Little Girls, Little Girls...Everywhere I look I can see them....

Tomorrow...Tomorrow...I love ya....Tomorrow...You're only a day away.......

Guess what Lucy did on Sunday with Nani and Papa....(Gid too).....She went to see Annie!! Doesn't she look so cute...of course I'm biased but I thought she looked adorable! So here's the scoop....my mom and dad have season tickets and when kid friendly shows come in they love to take the kids. Gideon has been to The Lion King before this and Lucy and Gid went to Beauty and the Beast but this was extra special for my family because of our family attatchment to this musical. When I was little my mom and dad L-O-V-E-D the show and when i was about Lucy's age the original movie came out and mom and dad took me to see it at the Drive-in. I, being the dramatic...fantasizing child that I was...(I know you are all shocked:) realized that I had curly short hair just like Annie....and probably thought I was Annie herself because I would sing "The Sun Will Come out Tomorrow" for just about everybody. My mom, in true form, sewed this Annie dress for me and I, of course was thrilled. Anyway long story short...Sunday at lunch mom had me go up to the attic at their house and see if I could find this dress for Lucy to wear. It wasn't up there and mom was sad because her and dad assumed they gave it away....well, as they were discussing this I happened to think....."I think they gave me that dress a long time ago" So, after we left their house I went home and climbed into our storage area in the garage. The second box that said "Taryn's chilhood things" came up gold. I was sooooo excited and a bit weirded out because I remember wearing the dress and it didn't seem possible to have my daughter wearing it. Well anyway, Lucy was absolutely thrilled. We found little shoes and curled her hair...as curly as it would go anyway.....When Nani and Papa arrived to take them to the show Gideon ran out on the porch and said very excitedly..."Presenting....Annie" and Lucy stepped out....My mom teared up and so did I ....she looked so cute...(I know...we're so dramatic) anyway as Lucy was getting in the car to go I said " Bye Annie" Lucy said..." I not Annie....I Lucy Annie" she was so cute. At the show she was the only little kid dressed up like Annie and she got aww's from the other little kids as well as from the elderly people there. What a cutie!

This Week in our lives........

So far this week has been fairly uneventful.....FINALLY!!! We are now in the first week of April of which no one has been sick.....Knock on Wood....Anyway although the weather has been H_O_R_R_I_B_L_E the past few days...today is panning out pretty well. It's suppose to be 53 today 63 tomorrow and 80's for Friday Sat and Sun....WOOOO HOOOO!!!! Warm weather...I love it I love it!! I'll tell ya what I am not a cold person....I don't mind it around Christmas and in Jan-Feb...but once mid-March hits I go stir crazy!! Anyway so this weekend will be great but the bummer is that I have to work ALL NIGHT friday at the auction...in a building...when it's going to be absolutely beautiful outside and Sunday morning early Keith leaves for NC for 3 days which is always sad to me...but Sat should be good...lots of Family time I hope!!
Keith was gone yesterday all day too in Arkansas but thankfully he's back today...he's stressed....but he's back....times are so tense now in the work field and I really worry for his sanity and health sometimes! Thankfully he's got a job that pays pretty well but I'll tell you what...I would take less money in return for less stress and travel for him anyday!! His job completely monopolizes his time and energy to the point that when he comes home he's unhappy with a major headache and though he wants to play with the kids he doesn't have much energy. He doesn't sleep and has constant neck and back pain from all the travel! Please pray for him if you think of it! I want him around for a long time and all this stress is not good!
While Keith was gone yesterday I unexpectedly babysat for 2 of my friends kids for a couple hours...it was great socializing for the kids and provided time for me to be by myself for awhile!

So...I should update you all a bit on Lucy....pretty much Sat...did nothing...Yah I was pretty disappointed....they barely examined her and then said pretty much...well if what you are saying is correct she should qualify to be examined by an pediatric orthopedic in our hospital in 2-6 months in Chicago.....well I guess I was hoping for a little something more than that....plus I want someone to examine her who actually knows something about conditions such as these sooner than 6 months ....so it's in debate as to what we are going to do right now....Please continue to pray as right now we're not sure quite what to do next!

Ok well that's enough babble for now!! Hope all are well!

Breaking News Bulletin....

