I can't believe....

I can't believe I let the blog go. I feel horrible. I want my children to be able to look back and see all the great things we did or the funny things we said. I guess I'll do a recap by month and do a new post for each. Nothing too grand or exciting has happened (a few graduations) but I still want to share pictures. That's my plan for the next week ~ to do a monthly update each day and then start getting better about blogging. Someone, anyone, hold me accountable please! PLEASE!

What a busy week!

Disclaimer: I know I haven't been up to date with this and instead of promising old stuff, I'm just going to post like I haven't been slacking. ;-)

School starts on Monday! EEK! Where did the summer go?

We have football practice every night. Cheerleading practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Their first game is this weekend. They are beyond excited.

Friday morning, we are going to open house at school to find out the kids' teachers. Jasmine also has a patrol meeting to go to.

Sunday, the kids are going to a Cardinals vs Nationals game with Oma and Opa.

Then Monday ~ it's the first day of school. As much as I hate my kids being gone all day, it will be nice to not have so many in the house all day long since I have my nephews for such a long time every day.

Bad blogger, updates and walking

I'll start this update on a high note, albeit sad, but still a high note nonetheless.



Yup, that would be JayJay walking. Not even 11 months old yet. She's been doing steps here and there but in the last few days has really taken off and is starting to prefer walking to crawling. YIKES! It's so exciting to see her do something so big yet it's so sad for me. That's like a big kid milestone. Where's my baby going??

I wish I had more time to blog. I probably do but I'm just so worn out taking care of my own kiddos and everyone else's for pretty much all day that I can't put two sentences together to blog. I'm definitely going to attempt to blog once a week. I don't want to miss putting up things that I'll forget that I want the kids to read one day.

The kids only have a few more weeks of school. Officially it's like 13 days or something crazy like that! I love summer time. I love them being home. Jenna will be so excited.

Speaking of Jenna, she'll be home with me one more year. She took the Kindergarten Early Entrance Exam and didn't pass it. It's a pretty strict test (a little too tough if you ask me but whatever) that they must pass all six parts to. She passed 4. I know in the long run that it won't hurt her keeping her home another year. I just know there are so many kids that are going because their birthday falls before the magical date of September 1st that aren't ready and don't know as much as Jenna. Jenna, on the other hand, was quite happy that she wasn't going. The teacher that tested her said she did a great job on the test, fully participated and wasn't upset or apprehensive about taking it and that folks, in my book, was the amazing part. If you know my Jenna, she doesn't like to stray far from Mom and I was quite proud of her for her enthusiasm to take the test.

The four school kiddos are all doing amazing in school. Top of their classes, above grade levels in reading and math.

Both James and Jasmine just recently got cell phones much to their excitement (and my own since the house phone is now not ringing 24/7 for them).

We have a new member to the family ~ Landon ~ David and Michelle's baby boy ~ was born earlier in the week. He's such a cutie and I hope to meet him soon.

I guess that's it for now. I have kiddos asking for a snack so again, I must run.

Update on Jacob's Cardiologist Appointment

Today we had Jacob's 6 month check-up since his initial cardiologist appointment. We were praying for no change. Jacob's heart condition will never get better so the best news we can ever get is no change since the last visit. And that is exactly what we got. No change! YAY!

The doctor was very pleased with that since Jacob's valve is already narrowed; more than it should be for a 5 year old. I think the doctor was actually expecting to see a change and you could see the relief on his face when he saw none.

Jacob will go back again in 6 months and if there is no progression, we will go to yearly visits. Jacob is still not limited in doing anything except for contact sports like football or wrestling. He did say Jacob could play soccer though.

Unless Jacob complains of chest pains or starts really getting tired too easily, we will Dr. Telep again in 6 months.

It's Summer!

It's official. School is out for the summer. All the kids finished up today.

Jenna may not be going to preschool next year. We only like to send them to the child development program at the high school and she won't be eligible because of when her birthday is. The director said she may be able to get her in the second half of the year since they normally have kids that don't return. I don't send them for the academics part of it anyway; just getting used to the classroom and listening to teachers aspect. We'll wait and see.

