I didn't put FLU on my wishlist!

But we got it anyway. I guess we can't control everything. Monday morning Parker woke up with a high fever. By Monday evening he was diagnosed with the flu, and by Wednesday we were taking Logan to the doctor with a high fever. Tamiflu has been a miracle drug for Logan, for Parker, not so much. We probably caught Logan's a little sooner. The doctor told us that tamiflu would help Parker, maybe just not as dramatically as Logan since we didn't catch it as quickly.
Now, Bryan and I are feeling crummy, but not running a fever. Since tamiflu is SO expensive (it must be laced with gold flecks) we are not even asking for it. But I am not sure that the flu is the problem. I went to the doctor Tuesday evening and was diagnosed with bronchitis.
Fast forward to today, the day before Christmas Eve, and the boys are fever free without the use of a fever reducer. Bryan and I are still fever free and I feel kinda crummy but I think it has to do with the antibiotic making me a tad queasy. I have been able to eat so I don't think I have a virus.
But, Merry Christmas to us! We are trying to find the good in all of this, but we may miss all the going we were supposed to do. Family may have to wear masks and come here.
Hopefully I can hold it together and assist Santa tomorrow night so nothing appears out of place for the kids!
Either way, we got our most important gift long ago...He came wrapped in swaddling clothes. Happy Birthday to Jesus and Merry Christmas to us all!

So I didn't do so well...

...keeping up with the blog and the thankfuls all month. But I feel like we have been going...and going...and, well, you get the picture. Our Thanksgiving dinners started Saturday the 13th, and we have eaten turkey every few days since then, seems like. The rundown is as follows:
We had a nice visit and dinner at Bryan's mom and Ronnie's house. The boys played, the weather was nice, and we got to spend a lot of time with Bryan's grandparents.
On that Friday we ate lunch with Parker at school. He was so surprised to see that Bryan had gotten off work to be with him. It was a family affair.
On Tuesday the 16th we were with Logan for his delicious Burger King preschool FEAST. He was hesitantly dressed as an Indian (not happy) and we enjoyed seeing him with his friends and in his own world.
Then by Wednesday, we headed to Moulton and spent time at my grandfather's cabin. We had a wonderful visit and spent the night so we could make it more easily to our next event.
On Thursday it was more turkey and my Dad's side of the family. It was a nice visit with lots of family. Thursday evening we stole a few quiet hours with my parents, throwing the football, laughing and jumping in leaves. It was so nice!
We only spent Friday at home, and I spent most of it sleeping because I did the Black Friday shopping thing with a new, dear friend! Jamie and I had a great time shopping and people watching. We had nothing particular to go for, so it was fun just to see everyone so frantic. Did get a few good deals, though!
And...drumroll please...on Saturday we had...CHRISTMAS at Bryan's dad and Phyllis' house! Yes, I said Christmas. We got an early jump so we could all be sittin' on go when my sister-in-law Julie says "it's time (for baby Mason to arrive)!" We, as always, had a ball. We were blessed with beautiful gifts for us and the children, but most importantly, with lots of love and laughter.
So now...I am enjoying the news that we will have THREE new family members soon. I learned that my sister-in-law is engaged, and so is my brother-in-law, and I am eagerly anticipating the phone call about the arrival of my first NEPHEW! What a holiday season so far!
The boys (Bryan included:) are doing great and we have all fought the sinus crud but are much better. Can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Today I am thankful for...

Veterans, of course. That was easy on a day like today. I am thankful for Bryan's dad, Danny, who did a tour of duty in Iraq with the National Guard the year we found out we were pregnant with Parker. I hated having to tell him he was going to be a Grandpa through email, but he was here before Parker was born, and I am so proud to be his daughter-in-law. I remember getting to welcome him home with the entire city, and being a part of all of the worry that folks have when a loved one is overseas. I remember the fear when I thought he might have to go again right after we found out Logan was on his way. We were so thankful that we wouldn't have to go through that again, but I rarely tell him how proud I am of him that he was willing to go. I know he was doing it for his family, his grandchildren, his country.
Bryan's grandfather served in the Korean War. He doesn't talk about it much, and I don't ask many questions. But I am proud of him and his accomplishments and what he's done for all of us.
Take a minute out of your day...thank a Veteran!

