We were sick. Really sick.

Layton was first.

Then me.

Then Reagan woke up sick Tuesday morning.

Todd was picked up from school Tuesday afternoon.

Adam is now sick. 

Adam's flight was delayed on Monday, twice.   I was too sick to go to the store to even buy diapers.  So, I called Tom.  Paw Paw came to the rescue.  He asked me to think of anything else I needed.  I asked him to pick up diapers, wipes, a package of hot dogs, and a box of Gogurt.  That should supply us for a day or two.  This is what he dropped off at my house. 

2 boxes of Kool-aid

2 boxes of Kool-aid singles

1 blueberry bunt cake

1 box of oatmeal pies

1 dozen sugar cookies

1 package of sweet bread

1 box of Oatmeal pies

1 bag of assorted mini candy bars

1 bag of fun size peanut m&ms

1 bag fun size plain m&ms

4 packages of hot dogs

3 boxes of Gogurt

1 box of diapers

1 package of wipes

Aren't Paw Paws awesome?!

Thanks Paw Paw!

A few good books.

I try and read to my kids every night.  Since Todd is getting older, he is ready for books with more substance.  When we finish with "The Best Halloween Ever",  I will read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  I told Todd that when I was in Junior High I was in the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  They are funny stories about the Herdman kids.  They are a wild bunch of kids that run havoc all over town.  Each chapter leaves you wanting to know what is going to happen next. 

At my house...

• There is generally a stack of laundry folded and ready to be put away.
• If Layton is up and the tv is on we are watching Max and Ruby.  He calls it "Ruby".  I would rather listen to this than most the other cartoons tv shows my kids would love to watch.
• Reagan loves to have her nails painted.  I love painting her nails.  It makes me feel girly.
• Reagan is also good at getting Layton to play dress up with her.  She pretends Layton is the dad.  They are so adorable. 
• My kids can play together like a dream.  Just as I think to myself how great they are getting along somebody starts crying.  They instigator usually apologizes and they are back to playing.
• Todd loves to create some kind of made up scene with his toys.  He is so creative and imaginative. 
• I have become obsessed with Todd's Indiana Jones game on his DS.  We talk about the game like childhood friends. 
• At any given time one of my children is walking around without pants. 
• We love sports.
• We love reading books.  I love the school book fairs it gives me the opportunity to get more books into the house. 
• Sometimes Family Home Evening is a bust.
• I like to give really long prayers when my kids are being rowdy.  I pray it helps.
• Dinnertime is hard.  I dream of the nights we sit around the table and EVERYONE eats.
• I iron my kids clothes for school.  I can't help it.
• Our bathroom sink has toothpaste on it.  I wonder sometimes if they ever get in on their toothbrush. 
• We eat pizza from CiCi's every other Friday.
• My kids eat lots of hot dogs, string cheese, yogurt smoothies, apples and chips.
• It can be clean for 5 minutes. 
• I pray our home is a place of peace and refuge for my children. 

Our new bedtime routine.

The weather has been beautiful the past few nights.  Todd has begged to go outside right before bed.  I thought it might help get rid of  some of that extra energy.  I would like to think it helped. 

I think we have summer on our mind. 

Loving on some snowcones!

Hot weather = Cold snowcones

Count Your Many Blessings

I read the Friend as soon as it comes in the door.  Mainly, to get ideas for Singing Time.  Secondly, to get ideas for FHE.  I love President Eyering.   When I read his talk I quickly went on You Tube to see if there was a video with it.  I remembered hearing this talk some time ago.  Sure enough, I found it.  Last night for FHE, I read the article and then we watched the clip.  I really love his quote, "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?"  I am going to work on this if it is the last thing I do.  I can fill a page of all the trials in my life.  I think it is much more difficult, especially when you have had a hard day, to see the blessings of that day.

Therapy

I promise you this place is pure therapy.  My mouth is watering just typing about this.  Go ahead, I dare you!  I triple dog dare you! 

Sandbox fun

Adam came home from the grocery store with a pool and some sand.

Layton's face says it ALL!

Playing together.

This sandbox has provided hours of fun for the kids.  I even bought some extra sand toys to add to the fun.  The problem is the amount of sand that is now all over my house.  You wouldn't believe how much I sweep up sometimes hourly.  Welcome to my home, bring your your flip flops!  

