Living life in the construction zone!

We have had a BUSY 4 weeks.

(Honestly, more like "Can't catch a break kind of 4 weeks!")
And we felt like this ALOT the past month.

We had some renovations done on the downstairs of our home. We had a new ceiling, lighting and flooring installed. The journey getting there was a challenge with two small kids. It is ever so challenging to live mainly on the upstairs of your home, when your children are way too curious about all the construction on the lower level~!STRESS!
I had to be creative with the cooking, amongst all the drywall floating around.
Only so much $ allowed for takeout. I for one love to cook! However, I do not love a messy house and cooking in one. It was alot of added stress to my life and trying to contain our busy two year old and keep him out of the big buckets for drywall, and the raftors=super stress!

(Caught in action "jumping"on the raftors during renovation time).
I don't recommend cleaning the drywall on your countertops nightly. It was a waste of my time to go into the kitchen and clean every night!
Needless to say that part of the construction took just about 11 days and dead smack into the end of the contruction we hit a HUGE curve ball.
As I blogged earlier-we had been waiting for Feb. 3 to come. We had sleepless nights and a miserable two year old. He had not been responding the last 3 antibiotics for ongoing ear infections. So, Feb finally arrived and it was the night before Kaden's surgery.
Day 8 of renovation was the night before Kaden's surgey.
I had to take Parker over to a friends to spend the night. We had to be at the hospital super early for Kaden's surgery.
Therefore, a sleepover was in the plans for Parker.
I got home 1 hour later to find our hot water heater exploding in the garage.YUP!
A flood of water came streaming down our driveway.  I was shocked! I opened up the garage storage room and it sounded like a shower was running in our garage. I just stood there starring and was completely NUMB. I was in complete, utter, shock!  It really felt like an out of body experience. I was not really seeing it. But I snapped back into reality ~and it was REAL!
Mike was still at work (wrapping up a corporate meeting);I call him in a complete panic and demand that he leave immediately.
I was not a sweet "Proverbs 31" wife at the moment.
I think my tone was calm, but I honestly have NO clue what I said?
I was still trying to unwind from all the construction inside, and preparing for Kaden's surgery in the AM. I was really not prepared for the Hot Water Heater explosion. I was actually saying "WHY!?The night before surgery!?" Really God!??? (A lot of laughter because tears had already overflowed the week before.) "We really can not take anything more."
I called our neighbors, the Hoeyes, and they came right down while Mike was in in route.
They figured out how to shut off the water and gas. Mike was home within 20 min and they investigated the outside meter and it appeared to be a leak going on underground as well.
We called the water company and of course, it was our fault! Not theirs. So the water was shut off!
LOVELY!
No water before a 4:30 wakeup time....NOT fun! We had to be out the door by 5:30 for Kaden's surgery. I don't really think Mike nor I slept much that night.
All Mike was seeing was $$$$$ in his sleep and all I was seeing ?????!!!and thinking~ "OH NO,one more thing of chaos"
So, first thing in the morning we headed up to the hospital and got Kaden all prepped for his Tubes.
  
About 7:20AM they came and wheeled him off to surgery in a wagon.
 He LOVED it! (SMART distraction for a 2 year old!) No tears at all.

Once he was wheeled off, guess what we were doing?
We were on the phone calling plumbing companies.
Great distraction while your child is in surgery...just spend the time and call all the plumbing companies and see who can service you ASAP!
I was on the phone with the local plumbing company setting up a 9AM arrival and in walks the surgeon.
(WOW! That was a fast 13 minutes!.)
I quickly hang up and tell them I will call them back and we hear from the surgeon~
"Everything went great! I drained out his right ear! He was a trooper. No tears the whole time and everything was smooth sailing, he should be peacefully sleeping come today!"
He did fabulous and only cried for about 30 min following surgery.
He has been a different kid ever since!
We are so happy we went through with it for him. This construction was so worth it for him.
His little body had been exposed to so many antibiotics and could not snap those ear infections out of his system. The ears are draining and doing well.
Speaking of draining~As for that water damage that was going on the night before his surgery,it got it all fixed by 3PM.
A 6 hour job; a new underground pipe,a new valving system completely replaced and a new hot water heater!

