Finally Home!

We are finally home from our 10 day trip to see some family! I have lots to share, hope to get to it soon! The kids had such a blast and are already asking when they get to go back (in two weeks, we leave again for another 12 days!!!)

10 days away from our Kaden was just WAY to long!!! We could not wait to get home to see him! Here is just a quick sneak peak of some of the things that went on the past 10 days, which I hope to get more pics and details up soon!

Just for a Chuckle...

Remember you will have to pause the music (at the bottom of the page) in order to listen to this. I was laughing SOOO hard! Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sorry I have been gone for so long, but most that keep up with this, I have seen in the past week!

Things have been crazy to say the least. I had an absolute blast at the New Moon premiere, enjoyed the weekend with my husband and even got a few things done at my Moms. We are currently at Sean's parent's house in Ness enjoying Thanksgiving.

Aylene looks good. She is still pretty weak and tired, but a HUGE improvement from last week. She goes in again on Monday for more bloodwork, if her blood levels are where they need to be, she should be able to start her new chemo.

Sorry, I have no pictures to post at this moment, but wanted to let you know that we are still alive!!!

Answered Prayers

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers! I won't go into a bunch of details (your welcome Aylene), but we heard good news yesterday!

Sean and I were on the edge of our seats all day waiting by the phone and calling each other to see if we had heard anything.

Aylene is a true fighter! This woman amazes me more and more every day!! The chemo pill they had her on was not a good fit.

Are you ready?? The new chemo is available on Friday!!!! Aylene will have to get a few things looking better before she can start it, but it is there waiting!!


Again, I can not thank you enough for all the thoughts and prayers, I truly believe they all helped! She still has a hill to climb, but with all your prayers we know she will continue to amaze us all.

On another note, Davis turned 5 yesterday! I won't go much into that - I will save it for another day. Today is a day to celebrate Aylene! In fact, I am going to take the next few days to celebrate!

We are headed out of town tomorrow and will be gone thru Thanksgiving. So, I added a few songs to the top of the list for you all to listen and thank God for.

Thank you! Thank you!

Thoughts are needed today...

Remember me telling you about the lady that could use a few prayers?

Well, this lady could sure use a few more.

This lady would probably be pretty upset if she saw this, but I am willing to take it. Willing to take it, because we care that much.


This lady is reserved and quiet. She is not one to make a fuss. She looks out and cares for others. We just love her!!


Sean's Mom, Aylene, is not feeling to well. She is struggling and could use a few prayers.

Today is a big day for her. It takes a lot, the drive, the emotional and mental drain. She has another appointment tomorrow and can really use some thoughts.

We are not ready for her to give up yet. She is such a great fighter, has been for quite some time. Don't quit yet... Only a few more weeks... there is a new drug. This new drug could be the one.

So, today as you go through another tough day. Aylene, please know that we are praying things go the way you want.

She will probably kill me for this too:




again... I will take the heat.


So, here's the even harder part:



Sean's Dad, Dave (Aylene's husband) is also not feeling well. He, too, could use some prayers. Dave has had a rough week with his chemo as well and then the pneumonia has decided to hit. So, while Aylene travels to Denver for her appointment, Dave is fighting to get better at home.

We love you both so much and are proud of the fight you are giving!!

Courageous

There is this lady...






a very simple lady...






a simple lady who is so much more...






a lady that would do anything for anyone...






one with the biggest heart of gold...








This lady has been through a lot...







too much that is not fair...







This lady has taken it all in...







She has accepted it...







She has fought it...







She is simply courageous.
















This lady needs to know that we are proud of her...








we look up to her...






we love her...







This lady needs some help...








She is feeling low...






She is having pain...







She needs strength...







She needs us...










You can help...









Just a few prayers....







we pray she has strength to continue fighting...







we pray she fights strong...







we pray she has a day of peace and no pain...








on this day...















we think of her...










we pray she stands...













we pray she continues to be courageous.

The Boy is Better

Davis returned to school this week! He is feeling much, much better! He is still not back to eating yet, but I have a feeling that is due to his ears(?).

We went back to the Dr. yesterday to recheck them to make sure they are healing the way they need to - remember me telling you we might have to go back to the ENT? Yep. We get to go back...again. The Dr. did put him on more medicine to take only at night for the next two weeks.

