Boy Turns 6

Yes...yesterday my little boy turned 6!! Holy Smokes (his words) he's getting big...I cannot believe it was 6 years ago that I gave birth to the little booger!! He's always suppose to stay my little boy and everyday I see him growing bigger and I have to give him up a little bit more....so sad but so exciting too! He requested Subway for his birthday and wanted to eat in the restaurant (it's so exciting to a 6 year old (I guess) to sit in the restauraunt rather than drive thru and take it home :)) Anyway we met the grandparents there and ate and then headed home for presents and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (the ONLY cake worth eating in Gideon's book :) ) Anyway he then opened his gifts and was "unable" to talk to anybody else on the phone (jacob and uncle colin called) because he was too "busy" trying to figure out his new transformers:) It was a great day! He is getting so big and learning so much. He's reading now which is so weird...funny thing...Keith and I have tried to switch to pig latin because he's understanding spelling words now so the other day we were talking about getting Gideon his "esentprays" and he said...."presents??"...GREAT!! Now what do we do as inconspicuous parents trying to disclose info from our kids in plain sight??? Oh well...guess we'll have to work on it! Anyway we are proud of our one and only and don't know what we'd do without the funny things he says and does...his laughter and his hugs and kisses....his imagination and his fun personality! We love ya gid!! Happy Birthday!!!

Chicago Recap

Gideon loves to use the camera...this was his shot of us in the hotel room..actually turned out pretty good! Good job Gid!

So...Chicago was a blast! As you can see in the above picture taken at Shedd....we just happened to sit in front of these people we didn't even know who had girls our same ages in the exact same dresses....HILARIOUS!!!! What are the chances of that! The same age girls even had the same color dress...though it could have been switched...SO FUNNY...the crowd kept asking us if we were all togethor as a group....we were like..."no...we just sat down and turned around and realized that we all have a Great sense of style :) "

So on Friday when we got there...we checked into the hotel and gave the kids a choice....Chicago style pizza...or Chicago style hotdogs.....they chose the hotdogs....Keith took us to Portillo's...now in all the millions of times I've been to Chi-town...eating hotdogs has not exactly been my priority so I've never tried one...but Keith said I "had to try it" so...me being the adventurous eater that I am sat down to a hotdog with tomato, pickle, relish, ketchup,mustard, onion and hot pepper on a poppy seed roll. It was actually really yummy....that is until I got to the hot pepper.....I will quote my husband when I asked him if the pepper was really hot or not..."It's hot...but not really that bad"......Famous last words....I bit into the hot pepper hotdog....The entire pepper was in my mouth...about 2 1/2 inches long....the minute I bit into it.....I lost all feeling in my tongue and started crying....I could not spit it out because we were surrounded by people and I had no napkin....so I choked it down...and spent the next 1/2 hour shoving bread, french fries...pop...anything into my mouth to cool it down....an hour after...my tongue was still burning! Thanks Keith!! I am never trusting my husband again...(he was laughing at me by the way as I struggles to keep the food in my stomach as it burned all the way down)....

So...he owed me big time and let me order up a nice big slice of cheesecake to the room later :):) Sat...we hit Shed and the AWESOME new aquatic show....Their new arena sits right on Lake MI...I mean right...like the water in the tank looks like it just keeps going out into the lake...The show was great...they let the penguins, hawks and even a sea lion (huge) come out into the audience....and people got to pet them!! Amazing...then they had a Beluga Whale show...so cool and a dolphin show..like seaworld....so great! We also saw the sharks which were swimming on our sides and above our heads in a almost 20 foot high tank that wrapped around the sides of the room and the ceiling...the sharks were huge and Lucy was really scared of them...she kept covering her head and telling me she wanted to leave....

We tried MI ave for a little bit on Sat but it was waaaayyyy too busy...more than I've ever seen it so we ordered take out Gino's pizza and headed for the hotel pool...which was on the top floor of the hotel...and was surrounded by John Hancock...the clocktower etc....BE-autiful! We had a blast!...even though the pool water was FREEZING!! Sunday we hit MI ave with the Kreigers (Keith's bosses family) while Keith and his boss did some competitive shopping and hit Navy Pier for the Sofa Show (the reason we were there)...we met the guys for lunch at The Rainforest Cafe and then hid out in the hotel until the guys were done with the show and took off for home. It was an awesome trip...very laid back and easy...great for the kids first real trip to the big city.

On another note Lucy met her new opthamologist yesterday and to make a long story short....she does not have Duane's Syndrome...but she is just cross eyed....crossed out rather than in....like her cousin Josh....treatment is the same....not much ....but it may get worse with age and we will cross that bridge when we get there....So that's a recap of our lives....busy but fun. Today is my first day that I don't have to be anywhere and I am loving it! I got a cold and am achy and it's so nice to sit around in my flannel pj's all day and just be comfty!! Hope everyone's doing well.....tune in next week...same blog time...same blog channel (that was for Gid)

Holding On.....