 Emergency funds are a great thing to have when you own a home! :)
We finally were back on the uphill journey as the end of renovation was wrapping up and then Kaden picked up a virus following surgery. :( That kept us housebound.
Kaden finally recovered, was back to sleeping 3-4 hour naps daily and 13 hours of sleep uninterrupted at night.
And then the very next weekend, Parker's asthma flared up and he went into a really bad attack! So, we added the nebulizer back into his life, 3 days of Prednisone and finally got him back to well.


I had days that I felt like I could take anything! And I had my days where I felt like there was nothing left of me to conquer another "disaster" or "issue."
Many mornings-I would pray; "What is going to happen today? God, we are in this together and I am ready!"
Thankfully, both of the boys are on the mend and Mike and I stayed well!
We are coveting all the prayers of protection around us.
I know Satan really wanted to get in the middle of Mike and me.
However, I kept praying "Lord, help us come out shining like gold!" I don't want to look ugly!" I trust in your timing but I really don't like all that has happend in just 2 weeks!
I had my days that I really got down and discouraged and panicked alot about the list adding up financially.
However, God continued to remind us that he has never once let us down and his ways are greater then ours! (And he always provides!)
I kept coming back to Jeremiah 33:3,"Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things that thou knowest not!"
Isn't that the truth! Our home is his and our lives belong to him.
He is in charge yet we have plans! But he can wake you up and change plans in an instant.
The Lord was in the midst of it all! The night our water heater busted, I happened to have been out.(Many nights we are home and boys are in bed by 8PM) Good thing I had to be out, or we may have found out about the end of it's journey in a bad way.
Our water heater was withinin a few hours of a gas fire! (Quoted from the Plumber and Gas specialist who had already seen the copper burning away at the bottom of the water tank).
So, we could have had a gas fire occur. Our water heater was 17 years old. Most water tanks have a 10-13 year life span. EEEK!!! (Sadly,we have been homeowners for 7 years and just learned this.)
So make special note and go check your water heater. If your water heater is older then 13 years get it replaced and save some chaos and $$.
I don't want to go through it all again.
However, I am thankful for the lessons, new renovations and most of all happy to have our home AND Kaden all fixed!

 *Happy moment they were enjoying a cakepop from mommy on Valentines Day!:)
Until our next "piece" of excitement,
Blessings to all,
Jenn :)

Kaden's 2nd Birthday,&ENT update...

We had Kaden's birthday party@
Chic Fil A.
I highly recommend it, if you are looking for a fun way to celebrate, but don't have the time to clean the house (or the room) to house the family and friends! Best thing is, it is inexpensive,there's an indoor play place for activity for the kids,ice cream can be given in place of the toy,and the adults always love some good ol' sweet tea!

Homemade cupcakes for Kaden's friends! :)

Everybody looking at Mike (as he sings his version of Happy Birthday to Kaden).

Kayleigh-Bugg and Parker having a sweet moment!

Kaden chilling out with Emma Kate!

I didn't order the party package,we just got kids meals for all the kids.
At the end of the party, we passed out Elmo Cake Pops!

