August!

It has been several weeks since I have posted and we have had a busy month! It is almost Septemeber, and yes, another blog will detail my emotional state of Gavin starting Kindergarten this week!! But on with whats been going on with US!
Jason and I had over 24 hours kid-less starting yesterday at 10:30am when we dropped the kids off with my mom. We enjoyed a leisurely day and then met up with friends for dinner, a comedy show and dessert. We stayed the night out in Thousand Oaks and slept in, went out to breakfast and just enjoyed hanging out with friends. It was so fun and fantastic. My mom took the kids to many activities and they had a blast while we were gone. As I speak they are all asleep - wiped out from the last few days of activities!

I was making fun of Jason and his red velvet cupcake

Some of my best girlfriends - Nat, Kendra, Sal and I

And our hubbies Kyle, Eddie, J and Tommy

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory

In the car on the way to dinner - my amazing friend who is more like my sister - Sally

Last week, the boys were invited to a friend's house to play on this huge water slide!

Last Friday was Jason's birthday and I threw him a surprise party. It was fantastic. AND he was surprised :) This is a random shot from the party...I wasn't focused on taking pictures!

Such a cute picture of J and V - such a Daddy's girl!

We love to bowl - we went as a family on J's birthday

Also last week (I told you we were busy!) we went to Sea World with the kids and Gavin's friend Marlin. It was part of Gavin's birthday present.

The kids LOVE Sea World and I do too, actually. We bought them "whale tale" necklaces

About to go into the park

funny girl - STILL only 6 teeth!

I am growing V's bangs out and they are annoying...I have to clip them back or her hair looks like this. I like this picture of the 3 of them.

Our life is full, and continues to get busier as our kids get older. Jason has been on vacation for 2 weeks and its been great having him home. I have worked a little more than normal to make some extra money for savings. We have 1 starting Kindergarten and 1 hopefully starting preschool soon (if I can find one!). We are moving at the end of the month and Jason has 2 races in the next month or so. WOW...a lot going on :) But life is good. God has blessed us with healthy kids, a fulfilling marriage and a great family. What else could we ask for??
*PS - my best friend Kristen had her baby this morning!! Sad for me that its in Seattle. maybe I can get away for a few days... :)
This blog feels random...ok, time to get to bed. More blogging to come.

GF

For the past 6-8 months or maybe longer I have suffered from stomach aches. At first I thought I had a hernia, then had an ultrasound and didn't have much of a hernia(probably a small umbilical hernia)...so that can't be the cause. Then I realized it was food related since my stomach hurt after most meals for an hour or 2. So weird.
Either 4-5 days ago (I can't remember...) I decided to go off gluten to see if that was the cause. I have not had a stomach ache until tonight. I was doing great until Judy (MIL) pulled out the chocolate covered peanut butter bars.....I gave in! TWICE. oh my gosh were those good. BUT...about 30 minutes after eating them my stomach hurt...and hurt...for 2 hours..hurt. SO...I think gluten must be the culprit.
I feel silly sometimes saying I'm not eating gluten because it seems to be sort of a trendy thing to do right now. However, I think I proved to myself tonight there is something to it in my case. Huh. I guess I need to stock up on GF products. EVERYTHING has gluten in it!!
Things I'm happy about right now:
*I got my hair cut and colored - I needed it!
*Jason has 1 more day of work then OFF FOR A MONTH!! WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!
*My knee didn't hurt once when I ran today
*I got an awesome bracelet from Sarah today for my birthday (late)
Bedtime!

Happy 6th birthday Gavin!!

J and V having fun with G's new helmet

another awesome shot of my husband

Gavin turned 6 yesterday. Unbelievable to me that he is already SIX..time goes too fast.

We actually celebrated Thursday since Jason had to work on G's actual birthday. As with all birthdays, we let G choose the meals and activities of the day. There were donuts for breakfast, bowling alone with Dad, Quesidillas and CHuck E Cheese, then Claimjumper for dinner. We DID help a bit with the decisions...

We got a new camera THurs - FREE - because we returned our old camera and got the $$ in Costco Cash...love that place. G's big present was a new bike. He's still getting used to it, but loving it.
Friday, my mom and I took G and E to a water park in La Mirada called Splash while V hung out with Nana. It was really fun and pretty cheap for a water park, too!

G got Battleship from Nana and Papa Dan (among other things) and we have already played - he loves it!

Ice cream sandwiches with our friends/neighbors Friday

Birthday ice cream

The lazy river at the water park - definitely the highlight for the boys!

My 2 favorite little boys ever

Greatest Nannie

Dinnertime!

Birthday boy

my sweet boys again

Jas and Gav rode bikes to Claimjumper

Friend/neighbor Kristen

The new bike!

Hidden in Jason's car

I created a little treasure hunt for G to find his bike - he had to follow clues...

I also reflected yesterday on my "mommy anniversary." I stole this from another's blog...but I love it. Its when I first became a mom, and that is a celebration too. OH, how I have changed, grown and learned more about myself as I have become a mother. I also understand my mom so much more and why my parents did what they did with ME. I pray I continue to change..and become a better mom as the years go...I consider my children treasures and want to be the best I can be for them...teaching them about Jesus through my life as my most important goal.

