Rockin' New Years

So much fun! We had a house full this year to ring in the New Year! There were 9 kids running around and 11 adults crammed into our house and we had a fabulous time! The kids got along abnormally well - no whining, crying, fighting! The adults got along pretty well too - no whining, crying or fighting (unless you count the Wii and Guitar Hero battles!). We were all able to make it to midnight when we toasted (sparkling cider of course) and ran up and down the street banging our pots and pans together! The only kid who fell asleep early was my godson, Mason, but he is only 7 months old. The rest were partying their hearts out to the very end. Happy New Year everyone!

Is she really old enough to lose a tooth?!

Cory and I are crushed, absolutely crushed. Not only did Sami lose her very first tooth on December 28th, but we weren't there to see it! Here's the story...Sami's gift from Santa was new bedding to turn her room into a High School Musical room. This meant her room needed to be painted (it really needed it anyway but this was great motivation to follow through) so we decided to spend our Sunday painting away. Since the ceiling needed painting also, by dinner time we still weren't done. So we decided to let Sami spend the night at Granny & Papa's house so we could finish it up after Matthew went to bed. There we were, working away, when the phone rings about 9:30pm. It was my mom and she was cracking up laughing. Evidently Sami was eating an apple while she waiting for her coffee to make (yes, I said coffee-thanks Granny!), when all of sudden she said there was blood on her apple. They looked down and sure enough there was her little tooth laying on the ground! Sami didn't know what to think and immediately wanted to know exactly how this tooth fairy thing works! They called to tell us the news and we just cried! We missed it, this big occasion in the life of our first born and we weren't there! On my way to work the next morning I stopped at Granny's to see the tooth and take a picture of "our toothless wonder" as she is now called. She was so excited and I assured her the tooth fairy would be making a visit that night! I was wanting to come up with a great tradition or something special for this...but got nothing! Thank goodness for www.toothfairyland.com - it is the cutest sight! They tell this wonderful story of how the tooth fairy came about and even send your child an email saying how proud they are and can't wait to come see their tooth! So when we got home that night, I showed Sami her letter from the tooth fairy and we read the story. Sami wrote a letter to the tooth fairy and set it, along with her tooth, on her night stand that night. About 11pm she wakes up crying, scared of having the tooth fairy come into her room. So we moved the tooth to the kitchen and I assured her I would contact the tooth fairy to let her know where to go. The next morning when Sami got up, she comes running out to see if she came. There on the counter was a pack of sugar-free gum (good oral hygiene is important you know!), a dollar bill, 4 quarters and a note from the fairy. Even better, there was fairy dust all over the counter. Sami looks up at me very serious and says, "Mommy, fairy dust is white not red!" (at 10pm at night all I could find was red glitter, work with me here!). So, thinking quick, I say back "well, fairy dust is red when she has her Christmas wings on!". Thankfully, that explanation was enough for her and she let it go! She was excited all day to have her own gum and note from the fairy. What a big girl...I can't believe we are here already. I love that little Sami - sassy, a little bossy, full of curiosity and imagination - I love it all!

