Saturday, February 28, 2009

Let it Snow!

First thing this morning, I woke up by Aubrey announcing "Daddy, it's snowing!" She was so excited to see the white blanket coating the outside. Daddy didn't hear her announcement, but I did and so did the rest of the little ones - so on this Saturday morning we were all up looking at the snow by 7:30. There is no rest in a house with little ones. I so long for a Saturday morning where I can sleep in to at least 9:00 - I'm dreaming now!

I have always loved the snow and I especially like it on Saturdays when I don't have to worry about driving to work in it. I went out this morning and shoveled the driveway - what a workout! I enjoy this though and got it all nice and shoveled off and then Hunter and Aubrey joined me outside. We (that includes mom) made snow angels and I pulled them in the sled. Peyton wasn't sure he wanted to join us in the cold - but he eventually made it out. Unfortunately, it was as the rest of us was getting cold - but I stayed out and played with him for a while. He was helping shovel the back driveway and having a great time. Tanner watched from the window, but hopefully he will come out in it tomorrow - he wasn't too sure today and it was rather cold with the wind.

The kids all love hard-boiled eggs and so I made a few this morning for breakfast time. I was peeling them and Tanner got the first one, but then with the rest I handed them their egg wrapped in a paper towel - and Tanner stood in the kitchen saying something to me and I realized he was wanting a paper towel to hold his egg in too. From the oldest to the youngest, and from the simplest of things - I cannot do something different for one than the others! He was very happy when he got his paper towel. It's the little things.

We were going to make a trip to Grandma's today, but I didn't want to drive that far with the snowy weather - just never know about the roads, especially with the little ones. Zach was not happy with me at all as he has been looking forward to going for over a week now, but things don't always go as planned.

I hope everyone enjoyed the snow and stayed warm!

Until next time...

Dawn

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Birthday Wishes

I was having some computer issues last night and was unable to get on here and so I need to wish belated birthday wishes to my one and only sister...Carrie! Happy Belated Birthday sis!
Carrie turned the big 30 yesterday - Welcome to the 30's club!

I received a phone call today from the nurse at Hunter's school. Everytime I see the number pop up on my phone, I'm pretty sure it's going to be the nurse as this has become a routine lately. This time, she was calling because Hunter had some sort of a rash on his chest area and she thought maybe he had chicken pox. I told her he was vaccinated for them and she understood that, but said they can still get them and asked to have someone come pick him up. Luckily, it was at 3:00, so he didn't miss much school. I don't really think they are chicken pox, but she doesn't want him coming back until he sees a doctor - why does this have to be so dang difficult.
I didn't think it warranted a trip to urgent care, so we're just going to put a little cream on them and hope they go away by morning! :)

Other than that, there hasn't been much else going on - everyone is doing well.

Until next time...

Dawn

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A Little Funny

I know I already posted today, but had to put this down as it just was so funny. We were sitting here eating some birthday cake and Zach made the comment - I can stay up late since it's my birthday. Aubrey, not missing a beat or a bite, said "We know it's your birthday already - we know it's your birthday" I just thought it was so funny - she barely even looked up from her cake as she said it. Never know what they are going to say!

Happy Birthday Zachary!

It's hard to believe that Zach turned 14 today - I wonder where the years have gone. It sure seems that once he hit Kindergarten, it just never slowed down and now he is getting ready to enter high school in the fall. I am very fortunate that Zach is such a good kid and very proud that he is my son. Happy Birthday Zach!

Well, I have been playing with new "looks" for my blog and thought I'd try out the strawberry one. Anyone who knows me very well, knows that strawberries are my favorite - always has been, even since I was a little girl and so I just thought it was fitting to have strawberries as my blog theme. Not sure how long I will keep it - but it suits me for now.