Here is our concern at the moment. We have been told by 2 teachers again that he is needing speech (remember us going thru the same thing last year?). We know that he is not hearing the words correctly.

So, today we go back to the ENT. Let's hope that this time we can get in and get out the first time with answers. Maybe one more set of tubes and we can be done?

I am hoping it is a get in and get answer kind of thing, as I am not really looking forward to more medical bills... :o)

If I could do it all over again...

So, 9 years ago when I got married I had visions in my head. These visions included fun, laughter, and unforgetableness. I am not one to sit and be bored. I do not like boring weddings where you sit and sit and then go and sit some more while waiting for a piece of cake and a mint.

When Sean and I got engaged (way back in '99 - wow like a whole world ago), Sean and I both agreed we wanted fun!! Sean went to the batting cage on the day of our wedding in his tux to hit baseballs, see that's fun. My Mother, on the other hand, had visions of her daughter on her wedding day. She had visions of pretty dresses and mints. I wanted NO mints (seriously, who goes to a wedding for mints?).

I wanted skittles. I wanted M&Ms. I wanted just fun things. I asked for NO tulle. I wanted NO frilly wedding things - I did get balloon people, that is fun. I did get tulle too. I remember I wanted GOLDFISH on the tables. Come on now, flowers die. How fun would it be to take a GOLDFISH home as a souvenior?! That would of been fun.

I did finally get my mother to agree on M&Ms (Yes, they had to match the wedding colors). Yes, I did have to agree on mints (I still think we had some left over). I wanted stuff on tables to entertain people while they had to wait. I wanted decks of cards. I wanted crayons. I wanted games. I wanted FUN! I did have little games on the tables. I did have small decks of cards. I did have candy thrown across the tables - that was fun. I did have tulle...

I did get my DJ I wanted. We did have fun then. We had hula hoops, we had the biggest, bestest (I know. My own word), wedding march that had to be taken outside. We did wear silly glasses walking in to the Dance. That was Fun.

I did finally get my mother to agree to letting me blast 'We're going to the Chapel' outside playing for people walking in.

Please, don't think I am complaining. I had a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL wedding. Don't you ever think back and say if I could do it all over again...

I know most have seen this video before, some have seen it several times. I LOVE IT! I am jealous... they had fun!!!!

I am posting this for my mother to see. Mom, if I could do it all again... This is what I want, along with decks of cards, crayons, games, hula-hoops, candy, GOLDFISH, and please...no mints.

This is a FUN wedding. This came across my email again today - also on a day where I was going thru the attic and came across the wedding storage tote that holds my dress and other nick-knacks from the day.

Mother...Watch and take notes... (You will need to pause the music on the bottom of the page first to hear this...) <

Why I Love Being Married to my Husband

He is the hottest man ever...

He takes great pride in providing for us and works hard...

He loves me just the way I am, and always has...

He keeps me grounded and calls me out when needed...

He is the BEST father...

He is a true man...

He appreciates the little things...

He always takes the time to listen to me...

He never forgets a special occassion and holds them with high importance - HA!

I fall more in love with him every day...

Davis' Birthday and Christmas List

Oh, where to begin with this kid?! He is SOOOOO excited about turning 5 and even more excited about Santa! The kid has gone crazy!! If a commercial comes on t.v. it's all out, "MOM! for my birthday, I want that!" Same thing happens when we go into a store. Is it because he finally gets the process? Is it because he sees all this BOY stuff? Who knows, but here is a very long list to get you going.

Please know that with Davis you can not go wrong. The kid is a complete boy, loves being outside, loves the dirt, loves anything boy.

1. He loves his farm boots and is about to outgrow them. He had the plain ole ones from Wal-Mart and am thinking a size 13 would be great (for a little extra growing room to last the year again). Any of the fun rainboots out there would work just as well.

2. He is asking for a pair of Sketchers shoes. All the boys wear sketchers in his class. He wants the ones that are black and red. Any skecthers would make him happy. Size 12 1/2 or 13?



3. Legos! He is really getting into Legos. He likes the smaller size ones. He does have the blue bucket of legos. It does not have enough pieces for him to really build what he wants, so any legos would be great.