 (Now available with my business~ Riese's Pieces Cake Pops & Truffles).
Kaden LOVES CFA,so I knew it was a great match.
Thanks to all our friends who brought their kids out,New Years Weekend.(We felt like we had the whole restaurant,no one was there but us that Friday night).
The day of his party,he was NOT feeling well(ears),and had a super early nap.But as soon as we got there he lit up w joy!
I am still working on his 2yr video.
He just got a CD for Christmas from NeNe and Papa,and the songs all say his name...so it will eventually get done!We are excited to see what lies ahead in this new year w Kaden.One thing we know for sure, he is getting tubes! We are so anxious for a happier boy and not in distress at night.
Kaden is getting Tubes,Feb.3rd.
That in and of itself is a miracle! We don't have to wait 1month (many kids needing tubes do).The visit at the ENT went great. He is a candidate for tubes with the 7 ear infections, from 2011 & he has "glue ear". The fluid in his ear is so thick,they call "glue ear". The glue ear is usually not painful but can be for some cases.  And it appears in Kaden's case it is painful-because he is NOT sleeping. The Nurse Practitioner that we saw, said it was like we were describing her son when he was little (*who got tubes around the same age as Kaden). So, she was so gracious and understanding that she pushed us up on the surgery schedule. I had in my mind a DR. that we should go with, but at that point ...we said who can get us in first!?
 It turns out God was SO good, we got the head of the Practice (who we wanted) and are getting in 2 weeks! Dr. Parks did our friend, Trey's ear and also a few other kids we know. So, we are encouraged that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We really thought that he was possibly just giving us a hard time at night and needed to be moved out of his crib. So, we converted his bed and we still have the same sleeping habits. So, therefore we know it is his ears. Mike,me& especially Kaden,have not slept since mid Dec.
So,we are hopeful for Feb and TUBES or "New Ears" for Kaden. For us,this is what we are choosing to do.
I am not content to just keep medicating him every time an ear infection comes, and have possible hearing loss with all that fluid built up.
His poor body has been exposed to so much.So,going forward...the tubes can do their work to keep that fluid draining properly!
I know many parents are against tubes and surgery for what they think can be corrected other ways, But for him this is what we believe and have prayed about.
I am so thankful my sisters and friend(s),Joy&Liz, have all walked through this journey.
So,it almost feels like I have already experienced it.
However,it is our first time with our own child. So it is a bit deeper now that it is our little boy.
We are praying for a smooth process. We are dreaming of the the day again when we have a happy,sleeping boy! It seems like an eternity from now. (Feb 3 is just around the corner), but he has been miserable since Christmas!
I just cry with him some days, because there is SO little that I can do but hold him!
Amongst all these long days and nights he has these phrases lately- "Hold You!", "Mommy lay down,"
And of course one of the sweetest moments, I was walking out the door with him to run an errand because mommy could not be out of his sight, and Mike was home. Kaden overheard me say "Good Bye, Honey!" and instantly we heard an echo at the door;Kaden said "Goodbye, Honey-Kiss,Kiss!"
It was a priceless moment! :)
We know he is hearing well, because he is repeating almost everything we or Parker says.
So,thankful for this ray of hope! And thank you for all the support from my MANY friends who have reached out and been some support for me.
Kaden, we love you to pieces,even when you are at your saddest moments. We are praying for comfort and for God to heal you and most all that you will grow into a sweet, little boy who loves the Lord!
We are looking forward to a new year and "new ears!"
We thank the Lord for another year with you and can't wait to see all that you will learn (and even explore in your creative curious mind).
Happy 2nd Birthday, Kaden!
Love,
Daddy, Mommy & Parker

Happy New 2012 "Ear(s)" please?!

(Christmas Day-2011)

Well, Happy 2012~ And where have I/we been?!
Well, trying to deal with Kaden's stubborn ear infection(3weeks long) and his 2 year old molars all at one time! All of this=lack of sleep for mommy, daddy & Kaden! And to top this all, Mike had Year End Closing at work, we had a trip to D.C, for Christmas, Kaden's 2 year birthday and somewhere in there I slept little...but really prayed more!
Therefore, NO BLOGGING has even been an option!

We made it to DC and the boys LOVED seeing the family. Kaden was good till the last 2 days! And it has been a down hill, sleepless journey since we have been back.

Wow! I have lots to share about the good ol' trip to D.C. a few candid shots of Christmas,

Kaden's 2 year birthday, New Years and of course a few other fun moments! However, that requires me to upload, search and even edit and NO TIME! Kaden has been a Velcro child begging to be held and wanting my undivided attention! So, the photos will come later. :(

We had 3 big blessings for our family the last part of the year! ....The boys got 3 new cousins in the last 4 months! We are happy to welcome, Owen (9/21/11), Malcolm(10/12/11) and Lucas (12/22/11) into our extended families! I promise to be back soon and post some of these sweet moments!

Here are the boys with NeNe and Papa and 2 new cousins, Owen and Lucas(who was 4 days old in the photo).

 I am really hear coveting prayers!
My mind is in a funk. I JUST got Christmas decor down...YESTERDAY! Yup! I am so exhausted. Mike only has closing 4 times a year, and it requires a heavy amount of hours. He worked about 18 hour days the last 2 weeks. However, his boss resigned 3 days before Christmas and caused more of a load on Mike's  year end schedule the last 2 weeks of the year. So, we are praying for Mike's work load and anxious to see what will come with his job. We are trying to find a new schedule that will work best for ALL of us as he takes on a new role (temporarily).

