Ellia's surgery

So, our day started with the alarm clock going off at the awful crack of dawn....5am.
Grandma & Grandpa arrived at 5:30 to stay with Addie. After some coffee & choc. chip banana muffins we were out the door for our 6:15am check in. (which mind you the doctor told me yesterday he didn't have to be there till 7:30, nice huh?)

We waited in the waiting room until they called us back into the surgery pre-op room.



Ellia following the nurse back to the surgery pre-op area. She looked like a big girl but yet still our baby.
I had to initial her ears. Which was weird I thought.

Her chart & mask. I got to "color" the mask with a flavored chap stick so that the mask would smell good when they placed it on her face. I thought that was a great idea. We chose Grape.

Killing time waiting by playing Lego's, playing in the wagon, reading books, watching movies and anything that would keep her occupied until the doctor & nurse came for her.


A family picture right before they took her back to surgery.


Our hope was that she would sit in the wagon & be wheeled back to the surgery room. But at the last minute Ellia decided she didn't want to ride in the wagon. So the nurse had to pick her up and walk her back. Which wasn't okay with Ellia. So thrashing about, screaming & crying began. It was so hard to hear that & walk away!! I shed a small tear as she disappeared around the corner and we walked back to the waiting room.

But within 25 minutes we were able to join her in the recovery room. She was very happy to see us & wanted her "mama". She started crying as soon as she saw us. We snuggled & had some juice while the drugs wore off & we were prepped to go home.
After we were home we snuggled some more, watched movies/cartoons, ate breakfast & lunch & then we ALL took a loooong nap. By late afternoon Ellia was feeling better & acting herself.

It went well & ended well. We are thankful that Ellia is healthy & hope that this brings an end to her ear infections. And grateful that our sweet baby girl is sleeping in the other room tonight.

While there today our thoughts were on our own daughter but also on those of baby Stellan and MckMama. Our experience is no where as gut wrenching as hers. But it was a small glimpse into what she is going through. And it made us think of her, pray for her & grateful all at the same time. We love you baby Stellan & we are praying for you!!!

I got an AWARD!

So Bill's cousin Tiffani gave me an award - My first ever!!! See what it's all about below.




Here are the rules for this award:

1. Post the award on your blog, and link to the person who gave you the award.
2. List seven things you love.
3. List seven blogs you love.
4. E-mail or comment on those blogs to let the people know you've given them the award.


SEVEN things I love:

1. My husband, Bill
2. Our beautiful girls Ellia & Addie
3. Blogging
4. Spending time with good girlfriends talking, laughing & eating anything sweet or salty
5. Scrapbooking
6. Going to the park on nice days with the girls
7. A clean house - when you can smell that it is clean, ya know smell the cleaning products.

SEVEN Blogs I love:

1. MckMama - What else can I say but her name??? She is my all time FAVORITE blog. I just love her stories, her ideas/thoughts, her honesty, integrity & ohh sweet baby Stellan what a cutie! And all her other MSC's. (many small children)
   
2. Tiffani's - Bill's cousin on his mom's side - just discovered her blog last week, weird we're family & didn't even know we both blogged. Her blog is so funny! With 4 kids how could it not be.
3. Julie's - Bill's cousin-n-law on the other side of family. Julie is the BEST. Love her, we were pregnant this last time together and we became pregnancy pals. (Sorry her blog is private.)
4. Sarah - Bill's cousin & Julie's SIL - Sarah is a fabulous writer & always has me cracking up. She is newly pregnant & finding out all the "joys" of pregnancy. Her latest post on her hip bones was funny!!
   
5. Kelly's Corner - from one southern girl to another! Kelly's blog is so funny & her little girl Harper is adorable.
6. Sweet April Rose - this blog I just found too. It's written by a mom who is 36 weeks pregnant and her baby is most likely going to die soon after birth if not before. She amazes me with her writing, her courage & her faith! Sweet blog & someone I am praying for daily!
7. Williams Family Blog - This sweet blog is about a young couple whose baby was born with a rare skin disease. They have already lost one baby a year before Jonah was born. But they are the cutest couple & my heart aches for them. Another one I am praying for daily.

