Oct 8 - 17

Oh look! An extra long post! PLUS an apology! Yep, all  in one! Aren't you lucky!?! The week of the 8th was one of those emotionally turbulent weeks. It's that "going in to the home stretch" deal. The False Finish. Stephen was supposed to make it home by Tuesday, didn't happen. What were we to do other than say, "We love you. We are fine. We will see you soon!" When in reality we were thinking, "DUMB BOAT! QUIT BREAKING! WE WANT STEPHEN!" Yes, in all caps our thoughts flew out towards the boat that continued to have trouble. However, in addition to thinking in all caps we prayed. The Lord knew we needed him home for peace of mind, comfort, laughter, and strength/support. So, we called God out on it. Stephen came home on Friday evening!

To be honest, I don't remember much of that week other than Wednesday. We go to Awanas out our church. That was the first night I had the opportunity to go! Kyle had to sit and do homework throughout the entire time, but he did it! He did the best on homework he has done this school year! It was a wonderful experience for him because he finally had an epiphany! We have been reassuring him of how intelligent he is, how he can do anything he sets his mind to! Kyle didn't really believe us because he hadn't seen it just yet. Well, that night Kyle did all of his homework and did a fabulous job on it! I praised and bragged on him up one side and down the other! Thursday's homework went just as smoothly! Kyle finally understood it takes a bit of focus and effort combined with positive thinking! Friday Stephen came home and we all breathed a sigh of relief that he had arrived safely! Saturday was full of the kids getting properly spoiled by Daddy whilst Mommy went shopping and just HAD to get her first grande pumpkin spice latte of the season...in addition to a triple tall americano with cream. =) So yummy! Sunday was a wonderful time between church and family time, but it flew by so quickLY!

Yes, two caps at the end to emphasize speed...well, speed in typing. I have a 13lb-er on my lap trying to get into trouble. Yay for puppies!

Anyhoot, the thing I told Stephen the most when he was nearing the end of his trip was this, "I need a day with you." He gave it to me. =) We went for a walk. We ran errands. We (I) took a nap together. He picked up the kids (because I hadn't yet woke up) and did homework and dinner! I needed that rest. Abby did a fantabulous job on her Student of the Week poster that day as well! I merely showed her the supplies and helped glue, tape, staple, etc pieces where she told me to! I'll show a picture later.

Now? Well, now it is again Wednesday. The kids got their report cards today! Kyle made Principal's List! That means he earned As and Bs. Abby made the Superintendent's List! That means she earned all As. We are SO proud of both children! They have started in their 2nd school since moving, using a new curriculum, making new friends, and still rockin the awesome grades!

That is our life right now. It is SO nice to have such a wonderful hubby! It is so free-ing to go back to being just a mommy. I can keep up with the house, yard, cars, dogs, laundry, homework, meals, errands and still have time to play with the kids!

LOVE IT!!!!!!!


PS. It's fall!!!!

Oct. 8 - 14

Sorry no pictures.

Stephen made it home.



Oct. 1 - 7

Here are the pictures from the Monday "storm"

 

 

That mud path created the need for baths.

Dogs & I got soaked.

My white tub turned brown. =(

 

 

 

I LOVE my Big Man!

 

Frankie snuggled with me to make up for being such a mess today.

 

Yeah, I look awful. It was one heck of a day.

 

Abby lost her first 2 teeth on Tuesday!

 

 

Kyle got the packing from surgery removed!

 

Yummy Chicken to help us celebrate - plus, we don't have this where we live!

 

I love daisies!

 

Funny face!

 

I was tired. Cut me some slack...that's as "funny" as I could get!

 

On Wednesday I lost Frankie.

Completely MIA.

Searched what I thought was the whole house.

 

 

However, as you can see above, he didn't really go missing.

I still snuggled with him despite the fact he was a stinker and got up when he shouldn't have!

 

 

Sorry this pic is SO fuzzy!

One day this week, I don't remember which, we got to Skype with Daddy!

 

 

Saturday was semi-lazy.

The kids helped me clean.

We ran some errands.

We ate waffles w/ chocolate chips for dinner!

And we all bundled up with our favorite blankets to watch Planet 51.

No, they couldn't snuggle with me...which broke my heart.

My stomach is up in arms and my fear was...well, you can imagine.

 

 

 

So wonderful!

Check out our new waffle maker!

 

 

Funny face and smiles for the night!

 

 

 

Sunday dawned gray and gloriously cool!

55 degrees! YAY!

We celebrated by going for a walk!

As you can tell, the kids prefered walking in the ditch. =/

 

 Both kids had to act like Spiderman climbing a wall!

