FUN therapy day!

Good day at the hospital yesterday.

Anderson had therapy yesterday morning. At our local hospital there was a fundraiser and they had celebrities there visiting the children and promoting the hospital. We got to see Shakira, Ryan Seacrest, David Henri from Wizards of Waverly place, Kelli Pickler, Terri Seymour and David Beckham. AHHHH...the vision of David still is making me smile after the day I had today!! :) What a day at therapy.....this is the ONE day a year I do not mind going to therapy. It was worth every bit of it.

Kaitlyn was home sick from school so I had all 4 kiddos with me. Everyone was so complimentary on our little ones and how beautiful and cute they were...I was eating it up....especially when David Beckham squeezed Anna's leg and told me my baby daughter was beautiful...I was speechless!!! Here are some photos from the fun filled morning!!!

Ryan and Anna

Ryan and the 4 little ones

AHHHH..David.....

David Henri from Wizards of Waverly Place

Terri Seymour

Prayers Answered

AHHHH, so very happy!!

Anderson and Charlie are back home!!! Our neurosurgeon went in on Wednesday morning and saw Anderson. He took 1 look at A's back and said...this is not CSF leaf (darn residents!) it is a ruptured blood vessel! THANK GOODNESS!! The NSG said he sees it once every 5-10 years. Yep, and it happened to Anderson! NSG also said that they too were "Expecting" to see the pseudo tumor, but it was normal...the good and bad news. Good news that Anderson will not have that life long battle, however, bad b/c we do not have answers to unanswered questions! So....now, to figure out what to do.

We are trying to recover from the spinal tap/ER issues first....pull our thoughts together and come up with a new plan. Our NSG wants us to go to our neurologist for ideas.....need to call and get that appt.

It had already clotted, and was healing. Anderson was discharged and able to fly home that night!! They arrived home around 11 PM. It was heavenly to hold Anderson that night when he got home.

Yesterday, Anderson was a bit sore (understandably!). He did not move much, and was a little fussy. Hoping today is better for him......

Thanks for all the prayers. They were answered. Just trying to move on with "normal" life now....

PRAYERS PLS

Anderson has his spinal tap yesterday. GOOD NEWS: He does not have the pseudo tumor they were checking for! We were thrilled with news. Although it leaves questions unanswered.....we are happy that Anderson will not have a shunt and a lifelong challenge with the pseudo tumor. This was great, great, great.

HOWEVER, Charlie called me yesterday afternoon. Anderson was really sore, he was sleeping A LOT, and uncomfortable. Charlie called the neurosurgeon on call, as Char noticed that Anderson was swollen at the site of the tap. The NSG told Charlie to go the ER.

They went to the ER. Anderson is having a cerebral spinal fluid leak at the site. AHHHH!!! This is one of the complications from the procedure. They wrapped Anderson's belly/back with an ace bandage to apply pressure to the site and stop the leak.

Hopefully, the leak will seal off on its own. We are waiting for our NSG to visit Charlie and Anderson this AM to check on the site and see how long, etc.

Thus far, Anderson is not experiencing any of the side affects of the leak. But, it could just be too early for them to set in right now......

Chicago - LP

Charlie and Anderson made it to Chicago today. They left early this AM and have arrived. They are once again staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Anderson is scheduled for a lumbar puncture at 7:30 AM CST. They are looking for pseudo tumor cerebri. GULP. He is having symptoms that could possibly be this......

I can't even begin to descibe what this is.....I don't want to until we know 100% if he has it. We will know in the morning.

This could potentially be the beginning of another LONG journey for our little man.

Pls pray for him. My stomach is in knots, we are extremely nervous/anxious about this test and what it could potentially mean for the future.

I will update as I know more..........

First Sleepover - Update

On Friday night, Kaitlyn had her first sleepover at our house. It was with Grace....from school. They are great friends....and Grace's Mom and I are great friends.

Kaitlyn was nervous about the first day of school....I told her that 1st graders got to have sleepovers...(she's been asking us for months when she could have a sleepover)....Kaitlyn was SUPER excited.

