Color Run

 We had so much fun at the Color Run in Richmond, Va. So much in fact, we are doing another one next month. Can't wait!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

 (Sara Beth is doing a fantastic job!!)

(she is over it now and trying to throw her paper on the ground!)

Happy Father's Day to the BEST daddy! Even 7,000 miles away, you still manage to be the best one around. We couldn't ask for a  better one. We love love love you, and wish we could spend this day together. It won't be long until you can get your arms around all this sweetness again. We hope they give you a special meal to celebrate you today. You deserve it!! Keep working hard so the days fly by. Can't wait until you get home.

SICK!!!

So.... I have very busy lately. Leah came down with a fever the day Todd left to go back overseas. Yes he was home for a visit. Yes I have been super busy. Yes I will update about that later. Give me a break. Kids have been sick. Back to sickness. The fever wasn't going away. Then she developed a cough that was NASTY!! Took her to the doctor and they sent her for a chest x-ray. Pneumonia!!!!! No I couldn't believe it either. My child actually had pneumonia. However, little did I know that wasn't even a scratch in the surface of what was to come. I am documenting all of this because I want to remember that the Lord helped me get through ALL of this while Todd was away. GOD IS GOOD!!! They put Leah on an antibiotic, and said that her fever should break in 48 hours. It did not break and actually it was getting worse. I ended up taking her back to the doctor and they had to change her antibiotics. After being on the new prescription for 48 hours her fever did break. However, when I finally started feeling like she was getting better, I had to take her back for a re-check. Now they tell me that they can hear popping & cracking in BOTH lungs. WHAT!!! I was just feeling like we were making progress. They gave her 3 breathing treatments while we were in the office. Might I add that Sara Beth was with me, climbing on everything, whining about everything, trying to escape out the door, etc. Fun times for sure!! However, when they hooked Leah up to the machine, Sara Beth thought that was hilarious. See picture below. I didn't see the humor at all. After the breathing treatments. Leah was a different girl. They ended up telling me that they thought she had pneumonia in one lung, and a virus that went to the other lung. The breathing treatments helped the one lung, and the antibiotics helped the other. I truly believe that she did in fact have both things going on at the same time. I have never seen any of my kids that sick. So thankful that she is better. 

So fast forward two days after Leah's fever broke. Yes in fact, Emma started running fever. So we headed off to the doctor right away. There was no way we were going down this path again. When we get to the doctor, they tell me its a virus, and very unlikely that she will end up in the same boat as Leah. Come back in 2 days if the fever hasn't broken. They wanted to keep a close eye on her because of Leah. Well 2 days went by and low and behold fever hasn't gotten any better, actually worse. The night before I took her back she had a fever of 104.2. I am not going to lie people, I didn't think I was going to be able to do this again. Took her back to the doctor, and guess what??? Pneumonia!?!?!? I was very frustrated, but glad to have an antibiotic. I told them to give her the same antibiotic that Leah had the second go round. In 2 days she was feeling so much better. At least they caught it early. She didn't get near as sick as Leah. I am so thankful, because I felt like the walls were caving in on this house!!

 Now, Emma finished her antibiotic on Sunday, and on Saturday, Sara Beth and myself started with a slight cough. It was one of those things that I kept telling myself wasn't really there. But as the days went on it was apparent that it was there, and getting worse. Yesterday I started running fever, and Sara Beth was running a very low grade. I decided to take her on in. They listened to her chest and said it sounded "harsh". They decided to go ahead and treat her with antibiotics. THANK YOU!!!!They also told me that I needed to get checked ASAP. That I sounded like I had pneumonia. So after finishing up there, I headed to an urgent care for myself. By this time I was shivering and shaking with a fever. UGGG!! They never said I had pneumonia, but said that I probably had some version of the same stuff the kids have had. WONDERFUL!! Gave me some antibiotics and I was out the door. Now I feel like I have done 500 crunches, my stomach muscles are so sore from coughing. At least I can feel like I am doing a little workout while I am sitting around coughing my head off. Sara Beth acts like she feels fine, just coughing a nasty cough now & then. I am going to be fine as soon as these antibiotics kick in!!! I have done a little calculation and believe that I have been to the doctor's office 10 times in the last 3 weeks. I told those people I was so sick of seeing them. Every time I left I would say, "hope this is the last time for a while"!!! Hopefully yesterday was really the last time for a while!! Fingers are crossed & prayers are being lifted. Enough said!