We interrupt normal programming to bring you this Special News Report:

Chad (known to his close male friends and Maynard Sauder as Jack) has officially become.....ENGAGED!!! Yes this long time "King" of the Bachelors and former (but forgiven:) basher of the female sex has found himself taken by one...INCREDIBLE....(nice and sweet also I might add)...lady named Greta and we are all Sooooo Happy for him and Soooo sorry for Greta... :) JUST KIDDING!!! Yes my friends...this is not a joke....it is total and complete truth and we all couldn't be more excited!!! CONGRATS CHAD AND GRETA!!!!
When I told Gideon that Uncle Chad was getting married (which he equates to kissing) he said EEEEEUUUWWWWW!!! Then I said...No Gid...it's a good thing for Uncle Chad to be married and we should be happy for him! Gideon's response was...."Yah mom...now YOU have a friend"...I guess since he knows so many of daddy's friends ie..Todd (T-dog), Chad, Jeff etc...he assumes I have no friends.......Oh well!!! Thanks Chad for getting married because now when we get togethor I will have a friend :)....



CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Watch Out Luc...." :)

Lucy Update

So here's the scoop on the latest with Lucy....Although her speech and talking has greatly improved since she began attending this preschool we have not seen a whole lot of progression in her fine and gross motor stuff. It is really scary and frustrating. We are not sure now what the issue is and we are thinking possibly that it may be an over-all muscle and joint issue. She's smart but just can't seem to get certain things...so anyway the solution right now is to get her a "physical" work up to see what's going on. Therefore, this Sat. we are taking her to a hospital where the Shriners are doing a free screening for issues such as cleft palate, joint and muscular issues, hand problems etc....anyway we have an appointment for a 1/2 hour session with a seasoned physician who knows what to look for and can suggest treatment and or further referrals to specialized doctors. I am really nervous about the whole thing but also ready for it. I am getting really tired and really sad as I watch her struggle with things that kids a year younger than her can do fine with no problems. I guess I just want solution to the problems. If it is developmental...then so be it....we will kick it into high gear to try and help her work through all of this...if not...I am ready for a diagnosis and/or treatment. I just want to help her overcome her disablilties and work with her so that she can do the fun stuff that kids her age love to do...like ride a bike/trike...climb up a ladder.... jump on a trampoline...open a door to go outside for pity sakes!!! My heart really hurts right now for her as the school year closes out and I see how far we need to come with her in the next 2 years to prepare her for Kindergarten...the road ahead is long but I know God already knows and I'm trying to trust in him..Please pray for us on Sat around 11:30. Pray that we remember to tell the doctor everything...pray that Lucy cooperates...Pray that God will give the doctor wisdom...and most of all ....pray that it won't be a waste of our time but that some real solution (one way or the other) would come of this and we could have some peace about our little girl!! Thanks!!--Taryn