Coveting prayers for Kaden. Hence the whole title "New Ears"-After 7 ear infections in the calendar year (2011) ,looks like Kaden is a candidate for tubes.However, Mike is (more then mommy) CAUTIOUS about the whole surgery thing! So, pray for wisdom tomorrow. We are heading to an E.N.T. with Kaden and I am ready tomorrow to get Tubes for him. We have a totally different kid. He has not slept in about 3 weeks and has been up 2-4 times a night. Before this last ear infection, he would sleep 12-13 hours per night. Of course, there was always little sleep when he was dealing with an ear infection! I have 3 niece and nephews who all got tubes before 2.So, am I surprised that Kaden has been battling ear issues? NOPE!
Do I want this for him? Nope!
However, I know and have heard how life changing it becomes following the "simple" procedure!
Scared? Yes.
He may not even need tubes. And if that's the case, I have NO clue what solution there will be!?! We have exposed his little body to every antibiotic (most common in kids).Amox, Augmentin,Zithromycin, Omnicef....You get it! I do not want to be an over medicating mom/parents! When the kids is sick for other infections, we want the meds to work.
My sisters saw amazing changes after their kids got tubes. I am very educated and hopeful in that part of the world if that is what is best for Kaden!

(Kaden with NeNe and newest cousin,Lucas)

We have stopped him on Cow's milk and that has cut back on his congestion. However, he has built back up another runny nose, and back to irritability and no change in his sleeping at all. Prayers please for this little guy to get better for the best of health!

So, off to the ENT we go and praying for a good,and best solution for Kaden.
I am just being real and appreciating the prayers tonight! I have a God who is greater then all my worries and fears. I was reminded last week, that in my weakness he is strong! He is my provider and always knows what is best for me and these sweet little lives I get to take care of (and sweet lives includes) sweet, awesome daddy who is working hard for us all!
I sleep SO much better when I share all my anxiety and leave at his feet!
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.~1 Peter 5:7
 It does me no good to worry! However, I want what is best for our little boy and can't keep battling these nights like this life that has been "our new normal!"

(This photo is just one of many sleepless nights.-he got up at 4AM that morning!...It is almost 11:30,and he needed a nap! Look at him he is checked out!!!!)

Thanks for letting me vent and unwind tonight, and THANK YOU in advance for all the prayers past, present and future!

The Three Month Mysterious Object

So MUCH adventure in our house.

Now that we have two busy boys, there is NO telling what they will come up with next.

But, I must say, that Kaden(our 22moth old  is at the age of "curiosity" and so intrigued with the beautiful porcelain thing we call the "toilet"!

In June we installed a new toilet in our master bath room and got one with a flush up on the top. Mike installed it and did a fabulous job.

 Kaden has been mesmerized by ALL toilets (public or private) he can find them anywhere we are! He gets his hands washed frequently [wink]

 He has to flush our toilet every day and now is even taking a deep interest to sit on the "potty" and go "potty" himself!

(Merry Christmas to mommy if he really is going potty by his 2nd birthday :)

Well, back up about 3 months ago when he was taking a deep liking for this "yucky" object in our home, and imagine his mind when daddy installed the NEW toilet in our home?

 He figured out after 1 month that the "flush" was at the top of the toilet!

***(please note)*** there is NO privacy in our home with our (Velcro child, a.k.a. "mommy's boy).

Unfortunately, if you close the door the precious blue eyed, 22month old, thinks that you have left him FOREVER! Therefore it is just easier to let him into the bathroom and be "happy!"

 So, he soon learned how to "flush" the toilet (after watching what mommy would do).

He got very curious one day with the object/toy in his hand/"his" phone (one of daddy's old phones), and "flushed" it DOWN the new installed toilet.

Fast forward...(I hear the flush) and think great, He found the flush, but I don't think much because it flushed normal and he can't talk and tell me what happened!

 I don't know that he has actually flushed a CELL phone down it...till 3 months later.

2 days later....toilet is no longer flushing and clogging up!

Yup, we are completely bummed that our NEW toilet is now "broke" and we are pretty sure we know why! We conclude that child #2 has flushed SOMETHING down the new toilet.

(Mike's response, "goodness we have 2 other toilets")

My response ("'I LOVE my master bath toilet and hate walking ALL the way down the hallway (in the middle of the night) to go potty.)

 Fast forward 2 months and we no longer have an upstairs toilet functioning at ALL-and where is Mike? In France!

Well at least I have 1 toilet working in the house, until the BUSY BOYS that God has blessed us with, are goofing around and decide to LOCK the downstairs door! 

 NOW.....NO toilet available at ALL! 

