Giles family of 5

'Presley & Jacob, sittin' in a tree...'

2012-02-04T23:40:00.002-06:00

Every single Down's kiddo I meet, I want to steal and take home, they are all so stinkin' cute. And Presley's classmate Jacob, is no different ! At home, we tease Presley, and call Jacob her boyfriend... they truly are precious together. And the best part is, he comes with a really cool family! We went and spent the day with them a few weeks ago, and just had a blast!

The cute couple... lol!

Note to self...

2012-01-24T08:39:00.001-06:00

'BACK UP YOUR PICTURES/VIDEOS !!!'

I was so bummed when I lost my phone last weekend.
However, an hour after losing it, when I realized that I hadn't downloaded ANY of my pictures and videos ... EVER, my 'bummed' state of mind, turned into 'devasted'
Since getting the phone, I haven't used a camera at all, I use only my phone for picture taking and videos.
So, 850+ pictures/videos, of this past year, all recorded family times, vacations, birthdays, holidays... GONE!
Excuse me...

Ok, I'm back, I always have to go throw up when I think about this.

There is a teeny, tiny, glimmer of good in all of this...
For the longest time, I have put off 'blogging',
thinking that I need to play catch up for all the months I have missed.
In my meticulous mind, to just sit down and start blogging,
without catching up, posting pictures and videos, from the last year,
wasn't an option.
Knowing this would be a time consuming, and daunting task,
I have continued to put it off.
But now that I have no choice in the matter, I get to jump right in.
I am so pleased about this,
because I have sooo missed this little blog of mine,
and all of you who come with it!

Isn't she lovely?? This will be 'one' of the 3 tee's I will wear in February for Valentines Day!

I'll take a pic when I'm wearing it so you can see how it turns out~

Angel Lovely...

2012-01-23T09:52:00.003-06:00

"God gave me you for you the ups and downs,

God gave me you for the days of doubt...

And for when I think I lost my way

There are no words enough to say, it’s true,

God gave me you.

On my own I’m only,

Half of what I could be

I can’t do without you..."

Summer 2011... Back to Yogi Bear Park we go!

2011-07-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

So what do you do when you have such a great time somewhere???You GO BACK!!Last year we did a family vacation to one of Yogi Bear Parks and we had a blast!!Soooo, we headed there again this summer...
We did some campin', some eatin', some playin', and just good ole memory makin'!

And this year, we brought Cutter, Mike's nephew, with us...

The pool and water slides are such a blast for all of us!!

I don't know if you remember last year,

but they have a karoke night for the kids, and of course, Devlin and Mikah took the stage singing a Barbie Song.

And there was no nervousness with these two, this was them anxiously awaiting their turn to sing

Jett decided that THIS year, he wasn't fighting Devlin or Mikah for one of the TWO microphones they had, so he said he was going to do his OWN performance...

This is the SADDEST part about losing my phone, I had a video of my brave and precious boy, getting up there, with NO FEAR, singing 'Twinkle, twinkle little star'

Devlin hugging Jett when he gets off stage, soooo sweet!

Everyone brings their golf cart, or lawn chairs to watch the show!

Jett is in love...

2011-07-01T09:49:00.005-05:00

J boy is certainly my little lover boy.
He has several 'girlfriends',
my friend Jamie,
her daughter Kylie,
Mikah's gymnastic coach Kaitlyn,
He even has a huge crush on his cousin Devlin,
but their is only one person he says he is going to 'Marry',
and that is my sister Kristy,
yup, he is in love with his Aunt Kristy, and says he is going to marry her.
He recently had Mike write exactly what he wanted to say to her:

And if Uncle Jason is nervous about J boy moving in on his territory,
he sure doesn't show it... He's too busy being being one of Jett's heros...

But just for the record,
it will be over my dead body that he is ever on the back of one of these things,
when it is actually moving.
I'm serious...

(get it kid??)

The Graduator...

2011-05-31T22:39:00.002-05:00

My very first born has been PROUDLY calling herself that,
ever since her big day on Tuesday,
when she had her Kindergarten graduation.
Precious.
She has also finished up the school year,
official today!

It is so hard to believe how much growing,
and changing,
she has done this year.
But like Mike and I always tell her...
"No matter how big you are,
you will always be our baby"

Presley's knot...

2011-05-23T03:02:00.000-05:00

ON THE HEAD!!
Thursday Presley fell out of her high chair and flat on her face,
it was horrible to see, and not be able to catch her in time, UGH!
She cried for about 2 minutes, and seemed fine.
But of course, Mama wasn't fine,
so we got to spend the morning in the ER to reassure me.
I did feel kinda silly there, as she was laughing and smiling, blowing kisses,
and saying "HI!!" to everyone in her usual, very excited way.
But none the less,
I needed to hear "She's gonna be fine",
from someone in a white coat before I could sleep that night,
or let her SLEEP, for that matter!

You know it's been a good day...

2011-05-08T15:22:00.000-05:00

When it ends like this...

School pictures 2010-2011

2011-05-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

Mikah-Kindergarten

Presley - PPCD

Math in our house...

2011-05-05T15:01:00.001-05:00

Jett + Sugar =

BYE BYE winter...

2011-05-05T01:39:00.012-05:00

Bye Bye Winter...

Hello April Showers...

Riding a T-Rex and snuggling with Lions...

2011-05-02T16:28:00.041-05:00

Those are the things that Jett and I plan to do in Heaven.

I think it is safe to say who the inquisitive one is, among my children.
Mikah pretty much takes after her Daddy...
'It is what it is', and she doesn't really question it.
Jett, on the other hand...
well, he isn't happy until he has questioned you to death on a subject,
any subject,
everything that exists about it,
and all that there is to know about it.
'Why this', 'why that',
'How come this' and 'How come that'...
If he wasn't so cute, I'd strangle him!

Lately, he has had this obsession about death.
We're not really sure where it originated,
we think it has to do with him asking my Dad where his 'Mommy and Daddy? are'
My dad explained to him that his Mom and Dad have passed away.
Ever since, Jett has questioned me constantly about death...
wheredo we go when we die, when do we die, why do we die...
I thought just telling him that when you die you go to Heaven with God, would suffice,
but that was not the case.
He would talk about it all the time,
he would even get upset and say he didn't want to die,
and ask 'When am I going to die?',
'When are you and daddy going to die?'
or get upset and tell me he didn't want me to die.
At first I wasn't concerned about it,
but after a while it started to bother me,
so much so that I even called and asked my Mother about it.

Finally one day,
on our drive home from dropping Presley off at school,
he started with all the questions again.
This time I thought about when I was a child,
I vividly remember dreaming about going places where everything was made of candy.
Seriously, I was obesessed with the Hansel and Gretel story,
thinking how lucky they were to find a house MADE of CANDY!
So, remembering this,
I told Jett when we die we go to Heaven,
but this time I told him that Heaven was this beautiful, amazing place,
where all the houses and playgrounds were made out of candy.
We went on to talk about how everything and everyone was nice in Heaven.
At one point he asked me where dinosaurs and animals go when they die...
'Heaven of course!' I said.
But he asked 'What if the dinosaurs eat me in Heaven?'
So I reminded him that everyone, and everything, was nice in Heaven...
even dinosaurs!
He really loved this...
He said "You mean I can pet and ride a T-Rex in Heaven??!!"
I said "Absolutely!"
The next thing I know we are talking about how we are going to slide down a giraffe's neck,
swim with sharks, swing with monkeys,
and yes... ride a T-Rex.
Jett said he would even be happy to share his meat with a T-Rex,
'Cause you know Mommy, dinosaurs are carnivores?'

He couldn't have been more excited to share this news with Mikah, when she came home from school that day.
The next morning,
I kid you not,
Mike and I caught them jumping up and down,
hugging one another, outside their bathroom,
squealing about how fun Heaven will be one day.
Hmmm.... for a minute or so I worried that I might have taken it too far.
But after reminding myself that they are only 4 and 5 years old,
and knowing that I managed to shoo away all the spooks my son has about death,
I didn't worry for long.

A week or so later,
as Jett and I watched the Animal Planet together,
a favorite past time of ours,
he asks me what my favorite animal is.
When I tell them that despite how dangerous Lions and Tigers are,
they are still my very favorites.
My precious son didn't miss a beat,
he says...
"Well, don't worry Mommy, in Heaven you will be able to snuggle with them"

*Sigh...
Maybe Heaven is really just made up of 4 year old little boys, and all the sweet innocence that comes with them...

Home in time for the Easter Bunny...

2011-05-01T14:59:00.002-05:00

Presley made it home from the hospital the Saturday before Easter.
Her oxygen confined us a bit to the house,
or at least thats the excuse I made.

I am not sure wear the girls will get to wear the pretty Easter dresses I bought for them,
but to be honest, that was the last thing on my mind that day.
We hung out in our yard and tried to get it ready for spring,
while the kids gobbled chocolate bunnies
and hunted for eggs.
No complaints here,
just happy our littlest bunny was home for it all!

Aside from all the candy, stickers and coloring books, the Easter bunny stuffed Mikah and Jett's basket with some pretty cool shoes!

And a precious cowboy hat for Miss P.
Altho I couldn't get a good picture of her wearing for the life of me...

Seriously...

But she did pose pretty with her bunny ears...

Jealous???

2011-04-28T02:56:00.001-05:00

That's understandable.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a necklace like this.
But then,
not everyone has a son like my J boy.
Yup,
my sweet,precious,
amazing son,
made me this necklace.

I will treasure it forever!

April brought more than showers this year...

2011-04-26T01:18:00.005-05:00

It brought that damn pneumonia again!!
And of course, gave it to little Miss Presley.
I think the little butterfly was a bit compromised following her tonsil removal in early March,
then spring and all the allergies that come with it,
kicked her when she was down.
And true to form with Presley,
all the congestion and drainage goes right to her chest,
and then...
"Hello Pneumonia!"
Luckily, we caught it sooner rather than later,
and our hospital stay was only a week,
rather than a month like last year.
In fact,
it was said more than once during her hospital stay,
that she looked nothing like her chest x-ray looked.
(i.e. x-ray looked like crap, but she looked anything but!)
She managed to charm and entertain the PICU like never before.
Literally entertain them...
finding her showing off with several nurses in her room,
laughing and loving her,
was a regular sight...
that's my girl.

One of my favorite parts of this hospital, is the hotel like room service, we just order from the yummy menu and it arrives to our room.

And wouldn't you know, by weeks end, everyone of her nurses knew how much she liked to eat,

and she spent a lot of her time doing just that...

We are at home now, and taking treatments for a while...

but at least we are all sleeping in our own bed!
(Altho, I think she liked the food better there!!)

And soon it will be 'back to school', with all of her new (and thoughtful) friends...

Catchin' up with Mikah!