Behind the scenes...I talked to Charlie, we confirmed Friday night, I talked to Grace's Mom....confirmed Friday night. So...I told Kaitlyn...why don't you ask Grace if Friday night would work for her and she can check with her Mommy (Listen....I wanted it to be success on our first sleepover).

Yahoo....Grace was coming to sleepover!

Friday was a half day at school. A babysitter came over to watch Anderson, and I took Kaitlyn, Ryan, and Anna to the country club with some of our other friends! It was a blast. We had lunch and swam at the club.

After swimming, I took Grace home with us....so, the sleepover begins!

It was going GREAT!! The girls were playing so nicely together. We had dinner.......pizza........and frozen strawberry juice bars for dessert. It was perfect. After dinner, the girls were upstairs playing doctor with all of Kaitlyn's webkinz as the patients.....veterinarian. All of a sudden....Ryan yells, "DAD, EMERGENNNNNCCCYYYYY!!!!"

Charlie bolts up the stairs picks up a crying Kaitlyn off the ground and brings her downstairs.

Apparently, they had a kid size rocking chair on the bed, Kaitlyn sitting in it....rocks....need I say more?

Kaitlyn is crying her arm hurts and she is holding her arm "funny".

Charlie and I keep looking at ech other....do we take her in and ruin her 1st sleepover? She is not crying anymore, just holding it weird.

We decide to give it the night and see how she does thru the night.

Kaitlyn slept all night (so did Grace)....but Kaitlyn woke up holding her arm funny again.

We took Grace and the rest of the kids to get donuts (a HUGE treat in our house!).....

Then, Charlie drove Grace home and Kaitlyn to the ER......

We think it is a hairline fracture. She is in a splint (should be a cast.....it is everything but the fiberglass outer casing).....we see the ortho dr this week....

WOW, what a memory of our first sleepover!

NOTE TO PARENTS: DON'T let your kids have rocking chairs on the bed! HA!

Hope to post pics later tonight......

First Sleepover

Yes.....it's Kaitlyn's first sleepover!!! Her friend, Grace, is over.....they were at school today, then we went to the country club for swimming (it was 1/2 day)....then, Grace came over. They had pizza for dinner, a strawberry popsicle for dessert and watching Waverly Place movie. Oh, and did I mention that Kaitlyn fell off the bed, and we are trying to decide whether or not to take her to the ER.....Oh brother! Just our luck! Think we are going to see how the night goes......and take her tmr........


First Grade and First Sleepover! What a treat!

Happy 5th Birthday Ryan

It is hard to believe 5 years ago....it seems like yesterday that Ryan was born!! You are such a blessing......a complete joy. You bring me so many smiles, you fill my heart Ryan. I love you little buddy!!!

As I put him to bed tonight....he looked up at me in his bed and says...."Mommy, will you sleep with me?"

HOW do you say NO to your sweet little birthday boy, who just turned 5? I said, OF COURSE!! He crawled into my bed.....how many more times will be little one ask me such a precious question.

Since I allowed this, of course it meant that Kaitlyn slept with us too (luckily, Charlie was out of town and made a little more room)....but, it was WELL Worth the sleepless night to see Ryan's sweet smile when I said of course and then his sweet face when he put his head on my pillow.

PRICELESS!

GOD

At lunch the other day....Kaitlyn asks me:

Kaitlyn: Mom, do you know when you feel like someone is watching you, you feel like their eyes are on you and no on is looking at you....DO YOU THINK THAT IS GOD LOOKING AT YOU?

Me: Yes, I do (with a smile on my face)

Kaitlyn: Mom, What does it feel like for God to "carry" you?

Me: What do you mean?

Kaitlyn: Well, in the prayer they say God will carry you. Do you know what that feels like? How does he carry you?

MY SWEET LITTLE KAITLYN!

MRI UPDATE

Results came back.....everything on the MRI looks good. We will need to fly to Chicago to have a spinal tap and possibly a procedure if they find Anderson has high pressure. GULP!!! He has been so difficult lately, that we are actually hoping they find something so we can at least HELP Anderson right now.....he is having such a hard time. Bless his heart.

MRI

We made it! Today, Anderson had 3 MRI's. Dr. F wanted to check that everything was "looking" good since surgery.

