Been busy 'round here!

Between kiddos, school, and gymnastics, and TAXES it's been crazy around here!! Taxes were a mess but I got them done for the third time by myself. I was kinda proud cuz I really dislike doing "grown up" stuff like that alone. Joe usually takes care of those types things. But I got them done and waiting on our pretty lil refund :)

I have been bed shopping as well. After sleeping on my aunt's bed for a week in Texas over Christmas Joe and I decided we would me much more comfortable on a King. Plus I have been waking up with shoulder and hip pain in the mornings. Ugh, so might as well just get the whole kit and caboodle. So I bought this bed

And I can't wait to have it set up. You guys might have to come over with a crow bar to get me out of it ;).

Another thing I have been toying with is getting a new truck. Mine is getting up there and has many MANY miles on it. Joe and I had looked around over R&R but couldn't come up with one we like. Well I found one and now I've got myself in another "grown up" issue. Oh well, it's a lil fun "playing ball" with them as Joe says. Don't know if this deal will work out or not.

The kiddos are doing well. Little Joe's behavior at school has VASTLY improved. Woohoo! Garrett is doing ok with potty training....a few accidents here and there and one day with none!! Katie is getting so big. I just love seeing her grow and change. I can't wait to see what kind of lil lady she turns out to be. She has slept through the night 4 times in the past 8 days which is AWESOME. I got her a new play gym...cuz the ones the boys used have been pushed to the limit. I didn't think she was big enough to reach and grab toys but one day I randomly heard the toy play music and I looked over...sure enough she was holding on the lil froggy's legs :)

This is the face I've been stressing over...

LOL bet you thought it would be a kiddo huh? This is Arthur the donkey. And I am getting paranoid over him. He has gotten severely ill twice since December. For those who understand horse terms...it's COLIC ugh!!! Anyway anytime he lays down, rolls, or even lifts his tail to pass gas I am worried that he is blocked again. I stress and stress and for the past tow days this poor donkey has looked at me like I am out of my mind!!LOL. I'm poking and prodding and pouring oil on his food. I have added a heater to the water...everything I can think of. Strange how when we got him I thought of him solely as a companion for Gunner, our horse, but it's official...we love him and his is a part of the family. He seems fine now..lets just hope and pray he stays that way!

Days of Love

Well yesterday was my birthday :):) I really didn't expect much out of it since Joe was gone and I hadn't made plans with anyone. But Little Joe remembered right away (he has an awesome memory of numbers) and he was so excited for me. It was the first thing he told his bus driver and I thought that was too sweet. Big Joe sent a gift (a George Foreman 360 grill ...tooooo cool) and I have loved it. And a couple of friends called and gave me birthday wishes. Joe called in the middle of the day which was sooo nice because that meant it was like 3am for him. And he sang to me :). He also had asked if I had gotten a cake for myself and I said no. He told me I should go get one so I took his advice and got some yummy cupcakes :):). Lil Joe sang to me with a candle on my cupcake and it was so much fun. And my Dad and his lady friend got me a gift certificate to one of my fav stores...Bath and Body Works..Woohooo! It was really a wonderful day. I hope to have several more just like it...just with Big Joe here :).

So for Valentines Day Joe and I had discussed not to really exchange anything. Although I sent him a care package anyway :). But since he had gone all out for Christmas while he was home and my birthday being so close to Valentine's we decided he didn't need to do anything. He has also JUST gotten out of the field. But yesterday a beautiful arrangement of roses was at my door with a sweet note. Just made my day even better. I am so blessed to have such a caring hubby. When I married him...I didn't think I could love him anymore than I did on that day. After nearly 8 years of marriage...I really had no idea how much I would love him now :)

4 month check up

Wooohoooo!! After the experience I had last week this was 100% better. The NP that saw Katie took time to address everything I wanted and even complimented me this time :) Katie looks great!! She was 12lbs 8oz. I didn't get to see her length, but she is staying on her curve just right :). I talked with the NP about reflux saying that the boys were very fussy with spitting up but she is not. She said since she is gaining weight fine (even if she is on the smaller side) then we don't have to start meds!!! Woohoo!!! Katie screamed like crazy throughout the entire exam. She looked more scared than anything. And of course when the pokes came out it wasn't fun either. But she settled as soon as I could pick her up and the NP and nurse cracked up at the "evil eye" Katie gave them....hehehe. Can't believe it's been 4 months....wow.

So thankful.

The past couple of days have been rough around here. I've had sick kids, a very sick donkey, a car that needs to go to the shop, and a not so good visit with a doctor. Katie is really fighting this congestion stuff and I took her to the doc yesterday where I evidently "do not dress my kids properly". It made me feel terrible to hear the comments the doc had made. My donkey has been ill for the past couple of days again....really ill. So that means even less sleep and lots of time spent in a cold barn trying to get meds down him and hauling a bunch of water because it is so cold. Joe's car is in huge need of a new fan belt. And just the stress of all this alone has really hit hard...especially yesterday.

But I prayed....hard. And I could feel God's presence. I turned on the radio and a very uplifting song came on. My Dad and his girlfriend came over to help manage the donkey wrestling. And She brought homemade applesauce and doughnut holes for comfort food (and didn't even know about the other stuff going on beside the colicy donkey). Then when I open my email there is a wonderful letter from Joe that melted my heart. I started to feel much much better. Ok, God, I hear you. I am not alone in this. Thanks for Your comfort.