Hmmmm, notice a pattern there?? I like to read family blogs & blogs about sweet little babies!

Orange for Stellan

Today Stellan went into surgery. Ellia and I got up early to get dressed in our orange & to pray for him. Here is our picture. Check out Bubba trying to get in on the picture.

We love you Stellan!!!

Not Me! Monday......#24

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


So I've taken a few weeks off due to Stellan's condition but decided it was time to come back to these posts.....they are therapy for me.


This week I did NOT dress my daughters in clothes that were too small & too big for them just cause I liked the outfits. Ellia did NOT wear a size 3T skirt outfit that the skirt touched her ankles. And Addie did NOT wear a 3month outfit (which she has been out of for 2 months) and the jean romper was up to her hips....Hey, I put a pair of cute leggings on under it.

Then the next day I did NOT dress the girls in "I'm the Big Sister" and "I'm the Little sister" tee-shirts for the zoo. Again, Ellia's was a 3T and Addie's this time was tooo big...a size 12month. Just so it would be cute for zoo pictures.

I did NOT take a bubble bath recently and then after I was dressed make Bubba get into the tub. And he did NOT smell like Victoria Secrets Amber Romance for the rest of the night. At least it was better than "dog" smell.

While at the zoo Ellia did NOT throw a major tantrum because she couldn't have pirates booty. She did NOT begin screaming and crying and throwing a fit all over some rice popcorn. And I did NOT just stand there and ignore her until she stopped.

While laying in bed one night I did NOT pretend to be a vampire and tell my husband I wanted to suck his blood, all while laughing & giggling. Where would I get such a crazy idea? It could NOT be from the Twilight books that I am reading.

Speaking of those books, I did NOT stay in my pjs one day & allow Ellia to run around the house, take out every toy, eat out of the garbage can (I discovered this later), have as much milk & fishy crackers as she wanted, and stay in her pjs almost all day just so I could read the 1st book. Nope who would do that just to get some reading in???

While coloring eggs for Easter we did NOT just let Ellia go at it and dunk eggs in the dye. She did NOT have multi colored finger tips & chest. (luckily we did eggs a few days before so she didn't look like a mess at church on Easter)

Right now I am NOT on the computer typing this post & Ellia is NOT downstairs doing whatever she wants. Nope I do NOT parent like that while I am on the computer.

Better run, don't want anymore garbage eating to go on ;o)

Tuesdays rambling & a few pics

Today we visited the doctor with Addie. She has a cold - officially called "Sinusitis" and the beginnings of an ear infection. Oh, Lord please don't let her be starting down the same road as her big sister.

Ellia had an ear infection last week and we have decided it's Tubes time. She will be having surgery on April 23rd (my sister's birthday). Please pray for us as we head down this path.

Can I just say here and now I am tired, tired, tired of sick children!! It seems like since Addie was born we have been under the sickness umbrella in our house. And it is time for this thing to be closed up & put away for the year.

On another note, I finally broke down and started the Twilight series. I know, I know, I said I'd never read it. But curiosity got the best of me and I borrowed the 1st book from my friend. I read it in 2 days - that's good for a SAHM. And then I began the 2ND one. It's been 4 days and I am only half way through. This book took me a little to get into, it seemed to drag on and is just now getting good.

Speaking of books I am trying to read like 4 right now. What books are you reading right now?

Okay, enough said - here are the pics from our visits to the park last week. Looks like we may get some more visits in this week if the weather cooperates.

6months old today

Our sweet Addie turns 6months old today. She is such a joy to watch grow each day. Just yesterday she got her first tooth! This post is dedicated to her.

Adilynn, what a impact you have made on our family. Everyday I fall more and more in love with you. You came into our lives a bit of a surprise but such a good surprise. I cannot imagine our family without you.