2011-04-01T10:43:00.000-05:00

I can definitely tell that starting school has had it's effect on her.
But, despite the fact that she now rolls her eyes,
and seems a bit more sassy,
some things haven't changed a bit.
One being her very unique,
as well as 'specific' way of dressing...
She won't wear Capri's or 3/4 length sleeves,
apparently she thinks a garment should make a choice,
it is either long,
or it is short,
she doesn't believe in 'in-between'.

She can't stand jeans,
seriously??!!
WHO could hate jeans?

She won't wear shorts without a fuss,
she is picky about socks,
the straps on dresses,
her panties and her shoes.

It makes me CRAZY!!!

She just basically,
has a very definite opinion
about EVERYTHING she wears!!
And that wouldn't be such a bad thing,
if every 'opinion' she had,
wasn't the exact opposite of mine!!

So needless to say,
Mikah and I constantly disagree on what she will wear.
And Mike is constantly telling me to, 'just give it a break and let her wear whatever she wants',
(which secretly makes me hope Jett grows up to hate football, and begs to play tennis...
so that I can return the sentiment... "Honey, just give it a break, let him play what he wants" )

So, shortly after the school year began,
I made the decision to allow Mikah one day a week to wear whatever she wanted.
The deal was,
every Wednesday she could dress herself,
from head to toe,
and I couldn't say a word. (gulp!)
It went well,
but we still argued on the other days.

THEREfor,
the new year brings a new and wiser ME,
(really this just translates to 'the same, only more tired, ME')
From this day forward,
every day,
my lovely daughter,
will be able to express herself,
in any way she pleases through her attire.
And I will rejoice in the fact that I have
an independent,
strong willed,
creative,
free spirited,
and unique daughter!

When I look at it this way,
I have to wonder why I made such a fuss in the first place??!?!?!

Shine on my little love...You wear your animal print scarf,with your pink polka dot tights,under your frilly turquoise skirt,and your lovely gold metallic, rhinestone heels,and lavender cat eye glasses...SHINE ON!

BIG NEWS!!! (and lots of it!!)

2011-03-07T14:58:00.023-06:00

Yes, I am a loser! A bonafide, BLOG LOSER!

HOWEVER, I do have an exciting post to re enter the blog sphere with...

Someone very special celebrated her THIRD birthday...

YUP!
this little 3 pound, 28 weeker, who took 7 long months to get home after birth...
went and turned THREE, on the 19th of February!

We had a family gathering at a restaurant, and loved watching our little butterfly enjoy her special day!

The little butterfly will be soaring on her soles soon...
She wouldn't let Aunt Kristy stop walking her! (sorry for the poor quality)

Lovin from Aunt Kim...

and hugs for Aunt Kristy...

The 3 K's (as family called us growing up), with our precious P

Mommy and Daddy are just a wee bit proud of this little love...
'Official understatment of the year'

As well as ONE proud Mama...

"Happy Birthday Dear Presley, Happy Birthday to you!"

Yum!

She had fun opening all her great gifts...

Presley loves these ladies as much as they love her... which is A BUNCH!!

Nana, Aunt Vicki and Mamaw!!

Mikah and with her Aunt Kim
who she "Kisses through the moon!"

These two sure are silly cousins, and BFF's!

The Birthday Girl!
A bit tired from all the fun!

The Birthday girl is pretty lucky to have such a cool big brother and big sister!

Popi and Noni with their Grand Kiddo's!

Chef Noni and Popi cooking breakfast!!!

Hey! Wait a minute!! Is this actually a picture of all of us??...
Together??!!...
WOW!

BUT wait!!!
There is more...

Not only did the little Lovey have a Birthday,
she also started school!!!
UGH! Did I actually say that???
Yes Sirree, I did.
The very Monday after she turned 3,
my sweet baby girl,
got all prettied up,
backpack in tow,
and went off to school!!
And just as expected,
she was laughing and smiling
when I dropped her off...
and she was laughing and smiling
when I picked her up.
And, of course,
it goes without saying...
everyone fell in love with her!
No... seriously... IN.LOVE.with.her!
One evening, this past week,
I was out shopping with Presley in tow,
and a lady and her kiddo's walked up,
and said "It's Presley! It's Presley!"
and started talking to her.
The lady looked at me and introduced herself,
saying she worked at 'such&such' Elementary School,
and that Presley has just been all the rave!
In the short 3 hours she is there,
I am not sure how much learning she is getting done,
apparently she is passed around the school,
from teacher to teacher,
with several of the older classes wanting to skip music so they can go 'play with Presley'.
When I picked her up last Friday,
her class, and others, were on the play ground,
and I was able to witness some of the frenzy myself..
Several of the teachers introduced themselves,
telling me that Presley is like the new Rock Star in town.
Some of the 1st and 2nd graders were fighting over who got to play with her next,.
and one of the students, no older than 6 or 7,
came up to me and asked,
"Can I come babysit Presley?" LOL!
Needless to say,
all the love and adoration she appears to be getting,
lessens the anxiety of having her away from me.
Apparently, Little Miss P, is going to be loved no matter where she goes!

Sorry I don't have better, or more, pictures of her first day,
but they come out to the car to get her each morning,
and then bring her back to the car when it is time to leave.
Not to mention,
Mama was a little preoccupied with emotions
and I admit to not thinking much about pictures.
But seriously guys,
CAN YOU BELIEVE our little butterfly
is going to SCHOOL!!!!????

On her way to school on the first day...

BUT AGAIN....

WAIT!!!

There is STILL more.. .

Tuesday Presley, got her tonsils out and tubes put in.
And, as to be expected from my little love,
she was a real trooper.
As we were leaving the hospital where she is so well known, and so well loved,
everyone joked that her short 24 hour stay was an all time record for her... lol!

Needless to say, I am not complaining about that!!

Being home has been a different story,
she is having a bit of a rough time with pain,
and it is keeping her from eating or drinking...
Sure wishing I had her g-tube right now??

Oh yeah!
Did I mention she pulled that little ditty out a couple months back???!!!
YUP!
She actually did it several times,
but since this particular time it had been hours before discovering it,
I couldn't reinsert it...
heck, I couldn't even find it!!
But I was wanting it in until after this planned surgery,
as well as winters end.
However, Presley had a different plan...
sigh!
Can everybody say 'STINKER!'

Well.... CUTE stinker!!

ONCE again, I hate that I don't have more, or better pics...
I guess I need to start carrying my camera in my purse,
my pictures from my phone are always so disappointing!

Waiting to go to surgery...

Here we go...

All done, and was such a trooper!

I don't do mornings,

2011-01-05T15:41:00.003-06:00

never have.
I love my sleep.
I have always said,
I HAVE to have 8 hours of sleep a night,
but I am at my best when I get 9,
however, I would still prefer to get 10.

Having said that,
you can imagine how upset I was this morning,
when I awake early to get Mikah off to school,
for her first day after Christmas break,
only to drive into an empty parking,
and realize she doesn't go back until tomorrow!

As we pull into the parking lot, Mikah says
"Mommy, I am the first one here"
I assured her, that as long as I was head of the car pool in her life,
she can pretty much count on never being the first any where that I take her, lol.
We then drove back home,
and made pancakes. sigh!

She did look pretty though...

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

2010-11-30T16:54:00.003-06:00

CATCH UP POST 10/22
Unfortunately, both my boys have birthday's during football season,
it is a bit of a curse, as during the season... it is usually, ALL about the SEASON.
None the less, we were able to celebrate Daddy's birthday one Saturday afternoon.
The kids and I planned a little party,
and I pretty much let them run the show.
We went to the dollar store and I let them pick out all of the decorations,
their cards,
and their gifts.
It was really cute and Mike seemed to get a kick out of it.

He had a 4th of July balloon, an "It's a boy" balloon,
and the gifts were even better...
he managed to score a new flashlight from Jett,
an Ice Age 3 watch,
and a pair of sunglasses.
Mikah gave him a Halloween snow globe,
a monkey stick that she colored herself,
and another pair of sunglasses.
He wore the watch Jett gave him every day until it broke,
(his kids at school thought he was a pretty cool Dad for that).

But 'cool' doesn't even get close...
He is the best,
the most awesome,
most amazing,
and yes,
coolest Daddy in the world!!
We are beyond BLESSED!

We love you Daddy (aka Babe)!!!

Check out the cards, their pretty funny too...

The 411 on Jett...

2010-11-28T18:16:00.011-06:00

CATCH UP POST 11/5

Well, it's J'boy's turn for a 'catch up' post, and one is certainly needed since he just celebrated his 4th birthday on the 1st of this month.
Actually, the truth of the matter is,
he celebrated a couple times prior to his actual birthday,
as well as a couple of

times since his actual birthday.
But if anyone deserves to celebrate his birthday a half a dozen times...
it is my Jetty.
I am sure we all think whatever 'stage' our kiddo's are in, is the cutest...
but I know forsure, the stage Jett is in now, is going to be very hard to top!
Mike and I find our heart aching a bit, from how absolutely precious he is these days.
He is certainly still my little rascal,
but that is such a small percentage compared to all the amazing things we seem to be seeing from him.
The other day Mikah and I went shopping,
and Jett says to Mike:
"Daddy, lets go do Daddy and 4 year old boy things!"
See what I mean... PRECIOUS!!
Since Mikah has gone to kindergarten, it is nice to have some time to just hang out with him.
He goes to MDO on Tuesday and Thursdays,
but on MWF, he hangs at home with me and Pres.
And during Presley's 2 to 3 hour nap, he and I get some great quality time.
We watch T.V., read his books from the library,
or get on youtube and watch silly things, like monkeys playing with frogs, snakes or sharks, alligators and turtles...
he is so fascinated by all of that stuff, and youtube is great to find all kinds of clips of different animals.
Recently, he started taking horseback riding lessons,
he is so stinking cute on that horse, wearing his helmet and sporting his boots. Mikah mentioned that she wanted to start taking lessons as well,
but he was very adamant that she not.
Luckily, Mikah already has her plate full with activities, so I told her she has to wait until the summer.
It pleases me to have that excuse,
I think Jett needs something that is 'his'.
I still worry about my little man feeling lost in the shuffle of our busy life.
And I tell ya, I can't find a friend in this damn town that has a boy his age for nothin'!!
My close friends here all have girls!!
Girls, girls and more girls... it is all my poor boy is constantly surrounded by!
But despite the influence of girls, my J boy is ALL BOY!
I finally had to stop replacing our coi fish in the pond,
at last count he has killed 5.
The idea of not being able to actually touch, feel and play with them,
was just too much to take.
I knew for his birthday I wanted to get him a critter of some type,
so I did some research, and knowing that it needed to be something that would actually interact with him,
unlike a turtle or fish,
I actually found that Rats are the smartest and cleanest critters out there.
So, we officially have a new member of the family...
Jett's rat named Tricker, (cuz Jett says he is going to teach him a lot of 'tricks').
And well, not long after Tricker became a member of the family,
we decided that she needed a little friend to keep her company,
so Tricker now has a BFF named 'Flipper',
don't ask me where the heck Mikah came up with that name,
(I am just glad she didn't name it Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella!!)
I'll be honest with you guys...
creepy or not,
I am in love with these rats!!
They are adorable, and it has taken no time for them to be friendly and unafraid of us.
We shut Jett's door to his room and all hang out with them.
When we walk in the room they start climbing on their cage and coming to the door, wanting us to let them out.

