Uno Time

So last weekend when we were pretty much locked in because of the bitter cold and freezing rain, the boys decided to play uno with me. We played several hands and then Kiara woke up from her nap. I brought her out to play on the floor beside us, but she decided that she really wanted to get in on the action. It was too funny...At one point, Grant would hand her a card, the card would go to her mouth, Brock would snatch it away and the whole process would start over. They did this over and over and all just giggled. As you can see, Kiara also wanted to be cuddled up with Brock under his blanket, so they snuggled while they played! Too funny! You had to be here to see how funny and cute it was, but it makes me smile to see it, so I thought I would share it with you.

Ice Storm

I tried to take some pictures of our ice storm from 2 weeks ago that got the boys' school and mine cancelled...the pictures really don't do it justice. Plus they probably would have turned out better if I wasn't such a wimp and had gone outside to take them instead of taking it through the windows! Ha! But it was frigid out and I just wasn't willing to sacrifice so that all of you outside of the area could see it! Sorry!

O Christmas Tree!

Yes, finally a post with our Christmas tree. It was super cold and very windy the day that we were going to get the tree, so we decided not to go to the really nice place that has reindeer and all kinds of fun things for the kids and you can cut your own...instead we supported our local boys and girls club by purchasing a tree from them. Since it was sooooo freezing cold, Kiara stayed in the car...mommy stood beside the car and the boys and daddy brought trees out for us to view! Not quite a traditional time of Christmas tree hunting but it worked for us this year so that our little peanut did not have to go out in the cold. So...here we are getting the tree...decorating the tree, and the finished product...as well as the Bronco's artificial Christmas tree that goes in our "Denver room". The boys put on all of the decorations themselves. I thought they did a great job this year! Kiara just watched and probably wondered why there was a tree growing in our living room now! HA!

A Princess turns 3!!!

I'm way behind on blogging and will attempt to catch up this week...at the beginning of December our cutie niece turned 3! She had a princess themed party and was too cute with her cake and crown. For some reason, I lost several neat pictures from the party, but here are a couple, including one with Cailey and Kiara...who I think will be good buddies!

FYI

Just for anyone's information that isn't familiar with the blogger sites...ANYONE can leave a comment on there...After the post, it has a place that lists the number of comments...click on that and it will take you to a page where you can write your comment...then you have to choose a user identity... click on anonymous if you don't have a blog name yourself. Does that makes sense? If it doesn't work or you are lost, let me know and I'll try to explain even more detailed! Thanks!

Chubby Cheeks!

So, I had to put this picture on here of a major close up of Kiara. Grant was actually the one who took it. I thought that he was taking a picture of both Kiara and I, so I was posing...well when I looked at the camera later...this is what he took instead! I think it is a cute picture and really shows her cute little chubby cheeks...Don't you just want to kiss on them and pinch them?

Cutie-Patootie Cailey!

Okay...so isn't she adorable???? This is Cailey, our niece and some pictures from Thanksgiving...We had a little photo shoot where she was the camera woman taking pictures of everyone and everything...so I captured some pictures of her doing that. Also, the one in the rocker is so precious I think. She just turned 3 (there will be an upcoming post on that) and is simply adorable...her brothers are cute too...but there's something about a cute little blonde girl that captures my heart! I have a feeling that Kiara and Cailey will be good buddies and Cailey will teach her all sorts of things! :)

18 pounds 5 ounces!!!!!!

My "little" girl is not so little! She went for her 6 month check-up yesterday and is the 90th percentile on her weight! She is a chubby girl, but oh how I love those cute little rolls! She was 26 1/4 inches long and is healthy and doing well. Before we had concerns about her head measurements, but she said yesterday that the measurements look fine and she is not concerned anymore. She has a rash right now that we think is related to the detergent/fabric softener that we are using, so we are working on changing that and getting her all cleared up. Trust me in knowing that she is getting big and growing like a weed. Can you believe it has been 1/2 a year already? It has gone so fast...I'm trying to cherish her and the time we have with her as a baby, especially since she is my last one. So...that's the update on my little "big" girl! In the picture above, she is wearing a sweater that I wore as a baby and my mom kept for me...it has been a sweet thing to see her in it...and makes me wonder what clothes I should save for each of my kiddos...Hmmmm...

