Rare Defined

Rare – when looked up in the thesaurus, you get: uncommon, unusual, exceptional (I like that one), atypical (ohh, that’s pretty good), extraordinary (definitely), odd (hmmm), and singular.

Are there really any other words to describe THIS? Mikie went outside a few days ago to play (without asking of course, cause I probably would have said "umm no" in this clothing (or lack thereof)). I went out to get him back inside but had to pause, turn back, grab the camera, then head out. RARE or WHAT?




(heading back inside saying "it's not cold, it's not cold" Notice the spoon, yeah that's his shovel - from the drawer in the kitchen)

The Negotiator

I’m in the dining room folding clothes while listening to the boys play in the family room. I hear them arguing about playing with the same toy, they try to get me involved – but I tell them to work it out, “has nothin’ to do with me…” I tell them. So here go the negotiations:

“Mikie, you can have it in a little while… Mom, how long is a little while?”

I reply, “as long as you want it to be.”

Jack then turns to Mikie and says “it’ll be a little while, 42 minutes.”

You can imagine Mikie didn’t like that idea. So they go back to countering. Mikie says, “how about it’s mine in 2 minutes?”

“Nope, 6 minutes,” replies Jack. “How about we do eeny meany miny moe Mike?” (I must tell you, Jack ALWAYS wins at eeny meany). So of course he picks himself and tells Mikie, “6 more minutes Mikie.”

Now here I sit telling you this while Mikie is hysterical sitting here next to me in the office taking a break. He’s crying and saying “I don’t get a turn!” Naptime anyone?

Graduation

As I was just talking to my folks, catching up on what they are up to in sunny Florida, etc, I was telling them how I need to adjust Molly to 2 naps now instead of the 3-4 she has been taking. I remember with the boys, this adjustment time was weird, hard to stretch them, having to be consistent and following a new schedule. Seems like a lotta work! But worth it. Anywho, Dad reminded me that before long we'll be moving the tassle from one side of her cap to the other for her high school graduation! WHAT? Our baby is gonna grow up? NO WAY! For now, I'll take these graduations... these - I can do...

Graduation to the next sized car seat

Graduation to eating "big people" food

Graduation to sitting up with no help

Graduation to the next size up bath tub

Busy Days

Good evening! I just sat down and took a deep breath… all 3 kids are in bed. Erk is working late and it’s snowing outside. What the beak? Freaking snow, maybe this will be our last? One can only hope :)

We’ve had a bit of a long day – seems we’ve packed so much in these past few days it’s hard to know what we did when. Today Jack had school but before we headed out the door for that, I gave the boys much needed haircuts. I cut it with the same attachment but you wouldn’t know it from the amount that comes off Jack’s head! He has thick hair this kid! Anywho, after the haircuts and quick shower – quick nap for Molly before leaving, we dropped Jack to school and headed to playgroup. We hung out for a while, then Mikie and I went to pick up Jack (left Molly with Holly and Deb) and grabbed some pizzas and headed back to playgroup. We all sat around and stuffed our faces with some good “za” and visited for a long while while the kids played. From there we came home for about 45 minutes before we had to leave for soccer. The boys played outside while I tried to get some odds and ends done and I laid Molly down for a few minutes.

After soccer (which was a riot – Mikie had to run up and tell his coach “I have a pirates tattoo” – we got one in a Happy Meal, he’s so funny) the kids went to the kid area and I headed for the treadmill. I have to admit, I wasn’t really “feeling it” today but managed to finish up. My face was glowing red when I was done – it’s amazing how red it can get. People look at me like I’m some kinda freak! Anyway, we headed for home and ate some leftovers, the boys watched some tv while I fed Molly, we read a story and now the house is silent. Ahh silence :) I think I might scrapbook now on the computer – it’s fun starting to do the Florida pages :)

Congrats!

Congrats to Sara and Janet who both gave birth to beautiful baby boys this week! We are so happy for you guys! Landon Mark and Ari Maxim. CONGRATS!

Easter Pictures

Hey all! I've been meaning to get my Easter pictures up and running before now but it's been quite a busy day! Shawna and I had a meeting with a consultant this morning concerning our website idea. It went great and we both feel super excited and encouraged. We'll have to see where it goes from here!! After that, we came home for lunch, then to the gym for "open gym" for the kids to run around, then I ran 2 miles on the treadmill. I still can't believe I have run that far (until Saturday, I had NEVER run 2 miles before) and I must say, it feels good to have crossed that line. I'm hoping to run a 5K with Erk, Shawna and her hubby, so we'll see! Fun stuff (not when I'm doing it, but the feeling afterwards!?) and great exercise. Sure helps get rid of the ol' love handles...

Anywho, here are some pictures from our nice Easter afternoon with Granny and Grampa. We had a great time at their house, had a nice meal and fun time doing the Easter egg hunt. Erk and Grampa hid the eggs (some way too high for the boys to even see) and it was a hoot trying to figure out if we had found them all. Hope you had a nice Easter too. He is Risen :)

As you can tell, I couldn't get a cooperative picture of the kids!


Mikie on the John Deere Gator at Granny and Grampa's

Our fun Easter cake

Poor Erk!

Update on Bracey

I had to share the latest about Bracey with you all. Please pray for them, I cannot even begin to imagine what this type of situation would be like. Thank the Lord Torrey knows CPR -

"Dear Family and Friends,
We come to you asking for special prayer for Bracey and for us. Early this morning, around 3:30am, Bracey was eating. During this feed he was very wheezy (not too uncommon), however he started gasping for more than usual. We tried to calm him down but could tell right away that he could not get any oxygen. He then turned blue and became very limp and unresponsive. We tried to stimulate him, but it was not working. Angela immediately called 911 and Torrey began giving him CPR. This lasted for a good two minutes. He let out a little whimper but then stopped again. Torrey continued to give him breaths while stimulating him. After another minute, Bracey began to cry. It was so good to hear him crying. The police and EMT arrived very quickly and continued giving him oxygen. After 15 minutes of that, Bracey seemed to be doing much better. He is sleeping now and seems to be very peaceful.

It is hard because most people have not heard of Vater Association or trachea malacia and so they do not fully understand or know how to treat him. This gives us even greater responsibility than we sometimes think. We will be contacting his surgeon first thing in the morning.

Please pray that God will continue to have His hand on Bracey and his doctors.

In His hands,

Torrey, Angela and Bracey"

Florida Pictures

Here are some pics from our vacation. Wish we were still in that sunny weather, wish Nanny and Papa were here!

An almost daily occurrence - popsicles/fudgesicles :)


The view out back of our "house" for the week...

What you think, Mikie?

Mikie on the phone with Auntie Pat (playing with some toys found in the garage of the house we were staying at - must be the owners grandkids cart!)

Checking out one of the town squares...

Mikie at the town square. You should have seen this kid, he was so funny... dancing around to the live music. He didn't care who was watching or who was in the way!

You can imagine how thrilled he was to find a John Deere Gator!

The family pool area that we frequented (that was frequently closed)

More at the family pool...

P U!

Here is Papa on the golf cart with the boys. Mom, Molly and I spent the first part of the week in the car - but then I got on the golf cart and rode along with Papa and the boys too. One of the boys would sit on my lap. What a HOOT! Now that is the way to get around :)

A common occurrence, Mikie falling asleep late afternoon on the sofa