I'm Alive, I promise

Yes, I know I havent posted a darn thing in months. My life has been busier than ever now that both boys are in school and Aiden is a busy toddler. So much has happened that I won't even try and recap it as I don't have the time nor can my eyes stay open that long tonight. We have been trying to be outdoors hiking and playing as much as possible as anytime now the nice weather we are enjoying this fall could change instantly. I am not looking forward to the next 5 months couped up in the house with the boys so we have been hiking and taking in every beautiful place we can find.

The boys are growing by leaps and bounds. Keaton is loving first grade and is such a great reader now. He read us a book about Pumpkins this evening. Ben and I just kept looking at one another in shock that he just read that non fiction book no problem. This is just amazing to me.

Ryan is enjoying Preschool. Making friends and is finally coming around on singing and dancing. The kid refused to sing or dance for the past 4 yrs. Thankfully he is talking more and is coming out of his shell more and more each day. Obessed with Star Wars and How to Train your Dragon. Seriously, OBSESSED!!!!!

Aiden is amazing and growing fast. He is such a happy go lucky kid. Loves trains,trucks and anything he can push. He is an outdoor kid and would spend each and every minute outside if he could. Starting to talk with the new words this week Juice,up and down. These new additions to his previous vocab. has helped me some with the toddler frustration. Aiden is starting to use the potty now! Yipee. He has gone a few times and knows what to do but just can't always hold it to get there. I think he's doing great for only being 19 months old.

Halloween was great and Keat was Yoda, Ryan was a Storm Trooper and Aiden was the cutest elephant ever. We enjoyed the kids festival at church and Trick or Treating with cousins and friends in the neighborhood. Lots of fun. Camera won't download so will try and get pics out soon.

Ben and I are doing well. We have gotten a few date nights in and trying to find time with one another. It's hard with three kids but overall doing well.

Looking forward to the holidays and hoping that the New Year will bring clarity to our lives. I'm wrestling with somethings now that I hope will all work out for the best and soon.

So there it is, a quick update. Promise I will try and be better about updates

Keaton's broken

Well I can officially say now that we have had a broken bone. I have been bracing for broken bones and stitches since the day I had Keaton, then when I had two more boys I knew it was inevitable that it would come sooner than later but was happy thus far the moment hadn't come yet, at least the broken bone part. Well last night took care of wondering how I would handle it all.
We took a nice walk to the park after dinner, enjoyed time at the park and then were going to go on the long way home so mom and dad could get some exercise. Needless to say we got more gray hairs last night than exercise. We did a reverse of our normal path we take since we went to the park first. Going in reverse meant that instead of going up the hill

on our walk we went down the hill in one section. Well needless to say the boys were on their scooters and we were right behind them for the most part. Keaton was in the lead and started picking up speed. He tried to put his foot down to slow down or stop, then realized he was going to fast and tried to ditch the scooter but that didn't go to well. He didn't ended up going down right outside of a flower garden on the cement. His right arm went out to break the fall and it went crack. I've NEVER heard him scream like that so I knew it wasn't good. When I got to him he had blood all over his face as his lips were cut. I thought at first he lost his teeth. Thankfully they were there and it was just that he had bit both his upper and lower lip, which bleed alot. Then on further review realized it was the arm that was causing all the tears. It was all distorted and purple. GROSS is all I can say. We thankfully had the double jogger and stuck him in the empty seat and ran as fast as we could to get him home. Got the neighbors next door to take the younger two and off to have it looked at. After an hour of waiting we saw the x-ray and its a bad but clean break. So heading this afternoon to the Orthopedic doctor to have them look at it and hopefully if it's not to swollen get the hard cast. Keaton's been a trooper and hasn't complained a bit this morning at all. I know it hurts as I see the grimaces and pain in his face but he's a tough kid and I'm so proud of him.

Just say'ns

Just a quick post of some funnies that Keaton has sprung on me this week. Don't want to forget these so thought I would jot them down.

Baby Aiden was cry and done with his nap and Keaton turns to be and looks all serious and says " You really need to get your youngster, he's really not happy." Youngster really....are you six or sixty?

