Monday, February 28, 2011

Party Time

We celebrated Katelyn's 2nd birthday and Jackson's 5th birthday together this weekend with my family at none other than Chuck E Cheese.  I mean where else do you go when there are 9 kids ages 7 and under??  The kids all had a great time and as usual, the adults were all worn out by the end.  There is just something about Chuck E Cheese that exhausts me! 





















And three hours later, we had used over 300 tokens and had way too many tickets.  Tickets mean lots of decisions to be made at the "crap counter" We came home with silly bands, plastic frogs, and airheads.  The kids all had fun so I guess it was a success!

Passing the Time

Because I don't have enough to keep me busy, I have been working on some projects lately to pass the time until Peyton arrives.  The most exciting project was the purse.  Yes- it is complete!  I am very proud of myself despite all the imperfections in it.  I gave it to Annie for her birthday this weekend so now I can post pictures on here.  I definately plan to make more of these in the future and I am sure it will go much smoother the next time around.


















I have also been hard at work in the girls' room getting it ready.  Funny thing is the walls look great but I still don't have any of the newborn clothes washed or put away (oh yeah, still need to find a place to put them!) But again- the walls are done!  Priorities- I know!  I put each of their names on the wall using vinyl I cut with my cricut.














Then I made this really cool photo board.  Best part is this project costs me less than $10.  Found an ugly picture at goodwill with a large wooden frame.  Took it apart and painted the frame pink.  Cut foam board and covered it in material.  Strung wire from each side and hung the pics with these adorable little clothespins.















And my final project was using my vinyl and cricut again.  I designed this on my Cricut design studio software.  I plan to take Peyton and have pictures taken like the ones Kate had done when she was born with her name bloomers.  That will go in the empty frame.














And now that we are exactly 4 weeks away from my due date I think its time I put aside my craft projects for a while and focus on getting some baby clothes clean, cleaning out that closet, packing some bags and finding people to watch my kids while I am in the hospital.  Again all of these minor details!  And none of them are near as fun as all this craftiness!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

2nd Birthday















Happy 2nd Birthday Katelyn Dawn!  You bring so many smiles to our life.  You are loved more than you will ever know.  I can't believe it's been two years since we welcomed you into this world. 

Friday, February 25, 2011

Tomorrow will be a better day

Today did not go at all as I had planned.  I had planned to go to work today.  Instead, school was cancelled (again!) and Kate had a cardiology appointment and there was no way Jerry could take all 3 kids to the appointment.  So.....I had to take a vacation day today.  We all ended up going to the appointment.  I hadn't thought much about this appointment considering six months ago we felt we had gotten better news.  So needless to say, I was shocked when the doctor says surgery is needed again.  This was not at all what I had planned to hear.  We were told in the next six months, however I only get 12 weeks off a year from work under FMLA and my maternity leave is taking all of those this year.  So- we are now considering scheduling Kate's surgery during my maternity leave.  I have to be honest, this sounds like one of the most stressful situations I have been in.  I can't even imagine trying to have a newborn who needs constant care and attention while having a 2 year old in the ICU following open heart surgery! 

Then on our way home from the hospital Hayden started throwing up.  He continued to get sick once we got home.  He threw up on our bed so I have been washing bedding all night.  Now Jerry calls home from work saying he is sick now as well!  Are you kidding me??? I can't deal with anything else today!

And to top all this off, Kate and Jack's family birthday party is Sunday.  My family is all planning a trip up here and we are so excited because we haven't seen them since Christmas. 

Praying for wisdom in dealing with surgery issues, praying for healing for Jerry & Hayden, praying the rest of us stay healthy and most of all- praying tomorrow is a better day! It has to be- right?!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine's Day

This year for Valentine's Day I decided to make the kids each a pillowcase.  My friend had told me that her mom's tradition growing up was to make each kid a pillowcase each year.  She advised all of the kids received a pillowcase each year until they got married and still have all of them.  I am all about traditions so I thought this was a great idea.  The kids were thrilled with their pillowcases. Getting a picture of them was way more challenging!