Do any of you guys wanna come over and play with them?
I'll ask them not to poop on you (yup, they do!)

Jett,
At 4, your favorite color is still orange,
you are still TERRIBLE about eating.
You have a hearty breakfast and from there, it is all down hill!
But you love bananas, strawberries, apples and milk. You also love chicken noodle soup, anything with rice (just like your Daddy),
and if it is a vegetable or an odd color, you won't have a thing to do with it (also kinda like your Daddy!)
You LOVE to take baths, you can stay in there for an hour...
which I must admit is a great break for me!
And it never fails, every time you get out of the bath, you wrap yourself in a towel and come running out of the bathroom screaming "Mommy, your burrito is ready to eat!"
Your into Iron Man, Spider Man and Batman,
You are borderline obsessed with all sea creatures,
and you still love dinosaurs, turtles and dragons.
You love to be silly and dance,
you think it is so funny when you shake your booty,
(I do too!)
You do really well with your manners,
you know how proud it makes me when you use your 'nice' words.
So much so, you think that using them might allow you to get away with a few things,
for example...
when I say "Jett, please go put your scooter away',
you'll say "No thank you Mommy".
Your such a stinker!!
You still love your blanket, and can't go to bed without it,
or settle in for some good T.V. without it.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
how you the think the trash guys are
'the coolest guys in the world!'
You can't wait to run outside and say Hi to them every time they pick up.
You even shared your Halloween candy with them.
They call you their 'Little Buddy'
and have even let you get in the trash truck to check it out,
and when they pass our house they honk the horn for you!
I love seeing the world through your eyes,
I try to absorb that as often as I can.
You are such a love bug,
I mean a SERIOUS love bug!
No one wants to cuddle, snuggle, kiss or hug as much as you.
You want me to carry you all the time... you always have!
You are still terrible about sharing, and
throwing huge fits when you don't get your way,
you also suck at peeing in the toliet,
(I truly hope your aim is better when it comes to sports.)
And when your mad,
you have mastered the best little 'I'm Mad' face in the world!
You burrow your brow, roll your eyes back in your head, cross your arms,
loudly sigh a little 'humf!!'
Much to your dismay... it is hysterical!!
You never want to go to school,
you would always rather stay home with me.
You are wonderful about helping...
All I have to do is call you my 'big helper'
and I can pretty much get you to doing anything for me.
You love to make shapes out of clouds,
I don't think anyone even taught you this...
but as we drive around you will point out 'a snake in the sky',
or 'a bus by the moon',
I think it is so clever!
You love everybody, and miss everybody,
and are constantly telling them so.
Last week at the doctor's office, you told your Dr that you loved him,
and when we were leaving you told him that you would miss him.
And this week, after staying with Aunt Kristy a few days,
you were saying "I sure miss Aunt Kristy", before we were even backing out of her drive!
But you most especially love your family.
Recently, when you stayed a few days with Noni and Popi,
Noni later asked me if we talk about us being 'a family' a lot,
'because you definitely know who your family is,
and talk about us and how much you love us.'
Nothing pleases me more then to hear this.

Happy 4th Birthday my J boy!!
I love you,
'mucher and mostest!'

Love, Mommy
~~P.S. NEVER GROW UP, please!!!~~

The best part of any birthday...

Getting his birthday spankin'!!

Attending a cool birthday party at 'The Fire Station'...

I know Firemen have a reputation for being hot cute, but this little Fireman is the cutest ever!...

My little cowboy enjoying his new sport

His trainer makes sure he knows about all of it, even the grooming...
.

C'mon guys, you have to admit she is kinda cute...

Random pics of my Jetty...

Video of my little man dancin' (sorry, for some reason you can't hear the music)

Goodnight all...

A Happy Thanksgiving under the Big Top!

2010-11-28T10:19:00.019-06:00

We went to my sister Krisy's for Thanksgiving,

it was perfect aside from the fact that my sister Kim wasn't there.

As usual, we indulged in great food,

but we also went to the Circus the following day.

I don't really think Jett will remember the turkey and ham,

but you can bet he will never forget his day at the Circus!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Aunt Kristy, Uncle Jason and cousin Devlin,

We will never forget the Thanksgiving

that Jett got to ride an elephant,

and hold an alligator!!

NOW that's something to give thanks for!!!

The kiddos in their home made Thanksgiving shirts...

After having fun making them...

Pres... helping in the kitchen!

The things I will do for my children...
Yes, that is Jett and I on the back of that elephant!!

Mikah was just fine with her horse rides,
she wasn't about to climb the 10 foot ladder to get up on the back of that elephant!

HOLDING A REAL BABY ALLIGATOR?!?!?!
Just how happy do you think that made my J-Boy?

Ok, despite the fun children have at a Circus, I admit I am very conflicted about it.
I mean really, there is nothing about these next two pictures that seems right...

What's a circus without cotton candy??

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!!

My Lil Goblins...

2010-11-02T13:44:00.006-05:00

Sleeping Beauty, Lady Bug and Power Ranger

Time to hit the streets...

Later at home, Jett apparently thinks Presley is getting a little too close to 'the loot'.
Cuz ya know, with a thousand pieces of candy he is nervous his cut won't be enough!!

Side note: No offense to ya Walt,
or to your lovely ladies,
but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if I never had to see or hear about another Disney Princess for the rest of my life...
'sigh'.
It's been 5 years,
I'm sooooo over it!

I am blaming it on Presley!!

2010-10-26T22:40:00.002-05:00

WOW!! Am I behind on pics and posts!!
Guess it is time to play 'catch up'
for both posting here,
as well as checking in on all of my blog land friends!

First, I will catch up on the butterfly,
ya know... she is mostly to blame for my being too busy to post lately!
I swear, trying to keep up with her has made my head spin!

If she isn't spending time with one of her boyfriends...

she's out at the ranch riding those horses...

or dancing at those toddler night clubs...

And she is still diligent about practicing for Cirque De Solei, she seems certain they will give her a chance...

Seriously tho,
what can I say about Miss P?
Besides the obvious that is...
That every day I tell myself there is no way I could love her more,
and then I'll be damned if the next day I manage to!!

We have decided to stop our therapies with ECI and go with Our Children's House at Baylor.
ECI has been wonderful with Presley,
but she seems as if she is a sponge right now, and I really want her therapies to be more aggressive.
She has had all her evaluations with Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies, and we are going twice a week for each.
After a year of combat crawling, the little Miss has decided to crawl correctly on all fours. She is up and down the couch and chair's, crazy busy and all over the place, and into everything, ugh!
She is walking when you hold her hands and help her along the couch. I dare say, I think this little one may be walking soon!!
She is great at imitating, so we can get her to say most things if we say it over and over,
but she independently uses some words like, 'Thank you, Night Night' and other simple words and phrases. She can also say 'Popi' like a pro, which delights my Father, she says 'Gika' (Mikah), 'Ett' (Jett), 'pretty' and like every toddler she loves the 'UH-OH!' game, where she drops something and says 'Uh-oh', amazingly I never get tired of it.
She does have a temper when it comes to her dislikes.
Mostly she just shows this by yelling at you,
but she has learned to hit in the face and push, if she doesn't like what you are doing, Jett is the one who has seen this side of her the most!
(And no! Ds or not, she doesn't get away with that behaviour without being disiplined)
Mikah and her are still besties. Presley lights up when Mikah walks in the room, they both adore one another,
It is so funny to hear and watch Presley crawl around the house yelling 'GIKA!'
Each day my heart melts a little when I watch the two of them together.
And I can't mention her 'lighting up', without mentioning Presley's 'Lel la' , aka Joella.
Joella has been in our life since moving here and she is the only person, outside of family, that has been entrusted with the care of our children.
We all love her,
but Presley and her have a very special bond, and you can see it whenever they are together.

Pres still gives the best hugs, seriously, your feelin' pretty special when you get a hug from my girl, she puts those arms around your neck and squeezes so tight,
I just love her hugs!!
She blows kisses at everyone she sees, literally, EVERYONE she sees!! And as always, we can't go anywhere without her capturing the attention of just about everyone we come across.
I think that might be one of the things I treasure most about this little love of mine...
She is so precious and loving, she is constantly saying 'Hi' and smiling at everyone she sees.
In the beginning, like most people who discover their child has Ds,
I worried that people would be cruel to Presley,
I am happy to say we have never, not once, came across anyone unkind.
Actually it is just the opposite, at least at this time in her life,
when most people see Presley,
they almost always stop and want to talk,
or tell me how blessed I am,
how precious she is,
or if nothing else...
they just stop to blow kisses back at her!
It is the blessing of Presley in my life that continually allows me to see humility and humanity each and every day, even with the most unexpected people.
It is so neat to see people at their best,
and luckily, thus far, that is all I have seen from people when it comes to Presley.

I am disappointed that I don't have more pics of my girl,
unfortunately, I have been slacking in that area too.
But I am back in the groove of things, so I will be posting more soon.
As well as video's...
cuz this little stinker just cracks us up around here!

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go check on all of you while a have a moment to spare!!

Actually, it is Jett taking riding lessons, the lady who teaches them would prefer for her kiddos to be 3 before starting, but she atleast took Pres for a spin... and I can't wait till February when she can saddle up herself!!

I was so tickled that I got a good picture of this, a pretty rare sight...
not only was this dog enjoying an afternoon nap, so was the horse!

She loves therapy, and of course, they love her!

25 year class reunion...

2010-09-05T10:13:00.000-05:00

Did I say 25?
I meant 10!!

Oh what the hell...
It's 25,
there's no shame!
But when your 40 something and can still have as much fun as me and my peeps,
does age really matter???
Not to mention,
that I think' I gots me some pretty hot pals for being 40 somethin'?!!

I was adament on making it home for my reunion,
I was feeling very nostalgic this summer,
and I also have a couple friends going through some major life changing events,
and all of it made me want to spend some time with my besties!
We have all been friends for 30 years.
When I think of what that 30 years has entailed,
how each of our lives have taken turns we would have never guessed,
how at 18, we seemed so certain of our destiny,
so sure of our future...
we had a plan.
Each and every one of us.
But at 43, as we sit and giggle like we are half that age,
we find it comical to compare the lives that we 'do' have,
to the lives we were so sure that we 'would' have.

I think that is what is so wonderful about your oldest friends...
they know who you were,
who you hoped to be,
and who you really are.
I think that is so cool.
All in all,
making the transformation from 'just a girl',
to 'young adult',
to a grown woman,
together,
is pretty amazing.