Lovely, it is 1 hour before I have a babysitter coming (to give me a "little" break) and I have NO working toilet.

(Master toilet has an unknown object down it, guest bathroom toilet has a broken chain, (but seriously have no time to open up the top and manually flush it), and now our working toilet is locked up!

Well, my sweet babysitter calms me down and gets the screw driver and takes the door knob off of the only working toilet in our home!

(At least there is no door knob to be locked any more!)

 And now we can go potty INSIDE the home.
Guess what Mike had to do, (within a night of sleep and jet leg") when he got back from Paris?

 Yup! Fix Master toilet and guest toilet.

However, the task was too great and only one toilet got fixed that weekend. 

Thankfully, we agreed NOT to invest a chunk of money with a professional plumbing company, and he found the time to "plunge" away and get the object out! 

It took 4 hours and 3 attempts and FINALLY that "object" (aka. cell phone), was pushed through and discovered!

(Uncle PHIL, "NO the phone does NOT work!")
Sorry it is not available for use to you! :(

For the future parents out there~don't let your kids play with old cell phones because they may just clog up your toilet one day!

So, the boys have been BUSY around here. Therefore, at nap time I can't sleep since I am so worried what they may do "in their sleep" (not really) They are actually FABULOUS sleepers!

I have chosen to stay busy myself making cake pops and truffles.

It is a true delight and stress reliever! :)

 Check out my "Cake Pops & Truffles Page" at the top of the blog for prices and details.

I would LOVE to make you a basket of goodies for some family and friends this holiday! :)

Until the next adventure or cake pop flavor,

Jenn :)

Weigh In Wed Update & White Water memories

I am down another 2. 4 pounds...so almost 13 pounds! I have officially averaged about 2 pounds a week. I didn't lose anything last week, but was down almost 2 pounds today! I am finally starting to get into a great workout habit (and of course a few bumps that keep me off my goal);Kaden had a small virus last week, and I was SO bummed I had to miss Spin class on Monday. I really have been trying HARD not to eat anything after 8 PM but sometimes it is difficult. Which is more the reason, I need to get my body in bed by 10 or 10:30 at the latest,so I am not hungry and tempted to eat any more.Hopefully next week I will be down 3 pounds! :) 17 more to go for that 30lb goal.

This summer has been a memorable adventure~White Water!  I was SO nervous about purchasing season passes.I was dreading going there on a weekly basis (with out Mike's assistance) since K is my "menace" and BUSY, and then keeping up with Parker's interest, and of course, all the prep to get there etc.... But it has been a perfect investment of entertainment for the boys! (And a great time to socialize for me with other moms!) It became a weekly routine and a great way to wear the boys out for some good needed down time for me in the afternoons {wink}We went about 7 times and we could have gone a ton more. However, I was good for 1 or maybe 2 trips a week :) Just about every week we met up with other friends (who also had passes), or took guests in with our vouchers. We are looking forward to going a couple more times this summer. This is the last week that the park is open during the week. It will only be open on the weekends now through the middle of Sept. If you live in GA and are looking for a great activity to do with your family, get a Season Pass! If you go 2x it is totally paid for!

Here is Parker at White Water, with little Ava.

We have loved getting to know her from Church and she is one precious girl!

Parker saying his "good-bye" and going in for the "kiss" on Ava's forehead!

It was a moment to be captured...but I missed the kiss! LOL

Beach Bum Baby!! How cute is he!!? This is our neighbor and buddy Kai! We were so happy he finally got to come and join us. I LOVE this photo for him :) He is the most lovable boy with all his rolls. I just want to kiss him in this photo.

And aside from White Water....here are two recent photos of Kaden. He just turned 19 months and I am so smitten with his curls, he is getting cuter by the minute. He rode his first pony last week! (We were at the grand opening of a frozen yogurt place) and they were giving pony rides! He was so confident and begging to ride it! :) So, we finally gave in and put him on it.

And here is our most recent shot of him! 19 months old! :)

I better get busy and work on Parker's 4 year old video. I can't believe he will be 4 in 10 days! WOW!!! Time has flown by as we have been having a blast all summer at White Water :)

Cloth Diaper Baby... FREE Give-a-way!