Your smile melts my heart every time. Your laugh is contagious and even your Big sister finds herself laughing when you laugh. Your little grunty noises - the ones your dad doesn't like - those ones are the best. It lets me know you are playing & having fun. Your HIGH pitched squeals & cry's - well their great too, just not at 3am. Even the MOPS workers this week commented "Wow, Addie has a very high pitched squeal" - You're just letting everyone know you there, right? Hmmmm, do I see another soprano member in the family? (Grandma will be happy)

Already you are getting your sister and you cannot even walk yet. Just the other night you pulled her hair & made her cry. Then you pulled her softie away from her and again made her cry. Hmmm, I'm seeing a pattern here, you like making your Big sister cry.

And tough? Can we say rock solid tough? You love wrestling with your sister. She pushes on you, pulls you, pins you and you just lie there laughing & smiling. You love to play with her and it doesn't seem to bother you at all. I think your daddy is right, you will be "tougher than snot."

You are very picky already, a little too much for your own good. And yes, a little moody even for a baby. Daddy says you are very much like me, but hey that's a good thing right? He married me didn't he? Your stubborness will serve you well later in life - given the right circumstances.

What else can I say but that WE love you sooo very much! We are Blessed to have such a sweet baby girl. Happy 6months birthday, Addie!

Sunshine & Potty training

Yesterday and today I cannot believe my eyes....it's been sunny!!! WoooHoo!
We spent most of yesterday out in the sun & our yard weeding & sprucing up.

Today, we have started the potty training thing. Ellia has showed so many signs of being ready and it's now or never. So today after breakfast the diaper came off. She is running around naked from the waste down...well and some socks. She is loving it! Goldfish & juice will be on the menu for most of the day.

I on the other hand am nervous & not sure if I am ready for this. I am a self proclaimed neat freak and the thought of pee on my floors/carpets....well lets just say I am not a fan. But I am trying this method. MckMama suggested it, my friend Sabrina suggested it and I did some research online...and you know everything online is true ;o)

I will keep you posted as to how we do.

oops, 1 accident already.

Not Me! Monday......#23 - Stellan Style

As we are all aware, Not Me! Monday was started by MckMama. "I created Not Me! Monday for the purpose of confessing our shortcomings and imperfections to each other since, after all, we are all only human!" (MckMama's words) Every Monday, you can find more "Not Me! Monday" at her site. However, this week, in honor of her and Baby Stellan, we're doing "Not Me! Monday - Stellan Style!"

This week, it's our chance to HONOR MckMama and Stellan with our Not Me! Mondays. Here goes:


This week when I woke up Monday morning & logged onto Facebook and saw my friends status as "Pray for baby Stellan" I did not gasp, immediately start crying & head straight to MckMama's blog.

As the week progressed I did not check MckMama's blog every hour on the hour just to see if there were any updates to Stellan's status.

And when I found out the Stellan name gallery was resurrected I did not tell my husband I wished there was a way we could make a cool Stellan picture. Thus, resulting in my wonderful husband creating the Costco name badge.

And I did not post a picture on my blog because I was so very proud of our Stellan name badge.

And I did not immediately rush to take a photo and send to MckMama. And then begin checking my email hourly as well to see if she had gotten the picture & responded to our idea. And when she did respond she was more than excited to receive the name badge and I quote "is it crazy that i got goosebumps from seeing stellan's costco id badge. WHAT A FAB idea!! i STILL have goosebumps. and a huge smile. wow. love it. thanks to your husband!!!!!

And I did not then text all my friends telling them that MckMama had loved the Costco name badge.

I HAVE held my own 5month old baby this week extra close, given her many extra kisses, many extra "I love you's" and cherished her more this week than ever.

I HAVE shed many, many, many tears this week over Stellan.

I HAVE told my husband I love this little boy as if he's my own over a hundred times.

I HAVE prayed so much this week for a baby I have never met. And I do have to admit prayed more for him than anyone else in my life!!

I HAVE had the BEST prayer times this week. Why is that Baby Stellan has re-kindled that prayer flame inside of me? Causing me to pray not only for him but this country, my family and friends more than I have in a LOOOOONG time.
And if God should choose to take this little boy home I know that I will be very sad, hurt, frustrated & that a small part of my heart will be gone as well.

Stellan you have captured my heart. You have caused me to WANT to pray again. You in your small little way have ignited something in me again that I thought had been lost. And if that is what you were put here on this earth & blogging world to do then you have accomplished your goal. Well done my good & faithful servant, well done!