I have to say, I'm a pretty lucky girl in the friends department...

I love you guys!

Myself and Cheryl Butcher, and Kim Kneblick

Myself, Cynthia Lemelle (college friend), Kim Kneblik, Sharon Ojeda and Martha Osgood

Carie Dominquez, Kim Kneblik, Martha Osgood, Myself and Sharon Ojeda

Cyn and I

We all still LOVE to dance...

By oldest buddy of all, Boomer grew up in my house, he is most certainly my BOY BFF!!

Lisa Reyes, Boomer and myself

BLAST from the past photo, picture from our 10 year class reunion

Donna VanNatter, Trisha Cummings, Teresa McCory, Lisa Lenoir, Myself, Dana, Michelle Hicks and Denise Hughes

Class of 1985, 25 year, informal reunion

GULP!! Where has the time gone??

2010-09-02T21:10:00.003-05:00

I'm about two weeks late in posting about the BIG day that recently happened in our little corner of the world.

My first born, my amazing Princess Mikah, started kindergarten.

I truly thought I would be a total mess, I thought for sure that tissue, perhaps a wash cloth, would certainly be needed.
But on that 1st morning, not one single tear was shed, not even the ole, 'knife to the heart' feeling.

Nope, Mommy was good.

How could I not be?
This precious one of mine was BEYOND thrilled, she was glowing, absolutely beside herself to be starting 'Big Girl' school.
Her precious and pure excitement kept any sadness I thought I would feel, safetly at bay.

Yup, the first day...
Mommy was good.

The third day? Well...
that is a different story.

As I got out of the car to walk her in,
and make it into the building,
our conversation went like this:

m: "Mommy, I can walk to my class by myself"
Me: "Are you sure? I can just walk you to the door of your class room?"
m: "No, Mommy, I can do it by myself"
Me: "How about the end of the hallway?"
m: "MOMMY! I am not TWO ya know??!!"
Me: "Okay, Okay"

So,
after hugs and kisses and several 'I love yous' were exchanged,
off walked my 'Big Girl',
(who 'IS NOT TWO!' mind you).

I watched her walk down the hall,
this little thing, amongst all the 4Th and 5Th graders.
She looked so tiny,
and as she kept looking back at me,
and smiling,
that was when the tears happened,
that is when I wished I had those tissues,
THAT is when the ole 'knife to the heart' came.

For 5 years she has been mine.
I have had complete and total control over who she is with,
where she is at,
what she does,
keeping her safetly away from people and things that could hurt her.
But, as I watched her walk off, I realized that,
to an extent,
that protective control is gone.
As she made her way through the crowded hall,
further from me,
not needing or wanting my help,
I was over come with...

Glorious Sadness

You know that feeling?
When the beauty and amazement of something
also heeds a bit of sadness.

And coinciding with the tears,
and the huge lump in my throat,
was the question,

Where the hell has this past 5 years gone?

Seriously, WHERE does that time go?
Wouldn't it be nice if there was a real 'place', that time went?
Somewhere where the past was tangible,
and we could reach back and collect a few days,
and just experience them again.

Impossible, I know.
But a lovely idea, none the less.

Speaking of lovely...

Now here is My BIG girl, on her BIG day...

We managed to start it off with a little snuggle time.
Usually we are able to do this, without any rush to be anywhere, we would sit, snuggle and share my coffee.
I'm sure going to miss that...

But bigger things lay ahead for my little love...

Summer Lovin' 2010

2010-08-13T20:25:00.003-05:00

As a few have wondered in the last month,
and feeling compelled to answer sweet Katie's text from last night,
(a lovely, fellow coach's wife and loyal follower of our family blog)...

"YES... I AM ALIVE!"

Pretty sure one month between posts is some kind of record for me!

All I can say is we have been staying very busy, and have enjoyed Daddy home these last couple of months.
BUT, Daddy is now offiially back a work,
and summer is finding it's way to an end,
and life will back to schedules and structure,
which almost seems like a welcome change at this point!

Lot's is going on with Pres,
and I can't wait to put it all on the blog once school starts,
and our life is somewhat normal again.
She is so amazing!
She is just dying to talk, walk and just straight up turn into a big girl on me!!!
I think she will be turning a corner soon,
and I am excited about what is around that corner,
but dreading it a bit as well.
I am not ready for her to be a big girl,
seriously, I'm not!

More updates on specific stuff at a later time,
I just want to get some of our pics from the summer posted since I am so behind.

MAJOR picture overload below.
But no worries,
I only expect that family will make it to the end, lol!

SUMMER LOVIN'

2010

Presley is now in a 'BIG' girl car seat...

Lovin' our Joella...

Veiwing 'Toy Story 3' (I must say I think it is my favorite out of all of them) and it was Presley's 1st movie!!

Finding creative ways to stay cool...

Mikah and Jett perfected their bike riding skills...

So much fun with cousin's...

So much fun with friends...

Our water slide got ALOT of use this summer....

I like ending with this picture, my baby girl looking so big and trying so hard, to not be a 'baby' anymore!!

Random pics...

2010-08-01T10:46:00.000-05:00

Dancin' in the ~~moonlight~~ living room...
Play dates with Lauren...

Play dates with Chloe...

Working on the farm... (or something like that?!) Jumping on the trampoline... (or something like that?!)
Flying kites...

Hanging out...

Catching zzzzzz's...

A party fit for a Princess...

2010-07-16T11:20:00.008-05:00

Considering so many of my blogging buddies live on the west coast, a little reminder may be necessary...
We aren't lucky enough to have 'The greatest place on earth' aka Disneyland, in our backyard.
So the idea of really getting a glimpse of an actual Princess, let alone meet one, is a HUGE deal to all the toddler 'Princess wanna Be's' around here!
So, having said that, perhaps you can imagine just how ELATED Mikah was to find out that the Princess of her choice,
from that castle far, far away,
was going to come to her birthday party!!!
Mikah, and ALL of her friends, were beside themselves at the idea.
So, we prepared and anxiously awaited for the big day to arrive.

We sent out the invitation...

Mommy made a cake, fit for a princess...

We prepared party favors for the lovely guests...

And then we waited.

But we didn't have to wait long.

Just as promised, she arrived!!

My little Princess is speechless as she gets a hug from Princess Aurora,
aka Sleeping Beauty...

Sleeping Beauty presents her with a crown and a wand from the castle...

And then it is time for make-up and an up-do...

My little majesty was in heaven...

Isn't she lovely?

Then it is time for make-up and an up-do for ALL the little Princess'...

The little butterfly didn't know what to think all the action,
of course Big Sister never forgets about her...

Me and my little love...

Princess Aurora sung beautifully(seriously, I was beyond impressed!)

Then they have story time, and Sleeping Beauty talks about the beauty in a person's heart, being far more important then their outside beauty...

Then Princess Aurora tells them all about the spell she was put under, that made her 'Sleeping Beauty'

After story time and a song, it was time to dance and play!!!

OH!! the fun these little ladies had...

Time for sugar and to make a wish...

With Mommy and Daddy,
who will always be hoping her every wish comes true...

Even Jett was mesmerized by the Princess...

I just love this group of Mommies!!

And I couldn't ask for a sweeter group of friends for Mikah to have...

Of course the amazing day wasn't complete until each little Princess had their picture taken with Sleeping Beauty,
Castle back drop and all...

This day was a dream come true for my beautiful love.
I know there will be days in the future,
when she will have a carriage full of dreams, that I just can't full fill,
dreams that she will be all on her own, to make happen.

But for now,
for now this little love of mine has sweet and simple, innocent and pure
dreams,
and most of them I can make come true.
And nothing pleases me more.
(P.S. Aunt Kim, thank you very much for helping me 'fund' this dream...LOL!)

And as for this next picture?
It just takes my breath away.
*sigh*
'Be still my heart'...

Family vacation...

2010-07-10T21:29:00.004-05:00

I just received the pictures of Mikah's party from the castle today, but until I can download them I thought I would post about our recent vacation.

Every year my parents take my sisters and our families somewhere for vacation, unfortunately my older sister, aka Aunt Kim, couldn't make it this year since she is working in Hawaii (yeah, so don't feel too sorry for her).

This year found us here and we had the absolute BEST time. We think we will be requesting it as our destination for alot more upcoming family trips!

WAKE UP EVERYBODY! It's time to start havin' some fun!!!!

We had soooo much fun in the water!!

With crazy fun water slides...

And waterslides FOR ALL AGES...

Mikah and her two favorite guys...
(and mine!)

It was a great place for bike rides...An even better place to catch toads...

But the BEST thing about this place? Atleast as far as Jett is concerned, was feeding the animals. It was really precious, Jett told us he thinks he is 'a farmer now', he woke up every morning we were there and took carrots to feed the animals, then went back every evening to feed them again, it was by far his favorite part!

Jetty did a whole lotta eatin! (and I can't swear he washed his hands after the toad touching before eating sigh!)

In fact, we all did a whole lotta eatin!
But seriously, do you know anyone who can pass up funnel cake?!?!?!

Especially when your eating it while watching some great entertainment, like Kiddie Karaoke!

A stage, an audience and a microphone???
Our two little Diva's (and a sweet little one we met while staying there) were in HEAVEN!!

And most of all...
Thank you Mom and Dad,
we made some great memories!!

Mikah turns 5 !!

2010-07-05T14:29:00.017-05:00

Loving that our little butterfly is back to her happy, healthy self to enjoy big sisters special day...

I would love to say that the shining moment of Mikah's birthday was with her family,
but I would only be kidding myself,
as this child had a birthday party with her friends, that was fit for a PRINCESS!!
We are awaiting photo's to be delivered from the Castle itself,
so stay tuned...
you won't want to miss the fairest party of them ALL!!

T21 Family Photo...

2010-06-15T00:33:00.006-05:00

Once again, Presley's recent illness, reminds me just how beautiful this blog-land family that I am part of, is!

Through these little loves of ours, we are all connected, and I have made some amazing friends,
some unbelievably caring, faithful and amazing friends.

I love this family of ours so much, that I wanted to get a family photo taken,
but seeing as how 'our family', pretty much covers the four corners of the earth, I am thinking a photo shoot in the park next Sunday, isn't going to be too feasible.

But I am not one to give up when I have my mind set on something,

AND I WANT A FAMILY PICTURE darn it!!
SO....

Everyone say "CHEESE!"

I know there are so many little loves out there, with that 'little extra something', that aren't pictured. I am so sorry to leave anyone out, Presley and I love you ALL!
But to keep it simple, I just collected photos from those of you who rallied Presley through this last ordeal.

Furthermore, in no way do I want to slight those lovely blog friends out there who don't have a child with that 'little extra something'.
ALL of you mean every bit as much.