There hasn't been too much going on lately - just normal day to day stuff. The kids have been a little crazy lately, not sure why. I have had my moments of trying not to pull my hair out. Peyton has learned some new words that are not nice at all. David mentioned that when he picked him up from school the other day, another child was using the "B" word and Peyton quickly picked up on this. I guess there is someone who has some language issues, but unfortunately, now I'm having to deal with it. We try to ignore and not make a big deal, we try to mention not to say it, etc and so on and nothing has seemed to work. I am about ready to use some good ol soap in the mouth if it doesn't end quickly. Aubrey came over to me the other day and said "Mom, you need to put soap in his mouth" - it was funny - she had her hands on her hips and was being the little momma. I had threatened him with that, but it didn't seem to bother Peyton. Just another challenge in the land of parenting!

I have been doing pretty good with my Weight Watchers. I have lost 6.2lbs in the past two weeks and hoping to continue on that success! I am very happy about it and looking forward to continuing down this path.

I hope everyone is doing well. Please keep the Johnson/Cline family in your prayers as today was Natalie's funeral. I cannot imagine as a parent what they must be going through, as anyone who has went through this. I imagine that Natalie is up in Heaven with her Uncle Matt, who passed away one year ago, keeping him company. Matt is Megan's (my SIL) brother who passed away from the flu at a young age of 26ish...somewhere around there. It just doesn't seem fair, but then anytime losing a child doesn't seem fair. Life is precious!

Until next time...

Dawn

Friday, February 20, 2009

Date Night

David and I enjoyed a much needed date night this evening. On my way home from work, I stopped and picked up some pizza for the kids and then he and I headed down to the Plaza for dinner at Fogo De Chao. This is a new restaurant that just opened down there a few weeks ago and David was fortunate enough to get two free dinners for there from the hotel. Our entire bill came to 6.50 and that was only because we both had a soda!

The restaurant is a Brazilian restaurant and it was wonderful! The salad bar was amazing! There was asparagus which was awesome and fresh mozarella and all kinds of different items, but it was amazing. Then the meat is delivered to your table by the "Gauchos" who walk around with meat on these swords and if you want more then you turn your card to green and if you are okay for the moment, you keep it on red and they pass you by. They come by with 15 different types of meat and David's favorite was the Leg of Lamb and the Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon. My favorite was also the Filet Mignon, but I also liked the rib eye. They brought out little side dishes of these mashed potatoes that were to die for, along with some type of fried bananas which was probably my very favorite!

If anything, the atmosphere was just something to take in. It was fun to sit and watch them - they all worked together so well and I wasn't really sure who our server was as we had someone walking by constantly - but not in an annoying way. They were just on top of everything, even cleaning the tables - it happened so fast and there would be two or three people quickly just switching out table cloths and resetting. I'd never seen anything like it.

After dinner, David and I decided to walk around the Plaza and took in the nice weather. It was very nice and we are now back home enjoying the kids. It was a nice evening and some much needed time together.

Until next time...

Dawn

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Update

It is with much sadness that I write little Natalie Grace passed away tonight. I just received a phone call from my mom right after I posted the last message. Our prayers go out to Sarah and Mark Johnson and the entire Johnson family and for little Marleigh that she is able to keep up her fight.

Dawn

Prayers Needed

Please say an extra prayer for little Natalie who is having a low point right now. She had surgery today and is not doing well. Our prayers go out for this little fighter and we ask all our friends to pray for her as well.

Thank you!!!

Dawn

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Princess Party in the Making

Aubrey has still been talkin non-stop about her Princess/Ballerina party that she is planning. I'm not sure where she has gotten her idea - but she is dead set on her party. She was a little irritated with me tonight when I told her that her party would not be tonight. I had to let her know there is alot that goes into a party - the guest list (which she completed today), where are we going to have it, what are we going to do, etc...she seemed okay with holding off until we are able to work through all the details. Her birthday is not until August, so I think we are going to have to fulfill her Princess party before then. I did have to call my mom today to share with her one of Aubrey's "must have" guests on her guest list - I was surprised, but she insisted that Papa Harris must be on her list of guests. My mom laughed and said she would be sure to share this bit of information with Grandpa.