4. Currently his loves are: Star Wars, Transformers, Baukagon, Ben 10, Spiderman, Batman, etc. Get the point? You really can not go wrong with him as he does not have any of these things except the plain life sabers from Star Wars. If you walk down the toy asile with Baukagon, Ben 10, Spiderman, Star Wars, etc. His eyes just grow and wants it all. (For his birthday he is getting a Darth Vador and a Transformer costume as he still loves to dress up and play)

5. He is also in need of a bike helmet. I took a picture of this one, but it really doesn't matter (as long as it is not pink - for some reason he is getting tired of his sister's hand me downs). He would need one that says 5+ on it.



6. Bath Soap. It's the little things that make this kid happy. The kid loves bubble baths.



7. a watch. He would like a watch. this is one of Baukagon, but he would be happy with anything boy.




His wish list also contains the Color Wonder Magic Paint Brush kit and the Color Explosion kits. These are located usually in the craft sections or school supply sections of the store. We don't have anything in either, so something starter.

He is also asking for a hamster and a Nintendo DS. I would prefer a DS over a Hamster, please:




Sorry, this is pretty generic, but long. Both of my kids are still easy to shop for (thank goodness).

I am going to add a little more of Kailee's here (I don't think she will read this post). If you don't like any of the ideas on her sheet, call or email me and I will throw some more your way. We are redoing her room and there are a few things I think she would love.

Kailee's Christmas List

I was going to try and put these together on one post, but I don't think it is going to happen. Kailee sat down last night and made a list of what she wanted. I am going to type it out just how she wrote it first and then below I will add a picture of what it looks like. I thought it was just to cute not to share exactly what she wrote:

1. Babysitter DS
2. Teacher DS
3. Games to play at home
4. American Girl doll clothes
5. to get rid of Davis
6. just kidding
7. new clothes and new pajamas
8. craft stuff
9. school fun stuff
10. to have a shopping trip with mom
11. earrings
12. webkinz
13. iron on beads
14. white board markers

That's all I can think of, but do not go telling people this is just for us.


Whoops. Kailee. I told (go ahead, add it to your therapy bill). How do you expect to get anything if you don't tell, hun?

So, in reality, here is Kailee's list that she gave me tonight:

1. Babysitter/DS. A nintendo DS game




2. Teacher/DS. A nintendo DS game




3. Games to play at home. Here are a few I think she would enjoy:


Blokus

Also, Gestures, Sequence, Farkle, Sorry Sliders, Life, etc.

4. American Girl Doll Clothes!

She loves her American Girl dolls and still plays with them a lot. The girls spend a lot of time playing school and the dolls are usually their students.

7. New Clothes and Pajamas.










The girl is in love with Justice! As you know, she is a complete girl and loves, sparkles, bling, and anything girly. She wears a size 10 in cloths and a size 3 in shoes. She has been asking for a pair of boots again this year - can't go wrong with anything girly on those as well.

8. Craft stuff.
You name it, it will work. All the fun craft kits are always a hit. There is one on making friendship bracelets that she got for a friend a few months ago and liked. Maybe a beginner cross stich kit? Anything crafty is game. Markers, pens, etc.


9. School fun stuff!
She plays school with her friends on a daily basis, so you can't go wrong here. Activity books, teacher pens, teacher certificates, etc. One thing I know they need is a pencil sharpener. If she could one that is electric she would be in heaven. They like post its, tape, paperclips, all that fun office stuff to make a mess with! :o) They like those charts that you can write the 'students' names on and put stickers etc on to track their progress. They like the name strips that go on the desks, anything that is in the teacher section of stores is a huge hit. Sad to say one of her favorite things is the HALL pass. HA HA HA


10. Have a shopping trip with my mom. Please don't stress over this one. I got it covered.

11. Earrings. Again, just thing sparkly and girly. She could really use something to store all of her earrings in. Like a cute stand or something. (think BRIGHT colors)

12. Webkinz. Usually found at Hallmark stores, Justice, etc.

13. Iron on Beads. This is another thing the girls and Davis all play with. Here is a picture of what they look like. You can buy them in all sorts of kits and colors. Maybe an idea book that goes with it for ideas on what to make?



