Some tid bits from the Tots.....

I will have to post pics another time. We are in desperate need of a new computer! Life has been incredible these days. Andrews 5th Birthday was, to say the least, an experience I don't think Phil wants to relive. He had 5 friends over and Phil did an amazing job setting up a "fun" obsticle course up at the school. Trying to get 6 five year olds to listen to any kind of instruction is just tiring. One boy, who will remain nameless would not do anything he was asking so Phil decided to ask all the other boys if this particular boy was retarded. I gasped! The boys just looked at Phil then at one another and shrugged their shoulders. (: I guess Phil forget calling someone retarded is not appropriate.
We welcomed baby Noah into the family in March and he is oh so yummy. (phil says i sound like a hamster wanting to eat their young when i say that?!) But, HE IS! I can't wait to put up some pics. Way to go Rach and T!
Emma is singing, dancing and still refusing to go potty on the toliet these days. She loves having cousins! Whenever baby Jamesons name comes up she immediatley states that baby Jameson has a penis, just like brother. Should I be concerned? We love to laugh!
I was trying to sneak a quick shower and left the kids downstairs.... (not a great way to start a sentence i know...) but they did behave for the most part. I came down the stairs and they were each on a couch watching TV. Andrew let me know they wanted a snack and they each had found one in my purse. (which was poured out all over the floor) He was opening an energy bar and Emma was trying to open a tampon. I am laughing as I type. Never a dull moment.
T Ball season is here. I wish I could say we are having so much fun but to be honest, I wish I would have put Andrew in a dance class. Thats all he does out in the field! Honestly, it is BORING! I must be a good example and have him finish the season since we do want to teach our kids quitting is not an option.
There is so much to be thankful for and we praise God everyday for the family and friends we have in our life. Until next time....

Auntie was here and Jameson arrived!!!!

We had so much fun as Danielle arrived for an entire 5 weeks the day after Christmas. I will post more pics later... Thank you Auntie for all the love and laughs you shared with the entire family but especially Andrew, Emma and baby J. What a blessing our little Jameson is. He is absolutely adorable and I am excited to post more pics to this post when its not almost 1 am. (:

Time for our Christmas recap

Rachel and Taylor enjoy a final Christmas as "dinks" and can't wait to add another cousin to the adorable mix!

The kids had so much fun opening all the wrapped gifts from Santa in their stockings!

"Buncle Tis!" We all love you so much.

Our humble happy tree straight from the awesome Frank family tree farm (:

Emma loves helping out in the kitchen.. esp when

chocolate is involved!! Yum!!!!

I am a little behind on my updates...as we approach Spring Break I thought I really ought to post some fun Christmas pics. The holidays get more and more special and magical the older the kids get. We spent many evenings with the Chipmunks Christmas CD blaring as we baked cookies. Andrew was fully aware that his behavior and Santas generosity were directly related. Sweet Power... Emma was oblivious to that but loved helping decorate the tree and I couldn't keep the candy canes out of her hands. "Tandy Tane!" This year marked our 2nd annual "were staying home on Christmas Eve" and I thank God our family is so understanding about us wanting our kiddos to wake up on Christmas Day in their own beds. I absolutely love hosting dinner so papa, nana and buncle tis made the drive down to enjoy.... gosh, I honestly can't remember what I made. (thats what i get for slackin on the updates)

From a dot to a line.....

Bright and early on Dec 18th, our incredible little boy underwent a procedure that makes any grown man cringe in pain. We were told 2 months ago from a pediatric urologist that his urethra needed to be larger (hence the title of this post). Needless to say, I was doing my best to keep it together as they administered the first dose of toddler "Valium" to relax Andrew. They did this so when the doc and anesthesiologist took him to the operating room without me he was cool calm and collected. "Can I have some pleeeeeeese," I begged the nurses. The procedure took all of around 10 minutes but from the time they took my lil guy and returned him was 45. Oh boy, Andrew did NOT like the IV he woke up with. He was literally 'screaming' when they wheeled his bed to the waiting area. I left all my belongings in the room as I RAN to try to calm him down. He wanted me to carry him from there back to our room and for the next 5 or so minutes I was thanking God that I lift weights every week. He was extremely heavy from still being somewhat sedated and doing all he could to rip out the IV. The nurses assured me that many kiddos react to anesthesia like this but it didn't do much good for my emotional well being at that moment. After returning to our room the head nurse had to give him something to calm him down. She put the medicine in his IV and within seconds he was staring at the TV and I was crying. Alright, enough about the tough points. Our drive home was pleasant with Phil sitting in the backseat with Andrew and playing with some new toys we had bought him the day before. (he was also back there b/c many kids throw up a couple hours after waking up) We were back to Salem by 2pm. The first couple days afterward were rough. Many tears fell when he had to pee. It was truly heart breaking. He started sitting down to pee "like mom" he said. I guess it didn't hurt as bad that way? He is standing now! After a week or so we were golden. Two funny things Andrew has said in regards to this. #1- One of his stitches was sticking out of the hole at least an inch or so a couple weeks after the procedure. Phil and I both noticed it after he was out of the bath. Phil asked to look at it and Andrew said quickly, "dad, don't touch it.... its just a hair." We laughed hysterically!! Phil ended up trimming it with Andrew watching nervously. #2- heading out the door for Emmas dentist appt. Andrew made sure this appt was not for him. "Only Emma has to see the dentist today because I already had my penis fixed." Again, laughs laughs laughs.
God is so good. Seeing many children up at Emmanuel that were suffering from major illnesses made me step back and praise Him that what we went through was so minor. Andrew, buddy.... you make us so proud!
I have pic from this day of Andrew in his hospital pj's and will put them up next time!

Orlando get away!

One word to sum up our trip.... Replenishing!

Leslie, Cindy and me enjoying an evening!

Some of our amazing mentors, Brad & Julie

Universal Studios was an evening we won't forget! Amway rented the entire park for 2500 people which meant no lines at concessions or rides. The Mummy was our favorite! We were screaming like little kids. Going ride to ride without anything in my hands and not pushing a sroller made the evening feel like we were newly married. The funnel cakes made a lasting impression on me! Yum! All the food was free along with rides, shows you name it. First class!

Second Honeymoon in early December 2009! Orlando Florida was a blast and 6 days without the kiddos was just what the doctor ordered! We spent our time relaxing with friends, giggling about not having to clean up after meals, sleeping, eating way too much, drinking lattes together, sleeping, expanding our minds with new business info and oh did I mention lots of rest and relaxation?!

I love spending time with you Phil! You are my best friend!! Let's go away again soon!

A gal who inspires me with her amazing love for people and joyful heart. Thanks Kimberly!