We have just begun a new world of cloth diapering! My sister Jolyn, and her husband, bought an Organic Baby Business, Nurtured, in Canada back in the Spring. Jolyn and I met up in April and I got a day worth of diapers from her (we started with 4).  I/ we slowly got "trained" on this journey. (A day for us is about 4 with our 18 month old :). I really LIKED them. But about 3 years ago I was not so open to them....

When I was pregnant with Parker (2007), Mike wanted us to use them. His boss and his family used them, and he heard about the great save over time it was. BUT, I wasn't ready for something else new on top of being a first time mom. I was NOT familiar with them at all. :(

Two years later, the cloth diaper discussion came up again through Joy. She told me she was going to use them after the birth of her second baby. I was rooting for her, and told her to tell me how it goes. But still wasn't to sold on it.
And then the third time it came up when my sister bought their store. So, it was really rooted in my mind, and I started seeing how easy it was to use them with my exposure to Joy's little boy. So, Mike and I invested in a week of diapers from my sister.
Here we are three years later and we LOVE them.(Mike loves that I make it easy for him. I wash them and fill the liners for him). The velcro tabs today are so awesome compared to the old fashioned "pin diapers" :)

Here is one amazing way to save over $50.00 a month on your grocery/toiletries bill;

• The cost of an average diaper (before coupons) is 25.5¢.
• Thus the average child will cost about $1,600 to diaper for two years in disposable diapers, or about $66 a month.
• If you would like to read about some other interesting facts on why choosing cloth diapers check out this website -http://www.realdiauerassociation.org/diaperfacts.php
• To invest in cloth diapers it is about $200-$300 up front, but when you look at the long term investment, it is HUGE! :)

Thanks Joy and Jolyn, for exposing us to Cloth Diapers :)
No turning back now :)
SO it is time to give you a chance to try a cloth diaper out!

How about a give-a-way?! :)
I have a black/white (Eiffel Tower) ChelseyPerry (Bum Genius) Cloth Diaper to give away...and I know you will love it :) http://www.bumgenius.com/bg4-artist.php

Here is how to enter, and you can get up to 3 entries;

1. Leave a comment why you would love the diaper.
2. Post the give-a-way on your website or blog and you can get a second entry by leaving the website where you posted it.
3. You can get a third entry by becoming a follower of my blog if you are not a follower already (and leave another comment that you are a new follower:)

I will have a random drawing on Friday, and winner will be announced on Saturday AM.
Ready-Set- GO!!!!
Good Luck :)

Our Visit to NY (Part 1)

Here are the photos of our trip to NY! I must say the flight was smooth. Kaden got a double ear infection THE DAY BEFORE we left (I am NOT joking) BUT we caught it this time and did NOT end up in the E.R. Boys slept like bears at NeNe & PaPa's house, and we made tons of memories. But of course the whole purpose of our trip was NeNe's 60th Birthday and Aunt Courtney's Baby shower. It was a joy to be there for both milestones.
Mike had considered flying in for 36 hours but the times to travel and his intense work schedule would not allow. We missed him dearly. I must say that the family got burned out playing Baseball with Parker. NeNe got Parker a plastic baseball bat and that thing did not leave his side. It managed to stay at NeNe's house (since we couldn't bring it on the airplane) but we have to get one for here now :( It is in his blood...and I must say that boy has an ARM...Look out Major League Baseball-Parker is in training :)
Kaden ended up bonding with NeNe and for that we are grateful for. He didn't know them that well. He got to sleep every night at NeNe & CowBoy's house. Parker and me stayed at some family friends *(who are not living in their home for the summer); they run the church camp near by (BaYouCa) and Uncle Brian & Aunt Courtney stayed in the guest room. So, Parker, Me, Uncle Phil & Aunt Mir-Mir (Miracle) all had a sleepover at the Warner's house. The nights were late but worth it.
Big family news as I stated earilier was the upcoming arrival of Riese Baby #4. Uncle Phil & Aunt Miracle are expecting their first baby on Kaden's Birthday :) What an honor and sweet little blessing this will be. We are all praying for a little girl, but ultimately a healthy baby! They find out the middle of August the baby's gender and we are so excited.
Here are some of our highlights...the Boys LOVED going over to camp and hanging out with Cousins Deanna & Rieley.
(Parker staying entertained on the plane )

 Swimming in the Camp BaYouCa Pool with their cousins (Summer Lifeguards)

 Assistant Lifeguard for the Day- Lifeguard Parker :)

 The Boys LOVED riding in the go cart :)

 Parker & NeNe spinning the lettuce that came straight from the garden.