14. Dry erase Markers
Playing school and what not. They go through lots of Dry erase markers. If you have access to a Sams (not sure of Costco) they have them very reasonably priced. You get a lot more for the money that is for sure.




Now, Kailee usually tries to sneak in and read this blog once in a while, so I will type this quick and sweet...

I really think she would like a new suitcase (she is getting kind of tired of Barbie). Again, just think girly. Bright colors, or anything that looks fun. Also, she could really use a bike helmet. Here is one that she mentioned she liked that we found at Target:




Hopefully this gives everyone an idea or two to go off of.

Sweet Sweet Kailee

Have I ever told you how sweet my girl is?


I was cleaning a few rooms today and thought of you today as I was mad for all the clothes you had laying on the floor. I was mad for all the scrap pieces of paper that I picked up in the classroom when a trashcan is only 10 feet away.

Then it hit me. My sweet Kailee. My poor sweet Kailee. You have had it pretty rough lately too (especially for an 8 year old):

your Dad has been gone quite a bit lately (well, a lot to be more like it).
you currently have no bedroom, sleeping on a pull-out futon while we are switching rooms.
you have a sick brother (and even offered to give him half of her Halloween candy) and put up with him.
you have a crazy, losing her mind, mother and go with the flow with me as well.

Hang in there, Kailee! Things are beginning to look up around here! Thanks for your patience. Thanks for your help. I LOVE you!!!

I looked at some of the pictures you had taken with your camera. Here's your girls:
















If I remember correctly, you took this with your NEW camera you got for your birthday and these were the new outfits you got for your dolls as well.

I will let you edit this message later when you are home (and bored) and you can tell the story of why you took these pictures.

So the D@&N Yankee's won

W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R!!! This house is NOT a house for Yankee fans that's for sure!

Since I never got the pictures up from our trip to New York a few months ago, what time is better now. Back in August, I had the opportunity to tag-a-long with Sean on a trip. Of Course Sean was busy working most of the week, but we were able to enjoy a baseball game at the new Yankee Stadium. This game was not just an everyday, Yankee game. It was a Boston Red Sox/Yankee game!

The atomsphere was absolutely amazing to say the least. I do not recommend wearing red in this stadium unless you have magical powers, as the New Yorkers will eat you alive! I don't have the time to download a few of the videos I have, but believe me the sounds are intense just like everything in New York.

Here is what the new stadium looks like:





Funny how they list the calories on everything! Not to mention the cost! HA HA HA






You know when you look at pictures and think - that is not really what it was like? It was so much better!!! That's what I am talking about on this photos! This place is MASSIVE. PEOPLE everywhere.

I am a city girl. I love concrete, tall buildings, shopping at my fingertips, people, everything about cities. I am not much of a fan of New York! I have told Sean several times in the past that after living in Chicago, I think we could live anywhere. Well, I must eat those words, as I don't think I could do New York.

Sorry the Yankee's had to win... Another sad note, I hear my Boyfriend, Mark Teahan is going to the White Sox (Sean, another reason to move back :o))

Keep Breathing

I had to put this song up as the Boy is at least still breathing! He is back asleep yet again this afternoon. He has decided to take on a bowl of soup today though. Just wish I could get him to eat more! He was awake more this morning, so hopefully we are starting to turn the corner.

We are suppose to go back to the Dr. early next week for his ears, let's hope this medicine works. Davis keeps talking about the noise his ears are making. It's funny to hear him ask me, "Mom, will you tell the goo in my ear to go away?"

Keep Breathing...Keep Breathing...

Want to be my Neighbor?

Here are the requirements for applying:

Must love cookouts, while the kiddos run around crazy

Must love the fact that you will probably end up with a key to my house having access to come and go as you please.

Winters are usually spent with the kids out in the snow building forts and snowball fights

Spring/Summer is spent with water balloon fights, lemonade stands, sprinkler runs, and you might as well buy double the amount of popsicles that you normally buy as you will be sharing with lots of kids. Not to mention the fishing in the ponds!

Bunko is a blast and meets monthly!

We were given the opportunity to move to Denver a few months ago, and decided that life is just to good for our kids here.

Here are the current houses for sale in our neighborhood. You will share the same schools (which you can walk (most kids enjoy riding their bikes)to), which are AWESOME!!!!!


