Cassi's Game

The picture overload is for Nina.
But here is our girl!! It was awesome to see her.

Her adoring fans!

She played really well, we were impressed.
We had so much fun watching her.

Cassi's tip-off. She's got hops!

The team.

Look at that form!

There's our superstar with the most rebounds of anyone, she kicked trash out there!

Bonding after the game.

Caleb thought she was pretty cool.

Reuniting.

The boys were thrilled to see her.

Collin whispered into my ear, "Cassi kissed me." He was excited.

Aren't they all so cute together?

I LOVE this picture.

Cassi and I are the babies in our family. She's the closest thing I have to a little sister, and every time I'm around her I can't help myself, I have to tease her mercilessly as if she really were my little sister. I hope she forgives me!!

At the restaurant, she was kissing on Caleb. I think he really enjoyed it, despite the face. And I think Cassi was wishing she was kissing on a different Caleb, our waiter....she left her number on a napkin for him. By the way Cass, has he called???

It was painful to say goodbye. And I mean really painful. My heart aches. For a lot of reasons, but watching Cassi walk back into the hotel twisted the dagger for me. I miss her, and can't wait to see her in the summer!! I'm so glad we made the drive to see you!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

She Arrived

Grandma made it safe and sound, and I'm happy to announce that she has not yet received one dirty look from this little face.

The 22nd already??

Guess who turns five today?

Happy Birthday Collin!! We love you!

We had the celebration last night.

I'm sure all mothers think their children are extra special, but this little boy really is. He never fails to put a smile on your face. Collin is extreme, and he'll go to the extreme to make you laugh, already our little comedian he keeps us lighthearted. He's also very sweet and tender, although most people don't see this side of him, but when no one is looking, he's patiently helping out one of the smaller children, or sharing a toy, or kissing on his Caleb. He also has the most personality wrapped up into a little body that I've ever seen! Our family would not be complete without him, he brings a lot of sunlight and noise into our home, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Everyone was politely asked not to bring presents...I guess they forgot? Oh well. (I secretly do the same when asked not to!) The boy loved everything and it gave the kids all something to play with. I just always feel like it's completely overload at times and they just don't need so much. Does this mean I get to toss some old things?

This boy is ALL BOY. Anything that flies or makes a noise or can potentially beat someone up, he's all for. Tom and I got him a marble run, thinking he would go nuts over it. He took one look at it and never looked again. I think it might be one of those toys that is discovered by him on a quiet afternoon when he's home alone with me. Because I thought for sure it was going to bring him hours of entertainment, which meant hours of peace for me!

Collin blowing out the candles.

It was so funny, we lit the candles, dimmed the lights and started singing Happy Birthday, when we hear this yelling coming from upstairs.

"Wait! Wait! Wait for me!!!"

Probably the most important person in Collin's life was upstairs when we started, and the house was so crowded I failed to even notice.

Talin made it down in time. It's so nice to have these boys love and care for each other.

We love you Collin and think you are the best little boy!!

five more days

An apple a day...

...does not keep the doctor away.

I mistakenly called their bluff, Collin and Talin's that is.

Last Wednesday when Collin told me he didn't feel well, I totally ignored him, and thought he was faking. How wrong was I. He later threw up in the car on the way to a doctor's appointment for Caleb.

And yesterday when Talin told me he was sick, I totally accused him of playing hooky. How wrong was I, when he puked at the doctor's office (at another Caleb appointment).

I'm done calling their bluff, it seems that I'm being made a fool of here.

And something funny-at the doctor's yesterday Caleb was getting his pre-op physical done. Well, the doctor had to check the goods under the diaper, and while he's doing that Talin turns to him and says, "You know, you really should put gloves on if you're going to be doing that."
Not kidding, those were the kids exact words.

I smiled and shrugged, what was there to say?

Haircut

Before

After

Self Portrait Tuesday

For Curiosities Sake

This is what a raspberry baby looks like.

These shots are from yesterday.
Thankfully he woke up this morning not looking like fruit.

And if he's looking extra chunky in these shots, it's totally because he is. Well, some of it is swelling, but not all, because this fatty is officially 14 pounds 5 ounces!!

Yeah!!

Are you now fat enough for a little heart surgery?!?!

I think so!

Today I made meatballs...