But, the truth of the matter is,
I am here,
in this blogging world to begin with,
because two years ago I was feeling very afraid, very alone and very confused.
And it was here, that I reached out,
to others who reached back,
and helped me realize,
that there was no reason to be scared,
that I wasn't alone,
and that in due time,
I would no longer be one bit confused about why I was chosen for this little love of mine,
I would only be thankful that I was.

Feel free to right click and save your own copy

Isn't she lovely?

2010-06-13T07:45:00.010-05:00

Perhaps a few boo boos from the harsh pulling off of adhesives, and the unfortunate pic line in her arm, to receive the remaining antibiotics over the next 5 days,
but other than that...
she couldn't have looked prettier Friday morning when we received our walking papers!

Wouldn't you agree?

"Oh! MY!!
to be home.
Smothered in love,
from those who adore me the most... "

These besties and sisters,
could not have been happier to be with one another again...

Can you tell,
this butterfly is a pretty big deal around here?!

AND the best part?
The past two nights, her and I have discovered
that there is this little nook on the left side of my neck,
that she fits perfectly in.
And as she sleeps there...
I kiss,
and snuggle,
and breathe in every bit of her love.

Welcome home butterfly.

Hello out there!!

2010-06-06T22:40:00.006-05:00

Guess what pretty little thang got a tube pulled out of her throat this morning???

Then guess who got to snuggle and hold that pretty little thang all day??!!

Happy girl.
Happy Mama.

OH HAPPY DAY!

Breaking my promise

2010-06-02T17:53:00.010-05:00

I promised myself that the next picture I posted of the butterfly was going to be one of a smiling and tubeless face.
However, after today's visit I felt differently.

My wonder love is doing her best to wake up and get the hell out of dodge.

I have to say it was a battle of emotions to stare into the eyes of my littlest love.
Happy and excited to see them open for the first time in 2 and a half weeks,
yet sad to not be able to explain her discomfort and restraints.

Mommy's are supposed to come to your rescue.
Not being that savior you promise to always be, is heart wrenching and too difficult to put in to words.

If your a mommy I don't need to, you get it.

I don't want this to be a sad post,
nor one filled with medical mumbo jumbo.
So, just know that my sugar love is holding her own,
and is going to make her way home very, very soon.

She is lucky to have so many people praying for her.
I am always amazed by the out pouring of prayers and well wishes, it literally blows me away.
'Thank you' doesn't seem nearly sufficient enough...

But none the less,
Thank you.

"Slow and steady"

2010-06-01T08:15:00.005-05:00

Once again, thank you Heather , for doing what my exhaustive state can't seem muster, Click here

The latest on Presley...

2010-05-26T21:18:00.000-05:00

First I want to thank Heather for the last update, I just couldn't find it in me to sit and write one.

Furthermore, I want to apologize for not returning the texts, phone calls and emails I have received from several of you amazing friends out there in blog land.
I admit to going in 'shut down' mode when things get tough...
as Mike fielded calls from my parents and sisters last week, he finally said to me
"I totally get you don't want to talk, but don't you think you should at least call your family?!?!"
Pretty crappy of me, huh?
So again, I am sorry....your reaching out means the world to me.

As for the butterfly...
well, I have decided she needs to be a contestant on 'Dancing with the stars',
as she does a great 'two steps forward, one step back' routine!
Since my last post we have done just that in the areas of fluid retention, blood pressure, and oxygenation.
She has had 'good' days
but even more 'not much has changed' days ,
I am waiting for some 'REALLY AWESOME' days to fall in the line up.
We have gone back on the traditional ventilator this morning and she is tolerating that nicely.
However, her current ventilator settings do not indicate her being weaned off in the next few days.
But the fact that we made this transition nicely pleases me enough for now...
"slow and steady"
hasn't someone we all know and love repeated that to us enough times that we have no choice but to believe it!!

It is surreal to be dealing with all of this again.
I can certainly tell you it is far tougher this time around.
When Presley was struggling the first 7 months of her life in the hospital, she was never truly ours.
We had always shared her with doctors and nurses and surgeons.

She didn't have a toy box full of her own toys at home,
or a bedroom she shared with her sister,
I didn't know what silly face to make to get a huge belly laugh out of her,
I hadn't seen her and Mikah sitting together in the 'big' chair, while Mikah pretends to read to her,
she hadn't crawl around the house with naughty intentions,
pulled on Gus' ear,
or frustrated her big brother by knocking over his carefully constructed blocks.
I didn't know the annoying little stinker that would crawl into the kitchen every morning, yelling and screaming for her breakfast,
We hadn't played 'Pat a cake' or 'Where's your nose?' or 'Peek a boo!' with that little love we shared with an entire PICU.
But we have done all of those things this past year and a half, and we have had to share her with no one...
she has been all ours,
and our house is not 'home' until she comes back.

So please continue to pray for her,
pray for her little body to continue to be strong,
and pray that nothing derail the positive direction we are moving in.
I am well aware of the Power of Prayer,
and I thank you all for taking the time to send some upward for my precious butterfly, my tiger-fly, my littlest love... sweet Presley.

Update on Presley...

2010-05-23T07:05:00.004-05:00

Click here

Wish I had better news

2010-05-20T05:18:00.005-05:00

The love and support from friends, family and this amazing blogging world never ceases to amaze Mike and I.... thank you so very much.

Unfortunately Presley's day was a rough one. They had issues with her oxygen levels, as well as her blood pressure, trying to keep either in the range they want has been difficult.

Yesterday I was a bit more positive and up about everything, today I have found myself very worried and sad. As I watch more lines, tubes and IV's being added, along with the swelling that changes her appearance so much, not to mention the physician telling us that she has 'some very sick little lungs right now', I start to feel sick at my stomach... so heart broken that my sweet girl is at this place in the road again...
this 'place' sucks large!!

In addition to the 'very sick little lungs' remark, we also got a 'it is very possible she will get worse before getting better' remark. I am having to refrain from calling this PICU physician Dr. Grim rather than his real name.
But I wouldn't dare.
I wouldn't dare because I know that he is just being honest, and is taking amazing care of my little love.

My sweet friend thought the tiger/butterfly combo is a good one to go thru life with, and suggested we call the little love tiger-fly, I had to smile at that, especially when I think about how badly I want to see that feisty 'little tiger' I was writting about in yesterday's post!!

Please pray that our Presley will flutter and fly her way outta here soon...

and I can't wait to hear her roar again!

Notice her precious butterfly blankie?? Someone very special made that for the little Miss a long time ago...

PRAYERS please!

2010-05-18T18:19:00.003-05:00

I know it seems so many of our kiddo's are needing prayers lately, while your on your knees if you could add Presley to the list I would appreciate it.
She got diagnosed with Pneumonia Sunday at the emergency room, came home with antibiotics and did well Monday, however, this morning she started to have a difficult time keeping her oxygen level up and I had to continually increase her oxygen.
Ultimately, she had me scared enough to call 911 and in an ambulance we arrived at the Children's Hospital around 11:00.
She was admitted to the PICU, and unfortunately had to be intubated (put on a ventilator) this afternoon around 4:30.
As she lays here in her hospital gown with a tiger print on it that says "Little Tiger!" I can't help but think that maybe her nick name of 'butterfly' shouldn't be changed to this.
This "butterfly" threw a 3 to 4 hour tantrum when paramedics, then E.R nurses and physicians all tried to work on her.
She threw such a doozy that her heart rate got as high as 204 bpm, she was kicking at them with both feet, yelling at them and then pulling their hair,
such sweet 'butterfly' things to do, don't cha think?
Furthermore, the PICU doctor started moving her pulse ox probe from finger to finger, and toe to toe, thinking that the monitor was incorrect, when it was reading an O2 sat of about 30 to 40%, (definitely a level when most people are already passed out, but Presley was still screaming and kicking) I had to assure him that I have seen her be that low before and still be awake, conscious, and yes, even yelling and screaming!
I don't think he really believed me until he started having the nurse push her sedation drug (so that he could paralyze her to put the tube down her throat) and realized that it was taking far more sedation to get this "butterfly" to quit trying to fight, than the normal 24 pounder.
He finally looked at me and said "Wow, she can be a handful?!"
To which I just replied,
"Dr. O, I would like you to meet my daughter Presley"

Thank you so much and I will keep you all posted!

She is, without a doubt, in the best hands, I can't even begin to tell you how A. MAZ. ING the doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists are at this hospital,
and even more said for them, they all seem to still like me after I turn the "Crazy Mom that thinks she always knows best" button off.

A whole lotta nothin!

2010-05-07T04:55:00.000-05:00

Actually, I never consider any of the happenings of our life 'nothin', but the truth is, we have just been sailing along these days. Enjoying the weather, anticipating the end of the school year and all the fun that summer will bring.

It has been pretty uneventful over in our corner of the world, days full of play dates and activities, just squeezing and slurping all that we can out of each beautiful day!

Doing a little dancing...

Having lots of play dates...

Working on the farm... (or something like that?!)

Jumping on the trampoline... (or something like that?!)

Flying kites...(nothin' something about that, we had those suckers flying high!!

Hanging out...

Catching zzzzzz's...

Well, some of us are catching zzzzzz's, and for others... "something like that!!!"

Presley is a MESS!

2010-05-04T19:17:00.000-05:00

I do plan on spending some time in a couple of days to upload lots of random pictures from the last two weeks, however, I couldn't resist posting a couple tonight.
I can't tell you just what a mess the butterfly has been lately!! In to everything and definitely at that familiar toddler place where if I can't hear her, I know it is not a good thing!!

The pictures below are from today. I have been working on a project in my master bedroom and bath, textured, glaze painting with a faux brick under lay. It requires several paint colors and often times I have all of them out and open at once. This afternoon, as I was working in the bathroom, I noticed 'the quiet' I was talking about and went to look in my bedroom where Presley was busy 'finger painting', she had two cans of paint empty and all over the place!!

Now even in the name of blogging I couldn't stop and take a picture of the little stinker doused in paint, it was immediately to the tub, she had it in her hair, ears, mouth, eyes... OMG, I have never seen such a mess. But here is the very unhappy little Miss after a vigorous clean up.
In the end, I did finish my project, it was just a bit messier than I had anticipated!

And Yes, I did manage to get the paint off the carpet, my Hoover Steam Vac is my new best friend!!

Another 'syndrome' in our house...

