Sept 24 - 30th

Is this a new week?

For rizzle?!

 

Wow - let me show you our week!

Despite what you may think, IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Poor Doodle-bug decided to get a stomach something.

It was not a good something as you can tell by the picture at the top.

We were feeling better by the middle picture!

He surprised the kids and came home!!!!
(Thank you Master Chief & XPO on our boat!!!!!)

 

Of course, true to form, life throws curves and the bottom picture is courtesy of a 12 hour tummy something that Kyle caught. Stephen was my hero!

He helped Kyle through uckiness every 20 - 30 minutes.

 

Kyle informed me he couldn't sleep after staying up all night being sick.

We put him on our bed.

Neither Daddy nor Kyle moved from the positions in these pictures for about 6hrs.

 

Kaden & Frankie on the other hand got restless and we went for a walk.

Walking requires a stop at the fountains so they could drink & roll in the water.

 

Monday afternoon I received a call about moving up Kyle's left tympanoplasty.

(ear drum patching.)

I called Stephen who got sent home to us Tuesday evening.

Abby was still sick.

Kyle got sick and it looked like we would have to cancel.

Thursday was upon us before we could blink!

Kyle took it like a man!

The bottom left is a cool clock in the 1st waiting room!

 

Kyle joked! Practiced blowing up his breathing baloon!

He made it through with a couple of stiches and some yucky packing in his ear.

It leaked a little the 1st night, so that's why it's all yucky looking.

He gets drops 2x a day and bacatracin on his stiches once a day.

Friday was filled with groceries, errands, hair appointments, dinner, laundry, cleaning, oil changes - I burnt out! Stephen was a Knight in Shining Armor and helped me A LOT!

I still zonked out early and woke late.

But I got a surprise!

 

They made me breakfast in bed! All of us sat on top of a spare sheet and had breakfast together!

Stephen helped do a lot of the house stuff that day to help me because he's just amazing like that.

 

Surprise number 2 for me was top left!

Abby got bottom left!

Then we all went to run some errands and got some funny pics in.

 

I love my hubby!

 

 

You can't have a day of errands without a treat!

(yes, I sinned and had a pumpkin pie blizzard - it was delicious!)

 

Frankie felt left out in all of the craziness of this week.

Abby decided to help him by creating a monster fort in our dining room too.

 

Stephen left this morning at 8am.

Both kids are emotional and I still feel like he will walk around the corner at any moment.

Abby was blessed to be able to go stay with some good friends while Kyle was in surgery! She had a wonderful time, but her 6yr old mind only added up the minutes Kyle spent with Daddy.

Those minutes weren't equal to what she received.

Right now he is spending Daddy - Daughter time with her and she is jabbering away at a hundred miles an hour. He knew just what she needed!

I'm sure when he gets back he will be subjected to playing her games and more!

=)

 

Love you guys!

Hope you had a fantabulous week!

(I'd love to hear about it!)

Praying for you!

Sept 17 - 23

As you can tell by the previous posts, it's been a crazy week!

On to the good things!

PICTURES!

Monday was rough on all four of us.

We left Stephen in St Louis and came home.

 

 

You wish you could drive in this, don't you!

We were cruising at a beautiful 45mph on the highway at that point.

 

 

Kyle pulled out a tooth!

 

 

 

The tooth fairy found us, despite the fact we moved since the last time someone in our family lost a tooth.

 

My children would rather look like this for the camera than smile!

 

 

LOVE IT!

 

When the kids went to visit their family in AR, I had my dress sent off to be heirloomed.

It came in!!!

 

Yes, it's in a box...not what I really hoped for, but you will see later why I am now happy with that.

 

 

I love my dress =)

Someday I'll fit into it again!

 

Our tiny new addition has decided to lose all teeth at the same time.

It could have something to do with playing tug of war with someone 9x his size.

Anyhoot, he was in so much discomfort from all that teething (4 molars and all front teeth top & bottom coming in at the same time) that it was recommended I give him some children's Tylenol.

 

We discovered a new energy level in the little guy!

 

 

1 mile in to our walk, I decided to turn back. Frankie wasn't even phased at that point!

I think it was all the new sights and smells.

We came home & he slept pretty solid (outside of potty breaks) from 9am until 3pm.

 

Kyle lost tooth #2!

