Aliens?!?!

Is that what I think it is? It looks like an alien!

Nope, that would be #3 in our house. Soon the little people will outnumber the big people. We kept it quiet for a while, but since I have been asked by several people how soon I am due, there is no sense in hiding it anymore. I am due October 11, but as usual, will be schedule for surgery a week to week and a half earlier than that. We will find out boy or girl around the end of May or early June. Yes, this is not your typical looking ultrasound, one of the joys of knowing your doctor. This is one of the fun 3-D ultrasounds. It looked more like a baby than the traditional ones, and it's fun, so I picked this one. Yeah, I know not everybody can see a baby in the picture, but I think it is fun to have a picture to go along with the story.

Are you as surprised as we were?

Priorities

Family and friends are the most important people in this world. When one of them needs help, you drop everything and come running, without thought or question. And they will do the same for you. I am so very grateful for the family and friends I have, and the opportunities I have to be there for them when they need it most.

I have been hearing, or noticing more, people saying "bless our troops" and "pray for our troops," but please, let us not forget the family and friends they leave behind, especially when they are left behind for more than just a tour or deployment.

I will be difficult to reach for the next week or more, due to one of those drop everything and run circumstances at Fort Bragg. I am most grateful for the gospel in my life and the peace it brings. Being sealed to my family is something that means more than words can express, I know without a doubt that even separation in death is not eternal. Thanks to my wonderful husband who is letting me go and take care of everything needed, while he stays home and keeps the house from burning down.

As empty as it may sound to one suffering, my prayers are with my dear friend and her children. My prayers are with her husband's family. My prayers are with the friends he left behind. May peace and comfort be found by all.

The Plague

Our house was infected by the plague this week. Tyler picked it up at work, and brought it home to share with us. I am glad he learned to share, now I think we need to work on what is appropriate to share.

Tuesday night he came home from work absolutely miserable. I had rehearsal, so I left him with the boys for a couple hours. When I got home, he was wrapped up in 2 blankets on the couch, shivering, saying he was cold, face burning up, ears red, and couldn't stand up to help Thomas over the gate. Next day, he couldn't even manage to get dressed for work, so I called into work for him. Turns out most of his work crew was out as well.

Let the fun begin. Jerry threw up at breakfast, we went to walk-in clinic at the doctor. Thomas needed to go potty. I lugged the poor unmoving baby (Jerry does NOT sit still) to go help Thomas. Party time, Thomas has started with diarrhea. No extra underwear, the office staff finding bags to put the dirty underwear in, and trying to do all of this while holding another sick baby, don't you wish you were me. (Dare, I must say your rotovirus story is horrible too) After a desperate call to me mommy for HELP and pullups, she came to the rescue. Almost an hour and half later, we got to see the doctor. Poor baby Jerry had a temp of 103!!! Good news, the ear infections weren't getting worse. Flu test should take 10 min, his came back in less than 5. Why treat one, when you can treat more. The wonderful doctor drugged up both boys, since Thomas was already showing symptoms.

Now, we are keeping track of meds on the white board because there are too many between 3 people to keep up with in my head. Tyler worked just a few hours Thurs and Fri then had to come home. All are much better now, and I have yet to catch the plague. How on earth people keep up with meds for more kids, I don't know, but I am grateful we are all better.

Quarantine has been lifted, all are on the mend. Now we will start working on those sharing lessons.

The English Language

We were out running errands this evening and stopped to get something to drink. Thomas asked for some and we told him no, that is was for mommy and daddy. He told us he needed something to drink because he was "hungry and drinky." Ah, the joys of the English Language and the creation of adverbs. It's no wonder people have such a hard time learning to speak it.

After we got home we were talking about good choices and how making good choices, in this case cleaning his room when mommy told him to and getting ready for bed, makes mommy and daddy and Heavenly Father and Jesus happy. He informed me that he tomorrow he is going to church and he is going to walk like this (quietly and with his arm folded) to see Heavenly Father. He also said that Heavenly Father is coming to visit us. He is going to drive to see us. In His big truck. In His big garbage truck. I was very proud of Thomas saying that he was going to see Heavenly Father at church and that Heavenly Father is coming to visit us at our house. After that, however, it just got a bit funny and cute. I guess I need to be grateful for the lessons he learned, and smile at his expansion on them.

Gotta love the kids!

Walking and Women

That crazy little boy is walking. He started a couple of weeks ago, and is now all over the place. He walks more than he crawls now. Not only does he walk all over the place, he also climbs on everything in sight. He climbs on top of the block box and reaches everything on top of the video cabinet. He climbs on top of the outside toys box and reaches everything on the counter. He can crawl up the stairs as fast as you can walk up them. He has not only started climbing up on one thing, he now uses is as a step to get to the next milestone, like the chairs at the table (I am sure the table was the next milestone). The little monkey also likes to climb on top of a box and just sit there and smile at you as if to say "look at me, I am so proud of myself."

