Meet our new addition - Yoda!

This is Yoda, the newest member of our household. I'll be honest, I had no intentions of getting another dog any time soon even though Chase has been begging for one for months. I did not want to do the teaching sit/stay/come/listen to what I'm saying thing and I certainly didn't want to do the whole potty training thing. Just not my thing. Then we heard about Yoda (formally known as Wheezy).

Yoda/Wheezy lived with my nephew (well, technically he's not, but I claim him) , his wife, and their two year old son, Hunter. While Yoda/Wheezy was really a good dog, they were afraid that Hunter was just too rough and was going to hurt him, so they wanted a good home for him. He's about French Bull.dog that's about a year and a half old, crate trained, potty trained, and really good with kids. I must have been crazy that night, but I agreed that he could come live with us (the potty trained was the deal maker).


We told Chase that sometimes if you're really good Santa brings a present early (little white lies are OK when you're a parent). We went out to dinner last Friday and when Chase came home, Yoda was waiting on him. He was beyond thrilled and they have been inseparable ever since. We decided to name him Yoda since he resembles our beloved Star Wars character so closely.

I'll admit, he's so ugly he's cute and he really is a friendly little guy. We have got to work on this whole chewing thing, but my vet assures me that as he gets older, that will get better. It better. He's been great with the kids and other animals and the kids/animals have been great with him. Last night he even slept in a bed next to Molly in our room without any issues. I have a feeling that with time, this will be a great relationship!

****I am grateful for
1) new friends
2) new relationships
3) Yoda came potty trained
4) the smile on Chase's face
5) fate

Christmas Pictures at last!

Our Christmas was wonderful and full of great family and friends. We had a beautiful candlelight, family style Christmas Eve service followed by time with Jeff's family. Too bad all the pictures are on the flip video (I guess I'll add those later). Then we got up bright and early Christmas morning to a living room full of presents that the kids went wild for. Chase, as always, was much too busy to allow me to take pictures, but I did get a few in there. Here are a few from our celebrations!

Our little family (we can never get everyone smiling at once)

Emery was not in a picture taking mood, this was the best of the two believe it or not!

Our Little Princess

Man I love her!

I think we can safely assume he likes it!

Santa came! (Notice only the top half of our tree is decorated? Chase got tired of Emery taking off ornaments so he moved them all up... hilarious!)

A rare shot of Chase

Emery LOVES her PBK Anywhere Chair, but so did her big brother! Needless to say, he now has one of his own in order to keep the fighting under control!

Duchess got this awesome playhouse for Emery, now we need to screen in our deck so she can go out there and play and I can have my garage back!

"Heeeeeeeeeeeere's Emery!" Does anyone get that?

As Chase put it, "This was the best Christmas ever!" Hope everyone else had a great Christmas as well and wishing you all a very safe and happy New Year!

****I am grateful for
1) good times w/family and friends
2) giving to others
3) new toys to keep kiddos busy
4) very generous loved ones
5) more holiday memories

Christmas pics/post to come

but for now I'm down for the count with bronchitis and a sinus infection. Must take cough meds w/codeine now. :o(

****I am grateful for
1) urgent care
2) an antibiotic shot, even if it stung like you would not believe and oral antibiotics
3) a good husband that took the tree down while I was at the dr
4) being off this week so I don't have to use sick days
5) good cough medicine

The Joys of Boys

(This actually took place early Tuesday morning, a week ago, because I forgot to hit publish... ugh)

This morning when I was getting the kids dressed I think I saw a scene from our future (although it had totally better not be). Chase was standing in front of me about to get dressed for the day. When he pulled of his pajama top there was a HUGE (Mickey Mouse) tattoo on his back. All I could think was he is soooo lucky he's little and that's fake! I gave him a really hard time about, "Where did THAT come from???" To which he laughed and informed me that Duchess had let him do it. I think I may be in trouble when this one's older!

****I am grateful for
1) FAKE tattoos
2) little boys
3) joys
4) laughs
5) mischievous little smiles

One of those "I got out of bed for this?" kind of days.

Today was one of THOSE days. One of those days where even if you tried, more stuff could NOT have gone wrong. I'll admit that I'm way tired after being up for 20 hours and then only getting a sporadic five hours of sleep before being up for another 12+ hours and counting, so that probably has not helped much. I wish I could have half the energy that my kids have, then I'm sure things wouldn't seem nearly as gloomy.

Emery had her recheck on her ears today. I was a little worried because her nose was running again, but I was really hoping that it was just allergies. After all, she's been on three antibiotics over the last 5ish weeks now, so surely we were all better. As soon as the nurse put the thermometer in her ear, she freaked. I don't like stuff in my ears either, so I chalked it up to that and kept on praying it was just allergies. It wasn't. Dr. Q looked in her right ear and said, "This one looks OK" in a I-guess-it-will-do kind of tone and then looks in her left ear and said, "this one doesn't." Crap. After looking at her history and seeing that just like big brother she is resistant to antibiotics when it comes to ear infections we were referred to the ENT. As Dr. Q put it, looking at Chase's history and then at hers, I can tell you what they are going to say. Don't bother Dr. Q, I already know.