Today I am thankful for...

my beautiful and amazing husband. He is strong and smart, handsome and loving. He is sometimes dry, and just when you think he doesn't care, he freaks out about something that worries him and it's so endearing. I love the way he loves me.
I also love the dad that he is. I know the boys see what a man should be. They watch him - how he treats me, how he pitches in and helps, how he's not afraid to care for them. Bryan can do as much or more in caring for the kids sometimes than me. He was more comfortable from day one dealing with diapers and feeding and vomit and such...
He is the number one person on my list of people I would want to leave my children with. And for that, I am more than blessed. When he's got the boys, I NEVER worry.
Oh, and I am also thankful for Nyquil. I have a terrible cold and I am so excited to take my dose tonight and slip into peacefulness. Thank you, Lord, for modern medicines that allow me to breathe!
More thankfuls tomorrow!

Thankful for...EVERYTHING

I am taking part in a Facebook challenge to list one thing I am thankful for every day this month. It has not been hard, except it has been a challenge to not list it all in one post. Most importantly, and on the first day, I used up Jesus, my husband, kids, family and church. Shoulda really spread those out a little! So now that's what I am doing. Thought I might as well share those on my blog as well.

Today I am thankful for my little boys. Although rambunctious, I realize there are many moms out there that would love to watch their children run and play, and have to yell, "slow down!" I am very blessed that both my little men are active and healthy. I don't think there could be any better earthly pleasure than being their mom.

I'll try to post everyday...if I miss I will try to cover all my thanks, anyway! There's enough to cover a thousand Novembers.

Happy Halloween!

One of my favorite times of the year is upon us. I love Halloween! It's so much fun, and the idea of dressing up and being someone different for a night is exciting. Even Bryan and I are dressing up this year. I'll be posting pictures of that after Saturday night.
BUT LAST NIGHT...
The boys wanted an extra night of trick-or-treating so we headed to the Decatur Mall to their Halloween event. We got candy from the nice store folks and decided to enter the Costume Contest. There were probably 30-40 kids in Parker and Logan's category, but they won the two top places! They were so cute as Mario and Luigi. When they called Parker's number I thought that they probably wouldn't choose both, but then they called Logan's right after. Both boys got gift certificates to spend in the mall. Of course we had to buy something before we could even leave! Money burns a hole in my children's pockets quickly...sounds familiarly like their mom. :)
Anyway, it took a lot of time, and our bedtime was LATE, but it was worth it. Somebody tells me their picture is in the Decatur Daily today. I'll have to round up some change and check it out. I am posting some pics of my own for now.
Have a wonderfully spooky and exciting Halloween! Enjoy it for what it is - a night to fill your belly with candy, play dress-up, and get yourself so hyped up on ghost stories that you have to turn on all the lights just to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night! What a fun night of make-believe!

What A Month!

I never thought when I typed that last, happy post that we would have been through so much!
We got the crawl space and floor project completed. I am so thankful, but I think I would cry if you told me it had to be done again. I am relieved. I feel blessed. I feel extremely tired from all of it. Here's how it went down:
Day One: Saturday brings the moving of furniture and pictures off the walls. We decided to paint as well, so that was some extra work we put on ourselves. But how often do you have all the furniture out of your living room? Sounded good at the time.
Day Two: Bryan misses a family gathering to start painting. I am extremely horrified at the color I picked out when I get home. But, it will have to do. Painting is somewhat completed by late (LATE) Sunday night.
Day Three (Day One of the actual floor work): Bryan gets up early to go ahead and rip out the old laminate and help the guys out a little. I take Parker to school that Monday morning, and when I come home I find Bryan in the middle of the floor, crouched down and holding his shoulder. He fell through the rotten part of the floor and is in a lot of pain. The workers get here and Logan, Bryan and I take off to MedEast. After waiting, and lots of pain (for Bryan) we find out he has fractured his shoulder.
From there, everything's pretty much a blur. Doctor's visits came and went while the work on our house continued. We were so focused on Bryan's injury and what was next for him that we forgot about the work that was being done. Even through all of that, WE ARE SO BLESSED! We have a wonderful uncle, Bryan's Uncle Ricky, that came and while he thought Bryan would lay the new flooring and he would help, HE ended up laying the new floor and Bryan helped. We are so thankful for him. We have had a lot of family help through this project and it's been a blessing.
Fast forward: new flooring down, walls painted, furniture back in (thanks to our Deacons and Pastor at Berea - we love them too!) and my rug came in a couple of days later. Oh, and all the underneath work and the gutters are done too.
Whew! In that week we learned Parker had received the honor of Student of the Month for September, despite the craziness going on in his home! Logan and Parker are both thriving in school and doing great jobs. We have two great, patient little boys!
Today Bryan learned that his shoulder is healing nicely and surgery is not likely. Thanks, Lord! Should start some PT exercises in a week or so.
I will be glad to see October come to a close, and as fall sets in I am truly warmed by all the prayers and concern - and assistance our family received during this wild time. You know who you are - GOD BLESS YOU!
Will post some pictures in a few days.

