Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Landen wasn't so sure why he had to wear GREEN today. I figured I'd spare myself the long Irish speech and just tell him it was for his "lucky green day party". Someday, I'll go into how things really came to be on St. Patty's Day.

Poor kiddo didn't even make it through his "green party" though... The sitter called me this morning and after taking him to the doctor this afternoon, we learned that he has a really bad ear infection. We just can't catch a break with the health of our two boys! I know it could be worse, so I'm just thankful we're home but it's still been a 'trying winter'... The month of February was plenty though and I hope that March doesn't turn into another unhealthy month. Keep your fingers crossed! (I say this too, because I just took Graden to the doctor YESTERDAY for a double ear infection!) Yuck.

Hopefully your house is germ-free and you're enjoying the SPRING weather that is peeking through today! I'll put more FLORIDA pictures up soon! Love to all our friends & family!

F L O R I D A ! ! !

We went to Florida last week to visit Pawpaw Kevin & Gramaw Pam! We had perfect weather and a wonderful time; depsite that Daddy was sick most of the time. Aunt Kris rode along with us for the 20 hour drive down, that really wasn't so bad. Both boys did a great job; especially Landen who told us each time he had to stop to use the potty! We left Friday after work and made it Saturday with enough time to get a good swim in... It was almost 80 degrees when we got there!

We went to Disney World twice! The first day, we visited Magic Kingdom. It was Phil's birthday so he got to wear a special "pin" and every worker at Disney World wished him a Happy Birthday! A few even sang to him! Magic Kingdom was great... The boys FINALLY got to see 'Mickey Mouse's House'! The second day we went to Hollywood Studios where Landen got to meet Buzz Lightyear and Woody (his two VERY favorite characters)! The weather was perfect for us both times we went to Disney... we were very lucky. We learned this past week that Landen is a huge fan of ROLLER COASTERS and wanted to go on every single one. He was just tall enough (literally) and they allowed him to go with us. He was so excited about this. Graden was laughing nonstop and couldn't help but to point at EVERYTHING! Mommy took almost 400 pictures and will be sure to add more soon!

This morning, Landen taught himself how to plug in Daddy's playstation (that was hidden in a cabinet). After asking Daddy to get the game set up, it was RACE time! He was talking to his car about how they were going to win... "Come on, Dude!"... Hilarious. Graden wanted in on the fun, so he just grabbed a controller (that wasn't even plugged in) and began yelling at the cars on the screen, too! What a pair! :)

Growing again...

The boys continue to grow! Graden had his 15 month 'well-baby' check up this past Friday... Doc says he's finally getting taller! He's up to 8 teeth and must be getting more, because he wants to chew on everything! The boys have both been feeling much better and we've stopped the breathing treatments for the time being.

Landen and Graden are becoming the best of buddies! They play together all of the time and make Phil and I laugh daily. Late in the evenings, after dinner, the boys are usually fired up... Phil and I sit down to relax and talk about our days only to end up sneaking around the corner to peek into their bedrooms because we hear all these giggles and loud noises. We usually find the boys building houses with their blocks or crashing cars together. They laugh at each other all of the time ... it's quite a contagious laugh, too.

We've told the boys we're going to see 'Mickey Mouse' in a few weeks... Landen can hardly stand the wait. Last night, after Graden went to bed, Landen and I made a "paper ring" strand of 12 circles... that way Landen knew how many days until we leave. He gets to rip on of the circles of paper off each night before bed! :) He thought it was pretty cool. My dad used to let me do them before Christmas each year. I think it's a great visual activity for Landen; plus, he can stop bugging me with "are we going to Mickey Mouse tomorrow, mom?" !! Ha, ha, ha!

Grad-O and the "big boy underwear"!

Graden is a stinker! Landen has been working diligently on going potty on the "big boy potty" and is getting good at it...

Today, however, Landen's "potty procedure" took a slight turn of events when Grad-O (his new nickname given to him by his Mommy because she can never finish getting his name out of her mouth when she's trying to get him to do something before he runs away!) took Landen's "big boy underwear" and TOSSED THEM into the "big boy potty" while Landen was peeing. Graden was very happy; clapping and pointing at both Landen and the underwear, while he laughed and walked away to plot his next move. He left Landen sitting on the "big boy potty" in shock. Landen, of course, yelled for Mom and Dad, who came running... When we arrived in the bathroom, Landen said, "It was an accident, Mom." Ha, yea right. That Grad-O knew JUST what he was doing.

Already, they are covering each other's tracks. Great for them. Trouble for Mom and Dad! :)

Landen's Hospital Visit.

Last Tuesday (the 10th), I had to take Landen into the ER. After being sick for a few days, he wasn't getting any better and on Tuesday morning, he was having trouble breathing. His doctor advised me to just take him there so they could do some x-rays and tests. Good thing we got there, because his oxygen counts were down and he was gasping for air. Turned out, his entire chest was seriously inflammed and this was causing him to work very hard to get breaths.

To make a long story short, we were transported from Dupont Hospital (after several tests) out to Lutheran on Tuesday evening and stayed there until Thursday evening. We had some "ups and downs" while we were there; but, after the first night, overall things progressed well. Landen was a good patient and did exactly as the doctors asked. They were impressed by his "breathing treatment skills" - of course, he's familiar with them because we've done them since he's been born! :) The only thing he didn't like was the oxygen tube that was placed into his nose! It "hurt" his nose because it dried it out and it was scary to him.