While we were there she noticed Chase's cough and we talked about that too. On Monday he had been at MeMaws when he started coughing and couldn't breathe. It was bad enough they rushed to our house for the emergency inhaler. Dr. Q decided to listen to Chase and sure enough, he's wheezing. So, he's now been switched to a twice a day inhaler with the emergency inhaler if needed. Poor guy. He's on the middle dose now and we'll recheck in a month to see if it needs to be adjusted. Guess the asthma is official now. Blech.

I figured we'd run to the store and grab what we needed today in order to beat the holiday crowds. Let's just say we didn't beat them, they were all shopping right along with us.

My grandfather is having issues that no doubt are related to his congestive heart failure. Today he didn't want to get out of bed and his feet are cold/swollen. I'm taking him to the doctor tomorrow while my mom takes my grandma in to see if her arm is doing OK how it is or will need to be cast.

I learned we may be having Christmas at our house. Short notice and house a wreck. Not a good combination.

Have to find new renters for the rent house. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise having a rent house? If not, I'm mentioning it now.

I hate days like this, surely tomorrow will be better.

****I am grateful for
1) each day that passes
2) these kinds of days are few and far between (for the most part)
3) cooler weather is coming
4) at least E's ear infections will be gone
5) patience, when I have it ;o)

****I am grateful for
1) good medical care
2) insurance, even if it's not the best
3) more antibiotic to get this under control
4) on top of it doctors
5) being able to do what we need to do

MIA

Wow, totally MIA on you. In my defense I left early Saturday morning to go to Ohio and visit my friend that lost her four day old son in November. It was a great trip under the circumstances and very hard to leave, although it was hard to be gone! I missed Jeff and the kids more than words can say!!!!

They live in Marblehead, Ohio, which is about as north as you can get without going in to Canada. To say it was chilly is an understatement, but I loved it! It is a tiny town that sits right on Lake Erie and is absolutely beautiful! They have an old lighthouse and all these gorgeous houses. Everything was covered in snow and looked like a postcard. Jessica and I managed to get most of her Christmas shopping done, caught up on things, went site-seeing, and overall just spent some much needed time together. Her oldest, Caitlynn, was one of our flower girls when we got married. She was three. She's now 14 and almost 6 inches taller than me. Everett is in third grade and very smart. Then the youngest, Isaac, is 16 months old and just freaking adorable! I'm sure it's because he's so close to Emery's age, but I could have just packed him up and brought him home with me!

As hard as it was to leave, I went ahead and drove back to Cleveland late Monday evening so that I wouldn't have to make the hour and a half drive Tuesday morning. I got up at 2:30 our time yesterday to return the rental car and catch the red-eye home because I just couldn't be away any longer. It is so nice to be home, but I already miss Jessica and the kids. I wish they would move back down here, but I understand that sometimes we don't get what we want.

The kids did great while I was gone and as always, Jeff was Superdad. Man I love him! I'm pretty sure they missed me as much as I missed them though because I'm not allowed more than about two feet away from either one. If one's not in my lap, the other is! Not to mention Jeff said that Emery had slept all night, every night while I was gone, but sure enough, last night she was awake and calling for Mama. That's OK, I was more than happy to snuggle (although I'm totally, completely exhausted).

If you have time to say a prayer, please send one Jessica's way (and Chris, Caitlynn, Everett, and Issac). Obviously she is still having a very hard time with Simon's death, but I have a feeling this is going to be even more difficult time just because of the holidays. Thanks!

***I am grateful for
1) a wonderful trip
2) a safe trip
3) time spent with old friends
4) being home with my babies and Jeff
5) stepping stones

The Joys of Boys

I absolutely LOVE having a boy. And more so I LOVE having Chase. He has got the sweetest heart that I have ever seen. He is really enjoying Emery having her carseat turned around like him. Last night she was giggling like crazy while he entertained her and out of nowhere he said, "I love having a sister." Please Lord, let them always be like this!

****I am grateful for
1) brothers
2) sisters
3) love
4) memories
5) sweet hearts

Princess Emery is 14 months old (a couple of days late)

Sweet Princess Emery,

You are now 14 months old!!! What an awesome 14 months it's been! You are growing by leaps and bounds and I swear that every time we get you out of bed you are a whole different little girl. So much of your babyness is gone and although I'm truly enjoying this stage, I already miss that one.

You are trying to talk so hard and you are going to have the sweetest little voice. You say several words, "Bubba, Malmal (for Molly), PawPaw, Nana, Mama, Dada, apple (see video below), meow, woof, and many more that I can't think of right now. You have learned how to communicate and when you want something, we certainly know it.

