I Wasn't Dreaming of a Sick Christmas ...

... but that's what we got.  Everyone was sick on Christmas.  And we ran the gamut of illnesses:  ear infections, roseola, tonsillitis, food poisoning and stomach bug.  All within three days.

Good thing about being sick on Christmas:  no one in the house felt like doing much, so we just lounged around as much as possible and watched television.  And since the kids didn't feel well, there was no fighting, arguing and bickering.  We made the most of it.  The kids loved their presents and we loved watching them open 'em up.  I got to talk to family on the phone.  Man, how I miss my mom and sister these days!

Jesse's on night shifts, but thankfully he was up and awake on Christmas morning to be with the kids while they opened presents.  I think of all the moms and dads out there deployed overseas who can't be with their little ones during the holidays, and I remember the year that Jesse missed Christmas.  He was in Iraq at the time.  Thankfully, we lived in Texas with Shug for that deployment, so we were surrounded by family while he was away.  I think it taught me to be even more thankful for the blessings.

Here are some December pictures to catch up a little.  And if you haven't joined the sister blog, Four Big Mouths, make sure you check it out.  It's the place I put all the funny things the kids say around the house.

Looking handsome in his new Snoopy outfit from Grandma

Riley being ... well, Riley.

All our kiddos playing together and not fighting.  It was a momentous occasion.

Cold!

Yeah, it's really that cold.

The Four Monsters

Took this picture today ... it's my new favorite!

Four Eyes

We had eye appointments for the girls the other night.  Turns out that Savvy needs reading glasses.  We are truly hoping that her headache problem is solved with the new addition.  Too bad that we have to wait a week to pick them up.

Riley also had a change in her eyes, and she needs a stronger prescription in the right eye.  Since insurance covered the exam, frames and lenses we got new frames for Riley as well.

Yeah, I know.  Not the most exciting news.  But hey.  That's what I've got today.  So far!

Book Review: Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

This is a great, lighthearted book.  Perfect for snuggling under blankets on a snowy day and reading the day away.  Only a day's read for me, but I'm a fast reader.  Lucy Valentine is a great protagonist and I can't wait to read the next one.  

Lucy Valentine is one of the Valentines.  Matchmakers extraordinaire who were blessed with the ability to see auras by none other than Cupid himself.  And while matching auras works 98% of the time in their matchmaking business, Cupid's Curse makes it impossible for any Valentine to find true love.  Add this to the fact that Lucy's inherited ability to read auras was shortcircuited -- literally -- by an electrical surge, and she no longer has the ability to read auras or carry on the family tradition.  Instead, she can find things.  Lost items to be specific, through a type of ESP, courtesy of the power surge.  But Lucy's life is turned upside down when her gift to find lost objects ends up helping her find a buried body with a missing engagement ring.  Enter into the mix the handsome PI that works upstairs and you've got a great story on your hands.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

New Blog!

I've started a separate blog for all the funny things the monsters say.  Also includes some artwork and funny stories.  Check it out and become a follower.

Four Big Mouths

Minnesota in Winter

Just thought I'd share some pretty pics of the Land of Ice and Snow.

Meet Gareth

Gareth Everett is a 2 1/2 year old little sweetie pie that I've only seen in pictures, but his momma is one of my great friends.  Annie, Ben, and their daughter Audrey came into our lives when we moved to Oceanside, California.  Meeting wonderful families is one of the best things of military life.

Gareth was born on April 22, 2008 and his parents knew before he was born that this little guy was going to have tough obstacles to overcome in his life.  He has cystic fibrosis.  CF is a disease that affects the entire body, with breathing difficulties at the top of the list.  Other symptoms of CF are chronic sinus infections, poor growth, diarrhea, infertility, internal scarring and cyst formations, especially in the pancreas.  CF patients lack the ability to regulate mucus, digestive juices, and sweat, thus leading to breathing and digestive difficulties.

Every day, Gareth undergoes multiple breathing treatments with a nebulizer and vest therapy.  Every day.  He has had numerous surgeries already to remove scar tissue and improve his chances of surviving this disease.  

I'm asking you to help.  All you have to do is vote on the Pepsi Refresh page for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's initiative to help children Breathe Easier.  A couple of clicks and two minutes of your time could help give $250,000 to CFF for research into hypertonic saline therapy, a promising new treatment. 

There is no cure for CF.  But you can help provide much needed research funding by supporting this cause through Pepsi Refresh.

Dagnabbit!

Our butter thief strikes again.  Such a strange child.  I hear she gets it from her mother.

Eating A Cupcake, Isaac-Style

It was so funny watching Isaac dig in to his birthday cupcake.  He didn't want to touch it with his hands at first.

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

Isaac, just born

Our little man is ONE year old today.  Isaac Sean has been a blessing and source of much laughter over the past year.  Wouldn't trade a minute of it!

Isaac enjoying his First Birthday cupcake