They also helped walked the dogs for me!

Ironically, Kyle chose the little dog (Stephen's)

and Abby chose the giant (mine)

We don't differentiate His & Her dogs, the dogs themselves tend to cling to the respective people.

It's kind of funny like that....

 

Abby has been begging to make cupcakes out of her kids cooking book.

Sadly, we will be using a different recipe tomorrow.

The recipe made bland waffle flavor chalky dough balls.

Yes, I followed the recipe to a T.

 

Stephen is on his way home!

My hope is to continue these picture posts.

It helps me count my joys, like out of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

You should check out that book.

It's life changing.

Sweet dreams!

Love & prayin for ya'll!

I will praise YOU in the storm

Seems to be fitting for today.

Kyle woke up incredibly slowly, no big deal

Abby woke up in tears from a tummy ache, but didn't want me to touch her after getting a hug.

It promptly became my fault Kyle was tired and Abby was hurting.

Long story short, I did not earn "Mom of the Year" award because I finally said, "Enough! I'm done! I'll be back once I'm calm & ya'll aren't angry."

Which didn't happen.

 

Abby threw up.

Kyle made it to school perfectly on time.

(Thanks to the fabulous Franklins..they are a common name in this blog it appears.)

Frankie left a wet present whilst I took care of Abby.

I put both dogs out, after they got uber wet & muddy I left them in the mudroom and went to try to make myself presentable for the now necessary doctor's visit to get a school note.

Guess who opened the mud room door so she wouldn't be alone!

Guess what happened to our home!

yeah...

 

Oh...a cramp...but...not a typical cramp.

Something was off.

Exercise!

That's a good thing to do!

Dogs went out, got muddier, also left in the mudroom again.

Doctor appointment set for 2:15pm.

 

Cramps increase...they are so not in the normal place!

 

growling?

Not from my stomach.

Barking!?

NOOOO!!!!

....

yes, Abby let the muddy wet dogs out again.

We took the dogs to go get Microchipped.

We have a FABULOUS vet!

They showed Abby the squirrels they were prepping to be released, she loved it!

As we were checking out, low and behold, Abby went pale as a ghost, clutched her stomach and proclaimed ready for launch.

I threw the pen & receipt at the poor receptionist and hurried her outside.

Frankie got a less than graceful entrance to the truck while Kaden was required to sit in the rain as I helped Abby into the truck.

I raced back in and asked for plastic bags because I somehow ran out of the 50million I normally keep.

CRAMP!!!!!

Kaden is graciously waiting for me without so much as budging an inch!

I loaded him and got Abby home.

She slept for 2 1/2hrs without incident.

Never got sick, PTL!

Her appointment time arrived.

At this point, cramps were rocking my boat!

My right side felt hugely swollen & tender.

Hmmm...does that sound reminiscent of December to you?

I had been running to the restroom a lot more than normal as well.

Abby got her throat swobbed.

Poor baby! It was awful & she burst into tears right afterwards.

She had developed a low grade fever and was hurting.

Next they decided to do a blood lab. Again tears and I don't blame her!

She did fabulously and I held her as she cried.

A urine sample.

We ruled out strep, thank You again Lord!

We ruled out a UTI, YAY! Thanks God!

We have to go back for another blood lab.

Boo!

OUCH! CRAAAAAMPS!

Hey, I think that was a kidney stone at that restroom break.

UCK!

We dropped Abby's nausea script off, got the tank filled with gas, picked up Kyle, and headed home.

Both dogs literally ROLLED in mud this time.

SERIUOSLY!?!?!

I gave no opportunity for them to be loosed on my house this time.

Straight to the bathroom!

Frankie did wonderful!

Kaden? Oh how I love him!

He did great right up until he squirmed and got me soaked, the bathroom sprayed, and almost knocked me over. Oh how I love him! However, I will say, after his bath I had him laying on his bed next to Abby on the futon. She was crying from her tummy ache & sheer exhaustion. Kaden tenderly laid his head 2 inches from her face and stared into her eyes. He never tried to kiss her, simply stared. Abby reached down, hugged his huge head tight, and cried into his neck.

Tender lovins....

Pictures from today will be posted at the end of the week, but I wanted to let you know God is there in the storm. He shows up in the most "unglued" moments of your day. He holds you tight and hugs you through friends, family, and pets. Roll your eyes if you wish over the pets part, but who created those pets? And WHO placed your pet in YOUR home? I guarantee you only have the things in your home that God graciously allows you to have.

PS. I love my hubby and am so excited he gets to come home soon!