Have Stroller Will Travel

 It finally warmed up enough for us to get out of the house.  Todd suggested we walk to the park. I thought anything to burn some of their energy off!

 

Todd can go 60 mph on the scooter (more or less).  You should see it!

Morning Bliss

The kids are out of school again today.  The streets have a layer of ice and now a layer of snow.  My car read the external temperature to be 15 degrees.  The wind is blowing.  The sky is grey.  I woke up to the kids eating a bag of barbeque chips.  I decided that wouldn't do.  We bundled up in blankets, turned on the 4 x 4 and drove down the road to the 7-11.  We said, "Good Morning and Congratulations!" to Michelle.  She was given a promotion today. I picked up four of their awesome donuts.  4 for $1.  That price makes them awesome. 

The whole purpose of the trip was to also get me a sweet Diet Coke from Sonic.  It just starts the day of right.  Some people may call this crazy.  I call it DEDICATION. 

Here's to Morning Bliss everywhere!

We're having a heat wave...

^Insert music from Grumpy Old Men^ 

Since it was so nice outside and we have been cooped up for far too long, we went to the park.  It felt so good to get out and stretch our legs. 

 

 

Snow days continued

We have been stuck together in the house for three days now.  It's way too cold to play outside.  Todd has tried it several times but hasnt' lasted more the 8 minutes.  I timed it.  Even Reagan tried it today.  She quickly came back inside.  Way TOO cold for us Texans.  So the kids have spent their days watching TV, playing Plants VS. Zombies, eating, playing in the tent, playing pretend, putting on a parade and doing it all over again in no particular order. 



Snow Day

Here are a few pictures from our Snow Day

Craft Night

I was in charge of Craft Night this month.  I am not creative.  I am good a copying great ideas though.  I found a really cute craft that could be used for February and March.  After putting my whole family to work, we accomplished the assignment.  I thought they turned out great!

My Painters

The Finished Product

Here it is with pictures.  The bottom block is upside down.

Yesterday

Yesterday was the first day in at least three days I felt normal.  Reagan passed us all the stomach bug.  I am making up for it today by eating as much chips and salsa as I can.  Because I felt SO much better I was able to accomplish the following:

• Took Todd to school then an hour later dropped Reagan off at school
• Finished taping Todd's science fair project and dropped it off at school
• Dishes
• Laundry
• Scrubbed the bathroom from top to bottom 
• Mopped
• Picked both kids up from school
• Painted Reagan's toenails
• Played football with Todd
• Chased Layton around while he ran from me with a football
• Played tag with Reagan
• Let Layton climb all over me on the floor
• Made Taco Salad for dinner
• Did homework and make-up work with Todd (if that doesn't get me into Heaven I don't know what will)
• Read stories (almost finished with Treasure Island)
• Made cookies of the month for Todd and Reagan's teachers 
• Watched Modern Family and laughed so HARD I cried 

I am so grateful for my health!   Now on to today's list. 

The house was quiet.

Wednesday, after Reagan got out of school, we headed out to Melissa's house to work on a project.  We had been there twenty minutes when the phone rang.  The caller id showed that it was Todd's school calling.  It was the nurse stating that Todd was complaining of a stomach ache and wanted to go home. After much debate between me, Todd and the nurse I reluctantly decided I would come get him. After relaying the news to Melissa we knew this would be melt down city for Reagan and Emily.  Melissa was so kind to offer Reagan a sleepover.  Reagan told me bye and that was that.  We left. 

All afternoon and into the evening the house was so quiet.  You could really tell Todd was missing Reagan.  At one point he even said he wished Reagan was here.  I did too.  At 8:00, I texted Melissa and told her, "My house is so quiet."  She replied, "They are in bed watching the Little Mermaid."  She is never going to want to come home.  How do I compete with that? Reagan is so lucky to have lots of girl cousins.  She always gets spoiled by John and Michelle's girls too. 

Riding together

Piled on Layton's Lightening McQueen

Why we never have any bandaids...

Reagan found five reasons to put on a bandaid within a thirty minute interval.

It is nice to see how well she organizes.

Make-Up Artist

Reagan after her recent make-up application.

Her expression seems to say, "Mom, why are you looking at me like that?"

Worn Out

Do you ever feel like this sometimes? Reagan does such a good job of making just that very point.