Stellan name gallery - post #2

Here is Team D's picture of Stellan's name - we sent it to MckMama for the gallery.

Stellan name gallery

Bill and I have been praying so much this week for Baby Stellan. I have become obsessed with checking MckMama's twitter page to get updates. Praying endlessly through out the day has become my passion this week.

Baby Stellan has ignited something in me again....more on another post later.

But I am excited to say that Bill came up with a name entry for Stellan's name gallery. We will post it tonight....stay tuned.

Aching Heart

My heart is aching. Aching for baby Stellan & MckMama. Aching for baby V, Baby Jonah, baby Kayleigh.

The last few days I have found myself near tears at any given moment. I know that the Lord is in control but I am still human with real emotions & anxiety. And somehow I think the Lord understands what I am feeling.

I feel as if I know all these sweet babies. Like they are my own. I find myself thinking of them hourly & uttering little prayers to heaven on their behalf.

But I also feel a little angry & do not understand how/why each of these little ones that God created has to go through such an ordeal so young. I want them each to grow up to run, jump, blow bubbles, do all that other children get to do.

And yet at the same time I feel blessed to have 2 healthy little girls that I love & cherish with all my heart. I find myself wondering if I could be as strong as these mothers if it were my child? Could I still give God the glory? Could I be strong & push through? I honestly don't know. Bill says "Babe, you are the strongest person I know and you would be able to do it" I will trust my husband & the faith he has in me.

Lord, please hear my aching heart. Please, give each of these families your strength & peace. Please touch each of these babies little bodies. Give them the healing they need, be with their doctors/nurses. Lord, I know that you are in control & though I do not understand I will remain dependent on you for strength.

Please Pray......

Please pray for Baby Stellan. He is in the hospital and is having heart issues. This little boy is a miracle and has come so far. Please pray that he makes it through and is healed again.

Lord, please bring peace to MckMama and Prince Charming. Please be with them during this ordeal. Please touch little Stellan's body. Give the doctors wisdom in treating him and please let his heart respond to the treatments.

Itchful of Thanks!

So yesterday morning at 4am when I got up to feed Addie I noticed that I had hives starting. I was very itchy! I took some allergy meds, fed Addie & went back to bed. When I got up they were still there. But I had to push through as it was MOPS Tuesday, my day to bring food (yet again), and I cannot take any benedryl or allergy meds during the day because they make me SUPER sleepy. Sleepy = not good with 2 little girls.

When I got home from MOPS I fed the girls & put them down for naps. I tried to sleep a bit but not so much luck. I got up & checked my now VERY itchy body & assessed the damage. They were getting very bad & starting to cover not so fun areas....like my left eye, my chest, the palms of my hands etc...You get my drift. I decide I have to call Bill and fill him in on my itchy predicament.

I ask him to hurry home & could he pick me up some benedryl. Well he did more than that!!!

Not only did he come home EARLY (he sensed my urgency & could tell it was bad by just my voice) and bring me the benedryl I asked for he also brought me roses & a bag of dark chocolate candies. (not so good for me - since I lost 6lbs in the week -n-half) But it sure brought a smile to my very puffy & itchy face.

I love you Bill!!!! I am a very Thankful & Blessed wife.

Not Me! Monday......#22

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Last week I DID NOT post a Not Me! Monday and geeez louise did I get grief about it from my friends & from my husband. I didn't know that people actually read my blog - I guess I would know that if they commented once in awhile ;o)

This week in attempt to keep up with my Not Me Monday mistakes/blunders I DID NOT write them on a sticky note,and stick it to the cupboard by the phone in our kitchen where I'd be able to write them down as they occurred. Nope now why would I have to do that. ( couldn't possibly be because when I sit down to write this post each week I am racking my brain to remember all of my blunders)

In the last week I DID NOT drive up to the front of our local grocery store, roll down my window & call over the little girl scout so I could buy a single box of thin mints. Why would I ever be soooo lazy as to "drive by" an order of girl scout cookies.

When I found Ellia in the laundry room playing in the dog water with a dirty wash cloth I DID NOT then decide to mop the floor with the same dog water. I mean who would do that?

