March 20, 2009 - Children's Hospital

Today I headed out with Wil to Seattle for an EKG. I was worried how to help him with this experience and came up with the idea of telling him that we were going to test his Super Hero powers. The kids have recently been watching and LOVING the Super Friends DVD with Super Man, Wonder Woman, Wonder Twins, Aqua Man, Green Lantern, etc. I thought he could relate to this idea, but instead it did the opposite. "I'm NOT a SUPER HERO!!!", he cried over and over. New experiences can be a bit overwhelming for this one. So, I quietly explained that the doctors wanted to see how strong his heart was. :) He quieted down and we headed out. We had to make a return at Land's End on the way and he fell in love with a cute new umbrella. It was on sale. :) I think I would have gotten it for him anyway. Although it wasn't raining, he used it to transition into the building. The folks in the elevator thought he was cute. :) By luck, the cardiology department at Childrens is in the whale wing. Wil thought his umbrella was fantastic as we entered the underwater world. So did the greeters, nurses, and physicians. :) He did exceptionally well with is testing. All were pleased and a bit surprised. After he finished, I said "Wil, you really are a Super Hero and the doctors just tested your greatest Super Hero Power". "What power Mom?" he asked. "Your heart! It is your greatest strength. You are kind and loving Wil Ryan. You are our Super Hero!" *Grin

March 19, 2009 - Bil Headed to CA

Another volleyball tournament this weekend. Bil will be gone from Thursday through Sunday night. I feel like a 16-year-old girl missing her boyfriend. I tried not to cry after dropping him off, but I didn't succeed. :) I miss him. I will miss having his support when the kids won't stay in bed. I will miss his extra set of hands when I'm trying to herd all three into one common direction. I will miss the smell of his cologne in the room after his shower. I will really miss his back when I wake up in the middle of the night and scooch over to connect.

March 18, 2009 - Happy Birthday Marci and Matt

Although we are celebrating Lucky the Leprechaun still in preschool, today marks the special day for both Marci and Matt... unfortunately neither had a stellar day on their birthday. As you grow older, there seems to be a decline in the "star" aspect of the day. Perhaps it is because you don't get to bring cupcakes to share with all your work associates as you did in grade school or that you even HAVE to work on your birthday. When you are young, you celebrate that you are progressing on and reaching new milestones like driving, dating, or adulthood. As an adult, we should be equally as excited that we made it one more year! One more year towards what?? Well, here's the beauty... one more year period! Instead of looking forward, perhaps we should just look at where were are and what we have accomplished!

March 17, 2009 - From 0 to 60 in mere moments!

When Wil mentions that his ear hurts... we know that it can go from 0 to 60 with pain in mere moments. Ten minutes after submitting my last research paper, Wil woke up screaming. After a sleepless night with Wil between Bil and I, there is no question that he has an ear infection; however, we will need a doctor's appointment to confirm and get a prescription of antibiotics. :) We're just hoping that this one stays single versus a dual infection.

March 16, 2009 - My Last Class

Today marks the official last day of my Ashford BA degree. Although I have been taking courses which double for my Masters, I have now officially completed all BA requirements!!!! Bil is just a few weeks behind and we will both fly to Iowa this May to receive our degrees with honor. I believe we will graduate with President's List graduate of Honors.

March 15, 2009 - Sunday Naps

I love the brief time between 3:00 and 4:30 each Sunday when kids are (hopefully) asleep and all is quiet in the home. Even if we can snooze for just 30 minutes, the thought is so exciting that I am giddy enough not to sleep!

March 14, 2009

March 13, 2009 - Date Night

Kentwood is playing in the semi-finals for the Washington State Basketball Championship... Kathryn is babysitting. :) We love that the kids love Kathryn!