So sweet...My baby doll!

I just had to put this picture on here, as I think it is adorable. This is Kiara's first baby doll, given to her when she was barely 1 week old by Uncle Andy and Aunt Julie!!! She like to hold it, look at it, and well...eat it or at least try! But as she was holding it and looking at her, she fell asleep cuddling her and I thought it was the most precious picture...Just want to pinch those chubby cheeks!

Snow pictures...

So I promised some pictures of our snowfall last weekend. The boys had an absolute BLAST playing in the snow...sledding down our front yard hill, as well as building a fort on the patio in back...Kiara stayed INSIDE and watched them a little bit! Yes, our pumpkins were still sitting out back!

Finally here!

So, it finally happened...a 2 hour delay...Wait...No, school is CANCELLED for the day for the boys! The first week of having real snow on the ground and the boys get a day off to make a 3 day weekend! They were so excited. I, of course, am at school...no delays, no cancellations. ARGH! Oh well. I called to let my mom know that I made it here and the boys were just seeing the CLOSED notice for their school on TV and it got VERY NOISY and excited there! Kiara was not so excited...they yelled, she cried, and now she has to share Grandma for the day. Although, I'm sure the boys will be outside playing most of the time...coming in to eat and have hot chocolate. I'll get pictures up here when I'm able to be at home with them and actually take some! So...for now...I still am deprived with no delays at all yet this year and the boys are playing without me. Boo hoo for me! :)

Hooray!!!!!!

We took Kiara back to the pediatric cardiologist this morning and got a good report. We had been praying for a complete miracle of healing...But even though she is not completely healed, we did get good news. At her last visit (nearly 3 months ago), the hole in her heart was about 1 cm big. It is now about 1/2 cm in diameter, so it has closed up some. YEA!!! Now, does that mean it won't get bigger again or that it will definitely close on it's own? Not necessarily, but we were excited that it had gotten smaller. We do not have to go back for another 6 months, just before she turns 1. This was the first time I had met the doctor (Phil took her alone last time). He was really nice and good with kids...which you can't always assume just because they specialize in kids. Kiara was quite the trooper and let them poke her, prod her, attach things to her...she just cooed and smiled at everyone the whole time. We were done in the office by 9:00 AM, so I brought her back home and had some good mommy/Kiara time before I had to leave to come back to school...I had a sub for 1/2 day and I wasn't coming back any earlier! :) So, that's the latest on our little baby-cakes!

First Foods!

Kiara got her first taste of baby food last weekend...Carrots! As you can see by the pictures, it took her awhile to get into it, but once she did, she THOROUGHLY enjoyed her food! HA! The one picture is the very first taste of it in her mouth and you can tell she did not know what to think of it at all. We've done green beans since then and she seems to like those even more, or maybe she is just getting more used to taking the food off of the spoon for us. She loves being in her high chair and watching us eat and eating her meal with us.

My Denver Broncos

We may live in the midwest but we are Denver Broncos through and through at our house. Daddy has an autographed John Elway helmet that is usually off-limits...but he was kind enough to allow the boys to put it on for a minute. They are VERY into football right now and love to play outside, inside, in the basement and on the PlayStation...they are learning so much about the game and will watch pretty much any game that is on tv and pick a team to cheer for! But the favorite team is still the Broncos!

Tree stands

If you know my boys, you know that they LOVE deer and hunting. They are always playing like they are hunting and shooting at their stuffed deer with toy bow and arrows. I'm sure that those in our neighborhood wonder what in the world they are doing out there! Anyway, they had a couple 1/2 days the other week and got to go to Grandma's for the afternoon. They decided they would build tree stands like Daddy and Grandpa have in the woods. Grandma said they were very particular and had to find the "perfect" places for their stands. They are probably about 20 yards apart or so and they have ladders and everything. When I picked them up, I had to go over to the woods and have them pose for some pictures of course! They were very proud to show them off and worked so hard on them too. I think they will both be hunters when they are old enough. Brock went last year one time with Phil, but didn't last too long in the stand. Maybe we'll try again this year.

