Hippity hoppity....

Happy Birthday, Riley

Riley is 12 years old today! I can't believe it! He has grown into such a sweet young man ( I can't say little boy anymore). He is a good athlete and a great sport. He loves to play soccer, football, and of course video games! I am so proud of him. He is such a good kid. Happy birthday, Riley!

Feeling .... sleepy.......

It has been a long couple of weeks. Since Amelia has been without her CPAP, she can't get to sleep! It has been between 12- 2 AM before she gets to sleep! A couple nights ago she was so tired that she started to cry. She cried so hard that she started to hyperventilate. Her hands were numb, she was dizzy, and she almost passed out. We ended up calming her done a litte bit and had to give her Albuterol because she started to cough.

The pulmonologist said that the CPAP was like a pacifier. She had slept with it for 2 years, so it is difficult for her to sleep without it. We are trying to be patient with her at night, but Todd and I are exhausted, too. It is almost like having a baby again! We've been praying about it, and we are hopeful that she will be able to sleep soon. If she keeps having trouble, she will have to have another sleep study and maybe get back on the CPAP.

I am glad we have had a laid back weekend. The kids had to do school last week even though their friends were on spring break, so I surprised them Friday and took them to see Bedtime Stories at the "broken seat, sticky floor" theater (that's what the kids call Coventry). The boys then hung out with Brennan and Grandpa Tim at our house, and Amelia spent the night with Grandma and the Ross girls. Todd, Robert, Kim and I went on a double date and splurged at DeBrand's. Yummmmmm!!!!!!

Saturday we didn't have much going on. It was so nice! We were able to relax before we start soccer games next week. That evening we went to Chili's for dinner for Todd's sister, Roxie's, birthday. There were 30 of us! Fun!!!!

This morning we went to church and then came to my mom's house so the kids could decorate easter eggs. No mess for me! They are having a lot of fun. I am reading and messing around on the computer. We are headed back to church for evening services soon. I tried to load some pics from the egg decorating, but I had to much trouble with my mom's camera.

Good News!

Amelia's pulmonologist called today with good news. Most of you know that she was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 2 years ago and has had to sleep with a C-PAP ever since (not much fun for a little girl). At her check-up last year, Dr. Chowdary noticed that her jaw structure was not good, and he thought that could be the cause of her sleep apnea. He advised us to see her dentist, Dr. Olinger, for some X-rays. She was then referred to Dr. Cohen for orthodontia. He put her in braces and was able to change the shape of her mouth and her jaw - with no surgery!

At the sleep study 2 weeks ago, she did so well that they never had to put the C-PAP back on. The doctor called today to confirm the good sleep study results. She is able to sleep without it, but we have to monitor her for awhile to make sure she doesn't relapse. She is so excited to go without it. She has been made fun of at sleepovers for wearing it - even after she explained that she would stop breathing without it. It messes her hair up when she sleeps. It is just very annoying to anyone, but especially a child! Of course we were glad that it helped her sleep well, but we are also glad to go without it. Please pray that she does well without it. I am sure she would be upset to go backwards and have to wear it again.

Girls Day!!!

Amelia and I had a blast on Saturday. We were invited to go to Chicago for Amelia's friend's birthday. We stopped at a chocolate factory on the way there and bought some yummy candy. Once we got into Chicago we walked to the American Girl store. We spent a couple of hours there and the girls loved every minute of it. Amelia's favorite thing was having her dolls ears pierced. She had been saving her money and was able to buy 2 outfits. After that, we walked to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. They thought that was very cool! We really enjoyed our day. The weather was so nice that we were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go. The car ride was as much fun as everything else that day. We even made it home in time to watch Riley's late football game. He scored a touchdown and played a great game. I was glad to make it home in time to watch him. That day was the most fun I have had in a long time. Of course we are all tired today, but it was worth it.

THANKFUL!

I am so thankful that God answered our prayers and brought Robert home from Kuwait safely. We went to the airport today and got to see that wonderful moment that Kim, the kids, Nina, family and friends got to see him coming down the escalator in the airport. I was tearfully thanking God for that moment. I am sure they are enjoying spending time together this evening. God is so good!

Again, not mother of the year!

Okay, time to post about something I did that is not very "mother of the year-ish." Landin has been waiting until the last second to put on his shoes, coat, etc. when it is time to go somewhere. Yesterday I told the kids they had five minutes to have their shoes on so we could leave. When time came to get into the van, Landin wasn't out there. I decided to start the van and pull out into the driveway. A minute or so went by - still no Landin. I thought it would be funny to shut the garage door. Another minute went by - no Landin. I used my cell phone and called the house. The answering machine went on and I said," Hey, I must have forgotten you. Are you home alone?" He still didn't answer or come out. I decided to go back in to see what was going on. He was standing in the kitchen by the back door looking very close to tears! My heart broke! My funny joke made him sad! I asked him why he didn't come out and he said he didn't hear me so it was time to leave. When he realized we weren't in the house, he came out into the garage and saw the door closed - he thought we really left him!!! I told him we would never leave him - that I thought I was being funny. I asked him why he didn't open the garage door to see if we were there, and he said he didn't want someone to see him home alone and arrest me for leaving him!!! I felt horrible that he was trying to protect me from getting into trouble, and I thought I was just playing a joke on him! He said he was thinking about calling my cell phone to come back and get him. Needless to say, I spent the evening feeling guilty for making him so sad instead of laughing at my "funny joke!"