Looking Up!

The weather is so nice today that I want to sing out loud! I will spare you all and hold that to myself...
But on a beautiful day like today, I can't help but think (as the mounds of housework slowly decrease and I feel I have a better grip on things) of all of my blessings. I have two AMAZING boys to watch grow and flourish with school and activities, I have a wonderful husband that loves me and takes care of us, all the things we need to survive, and a great family.
I know even though I can ramble all day about the blessings in my life, I did not acquire anything on my own merit. I am nothing on my own. And in knowing this, I also know that His path for my life could include that things are taken away. I pray God would give me the strength to praise Him then too.
We have been talking some in Sunday School about praying for a "hedge of protection" around your home and family. I know not a lot of folks read my little blog, but does anyone out there do this? I have recently been asking the Lord for this, and I know He can do all things. Right now, I just want to praise Him for what I have, what He is doing in my life, what He will do in my life, and the fact that He holds it all in His hands.
We've received good news in the floor saga the last few days. We are so thankful. Looking forward to having it fixed, and as we should always be...looking up!

Thank You, Mr. Weather...and Happy Birthday to ME!

We wanted you to get cooler, we wanted fall to "feel like" fall...but with your abrupt change you bring the sniffles, croup and some sort of something that I just can't cough up.
We are the "Sick Family," as Parker says. It happens a lot, and we have all been coughing and snorting and sniffling for the last two weeks. This weekend's cooler temps have not assisted us in getting past this either.
Thursday night Logan scared us. I was on my way to the E.R. with him at midnight. Luckily, he got better, so we called the on-call physician and came back home. But his pediatrician suspects what I have feared: asthma. Asthma was something I dealt with as a young teen and in college, and I prayed my children would not have to deal with it. But we are now on a preventative medicine. Now my prayer is that when our mold issue is cleaned up, we will be healthier again.
October 4th is the day work begins to rip out our old floors and replace them in the living room, and we do the drainage work on the crawl space. I am not looking forward to the small demolition work inside my home, but I am excited to get the toxic mold out from under us! If it has caused the cough for the last year...GOOD RIDDANCE!
I had a wonderfully quiet 31st birthday, aside from Alabama football nearly giving me a heart attack. I can't believe I am 31. It just doesn't seem right. I guess adding the years can be exciting and depressing, but as my Momma always says, "it's better than the alternative!" I guess she's right. The Lord has blessed me with a lot in 31 years. So I will keep on going. I am a little anxious to see what the next 31 bring!

Logan is 4!

I can't believe it. The child I was given as a sweet reminder that God is in control, is now a four year old BIG BOY! I am forever thankful that he is in our lives and totally admit he is the Best. Surprise. Ever. Words cannot even do justice the pride and love I have for my two healthy, growing wonderful boys.


We had a Super Mario Brothers cake, and Logan got a new DS game, a pillow pet, and a Toy Story Operation Game. He had gotten his big present (the DS) on Parker's birthday. He was very proud of his cake and had to tell everyone about it.

Logan moved from Mrs. Regina's class at church to Mrs. Penny's, and although I am sad to see his moving up, his excitement for growing up and older is infectious!