2010-04-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Do you believe in the 'Middle child syndrome'? If your answer is no then I am guessing you aren't a middle child! LOL!
I am a middle child, and where as I certainly don't think there are any irreparable damages done to me from being the middle child, I do know that there have been times I have resented that I wasn't the oldest child, the ever anticipated 'First', as well times when I wished that I was the 'Baby', and all the preciousness that that entails.
Please don't read negatively into this admission, it is certainly not an issue I have sought therapy over, not that I couldn't benefit immensely from time on a couch, I just don't blame my being the middle child on that need, LOL!
However, being the middle child, I have to admit, that I was very pleased to know that Jetty, my precious middle man, was also going to be our only boy. I thought perhaps, that him being our one and only Little Prince, he wouldn't succumb to the 'middle child' syndrome, if in fact we have decided that such a thing exists?!?!
However, Mikah was the first, not just for Mike and I, but my parents waited 40 years for their precious first grandchild, and Mike's parents got there first granddaughter out of her arrival! Mike and I had such a lovely, uninterrupted and unshared 16 months with our precious first born, those 'firsts' are always so beautiful, and they are never 'firsts' again.... sad but true.
Then came Jett, I was so elated to give Mike his little boy, and he was perfection in it's truest form. But it seemed so quickly that his arrival was followed by Presley's arrival, and the diversion that her presence and fragile health brought into our lives.
Lately, I have taken time to really think about the last 3 years and what I failed to give my sweet and precious boy. I don't beat myself up over it, but I am aware that Jett hasn't been give the gift of my complete and undivided attention, nearly as often as he deserves. And, I am pleased that some recent happenings with him has brought this to my attention. I think it is safe to say that this awareness will benefit my little guy, and only sweeten our time with him!

He is our absolute, all time, undeniably favorite son!! ;-)

Happy HELLO!

2010-04-07T18:10:00.003-05:00

Happy belated Spring!

Happy belated Easter!!

And since it has been a while since my last post... Happy Belated Hello!!!

We had a hoppin' good time this past Bunny season!
My parents camped near by for the weekend...
Aunt Kristy, Uncle Jason, and the Fairest of them all...the lovely Devlin, came to join in the sugar-filled days!

TH.. TH.. THATS ALL FOLKS!!

Latest update on the butterfly...

2010-03-23T19:54:00.009-05:00

Little Miss Pres had tubes put in her ears, as well as a hearing test while she was under sedation.
Good news is the procedure was quick and went well, in and out in no time.
The not so good news is that the hearing test shows mild to moderate hearing loss. The doctor wants to retest in 3 months, believing that there is the possibility that the test could have different results at that time, now that her tubes have been placed.
None the less, if the test shows to be accurate, we will quickly progress to hearing aids, as to not add to her delay in speech. Of course, I immediately started envisioning these bulky, ugly instruments sticking out of my precious daughter's ears, and was pleased when he informed me how small and unnoticeable they are these days...
Actually, what I was really quiet pleased to know, was just how UN-upset I was about it all.
Hmmm? I am guessing 'un-upset' isn't a word...
but you get it.
As I stood in a hospital surgery recovery room, talking to a surgeon about a procedure just done on a child of mine, I was acutely aware that 'mild to moderate hearing loss' was not such a bad thing to be discussing in such a situation!

So, there you have it, the most recent update on the butterfly.

Speaking of 'butterfly', I felt her outfit today was appropriate, she is sporting one of the new shirts our beautiful friends sent to her for her birthday, isn't it perfect?
(As are those friends of ours.)

Now, I realize I am biased, but seriously??? Does it get any cuter than this girl...

Presley gives the best hugs, I'm not lyin' to you... "THE. BEST!"

We don't like this outfit NEARLY as much as our butterfly T...

Post op, groggy but precious!!

Spring Break Fun!

2010-03-20T09:35:00.007-05:00

We have enjoyed Spring Break! We were able to go to Nana and PawPaw's for a few days, and from there we went to this really cool place where wild life roam and as you drive your car through the grounds they come right up to you so you can feed them, some of these animals would crawl up in your car if you would let them.

It was crazy cool, check it out...

My boyz...

Seriously, how cool is this?!?...

J Boy was in heaven!

Like I said, they will crawl up in your car if you let them...

Thank goodness the Rhino's were gated! I don't think anyone would want a Rhino trying to get in your car!!

Back at Nana's we had fun seeing Mamaw, all the kids just LOVE her!

Mamaw's MAYHEM!

Case...I just love this little man!

My favorite little guy being silly...

Cutter Butter was so much fun! And he was loving his Uncle "MiTey" (for those of you who aren't bilingual, that is 'Mikey' in two year old)

Daddy is back to work on Monday, however, summer break is right around the corner... 77 days in fact. What can I say, we like having him home!

.

Sunny smiles!

2010-03-14T13:38:00.029-05:00

Someone in the skies must of heard me complaining about the weather! And apparently, that 'someone' likes me, and wanted to turn my winter blues into sunny smiles!

It has been so lovely lately, and I just love lovely!

The sun has been shining, the weather has been warm, well... at least warm enough to be outside and enjoy.
And as promised, the TV is off, and we're swinging and playing,
dancing and eating,
and we're doing it all outside!!

And knowing just how fleeting this delightful time is, as we go from 'too cold' to 'too hot' entirely too fast, I am finding that sitting in front of the computer is the last thing I want to do. I have a feeling sporadic and long gaps between posts may just become the norm for a while. But sometimes life demands you spend more time 'living it' rather than writing about it, wouldn't you agree?!?

And this week is Spring Break and Daddy gets to savor the days along side us, how yummy is that?!

Speaking of yummy, how scrumptious does my littlest love look these days? She is just so...
toddler-ish,I adore it!

Sad news across the wire, Jett's beloved fish Bruce died last week. I wish I could say Jett was broken up about it, but I think he rather enjoyed the time to actually play, touch and feel him, in ways he never could when he was alive. BoyZ!!
(For the record, he did at least say "Poor Bruce. Poor, poor Bruce." .....about 100 times)

And, as the circle of life would have it, only hours prior to Bruce's death, we had just brought a new addition to our family home,
Meet Edgar...
(To which Jett said, very loudly, "Welcome to your new home Edgar!!!" .....ALSO about a 100 times!)

Before the lovely weather made it's way here, we were still making the best of our time inside..

GIDDY UP! And have a sunny day!

No good excuse!

2010-03-04T16:35:00.003-06:00

I haven't any good reason for my short blogging hiatus other than I am just soooooo ready for spring I can't stand myself! I don't think I have had a winter yet, that has made me feel as unmotivated as this one. Mikah has gone to Mother's Day out for 3 years, Jett for 2, and they have pretty much never missed a day unless someone was sick, however, in the last 2 months, it has been difficult to even get out of our pj's each day and we have played hooky 3 times already!
All you dear blogging buddies that live up north, 'How in the heck do you cope, I ask!'
When spring does arrive, we are turning the TV off indefinitely and doing everything and anything outside!!! BIG frickin sigh!!

Enjoy the random pics... despite the winter blues, life is still smellin' pretty sweet!

Fun with friends!!!
Well, mostly fun... a rare moment when the butterfly isn't smiling!

Taking after Daddy...Good with a club!

Mama and her girl...
And what a girl she is!!
Miss Mikah, always the fashion Diva. Thanks for the cute outfit Nana!!
One proud Mama with her girls!
The hubs and I...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESLEY!

2010-02-19T20:41:00.009-06:00

Tonight we took our little love out to dinner for her big number 2 birthday!!
We had a delicious time.
"We love you sooooo much lovey!"

Feelin' the Love!

2010-02-18T10:30:00.005-06:00

We loaded up last Friday and went 'home' for the weekend. My sister was having a Valentine party for the kiddos in her and Devlin's play group, and we thought we would join in the fun! Then on Sunday we had a little birthday party for the butterfly, I was excited about my family and friends back home to join in something for Presley, as they rarely get that opportunity. Unfortunately, after looking at the photos of that day, I realize I have not even ONE picture of anyone who attended! Furthermore, Presley is still struggling with the winter yucks and has been having to wear oxygen, which I was bummed about, but it hasn't effected her mood in the least... she had a wonderful time and was a joy!

(Click images to enlarge)
Valentines party...

My sister is the Hostess with the Mostest!
Craft table...
Jett wasn't in to 'the crafts'...
But Mikah had a great time making a valentine for Daddy...
However, Jett was in to his 'goodie bag'...
Their precious little play group!
Thanks for letting us be a part of it for a day Aunt Kristy and Devlin!!
Happy Birthday Presley Ann!!
YUM!

Of course, Mikah, Jett and Devlin were happy to help Presley out in the 'YUM' department...

Our Mardi Gras Princess...

True to form for a two year old, she was more pleased with the tissue paper and bags than her presents...

Baby, It's cold outside!

2010-02-16T10:39:00.014-06:00

We had record breaking snow fall last week. OH the fun we had!!
(And no, the butterfly couldn't join us in this adventure, BOO-HOO! No mystery as to why... a bit too cold, a bit too wet and way too much of a risk for the little love!)

Give us a break on the Snowman, we're Texans and haven't had a lot of practice!!!

Change of heart

2010-02-10T14:04:00.008-06:00

I originally posted this last night, but after an hour or so I started thinking it was just a little too personal, too revealing to put out there... lets face it, not all self discovery should be shared. When I pulled the post, I was happy to see no one had commented, and assumed no one had read it. This afternoon I received a lovely email from a much adored blogging friend who had read it prior to my pulling it. Lets just say, after some very kind words I decided I would re-post. Nuff said!
Love ya Rachel!

~ peace~

I have had a vague feeling of discontentment for quiet some time now, not really knowing the derivative. I have often thought I knew what to blame, or who to blame, the source changing, depending on the day. Needless to say, while I have wallowed in this place, time is flying by and my children are growing, and lately, I have not been as fully present as I should be.
It is knowing this, and going to bed each night feeling guilty, seeing these faces flash before me... Yes, it is these faces that has made me do some major soul searching, some down on my knees begging and asking the Lord to help me find the answers, help me find the peace I need to enjoy the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.
It will be cathartic for me to share what I have discovered, and perhaps it will touch someone else, those are always the two things I hope for when writing in this friend of mine of the last two years, my sweet blog.
Let's just hope that you can all still love me after sharing this raw, and not so pretty revelation...

I have been selfish and self centered
I have taken and rarely given
I have been easily offended and offensive
I pray for me, and seldom for others
I ask daily what the Lord can do for me, and almost never, what I can do to serve Him
I have put my expectations and hopes of happiness in 'things' and people, and not the Lord
I judge people while demanding I not be judged myself
I expect so much of others in my life, while giving very little myself
I call on the Lord only when I 'need' or want something from Him

I have a notebook with pages of much more, that is what I have been doing the past few weeks, taking a pen, opening a notebook and asking the Lord to speak to me. I write without thinking, and write, and write, often being surprised at what I am seeing before me, but it is all real, it is all my truth and I know it is time... time for change.
The thing is, it is so easy for me to slowly veer away from the Lord, this magnificent God that has seen me through all I have needed Him to, saving my soul after Presley was born, raising my daughter from her sick and fragile beginnings, to the perfect being she is today. But when His work is done, when all is good again, I allow myself to walk away from Him. He sends me signs, a nagging feeling of discontentment here or there, but it often takes a sadness or difficulty to engulf me before I allow myself to be aware of His presence calling me back. And then, as any good Father, He is there for me and takes me back.
Last night I went to the chapel and I asked Him for forgiveness, then I prayed. I prayed for an hour, for everyone and anyone BUT me. I prayed for my Aunt Mary's mother, struggling with breast cancer, my friend Joella's pain and worry for her daughter, for Jaxson's health, peace for Lacey, for my dear friend, Carie, who's heart is in a million pieces right now, for the people of Haiti, for safety in my sister's travels, I prayed for people who have hurt me, and for those that I have hurt, I prayed for people I don't know, for the cold and hungry, for the children without homes, I prayed... I prayed for others and thanked the Lord for my many blessings and asked for nothing, except to show me how I can better serve Him.
I felt so at peace. So completley content.
This morning I decided not to take the kids to school, I needed them, I needed to be a fully present Mommy today. As we sit in exhaustion from painting, baking and building, them snuggled next to me watching a movie, waiting for Daddy's arrival, I write this... feeling more content and at peace than I have in several months.