For Granddaddy!!!

Granddaddy. I thought of you this morning while I was playing with Leah's slip. Thought you might want to see this for a while instead of mama's "pink drawers"!!

Funny Girl!!

Just a little humor for you today. Sara Beth got a pair of my underwear out of the trash can. Don't worry... they were just worn out. Big holes!! I guess she thought they could be recycled as a scarf. So she wore them around for a while!! Funny girl. She actually does this on a regular basis. She will go into her dresser drawers and get a pair of pants or shirt out. Put one arm through it and wear it like that for a while. It cracks me up!!

She is a little preoccupied watching a video while I fold laundry! Can't you tell?

I am so thankful that I get to see these sweet little things everyday. I am so blessed! This girl is growing so fast. I can't believe that she is 18 months old all ready. She is learning new things each day & I just love it.

Nice Weather

We have had some great weather the last couple of weeks. I took Sara Beth to the park and let her run around with some of our friends. She had the BEST time. It's the first time she has been able to really enjoy running around, sliding and swinging. It was so much fun to watch her, but I sure was wishing her daddy could have shared in our fun. He would have really enjoyed running around out there with her and helping her slide and swing. Enjoy these sweet pictures.

(glad this toy was available for me to push)

(I love to swing)

(waiting on me to hold her hand)

And one of my favorite 3 girls!! I was trying to get a picture of Emma & Leah squatting down beside Sara Beth. Sara Beth was copying them and squatting every time. Too Funny!

Sweetness

I have been trying for weeks to get this on video. Sara Beth has been singing this song over and over again. Every time I get my camera out, she stops, Errr! Today during church services she started singing the song. It was sweet, she must have really had this song on her heart. All the way home she sang and sang it over and over again. I was able to get my phone out and turn the camera around (love that iphone). I actually caught it this time.

Here are the words, just in case you have difficulty making it out (you should be able to at least make out "all night, all night."

All night, all day, angels watching over me, my Lord. All night, All day, angels watching over me.

She gets pretty tickled at herself too!!

We Have A Problem!!

Sara Beth finally came up with something for me to blog about!!!!!!

Well, Sara Beth was being very quiet in the kitchen..... I called her a couple of times into the living room. She didn't come and didn't make a peep. Soooo..... I quietly walked into the kitchen to see what was going on. This is what I saw!! Permanent marker in the hands of a 17 month old and nice art work all over my floor. I couldn't help but to actually laugh out loud. I took the marker out of her sweet little hands, put it up high, picked her up and sweetly said, "Sara Beth, I could just snap you in half (again, I said it in the sweetest voice ever!!)," she gave me the biggest hug ever. Squeezed my neck so hard, and gave me the biggest scrunched up smile ever. I forgave her!!! If you look really close to her foot. You will see that she managed to only get a little on her big toe. She saved all the good work for the floor!!

I quickly got to working with some of this stuff. When I bought it, I was told it would remove permanent marker. Guess what?? They told the truth!!

Here is the after shot! I think I need to sell my story!!!

This reminded me of stories my mother has told about me. Apparently I was very mischievous and very quiet about it. I guess what goes around really does comes back around!!

A Good Daddy!

Here is a picture that Todd sent the girls. They have had a lot of snow lately and he told the girls he would build them a snowman. Here is proof that daddy came through on his word. He built one girl and one boy. The girl has a little curly hair (i think it's a rug!), and I personally love the wrench arms!! We are so blessed to have him as a daddy. We miss him terribly and can't wait to see him again. Everyday gone by is one day closer to the end of this season in our lives.

