Mamma said there'd be days like this...

Poor little Bry is a sick little boy.... firstt he had croup, and he seemed to be getting better, and then last night his fever spiked to 104.4... YIKES!!!! It turned out to be strep, sinus infection, and an ear infection all in one!! He is on some super-strong antibiotics, so hopefully he will be good as new in no time! We have spent our fair share of time in the Dr office lately! Here is what I found when I left my poor little guy watching Curious George...
And here, Cason was trying to make him feel better by bringing him some pillows and his favorite Thomas blanket... sweet boy!

We had already gone thru Paci-Detox, and he was doing pretty well without one... but then he got sick and I went into survival mode, so now we are going thru Paci-Retox!! :o) Say a little prayer for Bryson today!!

Perspective

Today was the 100th day of school. The kids made lots of fun things and did cool activities having to do with the number 100. One thing they did was talk about being 100 years old. Here was my conversation with Micah this afternoon...
Micah: "Mommy I cant wait to be 100!"
Me: " Why?"
Micah, "Cause I get to wear glasses and use one of those cool those sticks when I walk and drink coffee."
I love their perspective at this age!! :o)

My Favorite Husband and My Bloggie Friends

Thanks for the encouraging words from everyone... I really do have so much to be thankful for, and it is so nice to have some encouragement and so many great friends, old and new, to "share" in this crazy journey we call life.... so whether I have told you lately or not, thank you for being my friends when I am up and when I am down!
Clint had a basketball game this afternoon, so I corralled all 4 of my little critters and we made a scene on the sidelines while we "cheered for Daddy's team" and hollered "Go Bears!" almost as loudly as we hollered "Hi, Daddy!!" with a big goofy wave from across the court... Afterwards, we headed to MiMi's house for 4 haircuts... my mom is the best!! Then our high schoolers were playing our big rival, Hyde Park, and my best friend's hubby coaches the girls... I really wanted to be there and cheer them on and watch them stomp HP, so my awesome husband let me go to the game to have some adult conversation and some yummy nachos while he took all the boys home, fed them, bathed them, and put them to bed for me.... he totally gave me the night off.... it is no wonder he is my favorite!!

Keepin it real...

I really do love blogging... and the blog-world... and keeping up with and reconnecting with old and new friends... it is neat to get a peak into other people's lives... BUT my problem with blogging is that we put up this appearance that life is "all good" Rarely do we write a post that just says "Im having a blah day... not really thrilled to have to do all my motherly duties today... my kids are getting on my nerves... my husband and I are too busy to make time for eachother... my house is a huge wreck and I dont have the time and energy to clean it... my treadmill tripped a breaker while I was on it... seriously, it did... is that a hint? I am being pulled into so many directions that I think I am just about to be stretched out to my max... we are so busy that my head is spinning... etc, etc...."



I could keep on going, but I guess I should stop. Im not really mad at anyone or anything, just overwhelmed with life I guess.... I read all these blogs o fall these other moms every day and I think to myslef how perfect everything seems.... and I think surely not, but maybe I am the weird one who does not wake up every morning thrilled and thanking God that I have 4 little ones to take care of, a class of 4 year olds to teach, a husband to cook for, a house to clean, a church to be involved in, etc... all those things are definately things to be thankful for, but I need to be reminded of that from time to time when the monotony of life gets to me. I guess I just felt the need to "keep it real" and let the guard down to let others know that life is just not perfect. I am not sure why it is human nature for us to "put our happy face on" and get out there and face the world. Sometimes it just feels nice to take the mask off and be imperfect...



Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer today... just getting it off my chest.... so here is a cute pic of Bry (with his new "fake smile") to cheer everyone up!! He got these on all by himself, but he kept falling down when he tried to walk because he couldnt bend his knees. It gave me a good laugh!

"I'm Telling!!!!"

I am so sick of the arguing that goes on every. single. day. at our house... especially since we have had about a week straight of cold, rainy weather... they are so cooped up and hyper!! So I tried something new, and it was great.