Thankful & Grateful

2010-02-07T17:44:00.003-06:00

This week I can't help but feel so very thankful for old and dear friends, having just dropped one of my BFF's of 28 years, Kim, off at the airport a few hours ago. I loved spending time with her in that comfortable silly way you do with your oldest and bestest friends. I loved shopping with her, knowing that when I asked her how a pair of jeans made my butt look, that I was going to get an honest answer!! Sooooo much different than shopping with hubsy, he doesn't even look before saying "Perfect Honey!" (Hell, he's no dummy, but sometimes you do want to know the truth!!) We spent hours looking at old high school pals on facebook, gasping at the changes and laughing at the memories! It was all great fun and it makes me a little sad and ache a bit for 'home'.

"I am so thankful and grateful you were here Kim! I love you!!"

I am also thankful for noticing this week, just how precious saying Grace in our home is, it goes a little something like this:

Mikah:"God, thank you for this food and for my family and for fruit loops, Amen"
Jett:"Thank you for this food, The End"

"Fruit loops" and "The End", seriously, just how precious is that?!?! I am definitely thankful for those little moments.

The gift of each other

2010-02-05T03:36:00.003-06:00

When I found out I was pregnant for a third time, I really hoped for a girl. I wanted so badly to give Mikah a sister. Since Presley was born, I have often thought about their relationship, and wondered if she and Presley would have the type of 'sisterhood' that my sisters and I had, or if Presley's delays would not make that possible. I actually have tears running down my face as I write this, some of them being tears of sadness and shame for having thought that, but most of them are happy tears, knowing how wrong I was.
I don't know how much Mikah and Presley's relationship will emulate the one I have had with my sisters, but what I do know, is Mikah and Presley will forever adore one another... just as I had hoped.
I think Presley is happiest when Mikah is close by, she literally lights up when Mikah comes near her, and she will crawl the entire length of the house in search of her if she has left the room. And when I watch Mikah with Presley, I am always genuinely moved. I especially like to watch her when she doesn't know I am looking, I will see her stroke Presley sweetly, or kiss her, or try to teach her something, or just talk to her in the gentle way that she does... it is in those times that I always have the same thought... perhaps the Lord didn't choose Mike and I for Presley at all, perhaps it was always Mikah that He had in mind. Whatever the case is, I have no doubt the Lord bestowed something beautiful to each of them, when He gave each of them the gift of the other.

14 things I love!

2010-02-03T13:32:00.020-06:00

In honor of Valentines day on February 14th, I thought I would post 14 'things' I 'heart'!!

1. I love to dance!! In my twenties me and my friends would go to clubs and dance for hours, I could still dance for hours in my living room and be tickled pink but Mike isn't too big on dancing... sober anyway!

2. Crime shows. I could watch them all day long, and it is how I like to relax at night... it makes Mike very nervous.

3. The Joyce Meyer show - 'Enjoying everyday life'... I love that 'shoot it straight from the hip' kinda preaching!

4. The book "Eat, Pray, Love". My sister turned me on to it and I LOVED IT! I just finished it and immediately started reading it over again, I dig it that much!!

5. SUSHI! Yes, I know I have mentioned this before but I just love it! I could sit in a tub of it and eat my way out. That, and Baskin and Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, and yes, it HAS to be Baskin and Robbins, no one else makes it any better! I think the best meal in the world would be sushi followed by MCC ice cream, obviously I don't have a very sophisticated palette!!

6. The "The Real Housewives of Orange County". Goodness me, I really love this show. These ladies are so shallow, and their lives are so drama filled, but what can I say...they delight me so!

7. JUNK! I just love it! My house is decorated with it and nothing pleases me more than to happen upon something old and worn and fit it in somewhere. From church windows, to doors, to iron gates, the more history it has, the happier I am with it.

8. My backyard! It is small and simple, but in the spring, summer and fall it has this wall of flowers along the fence, with some of my favorite 'junk' mixed in, a great covered patio with comfy furniture, a couple fountains... I could spend hours out their watching the kiddos, working on my computer, eating meals, or reading! It is a happy place!

9. The movie "Beautiful Girls" I love lots of movies but that one is my all time favorite, well, actually it is a tie between "Beautiful Girls" and "Lonesome Dove", it is just difficult to watch the latter too often, seeing as how it is 10 hours long!

10. Wood hangers! Yes, I am neurotic about organization and tidiness, I should probably be on medication for it. But nothing screams tidy in your closet like wood hangers.

11. HUGE rings. The bigger the better. I know they are all the rage now, but long before they were popular I loved them. Back in the day when you couldn't find them I would buy huge necklace pendants and take them to a jeweler to have him solder them on a ring for me. I don't like a lot of other jewelry on me, I usually wear diamond studs or simple hoops on my ears, nothing else, but I love, love, love the big rings!

12. Designer Jeans. Crazy huh? Well, I can justify this because I don't care at all about designer purses, I don't have a shoe fetish and I buy my make up at Walgreens!! But I gotta have the 'right' pair of jeans!! We won't discuss what I spend on this vice, after all, Mike does read my blog, so I will just leave it at that.
But seriously, if you don't already know, http://www.revolveclothing.com/ has the best selection, I personally recommend True Religion and Citizens of Humanity, just sayin!

13. My cowboy boots, the 'cowboy' part being questionable. But I have a particular pair that I have had for 10 years and I SWEAR I will still be wearing them when I am 75 years old! They are that cool!

14. 70's and 80's rock. Just doesn't get much better than The Steve Miller Band, Bad Company, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, ELO, Journey, etc. HOWEVER, can I just add here how much of a GEMINI I really am... I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Carpenters and John Denver, so ya see, one of me is cool, and the other... not so much!

Denise, I came back and added the pics for you, your right, a post is always better with pictures!

Dead give away of my neurosis in this next picture... Yes I label my closet shelves!

Thankful & Grateful

2010-01-31T12:23:00.004-06:00

My funny friend Steph, as well as others out in blogland, do a "Thankful Sunday" post, I love reading them, as it is nice to read about the lovely and simple things that they feel thankful and grateful for each week.
I have always been taken by the idea of a 'Thankful journal', where you put something in it each night that you are thankful for that day, but seeing as how the resolution to do that has worked out about as well as my other resolutions (I'm still hanging clothes on the treadmill) I think I will implement the Thankful post each week. As much as I love to look over old posts and reminisce, I know that I will be happy that I started a weekly 'Thankful and Grateful' post to look back on as well!

This week I am thankful for Presley's ability to pick up the signs we have been doing with her so quickly. Within a day's time she has been able to copy and repeat the sign that I introduce. I am so proud of her! I am disappointed in myself for being so lazed about doing this consistently before now, thinking it was going to be such a difficult task to tackle! Shame on me for underestimating my little love!
I am very thankful to have reconnected with a few friends lately, my friend Amy and I have found our way back to one another, easily picking up right where we left off. And, one of my oldest and dearest friends from back home, Kim, is flying in town next weekend and I am beyond estactic about the idea of having a whole weekend to laugh and just 'be' in that place for a while, you know the place... the place only the dearest of people in your life can take you.
Lastly,I am so very grateful for some special moments with Mikah... one being the other day as her and I were joking around in my bed, we started laughing at something we did... it was laughter that was uncontrollable, the kind where your eyes are watering and you can't stop no matter how hard you try... the best kind. There were a few seconds following where I was able to acknowledge the beauty of what had just occurred.
There is so much beauty in this humble little life of mine... and I am thankful and grateful for it all!

My lil cookie monster...

2010-01-28T18:35:00.004-06:00

Okay... not to keep picking on my precious J boy, but seriously... this little dude is as naughty as he is absolutely amazing!!

We dig Oreo's in this house! It is a strait up addiction around here, you won't ever find our pantry void of them, the DOUBLE stuffed kind, at that!!
It has only been in the last couple of months that I have even introduced the kiddo's to these sinful delights! Yup, it has been a vice Mike and I have been stingy about, and kept amongst ourselves until very recently. However, apparently this recent introduction was a big mistake, as my stinker, Jetty has been caught several times sneaking into the pantry and shutting the door behind him to raid the cookie jar, and the other day he was sitting under the kitchen table very quietly and I couldn't figure out why, until he came out from underneath with black teeth! Earlier this week as I was preparing dinner and getting stuff out of the pantry, as soon as I open the door, this is what I find...

(I am not sure why he didn't finish it, but I am pretty sure that it wasn't because he was consumed with guilt!)

After dinner tonight, Mike had gone through the entire house looking for Jett, and after asking me for a 3rd time "Where is Jett?" a light bulb went off in my head and I said "Check the pantry" Sure enough, he opened the door to find him squatting on the floor, having his own personal 'Oreo picnic!' I was able to snap this photo after Daddy scolded him...
I know, I know, what a mean Mommy I am! But I couldn't pass up the irony in it... LOOK who is on his bib from dinner?!?! The cookie MONSTER!!
(Besides, it is all in the name of blogging!)

Chirstmas again!!

2010-01-26T16:11:00.007-06:00

My mother had bilateral knee surgery prior to the holidays, therefor, we decided to postpone Christmas with them and my two sisters, until she was up to 4 grandkids climbing all over her! So, this past weekend, we loaded up the kids and headed to Noni and Popi's to celebrate Christmas again!

Click image to enlarge
The beautiful 'cousin' Devlin...

I'm not sure how we managed to get all 4 kiddo's in a picture, pretty amazing feat!

Silly cousins... Tap dancing cheerleaders and their favorite Football player.... er, I mean Fireman?!

But he is a super cute Fireman, don't cha' think?

As is Popi...

Uncle Jason is soooo cool!

"I'm kind of a big deal to these two!"

Christmas a month late means no big Turkey fuss, but instead, head to a resteraunt and let them clean up the mess!!!

Aunt Kristy and Aunt Kim, with 'all their girls'

My little ray of sunshine...

"Did I mention what a big deal I am to these two??!"

"But it makes my Mommy's heart swell to see her sisters love me so much!!"

Noni and J Boy!