And on that same day I DID NOT start a load of laundry only to discover when it finished that the little laundry soap dispenser, full of soap was still on the dryer. Which resulted in having to wash that same load again - this time with actual soap.

While vacumming this week I DID NOT just vacume around the toys in the bonus room cause I was too lazy & tired to pick them up.

Park Day

Mama's little helper

This week Ellia was a big helper around the house. Check out her adventures.

She decided to mop the laundry room floor with....the DOG water!!



She is upset because I took away the rag & told her she was done mopping.





After Mama was done unloading dishwasher she decided to load it with a few of her own things. (notice the blocks in the utensil holder)



I don't think that's exactly where cabbage patch dolls go but hey it works.

Scrubbing Toilets - she love's to do this. Hmmm, maybe she has a future in house cleaning?

Pretending to feed Addie with her her dishes

Busy Weekend

So this weekend started off with a BANG in our house. Ellia fell into the ottoman and got a black eye. Next it was off to swim lessons where Ellia decided she didn't need to wait for mama and jumped into the pool all on her own. She sunk right to the bottom & I had to jump in & rescue her. She cried for a bit but eagerly participated in the lesson. No fear when it comes to water. Which is why we are taking lessons. (even though mama isn't excited about being in a swimsuit)
This weekend we also got Addie's ear's pierced. She wasn't thrilled at the time but she loves them now. She told me. And she looks super cute with them!;o)
And finally this weekend rounded out with snow. Yes, snow in March. We got about 2.3 inches - just enough to play in. Check out our pictures from the weekend.

Black eye & all it's glory






Swimming Lessons







Getting Addie's ears pierced
You can't really see the ears here but this is afterwords - she is happy now.

Not so happy at the moment & we still had one more ear to go

Ready, set, go

Marking the ear lobes





Snow

Our little "snowman"

Sisters in the snow together - love how Addie is just lying there


Trying the 3 ponytail look - Daddy isn't a fan of these

Big Sister = Big helper

***Warning*** What not to do when you have a toddler running around who constantly wants to be your helper.

Addie covered in milk from Big sister trying to feed her

Big Sister trying to feed Addie

Do you see all the milk on Addie's face & on my couch?

Grateful

I am a blog surfer. I surf from one blog to another to another to another. You get my drift here. And when I do this I stumble across many great blogs which is how I found MckMama, Kelly's Corner, Infertile Myrtle and CF Husband. Some are funny, some are light reading, some are Heavy reading but all of them are Inspirational.

I was told about Gracie's Blog today at MOPS and of course had to come check it out. One's that involve children are the most cherished one's I read. Now that I am a mother they pull at those enduring mother heart strings that I never thought I had - until my girls came along.

After reading today about Gracie and wiping my eyes from the bucket of tears I cried I found myself being so grateful. Grateful that our girls are healthy, grateful for my family & friends, grateful for my wonderful & amazing husband and grateful that our God is amazing.

He gives us so much every day to be grateful for but we hurry through our days with dishes & laundry that we forget to tell Him "Thanks". Thanks for allowing us to live yet another day when so many young lives are taken each day. Thanks for giving us our families that create all the laundry & dishes we at times grudgingly clean up. (Hey I know I am like that sometimes) Thanks that we live in a country where we are openly allowed to worship Him and post blogs about His amazing peace & love.

Bill often asks me "Why do you read all those sad blogs?" and I always reply with the same response "Because these people are an inspiration to me. They help me to take my eyes off myself for just a minute & to remember who I should be focusing on". These blogs make me think and yes many times cry but most importantly if they inspire a blog post then I'm sure that is just what they were meant to do.

Take a minute today to think about all you are Grateful for & tell the Lord, tell your kids, your husband, that family member or friend. Let them know that they mean the world to you. And then have them help you with the laundry & dishes.

Not Me! Monday......#21

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week the words "He is going to stay out there until he learns his lesson" did not come out of my mouth when referring to our dog Bubba. Who once again chewed up something that he shouldn't have......his brush and one of Addie's onesies. Prompting my husband to say "You don't honestly think he understands why he is outside in the rain, right?"