 

 

That night he tearfully asked me to tell him the truth. He knows I won't lie to him, period. That's our agreement. So - I told him it is what he believes in his heart that counts. If he wants to believe in the tooth fairy, that is fine. It's like Santa. Kyle didn't fully accept that. So I told him this:

 

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who had a very loose tooth. One day, after playing with that tooth quite a bit, the tooth fell out! The little boy was so distraught that in an effort to make him feel better, his momma told him to put the tooth under his pillow. In return, the toothfairy would come and leave money for that tooth! The little boy carefully cleaned the tooth, placed it under his pillow and happily went to sleep. Morning came and he quickly checked - there was a whole dollar in place of the tooth!

 

You can judge me on whether or not I lied.

Kyle asked if the story were true.

I told him no, but that was how the tooth fairy probably got thought up.

 

After all of that, the tooth fairy forgot to come. Kyle had even left a note asking if he could keep the tooth. When he checked and found the tooth still there, he was happy. Then he said, "Last time the tooth fairy still paid me for my tooth. I wonder if she's upset since I asked if she were real."

 

YIKES!

 

Saturday we enjoyed spending some wonderful time with great friends!

We celebrated a birthday, went bowling, and had cake!

The birthday boy had chosen shrimp alfredo for his birthday meal.

If you know my daughter, you know she loves shrimp!

So of course, we had to go home and making something of our own with shrimp in it.

 

 

So yummy!

 

Today we played it chill.

We did church and movies.

The End!

 

The kids watched Tooth Fairy 2 whilst I cleaned out some areas of my room.

My closet is TINY and I'm working on getting rid of things instead of being such a pack rat.
DISCLAIMER FOR MY HUSBAND!

No, I am not getting rid of everything. Just some things. So when you come home, you may not notice a difference, but I will!!!!

 

Anyhoot, look what I found!

 

 

Found a few in the back corner of my closet.

A few ON MY BED!

*shudder*

The traps will be baited and set tomorrow.

EW!

 

 

The day ended well though...

 

 

I love my Big Man!

 

Of course, as is the story of all lives (seems like ours especially!)

The day never ends without someone or something getting injured/broke.

My stoic little puppy (literally the little puppy) was acting funny.

Timid.

After watching him walk around I noticed something.

He had been injured while playing! The top picture is AFTER I cleaned it up.

Kyle & Abby would not go to bed and sleep until they knew he had been cleaned and bandaged.

 

 

As you can see, he feels he is now entitled to sleeping in Stephen's sleeping bag.

Because I am a softy, I am allowing it until I leave this room.

That "softy" side almost got me today.

Doodles has been acting a little under the weather. Today she played it up and almost got out of church. However, as my heart was melting into those pathetic blue eyes and sad little face, she twitched a smile.

That was the end of that.

I told her if she hadn't gotten sick to her tummy, she could probably make it through church.

"I feel like I could get sick really soon though."

Me?

"Well, when you are sick to your tummy & have a fever we will stay home."

My heart HURT to say that, but what else could I do?

Abby?

"Ugh! I wanted to stay home!"

My heart stopped hurting...

 

 

I love ya! I'm praying for you! God is going to do some great things this next week!

 

Well, I know it's late. So I will leave you with this...

 

 

Sweet dreams =)

 



Words...their a favorite!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love words. Especially big words! I don't always use them, but I love the way they feel and I love meaning! However, words have lately been my enemy. With Stephen off on his trip, I have been a tish bit frazzled. A lot of you think, "Wow...seriously? 2 kids and 2 dogs and you're frazzled? Psh! Try 6 kids and some of those toddlers!"

 

God knows I'm not ready for 6 kids yet - I'm not denying I'd love it though!

But yes, 2 kids and 2 dogs is keeping me hopping!

 

I am so embarrassed to admit this but lately my words have been a struggle. My tone has been lacking love. So - not only are the words coming out less than uplifting, but my meaning is not uplifting. Could I possibly do any worse?!

 

I don't think so. God says there is life and death in words. Think about it. HE spoke and you came in to existance. At His Word, time began. I have the opportunity to reach out to two precious hearts and help mold them for His kingdom, and I'm failing.

 

NOTE: I don't want sympathy. I am "confessing" of sorts and asking for prayers!