As you can see.....the kids had a pretty fun Halloween! Gideon sported his Homemade Mr Incredible outfit yet again (I think this is the last year I'll get away with putting my underwear on him for a costume :)) Lucy was of course Bell and Ella a little Giraffe. They looked great and did great also. We hit mom and dad's a few of our friends and then went to A. Evan's Trunk or Treat in which the kids reeled in the loot! Anyway, cousin Jacob was along so that ALWAYS makes my kids happy. We had a lot of fun. On Friday night (before Halloween) Keith and I went to pick out our new puppy. I fell in love with the little girl. She is going to be brownish and white. There was an 8 week old there that was her same coloring and both Keith and I loved it....however it peed on the already hesitant about the whole thing daddy...so he didn't get quite as attatched as I did but he was still LOVING holding our little Maxie girl (the kids want to name the dog max....we'll see if the name stays after they get it) Anyway we are keeping it a secret from the kids so SHHHHHHH!!! We will give it to them as their main Christmas present but it will be given 2 weeks before Christmas because the breeder won't hold it any longer than that. The kids will be so excited...I am so excited to give it to them...5 more weeks and she'll be all ours...then my posts will consist of venting about dog potty training I'm sure...but at least this time around and 2 years worth of doggie research will pay off with a small compact dog that doesn't shed (my number one priority), doesn't eat or poop much (Keith's number 1 priority) doesn't need to be walked everyday...hence...a lap dog. And isn't hyperactive!!....this puppy is breeder gaurantee'd to be easy to potty train and not a yapper!! We will see...we will see....although I must admit...when we went into the barn to pick out the puppy...every other dog in the place was whining and yapping...except for these puppies and their mommy and the other mommy of the same breed and her puppies...here's hoping the research and careful search pays off!! Anyway we get her Dec 12~~

Sunday was our day to teach the 14 ....4 year olds in Sunday School...it is a huge handful and I am always stressed at the end...seeing as thought the classroom is the size of a tissue box but we survived! Today Keith is in The Windy City...he'll be home tonight...only to be home for one day and then all the family is leaving (provided no one is sick...PLEASE LORD!!!) for a vacation/work trip with Keith back to Chicago for the weekend. We plan to hit Shed and Willis and maybe a few shops...just to entertain the kids...no purchase necessary :) Thanks to Sauders for eating the bill (granted Keith has to work sometime while we are there and I will be left with 3 crazy kids in a big city..after we check out of the hotel.but we'll have fun!) So...if anyone is wondering what to pray for us...PRAY FOR GOOD HEALTH til Monday when we get back so we can have a wonderful time!! Hope everyone is happy and healthy!! Love to all!

Praise Jesus For His Provision!

As you can see.....Lucy has officially pooped on the potty 30 times and therefore is not only completely and totally potty trained (ie...not pull-ups, diapers and doesn't have to be reminded to go pee/poo on the potty just tells us she has to go) but has earned her much desired BELL DRESS!!! WOO HOO!!!! GO LUCY!! I actually teared up last night. She hasn't had any accidents for like 3 weeks now but this was the official pinacle achievement for her and I am so proud of her. Let me tell you ...with her issues this has NOT been an easy thing...not that it ever is...but she did it! She was so thrilled to get her dress she had to call everybody! Unfortunetly Daddy was traveling last night but will be back today and Lucy is determined to put on her dress and parade around the room for Daddy! She told me last night..."I am the loveliest girl ever"...I don't even know where she gets this stuff! She's a true princess at heart I tell ya!! So...I am on a high today....I thought 6 months ago this time would never come...6 months....even 3 weeks ago when she pooped all over the basement... (yes...totally nasty) I thought....there is something wrong with her...she is never going to learn...I hope we don't need to see a doctor about this....but SHE DID IT ON HER OWN!!! WOOHOO!!!! So...that's all for this week and that's enough to make this mommy praising Jesus for his constant love and provision...even in the small stuff!! :)

Ebay Obsession....

