Almost Famous

Every year I resolve to write more on this blog and every year I start off the year pretty well. And then I don't write anything for 3-4 months.

And I'm saddened that there are never enough hours in the day. I try to justify that I'd rather actually spend time with the kids then take time out of my day to write down our adventures. But I really do miss looking back on the crazy things we do every day.

So once again my New Year's Resolution is to write more. Since we're only half way through January I'm off to a pretty typical start!

We've had a spectacular winter. It's almost like we don't live in South Dakota. On Tuesday of this week we had a record breaking 57 degrees. We rode our bicycles in November and December. We've been to the park and gone for walks. We've played outside and have had a wonderful time. It's been a great winter.

Wednesday morning brought a bit of a change. We woke to find the ground covered with an unusual white substance. The kiddos were thrilled naturally. "Momma! It SNOWED!!!"

They were forced to wait until after school and I've never seen them eat lunch so quickly. Snowpants and boots that had been waiting all winter were finally put into use.

After a while Gabe ran into the house, "Momma! Someone wants to take some pictures of us!"

I discovered a photographer from the local paper snapping a few pics of the kids enjoying our first real taste of winter this season.

This first picture was just inside the front page of today's paper and the other two were on their website.

Happy New Year and hopefully you'll see a few more glimpses of our life in 2012.

Twas The Night Before Surgery

We went to the Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist today we quickly learned that we would not be getting a cast today. The cast will come later. But first we have to have a "open reduction something, something, something, something". I only got the first 2 words.

But what all that medical mumbo jumbo basically translates into surgery tomorrow at 1:30 pm. They need to pin that pesky piece of bone back to his elbow so he can heal properly.

He was a little bummed out to not get a cast today. But we took him and got him some cool new Cars 2 toys (these are wooden ones that fit on their Thomas the Train tracks so he was SO excited!). He picked out a couple for his siblings since they've been "doing so much helping for me".

He's been such a trooper through all of this. He told me the other day that "My saddest thing about having a broken arm is that I can't ride my bike or run super fast cause those are my favoritest things to do in the whole world. *big sad sigh* So maybe I could watch a movie now Mom?"

We told Sam and Leona about Gabe's surgery this evening. Leona's eyes filled with tears and she about lost it.

Leona: But MOM! I don't want Gabe to have surgery! He needs his arm!!!

Mom: Sweetie, they aren't cutting his arm off.

Leona: Oh GOOD! He REALLY needs his arm!

The biggest problem we will face tomorrow doesn't have to do with an arm. If you've ever met Gabe and spent more than an hour with him he's probably asked you for a snack. He's CONSTANTLY hungry. It's going to be a really long morning! Maybe I should wake him up. We still have until midnight before he's not allowed to eat anything.

And really? How could I wake up this little sweetheart? He crawled in to snuggle with me this morning. I only got hit in the head with that cast a couple dozen times. It was entirely worth it to snuggle with my buddy.
Fortunately Douglas made it back into town today and will be around to keep me from falling apart. Those 2 hours I won't get to spend with my little guy are going to feel awfully long.

I know this is a really routine thing that lots of kids go through but it's so hard when it's YOUR little boy. He's allowed to bring his favorite buddy and he's going to bring his small black doggy and that new green froggy in the picture that Leona gave him.

Today when I picked the kids up from school one of the other Moms was asking me about our appointment. She asked which doctor we were seeing today. I gave her the name and another Mom across the hall chimed in, "That's my husband!". So tomorrow Gabe is very excited to go see Betsy's Dad.

And it's amazing how such a little thing gives me a stronger sense of peace and reassurance.

We'd love your prayers and I promise to give a full Gabe update as soon as I can!

A Short Trip to the Park

Today was a gorgeous, amazing day. Perfect cool mornings, hot afternoons. I try to take advantage of these days and spend as much time outside was we can. I know that these days are fleeting. That season that shall not be mentioned is coming sooner than I care to admit.

So today we got ice cream cones and headed to spend some time at the park. In my mind I thought we'd spend an hour or two enjoying the day. But 5 minutes after we go to the park we left.

Because we needed to head to a special kind of photo shoot. With pictures I'm not capable of taking. For a a very sad subject. These are not the kind of photos I like to analyze. Of an elbow that should not be broken.

Of a small boy who should not be in a hospital room but should be out enjoying the sunshine.

We always said that Gabe would be the first to break a bone. Sometimes I really hate being right.

At the playground he had climbed up on a step, then shimmied his way a little higher and grabbed onto a horizontal bar to swing on. He's done this kind of thing quite often. But the bar he grabbed today did a little trick as he told me. It wasn't a stationary bar but it rotated.