 Kaden bonding with PaPa (Cowboy).
On Sunday Night, July 3, the Parker family had a big cookout and bonfire at Cousin Chad & Rachel's house. It was fun to have Aunt Jackie & Uncle Milo come up (the Newly weds in the family :)
Aunt Jackie getting acquainted with Kaden:)

  Chad playing BASEBALL with Parker and his little girl, Alina)

 The boys with Uncle Phil & Aunt Mir-Mir

 Here they are...The soon to be mommy & Daddy with Baby Boy Riese in the belly:) We are so excited to meet the little guy @ Christmas time (due to arrive Sept. 25th).

 Plan B! Smores on the grill! Fire was to big and hot to let the little kids near-so we roasted marshmallows on the grill :)

 Kaden in his glory....he LOVED cousin Casey's horn and the lights on his truck "Whee!"

Parker eating his first Smore with NeNe...he liked it till it got messy-then he was done!
This concludes part 1 of our trip....now time to do part 2...the Baby Shower!

Enjoy all the photos :)

Kaden's First Haircut

Kaden was looking oh so pretty! He had curls that were beautiful, and hair long enough on the top for me to put a ponytail in. Ok, not such a good match for little boy hair . Therefore, it was time to cut his curly hair.

We have accepted our first borns red (a.k.a-orange hair) and now we are accepting and falling in love with our second borns curly, blond hair! Amazed at how God forms each one of these children so different in looks &complete opposite in more ways then one but have the same parents :) WOW! Love them both so much and so blessed to be their mommy & daddy.

Kaden's first haircut was at a local barber shop that gives babies their first hair cut FREE! (That was all daddy needed to hear for me to get it cut!)

We had her cut about 1 inch off the top and just under 1/2 inch on the back of his curls.

He was SO good. Kaden is known as our 110% active child, but for his haircut he stayed put! Completely shocked!~I was SO proud of him. We had a few tears,but the sucker was a great distraction.

Kaden with Miss Kelli who did a great job cutting his hair :)

(He was getting tired by now, and not into taking any photos.)

I can't believe he will be 18 months old next Wed!

WOW!

 

Highlights of Chicago & MI

OK, we have been home for almost 3 weeks-and on April 21, I started drafting this blog! Here it is May 7 and Ugh! I finally have had the time to sit down, upload photos, debrief our trip and finally publish.

I love that we got to visit my family. But there are some "not so good" moments that always occur while we are away-and as my mom says, "it will make me laugh SOMEDAY" -so I better blog about them for now. 'Cause I don't laugh in most of my stressful moments when we are away OR HOME for that matter! Oh, the joys of being a parent. :)

There was so much that occurred and so much to remember. But not one part of our 10 days makes me regret going. You can not put a price on being together with family, and it is treasured much more when distance separates us. :)
 So, I collaborated all our "peak" moments and put them into a top 10 list.
10."GATE-PASS" The whole reason this trip was "somewhat" successful, is all because of the gate pass we got Mike. (Well the prayers from all of you and family was what really made it a success.) But if you have to travel alone with small children you need to call the airline and add a "Gate Pass" for your spouse or 1 family member to assist you all the way through the airport. I could  not have done this flying trip with both of the boys and no assistance from Mike or my dad. What a huge blessing it was.
I am the first to admit: 1.NO, the flight was not relaxing for me
2.No, I do not recommend flying with a 15 month old who is ACTIVE,
3.NO I do not like changing a poopy diaper on a plane in the bathroom,
4.NO, I do not like having to ask for assistance from strangers for help with the boys.
5 BUT I LOVE having that Gate Pass and we may just do it again (but hopefully not for a while!)
THANK YOU-Air Tran.
(FYI: You can not walk up the day of travel and get a gate pass, it has to be scheduled ahead of time).

9-Trip to the ER...you know when we go away that somebody always gets sick! Well,Kaden didn't sleep the whole first night....he was coming down with double ear infections. Our second day in Chicago he spiked a fever (101)and my dad and  I took him to the local ER.  By the time we arrived his fever had spiked to102.3. Dr. Diagnosis=Double Ear Infection & Upper Respiratory. Poor little guy was miserable :( I have to give a shout out to the Alexian Medical Staff from the hospital. We got in and out in 45 min!!! Unheard of for a trip to the ER?!!