As far as cuteness goes, we didn't think he could get cuter, but he has. He has learned to wave bye-bye, clap-clap, and blow kisses. Well, the kisses are a work in progress. When we started he would take my hand and hold it up to my mouth. WE have since moved on to him holding his hand up to his mouth.

Since it is a bit cold out here lately, Jerry has been wearing a hat. It is a very cute hat, I must say, with the little ear covers, chin strap, and a big fleece pom-pom on top. Problem is, the hat is a bit big. It starts on top of his head, but works its way down. Before too long all you can see is the bottom of his nose, and his mouth. If you lift it up and look at him, or just start talking to him, all you will see is the bottom of his little nose and a huge grin with 4 full teeth, and 4 more poking through. Very cute.

Little funny on Thomas too, we can't leave him out of this. He was watching "Deal or No Deal" the other night. Those of you who keep up with the blog can imagine where this is going. As the models walked out he said "Oh my gosh! Look at them. They are beautiful." AT least my kid appreciates beautiful women. I love my little boys!

Arizona Pictures, well, some of them

Baby Jerry playing inside Aunt Becky's cabinets. Isn't he cute in there peeking around the corner. He could stand up inside there too.

Pillow fights with cousins. We had lots of these while we were visiting.

Sleeping at the table. Thomas was trying to put his sandwich in his mouth while his head was doing the sleeping bob. It was a moment right off of America's Funniest Home Videos.

Dog Pile on Aunt Erin and Uncle James. There were lots of those too.

The best Christmas Gift of the year, a book that means so much, but you thought was lost 15 years ago. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi, my love!

Aunt Erin helping Thomas feed the ducks. Ducks love ABC cookies from Costco.

Dump Truck photos to come, as well as family pics. There are just too many pictures to post everything. That's a good problem, right?

Home Again

As my brother-in-law so kindly pointed out this morning, I have not updated the Blog since coming home from AZ. He asked if the trip was so traumatic I didn't want to post, but the reality is life after being gone almost a month has kept us all a little distracted from the Blog.

We all survived the trip there on the plane and had a fabulous flight crew that helped us get settled with ALL our stuff. Aunt Becky met us at the airport, but got quite the surprise when she discovered we landed 30 min ahead of schedule. First stop, PETE'S!!! Man, can I just tell you that I have waited almost 3 years to have Pete's again. MMMMMMMM, can't beat a monster burger with onion rings and Pete's sauce, and $1.25 for a 44 oz Dr Pepper.

WE had lots of play time with aunts and uncles and cousins in the time we were visiting. What happens when you play with cousins for a week, adn don't take a nap? You fall asleep eating your dinner. Yes, we had one of the classic eating in your sleep at the table moments. Thinking about it just makes me laugh.

Uncle Doug, Aunt Kristen, and the kids surprised everyone and showed up to join the party. WE had all the siblings and families together for the first time in way too long. With everybody here, why not a round of family pictures. Cousin Sterling (Tyelr's cousin) took a TON of incredible pictures. With all the kids and siblings (big kids) we managed to get some really nice photos. The big kids ran off for some fun in the desert, and everybody came home with all fingers attached, huge grins on their faces, and lots of fun stories.

Christmas Eve we had the wonderful opportunity to have everybody together for a baby blessing. Randon, Bryant and Stephanie's new baby was blessed with all of us there. He is such a little cutie and even had on patent leather shoes. We are so glad we were able to be there and a part of their special day.

Christmas was wild with all the kids, then we did round two when all the extended family came over later. Family is what makes Christmas. Aunt Becky gave the boys humongous Tonka dump trucks. We like to put Jerry in them and push him around. He just laughs and laughs and bounces on his little bum. Pictures of that one are coming soon. Tyler got back a book he thought was lost 15 years ago of his USMC Boot Camp class. That was the hilight of Christmas, seeing how much that meant to him. Thanks to his mom for finding it, all I did was wrap it and give it to him.

Tyler managed to sneak away from work for a few days to come out, but after the fun of Christmas morning, I had to take him back to the airport for the trip home. Little did he know, he was in for a serious adventure. He was supposed to land at RDU just before midnight. I was following his flight online througout the wild game of pictionary at Becky's. Next thing I know, he is headed for Norfolk VA, not RDU. Turns out there was no visiblity and the plane was rerouted. Once in Norfolk, after lots of useless information, the passengers were finally told some of them may go home Wednesday, but Thrusday was most likely. GOtta love holiday travel. In the end, another Marine had maged to rent a car from the counter where an employee had just happened to stay late (2am) and was on his way to Jacksonville (2 hours SE of Raleigh) and offered Tyler a ride. Thank goodness for that lovely haircut he can't seem to get rid of. So, about 18 hours after we left him at the Phoenix airport, he managed to get home.