This one is located on a Cul-de-sac and the neighbors are great! The Nolekempers are wonderful - I would live next to them in a heartbeat! Looking for a cul-de-sac with a mix? You have families, and older couples living here too.



Not to sure about the neighbors on this one. I know there are some kids a few houses down that go to the catholic school. It has been vacant for awhile (I believe divorce)


Cute, hun?


My favorite one of all:


It's around the corner from us. Yes, on a Cul-de-sac!!




Susie, it has a front porch!!!!




Some of the neighbors I know are GREAT! There are lots of girls for sure around here! One boy that I know of that is 3. Another boy in the other direction just turned 4.



Um, hello?! A finished basement! Hmmmm.... Maybe I should send this to Sean and see if we can take it!!!!

Swine Flu Sucks

Sorry for the nasty language there but there are no nicer words for that pig! Davis is STILL down for the count. He has had 5 days of Tamiflu, 2 days of Zithromax (for the ears on top of it all) and has just not been able to catch a break. We ended up at Children's Mercy (The Children's Hospital here in Overland Park) as the kid hadn't gone to the bathroom in 24 hours. He is pretty dehydrated and still not eating, he will also have to start doing breathing treatments 3 times a day to hopefully help keep the pneumonia part away. Here's to hoping today will be a better day.

His ears are a horrible mess! As most of you know, last year we discovered he wasn't hearing properly (Bad mother again - I just thought I had a little devil on my hands) so we went through thousands of tests, drugs, all sorts of things and then had tubes put in and his Adenoids taken out. Well, 4 months later one tube fell out and had a huge infection that required going back to the ENT. The ENT said he wouldn't be surprised if it started all over again this fall.

Please say a few prayers that this is just a 'fluke' nasty ear infection and we are not going to be starting this process again. We have to make sure he is taking his Zyrtec, Singulair, Flonase, etc. as this is all caused mainly due to allergies (and yes, the organic, hates medicine person that I am is giving it all to him). We have had allergy testing done, we have done it all. The kid should probably live in a bubble - he would be a little safer. :o)

On another note. Can I just say that I have the best neighbors ever - I think I will post a few pictures that are for sale in the area - you really would love it here!!!

The Eppersons have been the best!!! Kailee has pretty much lived at their house since Sunday. Thank you so much!!!!! She comes home to sleep and get ready for school :o). Last night, she came home and had a little glassy look in her eyes. I reach for the thermometer and it was 99.7! AAACCCCKKKK!!!! She informed me I was over reacting and that she was totally fine. She felt fine. She fell asleep within 30 minutes of her getting home last night. I am hoping she wakes up this morning still feeling fine. This is my child that LOVES sleep and mellowness. I am hoping that just with the past 4 days of On-The-Go with friends it got to her and she just needed sleep. I don't think I can take Kailee getting this thing! Sean is out of town again next week and I believe I would be calling the Dr. for drugs for me - happy pills.

Jumpin' for fun...

So we just got back from the Doctor's where Davis has a ruptured ear and an infection in the other ear. The poor guy can not get a break! I had to wake him up to take him to see the Dr. and he is already back asleep on the couch. My heart is aching for a break... I need something fun!

I told you I had so much to share while we went for our trip to Lincoln and Denmark. How 'bout some jumping fun? After we had a pumpkin hunt, played some Gord Ball, and had a weenie roast (I promise to get those pics up soon). It was time to hit the trampoline!!!! I apologize for the quality of some of the pics, but it was just to much fun!!!!









So, you are thinking... Big deal, people jump on tramps everyday, right?! Nope not us! I don't think I have ever seen my (50 something) Mother jump on the tramp, especially when it calls for perfecting the 'BUTT JUMP'. You heard correctly. This was not just an afternoon on a tramp, but a challenge. A chance to work on skills, the ultimate... the BUTT JUMP. Now, there is probably some fancy jump term that it is called and what not, to us plain folk it is and will always be the BUTT JUMP. What is the BUTT JUMP? Simple. From your standing position on the tramp you jump down to your butt and right back to standing again without using hands or anything...The BUTT JUMP. Here is an example of what it is NOT:










Can you do the BUTT JUMP????

Randomness

Here are just a few of the random pictures I took while we were out at Farmer Marys: