OUCH

Who says this guy is cute?





Not Tate... he was stung by one of natures little creatures last night in the pool. We were just minding our business, splashing and having fun, when all of a sudden Tate starts screaming bloody murder. He lifts his arm out of the water and there was gross, pulpy sac with a stinger in his arm. He jumped out of the pool and screamed "Mom, there's a bee on your shoulder". I don't think I had anything to worry about since they only sting once. His arm swelled a little and turned red. The whole event, including the "fire stinging" pain only lasted a matter of minutes. Within an hour the swelling was fine and this morning he couldn't remember what arm it happened to.

Happy/Sad!!!


Happy=no more diapers
Sad= Blake's growing up

Happy=School is almost starting
Sad= School is almost starting

Happy= my mom is retiring
Sad= the reason she is retiring

Happy= I love my friends
Sad= one great friend just moved

Happy= Kalvyn is a responsible teenager
Sad= Kalvyn is a teenager

Happy= Date nights
Sad= not nearly enough of them

Happy= Tate is growing up SO fast
Sad= Tate is growing up too fast

2

Just look at this face... so sweet, cute, funny and loving....apparently with a touch of multiple personality, crazy, psychotic, and bi-polar..haha
The 2 year old tantrums have started, officially...






I forgot the magnitude of a toddler tantrum. I had a rough day with tantrums today..I just keep telling myself, this too shall pass. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"-Dory(from Nemo)

If anyone could give me some reminders on how to diffuse a tantrum quickly and quietly, I would truly appreciate it! It's been too long!!!

A Few Things

My mom had her PET scan done a month ago and had it read...GOOD NEWS! The cancer is pretty much gone from the lymph nodes.. the lesions in her liver have shrunk "significantly".. the lesions on the bones are about the same and the mass in her chest is much smaller..Yeah..can I get an amen from the congregation..??!!!She is on an Alaskan cruise as we speak.. I am so happy for her. She will continue the same course of treatment for now..

Kalvyn turned "13"...We had her birthday party earlier in the month..She was in California for her big day this year so we sent her some yummy LUV BUG COOKIES. She said they were great. We will make her favorite dinner this weekend..BBQ chicken sandwiches w/green beans and fruit..We love you Kaly.

We had a horrid flu run thru the house last week.. Thank God we are over that. There is nothing worse than cleaning up throw up- unless its' someone elses' kids throw up..

I am on a gym high! I have been going and getting my butt kicked several times week since we got back from vacation. I guess all it took was a few unsightly vacation photos to get me motivated. Why is it so much more fun to put on 15 pounds than to take it off? I watched a weird episode of Intervention last night. This girl just chews her food and refuses to swallow anything.. hmmm. maybe I should try that.. kidding!

I can't believe I haven't posted in a month...

Hollywood Stars

Magic Mountain
Sand Castles



I guess life with 3 kids and school being out has caught up with me... I am usually pretty on top of things.. lately I can't seem to keep up with the smallest things??? School ended with a bang.. we had an end of the year party in Tate's class. It was bittersweet because one of Tate's very best friends found out that they are moving toward the end of the summer..we will miss you terribly Zach!

We jetted to Venice Beach for a week for our summer vacation.. We rented a house just steps from the beach.. boy I could get used to that life style. We brought my niece Jordyn with us too. The kids had a great time.. Vacation is definately work though... I am hoping it will get a little easier every year as Blake gets older..We spent 1 day in Hollywood, shopping and sightseeing.. We spend a day at Magic Mountain.That was so much fun.Rick and I both felt like we had completed NASA training by the time we left. The rest of the time was spent relaxing at the beach, the way it should be! We did have one little incident... on day 5, we were getting ready to go on our bikeride...we were about 2 blocks from the house and Tate hit some sand and biffed it. He fell and caught himself with his right hand and broke his thumb..he actually broke the growth plate too. A quick trip to the er and he was back to his busy self..it literally did not slow him down a bit.

We are back home to reality now. Tate had his thumb reset and a cast put on and life has hopefully slowed down for now. Now I just have to find a way to keep a very active eight year old busy with no running, jumping, swimming, sports ect....

Birthday Fun at Jump and Shout

My mom and I took Blake and my niece Mady to Jump and Shout for Blake's birthday last week. They had a blast! Blake LOVES his Mady...he asks for her all the time.. and from what I've been told, Mady has a liking for us too..hehe. I know the two of them will be lifelong friends.

Kalvyns Award Ceremony

Last week we were invited to Shepherd Jr. High for an academic award ceremony. We weren't quite sure what the award was for. Kalvyn has had a stellar year as a 7th grader. She has done way better than I ever did in jr. high, as far as adjusting. She has grown so much this year and is an excellent student. She ended up getting an award for 7th grade reader. This was great because that hasn't always been her strong subject. We are very proud of her for her accomplishments this year and mostly for just being such a wonderful, responsible, respectful girl. We love you Kaly!