Between now and next year I will be trying not to blink...I know if I do I will miss something. We'll be headed to Kindergarten with Logan before you know it!

We miss you already, Summer!

Wow, I didn't think I would miss her, but now she's gone and I am a little emotional! Summer, please come back soon! I can't believe that I have a first grader and a preschooler. We are into the second week with Parker, and Logan's first day was yesterday. Both boys love school and I am so thankful. I don't get sad about them growing up as long as what they are doing is something they love.
We finished off the last few weeks enjoying our good friend Summer with back to school shopping, a Safari at Harmony Park in Huntsville (great place if you have never been), and as much rest as possible before those 6 a.m. mornings kicked in again.

I am excited, and so are the boys and Bryan, to know we will have a nephew in December! I am helping to put together a baby shower and feeling so blessed to be a part of it. Can't wait to be an official AUNT!

I started back to Weight Watchers again last night. Most of you who know me know that I lost a lot a weight a couple of years ago. Thanks to some difficult emotional times and some health problems (including a surgery), every bit of it found its way back to me. It's depressing to start at the beginning again, but I will be posting my progress. I was afraid since I had not been careful in so long that I would be tempted to cheat. So far, I have felt strong and in control. Pray for me that it continues! I have no supermodel desires, but I want to be healthy. Mom is in the same boat I am, lost, gained, and now her health depends on getting the weight back off for good. We are in this together, and I am thankful for her support.
Posting first day of school and Safari pics. Hope it won't be so long before next post!

BUSY, BUSY , BUSY!

We show no signs of slowing, either! After Parker's birthday we've been on the go, here and there.
Just posting some recent pictures...enjoy!

Thank God for modern conveniences!

Wow...I am so thankful that it's 76 degrees in my house tonight. That's because LAST NIGHT it was 90!!! We noticed in the wee hours of Monday morning that something wasn't right, and we had to pack up and head for the parents house yesterday evening. I am so appreciative of my air conditioner and I am amazed at how hard it is to function when something you are so used to goes out! Of course, the boys were excited about an impromptu spend-the-night at Grammy and Granddads. Then it was fixed just in time for the boys to not miss a night of VBS. This mommy has missed two nights though, last night to pack us to stay away, and tonight to clean and prepare the house for us to come home. There was a rotten potato that sat in the heat...NOT GOOD. When my Mom picked it up, rotten potato juice went everywhere! The smell was horrendous. We both decided that would be a great torture method...rotten potatoes dripping on your nose. We had to scour everything that it came in contact with.
Now the smell is cleared out and it's nice and cool. Because of all the rearranging I hadn't had time to buy things for Parker's birthday Thursday. We are entertaining grandparents, and I want everything to be perfect for him. So I got myself together and got what I needed at Wal-Mart, and hopefully tomorrow will be spent cleaning and preparing here. Can't believe I am about to have a 6 year old! I'll blog about the birthday at the end of the week...

Summer is HERE!

Wow...time is flying this summer! I am finding that there aren't enough weekends to make all the plans we wanted to make. Between wanting a date night, family time, and trying to keep two little ones occupied ALL DAY, I feel generally worn out. But I am thankful for the opportunities that abound, and we had a lovely, blessed day with Bryan's aunt and uncle, and cousins this past Sunday. Parker and Logan love their Grace and Owen, and they really enjoyed splashing and playing in the pool with them.
Hopefully this week I will get Parker signed up for Karate. I know he has been desperate to do something and this seems like a great place to start without thrusting us into the uncharted territory of team sports, which we have been AVOIDING like the plague. I know that we can't avoid all extra activities for the boys, but between work for Bryan, church, and family, we haven't wanted to spread ourselves any more thin than we already were.
Looking forward to lunch with a dear friend this week and hoping for a great Father's Day weekend for Bryan. Words cannot express what a great Dad he is. These boys worship him, and I couldn't ask for more.
Have a great one!

Memorial Day and the Hack is Back!