We were at a birthday party this past Sat. when we had a bounce decide to launch into the air and travel over 2 miles right after the kids got out of it. This is a whole post in it's self but don't want my blood pressure to high tonight so will leave that for another day. Just after this happens Keaton very loudly and matter a factly announces to the party "Well I guess this party is over and it's time to go everyone!" Leave it to my son to drop a one liner that made us all laugh during a crazy and terrifying event.

We did it!

I am happy to say "WE DID IT" we survived our first camping trip as a family of five. I was a little unsure of how this was going to be but it turned out to be a good time and the boys had a blast. Thankfully we had my parents and my brother and Jen to help keep track of everyone as I don't think they stopped until their little heads finally hit the pillow at night. I had set out and agreed to give this a try with one night in mind. Keaton had a Birthday party on Sat. so planned on heading out mid afternoon in order to be back in time for the party however with all the packing that went into the trip and the fact we were having a good time we decided to go home, shower (man, do you get dirty camping),grabbed more clean,warm clothes for everyone (I totally under estimated the amount of clothes we would need as the boys got way dirtier than I ever expected),go the the swim party and then back to camping. Insane as it was, we did it, camped, did a birthday party and then back for more camping. I have to say the 2ND night of sleeping in a tent SUCKED as Ryan decided to have dreams and scream out in his sleep which woke up Aiden which then all the crying woke almost anyone in earshot. Yikes it was no fun but we survived it all and I over came my fear of sleeping amongst the bears and mountain lions so I have to give myself some credit. I will admit I am more a beach girl and probably always will be but while in Colorado I will try and do all things out of my comfort zone for my boys. Memories were made and look forward to the next adventure.

Lots to blog about to record memories but little time

Up and coming blog post that I need to find some time for.

1. Ryan grad pics
2. Ryan's b-day party and pics
3. Keaton's school award and graduation and pics

Busy month of May & Ryan graduates Preschool

May has been a busy month for us with lots going on. Lots of Birthdays, graduations,sickness and FUN. Life as usually is busy and keeping up with everything has me spinning some days. Our family calendar had lots going on, with preschool leader day,Keaton's field day,family fun night, friends and cousins B-day parties,Ryan's 4th Birthday,Ryan's preschool graduation and much more that I wont list. So much to do and so little time to relax has I guess lead us to where we are now.....FIGHTING a bad bug. Everyone but me has thus far been very sick. At this moment Keaton,Ben and Aiden are on antibiotics, Aiden has a double ear infection for the 6th time. Ryan thankfully just has a cold and is doing fairly well. There has been no rest for the weary around here as I've been run into the ground trying to take care of everyone. I pray I'm not next. If I go down it will be bad news.

As mentioned above Aiden has his 6th ear infection and we are on our way to probably getting tubes. We going in a few weeks to see the Dr. about this and we'll go from there. He has had an ear infection a month for since Jan. it's been a nightmare to say the least. He's such a happy little guy for all the turmoil he is going thru with his sore ears.

Ryan celebrated his 4th Birthday on Sunday the 23rd at Nancy Lewis Park. It was a beautiful afternoon shared with lots of friends and family. Ryan was just so happy he was having a Star Wars Birthday. The day before and after the party were extremely windy (65mph gusts) so we were blessed to have a day with little wind and clear blue sunny skies. I made him an adorable Star Wars fighter jet cake which I have to say I am extremely proud of. The day was wonderful and I can't believe he'll be four years old soon.

Yesterday the 25th Ryan graduated from his 3/4 year old preschool class. It was a special day as it was his first graduation and he was so excited. He doesn't really understand what took place to be honest. He woke up this morning asking if it was a school day as he wants to go to school. Poor guy doesn't get that he is staying home with me now till Sept. Will post pics of graduation soon. One funny note to share is Ryan is not good in front of groups so the entire program he sat stone faced. I don't think he sang a single word the entire program, and when they called his name to get his little diploma he did this funny walk to his teachers and acted all shy and goofy. Oh my Ryan, you keep me forever on my toes and always smiling as you are so unpredictable and true.

So busy, busy is our life but loving it all the same.