And I did not possibly say "It makes me feel good to say this even though he may not understand after all he is my 3rd child and thus will be treated as such"

While out running errands for my MOPS project this week I did not linger longer at the learning store and tell my husband "for a split second I almost thought how fun it would be to home school." Nope, I would never go back on my words uttered to my husband while dating...."I will never home school our children"

After completing my MOPS project I took the time to have my wedding rings cleaned at the jewelry store since it was only a few blocks from the learning store. And while I was there I did not longingly stare at all the beautiful pieces of jewelery in the cases. And I did not ease drop on the two couples who were in there picking out their engagement rings. All the while smiling & thinking about how 3.5 years ago Bill and I stood in the exact spots picking out our rings.

After the jewelry store I did not swing through Starbucks order a vanilla latte & then head to Target. Where I strolled through each & every isle in peace & quiet. Did I mention that while I was running all these errands and taking my time per tending to not be a mom or wife that my children were at my in-laws house with daddy? And I made it out of Target only spending $15 - WooHoo for me!

One night this past week during a middle of the night feeding Addie burped up all over my shoulder. And this Mama did not just wipe it up & go back to sleep. Sleeping in baby spit up is just disgusting and who would do that?

Do Good to Others

This week Bill and I had a rough morning & it could've gone worse than it did. But I am learning to be more compassionate with my husband & to see him as God sees him. I am learning to truly respect him & to let him be the leader God called him to be for our family. Which leads me to today.......
During lunch I was reading my bible & my devotion for the day - which I am about to share and it seemed so perfect for what the Lord has been showing me. So I've decided to share this devotion with you today. Enjoy!

Proverbs 3:27 (NKJV) "Do not withhold good....when it is in the power of your hand to do so"

Bible expositor William Barclay said once "One of the highest human duties, is the duty of encouragement". As a follower of Christ you are commanded to build others up by highlighting what's good instead of magnifying what's bad, by seeing them as unique individutals instead of sterotypes, by respecting instead of ridiculing, by forgiving insted of shaming, by modeling unconditional love instead of love with strings attached, by applauding each steop of growth instead of saying "You'll never change" by seeing their God-given potential instead of seeing them as problems to be handled. Today, be a "builder-upper"

Motiviation

I need help. I am not motivated to workout & diet. I know what the benefits are but it's so hard to get my butt into gear.

Getting up at the butt crack of dawn - 4:30 is just stupid hard. But I manage to pull myself out of bed & go at least 2-3x a week. I even have a great work out partner & friend that goes with me. But I still cannot find the motivation.

Does anyone else feel this way? What helps you?

Mama Love

Not Me! Monday......#20

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Wow, this is my 20Th Not Me! Monday! post. I really love these posts!!!

• This week our little love bug did not have 2 diaper accidents in our bed & we did not sleep in the dirty sheets 2x until I changed them, covering them up with an extra pillow. That would be just downright disgusting.
• While baking an amazing Paula Deen Strawberry cake I did not have a kitchen fiasco. When I was pureeing the strawberries in the blender I used a wooden spoon to shove them down into the blender better. Thus, resulting in the spoon getting "eaten" just a weeeee bit by the blender blades. I did not then pick out what I thought were all the wooden chunks and precede with baking the cake.
  
• And supposing I did do this, my friend then did not bite into her piece of scrumptious cake only to find a bit of wooden spoon and to ask me "What is this?"
• "Ha, Ha we got you, now you can't tear apart Mama's kitchen anymore" - these words did not come out of my mouth this week when Ellia tried to open the cupboards. And then she did not upon discovering that she couldn't open them & take things out she start crying & throw herself on the floor. Who knew she'd be so pissed off about the cupboards locks and that a Mama would be so happy.
• While visiting our friends grand opening of their business the Mariner Moose was there to help celebrate. This Mama did not make her daughter take a picture with him even though she was screaming and scared of him. Why would I subject Ellia to that torture? It couldn't be for her scrapbook, that would be just wrong.
• I did not contemplate at 2:30am this morning while I was feeding Addie to sit down at computer & complete this post. Who would do that? And why would I want to do it so early? It couldn't possibly be because by the time I get up & post these on Monday's McMama's blog already has tons and tons of other Not Me Mondays. And for once maybe I wanted to be like #20 instead of #163 or #187. But the thought was fleeting and I finished her feeding & promptly fell back asleep.
• I did not play Wii bowling a few times this week to brush up on my bowling skills for our big group double date on Saturday. Why is it that I am a GREAT bowler on the Wii but not so much in real life?? Guess you know how my score turned out.
  

