you asked for it

I rearranged our living room yesterday. Here's the picture of our orange couches! We had the book cases divided up on both sides of our television. I just combined them and moved them to the opposite side of the room. It gives the room a defined living room area and it looks a lot bigger because the book cases aren't breaking up the look of the room. We still need to get some stuff for the walls and new curtains, but I will know what I want when I see it. Until then, we make do with what we've got.

100 posts

Rangers Game 2008

Buzz cuts are cool!

Haley's trip to the zoo with Kindergarten.

Haley's 6th birthday at The Magic Time Machine. 2/2009

Madi's 14th birthday at the Ranch. 3/2009

a year in review

Chinese New Year 2009

Christmas 2008I made three pies from scratch, cherry, pumpkin, and apple. Thanksgiving 2008

Madison and Rebecca with their first communion class and teachers.

Rebecca and Haley for Halloween 2008

Catching up on life...

Alexander is doing well, I think I might have been a bit paranoid after the last doctor's visit. His cough is minimal and he had no fever after Friday. God is good.

Our friends had their son on Madison's birthday, Monday. We are all excited to see him next weekend and welcome him into the clan.

Rebecca is a crazy Wii fit girl. She gets on there every minute she can. She wants to beat everyone's records.

Today, I went to the zoo with Miss Haley belle and her kindergarten class. It was so much fun! They have a new exhibit where you can feed the birds. Of course, you have to buy a seed stick but it was so much fun. As soon as we opened the doors, the birds flew onto the sticks and ate it all up. They were able to walk around with two little birds and it made the whole day for them. My little group crammed into a little photo booth to take a picture, but we soon found out it wasn't working. We were disappointed, but quickly moved onto other things. I am going to try and get the memory card out of this camera so that I can update my page with our pictures. THEN, I am going to put the pics into an 8x8 zoo album that I had ready and waiting. :)

Croup

I was at home with Alexander today. He was diagnosed with croup this morning. I was shocked. I didn't realize that children were still suceptible to this illness. Needless to say, I am bracing myself for the worst. The doctor said that it tends to be much worse at night for the first two nights. I need to keep an eye on his breathing. Generally, the illness will cause a barky cough and fever. BUT, because the "voice box" is swollen the situation could turn badly very quickly. If he starts to wheeze or look like he's having trouble getting air, I have to take him to a doctor immediately. He could choke to death. Thankfully, the other three kiddos are away for the last weekend of spring break. Haley is at her cousin's house, Madison and Rebecca are at grandma's house. It would not be as serious if one of the other kids were to get it, since they are much older. Say at little prayer for a speedy and safe recovery.

Wii Fit

We went out and bought a Wii Fit board and game. The whole family, except for Lex, have weighed in and will start our training today. I see LOTS of room for improvement, and I hope that I can stay motivated and active. I realize that this is not the magic pill for weight loss, but we can get started as a family, and see progress and encouragement as a family.

Remember the words "crop retreat"???

http://www.shoprememberwhen.com/retreat.html

Check your calendars and see if you guys can make it. I would be willing to pay a sitter to keep the kids while I head up for some seriously needed girlfriend time!!

Angel, it's not that far and we could split the room cost!

How much would you normally spend at convention, Staci??

Melibelle, I know you are dying to take pictures with your fancy camera and get your hands dirty in some inks and paints.

Think about it, check you calendars, and start saving up.

Lex is great!

So far, so good on the new sleeping arrangements. He hasn't gotten out of bed once. He's still not sure what to do in the morning when he wakes up. He knows that he can just scoot off of the bed, but he still calls for me to come and get him. So sweet.

SUCCESS!

Alexander is sleeping in his own bed tonight. Granted, he is in the same room with Haley, but he is in his own big boy bed. He has just gotten to the point where I can not imagine that he is comfortable in a crib. He doesn't have a lot of room to move around and the mattress is always pretty soft for babies. I guess I shouldn't proclaim success just yet. I imagine if we go the week without him getting up we should consider ourselves lucky. We didn't HAVE to move him out of a crib, but Ben being in town for three weeks straight definitely helps. Alexander sees no one and hears no one when daddy is home and so we thought the transition would be a smooth one as long as he was the one putting him to bed and tucking him in. We are definitely keeping our fingers crossed. We didn't move the girls out of their cribs until they were 2 years or older, so it feels a little premature.

Work is going great, I doubt that I will ever leave. Unless they walk me out, of course.

The girls have spring fever, and are having a tough time concentrating at school. Haley's teacher called to let me know that she will be getting an "N" for conduct. (N= needs improvement) She has had to move her clip quite frequently these past few weeks and she is sitting in a desk rather than at a group table due to her behavior. She is a very social girl and likes to be the boss, which translates to talks a lot.

We don't have family vacation plans for spring break. Madison is going with the youth group down to Houston to work with a church outreach program. Rebecca will be leaving for three days to visit and camp at a horse ranch about an hour away. I am planning on taking off of work the Friday of Spring Break so that I can hang out with Ben and the kids.

I have been able to hang out at the house this weekend. It's the first time in a while that I haven't had plans of some kind. It was nice to hang out and be lazy. I am not ready for Monday.