Christmas Fun

Christmas Chaos

I can't believe the holidays are almost behind us! So much preparation and excitement...then it's over in the blink of an eye. I think we had the best Christmas yet this year. So much to be thankful for and so many people to share it with! The holiday kicked off with Sami's school party and "Winter Program". Her class sang "The 12 Days of Christmas"...she practiced so hard to get it just perfect. The next day was her Christmas Ballet/Tap Recital. She did AMAZING! As much as I hate to admit it, I love watching her - she just glows when she's dancing! After the performance we went to Red Robin with some good friends and family, finishing off the night with a hug from Santa. The next week was the daycare party (aka Granny's house). Every year the kids draw names and exchange gifts. This year my mom decided to have the children buy gifts for Toys for Tots and a police officer came to the house to collect all of the toys. My mom had done a wonderful job preparing the kids by talking to them about the real meaning of Christmas and importance of giving. The officer that came was wonderful and the kids were so excited to load up her car (I'm sure it helped they got to see inside and hear the sirens!). It was a wonderful way to instill the message and let the children feel the gift of giving. Christmas Eve we spent the afternoon at Grandpa and Grandma Reeder's house with all of the cousins - 6 to be exact all under the age of 7 1/2! The kids had a blast and exchanged gifts. They drew names this year and were so excited to see what each had gotten. We went from there to Papa and Granny's house with yet another cousin. We ate more than we should have and were showered with wonderful gifts. Papa lucked out and got a Wii which all of us have been enjoying. Christmas Day was all at our house. The kids started waking around 6, too excited to see if Santa had finally come. Matthew got a Thomas the Train tricycle and his own Dyson vacuum from Santa. Sami was so excited when she saw all of the bedding to turn her room into a High School Musical room! The kids were so cute opening their presents and being silly! I baked an egg casserole after that and soon we had a house full for brunch. That afternoon we had even more join the festivities and we had a wonderful "linner" (Thanks Lisa for the recipe - it was a hit!). It was such a relaxing Christmas. Usually I am rushing to get the meal ready and make sure the kids are occupied. This year I got most of it prepared the night before and once it was in the oven, I was sitting on the couch enjoying a glass of wine with the rest of 'em! We are so blessed to have each other, our health and our Lord this day and every day. Most of the time I am too rushed and stressed to look around and take it all in. Our holiday continued on Friday. We went over to Grandma Linda's house for an Italian Feast - we were all sick of the typical holiday foods by this point! The kids had drawn names here also and had a great time opening gifts. Aunt Jana had a great idea - all of the kids made homemade cards for the person whose name they drew. The kids loved making them and were so proud of themselves when they gave them away. It was a great idea! Aunt Shelley brought goodies to make ice cream sandwiches and we spent some great quality time with all of them! It was a long, very busy holiday - but a wonderful time each and every moment!! Merry Christmas Everyone and thank you to each person that helped to make ours so wonderful!

(I'm still sorting through all of the Christmas pictures...those will be up in a couple of days!)

Fun in the Sand

This last weekend we went to the coast for the first time in 2 years!! Needless to say, we were overdue! Matthew was only 3 months old the last time we went and, obviously, had no idea what was going on. That was the first time Sami had actually enjoyed the sand and not cried. SO we were so excited to head over and spend the weekend playing in the sand and eating completely unhealthy food! We had a great time. We got there around dinner time on Friday so we just watched the waves from our hotel room and the pier after dinner. The next day we set up camp on the beach around 9:30am (after cinnamon rolls of course!) and didn't go back to the hotel until almost 3pm! We took the EZ Up, our chairs, blankets and lots of toys. The weather was fabulous..almost hot! We could not have asked for a better day and then we finished it off with yummy McClintock's! The kids were so cute building their sandcastles and playing in the water. Sami did not want to get out all day..she loved every minute of it. Matthew, on the other hand, loved the sand and mess..but the water was another story. He would be fine until the water reached his knees, then he would take off running back to dry land. Sunday we checked out of the hotel and headed to Avila. We went the the Avila Valley Barn where the kids fed some goats, checked out the chicken and ponies and I found some great Thanksgiving goodies! We had lunch at the Apple Farm before heading back home. I wish every weekend could be that weekend....

October in a Nutshell

I cannot believe that it is already November...where did October go?! I am going to borrow my friend Mary's idea and just give a run down of our month. Who knew life could be so busy with only 2 kids and working part-time?!

October 1: I worked all day, had a dentist appointment and Sami had soccer practice.

October 2: AT&T installation ALL day long, but totally worth it! My mother-in-law comes for dinner.

October 3: I worked all day

October 4: Sami had a soccer game & Josh (our nephew) had a football game. That afternoon we put out all of our fall/halloween decorations. Sami loves the fake cobwebs! While I worked on the indoor decorations, Sami created her first floral arrangement. I must say, it turned out pretty good. Grandma Cilla would be proud...check out the picture!

October 5: Church, my month to teach Sunday School

October 6: I worked, went to the gym after work, Sami had ballet at 5:15 then off I went to our first PTA meeting

October 7: Picture Day at school

October 8: I worked all day, Sami had soccer practice

October 9: Bible Study in the morning, Uppercase Living Party in the evening

October 10:Funeral in the morning :(, babysit in the afternoon

October 11:Sami had a soccer game where she SCORED HER FIRST GOAL!! She was hurt earlier in the game with a bloody nose being the result. She was determined to never play soccer again. Well...Build-a-Bear bribery did the trick and she went back out to score her first goal. That afternoon she and I went to lunch and Build-a-Bear to fulfill the reward-GREAT DAY!