Clint was off at basketball practice, and he had Cason. Micah and Coby were fighting over who got to be Michaelangelo and who got the bigger sword. I was putting away laundry in my closet when I heard Coby cry out, "hey!!!! I had that first!!! I'm telling!!!" My first instinct was to march in there, seperate them, and gripe them out.... but I waited. Micah was running after him, begging him not to tattle. I clicked my closet light off and quietly pushed the door to. Coby came around the corner, "MOM??!!!" No Answer. "MOM???!!!" Still no answer. The looked in the living room, "MOM???!!!!" No answer. Laundry room... no answer. They begin looking together. I was listening to them to be sure they didnt panic and go outside. They came back into my room and I jumped out of my closet and scared them. The both hollered, we all laughed and they forgot all about their arguement. It was way more fun than playing the part of referree!!

A Makeover!

I wish I was referring to being treated to a day at the spa, a shopping spree, and a much needed mommy-makeover, but no.... what do you al think of my blog-makeover? It is the awesome handiwork of my friend, Shelley (http://haleshousehold.blogspot.com/)... who I have not seen in years, but we have been reunited via the blog world... If you like what you see, give her a shout out on her blog!
In other news, the boys had no school today. My tendency is usually to pack the 4-day weekend full of places to go, things to do, people to see... but one of my new years resolutions is to "just say no" and slow down. I am constantly overcommiting myself and I get so stressed out... anywhoo, I did use their naptime to go in and work for a few hours up at church and when I got back home at 5:00, all 4 boys were still in jammies! It is super cold and rainy outside and we just had an awesome day hanging out in our pjs, reading books, watching movies, playing gameboy, and just chillin! We need more days like this... now we are all a little stir crazy, so we are headed out somewhere for dinner! :o)

funny boys...

ok, I know, 2 post in one day... whoa! But I had to type this quick story before I forgot. We were leaving HEB the other day and I had all 4 boys with me all piled into the cart. We got to the crosswalk and had to wait for a car to go by. There was a woman standing there (she was actually right in the door way, so I am sure she heard us) having a good smoke. Here was the conversation:
Coby: "Oh, no, Mommy, is that lady smoking a cigarette?"
Me (quietly, but matter of fact) : "Yes, Coby, she is."
Cason, "Why is she doing that?"
Me (feeling her staring at us, as she was thinking, "who is she to judge me? She looks like the old woman who lived in a shoe...") : "Some people just make that choice to do things like that"
Coby (loudly, because Coby does nothing quietly): "Well, I hope she knows she is gonna DIE!"

** Well, I guess I can safely report that drug awareness week was successful as far as Coby is concerned!

New Years Resolutions of a 7-year old

I realize that it is really late to be posting new years resolutions, but this paper came home from school the other day, and I thought it was too sweet not to share.... You may be able to read it in his own writing if you click on the picture to enlarge it, but I went ahead and typed it below, using his spelling. So sweet....

Micah - Jan. 3, 2008

My new year resolution is to:
Do my best.
Have a time limit on game-boy.
Be sweet to one another
Play niceley.
Obay my mom and dad.
Be ploit to my parents.
Have fun with my brothers, Coby, Cason, Bryson.
Obay the Fruit of the Spirit wich is: love, joy, peace, pashints, kindness, gentulness, self-cuntrole.
Love my mom and dad.
Love God.
Obay the law.
Play sports well.
Have fun in school.
Have fun doing progects.
Do not obay the devel.
Do well being erly at school.
To thank my mom or dad for letting me play my game-boy.

Bryson's Birthday!

Sweet Bry -

I cant believe that my baby is 2 years old today. You are such a joy to our family. You have a spunk and a love for life that makes everyone smile. You do nothing timidly... you jump in there and go for it in everything you do. You are my little firecracker and you always know exactly what you want. You let the boys all pick on you and you copy everything they say and do... you think you are just as big as they are! You have the easiest smile and the most contagious giggle. You have brought us all so much joy in the last 2 years, and we look forward to watching you grow for many more to come!

We love you, Bry! Happy 2nd Birthday!

Here is my little peanut in the NICU. He has come a long way from that 5 lb premie!

1 year old

Bryson and Micah celebrated their birthdays together this year. Bry had a Curious George birthday party and Micah's was a camo theme... it was loads of fun!