So True!

Still Here!!

We have just been super busy with things like....

Sara Beth has been learning all kinds of things. She is getting so big so fast. She has been saying new words on a daily basis. One new word for today is "kool" (school). She can say mama, deda (dada), Papa, MeMe, Nanny (new as of yesterday), ooos (shoes), bye-bye, hey, NO!!, pees (please), thank you, eat, eea (this is for Emma & Leah). Never know who she is actually calling!!My favorite thing she says is, I......LAAAA(with her tongue going side to side in her mouth).......YOU! So sweet. She gets so tickled at herself and just cracks me up. Some of her favorite things to do is to empty my drawer with the zip lock bags in it. ALL OVER THE FLOOR!!! She also enjoys doing the same thing with the dish towels and rags. She keeps me on my toes for sure, and that my friends is why I haven't had much time to blog lately. Hopefully things will slow down soon. Who am I fooling.. no they won't! Hope everyone is doing well!!

Clayton Tree Lighting

Last Thursday Emma had a performance with the chorus. I had to get her to a certain drop off location and then to where the performance was all on foot!! I was a little nervous about doing it all by myself and making sure that Emma got to where she was suppose to be, and then the rest of us where we were suppose to be. Usually Todd drops me and Emma off and then goes and parks and we meet him and Leah at the performance area. There was no tag teaming this time. I did make it, and was glad of it. However I couldn't see a thing.

On a side note: Todd is the best Dad ever! He actually set his alarm so that he could wake up and skype in for the performace. I stood at the back and held my phone up in the air so he could see. It worked out great for him. I missed the whole thing. I could hear everything but could see nothing!! He enjoyed it so that is what matters!!

Here is a shot of us bundled up!!

Here is a shot of Emma. Freezing. They arn't allowed to wear their coats until after the performance. ERRR!!

EIEIO

Here is a cute video of Sara Beth. She loves the song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." When she starts hearing the music she always starts singing "EIEIO." Too Cute!!

And just because I can't stand how cute this is... I will throw it in here too!! Emma has been begging me to paint Sara Beth's toe nails. I finally caved in and agreed. Yes, it is cute, however, she grabbed the brush faster than I could blink! We had polish all over her pj's my pj's, her hands, legs, my hands and legs, and lets not forget what landed on the carpet!! Then I looked at Emma and said this is why we don't paint her toe nails just yet!! I do think it is the cutest thing I have seen in a while. Those sweet feet running around her. Man, I can't take it sometimes!!

Christmas Recital 2011

From where I was sitting, I didn't have the best shot. You will just have to listen. This was Leah's first recital. She played Mary Had A Little Lamb. I got really choked up, I had a hard time getting myself under control. Emma has been doing this for 3 years now. She playing a piece called It's A Snow Day. Hope those of you who couldn't make it will enjoy these videos.

Very first one to play for the recital, here is Leah(sideways again, sorry!):

I love Leah's bow at the end. Dramatic, just like Leah!!

And with a much harder piece, here is Emma (again, sorry!!):

I love how Emma gets into every note. Watch her head bob up and down!! Too cute.

Great job girls!! I am so proud of the two of you!! Keep up the good work!!

Turkey Trot 2011

I have been keeping a secret from Todd. I haven't told him that I have been training to run my first 5k. He knew that I had been exercising, but thought I was just walking. Well, I wasn't walking, I was running!! Today was the day that I have been waiting for. I am pretty excited that at beginning of October I could run about 3 minutes and was out of breath, and now I can run a 5k!!! We (Sally & I) have come along way in the last few weeks.

Here are a few shots from our Turkey Trot 2011!!

My new tee-shirt.

This was the most exciting part!! The finish line!!!

These cutie pies were waiting patiently for me on the other side!!