October 12:Church

October 13:Work all day, Visiting Day at Sami's ballet, Preschool Board Meeting that night
October 14:BAD DAY...I was rear ended by a guy going 50mph in a raised 4x4 truck. I had just picked Sami up from school and Matthew was in the car. I was at a complete stop behind a city bus that had just pulled over to pick someone up. The guy didn't see me until the last minute, so he did break and was able to go to the side slightly. His passenger side front end caught my drivers side rear end. The damage wasn't as bad as it could have been but I got whiplash, yuck! The kids were ok and asking for a snack just minutes after it happened. We still made it to Sami's 1:00 dentist appointment and to pick up my nephew from school! Needless to say we were all exhausted come that evening!

October 15:I worked all day, Sami had soccer practice in the evening

October 16:Women's Bible Study, my mother-in-law comes for dinner

October 17:Volunteer in the classroom, took dinner to our friend Ray who recently lost his wife

October 18:Sami had soccer - our turn to take snack, shopping for my godson's baptism
October 19:Taught Sunday School, my godson Mason was baptized with a get together afterwards-I am so blessed to be a part of his life. I love that whole family!

October 20:I worked all day, met with the auto adjustor to get the car fixed and Sami had ballet

October 21:Hair appointment, chiropractor appointment, met with our Pastor to practice for our Lay Witness at church

October 22:I worked all day, took the kids to get flu shots on my lunch break, chiropractor appointment and Sami had soccer practice

October 23:Women's Bible Study, massage at chiropractor, mother-in-law over for dinner

October 24:Volunteered in the classroom, Sami had her awards assembly where she was given STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR RESPONSIBIBLITY!!! Grandma Linda and Papa came to watch as she was surprised with the award, we are so proud of her! I had a chiropractor appointment and that night we got pizza for dinner (her favorite!). I surprised Sami with tickets to see High School Musical 3! We had so much fun just the two of us on a "date" as she would say! The picture has her teacher Mrs. Basso in it...we feel so blessed to have her as Sami's teacher, she is amazing!

October 25:Sami had soccer game, Joshua had a football game, practiced with our Pastor one more time

October 26:Church, we went before the congregation and gave our Lay Witness about our experience with Matthew. You can watch the entire service for that day at http://www.vumc.org/ and click on Video/Audio Communications. It was a powerful experience that Cory and I will never forget but are glad it's over! We went to Hillcrest Farms pumpkin patch in Reedley afterwards with my parents, brother, his girlfriend and my nephew. A great way to the end the weekend!

October 27:got the car to the shop in the morning, I worked all day, chiropractor appointment and Sami had ballet

October 28:Volunteered in the classroom, massage at chiropractor's that evening, everyone came over to our house for pizza and pumpkin carving.

October 29:Worked all day, chiropractor appointment after work

October 30:Women's Bible Study, massage in evening

October 31:Happy Halloween! Volunteered in the classroom for the "Fall Celebration", had a chiropractor appointment afterwards. That afternoon the kids got dressed in their costumes (Sami was Minnie Mouse and Matthew was a surgeon) and we went out to Westgate Gardens where my grandma lives for their festivities. Afterwards it was chili dogs and trick-or-treating with the family.

Not the Last MRI :(

We met with the surgeon this morning. The neuro team reviewed the MRI and the area where the surgery was performed looks great. Unfortunately they did find a "spot" on his right 8th rib. The radiologist thought it was most likely a fibrous nodule and benign. Nevertheless it means another MRI in one year and to just be aware of it in the meantime. They don't think it will grow like the malformation did, but they will monitor it and see what it does. It's definitely not bad news but just not the news I was hoping for. I would have liked them to say "he's perfectly fine, we never need to see you again!". But at least it's not for another year. Dr. Guzman was in surgery when we got there so we initially met with one of his residents and he had us worried. He was the one who gave us the MRI results and said we would need to come back in 3 months for another MRI and bone scan?! Cory and I were shocked ... thinking "here we go again" but fortunately Dr. Guzman and his partner Dr. Edwards were back and came in with him to go over the details and what the plan of care would be. I was so relieved to see him walk through the door. He seemed very casual about the nodule and didn't think it was anything we needed to investigate further at this time. If he's OK with it..I'm OK with it. So, we just enjoy our healthy boy and let the good Lord continue his healing. I am sure that a year from now we will have that official "never come back" I was hoping for this time!