Politics at it's worse

I do not usually post about politics but I am so upset by some things I stumbled across on the following site....OpenCongress.org. It has some bills that are being presented to Congress to be voted on as well as information on the new Stimulus package.

The first thing that has my brain neurons running a mile a minute is this bill trying to get passed through about amending the 22ND Amendment that currently says how long a presidential term is. They want to take out the words that state how long a Presidential "term" limit is. Thus making it possible that you can be president forever if need be. Does this sound familiar? Think socialism people.....this is scary.

The other thing that caught my eye was about owing a gun. The Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009. This Act proposes to establish a federal gun licensing and registry program that would help the government track information on gun ownership and gun sales across the country. It would apply to handguns and all rifles with a “detachable ammunition feeding device. Along with the federal registry, the bill also proposes a federal licensing requirement for all gun owners. In order to get a license, a person would have to submit a photo, thumbprint, their address, a release of their mental health records, and more to the United States Attorney General. Current gun owners would have two years to acquire a license or forfeit their guns to the government.

I am very scared about where our government is headed. We must get on our knees and pray!! Our President and government must be in our prayers daily. I know that the Lord is in control and I hold fast to that. But thinking of what is to come really makes me want the Lord to come sooner than later.

This is for Ryan D.

These are what I call my "signature shots" and I love to take them. I am posting these for Bill's cousin Ryan - apparently he isn't a fan. But you can get some cute pics this way...at least I think so. Here are 2 of my favorite from this month so far.



I love how you only can see Addie's eyes here and Bill & Ellia are laughing cause he was tickling her.

Not Me! Monday......

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

• This week the stomach flu infected our ENTIRE household and took us all down for days. And this Mama and Daddy had no choice but to lock their kids in their bedroom with them, provide them with lots of toys, crackers, pedialite, & play constant kid movies/cartoons while they recovered & slept off the flu.
• Yesterday, while at a birthday party Addie had an explosive diaper. She was wearing a new very cute outfit that I was excited about. And so after changing her I did not tell Bill to put the outfit back on her, even though there was a bit of leakage on the pants. And supposing this did happen my friend wasn't in complete horror of my actions.
• While eating lunch at a fast food restaurant I will not name this Mama did not change her 4month old on the bench at the table because there was no changing table in the restroom. And this Mama then did not put the very dirty diaper on the food tray with the rest of our garbage leaving her husband to say "Why do I still smell poop?" as he was enjoying his frosty.
  
• Last night after bathing the girls & getting them ready for bed I was exhausted. When it was time for Addie's last bottle I didn't want to run downstairs. So this Mama did not wash out the bottle from earlier that morning in the bathroom sink with her toothbrush. Now that would just be down right disgusting & lazy, good thing she didn't do it.

Wow, only a few this week. What can I say it was a rough week & we were down for the count for most of it. What did you not do this week?

Picture Tag

Julie wants to know what the sixth picture in my sixth folder is...Let's go see....


Awwww, it's Addie's ultrasound picture of her little hand & arm. How sweet and fitting since our little "Love Bug" turned 4months old this week & tomorrow - Valentines Day marks her Conception date!!!


I tag Sabrina, LeAnne, Fran, Shannon, Christabelle, Melody, MckMama & Kim

Not Me! Monday......

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week while we made a spontaneous visit to a downtown park this Mama did not change her 16month old's diaper on the park bench. When there's no restroom with a changing table a Mama has to get creative. Besides Ellia thought it was fun & clapped her hands or was it because her dirty diaper was getting changed finally?