Ramblings

I was so excited for summer, just knowing the warm weather would chase away all sickness. Ha! Who was I kidding? I looked back at my blogs and I think out of the last 5, 4 of them are about my kids being sick! What in the world?????? Is someone playing a weird trick on me??? MOST of July we struggled with strep, fevers, coughs, strep again. NO MORE. I hope. G finished his antibiotic today so we'll see. I do know that I'm going to be even CRAZIER about the hand washing. Especially after a conversation with a friend last night about his son who got the N1H1(swine flu) and has spent the last 4 days in PICU! WASH YOUR KID'S HANDS! That's one of the most effective ways of preventing illness!
On quite another note - Gavin's 6th birthday is coming up on Friday. Last night I went shopping and got him some fun gifts and later tonight I will decorate the table and hang the streamers. He actually has a 2 day birthday this year. Unfortunately, Jason has to work on Friday - so tomorrow is also going to be a birthday celebration since J will be home. We're going to do presents, cake and whatever G wants to do and eat for each meal is his choice. So for Friday, I have been trying to think of something fun for me and the kids to do. I registered for Disneyland's free ticket on your birthday thing...but my mom and I were talking today about what a great (and frustrating) marketing scheme that is.
My first thoughts were - I can't let this go to waste! How cool! Free ticket! D-land is so nice...oh wait. If HE gets a free ticket, I have to pay for myself and Ezekiel...hmmm...I have your number - D-land. NO - they aren't being so nice and fun and generous. They are trying to make money on us!!! (of course they are. that's their job.) And while I think D-land would be uber-fantastic fun...or not - on a Friday in Aug when its 105 and there are also 400,000 other people there as well....I think this time I'm going to pass on the free ticket. Hey, I never had it in the first place, so I'm not really losing it anyways.
Lastly - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my AMAZING MOM! I am slightly ashamed that I have not properly given birthday shout-outs to all I love and I'm sorry if I missed your birthday. I happen to be on a coffee-induced blogging frenzy, so I have time to mention my dearest mother:) She is an amazing woman who shows grace, love, thoughtfulness, generosity, patience, obedience to God and many many other things on a daily basis. I love you Mom! Happy Birthday!!

Bakersfield Baby!

Back in July we spent 4 days with some of our closests friends and had SO much fun! We went to a Ranch in Bakersfield owned by our friend's aunt and uncle. There was a huge "house" where we all stayed, a lake, jetskis, a boat with wakeboarding and tubing, a huge water slide, blob, weird animals with matted hair and a dog that was at least 58 years old. It was so cool to spend time with our friends talking, playing games, watching our kids play (and melt down in fits) and just hanging out. These days we are all so busy its hard to find time to spend as a big group.
The weather was HOT HOT HOT - but that was ok - we just stayed cool in the lake! Here are some pics from the trip...thanks to Natalie who sent me some - my camera broke a few days in :( (and sadly I still have no camera).

Reagan - having a slight "episode" (sorry B...this picture is classic)

Jennelle, Kendra, Becky, Sally, me, Leslie, Natalie (I have been friends with these girls for about 10 years, I think)

Jason taking V on a bike ride

Funny V 1/2 whining, 1/2 smiling

constant infusion of otter pops

One of the days we all put on our matching shirts and took pictures. We have a huge group picture and Becky took family pictures (except us...we forgot to do that - dang) and here is one of all 16 kids. WOW is it hard to get 16 kids to stay in one area. We didn't even care if they were all smiling! Ages 10months-6 years

Violet feeding Reese

Luke and Ezekiel up to no good, I'm sure. They are both the "mischevious" ones of each respective family...

V again sharing her food - this time with Isaiah

Some of the kids on the couch...look in the middle - Makenzie has the impression we are now going to torture her - so she's terrified.

I think J just woke up

Ezekiel and his love-hate relationship with Reagan

So sweet. And I love R's hair!

No, I'm not showing off my awesome running clothes I'm wearing in the water (suit was packed)...this is the "jacuzzi" set into the lake - awesome place for the kids to play - but by no means a jacuzzi. Even smellier (sulferish) than the lake, same temp, and no bubbles!

A few of the guys riding the water slide together. Yes, the girls did it too...a few times!

V looking cute in her suit but really just showing the blob, which didn't get much action except the guys launching each other a few times

So fun seeing our friends with their kids...here - Kyle with Trevor and Austin(youngest kids of the bunch)

Me and my sweet Miss V

G hanging with Kyle and Austin

Nurse Mode - removal of a possible stinger in J's foot

Such great memories with such amazing friends. I could go on and on, but it would most likely be a bore to those of you who weren't there. We look forward to next year!