What an interesting weekend! We wanted to stay close to home, so we said no to invitations of grilling at Bryan's mom's and my parent's, and invited them here. We had delicious steaks on Saturday and put up the boys basketball goal, which is partly a birthday present. I won't even begin to tell you how interesting that was, watching the men assemble the goal. I am sure that I am never allowed to speak of that again. But it is up, and usable. Sunday we took advantage of rest, and Monday we decided to have family day, just Bryan and the boys and I. We traveled to Bridge Street to see Iron Man 2. Great movie! Just as good as the first, even if we did have to take the children to pee more than we would have liked. I vowed to never take the boys to a movie that I want to see ever again. I will go see it first, then take them. Although it was partly my fault, because I got them a Pepsi. Which leads me to the other half of our weekend...the cough!
I wanted Parker to have something to drink at the theater because he is coughing his head off again. We have done the 20 day round of antibiotics, we have done everything we can think of. He has had a recurring cough since the beginning of April. As soon as the antibiotics are through, give him a week and he's got it again. NO ONE is sleeping well in my house. I know it's hard on him but I have seriously considered how nice it would be to get a hotel room and sleep in the peace and quiet. We have a doctor's appointment today, so maybe we will figure something out.
We finished Memorial Day by eating at Red Robin, and I couldn't help but think of my Father-in-law, Danny, and all those nights he spent in Iraq. I can't help but feel like we were able to do the things we did because of his and all the service men and women's sacrifices. God bless them all. We have a dad, a grandfather, and an uncle in our family that has served. I love them all and thank them very much.
Hope you had a blessed memorial day!

Well...it's over...I guess.

This pretty much sums up how I feel about last night, and the final episode of LOST. I am not sure this is what I wanted, but I realize it could have been much worse. Kate was one of my favorite characters throughout the series, and I was happy to see her pick Jack (not that she had much of a choice with Sawyer infatuated with Juliet), and that they declared their love for each other. I think the writers never intended to give us answers to many questions, and I am not sure I like this "open for interpretation" thing.
I am just amazed at how fast 6 years can fly by. LOST still seems like a relatively new phenomenon to me, but in retrospect, I remember feeding Parker formula in the first months of his life, and settling in to watch a television show about a plane crash and monsters in the jungle. When I relate it to my child's life and that he was born in the days of LOST, it seems like it has been forever. But it's been a great 6 years. LOST can be credited for bringing my husband and I together for a television show, which is rare. Every night we gathered for a new episode gave us something magical to discuss. I'm gonna miss her!
So I leave this post with high hopes that something else just as magical will come along...a Dark Shadows revival, anyone?
Have a great day, and NAMASTE!

As Parker says..."It's New Car Day!"

We finally took the plunge! Yesterday we signed papers and drove home our very first new car together, after 9 years of marriage! I can't believe it actually happened, but we knew that the Saturn wouldn't last forever. We are thanking the Lord today for the fact that we could make this happen, and I can still stay home with the boys and things can continue as they are for right now. Puzzle pieces just fell into place thanks to Him! Anyway, I am posting a picture of our new CR-V...
On the downside, I have been sick some this week, and things are just seeming to run the whole house before they are gone. Except for Bryan, he's missing out on the fun! I hope that we are all better at the same time here in a week or so, and that it lasts for AWHILE. Have a great day!

Yippee!

OK...so I don't think anyone who reads my blog knows anyone that this might spoil the surprise for, so...I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!! It's my first go around with that title, and we are so excited! Bryan's brother Brad and his wife Julie are expecting in December.
I told Bryan's family that I didn't have any brothers and sisters so they were my only hope at having nieces and nephews, and I was ready any time they wanted to get to work! As an only child, this is a BIG DEAL for me to be around a big family. I have the best of both worlds - a big family on Bryan's side, and my tight, small family on my side. I always loved being an only child, though, and to this day I have never felt like I missed out. But it's nice to get both!
I can't wait to hear "Uncle Bryan and Aunt Kristy"...wished we lived closer so we could hear it more often. The only sad part is we gather only two or three times a year! We'll all just have to find a way to remedy that...
I am thankful today that Bryan's brother Sam is alive and well. Scary situations make us realize how blessed we really are. We don't even want to think about anything happening to anyone in our family, and the Lord has spared us lots of sadness. Praises to Him! My prayer is that we always hear good news within our family. But whatever the situation, I know God is in control.
Hope everyone had a blessed weekend!

