Christmas 2014

                                 Awaited - A Christmas Show with Kiki and Carter

                           Baby Jesus at her Preschool Christmas Program

Jingle Jam - Mommy was sick and didn't get to attend.

 

Audrey as a sheep at Cathedral's Christmas Program 

 Owen's new blankie from Aunt Kiki

                                                               Jumping Boy

                                                                  Bitty Baby

                                  Sick babies prefer to rest on the trampoline

Elsa was a hit with Owen and Audrey.  Owen loves to sing Let It Go.

Owen cried when Audrey took her toy, but was happy when Daddy played the song on his phone. 

Sick of Sick

It's been going around and we got it.  In late November, close to Thanksgiving, Alexander got a touch of a stomach virus.  He had diarrhea and went often, but it never got him down.  It lasted about a week and I didn't think too much of it.  On December 6th, Owen had a fever and diarrhea all day.  The diarrhea lingered for several days again.  On the 8th, Adam started feeling bad, but it didn't keep him from working and driving to Nashville.  Not too bad, I thought.  

December 16th, I got hit hard.  I was in bed for three days.  Adam went to Lexington for Madeline's graduation and I couldn't even take care of the kids.  Megan took Audrey home with her and Cindy took Owen.  Poor Alexander could fend for himself.  Friday morning I went to the doctor and got some meds.  Saturday I was pretty weak, but able to function for the first time.  

Saturday evening the kids were to all spend the night with Nana.  I could tell Audrey was struggling.  I just thought she had been away from me too much.  By 9pm, Tami called and said she thought Auj was coming down with the flu.  Several children in her preschool class had the flu.  Sunday Audrey stayed home with Tami.  I picked her up after church and she wasn't horribly sick.  She had a fever and cough.  After nap, Alexander was puny and had a fever.

Monday morning Auj and Alexander had fevers and were coughing.  I took them straight to the pediatrician.  I tried to make them wear a mask, but they couldn't keep it on.  I had on my mask, just as I did at the urgent care just days before.  Oh yeah, not only did I arrive at urgent care 15 minutes before it opened, but there was already a crowd.  By 8am there were more than 10 of us waiting for the doors to open.  Back to the pediatrician, the crowd was the same.  Tons of coughing, feverish kids.  It was pathetic.  After more than an hour we went to a room.  I requested a flu test and to my surprise both kids had the flu.  Thankfully, the doctor willingly gave Owen a prescription as well.  Unfortunately, she wasn't as willing to give one for Adam and I.  

Adam called a doctor from church who graciously gave Adam and I scrips as well.  Poor Audrey didn't qualify for Tamiflu because she had been having symptoms for more than 24 hours.  The kids pretty much laid on the couch and watched television for the next few days.  By Tuesday, evening Owen had a fever as well.  Wednesday, was Christmas Eve and Mommy was pretty sad.  I cried, I pouted.  Santa would not have been happy with me.  

On Christmas Eve, Adam went to church and I stayed home with 3 sick kids.  Tami sent home her famous spaghetti sauce for Christmas Eve dinner since we were unable to join the family.  After dinner we went to look at  Christmas lights.  Everyone was feeling ok.  Christmas morning, Owen was the only one with a low grade fever.  We enjoyed breakfast and presents with Nana and Madeline.  By noon we were on the road to Frankfort. 

We enjoyed Christmas festivities with Mimi, Nana, and Cissy and the Hudsons.  Friday evening before bed, Audrey was complaining of her back hurting and had a yucky bathroom visit.  At 1 am I was awakened to her crying.  Yes, diarrhea had started.  We were up most of the night.  We quickly packed for home and were back in Owensboro by noon.  Audrey remained in bed other than frequent bathroom visits on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  No one attended church on Sunday.  I've missed too much church lately. :(  

I have been sanitizing, washing clothes, and hands constantly.  I hate to see my children sick.  This is one nasty virus.  I pray that the boys don't get another go round as severely as Audrey and I have had.  I haven't gleaned much from this experience although I should.  I hate being sick, I hate when my kids are sick, and I am a germophobe.  My lecture to myself about being thankful I don't have to worry about cancer or other diseases didn't help.  Lord Jesus, forgive us of our sin and come quick. 

They're Growing Up

Everyday I notice a new sign of how quickly my kids are growing up.  Owen has begun to sing songs like The Wheels on the Bus and the ABCs, well at least the tune.  Also, Owen began to go down the slide independently. 