The Easter Scoop

I hope everyone had an awesome Easter Holiday! We had a very relaxing enjoyable time! It started out Thursday night with Gideon going to a --let me spell it right this time dad--Sadder meal. He actually did really well at the meal and even tried everything including the horshradish!! On a side note: the women at his table asked him if he knew any other Gideon's and he answered..."yes, I know 2. the Prophet and me"....pretty funny! Anyway, while Gideon was there I went and had my cherished hair-cut and color....I love that time! As a mom who doesn't get pampered that much, it's so nice to get out of the house and not only that but a really good friend of my cuts my hair and she always washes it and cuts it and then styles it for me (usually straight--which is a nice change) so I go home feeling so relaxed! Anyway Nancy ended up spending the night because the Sadder meal went long which was great. On Friday she took Lucy to her house for the afternoon while I ran to get my ring back and do some shopping without kids. (I really felt spoiled) We met Keith's mom and dads at a restaurant for supper and then headed back to thier house for a relaxing evening. On Sat. we just kinda hung around the house. In the afternoon, our friends from PA stopped with their new baby...she was soooo cute!! We had a nice visit with them and then ran to Walmart and picked up Tiny's on the way to Nani's house for supper! Nothing beats a Cherry Slush Shake and greasy cheeseburger!!
Now for the big news.....At Nani's after supper we went out for a walk and a practice bike ride with no training wheels for Gideon...my mom has a really long country road where no cars go down...it's nice and straight...ideal for this situation...and....although it was only Gideon's 3rd time out to try....HE GOT IT!!!!! He was riding down the road with daddy just running beside him (in his socks by the way.....he will remember to wear runable shoes in the future:) HE DID AWESOME and the whole time I was thinking...where is my camera!!!!! So, sadly I have no video but he did end up riding by himself for probably a half mile total without any fall...in fact he only falls now when he has to stop...we've got to work on the starting and stopping thing!! Anyway, we are so excited!! Those training wheels are just a pain in the rear end and it's so nice to not have to worry about them anymore!! I was so shocked that he did it...it didn't take him long at all we were only out about about 2 minutes when he started doing it and it was only his 3rd try! GREAT JOB GID!! YOU MADE MOMMY SO PROUD!! Now if we could just help Lucy focus her eyes in a way and strengthen her muscles enough that she can ride her trike!
So that was the major excitment of the weekend! On Sunday we headed to my grandparents for Easter and had a great time visiting with cousins and aunts and uncles. We had an Easter egg hunt and a great meal! Hopefully I can get some pictures uploaded of the day! Gideon and Keith went fishing back at the pond and got 5 fish each so it was a great day for my fisherman as well!! Of course last night the holiday feelings abruptly ended with Ella starting in with the Croup but over-all it was a great time!!
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!! PRAISE TO JESUS FOR CHOOSING TO DIE FOR US AND GIVE US FREEDOM THROUGH HIS AMAZING GRACE!!!

Croup...Croupaa Doop Croupaa Doop

Yes.....it is official...we are sick yet again.....Ella came down with Croup around 11:30 last night...Keith and I decided to watch a movie to try and extend the holiday after the kids went to bed...which...the movie was really good....it was called Stardust....I had never heard of it but it ended up being pretty good....it's kinda a fairy tale type story....but not really for kids...anyway we finished the movie and literally layed down in the bed only to pop back up as we listened to Ella's barky cough....Keith went and got her and she had a temp of 102-103 and she couldn't catch her breath.....totally scary....i quickly called my mom...woke her up out of bed and she told me to quickly throw a blanket over her head and take her outside so that her airways would relax....that worked....then we gave her tylenol and set up a Croup tent in our bedroom...in which she did not fall asleep but tossed and turned and coughed (I was in there with her to monitor her breathing) until about 1:30...we decided at that point that this was not working and got out the pack n play...put it right beside my side of the bed and set up the Croup tent there....she cried and coughed until about 200 until I picked her up....finding she was still really warm...gave her some Motrin and put her back down in the croup tent...she fell asleep after some crying until about 300 then awake again at 400 where she was wheezing enough again that I took her out and sleep in a rather uncomfortable position with her until the sun actually came up...needless to say i am really tired....better than dealing with the puke flu....but still....I am exhausted! Winter weather....please end...warm weather come quickly.....enough cold warm cold warm cold warm....some steady temps are needed to kill all that's attacking!

Apology

So.....I just reread my blog.....could I have been any meaner and cruel.....Sorry to all of you who got offended by what I said.....I was being really sarcastic and it came across as just plan mean....so....Sorry to everyone....especially Adam Lambert....(like he really reads my blog) anyway I do owe him one.....He is talented...and the show is not real life....I am humbled by my earlier comments.....SORRY TO ALL!!

My Pathetic Obsessions.....

Ok...so...I am obsessed with 2 shows currently....

#1 is Lost...of course...I love the show and have since the beginning....and that's probably why I love it because if you've started watching it from anytime other than that...you are totally confused and probably wonder why people get so hyped up about it....well anyway....I'm one of those "hyped" viewers....I love the plot and can't wait til the final season next year and the "conclusion" to those unanswered questions...like..."Who exactly is Richard Albet....or what is he?"...."Who exactly is "Christian" or "Jacob" or whoever Jack's dad is....."What does losing your innocence mean?" and finally...."What is the island"...amidst those questions are a million and 1/2 other questions but I would like those answered...Can't wait until tonight with another exciting episode planned.....like I said...."pathetic" obssesions!! :)