The Best Mother's Day Gifts!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I was showered with gifts of keychains and refrigerator magnets and beautiful hand painted works of art. I also received flowers from the boys, and my husband gave me a great gift...A NAP! All in all, it was a great weekend, as we spent time with my mother as well. I went shopping with her Saturday, had a great lunch and found some good buys. Then we all gathered that evening for a grill out. But it was COLD!
Today we are not feeling well...Logan has some side effects from his antibiotic. But we are alive and happy, and anxiously awaiting Parker's graduation from Kindergarten Thursday night. Still a little disappointed that they can't wear the caps and gowns and call it "graduation," but...I guess political correctness wins again!
We are looking forward to sleeping in and spending time doing the fun things we love this summer. And I am TRYING to focus and lose some weight. After my surgery this time last year, it has been an uphill battle with my energy levels and my weight. But hopefully...well, this is the year!

Wonderful Blessings!

As I mentioned, we had Bryan's ordination service Sunday night. We had 16 family members there at last count. I couldn't believe how many came to show their support of our family as we take on this new challenge of serving the Lord. We are truly blessed!
The service was wonderful and we are so thankful for our church family too. It is a great honor to serve and to be a part of them. I would have never imagined, as I cried leaving Florence, that Athens would hold so many opportunities for us. I am thankful every day that God knows much more than I do!
I am on what I hope to be the downhill stretch of a two week battle with my sinuses and coughing. And I am holding my breath in hopes the kids don't get it! I am in love with the cough medicine that helps me sleep at night, and just hope that I can wean myself off of it in a day or so.
The boys are anxiously awaiting summer, and I am too. Can't wait to spend lazy days at my parents house and watch the boys run around where I grew up. Does it mean a lot to you to see your kids discover things you discovered as a child? It's absolutely amazing to see my boys catch butterflies with my grandmother and run and play with my mom. Thank you Lord, for the small things that mean so much!

Lots of fun, lots of news!

A fantastic DAY! That's what we had Saturday when we headed down to Tuscaloosa for the A-Day Game. Of course, Alabama won, and this game is my favorite game because it's the only game of the season (technically) during which I am not a nervous wreck. But the weather was great, the team looked great, and the history, tradition and excitement you feel when you are there just can't be beat! I will be posting some pictures - it was very important for me to have the boys' pictures made with Big Al. I knew who Big Al was before I knew who Santa Claus was, probably. So I have a picture of myself with him when I was about 4ish, maybe 5. Bryan thought I was going to jump the fence and tackle him for the pictures, but we got it! Thanks Big Al - you made two boys (and a mommy's) day!

We also have news from our immediate family...Bryan was asked to become a Deacon at our church, and after much prayer (for he and I) we have accepted a wonderful opportunity for him to serve our church and the Lord in this manner. We are so excited to be a family serving God and we are thankful everyday. His ordination will be this coming Sunday night. Since Bryan was saved and we dedicated ourselves to Him a few years ago we never could have imagined what He had in store for us. And the devil tries to attack...let me tell you! He comes at me in a particular way. But we tell him to GET BACK, and let Jesus take control. Please be in prayer for us as we begin this exciting journey!

SHARE, please!

It would make Mommy so happy! I am learning from others that it is just a brother thing. But it's funny to me how Parker can share and be pleasant with friends at school, but then when it comes to brother...OH NO!
Just sharing this small frustration today. We will be spending time with family this weekend and I hope to post lots of great pics. Also, maybe some pictures or news from other things going on in our lives right now.

GOD IS GOOD!

Happy Easter!

What a beautiful day! I don't know what could be better - we serve a risen Saviour, the sun was shining and it was warm, and we are blessed with family and friends to spend Easter with! The boys have hunted eggs all week, whether it's at school or with their Grammy. Since our unfortunate egg hunting incident at the Limestone County Courthouse last Saturday, where we didn't even find 2 eggs between the boys, we have put them through Easter Egg Hunting BOOT CAMP! They are skilled in the art of spying the eggs, diving to get them and then holding on tight to their loot. On another note, I am filled with candy and loaded with sinus pressure. It has not been fun to be outside with the trees and pollen, but I can't help but smile knowing that winter is behind us.
We have had lots of activity and have lots of things coming up as well. Poplar Log Decoration is next week, and we get to spend time with the Cook family. They are a fun group - a blessing to us - and we love spending as much time as possible with them. Somehow it never seems like enough.
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter!