Here's a picture of Aubrey showing off her Christmas dress that Grandma H. got her. She loves this dress - don't mind the red-eye in the picture (this is why I hate point & shoot cameras).



Not much else to report on our end - just trying to stay warm.


Until next time....

Dawn

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope everyone has had a very nice Valentines Day! We had planned on going out to dinner last night at a new restaurant on the Plaza, but David wasn't feeling well and we decided to postpone.

I photographed a small wedding today for someone that I work with. They had a nice, small ceremony with just their immediate families and it was a very nice time. He joked that they got married on Valentines Day so that he would never forget their anniversary. Both are older than I am and neither have been married, so it was very special for their families. Congrats to Amy & Robert!

The kids have been out of school since Wednesday afternoon, so it's been crazy here at home. They got out early on Wednesday and don't go back until Tuesday. It has been a nice little break for them and the weather has been somewhat nice for them to get outside.

I joined Weight Watchers last weekend and went in today for the meeting and weigh-in. I was very happy that my first week I lost 4.4lbs and was very excited as I thought this was a good start. There was one girl in there who reached losing 40lbs and was so excited (as I would be too), she also reached her 10% goal today - so she still has a long way to go, but it was very exciting for her to share this. She started crying when talking about it - I'm sure it has been quite emotional for her and I wish her continued success.

Aubrey has been busy planning a Princess/Ballerina party. It is rather cute to hear her talk about it. I believe this is for her birthday - so we have plenty of time to plan. She has already informed me on the guest list who is NOT invited...Hunter, Peyton, Tanner - but she is inviting her favorite cousin Tyler (I'm sure he will be quite excited to know that!) She has been looking through my Current catalog and picking out items she thinks she will need. I just love having a little girl!

I am also excited that I found out last night that I am expecting another new niece. Matt & Megan found out yesterday that they are having a little girl. We were all convinced it was going to be a boy - and Matt said that he and Megan looked at each other a little surprised, because they both thought they were having a boy. Of course, we are all excited and we are looking forward to her arrival in July. Our family has always been dominated by boys - so it is good to see a few more girls being added to make the count even with 6 boys and 6 girls!

I wish everyone much love on this Valentines Day!

Dawn

Thursday, February 5, 2009

What beautiful weather we had today - or so I heard. I was stuck inside at work all day, but I heard it was beautiful. When I got home from work this evening, the kids and I loaded up in the car and headed out for a quick errand. I thought it might be nice for them to get out of the house and with it being relatively nice out and not having to bundle up, we all went. Once we were done with the errand, we decided to go visit Grandma Elliott. She was quite surprised and everyone enjoyed our little visit.

Aubrey informed me last night that she wants a baby sister. I told her that was nice and all, but I thought mommy and daddy were done having babies. I told her she had a baby brother and she said, "I know, but I don't want a baby brother - I want a baby sister". She wasn't too happy with the reply she was getting to this. This is the second time that she has mentioned this - I think after a conversation she had with Aunt Megan about their new baby, she got this idea of a new baby for us. We'll wait for Aunt Megan and Uncle Matt's baby to arrive and she can get her baby fix from her new cousin to be. I thought it was cute nonetheless.

I am not sure what possessed me to do this, but last night I decided to check out the real estate listings online. I came across a 5 bedroom house, here in Independence that was very nice for 139K. I about died - it is hard to find a 5 bedroom house for that price. Well, our house is not ready to put up for sell, but it did spark the interest in David and I to get the walls painted and the hardwoods finished. This will be our Spring project and hopefully when the time is right, we will be able to find a house for that type of price with the amount of bedrooms that we would like to have. We also located a 6 bedroom home in Liberty for 169K and it even had an in ground pool, which would be very nice when the kids are grown - but I don't want that worry with little ones. Maybe some day we will be able to upgrade to give ourselves a little more room with our family.

