This is just how we roll.

A while back I blogged about how Chase's first set of tubes stayed in less than a year and how they were concerned that his second set had not come out. They had said that in March we would discuss going in and surgically removing the remaining tube (one was out at this point) if it were still in there because we were quickly approaching the maximum time allowed to keep them in. Then, less than a month later, our prayers were answered and the tube came out on it's own... crazy! However, almost immediately he had an ear infection. Not good. That was on October 25. Got it cleared up and we were good to go again. Then, Tuesday night he woke up crying and moaning. Ear infection #2 in less than a month. :o( Not good again.

Now I know ear infections aren't contagious. However, I'm almost to the point of wondering if maybe they are. As we were working on getting Chase better, Saturday morning Emery starting running a temp. After 24 hours of us fighting to break it and a very runny nose, it was off to urgent care on Sunday. Would you like to guess the culprit? Double ear infection. Seriously? Apparently not only do my children look just alike, they like to have the same illnesses too. I guess Emery didn't want big brother to out-do her.

So, it's winding down like this. If Chase continues with ear infections, we are looking at a third set of tubes. A third set! Ugh! I don't even have the last set paid off yet (anesthesia is a killer). And I imagine that if Emery continues on this path (I believe this is #3), she'll be looking at following in her big brother's shoes. Monkey see, monkey do I suppose.

If anyone asks what I want for Christmas, just tell them I'd like a money tree.

****I am grateful for
1) if we need tubes, at least we live where we have access to them
2) if we need tubes, at least they will help keep my little babies from getting sick
3) if we need tubes, at least we have capable doctors that I trust
4) if we need tubes, at least it won't be our first go round and we know what to expect
5) if we need tubes, at least there's always a payment plan!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you Lord for all our blessings, but especially blessing #1


and blessing #2
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

****I am grateful for
1) my family
2) my friends
3) the blessing of being a mommy to my two wonderful kids
4) the blessing of being a wife to my wonderful husband
5) cold weather, love it!

Little Angels

In Loving Memory of Simon Griffin Overmyer 11/17/10-11/21/10

When God calls little children to dwell with Him above.

We mortals sometimes question the wisdom of His love.

For no heartache compares with the death of one small child,

who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild.

Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold.

So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old.

God knows how much we need them and so He takes but a few,

to make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view.

Believing this is difficult still somehow me must try.

The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye".

So when a child departs we who are left behind,

must realize God loves children too, Angels are hard to find.

~Author Unknown

****I am grateful for
1) God's love
2) continued prayers
3) wisdom, even that which we do not understand
4) comfort
5) rosebuds

A heavy heart and a prayer request.

I met Jessica when I was in third grade. Then we both moved away, I actually moved out of the state and then back, and somehow we wound up back at the same school in 8th grade. We were best friends, celebrated good times, and weathered the bad. As with any friendship we've had bumps and we've always managed to overcome them. Her daughter was my littlest flower girl and she was a bridesmaid, I was her matron of honor. Lives have changed and paths have forked. She is living in Ohio, my littlest flowergirl is now a freshman in high school, and she has two baby brothers, one that is just a couple of months older than our Princess. On Wednesday, Jessica gave birth to her fourth child, a beautiful baby boy named Simon Griffin. He looked just like his big brothers and was precious. I wished I could be there to hold him and meet him face to face. Then this morning I received the worst news I could possibly imagine. A message that said, "I need you to come to Ohio if possible, Simon died this morning." I couldn't believe what I was reading. It has felt like a horrible dream that you can't wake up from. My heart is broken into a million pieces for Jessica and Chris (and their family) and I can't even imagine what they are going through. Anyone who knows me well, knows that after my sister died of SIDS this is truly one of my biggest fears in life. I feel like this is the first time in 25+ years that I don't know how to comfort her and make things better. If you have a moment to say a little prayer that they feel God's love during this time, I would be forever grateful. I am totally devastated for them.

****I am grateful for
1) I have a ticket waiting for when I need to go to Jessica's side
2) my mother who is giving me that ticket
3) God's love, especially in those darkest times
4) time
5) prayers

That's my boy!