I'm HOPING

Finally G is acting more like himself and I'm hoping that's here to stay. He has been very sick the last 3 days with fevers and a very swollen, yucky white throat. I took him to urgent care Sat morn and since his rapid strep culture was negative, was told he just had a virus. I was doubtful...and about an hour after seeing that Dr, he had a fever. G and I were up most of the night and Sunday morning I braved urgent care w/ the 3 kids alone again because he was too sick. His throat was so sore he wasn't eating!!! Now that we are hitting the 24 hr mark of antibiotics, he seems to finally be feeling better. He ate lunch today for the first time since Friday! Yay!
To complicate things, we drove almost all the way to Mammoth last night assuming g would be better after starting antibiotics and a good night sleep. We did not have a good night sleep, but that's another blog! All that to say...I think he's on the upswing... hopefully the other kids don't get this nasty bug!! Ok...naptime!!



photo posted from my iPhone

On the Road

Off we go to Bakersfield to spend 4 days with some of our oldest and best friends. Ezekiel was the only kid up for posing...with his water guns!



photo posted from my iPhone

My favorite 3 year old

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Carrie Prince > Date: July 9, 2009 2:42:15 PM PDT > To: "post@slidephoto.com" > Subject: My favorite 3 year old >

> So after 6 days of fevers, we went to the Dr today for Ezekiel. She > started him on antibiotics because he has a red throat, congested > chest and very swollen lymph nodes. We are hoping the fevers will go > away now!!!
> > > > > >

photo posted from my iPhone

Things are looking UP!

Yay! We made it through Jason's 6-day-in-a-row work stretch!

Yes -this is a picture of the kids today which means:

a) I found my camera (yay!)

b) they are feeling better

c) we got out of the house - first time having fun in 4 days
This morning we had a little craft time :

This is in the car yesterday on the way to the Dr for Violets well-baby check up (nothing having to do with the sickness)
Happy (he just got a touch of this virus)
Happy (hasn't really gotten the virus so far...could she be any cuter??)

NOT SO HAPPY (our hardest hit...)

Warning: Educational Seminar on FEVERS following

So just because I'm a nurse, sometimes I feel like I should know all things medical. Shockingly, I don't. I know a little about a lot of things and a lot about a few things (medically speaking)...so children and fevers are one of those vague subjects. When do I call the Dr? What temperature is "too high"...and other questions drifted around in my head until Sunday afternoon when I spoke to a CHOC RN through my Dr's office. I called because Ezekiel had over 103 (which was not brought down with medicine) fever all night and was over 104 during the day Sunday. None of my kids have ever had any fever over 102 and so this seemed to be slightly alarming to me. The RN assured me that children get fevers between 101-104's...and its normal. Give the meds to bring it down if the child is uncomfortable and if its on the higher level (I would say over 102.5 or 103)...and also use "cooling measures"...wet washcloth, lukewarm bath - to also help bring down the temp. A child doesn't really need to go to the ER unless the fever is 105 rectally...(but call the Dr first to double check). And a fever isn't really dangerous until 107!!! What? That is CRAZY high! Yeah, that's why its dangerous. I've never seen a temp that high in my career. They probably don't need to see the Dr unless they've had a fever for 4 days or so. At that point they usually want to double check that there isn't an infection somewhere: throat, ears, urine, etc. Also know this: if you take your child to the ER with a fever, a "over achiever" MD is likely to order a UA (catheter if your child is not potty trained), Chest XRAY if your child is coughing, blood work, and possibly a spinal tap if there is questionable neck soreness/stiffness. Just a heads up :) And I think that concludes my tutorial on fevers. Questions?? :)

MORE sickness??

First of all, I'm really bummed to admit I can't find my camera. I don't think its in our house as I've searched it pretty thoroughly, but I guess you never know. Anyone have an unidentified camera sitting on a counter in your house? I'll take it, even if its not mine. Just kidding. Sort of.
Ok - so that does in fact mean I have NO pictures from our last week or 2! We have enjoyed some fun activities lately...
*Kidspace Museum in Pasadena with my mom, aunt, 2 cousins and their kids (7 kids total!)
*Swimming w/ Sarah and kids
*Swimming and Bar-b-q with my parents and brother and sister(inlaw)
*HB 4th of July parade...wow. Us and everyone else in OC was there. SO crowded. G was the only one who REALLY enjoyed the parade because Ez didn't feel good and Violet just danced to the music...which leads me to the UNFUN part of our week...
Ezekiel had a fever starting yesterday afternoon - then at 1:40am woke with 103.8...he was over 103 all night until this morning at 9am when I gave him Ibuprofen on top of the Tylenol and a coolish bath. Now he seems to be doing better, but as I put all 3 kids down for naps, G had a fever of 102 and was feeling pretty bad...poor guys. I was SO looking forward to a season sans illness. Why are we still getting sick?? The good news is Violet never got the strep throat the boys had TWO WEEKS ago(too much sickness in this house!) and has been ok so far with this bug too. Praying they all feel better quickly. On top of that, Jason is in the middle of working 6 days in a row (today is day 4) so not much help in the husband dept - though he did come home early last night...that was so great! Enough whining, huh?? I'm gonna take a nap! And maybe look at cameras on ebay...