Halloween

Okay...so I've gotten behind on some postings that I really need to do...So, I'll try to catch up in the next few days as I have a free moment here or there. Halloween was 12 days ago, but I finally have some pictures downloaded and ready to post. I think that we had the cutest Minnie Mouse, Storm Trooper and Annakin Skywalker...I could be biased though! We had beautiful weather, around 70 and sunny and so we were able to have Kiara out in the open and not underneath a blanket in the stroller. She enjoyed the ride and the boys of course had fun trick-or-treating and getting all of that good candy! By the end of the evening, as you can see, Kiara was WIPED OUT! and couldn't keep her eyes open. She slept good that night with all of the fresh air and excitement...So did the boys!

First Snowfall

Ahhh...the first snowfall...Happened a couple of weeks ago...didn't really stick to the ground and you couldn't tell that it had snowed once it stopped, but the kids of course were excited and enthralled by it. We noticed it was snowing because Kiara was in her exersaucer and was staring outside...Pretty soon, all three kids were at the window just watching the snow fall to the ground and melt when it hit. I just had to capture this picture of them all watching. Unfortunately you can't tell in the picture that it is snowing, but we know it was! The boys were very excited for Kiara to see her first snowfall...they were jumping in front of her and bending down to talk to her telling her "It's the first time it has snowed in your life"..."Look at that. That is snow Kiara". It was absolutely adorable. Sometimes I love my kids so much that it hurts...Yea, I know...it will REALLY hurt when they get older, huh? :)

Music Teacher?

So...how does a MUSIC teacher teach music without a voice???? That is a question I have pondered ever since I started teaching. I typically lose my voice at least once a year...It started Monday afternoon. My speaking voice is lower and a little in and out, but it's the singing voice that is just not pretty!!!! Yes, I am teaching little munchkins to sing their Christmas program songs with no voice! So, how do I do it???? With a lot of giggling(by the students and me), a lot of frustration, and a lot of..."Listen to the piano on this part boys and girls"! Oh well...it feels like it might be coming back already, so hopefully it won't be a long term thing...Oh, and did I mention that I am leading worship at church this weekend! HA!

Sickos!!!!

Yes...we were all sickos this week! It all started last weekend...Saturday night Brock got up with "something" in his eye...Went back to bed and went to sleep...no big deal! But Sunday morning he wakes up and his eye is all matted shut and bright red! So, Phil and the kids stay home from church since I was on worship team. Sunday afternoon and evening, Phil and I start not feeling the greatest...colds setting in we think. Monday Brock goes and gets medicine for his eyes, ready to go back to school Tuesday. Tuesday morning hubby and I feel HORRIBLE and struggle through the day...Phil is waaaayyy stronger than I am and he continues working all week. We get home and Brock is on the couch in his jammies...he came home from school sick. ARGH! We were all in bed by 8:30... Brock and I were both home from school sick on Wednesday...Brock went back on Thursday...I stayed home again...Thank goodness it is Friday and we are all feeling better...not perfect or 100% but much better...just in time for trick-or-treating! We are glad it is weekend and we can hopefully all recover completely and be ready to face November! Grant and Kiara are glad that we are somewhat normal again!

My sweet baby doll...

Don't have much to say on this one...other than, isn't she just the cutest little girl? I could just eat her up and I LOOOOVVVVVE this picture. With the cute little sheep on her dress and white tights on, and look at that smile in the one picture. God has truly blessed me with these three kiddos (and a great hubby). Kiara hasn't been sleeping through the night lately and after a week or so of sleeping through the night...it is hard going back to waking up again. Last night we didn't have to get up with her, but she was fussing in her crib for quite awhile. I try to let her do that and go back to sleep on her own, unless she is screaming...then I get her so she doesn't wake everyone else up...Hopefully she won't catch on to that one any time soon! I can't wait to have tomorrow off so that I can hang out with my kiddos all day!