Happy Valentine's Day

With the crazy schedule we have, Jerry and I only saw each other for about 30 minutes on Valentine's Day.  It was not near enough time, however we have come to accept this is way things are for now.  This was our 11th Valentine's Day together.  Looking back, I can't believe how far God has brought us.  Jerry continues to amaze me.  He is the best husband and father I could ask for.  Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart!

Monday, February 14, 2011

You Know You're Pregnant When....

*You cry when your Valentine's day cookies aren't as soft as they should be
*You crave a DQ cookie dough blizzard in the middle of an actual blizzard
*You finally get said blizzard two days later when the high for the day is 7 degrees
*You consider leaving the house in your coffee print lounge pants because they are the most comfortable thing you own
*Your kids bring you flowers and balloon for Valentine's day and it makes you cry
*You constantly crave oranges and grapefruits
*You start thinking about going to bed at 7pm
*You wear tennis shoes with every outfit regardless of what a fashion "no-no" it may be
*You don't sleep more than 2 hrs straight in any given night
*You open the house up and turn the attic fan on when the high reaches 50 degrees
*You can't make it through Walmart without going to the bathroom at least once
*You get to experience the wonderful feeling of this tiny miracle inside you- this makes all the rest of the craziness worth it!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Valentine's Day Party

I went to Jackson's Valentine's party at preschool today.  The kids had so much fun passing out their Valentines' to each other.  Jackson's box was the most creative (ok, so maybe I'm a little partial!)















And no Valentine's party is complete without plenty of sugar!  They had sugar cookies and ice cream sundaes.


















And Mrs. Cornick has fun spraying whipped cream in their mouths!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Super Bowl

My wonderful husband let me enjoy the first half of the Super Bowl home alone working on my purse.  It was so relaxing to have an hour or so of peace and quite.  He took the kids over to Tina & Doug's for a Super Bowl party.  They came home at halftime so we could get them ready for bed.  The boys convinced us to have a sleepover in the living room so they could finish watching the game. 















I must be getting old because I was perfectly content to stay home for Super Bowl this year.  And next year I don't see things changing with the addition of another one! Something about 4 little kids to watch at someone else's house just makes me enjoy my time at home that much more!

New Adventure

I have always enjoyed crafting of all types.  I remember as a little girl sewing with my Grandma Sims.  She taught me how to use her old sewing machine.  I was shocked how quickly it all came back to me when I got my first sewing machine earlier this year.  I was so excited to find a great deal on Craigslist.  I convinced Jerry to let me get it just to see if I would use it.  I have hemmed some pants and made some fun shirts with fabric applique using my machine.  However, I have recently found a new project that I am so excited about.  Of course, every project is more fun with a friend to share it with so I convinced (it didn't take much!) my friend Jessi to join me in a new adventure.  It involves both of these...........















With my love of purses this was the perfect beginning project!  If I can get the hang of this, I can have a purse (or two!!) in every color (trust me- Jerry was THRILLED to hear my purse collection could be expanding!) 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Brothers

I know in several years they will hate this picture, but this is what I found when I went to check on them the other night.  I am convinced even if they had their own rooms they wouldn't sleep in them apart!  They don't even sleep in their own beds anymore!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Days

Since before Christmas break the boys have not attended a full week of school.  We are up to 10 snow days now and they are still calling for more snow in the forecast!  This week we spent some time painting, coloring, playing family Wii tournaments, watching movies and just enjoying our warm house. 



Blizzard

We have been digging our way out of 13" of snow!  We had blizzard conditions with winds up to 40mph.  Some of the drifts in our yard are over Jackson's waist.  This has been a really long winter with lots of snow and we are looking forward to Spring.  Unfortunately, it sounds like there may be more snow in our future.