So, as many of you know, I have a slight obsession with ebay. I love to buy and I love to sell. Currently I have some items up for the bidding but I am totally not happy because this is the second time I've put them up and they are being "watched" but not being "sold". So frustrating. It's really good stuff. I hope it goes soon! I could use the cash for Christmas! :) I think I'm also going to be having a garage sale in the spring if anyone is interested in contribution. It will probably be close to June. The other homes in my neighborhood usually do it then. I will be selling all the baby stuff that hasn't been snatched up by a friend or relation. I hope it goes well. It will probably take me all winter to price but I figure it will be a good distraction from the hum drum winter days!
Our family is doing well right now. We are holding our own against the influenza. Of course it hasn't hit Gideon's school very much yet so that is a BIG part of our current good health. With the help of Papa Keith finally got the little barn roofed last night! (it's only taken us like a month and a half to do it...because of weather and schedule) It looks great and it is now time to tackle the overwhelming task of back yard furniture/toy winter clean up. I got the kids started on it yesterday afternoon which incredibly went REALLY well except that where they were suppose to put all the toys (in the garage) was a mess in itself...I'm thinking this is going to turn into a Sat project...clean the garage...rack the leaves in the yard....clean up outdoor stuff (sounds like a morning that needs to start with a lot of Stella Leona steamers and Tuxedo's YUM!!!
Anyway Lucy will have her first real OT appointment next week! Such an awesome experience. Pretty much the OT confirmed and acknowledged absolutely everything I saw in Lucy and said...in fact YES I see the muscular issues!! FINALLY someone who can offer some explanation and help! She stated that it could all be from Lucy's lack of muscular tone....tone that goes all over her body that is so low that the muscle reactors that actually move the muscles do not have enough tone to work with so they either quit working all togethor or not work very well. So, at this point without another neurological diagnosis we are going to work on Muscle building...which means lots of jumping and bouncing for Lucy on the balls, swings and trampolines! She's going to love this therapy :) Anyway we happen to get her into the BEST ped's PT/OT/ST in the tri-state area and God got us into one of the two best OT's in the joint!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!! We are really excited. The facility has an indoor and outdoor gym and lots of rooms to do different therapy things. Lucy LOVED it. She was very comfortable..within 25 minutes of us being there she was playing in the gym with the therapist while I was in a completely different room with the door shut doing paper work...she can't wait to go back! Ella is being a stinker and saying more words everyday. She talks a mile a minute...yesterday when I turned on word world for her she said..."Good Girl Mommy...Tank You" :) So funny! Since Lucy is completely potty trained (3 poops away from her Bell Dress :) Ella has taken an interest. She is constantly wanting to be put on the potty...she points to her diaper and says "off mama, I go peepee" So funny. The other night I put her on and she actually went...she giggled the whole time. She is obsessed with tooting and burping (come on!! She's only almost 2 ) She laughs so hard anytime she or anyone else blows either way :) :) :) Anyway that's the scoop on our lives! We are looking forward to a family trip to the Windy city (we're going with Keith on a work trip --FINALLY!!) in early November and we are actually going to spend THanksgiving alone this year...am I going to attempt to make a turkey for just us??? I doubt it...Keith has requested chicken wings, taquitos and about 4 different dips (we'll see about that) Hope everyone is good...Good health and blessing to everyone!!

It's a Party in the USA.....

Pirates minutes before they found their buried treasure

ARGGGG Matey's

This stuff was squishy!

I have peas on my head!

It was quite a party weekend. It started out with a girly visit with Lucy and Ella's favorite girl cousin Jessica (and little chubby Lucas) We all had a nice visit but I think the girls could not quite get enough of eachother! They had a blast! That was Friday...Sat we had the annual fall party/grammy's birthday weekend. The kids carved pumpkins, went on a treasure hunt, went trick or treating...played with cousins....got sick (at least Gid and Ella did), but had an awesome time anyway! Hope we didn't get anyone else coughing and snotting it up! So that was a very quick review of the weekend. Keith is gone today to Minnesota and I am taking Lucy to her first OT appointment. Hope all goes well (thanks for the prayers). Friday or Sat we are going to go out for my b-day...I hate getting older but I love Keith taking me out on a date so I guess you gotta let go of somethings to enjoy the rest :)....anyway Hope everyone is happy and healthy!!

Straight Talk, Straight Cut

So...the question is....do I look more or less like my daughter with straight hair?....Unfortunetly I still don't see much of a resemblance (though I would LOVE to loook like her-she's a beaut!)
Anyway so....I decided to post a pic of me with straight hair because....it just doesn't happen that often and I thought I would document it. I never do it myself....it would take too much time...so I leave that up to my lovely friend (and hairdresser) Janel every 3 months :) It stays for about 48 hours and then goes back to the massive curl. I like it straight but I tend to think it makes my chin look even more narrow and big....as in the above picture....oh well...it's fun while it lasts and is a good change. Anyway so What's up with us you ask well....nothing really....we are just living the days away....without much change....Gid's still going to school, Lucy starts OT next week and has pretty much mastered potty training...I don't really even ask her anymore...she just tells me and then goes...I thought this would never come but we've gone a good 8 days without accident (I know it will happen sometime) and Ella is getting more and more personality every day. I have realized that I absolutely LOVE 1 and a half to 2 and a half...they are HILARIOUS!! Ella's recent comical act is to say "MAMA NANANANANA) which means I am suppose to sing the batman (1960's) theme song...and she'll run around in a circle and then say "MATMAN"....it's sooooo funny...she will also say ....1 2 Frwee GO!! And start racing around the house...stop and start all over again....so she keeps us entertained. Keith as of yet, does not have to go to China this fall...which is awesome since we thought he might have to go over Thanksgiving. Of course nothing is solid because at anytime the accounts he works with could go over...forcing him to but as of now....it's a No....YAY!!!! I am going to start working at the hospital another 1/2 day a month. They are in need of someone and even though I really don't want to I feel like I need to be flexible so in the future I am better off there. Anyway that's about all.....it's a beautiful fall afternoon and as I listen to the constant machinery moving dirt across the road from my house (building a new park and ball fields) I think I may be lulled into a peaceful afternoon nap......