He thought he was holding on to something solid and the bar spun. And his little hands spun right off. I'm not sure how high he was but I'm thinking at least 8 feet. He landed pretty flat on his back.

He's a tough little guy and usually his crying doesn't too long after a crash. But he didn't stop crying after a while. And he wouldn't let me move his left arm. The X-rays confirmed what my heart suspected. His arm is broken at his elbow. That piece of bone isn't supposed to be separated. But he gave such a brave thumbs up during his x-ray.

So now his arm is in a temporary cast. Until Thursday when we go see the specialist. He tried to put on a brave front.

But it really did hurt. Fortunately he had his fan club along to cheer him up and help him feel better.

Just like our last visit to the ER, Douglas is once again out of town. He always seems to miss out on the fun of these big adventures.

My little strong man, Gabe, had to show off his muscles tonight before bed.

It's hard to stay strong for so long though. And a day like today is pretty exhausting for everyone. And while I hope the beautiful weather makes a repeat appearance I'm really hoping that's the last time I'll be in the ER for quite some time.

A Day to Remember

10 years ago my I was a bit cross with my hubby for waking me a bit before 7 am on a day I didn't have class until 10. But I joined him to watch the horrors of the day unfold. We saw the second plane crash into the World Trade Center towers and I remember the confusion of the news anchors and my own naive thoughts as we all realized in a moment what we thought was a tragic accident was instead an intentional act.

I never made it to class that day but spent the day glued to the television wiping tears from my eyes and saying prayers for so many who were actually experiencing the incredible tragedy. I was almost 3000 miles from New York City but my heart still aches for all those lost in those tragic days.

It's amazing to me now that 10 years have passed. And so many wonderful things have happened in my life during that time. I'm so grateful for all the fantastic experiences I've had and amazed that my children, who most days I feel have been in my life for as long as I can remember, were not even a twinkle in my eye on Sept. 11, 2001.

Today, as all American's remember the lives lost and the attack on our country, my children I'm certain were left with what will someday be a distinctive day in their lives. It astounds me that we have certainly reached an age where they WILL remember some of the events around them for the rest of their lives.

Doug's little sister, Erica, started her own new adventure today. For the last few years she has been talking, applying, planning, packing and praying. And today will mark a new anniversary in her life.

Earlier today we took Erica to the airport and said goodbye. She will spend the next 2 years in Morocco serving in the Peace Corp. We are so proud of her and so excited but also so very, very sad. We will miss her very, very much.

All packed and ready to go! Those bags were right at 50 pounds each!

Sam, Gabe and Leona all wanted to help. I'm sure she'll wish she had this many helpers in a few days when she needs to move her luggage again!

Gabe and Leona head up the escalator.

Douglas & Erica with Sam, Leona & Gabe.

A good-bye hug for Gabe.

A hug for Sam.

Saying good-bye is never easy. But knowing it's for 2 years is so hard to comprehend when you are only 6.

Leona kept her smile the whole time but she was so sad.

One more group hug across the rope.

One last wave from Auntie Erica as the kiddos blew kisses. And it was time to leave.

There were some terribly sad faces in Sioux Falls today. After this picture we stepped outside the airport and Leona's tough girl facade crumbled like those magnificent towers. She sobbed uncontrollably the entire drive home and sat with her Daddy as we all cried together.

I always tell the kids that it's okay to be sad and cry when we say good-bye to someone. If we are sad it just shows how much we love them and how happy we are to have them in our life.

On this day of remembrance we remember the tragic events of this day and honor those who serve. We say good-bye, we love you, we're praying for you and we will miss you!

And we embrace the fact that we live in America where we have opportunity to embark on new adventures and create new days to remember. Turning sorrowful anniversaries into new reasons to celebrate.

Follow Erica on her adventures at http://www.ericaprairie.com/.

First Day of Kindergarten

Today was the first day of Kindergarten and the kiddos were so excited! They love school and have missed several of their friends who they knew would be in class with them.

They have been a bit apprehensive of school starting. Not because they don't want to be there. Because they do.

They just don't want to be there so early.

We've been really spoiled for the last few years. We've done afternoon preschool and pre-k programs. It's been great for our family. I hang out with the kiddos in the morning (when they are happy!). We slowly get dressed, relax, read and have a nice morning together. Then lunch and they'd be off to school in the afternoon (just when they started to get a bit cranky!). It gave all of us a nice break in the afternoon.