Every bad name...

Funny story really quick that some of you will really appreciate and others will laugh along with me....Brock and Grant were playing in the backyard a couple of weeks ago (I think Star Wars)...Anyway, I hear yelling at each other so I race out there and Brock is all upset and tattling away. He tells me that Grant called him every bad name. I'm shocked and wonder what exactly he has said. I ask Brock, what did he call you...Brock states again that he called him every bad name. I'm still searching, so I tell him that it is okay to repeat what he said, that he won't get into trouble, but I would like to know exactly what Grant said and what happened. Brock then tells me that he did something to Grant (fairly insignificant) and Grant yells out, "I call you "EVERY BAD NAME"!!!! That's what he called him "EVERY BAD NAME"...no cuss words or naughty words (stupid, dumb, etc...), just "EVERY BAD NAME" I had to bite my tongue not to laugh out loud (at least until I was alone) and proceeded to tell Grant that was not a nice thing to do...So, now I think that when I get upset with someone..."EVERY BAD NAME". How funny! The things kids say! But....5 minutes later, they are back to being best buddies again and playing like it never happened...The joy of brotherhood!

Growing a Tree!

So every year, Brock and Grant take those little helicopters that come off of the trees in the fall (I don't know what kind of tree that is!)and plant them. We had probably 20 trees planted last year. Well a couple of them grew really well...so after several years of this and complaining that our house has NO trees at it, we told the boys if one grew well that we would transplant it into the ground once it got big enough. Well, low and behold, they grew a good little tree and last weekend we finally planted it in the backyard by their sandbox...They want shade to play in their sandbox. Of course, by the time the tree is big enough to give them shade then they'll be outgrowing playing in the sandbox, but oh well! They were sooooo proud of growing, planting and now taking care of their tree. I know that every year as I watch it grow, it will remind me of my adorable boys begging us to plant this tree and will remind me as well how fast they grow too. I'll have to take a picture each year to see how it has grown and changed. Anyway...here are some pics of the tree and the process of planting it....

God is funny!

So, I have to tell you that after an earlier blog this week about being tired of being grumpy with the kids all day long....So, I have this student (I won't mention names or ages) who drives me crazy. Her personality and mine do not coincide AT ALL! I'm always on her case to be respectful and kind to me and to her classmates. We did a journal writing time the other day and they had to write a letter to their favorite musician...So, she writes a letter to ME! Whoa! And to top it off, she writes to me about how much I mean to her and that I always show I care for her and that she loves that I make learning so fun...yadda yadda yadda! It stopped me in my tracks, brought tears to my eyes and reaffirmed what I already know but often forget...I am making a difference as a teacher, but most days us teachers don't see it, or hear about it to affirm ourselves...Why am I here? For students such as these...Thanks God for the not so subtle reminder of that!

Too Cute...ISTEP

Okay, so those of you in Indiana with kids are well aware of the dreaded ISTEP tests (standardaized tests that are a HUGE deal for the students to pass, as well as for the schools to pass. So, they don't take it until 3rd grade...Brock is in 3rd this year and we had been preparing him for the test for a week or so, reminding him to do his best and to take his time, etc...Well, the night before the test, we told Brock we would be praying that he would do his best. Well, we go to pray and Grant, my Kindergartner, prays that he won't need glasses. We were totally confused as to where that came from and so we started talking to him about it and asking why he was worried about it...He said that he was worried about his eye test...he thought ISTEP test was an eye exam for everyone in the school...The poor guy had been all stressed out about getting his eyes tested for no reason! How cute is that?????? This happened quite awhile ago, but I was just thinking about it and thought it was a cute story to share. Gotta love the things kids say and do!