Mother's Day 2010

This year's Mother's Day was more special than ever after spending last year in the hospital with baby Aiden for several day. This year I was just thrilled to be home with all my boys. Ben made me a wonderful breakfast along with the boy's "help". I headed to church with the two older boys and Ben elected to stay at home with Aiden for me as they didn't have nursery service for him that morning. So I was excited that the boys could go to Children's church and I could peacefully sit and enjoy church for once. Well......god and church had other plans. They closed children's church so kids could sit with their moms. Several of us moms were wondering who came up with this brilliant idea. Now I had to sit with my 6 and 3 year old for an hour with nothing to do. I was not prepared for this you see and this left me a bit frazzled. Thankfully I found some paper and pens and they drew for a while and then just wriggled and giggled in their seat. Not sure who came up with that idea but I was feeling better as the family with 7 kids sat in front of us and they had it much worse off. Yikes! After church the boys gave me my gift which was some plants for the yard. I love planting things on special days. I love watching things grow and remember the special day that we planted it and it shows growth and life , which are so amazing. The rest of the day was spent at my parents home. Eating, playing outside and trying to relax. There's not alot of relaxing with a 13month old I've found. It was a spectacular day and I feel so blessed to be the mother of 3 amazing boys.

Brother OHHHHHH Brother

Well,we have reached the stage where the boys either love one another or can't stand one another and it has Ben and I pulling our hair out recently. I do the best I can to try and let them resolve conflicts on their own for the most part but lately all the bickering is driving me nuts. Hmmmm....not to mention the fact that my 3 year old knows exactly what to do to make his big brother lose it regularly. I know this is normal and for the most part they enjoy each others company and it's wonderful to watch them interact but when they fight WATCH OUT, it's a brawl and howl fest! Holly Cow. I'm a girl, I played barbies and tea sets for god sakes. I didn't wrestle or play Kung foo. This is all new territory for me and I'm wading thru this the best I can. They are good boys but they are ALL BOY and I'm having to learn as we go and I'm getting a schooling let me tell you. BOYS ONE-O-ONE is kicking my butt. So anyone out there who read this who has siblings that fight or all boys or even grew up with just brothers please throw me some support. I think I'll be heading to Barnes and Nobles to sift thru some books to get some pointers or maybe the liquor store to get a bottle of wine which always makes things a little more tolerable. LOL!!

Just like everything else I know we are going thru a stage and this stage will to pass but until then just trying to do the right thing for my little men. For now I will remind myself this is helping shape who they are becoming. They are building character,conflict resolution skills, a bond like no other and the important lesson that they are not the only one in this family or world and it's not just about them. So I will hold on to these thoughts and get thru this stage for now. Later they'll probably all gang up and work together wonderfully to sneak out, sneak in girls, take the car and throw parties so I guess I just made myself realize I have it pretty easy now Hugh! Hmmmm....where's that wine?

Ready to GOOOOOO!

OK, today I've had it and I am willing to say to anyone who wants to hear or wants to read. "I am ready to MOVE." I'm ready to high tail it back to the South where there is a Spring season and I can get my butt into a pair of shorts without freezing to death. I don't know what the world is going on with the weather here in Colorado this year but all I have to say is "IT SUCKS". One day it's seventy the next 40 and freezing because there's god awful winds. The grass thankfully is turning green slowly and there are some hints of life with some tulips and other flowers blooming but I have to say "I miss my Azaleas and southern foliage and I won't be happy till I have a yard full of it again." There I said it, I've had my rant. Maybe it all is ridiculous but man this winter has been way to long and their hasn't been a hint of Spring and we are almost mid-May. So I think I will be looking for job opportunities for Ben in the NC area and seeing what I can make happen sooner than later. So if you read this and you have a job for my dear husband that is decent, let me know. I'm ready to GOOOOOOO.

Happpy Anniversary My Love!