I emailed Dr. F a few weeks ago b/c I saw a Chinese Medicine doctor who wanted to start scalp acupuncture. We wanted to email Dr. F to check to see what his thoughts were on the subject. He said, no problem with the acupuncture, but wanted to rescan Anderson since he still is nonverbal, ADD, sensory processing, motor planning, and developmentally delayed.

So...today was the day that we did the MRI's. We had a 1:00 in the afternoon appt. Anderson could not eat or drink for 6 hours. YIKES! We fed him like crazy from 6:30-7:00AM. Then, put him in the shower. He had therapy this AM, I had to leave at 8:30 to get there on time.

After the shower, Anderson decided to eat toothpaste. Oh great! He can't even have an ice chip and the kiddo eats toothpaste! Guess what he wanted after that??? Yes, a drink...who would not want a drink? He kept going to the fridge and pulling out the Gatorade. Poor honey.

We went to therapy. I should have taken his picture. I posted a sign on him that read "Do not feed me or give me a drink". It was on the front of his shirt and back of his shirt.

Great therapy sessions.

Drove to the MRI hospital.

Anderson was an angel this whole time!! He never made a peep. Finally at 1:00 PM, we were waiting for the sedation team to come and get Anderson...and he fell asleep in Charlie's arms. Sweet baby.

The sedation team finally came. They had a hard time getting Anderson to sleep. So, they gave him a "bullet" of medicince and it put him to sleep. The MRIs took only 1 hour, and they had told us 2...so that was good news!

In recovery, Anderson would not wake up. I guess that bullet REALLY had him asleep. Finally, he woke up, and they sent us home.

Once again, Anderson was a rock star...and it is all over!

Waiting for the results...........hoping the end of the week???? HOPING!

MA

YAHOO!!! Sunday night...Charlie and I had a date night. Yes, to the mall...again. We love to go shopping without the kids and then to dinner. Since Anna will not take a bottle (still....I'm not complaining...does not bother me 1 bit, or Charlie), we take her with us.

As we were at Banana Republic, Charlie was trying on clothes.....Anna says..."MA". Tears filled my eyes......I could not believe it. Anderson is 3 years old and has yet to be able to mutter this sound.

I realize Anna was not saying it to me, but just thrilled to hear the sound come out of her sweet mouth.

I know one day I will listen to Anderson say ma....and it will mean so much to me!

FINALLY, an update!

So so many things to write about...

1) We have been trying gluten free diet for Anderson the past 6 weeks. We decided to stop on Sunday. We just did not feel it was helping. It has not been hard, per se....just 1 more thing to worry/think about. So, on Sunday....Anderson got to eat his favorite....chicken nuggets. He was a HAPPY boy!

2) Anderson celebrated his 3rd birthday!

3) We have been doing church camp, tennis camp, and nature camp.

4) The kids have been sick....as usual.....strep, pneumonia, ear infections...you name it. The pediatrician still sees us once a week for at least 1 child!

5) Charlie is gearing up to finish school in November, graduate in December with his MBA from Pepperdine.

6) I took a trip back to visit family. I was honored to be Angie's daughters Godmother. Anna and I flew back home for a visit. It was SUCH an amazing time!! Got to see Kristen and surprise her and her 3 week old baby!!!

7) Anderson has 3 MRI's scheduled for tmr morning. GULP. VERY anxious about them...and mixed feelings. Do I "want" something to show up or not? Would would explain the screaming, the no frustration level, etc......but, the thought of another surgery makes me want to cry and puke at the same time! Oh brother.....

Pics to come......

Sorry it has been SO long since the last post!

Coke

Ryan is in tennis camp. They ask them everyday what they want to eat for lunch and drink. On the first day Ryan said.....Mommy, I had a Sprite (we do not drink much pop in our house).

Me: Oh, Ryan I bet it was yummy.

Ryan: I did not order a coke.

Me: I am so glad you did not order a coke (gulp).....it is so yucky. It is disgusting actually.

Ryan: OH, really?

NEXT DAY.....

Me: How was lunch Ryan?