Jacob can't wait to start Kindergarten. I'm a tad scared. Well not really. He was a great student in preschool. The teachers absolutely adored him. I don't think Daddy is going to be able to handle his little buddy going to school though, as much as he likes to pretend he is a tough guy.

Jasmine is now a 3rd grader. Eek! Jazii can't wait for that report card either. She only got two S's and the rest O's and she wants all O's. She is actually more excited to get "real" grades next year. She is so excited for summer. We're going to Alabama for a week in July. The week before that, she's leaving with Oma and Opa to go down there early. The week after, she is spending with Uncle Steve, Aunt Jo and Hope. Oma and Opa are going to pick her up on their way back. Well that's if Aunt Jo lets her come back home. Everyone always likes to keep Jasmine! She's such a huge helper. Hope may not want her to leave either. I'm excited for them to get to spend some good cousin time together. I really wish we all got to see Hope more.

James had his last day yesterday since he left this morning with his grandmother and siblings to spend a few weeks with her in North Carolina. He is so incredibly excited to spend a few weeks with her. We're going to miss him around here. He'll be back 4th of July weekend so not too long. He is officially a 4th grader! YIKES! His next birthday will throw him in the double digits as well. Oy! He is anxiously awaiting his report card to come. His goal was to bring up his two B's that he got on his last report card to A's. He wants those straight A's so bad. We're so proud of him for his grades but I do have to say I'd love to see him achieve his goal. Can't wait for him to get back so he can come to Alabama with us.

Jordan is a big, bad 7th grader now. He'll be coming to stay most of the summer with us. He has a few parties to attend this week at friends and then he'll be here. He is also going down with Oma and Opa a week early to Alabama. He doesn't really have any other plans this summer. Just hanging out with us and giving his dad a break. He had a really great first year in middle school. I hated not being in the day to day of it but I'm really thankful Anthony and Jordan are getting this time together. He's got a good dad and it's not fair to either of them for me to be selfish. I don't stop being his mom. Heck, I got the good years. His dad can have the teenage years! Ha ha.

I am going to make a better attempt to share all the little things we do on a regular basis here and hope you follow along with our journey.

Rain, rain, go away!

The sun is shining! The sun is shining! I can't believe it. I thought we were going to buy a house boat or turn into ducks with all the rain. We needed the rain badly but what good is it when it comes down so long and so fast that it has nowhere to go? Baseball and football were canceled over the weekend. Actually that wasn't such a bad thing since we had the Relay for Life walk Friday night and we were all pretty worn out.

Jasmine had gymnastics last night. She was the only one in her class. She LOVES when that happens! Such great one on one time. She is really getting her moves down. They actually have summer classes so I'm contemplating on signing her up. So far, she'd only miss one class for our week of vacation in July.

Jordan was supposed to have a game last night too but alas, with the rain, it was canceled. He is supposed to have one tonight so hopefully so. We have so many make-up games that the season may never end!

On a funny note, Jacob has been walking around saying "Don't stop! Don't give up!" which he learned from Yo! Gabba gabba! When Jenna says it, it sounds like "Don't stop, donkey butt!" Pretty funny stuff. And she hasn't stuck anything up her nose! Go Jenna!

Duh! I can't believe I didn't put this first. Jenna asked to go on the potty yesterday. She sat for about 5 minutes and then peed! WOO HOO! She asked and went. So she hasn't done it anymore since but I'll take what I can get!

Later this week, Jamie, Jacob and Joey (Jamie's buddy/helper from work) are going to the mountains. They are leaving Thursday night and coming back Sunday. Jamie has so much to do up there. We really need to find a way to get up there more. Joey is going to check out the place Jamie talks about so often and have fun on the four wheeler. And it's not a trip without Jacob!

One more side note ~ I dropped my beautiful ring off last night to get it sized. My sad little finger is so naked without it already! It's supposed to be back Friday. Crossing fingers!