 

I became acutely aware of this tonight. Our precious Doodles was asking me to help her get seconds from dinner. I went to stand up out of the recliner. My cheekbone connected with the side of her head. Instead of checking to see if she was ok and laughing it off - I got upset. My words came out angry. Why!? Why do I do that?! It wasn't her fault entirely! I should have looked up to make sure she was off to the side. I should have just chuckled about my lack of coordination and gone on after checking her. I did make it "right" by apologizing. But I know I also hurt her feelings.

 

There is also my wonderful Kyle. He has been going through some moments. More often than not I find myself frustrated and thinking, "Grow up!" Did I mention he is 9? Yeah, he needs to be allowed to be a kid WHILE being responsible.

 

My words aren't speaking life.

My meaning is not speaking life.

God is working on me with this. He is using my family and supporting me His Word.

 

I just needed to get that off my chest. In the unlikely event you struggle as much as I do, know that I'm praying for you. We all have the power to speak LIFE through our words and meaning (which is perceived through word choice, tone, and body language.) Let's purpose to do it!

Yowzer

Is that even a word?

I don't know, but I'm using it.

It has been a very hectic week, and it's not over yet. Fortunately, I have a very supportive and wonderful husband, family, and friends. I could not do what I am doing without any of them. Stephen has helped me laugh and gain perspective. My mom has taken a break from her own busy life to hear my "mothering woes" as well as my ridiculously pointless ramblings. My FL mom has helped me laugh, listened and help me gain new perspective. Friends from all over have popped up with support.

 

The five from today alone were amazing!

First we must begin with what I texted some family members.

The kids have been exhausted and it all came today. It was my fault homework had been forgotten, lost, misplaced, unfinished, laundry wasn't put away after it reached their room, lunches were completely packed, dishes all prim and proper, and the dog poo-ing in the house whilst I was in the restroom.

 

The bad part was I laughed at the comment that it was all my fault -

note to self...that is not a good idea.

 

When I texted the family this morning it was a short "haha it's a mothering moment kind of day"

My uncle reminded me it's not all my fault. Yes, I can help. However, at some point the kids have to have responsibility for some things (aka keeping track of their own homework!)

 

My sister?

She reminded me God would not give me a greater battle than I could handle.

Such simple and yet profound words that I desperately needed to hear today!

 

My FL Mom?

She helped me laugh at all of this!

 

My puppy?

The big one - he hopped up on my lap and goofed in my face until I was laughing!

 

My hubby?

He reminded me I get to see him soon! He also told me other supportive fabulous husbandly comments that are too numerous to recount.

 

I know there are more, but I just wanted to say. Holy moly this week is crazy! Ya'll are amazing though and are helping me through it!

 

 

Sept 9 - 15

Growing pains

No one wants them OR enjoys them

We like the result

We get taller and stronger.

Anything worth while requires effort, work, and often brings discomfort in one form or another.

Our children are going through some which results in Stephen and I feeling them.

Kyle is becoming a young man, a 4th grader.

He sees how is friends/peers act at school & must decide how he will act.

Kyle is asking the tough life questions that go with being a 4th grader.

In an effort to help him become an independent man,

we show him the truth.

We open the Bible and read what it says about wise, prudent, righteous men.

Afterwards we discuss if what his friends/peers are doing parallels with the Bible.

The decision is his.

Does Kyle want to honor God or honor man?

We are PROUD to say, Kyle is making some very God honoring decisions!
He is still a normal child though, and we ask that you pray with us as we encounter those growing pains with him.

Abby is also feeling growing pains!

Literally and figuratively.

She is shooting up like a weed!

However, she also sees how people behave.

We are giving her the same "training" as Kyle.

Stephen and I are also PROUD to say she is making God honoring decisions!

Please pray for them...and us.

We want them to learn the truth.

We do not want them hurt.

If we are to allow them to become the man and woman of God that we are hoping for,

they will get hurt.

It is a part of life.

Enough blah and seriousness!
Pictures!
Stories!
For ALL the pictures you will have to go to FaceBook.
This past weekend was spent visiting Stephen (see the next post for that story!)
Unfortunately, there are only a few pictures!
Lol

It went like this.
The kids visited their family.
We spent the next three days to get back in to the swing of things.

Thursday after school, we left!

We weren't sure we would get a chance to visit with Stephen whilst he was in St. Louis.

However, it did work out! The kids, Frankie, and I left on Thursday evening.

We had a rather uneventful trip up to Memphis and stayed in a very luxurious Drury Inn (Highly recommend them!) and continued to a fabulous La Quinta.
 