Audrey can recognize most of her letters and numbers and has been praying so genuinely at meal time.  She also spent two nights away from home at Mimi's on Fall Break. 

Alexander can read almost anything these days and seems to have his Mommy's mental math mind.  He is always verbalizing addition and subtraction scenarios in his head. 

Alexander went on his first field trip and rode on a school bus for the first time.  Adam attended the field trip to Trunnel's Farm Market as well. 

Fall Break

 On Fall Break Audrey went to Frankfort to visit Mimi.  She was chauferred by Trey.  Mommy and the little boys went to get her on Monday morning.  We enjoyed visiting Mimi and doing some shopping at the new outlet mall in Simpsonville.  

 On Wednesday, we enjoyed a gorgeous day at Reid's with Daddy and Nana. 

 We chose a few more pumpkins to add to our porch.  Everyone wanted a different kind so we had to compromise. 

 Owen loved the goats.  Alexander enjoyed the new duck pond and Audrey took control of the pretend farm animals by lining up all the bouncy horses. 

                     As Mimi says, "They are even cute from the backside."

  

Owen did a lot of walking in the corn maze and was exhausted and ready to go home.  It was a fun day as usual at Reid's. 

Making it Our Dream Home

When we were house hunting in November, we knew this was the house of our dreams.  It was a bit beyond on budget, but we willing to save to make it happen.  It had everything we wanted and needed for our family.  

 Within a few weeks of moving in, maybe just a few days, we knew there were big problems.  Water was everywhere in the basement.  Thankfully nothing was ruined, but we were frustrated. 

 We continued to use and live in the basement through Christmas.  It is the perfect place for all the toys.

 We did a few painting projects to make things a little more our style, but no major projects.

As the early spring rains began we had fewer and fewer opportunities to use the basement because it was wet for weeks at a time.  We realized something had to be done.  We contacted several companies and decided to install a sump pump and cover the walls with a special plastic.  Unfortunately it would be mid summer before work could begin. 

 With the help of our precious church family we began demolition on our own.  We removed thousands of bricks from the floor.  We took down all drywall, paneling and studs on the exterior walls.  There was mold and water damage everywhere.  Not a good thing for a little boy who suffered from asthma for years. 

 At the very end of June trenches were dug and the sump pump was installed.  Walls were covered with the special material.  Rain fell and it remained outside, not in our basement.  Praise the Lord.  We weren't done yet.  It was our job to finish the rest of the basement. 

 Again with the help of our precious church family, new studs were hung, and drywall was replaced.  We added some new electrical as well.  We learned a lot.  Adam and I painted.  There were many arguments about the paint color.  Adam took his UK basketball shorts to Lowe's and they color matched them for him.  Two walls are UK blue and the rest are cream. 

 We installed the new waterproof flooring and painted the steps.  We had a professional finish the flooring and hang trim.  It looks and feels like a new basement.  It is a project we would have done 5-10 years down the road, but we were forced to do it much earlier.  We are very pleased with the new space and the kids are thrilled to have their basement and toys back. 

In the midst of the basement renovations we painted two bedrooms upstairs. Special family and friends painted our master bedroom a lovely Peach Cobbler.  They also painted the ceiling.  The walls were the same color as the brown walls.  I also painted the guest room yellow like Owen's room, to match the blue and white bedding we have had since we got married.

We love our home and pray we are able to spend many wonderful years here watching our children grow up and as we continue to serve the Lord here in Owensboro. 

Alexander's Birthday

                                    Alexander had a Super Hero party for his 6th birthday. 

 The cake was probably one of mommy's better cake efforts.  The fondant was homemade marshmallow fondant. 

 We were thankful it was still warm enough to swim on the day of the party. 

 The boys got to choose their own Super Hero cape to wear. 
                                     They looked so cute.

We requested no gifts, but his sweet friends still shared in the celebration in addition to giving to local charities such as Bellevue's Hand 2 Hand Ministry.  
Alexander received Spider Man toys, a Mario Wii remote, a Mario costume, new sheets, a new blanket for his bed and several new pairs of jeans.  They were all things he could use and enjoy. 

It is hard to believe we have been given such a precious gift.  We enjoy him everday, even though we often clash with our strong wills.  We love you sweet boy.