They'd come back in the afternoon, Douglas would come home around 6 pm and they'd go to bed around 8 or 9 then wake up the next morning around 8 or 9. Life was great. Especially for a Momma who is a bit of night owl and loves snuggling with her kiddos in the morning!).

A week or so before school started we were discussing how we'd have to get up a bit earlier to be to school at 8:30. Leona burst into tears over her ice cream and sobbed, "But Momma I love to snuggle with you before we get up in the morning."

I almost cried too.

But this morning everyone was wide awake and excited about heading to school.

We had a meet and greet with their teacher last week and they had a bit of homework. They each had to draw a picture of themselves. Here's Leona's. I asked her about the brown hair on the girl in the picture. She said she used up all the yellow on her face and she was going to pretend that the brown hair was yellow!


Auntie Erica is visiting and she went with Douglas and me to go to the first day. Pretty special to have her there too!

Even though I know the first day of Kindergarten is SUCH a big deal it really wasn't so hard on me (or them). Partly because they are at Central Baptist which is the same school where they had Pre-K last year. Their teacher is Mrs. Williams and she told me when I picked up the kids that they were SUCH a joy to have in class and they were so well behaved.

I'm not sure she was talking about the same kids. They must turn into angels at school!

They have class from 8:30 - 11:30 each day and then I get my kiddos back to play and snuggle. The public schools here have full day every day kg. I'm so glad we're doing half days for one more year. Although people look at me like I'm crazy because we're paying to have them in a program for only half the day when you could get a full day for free. But I'm so happy to have this one last year with them. They've grown up so quickly already. I'm going to blink and they'll be getting their high school diplomas.

There are only 16 kids in their class and they know 3 of them so that means 10 new friends. Naturally they don't remember any of their new friends' names but we'll get there. They had to find new places to put their backpacks.

Gabe was super excited because he gets to sit next to "Sam's Ruby".

One of my favorite things - I didn't do ANY back to school shopping! They have all the supplies they need. I'm sure I paid for it in one of those fees but it was AWESOME not to have to go shopping! They even have these fun homework bag. And we're just using their backpacks from last year.

Leona at her desk.

Sam was so proud of his desk. Last year they were just at tables so having a space for their own things was pretty exciting!

They had SUCH a fun day. And it was so fun listening to their chatter on the way home.

Sam said recess wasn't long enough. Gabe said he was hungry and Leona said she couldn't pick a favorite part because she liked everything.

They were all ready to go back again...but we'll see how they really feel about school tomorrow at 7:30 am!

Naomi's 2nd Birthday Party

On Saturday we ventured to Nebraska for Cousin Naomi's 2nd Birthday party. The only thing more exciting to the kiddos than their own birthday is any other birthday party.

They love parties. They are party animals.

It was a tiny bit hot in Nebraska. And just a tiny bit humid. The kind when you turn on your camera your poor lenses do this... As soon as we arrived at Auntie Pam's house my kiddos spotted a rolled up contraption on the back of Uncle Ty's truck. "A JUMPER!!!!!" they screeched.

The only thing better than a birthday party is a birthday party with a jumper. And this one was a giant one. Leona helped Naomi climb up the side.

It really was HUGE. The kids loved it! Especially the birthday girl!

What could make the jumper even better? Turn it into a water slide. Sam and Noah couldn't get enough.

Even the big kids had a blast with the giant jumper.

Eventually everyone got tired of sliding and took a break for some snow cones.

The snow cones were quite a hit.

Pam, Ty and that adorable birthday girl again!

Happy 2nd Birthday Naomi!

There was lots of tasty food on the taco bar. Then it was time for cupcakes! Big Giant cupcakes!

So many cupcakes, so little time! It's so hard to choose just one!

First we had to sing Happy Birthday though. But Naomi was a bit scared, maybe fascinated, with her sparkler candle!

It was pretty loud too for such a little thing!

Finally it's time to EAT one of those delicious cupcakes!

Time for some presents. A new pillow pet from Auntie Jill.

Lots of fun things. And as a party guest it's SOOOO hard not to rush right up and open those gifts yourself.

A new cozy coupe with a new cell phone? Just what every girl needs!!!

After the party the "big" kids (Noah and up in age) all slept outside in a tent. Well. Most of them. Most of the time.

Leona had a meltdown of epic style. And Douglas ended up falling asleep in the tent with her. He said he came into the house again around 1:30 AM. Then Gabe ended up in our bed around 2:30 AM saying his tummy hurt. But otherwise everyone else had a wonderful with their cousins on their campout!

Sophonise and Sophia

Noah

Leona didn't like my flash!

Happy Birthday Naomi! We had a WONDERFUL time at your party and we can't wait until next year!