Hello Mr. Stomach Virus!

It's...NOT so good to see you. I love (note the sarcasm) how you show up in the middle of the night, wreak havoc and make a mess. You know, first of all, you are attacking my child. This really puts me in a BAD mood. Secondly, because of said mess, you give us only one bed we can all sleep in! You are not nice, you are banned from this house, and I wish to NEVER see you again!

Think that will do the trick? I doubt it. But I just had to let him know how I felt! Poor Parker started getting sick early Wednesday morning (still night time to me). He was so weak Wednesday and didn't perk up till about lunch on Thursday. Thankfully, he is back at school today, and we are trying once again to find normal. And doing a LOT of praying that it passes the rest of us by! You know, most celebs have a signature scent. I feel like my signature scent is...LYSOL! I am preferring the citrus scent now, because they seem to have done away with green apple, which was my ultimate favorite.
Anyway, today is shaping up to be better than the last couple, and I praise God for that. May Mr. Stomach virus pass by your home. He's not a fun guest!

Spring Cleaning, and SNOW?

Yeah, yeah, I know what you are thinking! I said I would stay up to date, and I have once again let Mr. Blog slide! I apologize, but to get things up to speed, this is what's been going on with me, the hubby and our two wild boys!
We have enjoyed some of the nice spring weather, although it gave Logan the heebee jeebees. Bronchitis, to be exact. But we did get to go to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens (one of our favorite places to go in the spring and summer) during Parker's spring break. It was a beautiful day! The boys played on Tremendous Treehouses, and we watched a raptor show - the folks at Auburn University brought all sorts of birds. Parker and Logan and I finally decided that we were definitely sure an elephant could crush those birds :).
Bryan and I celebrated 9 years of marriage. We were apart on our anniversary because he had to go out of town on business! But we intend to celebrate soon - sans children! I couldn't be more blessed to share my life with Bryan. It has truly been one of the best decisions of my life!
We have enjoyed a visit from Uncle Sam, no, not the government, the boys actually have an "Uncle Sam!" Bryan's brother visited on his spring break and it was so nice to spend some time with him.
I also accomplished getting Parker and Logan's pictures made. This was the first time I had used a professional photographer and we were so pleased with the results.
I am posting pictures of the Botanical Gardens...well, mostly of my children at the BG.
After all the company we have had, I woke up to spring clean this morning and was surprised to see the snow. Doesn't give you any motivation, that's for sure! But tomorrow's forecast looks brighter, and I promise to try to keep up!

Long Time, No Blog!

This is crazy...my burst of energy today is strange, to say the least. We are coming off of a week-long coughing spell with Logan, a week in which sleep was a rare commodity for the whole house. I slept on the air mattress with "Little Bit," as I like to refer to him, and we tossed and turned. I was never so happy as when we took down the inflatable bed on Sunday and I was back to my soft, comfy fleece sheets that night. Oh, the things you take for granted!
I am also on day one of my "feel better about myself" program. Most everyone who knows me knows that I lost a lot of weight a while back, and recently gained almost all of it back! How depressing! But today I am really trying, and while it is difficult to get motivated, I am finding some joyous rewards of having boys that really contribute to my efforts.

1. Boys love exercise. Any kind, anything you want to do, anywhere...they are up for it. Logan and I just engaged in a rousing game of tennis on the Wii, and I feel great!
2. Boys love food. So if you aren't exercising with them, you are getting them something to it. I don't know where they put it, but they sure do put it away somewhere!
3. Boys are messy. I know, I know, you are going to tell me that I should make them clean their rooms. Yes, I make them pick up after themselves, but they are just 5 and 3. If I want the house clean to the caliber of cleanliness that I like, I must get up and get it there. So, I am moving!

Right now I am working on posture, after years of slumping and drooping. I am hoping to make some big changes and I will post pictures...stay tuned!