 

"How much longer until we see Daddy?"

 

Stephen called us maybe 3 or 4 times on the way up to St. Louis from Memphis proving that it wasn't just the kids and me wanting to be with him. =) Heavenly. That is the word for this past weekend. Seeing Stephen's face light up with excitement and joy as he played with Kyle & Abby. Watching Frankie get incredibly hyper and Stephen loving that "his dog" didn't forget him. Being able to wake up and see his face next to me. We laughed. We played. He held me as I let out all the emotion from this past week.

I have the most fabulous husband in this world. He supported me all week long from several states away. When we were finally together, he let me rest, he held me tight when I needed it. No man does well with a wife who is crying from exhaustion and stress. But may I just say, MINE is the best.

 

 

We went to the Magic House & St. Louis Zoo.

We had a blast!!!!

 

 

A certain little someone was spoiled absolutely ROTTEN this past weekend.

 

 

We hung out and just chilled.

 

 

We left Monday morning at 7am.

The happy thought in all of that moment is that Stephen will be home soon!

Want to see what we got to drive in?!

 

Looks like fun, right?

I had to drive 10 - 15mph under the speed limit for quite some time.

 

 

I got some snuggles to help me to feel better about leaving for home.

 

 

Daddy told us to get something yummy for lunch.

What is better than Panera Bread?
At least, that is what Momma Liz says....

 

Kyle pulled out a tooth on the way home!

 

 

The kids got a little crazed for caffeine...

 

We are all home & settled now.

Laundry is done. Bags are mostly unpacked and all settled.

My hubby gets to come home soon.

What else in Louisiana matters?

Love & prayin for you!

 

Sept 2 - 8

Last week was the crazy worst week thus far.

Both kids were off.

Storm came through.

I never want to repeat it.

I will NEVER trade anything for these past two weeks.

Now, for pictures from this week.

Tomorrow is included in this post's title.

However, it will be me birthday shopping and running various errands I'm not able to run with two young people underfoot. Therefore, why wait to post these pictures that you all are patiently holding your breath for?

The wait is over my friends (and love of my life that I can't wait to see in ONE week!!!!!! Just for the weekend....but still!!!!!)

Frankie had visit #2 to the vet.
She did not stick anything other than 2 needles in him.
We still didn't like that!

My goobers love to make silly faces!

For someone just seeing these, you think, "yeah? so?"
For someone who saw how awful this corner looked before, you think "Wow!"
Yes, I was lazy and did not trim up the bushes all summer long.
Poor Steve worked so hard when we first moved here to get everything looking nice, and I did nothing to keep that up! Until now! =)

Despite having a very stressful dockside, Stephen has had some fun!

Kyle & Abby were surprised by being picked up by their aunt unexpectedly...

Well, unexpectedly to them. Stephen and I had been in contact with her.

They even got an added bonus of seeing their biological momma!

This is now the 9th.

I'm sorry this post is so late, but the internet was acting up.

Love & prayin for you!

Aug. 27 - Sept. 1

Well friends, here is our week! It's the easiest way for me to update all of you and show Stephen some pictures. He is on a short trip and asked for pictures. Now he will get pictures, get updates, and all of you can be in on this. =)

Monday!

Ontologist appt went fabulous! Time to celebrate!

I tried to get the picture of Kyle eating pizza on here, but this website doesn't like it.

Sorry!

I had to get me a treat too!

Kyle couldn't be left out!

Tuesday

Tuesday is also the day Isaac started to hit.

Abby was nervous, upset, and full of ...well, nerves.

I had her rest on her bed with Kaden while I showered.

He is such a good puppy!

We all camped out in the TV room and watched movies.

Wednesday

Puppy snuggles.

The kids weren't in the mood to smile.

It was a day of forts, tv, and games!

Thursday

Storm is essentially passed!

No snakes!

Lots of mud!

Time to play!

LOVE this sweet face!

Both pups were SO muddy they got a bath.

Frankie was so exhausted he slept for almost four hours straight after his bath!

Friday

Pizza & ice cream, does it get better?

Saturday

Frankie holds his own...

2 hrs = 7 bags of branches and such from the storm!

So proud of my amazing helpers!

My sweet little man!

...not so little any more :'(

Puppy damage =( 

No more headset for Halo =(

The End.

Love & prayin for you!