…after I went to the ER this morning for Caleb who woke up with a swollen face and a rash all over his body.
Then I cursed Oprah.
Then I cursed Snapfish.
Then I contemplated if a free photo book from Snapfish, thanks to Oprah, was really free when I’m stressing my gourd out over finishing it by Sunday.
Then I called our home nurse to get a replacement tube for Caleb’s g-tube.
Then I cursed a leaking tube.
Then I cried on the phone to Tom.
Then I cried on the phone to Betsy.
Then I cried on the phone to Mandi.
Then I called my mother four times before getting a hold of her and cried to her on the phone.
Then I washed three loads of Caleb laundry with new expensive detergent.
Then Caleb’s face turned into a raspberry.
Then I called the nurse.
Then I realized that no one really cares if your child looks like a piece of fruit, just as long as he’s breathing.
Then I gave him more Benadryl.
Then I talked to Talin’s principal about older children offering my six year old child “a smoke” while he plays at recess.
Then I felt foolish when she called me back and Talin couldn’t seem to remember when this happened or any of the details of the incident when she actually spoke to him.
Then I felt like a bad mom.
Then Talin came home and asked to be home schooled.
Then I felt like a bad mom again.
So I made meatballs. Lots of them.
My boys think I’m awesome for making meatballs. The End.

And if you think I’m having a selfish little pity party, you just might be right. But I’m writing this all down so that when I have a bad day down the road, I can look back on my meatball post and think, oh, this day isn’t so bad. I remember the meatball day, now THAT was a bad day.

Tonight I’m taking my boys to the mall. They’re going to meet Santa. I put up my Christmas Tree on Tuesday. More about skipping Thanksgiving later.

I Cut Their Hair

And my bedroom is a mess, but this face is too delicious not to post.
Talin thought his teacher wouldn't recognize him at school the next day.

Talin also thought that Collin no longer looked like his brother.

Caleb had his two hour eye appointment that went great.

His eyes looked completely normal, cool.

Do you know what is not cool?

Collin puking in the car, yes, IN THE CAR, on our way to the doctor's appointment. Thank goodness for an awesome friend that lived close by to where the puking occurred on the freeway.

Yes, this is my life.

Self-Portrait Tuesday

Christmas Spoils

Tom bought me a Christmas present.

It's made out of wool.

It's beautiful.

It's hiding in the closet.

Tom is at the temple this morning.

I'm prancing around the house in my Christmas present.
I look hot in it.

If you don't hear from me again it's because Tom has killed me for this Christmas crime!!

Yesterday Collin came home from preschool looking like this.
I guess he tried to catch himself with his nose instead of his hands on his way down.

Caleb got a bath at 3:30 this morning, yes, this morning.
What a good dad he has. Upon discovering that the drip-feed had an open syringe and was literally marinating our baby in stomach bile and milk all night, he ran a bath for him and didn't even wake me up to help. Although I ended up helping anyway, cause when the bath water is running at 3:30 in the morning, as a mother, you must get up to investigate.
The boys played in the leaves yesterday.

Caleb & I watched.

Self Portrait Tuesday

November 1st

Last Monday I woke up to a panic attack.

I woke up thinking it was November 1st and the only thought running through my head was, “I only have twenty-four more days until Caleb’s surgery.”
My mouth went dry, my heart started racing and I felt nauseous. So much to do, so little time left to me. Then the realization dawned on me. We hadn’t even celebrated Halloween yet; I had time, so much time until the dreaded November month.

Well, today is November. I haven’t puked my worries out yet and I’m still sane. I think the Lord is carrying me through this time more than what I even realize. I couldn’t do it on my own. No, not even super mom could do this, or the upcoming organizing, chaos, five-doctor’s-appointments-in-one-week-future. I profess no sanity or strength of my own throughout this month. I will claim the random crazy blog post that might pop up here and there throughout November, but anything that is done with any sense of strength or calm or sanity, I give credit to the Lord, because it certainly is not my inadequate self that is making this happen.

On another note, Caleb was a chili pepper last night.

And it might be the last time Tom is left in charge of pictures for the night, because this is pretty much the only shot of my chili pepper that is decent. Still cute though.

And after unloading the car from trunk-or-treating, I came into the house to find naked children eating candy. Where did the clothes go? And why were they so quick to discard the costumes?

I think part of it might have to do with the shocking temperature outside last night of 60 something degrees. It felt like summer. Odd. I'm wearing short sleeves today. Tom wore shorts. Are you sure it's November? Am I really in Iowa?

Blurry, naked Collin, and yes, that is a tattoo on his stomach.

And this is my future blackmail for this boy. Not only is he wearing whitey-tighties, but his legs are crossed and he's also sporting white socks. He thought this was funny, but just wait, just you wait my Talin dear, this picture will be a nightmare to you soon enough!