Now this was our kind of resteraunt... paper plates for appetizers and BYOB,
we're classy like that!

Sweet, sweet cousins...

YES! They are wearing their matching Princess PJ's out to dinner, some battles aren't worth the trouble. Besides, didn't I mention we were 'classy like that!'

Me and Hubsy...

Noni and her Grandbabies!!

My Pinocchio...

2010-01-19T17:49:00.001-06:00

I am happy to report that it is pretty tough for Mikah to tell a lie. When she does, the guilt is written all over her face, my sweet girl!
Jett, well, he is a different story. He is most certainly the kiddo with chocolate smeared all over his face and tin foil stuck to his clothes, swearing, strait faced, that he didn't eat those candy kisses!
Case and point:
The other day when I picked him up from MDO he had his 'letter of the day' art work, an M with marshmallows glued all over it. When I buckled him in to leave school he was holding it, by the time we reached the house, as I was unbuckling him, I noticed every single marshmallow was gone from the art work, our conversation went like this:
Me: "Jett, Did you eat all those marshmallows??"
J: "No Mommy!?"
Me: "Well what happen to them??"
J: "They fell off."
Finding no evidence of the marshmallows any where in his seat or the floor, I proceed to ask...
Me: "Well where did they fall?"
J: "They fell in my tummy!?"

BIG sigh!

My apologies!

2010-01-17T18:13:00.011-06:00

Presley is doing well, and she wants to thank all of you for your emails of concern, and Mommy apologies for taking so long to let you guys know we are all healthy again!
I do plan to update on our happenings very soon, it has just been kinda busy around here lately, not sure why or with what, but I just haven't had much time to blog, but plan to make time this week!

This is seriously the picture I got when I said "Say Hi to all your friends Presley!"

When it rains it pours!

2010-01-07T08:48:00.007-06:00

If I was looking forward to today for a little reprieve and rest (being the kids first day back to Mother's Day out) then I better keep looking!
This morning Mike wakes me to the news that Mikah is crying that her ear hurts and that he can tell it is sincere, as she keeps pulling on it and wailing in pain! I guess I didn't hear her crying because I was passed out hard having been up till midnight waiting for the oxygen delivery guy to drop more oxygen off for Presley, as her need reached a new high late last night and a fear of running out over came me. As Mike ran up to the 24 hour pharmacy to pick up more medication, that I had successfully begged for in a late night call to her doctor, I royally pissed off the oxygen guy on call and asked for a delivery at midnight! So, today, some quiet time and sleep, between nebulizer treatments and chest pounding, along side my precious butterfly, was something I fell asleep dreaming about last night, BIG sigh!
Okay, now that I am done with this 'feel sorry for me' post, I will proceed to call my Mommy so I can equally whine to her (just how old is too old to do that?? lol!).
Seriously tho, thanks for listening... I know this is a 'cry me a river' post, but I know you guys always lend a good ear regardless!

My little love is sick!

2010-01-05T10:15:00.001-06:00

Last week I commented on how healthy Presley has been this winter, don't ask me why I would jinx us like that?!?!
Yup, the little love has RSV, and we are home doing all we can to 'stay' home and not be admitted to the hospital!
My butterfly started sounding crudy late last week and it escalated over the weekend, so much so that we had to bring in the oxygen tanks from the garage, the nebulizer mask from under the sink and start using her g-tube to push the fluids that she wants absolutely no part in drinking through a sippy cup right now!(Boy did I call it when I said that g-tube needed to stay in one more winter!!) And first thing Monday morning, a trip to Dr. P's office confirmed RSV.
Last winter, Presley had just been home from the hospital a month or so before we started fighting all the winter cudies, so oxygen in her nose, breathing treatments and the pounding on her chest to break up congestion, was all something she was used to and didn't fight us one bit! HOWEVER, being without any thing like that for the last 9 months has made her an absolute stinker to deal with now!! I can't get over the fight she puts up when trying to give her a breathing treatment, I have to literally embrace her in a tight hold, her arms locked down, while she flails her feet and screams at me (Mike can't do it... he says it scares him to see her so mad). And because of her prying fingers,the oxygen tubing has had to be cemented on her face with horrible slabs of tape, rather than the nice clear tegaderm I used last year. We have seen quite the little hard headed fighter come out the last few days, she actually scowled and hit at one of her dolls when I tried to use it to console her. Big sigh! Please keep my little love in your prayers, I would like to hope we can succeed with her care at home so that a hospital stay isn't in our near future!!

Holiday Recap...

2010-01-02T17:45:00.004-06:00

Once again, the Holiday Season has left me feeling loved, lucky and blessed!

Twas the night before Christmas...

Christmas morning...

Slowing down long enough to please Mommy with a picture (minus the one who wouldn't slow down)...

One of my three favorite 'gifts' of all time...

Later that day at Nana and Paw Paw's...

Christmas perfection...

Opening presents ALL DAY can sure make you tired...

Going home with much more than we came with...
Back home enjoying all our new toys...

Jett has two favorite fella's, Spike and Thomas...

Mikah has some favorites gifts too...

REWIND....New Years Eve 1999, Mike and I made the trip to Houston to celebrate with all of my high school friends at a party held in an old warehouse....let's just say some adult fun was had!!

FAST FORWARD ten years... we find our self spending New Years a little bit differently, it started off with a little Grape punch bubbly, followed by a few rounds of 'Hungry Hippo' and capped it off with a viewing of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', LOL!
Does it get any better than that???

Farewell 2009!

Presley & Santa...

2009-12-24T13:51:00.003-06:00

Doesn't my butterfly look sweet? She was all dolled up in the lovely outfit a sweet friend sent to her, full of giggles and grins, oh what a great first picture with Santa this was going to be.......or so I thought!
After 45 minutes in line, and literally seconds before her turn to sit on Santa's lap (no exaggeration, we were literally the next up!) my little love decided to reveal, by throwing up everywhere, that she too, caught the stomach bug that Mikah and Jett had just gotten over!

click image to enlarge

Moments before the 'episode', see the precious mood she was in?

After a quick clean up, still trying to get that 'great' first picture with Santa! (Not so great eh?)
No worries my little love.... next year...

From our family to yours...

Hurling the Holidays away...

2009-12-22T02:38:00.008-06:00

Well.... not really! But we did have to cancel our Holiday with Mike's extended family this past Saturday, due to Mikah having a 24 hour bug that kept the poor baby throwing up.
We managed to keep our plans the next day, which was to take the kids to go ride the Polar Express in their PJ's. We then headed to stay the night at a near by resort, one we have stayed at a few times before, but never cease to be amazed by the beauty of it, it is an unbelievable place, which makes for great holiday pictures of the kids!
Usually I am borderline obsessive when it comes to be organized, however, I guess Mikah's bout of illness prior to our day away, messed with my mojo, as I went off and forgot Presley's shoes, so the poor thing stayed in footed PJ's the whole trip, which didn't make for the cute pictures I had hoped for, amidst the amazing Christmas decorations! However, I was really prepared when it came to bringing several extra outfits and PJ's for Mikah, just in case she got sick again... too bad that it was Jett who decided to follow suit! YUP! 12:30 in the morning in the hotel room, Jett wakes up and gets sick, and continues to do so all night. By morning, half our bedding was crumpled in a corner and the poor boy had no clean clothes, due to all the changes throughout the night, BIG sigh!
And with Presley in PJ's or not, I had still hoped to get some great photo's, how did that go you ask? Well, just check out the first picture, it pretty much gives you an idea, seriously, click on the first image to enlarge, I assure you a good laugh, even if it is at Princess Mikah's expense!! Sorry love bug!

Will she ever forgive me for this?...

My little man couldn't get enough of the train...

What little kid dreams are made of...

And yes, this was BEFORE dinner! What the heck, we were on vacation (kinda!)

Precious even if she couldn't wear her pretty dress...

ALL a BOARD the Polar Express!!

Not sure what to think of this guy?...

Mikah, Jett, Frosty and the "Green Inch" (as Mikah calls him!)

Santa came to school...

2009-12-18T21:12:00.003-06:00

Last day of Mother's Day out was Thursday, so no more MDO (or 'school', as we call it) as well as no dance class and no gymnastics, for 2 weeks! Daddy will be home with us, so we can all enjoy the time together! YIPPEE!
These are probably the best photo's I have ever had taken of the kids with Santa, I can thank Joella for them... she was quick to snap some good shots of her babies when he came to MDO last week! I can't wait for the butterfly to meet him this weekend!

click image to enlarge

Giles Gingerbread House...

2009-12-15T12:14:00.007-06:00

This years Giles Gingerbread House was a little better than last years fiasco, but we still have room for lots of improvement, lol! I am determined to have accomplished the PERFECT Gingerbread House before any of my kiddo's grow up and leave the nest... and yes, it just may take that long!
But none the less, it was fun... in fact the kids had a blast, Jett was so sweet, exclaiming how much fun he was having a hundred times, "Mommy, This is so fun! This is soooo fun!"

P.S. Who the hell does those ones picture on the box anyway? Mine never look even REMOTELY close to theirs!!! SIGH!

click images to enlarge

2009 Christmas Card

2009-12-13T10:42:00.003-06:00

Christmas Photo op...

2009-12-10T10:48:00.002-06:00

I wish we could have a great family photo taken, or at least one of the three kids together! However, it is impossible with Jett and Presley, Mikah on the other hand is a total ham! Any how, until the day comes that Jett and Pres will cooperate with a group photo session, our Christmas cards will continue to be whatever good shot I can get of them individually!

Here is a few from this years very quick photo op for the Christmas card, thank goodness for photo shop so that I can tweak things here and there to make them worthy of our card!

Jett's mohawk.....

2009-12-08T15:07:00.012-06:00

As you guys know, Mike is a football coach, he lives in dri fit, Nike and Under Armour, so obviously, this is also the apparel he finds appealing on his son. Me, on the other hand, LOVE the skater look (on little boys that is!!). And I have bought more than one pair of black leather converse or high tops for Jett, only to see Mike shake his head and say "Are you kidding me?!?!" sigh!

Seeing as how we are long over due in cutting J'boy's hair, this morning I was feeling like a rebellious coach's wife and sent him to Mother's day out with his hair like this! I think it is so stinkin' cute, even if Mike won't appreciate the look! The very best part? They had their pictures taken with Santa today!! He! He! I think I might let him grow his hair out more, so we can do a really pronounced mohawk, rather than this mini version, it looks really mini in this picture, in person it looks much better (and bigger, lol!)
Mike may not like the 'do', but even J'boy knows what a heart breaker he is, no matter what his hair looks like. His teacher Emily said she had to take a toy away from him today and he was very upset about it. She knelt down and said "Jett, you know I love you" and he said, in his best J'boy pout, "No you don't! And don't look in my blue eyes!"
Daddy says he is going to be in trouble for that when he gets home tonight, but reprimand needed or not, I think that is just the cutest story ever!