September 2007

Life is moving along. We have been going to the mountains most weekends. Most weekends, we come back home and say we want to live there. I just love the quietness, the slowness, the nature of it all. It's beautiful.



School is going well. The kids are enjoying it. They have a new program this year called the Star Program. Anytime a child is "caught" being kind, nice, helpful, etc, they receive a Star ticket. They can earn prizes or become the Star of the Week. They are all earning them, with Jasmine earning the most of course.

I made curtains in the girls' room. We bought paint awhile ago and just haven't done it yet. Hopefully soon I will be doing it. I have big plans for their room. These are the curtains though....



We also got new windows on the house. They are fabulous. I'm such a home maker when I talk about my windows and get excited about them.

We will be putting a deck on the house soon as well. Can't wait for that!

August 2007

Just when you think things are going to get better, things happen and you don't understand why. We do have faith in God and trust in Him that it's His plan but it is hard to understand sometimes. Sandy started taking a turn for the worse. Most of truely believe that she knows her husband is gone and it is ok to finally let go. I wish I could have known her. I only know her through Jamie's stories. She is amazing lady and everyday I get choked up wishing I had known her. It kills me that my children never got to know her.

Sandy got sick and was put in the hospital. They said one thing but it wasn't that. They got things back on track and she was sent to the nursing home. At the nursing home, she took a turn for the worse. Jamie and Becky decided that their mother had suffered enough and signed the papers to take her off of her feeding tube and medications. Sandy would be coming to her home for her final days with Becky caring for her and working from home. I would go and pick Chad up in the mornings as Becky couldn't leave.

On August 23rd, I got there in the morning to pick up Chad. Becky said Sandy wasn't doing well and that she was calling the nurse. I gave Jamie the update when I got home. He said he was going to stop by after work. He had only visited once and said he wouldn't go back. How do you tell someone that has seen his mother basically die in front of his eyes that he needs to visit? You can't. Anyway, he went after work. Sandy's sisters were there. One of Jamie's uncles. And Becky and Jamie. They were all sitting around her. Jamie was about to come home and gave his mother a kiss, said he loved her and good bye. He gave her another kiss on her head and with that, Sandy took her last breathe. She went peacefully and without pain, surrounded by her sisters and children.

The children and I mourned the woman we would never know. It was so hard knowing that we just couldn't walk in and say hi to her. I always think she knew that the kids and I existed. I hope she knows that I'll always take care of her baby boy as well.

2007 has been a rough year.

The children missed their first day of school for the funeral. It was pretty hard going to the gravesite and seeing Richard's marker there. May Richard and Sandy rest in peace, together.

After everything that has happened, we went full blast into the school year and getting into a new "normal" routine. Whatever that may be.

Jordan has three different teachers this year. He is happy with his teachers although the one teacher he wanted in 3rd grade that moved to 5th, he didn't get. He's really excited to be in 5th grade. They do a lot of neat things this year. He is in the advanced math class and reading class.

James got a good teacher as well. She is known for her no-nonsense approach to teaching. James wasn't the happiest with who he got but Jamie and I were as he needs to buckle down on his school work. He is a smart kid but lacks the desire and confidence.

Jasmine was beyond excited with the teacher she got. She has wanted Mrs. Howington since Jordan had her as Miss Reed in 1st grade for a reading teacher. She married another teacher at the school ~ the one Jordan wanted but didn't get. Mrs. H and Jasmine were so excited to see each other. She is a wonderful teacher. You always have that one teacher that you will remember forever. She will be that teacher for Jasmine.

Jacob and Jenna are doing great. Jenna was not happy at all about the three going to school. The first week of school consisted of a lot of tears at the bus stop for Jenna. She's better now and enjoying her days with her best buddy, Jacob. Those two are funny, entertaining and bad. But the good kind of bad. The bad that makes you laugh. The bad that makes you remember that they are kids and won't be little forever.