12 years ago I met the man I would marry. I had NO idea at the time that we would fall in love, get married and have 3 kids but I sure am glad that was our path. Ben and I dated for some time. We enjoyed lots of fun times, trips, and I guess now I can say freedom to do it all. When he proposed May 11th at Topsail Beach, NC I was what you could say "SPEECH LESS" of course I said yes, and almost a year after we were married in a beautiful ceremony in Raleigh, NC. Our life began not just on April 26th our wedding day but 12 years ago when I met my true best friend who I can not imagine my life without. I didn't just marry my boyfriend I married my best friend. We still enjoy being adventurous together, traveling, hiking and trying things even with 3 kids that most people would shy away from. Together we can do it all!! We may be getting older and our lives crazy busy but one thing hasn't change. We not only LOVE one another but genuinely enjoy each others company and respect each other for who we are. No changes necessary here. Ben's a keeper in my book!

So on this day I say Happy Anniversary my love. I am so lucky to have met you 12 years ago and even luckier to have you as my husband for the last 7. I hope we have many more fantastic years together. I am one lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband, family and life. I couldn't ask for more.

Much Love

Kid update

Well just a quick update on the kids. Haven't done one for all the kids in a while so thought best I do as I diligently did one for Aiden every month for the last year and feel a bit guilty as I havent done much updating for the big boys. So here it goes.

Keaton: Amazing is the word I use to best describe. He is just one smart,bright cookie. He has flourished in kindergarten and we couldn't be prouder of him. He pretty much has mastered his site word list. Is a beginner reader. He can write sentence with correct capitalization and punctuation. He can tell you verbatim anything he hears. He has the best memory of anyone I've ever met. He can recite or sing a song after the first time he hears it. This is no good for me as he repeats what I say and never lets anything go by. He can do subtraction and addition now and tells time to the hour,half hour and quarter hour. Like I said he is doing so well.

He is growing like a weed. He is 50 lbs and 50 inches tall. He still is a skinny little fart who now wears a size 7 pant and size 2 shoe.

He played in the Upwards basketball league this past Winter for 3 months and had a blast. He is now playing soccer thru the Banning Lewis Academy athletics. He loves it as his teachers husband is the coach and his teacher helps out most practices. He is riding his bike now which is a wonderful accomplishment as he wouldn't even give his bike a second glance for the last 2 years. The big event that just took place recently is the falling out of the first front tooth. He is now smiling with a pretty big hole in his smile. It's quit the smile. He has grow up so much this past year and it's hard to believe he's 6 already and finishing kindergarten. Time has flown by and my little baby has grown into a fine young boy.

Ryan has grown so much over the last year. He started his first year of preschool this year and has done so well. Ryan has an imagination that just make you smile. He can turn anything into something fun. He still is much more serious and cautious than Keaton about almost everything. He is slow to warm up but once there he is the most loving,fun kid. He has learned the letters of the alphabet, by site and sound and now is mastering writing them. He can write his name and loves to draw pictures that only he usually knows what they are. He has taken a liking to Star Wars due to his big brother and friends. Still loves his dinosaurs however! Ryan is handling having a pesky little brother in his things pretty well. He just loves his baby brother so much but one day I have a feeling there's going to be a battle royal. Ryan will turn 4 at the end of May and I look forward to all the amazing accomplishments he makes going forward. One awesome kid my Ryan.

Aiden: I just updated for his one year update so take a peak at previous post. He is doing great and getting SOOOOOO big.

All I know is that I am one lucky mom to have such wonderful, healthy kids. I felt like a bragger when writing this post but I'm there mom, I'm suppose to boast and be proud. Plus that's what this blog is about so what better place to talk them up!!!

Aiden "ONE" year stats

Well we made it to the big "ONE" mark which blows my mind. I feel like I was huge and pregnant just yesterday but my little boy is no longer an infant he is a toddler now and a very happy and agreeable one at that.

What Aiden's up to now:

Weight: 25lbs Height: 33 inches
*Walking, Walking, Walking...he's everywhere and into everything
*getting 2 molars in the back and chewing on EVERYTHING he can get his mouth on

*climbing anything he finds fit to climb

*Adores his big brothers and gets REALLY mad when he gets left behind

*Is chatting more and more everyday -moms favorite is waving night, night

*Waves and claps

*Found out he's allergic to penicillin as he broke out recently in a head to toe hive nightmare

*Loves giving open mouth kisses and a great hugger

*DOES NOT LIKE TO WATCH TV but does LOVE music

*Loves being outside to play, loves the slides and swing at the parks now

*Uses a sippy cup now and almost weaned from breastfeeding. YEAH!!!