We finally got Chase's kindergarten picture back and I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it. We were supposed to get his hair cut the night before pictures, but Mrs. Crystal was home with a sick baby and Chase refuses to let anyone else cut his hair so we missed the haircut. No big deal, he's still absolutely adorable and I wasn't worried. Turns out, his hair didn't change the picture at all, but something else sure did! Notice anything?

Yep, that would be his tongue he's trying to stick out through the hole where his teeth used to be! When I asked him what in the world he was doing he looked at me, grinned, and replied, "I like how it feels!" That's my boy and I wouldn't trade him, or this picture, for the world!

****I am grateful for
1) missing teeth
2) adorable pictures
3) my all-boy little boy!
4) smiles
5) hump-day, what can I say, I love knowing the weekend is halfway here!

Pigtails

OMG, could she be any cuter? I think not!

****I am grateful for
1) pigtails
2) total cuteness
3) down to two bottles a day!
4) cold weather
5) Another Monday is over and we are one day closer to Thanksgiving vacation!

Never good

It's never a good sign when the first thing that the doctor says upon walking into a room is, "So, when are we doing surgery?" Ugh. My stupid food is STILL causing me issues and apparently we are at the end of the road with other alternatives. Fortunately I convinced him to give me one last cortisone shot and let me be on my way for now with the promise that once it becomes unbearable pain wise that I'd be back in and set a surgery date. He said that my occupation is a hazard and that my foot just isn't getting the off-time it needs to heal. :o( I just don't have time for surgery and to be honest, it really puts a kink in my on-the-go status. So, I'm praying that I can go a long time on this last shot and postpone it as long as possible. I'm so glad that tomorrow is Friday, the weekend (and Thanksgiving break) can't come fast enough!

****I am grateful for
1) one last shot to buy me time
2) a good doctor that I trust and is letting me wait it out
3) Thanksgiving Break is so close that I can smell it
4) Extra income (although I HATE that Jeff has worked for almost a month straight w/o a single day off, 24/7 Mommy duty is tough and we miss him during the weekend days)
5) Friday is right around the corner!

The Princess' official 1 year portraits!

I guess it's better late than never! ;o) Here are a few of the official shots from Carty Photography, love 'em! Although I have the rights to these pictures, I'm choosing to use the proof shots because I don't want anyone trying to steal pics of my little princess (yes, she's that cute that someone just might try it)!








These were my favorites, but you can see the rest of the photo session pictures by clicking here.

Here's an added bonus because it's just so cute!

****I am grateful for
1) weekends
2) cute photos
3) our talented photographer
4) cute kiddos
5) awesome weather

Quotable Quote

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.” ~ unknown

****I am grateful for
1) weekends
2) Thanksgiving break is working it's way closer and closer and closer
3) weather that actually feels like Fall
4) quiet time
5) my kids, they make me smile (and Jeff is pretty good too)

Heaven help me... literally.

I try not to talk about work on here because we all know that in today's world that just a no-no. Let alone the field I'm in you just don't talk about stuff. However, I'm making an exception to the rule.

This is my 9th year to teach and I am having the worst year ever. I can't go into details but I can say my class is low and rough. :o( I come home so stressed out that I could just cry. I'm miserable. I put on a happy face and it takes everything in me to make it through the days. Weekends are so lovely but just when I'm getting happy again, Monday arrives. I'm at my wits end. It doesn't help that out of these 9 years I've had 7 different position, moved twice to a new spot after the school year has started because they just, "really needed me to" and I'm a team-player and that's what team-players do, I've had 9 different rooms and have lasted through 5 principals. I'm to the point where I want to be in a grade that I enjoy teaching (which is not my current status) for an extended period of time or I just don't think I'm going to make it. I need prayers... lots and lots of prayers. If you have them, send them stat!

***I am grateful for
1) even this shall pass
2) hope
3) patience, what little I have left
4) will power
5) persistance

Wow!

I knew he had grown, but all I can say is WOW! Where does the time go?

***I am grateful for
1) old memories and new
2) time
3) milestones
4) growing up
5) cold weather