After our spontaneous visit to the park we ate our lunch of fish and chips. Or rather Ellia ate a lunch of saltines and tarter sauce. Did I really let her just eat tarter sauce? Hmmmm, it did made her happy & we were able to enjoy our lunch. Don't worry she had some string cheese as well.

Earlier this week after getting dressed for the day my lovely 4month old spit up all over my shoulder. And I did not wear that shirt almost all day only to change when I had to go next door to visit the neighbor.

"You better smile big for Mama or else" did not come out of my mouth when we were on our way to get Valentines Day pictures taken. Now, why would I utter those words to my child, let alone to a 16month old who can't even understand them. It's sure a good thing I didn't say them.

While cooking dinner this week Ellia got into the baby excersaucer and couldn't get out. And this Mama did not just leave her in there just so she could finish cooking. And then when I didn't rush to her aide immediately she didn't start crying, then screaming and then start rocking back in forth in the thing causing it to start to tip over. Don't worry super mama caught it before it fell over - just in the nick of time. And I'd like to say she learned her lesson but of course not the case.

MOPS Tuesdays

I love MOPS Tuesdays, I love them even more when my husband has the day off and offers to keep one of the girls. So this morning Ellia got to be with daddy and Addie came with Mama to MOPS. MOPS was great as usual. During MOPS I get a text from Bill and it says "Elle and I are running errands call us after mops".

So I get to the car and as it's warming up, cause ya know it's still very cold here in the NW, I call him. He's been to work to send some emails and get his car washed. His store has a car wash & I secretly think he likes showing off the girls to his co-workers. He says to me "So what are we doing for lunch?" and I'm thinking lunch??? I just left MOPS and am stuffed. But I play along and say "I don't know, why, what were you thinking?" He says "Why don't you meet me down at Greenlake? We'll let Elle play at the park & we'll grab some lunch". I agree excitedly. I love Greenlake and what a fun, spontaneous afternoon trip.

Here are some pictures from our afternoon of fun.

Spuds Fish & Chips where we had lunch
Someone discovered "the nectar of the god's" as daddy called it - tarter sauce

Here she is dipping a fork into the tarter sauce. Basically all Ellia ate at lunch was tarter sauce.

Trying to slide down backwards on the slide
Sliding down the slide
And now trying to crawl back up it. She sure loves the slide.

Done with the slide & ready to concur the rest of the park.


Daddy helping her to go down the slide on her bottom.

This is daddy after he had to run after & catch Ellia. Someone thought it would be fun to take off on her own adventure when Mama was tending to Addie & Daddy was tending to Bubba who was barking at a squirrel.

View of the lake from our table at lunch. What a beautiful day!!

Not Me! Monday......

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

This week when MckMama posted a comment on my blog about our Miracle blanket I did not get so excited I almost fell out of my chair. Nope, not this Mama I remained calm, collected, & quietly told my husband sittin 5 feet from me "MckMama posted a comment on my blog". At least this is how I like to think I responded. Who gets so excited about a comment? I mean really?

Ellia did not have ice cream 4x this week (and a few times not just for dessert) just because I think it is totally cute how she eats it with a spoon and sits there saying "mmmm, mmmm, mmmm" every time she takes a bite. Rationalizing it by saying it's made of milk & she needs to have milk every day. (I will post a video of this soon)

And when I went to the store on Super Bowl Sunday I did not buy special ice cream with sprinkles in it just for her.

While getting ready for my husband's aunts 70th birthday party I did not have a hair fiasco and respond with "I might just do that cause it would look better than it does now" when my husband jokingly said "Why don't I just shave it off for you?"

I did not text my workout buddy at 3:30am to tell her I couldn't work out and then blame it on our 3month old. Nope, that would be just wrong. And just in case you're wondering working out is my favorite thing to do. You believe me right??

Finally this week I did not leave Ellia in her crib an extra 30 minutes the other morning so that I could take a shower, check email, check facebook and grab a cup of coffee downstairs. And only did I go and get her when she started to cry - up until then she'd been quietly talking & playing. And this morning as I type this blog I've already had a shower, checked email & facebook and had a cup of coffee but someone is still in her crib. Hmmmm, wonder if she will remember these times when she gets older?