Ryan: (with a smirk smile)....guess what I had for lunch??? A turkey sandwich (unusual)....and a COKE.

Me: Trying not to be mad (note: I never told him NOT to order it, just that it was yucky!) Oh, what did you think?

Ryan: UMMMM, I LIKED it Mommy. You said it was yucky...it was delicious.

Me: Glad you tried a new food Ryan.

FEW HOURS LATER:

Me: Ryan, tmr at tennis camp, I think it is best if you do not order a coke...it is not healthy for you. Only big people drink it.

Ryan: OH, I did not know that Mom. How old will I need to be to drink it?

Me: I think 18 seems reasonable.

Ryan: Okay Mom.....that is not too bad!

Me: Smiling to myself.......

Happy 3rd Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday our little man!!

Anderson, we are so very proud of how much you have accomplished in the last 3 years. You continue to amaze us and teach us. We are so very blessed to be your parents. Thank you for all the gifts you give us. We love you so very much little buddy!!!

XOXOXO

Prayer Today

Ryan: Kaitlyn, do you know what I prayed for this morning when I was getting dress?

Kaitlyn: No, Ryan, what?

Ryan: I prayed to God I would be good today.

Kaitlyn: ME TOO Ryan!

:)

Jesus Question

Ryan: Kaitlyn, I have a Jesus question.

Kaitlyn: Yes, Ryan, what is it?

Ryan: Is Jesus STILL hanging on the cross?

Kaitlyn: No, Ryan they took him down.

Ryan: Oh, okay. Thanks Kaitlyn

:)

2 words

WHY ME?

Thought of the day.....

I was on my friend's daughter's caringbridge page. Mylee (her web site listed on the side) has Chiari Malformation as well. Mylee is 3 weeks younger than Anderson. Mylee's Mom posted this on her site...I wanted to share it as well.....



WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with "special needs" - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there.....

.... but if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland


ONE DAY AT A TIME MY FRIENDS, ONE DAY AT A TIME.....

Catholic School

I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to educate our children in a private Catholic school. It was incredible today to sit in the school's church, FILLED with students K-7 (the 8th graders already graduated), and FILLED with parents...standing room only!!! It was amazing!

The sounds of the children singing the music, and saying the prayers were so heart warming. It was emotional to be there. The students were all so EXCITED it was the last day of school. You could hear it in the songs and their responses. I felt so blessed to be sitting in that room listening to the sounds of the children today. It was such a beautiful scene!

TOE

This AM....it was Kaitlyn's last day of school! YAHOO! We were waiting for her carpool to pick her up this AM. Anderson decides to close the door on his foot. He screamed more than when he broke his leg (but, hey...the toe is a sensitive spot!) So, I iced it and watched it.

Anna and I went to Kaitlyn's last day of school mass, and then to a pool party at her friend's house. Carley was babysitting and I told her about it.

We got home, and I forgot to ask Carley about the toe b/4 she left. Anderson woke up, his eyes barely open, and he was pointing to his toe. I look at it....its black and green....but...GREEN!!! WEIRD! I call the ped, who tells me to watch for any "odd" behavior, not walking on it, or more green. (keep in mind it is only green at the nail...which I told the doctor). After talking to the doctor 2 times in 10 minutes Anderson bangs his head really hard against the changing table corner, and he falls off the fireplace ledge in our family room. I am counting this as "odd behavior"....so...off to the ped office!! Kaitlyn was at Lyna's house (thank goodness!)...one less child....but, I had Ryan b/c he has that virus thing and 101 temp, Anna with me in case she needs to nurse (they told me I might end up in the ER b/c it was Friday at 5 and might need to be Xrayed!)....we go to the ped's office, they want an xray...I take them next door to the imaging center that closes at 5:30 to find out they do not take my insurance. AHHHH!!! I ask what a toe xray costs...$65. Since my ER visit is $150, I decided to opt for the $65 toe xray with NO wait, and I will save $$!! hA!!

Good news!! Not broken...they said the xray showed a lot of swelling, but no break!

YAHOO!!! That little toe is green/black...but not broken. He is still walking around grabbing at it (again, not typical of Anderson)...it is obviously bothering him. I gave him some tylenol to help.