We are home now and we're working toward a full recovery. His chest isn't as inflammed, but he still has "congestion" in his lungs that is causing him to cough pretty badly. We've been doing breathing treatments around the clock and he's also taking an antiobiotic for a double ear infection (a side affect from the congestion). He's a little leary about going to bed at night - he thinks "they" are going to come and poke at him. I've tried explaining that he's getting better and "they" are only at hospitals and doctors' offices.... and "they" make little kids better. He understands and knows when he's done something great - like eat all his food to make him "stronger" and "drink all his juice" because it helps his cough! :) He even knows when he's played too hard and tells me when he needs a "break to rest". He's a pretty smart kid! :) Ha!

It's been a roller coaster of a week, but I couldn't be happier. A little tired, but still smiling... My boys keep me on my toes! We've had three hospital visits in the past YEAR (two for Graden and now one for Landen)... I really hope they don't think this is some sort of "fun" competition! Mommy is going to have gray hair soon! :) Deep down, I always know it could be worse, but let me tell you how hard it is to remember that when you're going through something and you're not sure what's going to happen. I'm just so thankful for my family and friends... I know it's such a cliche - but they're amazing and they are always there for me and for my family. I'm not sure where I would be if I didn't have them in my life. It's everyone else's prayers, thoughts, emails and phone calls that help us get through something like this... because somedays I'm just not as strong as I'd like to be when it comes to praying... I try though, and I'm sure that is truly all that matters to Him.

Remember to hug your kids, your pets, your significant others... whoever is important to you today. You really don't know what tomorrow will bring. Thanks again for your support and your patience and YOUR LOVE. My boys and I love each of you on this Valentine's Day! xoxoxo

Brothers!

I've been blessed to have
A brother like you.
You're my pal, my buddy,
And my best friend, too.
-Dana Roberts Clark -

Hard work really does pay off...

FINALLY. Phil got "the call"... He's accepted a teaching position for 8th grade math at middle school here in Fort Wayne. It's an overwhelming feeling. He worked so hard for the past two years. His hard work has finally paid off! We are so proud of him! He's starting tomorrow, as a sub, until his contract is made. It makes our bumps from the past two years totally worth it. Thank you to each of you who have supported us while Phil was back in school and while I worked two jobs. Thankfully are boys never noticed these "bumps" from our past. They will only know the end result: Daddy is a teacher! Woo hoo! :)

Cold!

We're thinking today that we should've followed our Graber friends to FLORIDA! :) (And, not just because we MISS them already!) It's freezing outside and it's ugly. Good thing we're going to Florida ourselves for a vacation in about 5 1/2 weeks... So, we're pretty excited that we'll get to see The Graber's then! :)

The boys are doing great. It's so hard to believe how fast they are growing up. I mean, it's already almost February of 2009!!! Graden is all over the place now (even more than before!) and is climbing onto everything. He has absolutely no fear and does not know a stranger. Graden tries to say words - but he does more of a grunt... like talking is too hard or something. Ha! He LOVES his big brother still... I'm waiting for that to change, but for now, they LOVE to play together and actually get mad when they can't! Landen is learning something new each day. He's very observant (which I've said before) and asks all sorts of random questions. We love them, because they usually make us laugh! They work on one letter from the alphabet each week at his daycare (which he loves). He's doing very well with it. He's such a sponge when it comes to learning... I hope it stays that way. Landen reminds us DAILY that we'll be heading to "Mickey Mouse's House" soon... he can hardly wait! Graden just laughs at Landen each time he says it, like it's a secret code or something!

Phil is still subbing here and there... hopefully a permanent job position comes open so he can apply. In the meantime, though, he's having so much fun as a sub. The kids at school love him and tell me he does "pretty good"... :) HA!

Things are just good overall... My classes are a lot of reading, but I secretly LOVE it. :) Of course, we're like everyone else and watching our pennies right now. Past that, we have no worries for once. Life is good. :) We don't take that for granted though because we know how far we've come... and we constantly keep our friends and family in our thoughts! :)

We sure hope your home is as warm as ours... :) Our door is always open.

New Year, New Challenges...

Hopefully your NEW YEAR has gotten off to a great start... I know mine has... My theory: it can ONLY get better from here! I look forard to what 2009 is going to bring me and my family!

Well, I finally made a decision: I am going back to school! I have only gone part-time here and there for the past three years (since Landen's birth). I am enrolled and registered to take some online classes starting Monday. I plan on taking it easy this semester, signing up for a class in the summer, and then attending full-time in the fall (while still working, of course). :) Who would've ever thought one could get so excited about taking on such a challenge (with a husband looking for a full-time teaching position, two toddlers, and myself - still working full-time)? I am though... I most certainly am! :) Wish me luck!

Now, the boys started a new daycare this past Monday. Today was their 2nd day and wow! It's going great! It's an "in-home preschool". Landen is learning the letter "M" this week. Too funny! It almost makes me sad that they're in the "school" setting... but, I'm so proud of them both for making the transition so well. (Of course, Ant Kelwee [the previous childcare provider] is GREATLY missed! But, I assured the boys, we WILL see Ant Kelwee again.)

:)