I know this sounds crazy, but I started getting emotional when I rounded the corner and could see the finish line. There were cute little girls cheer leading that were telling us we were awesome! I could see my girls at the other end of the finish line. I started getting choked up and then decided I better get it together. I had worked hard and didn't want to start crying and change my breathing pattern! I got it together and finished!!

Here is a picture of me, Kendra, & Sally.

My time was somewhere around 34. something. I don't think that is too bad for my first 5k. I will beat that time next go around. Yes, there will be a next time!!!

So there you go honey. That was what I was going to do today. Your guesses were all wrong!! It wasn't bird watching, it wasn't going on a hot air balloon, it wasn't white water rafting. It was running in my first 5k race!

Silly Sara Beth

A few mornings ago, Sara Beth woke up in a frisky mood. She was making one of her favorite new sounds. I was able to catch video of her new sound, babbling to the girls and her precious wave. It gets everyone, because it is so sweet. She is changing everyday. I love watching her do new things. She is really coming into her personality. Hope you enjoy.

Beauty...

I recently had the girls pictures taken at Joyner Park in Wake Forest. If you are in need of a great place, Joyner Park is it!! The scenery was perfect, with old farm buildings, cobblestone walls, nice trees, etc. I was wanting to get a few shots of Sara Beth for her 1 year photos and a few sibling shots. I couldn't be happier about how they turned out! If I might add, when you have kids as cute as mine, I guess it isn't hard to get great shots!!!!

P.S. Get ready Todd, these are going to break your heart!!!

Here is a link to a blog spot for the photographer if you want to see more photo shoots!

http://www.elizabethleconeyphotography.blogspot.com/

An Apple A Day!

You know what they say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"

Sara Beth got her hands on this pretty apple and started going to town on it. How did she even know what to do with it? I always peel and cut up her apples. I guess she just gave it a shot. I didn't have the heart to take it from her. She was really enjoying it!

She worked on it for quite a while. It was entertaining for her and yummy at the same time. Can't beat that! I want to reach out and kiss those sweet little hands!!

Random Sweetness

OK. So life around here has been VERY busy. What I mean is that I have never been this crazy busy before. I am down a set of hands. I have great kids and my older ones are a big help to me. For an example. Last night I was on the phone and look over to Emma folding a load of laundry. She is the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful child I know. I am aware she is my child, and that makes it even better. It is what it is and I can't help that! Leah is a big helper to, don't get me wrong. She is just a bit younger (3 years actually) so I can't depend on her as much. She is a ball of energy all the time and occasionally will do something to surprise me, like make me this wonderful picture that keeps me going. I have posted it on the refrigerator so that I look at it every single day and am reminded that even on my bad days, she still thinks I am a good mama.
Sorry I haven't been updating much lately. I have been busy being a mom! Apparently someone thinks I'm not half bad either!! Thank you Leah, I love you to pieces! I often wonder what on earth did I do to deserve these precious children. The answer is nothing. There is nothing on this earth that I could have done to deserve the wonderful children God has given me. I am so thankful for them each and everyday. They help get me through the rough patches in life.

Halloween 2011

Here is a few shots of the girls in their Halloween costumes. These pictures aren't great by any means. Sara Beth was not happy about her costume. I think she thought something was coming after her. We took the kids downtown for some trick or treating Monday afternoon. All the businesses down Main street were passing out candy. Sara Beth wouldn't fit in the stroller with her costume on so we just stuck it on the back of the stroller. We got a lot of comments about how cute all the kids were. Monday night it POURED down rain, was freezing cold and windy. After maybe 5-8 houses the group was begging to go home. So we did. I definitely wasn't trick or treating for me! I was happy to get home and warmed up!! Hope you all had better luck than us with your trick or treating!

My Jelly Fish

My Soldier (or the ARMY per Leah). Leah tickled me. She was saluting everyone (some people were saluting her too!). Her daddy would have been very proud!

My peacock

Here is one with our cousins (a viking and Harry Potter)