We celebrated as a family on his actual "birthday." Here he is with his cupcake. He actually got his first haircut between celebrations! That is how far behind I am on blogging!! :o)

Christmas 2007 - in Pictures

I hope you all had a merry christmas! We had some obstacles to overcome, but we made it! Micah had strep the week before Chrostmas and Coby and Cason both got it while we were in Jacksboro with Clint's family. Then Micah and Coby got a fever/stomach virus during our Fowler Christmas weekend. Then Bry got a fever virus... So we have been up and down, but our celebrations were great fun! We were all well and in our own home just the 6 of us for Christmas eve and day. It was a really special time for us to make our own traditions as a family! We made Santa some really yummy (and beautifully decorated) cookies and we went looking at lights and singing christmas carols in the car. We cleaned our rooms in case Santa stopped in to see them (mommy's idea!) We all got one last cup of hot chocolate (or warm-chocolate as they call it) while we watched the old-school version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Then Clint told the story of baby Jesus and how he was the ultimate gift for us. It was really special!

Now we are working our way out of the mounds of gifts and stuff from all of our family and friends! My kids are officailly SPOILED!! Now I need to go thru it all and organize. We have been working on that these last few days because the clutter started to get to me! The amount of pictures and video from Christmas is insane, so here are a few cute ones, in no particular order because blogger is not being kind to me tonite!

We wish you a merry christmas!

Jarrell is having a hay-day with the wrapping paper trash!

Gigi reading Bryson's new George books

christmas with the Best great-grandparents. This is only 3 out of the 7 great-grandparents that my kids have!! It was so special that they travelled to see us! We love yall!

Bryson loves his new hat and gloves!

Christmas with the Fowler cousins was a zoo!! But is was a blast!

Karaoke with the Fowlers! My mom and dad are so cute!!

Putting out some carrots and other food for the reindeer

Hanging Santa's magic key on the door

Bryson on Christmas morning


This is what our house looked like Christmas morning... they all 3 got gameboys from Santa and they were a hit!

I love that Micah gets excited about every little present... and his joy is contagious!

Sweet Coby!

Donatello - my favorite ninja turtle. He sleeps in this now!

Bry thinks he is in heaven!

Summer's Birthday!

To all the many "blogians" anxiously anticipating an update post......this is not it.

This is an honoring of my beautiful wife on her Birthday.

Four children,

Four different houses/apartments,

Five jobs,

Two Churches,

Eight Anniversaries,

All in Ten Years!!!!

We have been through a lot.....quickly.

We had our first date and

shared our first kiss just over ten years ago.

We have so much to be thankful for.....

God has blessed my life so much through you!

Thanks for standing by me

through the thick and thin, ups and downs,

ri.... and poorer. (the richer will come later)

I think Proverbs 31:10ff is so true....

10 "A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies!

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her.

29 Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Here are a few memories that we share together.

When we first met our sweet Coby!

(Summer, Micah, Coby)

Our precious family of four.

Mommy with Coby and Micah.

Mommy getting to know Cason.

Then we were five!!

Summer has a way with babies.

That is one full lap!

Summer Loving on Cason!

Coby turning two....(she can make awesome cakes too!!)

Watching Fireworks

Riding the Zylker Zepher!

Our family of five at Christmas

Meeting Bryson...a little early

Freezing on the Frio River at Church Retreat

Having fun on the beach

Our Family

My bestfriend

Summer, I love you dearly.

Happy Birthday my love!

Bryson's first haircut!

When folks in the grocery store began to say things like "She is so cute... how old is she?" we decided it was time for a haircut! Bryson's hair is super cute and curly right after I wet him down and fix it, but 5 minutes later it is a mop, so we went for it. He actually did fairly well and sat pretty still as long as he had his sucker (which had to have the hair rinsed off a time or 2!) I saved several of his curly locks of hair! Now I wondering if it will continue to be curly and if it will keep its red color!

Before:

During:

After (with a little chocolate on his face):

A night out...

Here is me with my BIG hair when we are in the process of straightening it.... this is before we attack it with a flat iron! Cason asked me, "Mommy, why do you look like a lion??" :o)

We went to a fancy dinner for the school. It was fun to get all snazzed up and have a night out!

My momma and daddy... how cute are they?

Mom showing off the bottom of her fancy dress


Me and mom...




Being silly..... I love this lady!!