Later in our adventure we took the kids to the zoo. Thomas knew exactly what he wanted to see when we got there. Aunt Becky asked him what he wanted to look at and she got her answer, "I wanna see the Giraffes and the Lions, and the Tigers, and the Elephants, and the Zebras." OK, so maybe we might want to tone down the animal planet a bit. The kids and Uncle James were feeding the ducks after lunch when they discovered the ducks will eat out of your hand. How much fun is that. We got some great memories and pictures of that experience.

After lots of late nights, fun times, laughs, adventures, hugs, smiles, and good quality time, we headed home. The boys were wonderful on the trip home as well. I was so glad I didn't have "that kid" on the plane. I have to say a little thank you to the kid in front of us on the plane. Thanks for being so horrible that you made my kids look like saints.

After we got home, we had the time adjustment again, adn the adjustment back to real life. We did Christmas again with Lolly and family. Thomas got a train table for his Thomas trains, and he can't wait to help Daddy put it together. Jerry got some great soft Little Tikes cars and sights and senses balls that he loves to chase around the living room. The boys also love to put them in the dump trucks and dump them out and watch where they go. I was the real winner this year. I got the mega duty KitchenAid mixer I have been wanting for years. The timing is great too, since I'm not sure how many more cakes and frostings my little hand mixer can handle.

Yup, Christmas was wonderful to us. WE had the most important things, family and time. We are all so blessed to have great families and the opportunity to spend time with them. We miss everybody terribly now that we aren't with them every day, but we are looking forward to seeing you all again. 2008, AZ again. Lots of love and Hugs to all of you, and may everybody have a wonderful new year!

For some odd reason I can't get pictures to cooperate, so you will just have to check back later and match the pictures to the events. Sorry.

AMANDA!!!

WELCOME HOME AMANDA!!!

Amanda got home yesterday, and we are in AZ. We talked to her from JFK and once she landed in Raleigh. It is so good to have her back, and we can't wait to see her and show her how the boys have grown.

Don't worry, AZ pics are coming soon.

Packing Explosion

This is what it looks like when you are packing for 2 kids and 1 adult. It looks like the laundry threw up on my floor. Add about 4 laundry baskets of folded clothes, a load of towels, a load of sheets and blankets, and bunches of clothes that need to be put on hangers laying around and you can imagine what my spare bedroom looks like. Thank goodness for wonderful Aunt Becky who has a pack-n-play, one carseat, and highchair waiting for us in AZ. Good thing I don't have to carry those in addition to the luggage, backpack, purse, Thomas carry on Lighning McQueen suitcase, double stroller, and Jerry carseat. Just call me pack mule. Last night I was joking with Tyler saying we should take a before and after flight picture, he said no. I think he doesn't want to see what I look like after the trip. WE will all be fine, thanks to the wonderful invention of portable DVD player and Benadryl.

Thanks to those who wished me Happy Birthday. Like I said to Evelyn, I may be getting older, but Tyler is still older than I am. And Becky is still 25, or is she 29 yet? Lolly gave me the coolest shoes for my birthday, adn I wear them jsut about everywhere. Dansko shoes are the best! But dangit, now I want more, they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever had, I think. Check them out for yourself, but be warned of sticker shock. I would compare buying these shoes to buying a car. A friend of mine told me she was sorry I got the shoes, because now I won't wear anything else.

Aunt Amanda comes home while we are gone, and we can't wait to hear all of her adventures and misadventures. We will see you in 3 weeks!

Wow, we land in Phoenix in just over 24 hours. I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!!

Chaos

Chaos is the word in our house right now. I apologize now for what will be a delay in any new posts. Between my rehearsals and performances all over the place, appointments, story time, and getting ready to be gone for a while, we are going nuts.

Everybody is doing great and the boys are growing like mad. Jerry has 2 complete teeth and 2 more that just broke through. Thomas is beside himself excited about going on the airplane to AZ. Tyler is working crazy long hours, and mom is the usual.

Say a little prayer that I get everything done in the next few days and that we all survive this trip. The goodie bags are ready to be stocked to bribe kids into behaving, and teh DVD player is ready to entertain us all.

Hope everybody has a great Christmas. I will try to post from AZ, but no promises.

Aunt Amanda, we love you and miss you and we will see you in January. Sorry we leave before you get home. (And you could do with an update too)