Sickness and excitement are in the air

So I guess I am just a monthly blogger. Too hard to keep up on facebook, blogging, spiritual disciplines, working . . . and parenting all at once. But - I think it's nice to summarize where we are in life each month. RIght now we are very tired of sicknesses (over the past month we have had sinus infections, ear infections, upper respiratory infections, pink eye, and who knows what else . . . and we are already on our second round in a month of the sinus and ear infections), BUT we are also very excited about the holidays and what that brings to our household. This year I got kind of crazy and made a homemade advent calendar that is quite ghetto and my kids love it -so it's great! Is everyone that's coming to our house in a week now very excited that they are coming to a house full of germs? Hopefully we will have killed a lot of it before you get here. I am dropping in the eye drops every 2 hours to fight this thing so the pink eye at least should be gone. We are in the last stages of preparing for a very fun week with our family and it is going to be AWESOME! We started 1 new tradition this year and carried on one new one. The carryover one is helping our kids understand that there are people out there that need our help, and that the world doesn't actually revolve around them (the kids). Noah had a tough time with this one today as we were shopping for another child and he was verbally making numerous plans for what he was going to do with the toys when he got home. I was only half tuned in, and suddenly realized he was having a one sided discussion around the very colorful blocks in the cart and what he was going to build with them. We talked about it for awhile, and at some point I think he might have accepted that the toys were not for him or for his brother. It's a funny thing with blogging. I am a very deep thinker and often have trouble coming out of my deep thoughts for any length of time to hold a long conversation, yet when I blog I can't seem to find the deep thoughts. I still think about calvinism vs. arminianism often. I very often have deep feelings of gratitude for the life that God gave me, knowing that I have done absolutely nothing to deserve such an amazing family and circle of friends. I hurt for those loved ones that are experiencing real troubles, to the point sometimes where I think I feel the hurt like they do. I would like to have another baby, but understand that it is all in God's timing and that ultimately he will be glorified no matter what happens. I love the Twilight book I just read and it is about vampires. That concept seems to contradict my general life, but the book seriously was so good. After about my 10th friend raved about it I couldn't fight the curiosity any further. I over-analyze people and their motivations. These are my deep thoughts for the day. Love you. Please comment if you read this. Amber is the only one who has ever acknowledged this blog with a comment. Thank you Amber!!

we love the doctor

I wish we could buy stock in doctor conger's office. we went yet again today and noah has a sinus infection and guerin has another ear infection. more antibiotics, and the doctor said guerin will need tubes. eek! the morning was spent at the park with friends and a picnic. tomorrow a friend is coming over to scrapbook her baby album with me. Yeah! Should be fun. i need to get with the program with christmas presents. aghh!

I'm back

Okay - so it has been a couple of months since I have blogged. No one comments on any of the entries so it's hard to know if anyone is even checking it. Probably not since I stopped writing in it - but just in case I thought I would enter another update. Kathy and Earl get here today which I am very excited about. We'll go trick or treating tonight with the Morrisses, and the rest of the weekend should be filled with Pinochle and fun! Can't wait for them to get here. Noah went to his classroom Halloween party for a bit today and while he did that Guerin and I had a chance to go have a lunch date. I love spending one on one time with my kiddos - and we got pizza as it is Guerin's fav. Noah threw a fit when I dropped him off because I tried to take his sippy cup home. Eh? He is usually great, but when he throws a fit you can hear it for miles. It's not embarrassing in the slightest. I spent about 4 hours the other day going through all of the boys clothes which was insane. We get a lot of hand me downs, and we had to get out all of the warmer clothes. I'm almost done with that. The weather here is perfect right now and I just love being outside. One more random thought. I painted my nails black for my Halloween costume at work and I kind of like it which is weird. I always think people with black nails are strange, but now I think it's kind of hip and cute. Hmm.

Chicago!