As Charlie reminded me.....any little thing can "throw Anderson off". He is not use to the pain in his toe, so he thinks about that, and then can't manipulate "typical" things at home.

If love could cure Anderson....he would be better!!! God love that sweet boy. He keeps me on my toes and guessing. I feel I have to continue to error on the safe side with him...things are just hard to "read" with him.

My sweet little Anderson..... :) Love ya!

Kinder Graduation

On Wednesday of this week...Kaitlyn "Graduated" from Kinder into 1st grade. It was so cute!! What a fun day it was for Kaitlyn, she was so very happy! Hard to believe Charlie and I have a little one in FIRST GRADE!!!

Whew.....just a virus!

Thanks to all those that called, emailed, and stopped me to ask....Anderson is doing okay. Our worry was that his head was starting to bother him. But, luckily...there was another explanation to all of the chaos in his little body. All our kiddos had/have some virus (Ryan still has it, Anderson at the end of it, and Anna just starting it).....it starts in their throat, and then moves to their bellies! It is lasting 7-10 days. YIKES! So.....we are VERY happy and relieved it is a virus and nothing to do with his Chiari causing the set backs and screaming.

The screaming has improved dramatically!!! Thank goodness!! And, he is signing his words as usual and having more "typical Anderson" days.

Whew! Anderson always keeps me on pins and needles!

Not just me.....

OKAY, I AM FEELING BETTER about yesterday! Thank all of you for your SWEET emails of support, I needed them!!!

So....Today, Anderson's therapist came out at the end of the 2 hours and asked...how Anderson had been behaving at home...I asked her...oh, do you mean.....like he cried yesterday the ENTIRE day he was awake?? She said...yes...exactly.

She noticed him toe walking the ENTIRE session, she noticed him doing the "toe curl" (when he curls his toes under and walks) the entire time...even while he was sitting he was trying to get that input, he would not sign...the 1 time he signed more, he did it "fisted" rather than fingertips to fingertips. WEIRD. So, the therapist and I Are wondering if he has an ear infection coming on, some illness, etc. It would tie together with what I saw yesterday. He was up today at 5:45 AM...and Char left for an EARLY meeting today (he left at 5:30)...so, I have been up with Anderson since then...so.....

Anyway, I need to take Anna back to Dr. for her yeast infection, her little bottom is RAW...we are currently on med #2 trying to treat it...and her skin is Raw, no other way to explain, hopefully, they will give me something that will work "magic" on her sweet little bum.

Guess where we are headed this afternoon?? Yep, our weekly appt to the ped office!

I am secretly hoping they find an ear infection or something in Anderson...it would explain a lot.

So, it was not "just me" who noticed Anderson being "off". WHEW, I feel so MUCH better about that!

One of those days....

Whew....it is EARLY on Tuesday morning....here's hoping that today is a better day with Anderson than yesterday. I was in tears by 4:30 yesterday, calling Charlie at work. It was a day where I felt like a complete failure as a mother. Anderson can have some REALLY challenging days...and yesterday was one of them. He screamed almost the ENTIRE day...and I mean SCREAM and I mean ENTIRE. I literally FELL on the couch at 8:30 and was ASLEEP.
My new house helper, Amelia.....looked at me yesterday and said....Anderson having a "BAD" day today. Yes....she was right!

Not sure why he had such a hard day yesterday....but I am hopeful that today is going to be a much better day. He was up at 5:45 AM....golly...what a start! HA!! He has therapy today, which is exhausting for him....but he will take a rest and I will be able to play with Ryan.

Ryan - 1 more day of school left
Kaitlyn - 9 more days and counting...

I CAN'T WAIT for them to get out for the summer....I am looking VERY forward to hanging out with them and spending time. YAHOO!!!

Almost there!

Boyfriend?

Tonight.....after dinner...Kaitlyn turns to me and says....

Kaitlyn: Luke told me he liked me today

Me: (thinking...thank goodness Daddy did not hear this!) Oh really?

Kaitlyn: WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT MEANS HE WILL DO TO ME?