One great kiddo I do declare. Keep up the good work Aiden!!! LOVE YOU!

Lucky Me

Lucky......that word describes how I feel about my life. I'm just plain lucky. I have 3 fantastic kids, a wonderful husband and a life that I could have only dreamed to live. Life is good and I want to make sure I acknowledge it. Life is only what you make of it and I plan to make the most of it each and every day.

Gotta Change it....NOW!

Good thing I didn't have a girl as I can't even stomach all this pink on my blog page. I gotta change this page as I thought a little pink could be fun but every time I have looked at it I think of pepto bismol and feel the need to puke so I think it's time to make a change.

Not ready

Keaton is on the verge of losing his left front tooth. It's hanging by a thread but yet we can't get the thing pulled out so there it hangs. Something about him losing this tooth has just made me sad. To be honest I don't really want him to lose his tooth. That smile is the smile that has looked at me for the last 5 year years and I'm just not ready for the toothless grin or the new permanent tooth that will replace it. I'm trying to hold on to little Keaton but he's forging ahead and wasting no time growing up. This morning I dropped him off at school and looked at that sweet smile with all his teeth for the last time as I have a feeling that when I pick him up today he'll be smiling with one less baby tooth:( Keaton however is so excited to be losing another tooth and he can't wait for the tooth fairy to visit. So mommy will take his lead and embrace the fact that he's growing up healthy and happy and this tooth with be part of the new smile that he'll be looking at me with for the rest of his life.

Pink that's right PINK!!

A recent Ryan quote I don't wont to forget. I recently got a new phone and the phone happens to be pink which is about the only pink thing in my life right now. Ryan picked up my phone recently and said "Mom, PINK? Why is your phone pink. Pink is for girls. " I told him I am a girl. He replied..."Your not a girl mom, your a mommy, not a girl!" So there you have it. I'm a mommy not a girl. This is even more reason to have a pink phone. Oh boys!!

Aiden turns the Big "ONE"!! Love you Aiden!

You are a angle sent from heaven and I can't imagine a day without out you in our lives. I wish for you many more healthy,happy years and I feel honored to be your mommy. Love you!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Aiden 11 months

Well it's hard to believe but Aiden is 11months old and just right around the corner from turning the big YEAR OLD. He's such a fantastic kids and he has grown up way to fast in my opinion. Here's what he's got going on:


Weight: 23.8lbs Height: Not sure will be measured at next Dr. appt. at the end of the month
*crawling like a mad man

*cruising on everything SOOOO close to walking. Has taken a step but not so sure about it

*has figured out that getting on his tip toes gets him more height to reach things on the table and other places

*climbing is fun

*cupboards have lots of fun stuff to scatter all over mommy's kitchen

*everything goes in the mouth of a quick taste

*has learned to play tug a war with his brothers when he really has something he wants and they wont give it up

*how to chatter... mama, dada, baba, don,don,(done,done) bye,bye, na,na (I think this means no,no!),oh oh, wawa (I think this is wow),Oh ma (oh my)

*eating about all solids now but still some baby food to make sure we are getting some good fruits and veggie in there for sure (totally loved corn beef and potatoes on St. Patty's Day!)

*loves water and splashing, blows bubbles until he gets water in his nose

*loves playing outside...swinging, playing in the sand box,going down the slide with mom and dad,

*loves music and will do a funny dance when he hears it

*still his smiley happy self. Has gotten over his freak out when mom leaves the room for the most part but we still have moments.

Aiden is a fantastic kid and it's hard to believe that the next post I do will be when he is ONE. That's the reason I'm trying document each stage month by month as it goes so fast and I want to remember everything. All these posts on all the boys are going into a book that I am making for them to look at later when they are older and also for Ben and I to look at time and again as they grow.