Our most exciting news of the month was on August 5th. Jamie and I had been talking about getting another puppy. A rottweiler of course. We had been checking the Sunday papers and weren't finding much. This particular Sunday, Jamie actually checked the paper. Normally I did. He said he was going to go check out these 9 week old pups near us but didn't want the kids to know and get their hearts broken. About an hour and half later, he calls and says that they weren't 9 week old pups but 9 months old. I was dissapointed but figured it wasn't meant to be. An hour or so later, Jamie gets home and says he forgot my cell phone in his truck. So I run out to get it to be greeted by this adorable face....



Jamie named him Bear. If you could have seen the way he walked, you'd totally get it. He's my baby. He's an awesome dog. He has done so well. The kids weren't very sure about him at first. Jenna and Jacob are doing great with him now. Jasmine has her days. Some are great; others she isn't so sure. James is still pretty freaked out. He was bitten by a dog a few months ago and hurt pretty bad so it's understandable. Jordan does great with him. Bear is just a pup with lots of love that wants to play but has those sharp puppy teeth. He's a great dog though.

July 2007

We are making trips up to the mountains so Jamie can mow and take care of the millions of other things Richard took care of. We wonder how he managed to take care of it all. It is nice getting up there though. We wish we would have gone more to enjoy it with Richard though.



Jamie actually got a new truck to make the trips easier for us. He needs to be able to get up there in the winter and this baby sure will do the trick. It's beautiful. It's totally everything Jamie wanted. He so deserves it. He works so hard to take care of all of us and now has the added places in WV and VA.



The rest of our summer is watching Chad and our neighbor's kids, Kaylee and Taylor. The kids have a lot of fun playing and getting outside. We can't really go anywhere since it's too many kids for my van to hold but we are doing our best to enjoy the summer.

June 2007

Life is definitely different without Papa around. I don't know how many times Jamie has said "I need to call Dad" when something happened. We all miss him so much. Everytime chicken is on sale, I think to call and tell him. Everytime I make a package of hot dogs, I think of him. If you knew Richard, you know what I'm talking about.

We did have some great news during the month though. We became an uncle and aunt again. Steven and Joanna welcomed Hope Olivia to their family on June 20th. She weighed in at an even 8 lbs. She is a sweetie pie although missing the dark hair everyone thought she'd have. We sure wish they were closer so we could visit more.

The school year finished on the 14th. The kids were so happy to welcome summer as am I. I love them being home. I'm probably one of the few moms that doesn't enjoy the first day of school. I really wish the kids were home all the time. They all had a great year. Jordan ended the year with straight A's. James and Jasmine both finished with high marks (they don't receive letter grades yet).

We are looking to the summer and enjoying the warm weather and getting outdoors.

It's been too long and so much has gone on!

I really need to get better about doing this. So many things have happened in the last month and I'm sure I've forgotten a lot.