#2 is Amercian Idol.....and I must admit...I was actually disappointed that it ran long last night and my DVR didn't record Adam Lamberts song....even though I can't stand the guy.....Ok so here's my beef on him....Does he have a good voice....Most definetly...is he talented...Most definetly...does he sometimes sound like a woman when he sings...Most definetly...is that any different that other lead singers of rock bands like those of Queen....Most definetly not any different...But I have to say....is the theme of the show not to discover "undiscovered" talent? All of the other people on that show are undiscovered...pulled out of piano bars....classrooms...business offices....wherever...they have "undiscovered" talent...Unfortunetly the worshiped Adam.....is N-O-T undiscovered...he's been living in L.A. for at least 5 years with I believe his sole "occupation" being trying to "make-it"...he also has traveled with broadway shows and been in fact lead on stage many times....I would once again N-O-T call him undiscovered talent and it bugs me when the judges worship him like they have been doing!! I want to say...DUH!!!! Of course he's good....of course he can sing....no surprise....THAT IS HIS FULL TIME PROFESSION!!! He is not "undiscovered" talent....he just hasn't had his "break" into the current "pop" scene....I'm sure it would have come sooner or later since that is what he was doing once again for his Full Time Profession....I'm also getting annoyed at the screaming teenage girls...when they say they love him.....Don't they know he's never going to "love" them back---sorry baby girls....he follows the lead of some of the other rockers of the 70's 80's and 90's batting for a different team...or ....the same team....or something like that....not that that has anything to do with his performance...the girls are just getting on my nerves....as is the show with regard to him.....I much prefer some of the other guys and girls with "authentic-undiscovered talent" David Cook was great too and his performances were similar to Adams....very original...but theres a big difference...David was truely "undiscovered" and though I have heard it rumored he sang in clubs and bars...he had not moved to L.A. and spent several years trying to "make-it" in the business....nor had he made it big already on stage and wanted to just take a different direction in his life and try pop music! Alright....for all of you who are thinking...."ok Taryn...seriously....are you insane and is this really worth all the fuss...I would completely agree with you....I am obsessed and this has absolutely NOTHING to do with real life or reality....I need to give my nonsense a rest!! See ya!!

I'm getting Bigger!

Gideon came up to me last night in the kitchen and said quite proudly

"Mom, look how tall I am...pretty soon I'll be up to your udders!" :):):)

Lucy's Take on Heaven

After this video was taken....Lucy sang a little song about Heaven in which she said that when she gets to heaven Big Nani will hold her and she won't be afraid....I started to tear up....so sweet!

Sick and Tired

Well....we've got something going around this house....Ella was sick Thursday and Friday....still looked kinda droopy eyed and is still kinda cranky today....Lucy came down with a fever mid-day Sat....and is still sick today...laying on the couch......in fact she woke up at 4:30 in the morning never to fall back asleep...not sure what exactly is going on...Lucy sounds like she's got a frog in her throat...she's eating some but not a lot...especially when the fever goes up...she's also coughing some....I'm thinking it's respiratory...who knows...anyway Keith got up at 3 to get on a plane for Arkansas....I woke up at 1130 when Lucy woke up the first time...at 2 from a nightmare (I hate that).....at 3 when Keith got up....got back to sleep by 4 and then woke up and stayed pretty much awake with Lucy until 730 when I couldn't take her moving around in my bed anymore....I am cranky and tired and my patience is running thin....not to mention that it's snowy outside ---and I don't want any more snow and my old Aunt Flow is on her way and I haven't seen or heard from her in almost 2 years...so you can imagine how it has been prior to her arrival :) Anyway, I had my dad come and get Gideon and take him to preschool and he will pick him up too so I don't have to leave the house and Lucy won't have to leave the couch...despite her fever...we still went to Keith's parents both Sat and Sun for Easter celebration....I pray no one else gets what they have had!! I feel bad now that it's day 3 and I know it's gotta be some kinda virus....SORRY EVERYBODY!!! Anyway I think we wore her out to much so much to her dislike...I'm keeping her on the couch today....
Luckily Keith arrives back late this evening so I don't have to do a complete night with him away. But....on a sad note...it's travel season again...with trips to Arkansas, North Carolina and Minnesota or Chicago...I can't remember...scheduled for the next 3 weeks.