March 12, 2009

March 11, 2009

March 10, 2009

March 9, 2009

March 8, 2009

March 7, 2009

March 6, 2009

March 5, 2009

March 4, 2009

March 3, 2009

March 2, 2009

March 1, 2009 - Quiet Time

It is a rare afternoon that we don't have a gazillon things to do AND all three kids nap at the same time! It is my plan to do very little this afternoon, other than spend fun time with the kids and catch up with our 365 journal. Sunday afternoon is always a good time to catch up with this, but we've either been out of state or sick the past few weeks! I love the quiet time... when I can walk into a room and sit quietly with a good book, think about the upcoming week, or even take a nap! :) We'll see how far we get with the journaling today.

February 28, 2009

February 27, 2009

February 26, 2009

February 25, 2009

February 24, 2009

February 24, 2009

February 24, 2009

February 23, 2009

February 22, 2009

February 21, 2009 - Baby Shower for Nora and Jnet

Emma decided that she needed to give a gift to her little cousin. She quickly rummaged through her room and came out with the sock snowman that she made in kindergarten. :) I love the thoughtfulness of this child.

February 20, 2009

February 19, 2009

February 18, 2009 - Baby Nora

Tom and Jennette's second daughter, Nora Evelyn Worton, was born on the 13th of February, Jennette's birthday, while we were in Vegas. A little cutie with brown hair, Harper is now a big sister! We're working on her little baby blanket for the shower this weekend.

February 17, 2009 - Back to Real Life

Laundry, and lots of it, today! :)

February 16, 2009 - Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jig

After a fun weekend away, it was wonderful to come home to our three little pigs! :) How grateful we are to have our family near by. :) Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and cousins! How do folks live without this support system??? :)

February 15, 2009 - Bellagio "O"

Still in Vegas... Bil and I went to watch "O". The Cirque de Solei show features water and acrobatics. Unfortunately, our seats were about the third row from the back. The Bellagio show room was enormous and we were not even able to tell if we were watching men or women... :) With little to eat that day, a lot of walking, and a late night show (we loaded into the taxi home around 1 am)... the best part was grabbing a bite to eat at a Hilton cafe before heading to bed. We were so tired, we were giddy... okay... I WAS GIDDY. It made me think back to our teenage years. It was fun hanging out together, holding hands, talking, and laughing loudly.

February 14, 2009... Sweedish Massage

February 13, 2009 - Ballerina Doll house and no sleep

So the ballerina doll house is now complete. Grandma helped me sew around the little fused dolls that I cut out of the fabric while we were teaching this morning. I sewed, packed for the kids, cleaned, packed for myself, and looked for my wallet which has been missing for about three weeks now. No matter how hard one tries to organize and be prepared for trips... it rarely happens. I did get about two hours of sleep! Wheee!!! I'm excited to see what they think when they receive them tomorrow morning.

February 12, 2009 - The Love Bug

The Love Bug came early! Somehow she knew that the kids wouldn't be home for Valentine's day and so she dropped off goodies and jammies for all!

February 11, 2009 - Wil, Mason, and Dallyn Birthday Treats

Tonight was Wil's night to head out for ice cream with Grandpa and Grandma. As two of his cousins are close in birthday dates, they combined all three together and had a great time! Wil decided upon a chocolate blizzard with MnMs... of course.

February 10, 2009 - Construction Sites

Two construction sites down... one ballerina dollhouse to go! :) I hope the boys have fun... I'm not sure if they will recognize that the front area is actually a paved road. Not a lot of fabrics to choose from in this color scheme. Wil had yellow caution cones and Ben had blue. Each received a collection of construction vehicles.

February 9, 2009 - Getting ready for V-day!

I can't believe that we (Bil and I) won't be home on Valentine's Day. I'm already anticipating leaving Emma, Wil, and Ben... missing them... and feeling badly that we'll miss out on the Valentine Festivities. I love watching them pour pink milk out of the milk container or finding their LOVE BUG jammies the night before. In anticipation of NOT spending this weekend with them, I am on a mission to leave a few surprises and am hopeful that we can get it all ready in time. The plan includes, a cute "house" for each with corresponding items inside. Kim shared the idea and I've purchased my materials and am set to go! We found some cute socks, a little teddy bear for each, and treats to share with Grandpa and Grandma for FHE on Monday. We also need to finish making their Valentines. :) Here's a look at this year's Valentine card picks.