Jacob was sick, really sick, for a few days. He woke up on a Thursday morning, breathing hard, couldn't stay awake, with a really low body temperature (94.9!). With an appointment set for 4:15 pm, I started doing my normal morning things. Jasmine was home that day since it was Kindergarten registration at school and she was off. She helped so much watching him and talking to him when he did wake up. She told me something was wrong, that he was sweating way more than normal. I went and checked him and something was wrong. I called my mom, then Jamie, and both said to take him straight to the doctor or the hospital. I called the doctor back and finally spoke to the nurse that knows me and the kids really well. She said if I thought something was wrong, then I needed to come right up. They took him right back and she got the doctor right away. Upon questions and an examination, she said he needed to go straight to the ER. We ran home really quick and called Jamie, who left work right then. We got to the hospital and they triaged him right away. Jasmine was awesome the whole time with Jacob, holding his hand, since I was holding Jenna, who was a little freaked out with everything going on. The triage nurse said he would be going back in less than 5 minutes. 5 minutes? The ER? Yeah, ok. Well about 2 minutes later, Jacob was called back. He took us back to the Pediatric ER, pushing the stroller for me, since Jenna would NOT let me put her down. He said we needed to get Jacob in the oh so fashionable hospital gown and the nurse would be right in. The nurse came and hooked up the vitals, like temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat, etc. They started him on oxygen because you could just see his little body working so hard to breathe. About this time, Jamie got there. I took the girls home since the other kids were getting out of school and Jamie wanted to stay with Jacob. That was the hardest thing ~ leaving my baby at the hospital. My head knew he was safe with Daddy but my heart ached to stay with him. Jasmine burst into tears once we stepped outside the hospital. She was so strong and brave in front of Jacob that I didn't even realize it was bothering her. Jasmine and I prayed on the way home. While we were at home, they ran lots of tests and ruled out things like menigitis, pneumonia and asthma. Jamie said it was heartbreaking when they put tubes in his nose. They had him on Albuterol and steroid breathing treatments constantly. After a few hours, they decided to admit him to the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). Once the other kids got home from school and did their homework, we went up to the hospital so that I could stay with Jacob. Jamie took all the other kids home. Jacob was sleeping when I got there. I just sat there with him. They finally took him from the Pediatric ER up to PICU. Thursday night was rough. I didn't sleep that much, worrying about him plus he needed help with the urinal to go potty. The constant IVs had him very hydrated by this point. And he kept rolling over and getting cords tangled up and uphooking his pulse monitor among other things. During the day, he did a great job keeping all the monitors, tubes and breathing mask on. Friday morning, he was doing better but still needed the constant breathing treatments. If he was off of it, his oxygen levels dropped a little bit. By the afternoon though, they took the mask off and they didn't drop. They said if they didn't drop for two hours, then he could do Albuterol treatments every two hours. That is exactly what happened. By Friday night, he was a completely different kid but they wanted to keep him one more night since he was in such rough shape just the night before. By Saturday morning, he was so ready to go home. He ate up everything they brought him for breakfast. He played in the toy room they had. He was back to his old self. They said we could do the treatments every four hours. The doctor said that he just had a virus that turned into an upper respiratory infection. We came home Saturday afternoon with instructions to do treatments every four hours for Saturday and Sunday. Then only as needed. He hasn't needed them and has been fine since. It was amazingly scary to see him like that in the hospital. The kids, the neighbors and obviously family were all so worried about him. We had so many people praying for him which means so much. It's amazing how quickly kids can bounce back!

Jasmine turned the big 6 on May 8th! Six years old. When did that happen? Where has the time gone? She is such a wonderful daughter. Jamie and I are so lucky to be her parents. She spent the weekend before her birthday with Oma and Opa for her Birthday Weekend which pretty much consists of Oma and Opa doing and getting her whatever she wants. Oma took her shopping and got her some clothes and things. She got a Cabbage Patch Doll named Jasmine. Mommy and Daddy got her a Bratz scooter which she is a pro at riding now. She's only had one accident on it that she roughed up her knees and elbows pretty bad but a few hours later and she was back on that scooter!

Jenna is talking up a storm and thinks she is so grown up. She's really showing her attitude, which some like to say is just like me. I just don't see it. ;-)

James and Jordan are both doing well in school. They are ready for summer though. Bike riding and skateboarding are on top of their lists.

I will definitely get better about updating this. I hope to do some gardening soon and more pictures of the kids. I have really slacked off on my picture taking!

Lots of updating to do!

It's been awhile. Since we've been moving things around and spring cleaning, I haven't been on as much. The computer is in the basement AKA kid's playroom, now so I just don't get on as much. Bad blogger, I know.

I guess I will give a rundown of what's been going on here, starting with the biggest news of all!