*

The Journey

Where has time gone?????? It feels like yesterday that I was pregnant and I felt Aiden kick inside my tummy. Yet that was almost a whole year ago that I was feeling that wonderful feeling. I've always been a sentimental person, but this whole last baby turning one has me all emotional for some reason. I guess I probably just said it. It's my last baby that is growing up way to fast. Aiden has been such a amazing baby and now we are heading into the toddler years and I know he will grow and change tremendously over the next year and months. He's already on the verge of walking and he is already saying Hi,Bye,mama,dada and OHOH, and oh No,Vroom. When I look back 6years and think of when we first had Keaton I was so overwhelmed and scared all the time that I was doing things right, then we had Ryan and the craziness of our household grew but so did Ben and I. I became so much more relaxed and started to just enjoy what it was to be a parent. Now with Aiden I think I've come full circle. I have enjoyed every bit of watching him grow without all the stress that I use to feel. Some days are nuts, and just down right painful but most are unforgettable as I'm watching each of them grow into little men. I have been here to see all the big moments, and I am seeing all my crazy long days pay off as they seem to be well adjusted happy little boys. I'm truly glad that I have taken the time and let go of all the stuff that truly is not important in the big picture and focused on my kids this year. It was a journey to let go of not having a clean,orderly house every minute of the day, to let the kids get messy and enjoy themselves at whatever they were exploring, and to just join in on the fun and let go. As I look at Aiden now I am so amazed by him and thankful that he is mine, yet were did the time go that he grew up right before my very eyes. How does this happen that they were so needy and small and now so independent. Life is such a journey and it goes by so fast,each moment with your family and children is special and you CAN NOT get it back. I am bound and determined to make the most out of each day and treasure the past as memories as those are what can go on forever no matter how much time goes by. So over the next few weeks I will get ready for my babies 1 year Birthday Party and I will look forward not back but a little part in my heart is sad as our family will be saying good by to babyhood for good and say hello to all the new big kid adventures ahead. Oh what fun is still to come!

Seriously

What a long two months it's been. 2010 has not started of so well and all I can do is hope it gets better as I'm not even going to say it can't get any worse as the way my luck is going it will. To start I went into this year feeling confident that it was going to be a great year. I was not pregnant and will never be again, we had paid all the Dr. bills off for the most part, everyone was healthy. Oh and at dinner on New Years my prayer was that everyone we hold dear be in good health. Well....Things quickly changed right out of the gate into 2010. It started of my finding out that my dear niece was born with a cleft palate. Now mind you she is beautiful in every way but this was not expected and was a shock to my sister and brother in law. Then soon after my brother had his first lung collapse. Mind you he's 33 years old and this is just out of the blue. Shocking and very scary and more scary when it happened again a few weeks later and this time it was worse than before. He ended up having lung surgery and spent a week in the hospital. Emotionally it was just draining and seeing my little brother and his family go thru all they did was tough. Brandon however pulled thru and is on the road to recovery and we now just pray this is all behind him. So I thought this would be it, or at least for some time but OH NOOOOOO, Keaton comes down with a nasty virus that includes a high fever, and cough. He misses four days of school and then so graciously shares with Aiden his germs and this leads us into a whole nother emotional roller coaster. Sat. night before Valentines Day Keaton wake us at 12:30am screaming bloody murder that his ears hurt. We consoled him all night and planned on taking him to urgent care in the morning. While he was screaming Aiden was too and running a 102 degree fever and sounded just awful. We were up all night and headed out to urgent care first thing with Keaton. We should have brought Aiden with also as we ended up there a few hours later anyway. Keaton came home with drops and medicine and about an hour later I left to return to urgent care with a VERY sick Aiden. His breathing had become so labored and I couldn't keep him awake. I knew something was VERY wrong. Once at urgent care the nurse took his pulse ox and before I knew it I had 3 other nurses and the Dr. putting an oxygen mask on my poor baby and telling me we needed to head to the ER and he would be admitted. What????? I was just at the Pediatrician on Friday and she didn't seem that alarmed so I was shocked that they thought he was so bad he need to go to the ER and be admitted into the hospital. To make a very long story short Aiden was diagnosed with RSV and Pneumonia oh and not to the mention an ear infection. The poor kid was so sick and I could do nothing. We spent 4nights in the hospital and thankfully we are now home. Aiden is doing well. Still on oxygen 24/7 but eating well and smiling that amazing smile he has.
So seriously can we now have a break. My nerves can't take much more at this point.