We were VERY Impressed. I cringed that we had to miss a family cook-out, but I am so glad we had Kaden seen.

8-Chocolate & Chi Tea-that was my sanity for those sleepless nights. My dad and sister learned fast what to order me from Starbucks "Chi tea late with non-fat milk! Amazing how little things make the day much better when you are away :)

7.-Birthday Celebrations, My mom's official birthday fell on Easter this year. We really wanted to be in MI for the special day, but changed plans to attend my Great Uncles Service. We made sure to celebrate my mom's birthday one week early & Ordered her, her favorite cake from a local bakery! Cake was gone by the end of the night...it was GOOD! :) We made it even extra special and celebrated with our long time family friends, since our "2nd Mom" has the same birthday as our mom.

6-Friends! I had a great visit with a great friend from College, Jen and her kids. They drove an hour to come and see us and we had a blast hanging out at my sisters house. It was amazing that it had been 10 years since we had seen each other, but good ol' FB has kept us in touch. Jen's kids were adorable and the girls played great with Parker. Her youngest little boy, Maverick is just about 5 weeks older then Kaden, but go figure-he looks like he is months older in the photo. It is always a tradition when we are home to get together with Family friends..The Hutchins. And I love catching up with Becky and seeing
Mom :).

 

5. Sisters-I had a sweet time visiting in Chicago with ALL my sisters in Chicago & bonding with 2 of the three in MI. We even got lucky one night and had a Sister only dinner...and splurged with face masks and just relaxed  with some good ol'chocolate! :) I always wonder what life would be like if we all lived near each other? :)

4.Kodak Moments-we took so many photos while we were away...but these are some of my favorites. I am so thankful for Modern Technology and being able to capture these moments.

(holding the newest addition to the Clark family, Graham :)

3, Uncle Richard-My heart sank, when I heard that Great Uncle Richard was not going to make it around the end of March. He was SO precious to the Wilson family and he was the glue that kept us all connected. Even though distance kept us apart, it was still so fun to get duplicate Christmas Cards from him, have calls from him once in a while and have that "grandfatherly" care from him. My grandpa and Great Uncle Richard had a rough upbringing and I am amazed that  they did not let history repeat it self. They left us so many stories for us to cherish forever. It was an honor to be at his memorial service and then able to attend his Internment service. He served in World War II and I was speechless and in awe of the tribute that was given to him that day. I always get chills when I see military men and women folding the precious red/white/blue and then presenting it to the family. My Aunt Mary was given the flag and I know she will cherish it forever. All of us Wilson girls got bracelets to wear (from my mom and Aunt) as a sweet memory of Uncle Richard's love to us (and they have a little heart on them).  You are deeply missed Uncle Richard-Thank You for the beautiful legacy,financial example,godly wisdom,advice, and most of all your love and care to our family. :)

2. Sleep (on vacation)-Kaden was cutting 4 teeth while we were away (on top of getting over his infection) so he did not sleep the greatest :( Unfortunately, most of the family was affected by a screaming 1 year old when the Motrin wore off nightly (eek) but thankfully, near the end of the week-we all started getting some sleep...and the Hallway closet that we had Kaden sleep in was perfect :) He needed a private room to be in and get accustomed too LOL (It was not working sleeping in the same room as mama :)

1. My Family, THANK YOU for all the love and hospitality while we were away!

 A shout out to my awesome Brother-in-law,Eric for getting us rooms (suites) at the hotel. It was so much more "homey" for the long weekend. My parents aged a bit more with the activeness in Kaden (but it was a blast to be with them for 10 days). And the week in MI could not have been more fun for Parker and Kaden, with a special shout out to my Sister, Jodi, brother-in-law John and Grace and Josh for putting up with us for the week and allowing us a blast on the family "farm!"

Ok, I have finally debriefed and now I can't believe it...my mother-in-law is begging me to get on a plane and fly up with the boys the end of June for a family baby shower!!!
Hmmm?? I wonder if Mike is going to go for this trip.
FYI- that sleepless night in the hotel, Mike's cell phone was flooded with me venting via-text message. Again, I can't say it enough-if you have to fly alone with small kids, get a gate pass for a member in your family to help you~Thanks again to Mike and my Dad for making the trip much, much easier. We will keep you posted on the next trip :)

(I must say that part of my delay has been issues with blogger photo upload.) Anyone else struggling with this??! So annoyed :(