Becky and Carl had their baby BOY, Chad Curtis, yesterday. He is such a little sweetie pie! I could just hold him for hours and watch him sleep. The best part of going to that hospital yesterday was seeing how happy Becky was. She has wanted this for so long and was told this would never happen. Chad truly is a miracle baby. Oh yeah, you probably want to know his stats. April 4, 2007 at 1:11 PM ~ Becky and I joked everyone should go out and play triple ones in the lottery. He weighed in at 6 lbs 5 1/2 oz and 18 inches long with strawberry blond hair and blue eyes. We just couldn't get over that hair! So sweet. Jamie and Jasmine spent the morning at the hospital with Brenda, awaiting the baby's arrival. After some cuddle time, they finally came home so Jordan, James and I could go up. Jacob and Jenna will meet him at a later time where we can cage those wild ones! Ha ha.

Here's a picture of our nephew, who we love so much and tears come to our eyes everytime Jamie and I think about him.



Welcome to the family Chad! We love you buddy!

Jenna is turning into quite the crazy little lady of the house. She is one mean pistol (which people tell me she is acting just like me but I think I have a wonderful charming personality) so don't cross her. As long as you bow down to her and her needs, you are fine in her book. Don't get too close though if she hasn't given you permission. You will get this look... (Granted it's a side view but you get the idea. Man, does she look like me in this picture or what?)

She is really finding her words, "NO" being one of her favorites, along with "DOGGY". Here's a few new pictures of Miss Jenna.

And if you want to hear a little video of her talking, go here. Enjoy!

Jacob is as wild and crazy as ever. He is finally putting sentences together and most days we can understand what he is saying. He's a nut and makes us laugh constantly. Thankfully he's #4 so most of what he does, Jamie and I can just overlook and know (hopefully, fingers and toes crossed) that he will outgrow most of it. He learned to cross his eyes, freakishly well. Jamie sounds like such a dad when he does "Boy, your eyes are going to get stuck!" He is almost tall enough to really ride his bike although it's not slowing him down any not being quite tall enough. He finally has his own bed, thanks to our neighbor who gave us a twin bed. He loves it. He got Diego sheets so it's his "Diego bed". Here's a few pictures of our wild man.

Jasmine is doing great and will be starting baton soon. They offer it at her school, on Mondays, right after school. Two other girls in the neighborhood that are her close friends will be doing it as well. She is so excited. She is doing wonderful in school, of course. She is really taking off with her reading and can't wait to start reading "The Babysitter's Club" books. Oh memories there! I really only have one new picture of her (I've been horrible about getting pictures of the kids, especially the older ones since they are in school all day. It's my mission to get some pictures of them.)


Jamie taught James to ride his bike two weeks ago. James learned in about an hour, which we had a feeling it would be that way. You couldn't have wiped the smile off of his face the day he learned. Did I get a picture? Nope. *sigh* Have I gotten any of him on his bike? Nope. *double sigh* I will get some of him riding that bike. He's getting so big. I can't believe he is 7 already. He's doing well in school. Like Jordan, he's Mr. Social Bug. He has a new teacher as his other one quit. He really likes his new teacher, Mr. Hill, which is always great.

Jordan was learning to ride a skateboard but someone borrowed it off of our porch without asking and now it's broken. He'll be getting a new one soon though. Doing great academically in school and even doing better with his talking. He still has his days where he can't help but talk but he's learning to control it and that's all Jamie and I ask. The boy can get straight A's in his sleep. It was getting him to understand that distracting his friends could cost them to miss out on learning and their grades be affected that helped. He just finished up his basketball season, where his team came in second place. He loved playing. We were hoping to get him signed up for baseball but that fell through. We'll see what opens up next and sign him up for that. I don't have any new pictures of him either. *triple sigh*

That's about it for us now. Jamie and I are doing great. Working on the house some. Jamie will be off for a week later this month to do some painting. I can't wait. The poor walls have handprints and everything else all over them. We will be planting flowers soon, which I love to do. Jamie is getting the front and back yards ready and hopefully some more even, nice looking grass in them.

Easter is Sunday. Mom and Dad are coming over. Hopefully Becky and Chad will leave the hospital on Saturday, as Becky had a c-section. Definitely going to invite them over since her movement is limited right now and I'm sure she'll want a nice meal after all that hospital food. If nothing else, we can take them some dinner.