Hide Away

Do you ever feel like you just want to run away???? Is there a way to run away from my job and just take my family and some friends and escape to for awhile? I have always loved teaching music and thought that I had the best job in the world, but you know what? Today at this moment...I'm not even liking it, let alone loving it. The kids today (all year actually) have been disrespectful, rude, don't like anything I have planned and just been out of control. I'm tired of being the angry adult that is trying to make them tow the line...could I get to smile every now and then? From teaching class, to hall duty to lunch duty...all I feel like I do is put my thumb on the kids to make them behave...not to sound like our parents (sorry mom and dad) but what has gotten into kids these days??? I'm trying at school, but if it doesn't come from home how can I expect them to behave while they are here? It's unreal and I'm simply sick of it. I apologize for having a ranting blog here, but I need to just get it out...I CAN'T do my job and teach music when all I'm doing is disciplining students the entire time they are in my class. I've tried rewards, punishments, pep talks...NOTHING is working. It is close to a full moon, but GEEZ!!!!! Anyway...that's where I'm at today...Ready to just hide away from the world for a bit and love on my family and forget all the rest! And yes, I know this is where God has planted me right now and I truly believe He wants me to be here...but some days.....

Some cute pics

15 pounds 10 ounces!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe that my little preemie baby is already 15 pounds 10 ounces??? How can that be possible...she just weighed 5 pounds 4 oz coming home from the hospital!!!! We took her on Monday for her 4 month check-up and I could hardly believe it. She is also 25 1/2 inches long. She is in the 90th percentile...I normally don't pay a lot of attention to all of the percentiles and such, but for a preemie baby it shocked me to see her reach this so quickly! She is going to be a big girl I think! :) Her head is not growing at the same rate, but she looks proportional so they aren't overly concerned. She will need to get her head re-measured at 5 months just to be sure. The doctor also said that she could NOT hear the heart murmur either. I'm hoping that means that she is healing...we won't know what it means until we go to the specialist in November. We are working on getting her to go to sleep on her own...she is doing well so far...she only fusses for a few minutes and then falls asleep, unless she is really overly tired. Last night she didn't make a peep...we went to check on her because it worried us that she didn't fuss at all. She also slept through the night last night, which was wonderful for us. I felt a bit more refreshed today. I have her 3 month pictures done (FINALLY). I did them at 3 months...it has just taken me awhile to actually get them printed out...those will be coming out soon. I'm hoping to add some pictures here too, but am still figuring it all out. Anyway...for now...I'm just still in awe at my BIG little girl!

Ramblings...

So, as I was facebooking with a former high school teacher she asked me a profound question...She is praying about a situation and I told her that I had been praying for her and told her of a similar situation that I had been in when God told me NO even though I really wanted it go the other way. Her question was, "How did you know that God was saying NO?" Well, that is such a hard question to ponder. We so often say that we are praying about something and waiting for God to answer...but how DO we know what His answer is? My response to her was that I just knew what He wanted...He made it clear to me in a very intangible way, yet I knew without a doubt what He was saying to me....I didn't like the answer I received, so I truly believe it was of God and not just me making the decision. He didn't speak outloud to me...He didn't stop the plan from moving forward...He didn't close the door in my face...Yet He still told me...and I hadn't really thought about HOW he told me. Sometimes He sends others with advice, sometimes the door closes or another door opens...But whatever it is I have realized that the most important thing is to simply wait and listen for the Lord...if I TRY to be obedient in that I think He will honor that and let me know in His timing and His will what He wants for me...Sounds so simple, yet it is one of the hardest thing to do in life...Wait and listen...

New Trick for an Old Gal...

Okay, so I'm new at this whole blogging thing...Many of my friends do it religiously, so I thought I might give it a try. I've pondered it for awhile and don't want it to consume me, but thought it might be a good way to keep friends and especially family in Pennsylvania current on our lives and trials and definitely some pictures too...So, I'm going to start this...I'm a slow learner so be patient with me as I figure it out and play a little bit on here. So begins a new adventure for me.........