Oh So Glad to Be Home

Oh, what a Friday the 13th!?? I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th until they mentioned it on the radio. I headed out to Wamego to get my hair done early yesterday morning. I had taken Xavier over to my moms for the morning. I was looking forward to a little me time. Something I hadn't had in quite a while. So I was just pulling into the parking lot at the salon, and my cell rang. It was Syd's teacher and she was quite anxious. Syd could not quit coughing. She had tried a drink and given her her inhaler and it just wasn't cutting it. So I called my mom to have her run over and get her. I continued with my appointment, and ran a quick errand into Manhattan. And then on my way home. Got to my mom's, picked up Syd and headed back to the Dr. They tried a Xopenex treatment with no relief and so off we went to be admitted into the hospital once again. She coughed most of the afternoon and into the night until about 12:30 this morning. Then that pretty much stopped it all. She has been good ever since. We came home around 9:30 this morning. We are going to stay on our meds, and hope that we are out of the woods. This has probably been the worst flair up that she has ever had. It is a little scary. She looked terrible last night. She had dark circles under her eyes, she just looked worn out from coughing so much. But today, well, she acted like Syd. She is back to eating a little bit, and hopefully will get some energy back and keep headed in the right direction.

Also Happy Valentines Day to all. And to my hubby, thanks for the flowers. And thanks for cleaning up the house. I love you and all that you do for me.

I have some pictures of Syd from Thursday in the croup tent and I will try to get them posted later today or tomorrow. I am just too tired right now, and have this humongous headache.

Asthma and Ear Aches

Well, today is Thursday. I am happy that it is close to the weekend. The weather today is supposed to be in the fifty's. We had 2 inches of quickly melting snow yesterday. It melted as fast as it came.
I took Xavier to the Dr office yesterday. He has had this lingering upper respiratory thing going on. I thought he might have an ear infection, but just wasn't sure. He was such a goo happy baby. So yes, he did have an ear infection in left ear. With all of the other kids, you always knew when they have an ear infection. They would not sleep at night and would cry and cry. He didn't do that. I would just catch him occasionally rubbing his ear. So he is on an anti biotic for his ear.

And wouldn't you know it. I made him the appointment, and Syd woke up yesterday morning with her asthma flared up. She coughed all day long. They did listen to her in the clinic and said she wasn't wheezy. So home we went. I was up with Syd until about 11:30. I had exhausted every resource. So today I called the office and talked to our awesome nurse practitioner. She agreed to bringing Syd down for an outpatient stay in the croup tent. This always seems to help her in a short period of time. She also has to get a shot of Rocephin. So when I get home I will put up some pictures of her in her tent. Hopefully this will be a short 8 hours or so and we will be home in time for dinner tonight.

In the mean time, I am hoping this is the end of the illnesses for us, but for some reason I am not counting on it.

Odds and Ends

A very belated Happy Birthday goes out to my dad. He would have turned 54 on Feb 2nd. I wanted to post but was holding out for reasons I am still not mentioning.

Also Happy Birthday today to my brother in law, Brent.

Xavier wants to say a few things.jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj b gb yt b bnbbnb nb y 6 b

Who knows what that means, but it made him happy to help out. He is getting so big and growing so fast. He has had so much progress since I last posted. He is sitting unsupported now. He is crawling? Well more like scooting. He gets up on his hands and knees, but mainly he army crawls or pulls himself with his arms. He has said "mama" a couple times. He thinks he needs the laptop, my keyboard, the phone, the remote, his spoons, whatever else he can get his hands on. He is very much so mama's boy. He is always wanting my attention. He likes to blow zerbers. He thinks he has to try what is on my plate even if he has already eaten his food. On and on and on. He is just growing up.

He is getting over a terrible cold right now. I actually have an appointment for him to go to the Dr tomorrow. He has been running a low grade fever the last couple afternoons. He really doesn't act sick other than maybe sleeping a little more. But who wouldn't with the cold he has? I think he is just such a happy baby, that he wouldn't let on even if he didn't feel well. So we will see what happens tomorrow.

Syd has had a bad cold as well, and of course, that means her asthma was flared up. She is finally on the uphill side of things. She had the stomach flu last Sunday, but it was short lived. Otherwise, she is just Syd.

Dylan played his last basketball game on Saturday. The lost, but they were playing against 4th graders. Dylan seems to have a bit of a cold now also, but it isn't too bad.

Madison is looking forward to her big "10" birthday that is coming up. She is so excited to be turning 2 digits!!? LOL She had the stomach flu a while back and then Thursday she had a bought of diarrhea. Otherwise, she is just enjoying school.

As for Michael and I. Well we have been battling colds also. Michael had one a while back and seems to be having a hard time getting completely over the mucus. Mine has just come on and I wake in the morning with lots of mucus and sore throat, and headache. But by middle of the morning I am feeling lots better. Just having a hard time getting rid of it. I also had the joy of getting the diarrhea. But it is better now also. Hopefully, (I hate to even say this) we are all over it.

We took the kids to the bull riding in Manhattan the last Saturday in January. They really seemed to enjoy it. We have been trying to work around the house and finish up some things that we have never done yet. We are going to have some painting done and get the shelves put in all the closets. This will be really nice.

I have also starting making some quilts. I am designing each of the kids one for their beds. I am really excited about this.

We are planning a vacation this summer. Michael and I have been working on this some lately.
Mapping out the best way to take there and back to see some scenery only the way. We are headed out to Virginia and Washington DC in June. We are very much looking forward to this.