This week is filled to the brim with lots of fun (if everyone gets healthy and stays healthy) if Lucy can...she's got school just tomorrow and Gideon's last day is Wed...then they are both on Spring Break....not sure what we're gonna do but we'll think of something fun...I hope. Gideon is going to go to a Satter (spelling) meal on Thursday with Keith's mom and dad. I have been reading him the Easter story...talking about Moses and the Egyptians and the origin of the "Passover Feast"....we even just recently watched Prince of Egypt which helped with his grasping the concepts...anyway last night we got into a discussion about Heaven and Jesus dieing on the cross and going to heaven and how we'll go someday....Gideon was talking a mile a minute excitedly about what Heaven was going to be like...Lucy was a bit hesitant....she was sick already so her emotions were on the edge but I asked her what she thought heaven would be like..."she started tearing up and said...."It will be scawy"....I said "Oh no Lucy it won't be scary it will be fun....like the best day you've ever had.....forever....you'll be princess and live in a castle with Jesus!!"....she started tearing up and I said..."Lucy what's wrong?"....she answered through tears...."But....I wilw miss you guys...." My heart just broke....I said "Lucy....you won't miss us because we'll be there with you....then she really got into it....thus the above video!! Hope you enjoy!

SORRY FOR THE INCONVIENIENCE

WEBSITE UNDER RECONSTRUCTION.......

Winter 09

Kindergarten Update.....

Well...Gideon is now officially ready for Kindergarten!!! We went yesterday to the registration and testing and it went great! I had NOTHING to worry about! He was seen by a nurse that tested vision and hearing and got a health history, met his bus driver, met the guidance counselor and answered some..well what I call "abuse screening" questions--I assume they have to do that by law.....met the morning Kindergarten teacher and took his test with her (We still have not been forced to do all day every day Kindergarten by the state)...which he did assumedly good at...I don't know...he was very independent during this whole thing :) and went to the Kindergarten classroom where he got to explore and join the class for the activities they were doing...he saw a friend from his old sitters house right away and jumped right in with the other kids...he even got to eat snack with them (the teacher has a cafe' and they pay with fake money for their food) It was a really relaxed atmosphere and a really good experience for Gideon. He didn't completely pass his vision test...I guess he couldn't see 3-D and that was part of the test...although I tested him at home later and he was able to see it so I think...and the nurse even said, he was probably just nervous and not to worry about it at this point. When he was done with his bus driver he got a little coloring book with bus saftey rules in it and Diane asked him if he had any questions... he said "Yes...when do I get to meet the principal" (I had told him before he might get to meet the principal) Diane asked Mrs Aschliman if he was going to be able to and she said it wasn't scheduled but he could. He replied "I want to ask him if I am going to be in the morning or afternoon class" --(I had told him earlier that he was a "town" kid and the principal doesn't determine when he'll go until the summer--I guess he didn't trust me and wanted to find out for himself if that was true) so....off to the principals office we went...I must admit I was a little embarrassed....we had already met the principal once at one of Lucy's things but Gideon was bound and determined to meet him again. He marched into the office and the principal introduced himself and then Gideon said confidently..."Uhm...am I going to be in the morning or the afternoon?" The principal told him that they hadn't decided that yet but it wouldn't be too long. I guess Gid was satisfied with the answer because he just nodded his head. What a funny little guy.
On a side note...Ella was sick with something yesterday...who knows what....she had a fever axillary of 103.5 !!!! and just laid on the couch and cried and didn't lift her head most of the day....last night in the middle of the night we lost electricity sort of ....most of it that is...it was enough to power the sound machine in Gideon's room and the night lights but everything else turned off....weird....anyway I praised Jesus in the middle of the night because if the sound machine would have turned completely off....I'm sure the girls would have woken eachother up....as it was Ella only woke up once..enough for some tylenol and water and went back to sleep. This morning she still looks sick but is eating and drinking better and the temp...though not gone is down quite a bit....I am relieved!!! It makes me really nervous when their temps go up that high...my kids don't usually run high high temps like that....I just keep thinking.....if it's axillary 103...it's like 104-105 internally!! Scary Stuff.....anyway glad that parts over....hopefully no one else comes down with it since we have family Easter at Keith's parents this weekend and Keith begins travel season again on Monday....oh well....hope everyone is good....just thought I'd update.