We just got back from Chicago and it was AMAZING!!! The moms stayed with the kiddos (THANK YOU MOMS!!!!!!) while Chris and I played for 5 days with not a care in the world! Wednesday afternoon after we arrived we went to the 96th floor of the John Hancock tower and could see the beautiful city. Then we headed to the field museum where they had dinner stations all over the museum so you could check out the museum and eat while you walked around - NICE! On Thursday morning we went to the sessions and saw Chris Gardner speak (subject for the movie The Pursuit of Happyness) and he was great. Then we spent the rest of the day walking all of downtown Chicago - it was fabulous! That evening we went to Martini Park for drinks and appetizers, and about 8 we headed to the Art Institute, and then at 9 we went to the movies to see Mama Mia. We didn't take any cabs anywhere and just walked (it was awesome!). On Friday we rode around on a double decker bus for the majority of the day and learned all about Chicago - saw Oprah studios which was cool. That evening we had a formal night (and awards banquet) and had a nice sit down dinner, followed by the Brian Setzer band live in concert. On Saturday we went to the beaches (Oak Street and another one i can't remember the name of) and then walked some more to catch the train to Wrigley field. We were on the bus with all of the Cubs/Cardinals fans since there was a game that day. Bought some shirts for the boys and for us. Bought some chocolates at Fannie May for the moms, and then headed to Wigfest!!! I was Napoleon Dynamite and Chris was Pedro - NICE. We had so much fun. I can't wait to go to the next conference!

July 18

Headed to family camp tomorrow in Arkansas!! Should be a blast. Guerin and I woke up sick this morning of course but we won't let that slow us down! Back to urgent care in about a half hour here to get some last minute drugs. As I sit here Chris is on the search for my favorite flip flops - what more could I ask for? He looks for my things that i constantly misplace. Love you guys!!

1 more thing

Today when Alex was over he scraped his leg, and when I gave him a hug Noah said, "See Alex? I told you she would take care of you! She is really nice." It was so stinking cute. I do love my Noah.

Friday, June 27th

Today was Noah's inaugural play date at his house. Alex came over this afternoon to hang out and they were adorable together. Lots of bam bams and "I'm dead"s. We took Guerin to the doctor this morning for another hearing test and evaluate again whether he needs tubes. His hearing is good. He still has fluid in his ears, but we are going to give it another 6 weeks before we decide on tubes since he does not have infections. Tonight Chris and I are going to the ballet and we are very excited. Tomorrow we are going to a wedding which should be fun! The deck is almost complete. We bought some tiki torches yesterday and now we just need to stain the wood. It's awesome!! Guerin's favorite word right now is shoes. Every time he see a shoe he announces "shoe" about 3 or 4 times. very cute. Chris has been getting home early more often which is GREAT. We have been having a blast playing darts on the back deck in the evenings. It's actually really nice in the evenings. I didn't know this since we didn't hang out outside until we had the deck. :) Love you guys!!

Thursday, June 19

Sorry it's been so long! I am heading off to Boston in a few hours. I am really excited to see the baby, but I hate leaving my babies!!! :( I got them a little surprise this morning for their dad to give them while I am gone. Went shopping this morning for baby Reed and I think he will be sufficiently spoiled by his auntie samantha. Noah is napping and when he wakes up he has a play date planned with Alex. Then Guerin and I will hang out for a couple of hours before I leave! My flight is supposed to get in at 10:30 tonight, but one sight told me it was already delayed until 11? Weird. The deck is almost done. Chris is working on getting the TV set up. The furniture is all there and it is soooooooooooooooooo nice outside at night. We have loved hanging out out there and just chatting. It is storming today so I am hoping that doesn't delay my flight at all. It has let up for now - hopefully it will stay that way! Melanee is on facebook now - yay! love you guys!

Friday. May 23rd

It's been a great morning. This morning I woke up to Guerin singing at about 6am since he went to bed at 4:30 yesterday and never woke up until this morning. He has 3 teeth coming in so I think it has been a bit of a struggle for him. Nana kindly got up and got him up to have some breakfast. Thanks Nana!! That was helpful since I was up until 12:30 with Christopher watching the Grey's Anatomy finale, a 2 hour episode of So You Think You Can Dance, and playing the Wii. We played the race car game and he kicked my butt as usual. He is planning on getting home at 3 today - yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is right about the time that Uncle Dan gets in and I am so excited to see him. This morning Noah and I went to the grocery store. Nothing like having a cart full of groceries and receiving the code brown red alert. (Mommy - I HAVE TO GO POOOOOOOP). At least at Albertsons the restrooms are in a location where you can keep your cart close and take a restroom break. At Kroger the restrooms are at the front of the store so you pretty much have to leave the cart at a random location and hope it is still there when you come out. We are having sloppy joes tonight for dinner, and I bought a truckload of fruit to make a yummy fruit salad tomorrow. Love you guys. -