I picked up some stickers the other night on the clearance rack at Wal-Mart for the kids, but they love sticking them all over everything. I decided that instead of just giving them the stickers, we would create sticker charts and they all have their own set of stickers that they are awarded for different types of behavior. We all sat down and discussed our different items to go on our list and it was very productive. I could tell this is something they discuss in preschool, as Peyton had many ideas to share. For instance, going to bed when you are told, picking up your toys, keeping your hands to yourself and no name calling were just a few that we decided on. Let's just say the first hour of the sticker chart went very well - but it quickly went downhill and they didn't seem to care if they got a sticker for good behavior. I must tell you that a chart full of stickers will earn them the right to pick something out of "Mom's Treasure Chest" - which I have yet to go to the dollar store and pick things out for. It seems though as I remind them about the sticker chart when not following directions, it doesn't seem to matter. This might be a short-lived thing - but I'm hoping that it will catch on quickly. I better get that treasure chest filled, just in case!

That is about all for now - the kids are in bed and Tanner is keeping me company until David gets home from work. I hope everyone is able to enjoy the nice weather that has arrived before it turns cold again!

Take Care...

Dawn

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Good news on the MRI front - Peyton's results came back normal. I guess since they were checking to make sure there wasn't anything to be concerned about with the apnea, that the apnea was indeed the obstructive kind and we have nothing further to be concerned with. She said everything look to be good, as far as, from the cranio standpoint. Yea! What a relief! Honestly, I wasn't too concerned though - I felt like everything would be fine.

On another note, I got a call from the school nurse today about Hunter. This is about the third call we've received in the past couple weeks with the chief complaint being that his heart hurts. She checked him all out and he appeared to be fine - but since it has become a recurring theme thought it would be best to take him to get checked out by his doctor. I agreed and so I took off work early today and off we went. Diagnosis - well, it's not 100% confirmed, but she felt pretty strongly that maybe he has a little case of acid reflux. I hadn't thought of this, but a little Malox should do the trick. Who will be next? :)

Well, I'm off to meet with some old friends for a little a short bit this evening. Of the seven of us who are expected to be there, four of them are former bosses. I'm looking forward to seeing them again as I don't get to see many of my old Sprint buddies anymore.

Have a great evening!

Dawn


Monday, February 2, 2009

The weekends seem to go by so fast! It was such a beautiful day yesterday and couldn't have asked for better weather for January 31! Zach and I enjoyed a game of basketball "PIG" in the back yard while Hunter, David and Tanner watched on and cheered. I was able to take my car to the car wash and get all the dirt and grime off of it. The kids coats were filthy just from rubbing up against it everytime we would get in and out of the car - now maybe they can keep them clean for a short while anyway.

Aubrey and Peyton had a good time at their Grandma and Grandpa Bass house, but both seemed quite excited to come home. It's nice for them to enjoy their time away and always nice to know that they are excited to come back home again. Aubrey and I both got a hair cut yesterday, well, Aubrey just got a trim - she is quite proud that she went to the "Boutie Shop" I have just been amazed lately at how much her vocabulary is taking off - it's so fun to listen to her talk.

Tanner has started a new laugh that is just the funniest. I need to video tape him as I just think it's so cute. He has also learned how to get his own ice water from the refrigerator, which has made us remember to use the locking function. It wouldn't be so bad, but he gets the water all over the floor. It's hard to believe that he is getting so big though and able to do these little tasks. Our baby is growing up so quickly and frankly, it makes me sad! It is hard to believe that in a month and a half he will be 2 years old, but it is even harder to believe that later this month Zach will be 14!

It is getting late and I really should be heading off to bed. Tanner is sitting here cuddling with me and it's all nice and quiet - I love these moments! This morning it was Aubrey and I and then Peyton joined us and they were so good and just wanted to cuddle with their mom. I have to take these moments as they come - before I know it, they will be 14 too!

I have added a link on the side to Marleigh and Natalie's Caringbridge site. I hope it works, I was having trouble with it bringing up another site that I was following, but I think I have it working now. If there is any problems, just let me know and I'll fix it.

Until next time...

Dawn