And on another note. We are Aunt and Uncle again. Nathan and Amy had a baby boy, Brody, today around noon (I think). They induced and did a planned c section. It was to occur around noon, and we got the info by 2:00, so sometime between noon and 2. Anyway he was definitely a BIG boy. He weighed 11 lbs, and was 23 inches long. That is all the info I have now, and that mom and babe are doing well. We hope to get healthy so that we can get down to meet him soon.

Oh and I am not sure if I mentioned this before or not, but we are really proud of both Madison and Dylan for making it into the all school spelling bees. There were 4 kids from each class that made it into the school spelling be. Way to go!!

New Arrival!

Well, it finally arrived. We have been waiting on it for several days now, maybe even weeks. It wasn't here yet last night, but sometime through the night it came. It is Xavier's second tooth. The right one on the bottom. It is just barely through the gums, but it is definitely there. Maybe that would explain his not wanting to sleep the last couple days and nights. He is not fussy, just not really himself. So we will see if this helps him rest. Also it could have been his shots. He did develop a very minor small fine rash Friday morning. It is for the most part gone now, so not sure what caused it. So for now, we will be awaiting the arrival for numbers three and four.

Syd has come down with a nasty cold. Her nose runs constantly, and she sounds a little horse and stuffy. We will wait to see what happens. With her asthma, she usually gets worse before better, but the last few times it has not been as bad. So we will just wait and see what happens. I did start her meds immediately as soon as I noticed she was coming down with something.

Dylan had a basketball game yesterday. They won!! They are getting so much better. That is really the goal for them. Not to necessarily win, but to improve. They have two weeks of games left.

And as for Madison, nothing much going on. Her new thing is to run, run, run. We made a new rule in the house in order for the kids to get on to the lap top they have to run. When it is nice, they run ten laps around the house. When it is not, they run half a mile on the treadmill. Every time Madison asks to get on the laptop, I tell her she needs to go run. She always asks how far and I say half mile. She has been going above and beyond her half mile. I think she has been running at least 3 miles each time, sometimes four. I think she found her calling. She is not much into sports, but I think with a little training and encouragement from her dad, she will be a long distance runner.

In close, just a concern from a conversation Syd and I had the other day. I got a new washer and dryer. And she and I were sitting in the laundry room watching the clothes wash. She is as most of you know my loving child. And she said to me "Mommy, I love you", which is not unusual. And I of course said, "I love you too". Then she said, "I don't ever want you to die." WHAT?? Why is my five year old worried about me dieing? I don't want her to have to worry about this. But I guess for her to understand it at her age is really special. I suppose it is because of the deaths we have had in our family. She talks about how she misses her Grandpa Flentie quite often. She too talks of Mariah, but in a different way. Maybe because she only knows her from pictures. And angel Ava. She remembers it vividly. So I guess she has been through enough to know. It really makes me sad to know that she is thinking of losing us. And I hope and pray that God's plan for us it to be here with our children and them here with us for a long, long, time.

Does This Look Familiar?

I know one of our kids favorite movies of all time is the Wizard of Oz. Funny, I hated that movie as a kid. But our kids, all of them, have loved it from the first time they saw it. A few years back, we took them to the musical production in Wamego. They have been to the Oz museum in Wamego several times. They have met four of the original munchkins. And every year they want to go back to the Oz Fest. I am planning to take them this year. So knowing all of that, when I went in to check on Xavier a couple days ago during his nap, this is what I saw. And of course, to us it looked like the Wicked Witch of the East. Enjoy!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

Okay so they are in reverse order of what I thought, but that is okay. These first two are Xavier on his half birthday. Exactly 6 months old.

This has become one of my favorite photos of him.

This was taken just a couple weeks ago. He had just gotten out of the bath.

To remind everyone, this is how he looked just a few hours old.

And, just a few minutes old.

My Little Man is Half a Year Old!!

Well as I promised, the update from Xavier's appointment. He is currently 17 lbs and 4 oz. which is about a pound and a half more than double his birth weight. He is 26 7/8" long and his head circumference is 17". He is right on track as far as growth. As far as development, he is right on track and a little advanced. He pushes up with his arms to 90 degrees when on his belly. He sits with support and is starting to sit for a few seconds without support. He is reaching for things and trying hard to get them. He is eating number 2 foods now. He has tried many different things and seems to like them all for the most part. Green beans are not his favorite, but he does eat them. He is starting to get separation anxiety. Strangers scare him, and if mommy leaves the room or goes out of sight he cries:) (What a great feeling that mommy is needed) He isn't at all spoiled!;-) So he is right on track. He got four injections today. His immunizations and a flu shot. So that is how that appointment went.

As for the others, just school, religion and basketball practice. Tonight as I picked the kids up from religion, Madison and Dylan were arguing over who could be your girlfriend or boyfriend. Dylan's "girlfriend" is his his 4th cousin. He said it is okay to marry your third cousin, right mom. I said legally, I think so but I don't think it is something to worry about in 3rd grade. He just replied, "well that is what I am going to do with Parker" (marry her I guess). How funny!

Okay, well I really tried to download pictures for all of you. But I seem to be having problems doing it. I have tried several times and it is not working. Our Internet has not been working properly lately so that may be the problem . I promise to try tomorrow as Xavier is fussy and crying right now and I think he needs his mommy.