I'm thinking you might be a little bit spoiled. Not long ago Duchess said, "she really is the definition of a princess isn't she?" Yep, you are. Everyone from your big brother to your great-grandfather cater to you and I have a feeling we're going to pay for it big time. If you don't get your way you are showing that you can flat out throw a fit. We're going to work on that.

You are in a biting stage. One minute you're lovin', next you're biting. Poor Chase has been on the receiving end more than once. Lucky for you, he loves you an awful lot and forgives you every time.

Speaking of loving, you are now giving kisses and it is so sweet. Nothing compares to a big, open mouthed, slobbery kiss. I'll take them any day!

You are trying to jump and it is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. So need to get it on video. You run and lift up your body, but your feet never leave the ground. So cute!

On your 14 month birthday, Sunday, we turned your carseat around. I know it's best to wait but you were kicking the snot out of everything with your feet and we finally gave in. You absolutely love it. You laugh at everything and babble/point at all the things you can see.

I know I've said it before, but I so wish I could slow time down. Both you and your brother are growing way too fast. I love to watch the two of you interact and play, there is so much love. I pray that ya'll always feel this way about each other.

We sure love you baby girl and I can't even remember what life was like without you.

Love, Mommy

****I am grateful for
1) 14 awesome months
2) new skills
3) sibling love
4) 3 days until Christmas vacation!!!
5) big, slobbery, wet kisses

Needing more hours in the day...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I need more hours in the day. Especially this time of the year! I guess I'll have to play bullet point catch up!

• Emery had to be taken back to the doctor yesterday because she woke up from her nap with a fever, not eating, and not playing. Turns out that despite the fact we've been fighting this ear infection going on three weeks and have been on two different antibiotics, one ear is red and one is bulging and full of puss. My poor little Princess. On to a "super" antibiotic and a recheck in two weeks. I'm telling you, Chase all over again. This is exactly what landed him with his first set of tubes.
• I am still fighting this chest cold. Cough, cough, cough. I would almost swear that I've broken a rib from all the coughing. Maybe I'll make it into the doctor one day... I doubt it.
• So much to do at school, so ready to move back down to the lower grades. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's large, green, and is trimmed really pretty. 7 more days, I can do this.
• Finally got lights on our house this weekend, thank you Daddy! Chase was so stressed out that both our neighbors had lights and we didn't. Now we're just working on getting the tree all up. Too bad that for every two ornaments Chase hung up this evening, Emery took one down.
• Busy weekend ahead, two trips to Kingwood in two days. Already tired from that one. Need to get a pair of fringe pants and a birthday shirt made for my niece ASAP (as in yesterday).
• Leave for Ohio on the 18th to visit with my friends that just lost their son to SIDS. Glad I get to go support them, hate leaving my babies. I know they'll be fine, but I've never been away from them like this.
• Almost done Christmas shopping, woohoo! I think we have four more gifts to buy. Now we just need to wrap and wrap and wrap.

Could probably come up with about a million more bullets but 1) I'm sure no one is really interested and 2) I'm tired and could totally zonk out right now! Happy Hump Day, one of my favorite days of the week!

****I am grateful for
1) Hump Day
2) 7 more days, I can make it
3) the light at the end of the tunnel
4) lights are up and the tree is almost up
5) almost done with the Christmas shopping!

Santa Visit 2010!

I have to admit, I was worried how this years Santa visit would go with Emery. She's a bit of a Momma/Daddy's girl and although she's pretty friendly, she only wants people holding her on her terms. Our shirts that we had ordered for the kids came in today and we figured we'd give it a go. If we went now and it was a disaster, we could always try again later. Turns out, I was worried for nothing!

I know she doesn't look real amused here, but believe me, she gave plenty of smiles. This just happened to be the picture where they were all looking, so it's the one I chose to put on here. I love the place we go because the Santa is good, there are no lines, and if you buy something (no matter how cheap) you can take as many pictures as you want with your own camera!

Outside of Santa's Cottage they have a huge Christmas tree with big box presents. We snapped some pics here before seeing Santa and they were so adorable. I just wish Chase's glasses didn't reflect so bad. We'll go back during the day and get some more w/o the flash. However, here are the ones we got!




Madison was with us and I thought this came out good of all three of them! Are the shirts not just adorable?


A family shot.
Kids talking w/Santa. It's amazing that each year Santa has a little something extra for each of them. Wonder how he knows to do that?

Mads and Santa
Chase and Emery w/Santa.
The "official" Santa picture.


We have so much to do and I'm sure we'll pay another visit to Santa. Since it's close, not crowded, and inexpensive, we usually end up going a few times each December. Tomorrow it's time to put up Christmas lights, let the fun begin!

****I am grateful for
1) no lines
2) adorable matching shirts
3) time to talk with Santa
4) no freak-outs by the Princess
5) more memories in the making