Tuesday, May 20th

Mom comes tomorrow!!! I am very excited to have her here, and then Serena, Bub, Jim and Dad will follow on Friday. Tomorrow morning me and the boys are having breakfast out with Chris (love going out for breakfast) and then are taking the boys to get haircuts. They always look so cute when they are fresh from the barber. Then it is to the grocery store, to the church to pick up some things, and then home for naps. Nana gets in at 5ish. I am off until next Wednesday - yay!!!! It is going to be an amazing weekend. Guerin is sick - yet again. This is pure craziness. 101.6 on Monday. We'll see how he is doing tomorrow. Noah was crabby all day today according to the school which is generally a sign of sickness to come. Goodnight!

May 14th

It's back to work tomorrow. I've been off since last Thursday and feel pretty out of touch. Had a great time with Kathy here. She took me shopping and spoiled me rotten. She also kicked my butt several times at 2500 and hand and foot. We met Chris for lunch today which was a nice treat. After Noah took his nap he woke up with a fever of 100.8 and said his body hurt. Nice! It is a never ending cycle. Guerin is 5 days in on his antibiotic for ear infections. Erggggg. Can't stay home tomorrow since I've been out for so long, so hopefully the fever will go away? :) Love you all. Got to get to dinner!

Saturday, May 10th

Chris and I are going to a crawfish boil tonight at the Hastings - fun!! Our friends have volunteered to come and babysit - VERY nice. I got a pedicure today with some gift cards I got at Christmas which was awesome. I still had my french polish on from our Feb vacation - wow! Guerin added a new word to his vocab today - eat. :) Going to start a new Bible study with Jenny Rohne (we are going to do it on-line together) which I am very excited about - called Believing God. It's tough to find the time to do it, but I have some ideas. Tomorrow Kathy gets in and we can't wait - and it's Mother's Day - and it's my birthday! Yippee! I already got a few great gifts from Chris and the kiddos - very cute personalized stationery and massage gift cards, plus some replacement personalized stationery that we use to keep score in our games, and that now has Guerin's name on it! Mommy - if you are reading this - I LOVE my spa gift certificate and can't wait to use it on a massage. I also have some other gifts that I am waiting to open until tomorrow (Melanee and Sheila). I was going to wait until tomorrow to open everything, but Chris put is gifts out and I couldn't resist the temptation. If you are reading this, I love you. Only our family and dear friends have the blog address. Hope you are having a wonderful and peaceful weekend.

realization

I just realized I overuse exclamation points after reviewing my blog. Anything anyone else overuses? Would love to hear from you.

Wednesday, May 7th

We were going to go grocery shopping this morning, but there are supposed to be huge storms so we are waiting it out. In about an hour we are headed to the church where I am attending a meeting on interviewing volunteers for the preschool ministry - should be fun! After I finish this post I get to finish folding the laundry! yay! Both boys have major snot noses again but hopefully it is just allergies! Guerin has his well appt on Friday so we will find out! Kathy comes this Sunday and we are very excited. I'm taking Monday, Tuesday and Wed off next week so it should be nice. Weather is all over the place right now. On Saturday it is supposed to be 94 and on Sunday it is supposed to be 77. Crazy!

Noah's Prayer

Okay one more thing for tonight - In Noah's prayer tonight (which get better by the day), he told God that he trusted him. So STINKING CUTE! He also thanked God for many things which included the trash and buckets. I couldn't hold in the laughter any longer when he thanked God for the trash, and then he said amen. :( He would have kept going if I had any self control whatsoever. I wish I could remember the other 20 things he thanked him for. So sweet.

Guerin's complete vocabulary

Guerin can say the following words as of May 4, 2008:

Poop
dada
momma
Cheese
Amen (we love this one - and he says it after we finish praying!)
uh oh

The list is growing! . . .

Our day today

I asked Guerin if he pooped today, and he nodded yes and said poop. Sure enough the deed was done. He is in bed now, and Noah is attempting to build a very large tower with his legos. Chris is out with the guys from our home group for dinner and a movie. I can't remember the name of it, but it is a documentary on creationism vs. evolution? Maybe I can get Chris to post a review when he gets back.

We'll check this out and see how it works. Maybe we will do a better job of keeping everyone updated with news and pics . . .