Me: I am not sure, do you think he wants to be your boyfriend? (We were talking a few days ago about her boyfriends at school......it was Joey, but she overheard Joey ask Chelsea to play with him, so Kaitlyn thinks Joe broke up with her...oh brother! Are these kids in Kinder? YIKES!)

Kaitlyn: I am going to have to ask him tmr what he means!

Luke and Joe would both make excellent boyfriends from a Mom's point of view...not sure Charlie is too keen on ANY of this!

Cookies?

Friends of ours had a rough day last week. Their 1 year old son had eye surgery. So, as a surprise, I dropped off a bottle of wine and bought these DELICIOUS cookies from this deli that is known for their YUMMY cookies. I left them on the front porch so they would have a great surprise when they got home from the hospital.

Anyway, when I was at the deli picking up the cookies...I MIGHT have purchased some for our family to enjoy!

We had a great dinner, and then a special dessert (we typically do not have dessert in our house). We were all sitting around the dinner table, eating our cookies (Kaitlyn, Ryan, and Anderson had an iced cookie....Charlie and I split the toffee and the oatmeal raisin).

(note: Charlie was holding Anna)

Charlie takes a bite of the toffee cookie and said, "did you notice this cookie smells like a dirty diaper?"

I responded (as I smelled the cookie)....No, mine smells good.

Charlie insisted again...his smelled like a dirty diaper.

5 minutes pass by.....

Charlie goes to change Anna's "wet diaper"....but, to his surprise it was DIRTY. HA!! It was not the cookie!

I am LOL typing this recalling this story from last Thursday! I am not sure how funny it will seem to others reading this, but it was down out hilarious. My stomach was hurting when Charlie realized it was Anna's diaper and not the cookie! Ohhhh...it was funny!

Heaven

After we dropped Kaitlyn off at school this morning...my conversation went like this with Ryan:

Ryan: Mommy, I can't wait to be a Grandpa. I will be a Dad, then I am excited b/c I will be a Grandpa.

Me: Ryan, I am so excited too!

Ryan: Mommy, you will be dead then.

Me: (Gulp) Yes, you are right.

Ryan: But, mommy, do not worry...NO matter HOW old I am... I will ALWAYS be your baby...even after you die.

Me: Ryan, you are right. You will ALWAYS be my baby, and I will be an angel watching over you forever!

TEN MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD:

Ryan: Mommy, WHAT DOES HEAVEN LOOK LIKE?

Me: (Gulp again!) Ryan, no one is sure....it is whatever is in your mind and heart. I picture it as a beautiful and peaceful place with a lot of flowers.

Ryan: Me too, I think there are a lot of gardens there.

Me: I agree little buddy.

Ryan: I even think they have SNAKES there Mommy. They have angel snakes in the garden.

Me: (smiling and driving)...I bet you are right little buddy, bet you are right!

WOW!! What a conversation to have with your 4 year old at 8 AM!!

Happy weekend!

Bird

Last Thursday, while our cleaning lady was here....I left one of the french doors open for Anderson to play outside...I was straightening the house, Anderson was going in and out of the french doors, playing in the backyard (yes, it is fully fenced in...in case you were wondering!)

All of the sudden...Ryan says..."Mom, there is a bird in the house." (in Ryan's...matter of the fact voice).

I am thinking, yeah, right..."Ryan, where is the bird?"

Ryan: "Right there Mom".

Me: (in my mind)....HOLY #$Y%^^!!!! Then calmly said, "You are right Ryan".

The bird flies into the living...all over the place, as it is a 2 story living room with about 6 windows in it. The bird perched itself in our fake tree in the living....hopped around my "CLEAN" clothes that I had been folding in the living. After 10 minutes, I call Charlie and ask what in the h$$#%! was I suppose to do. He thought it was hilarious. It was freaking me out a bit....

After 20 minutes, it found the french doors and flew out.

Always exciting around here!


PS - This is our messy dining room table...still sorting thru all of Anna's birth gifts and TRYING to write thank you cards :) Excuse the mess in the video :)

Sleeping with....

my eyes open.

While we were in Cincinnati....Ryan was up VERY early one morning. I was just checking in on him, and he was lying in bed with his eyes open. I said, "Hey buddy, I thought you were sleeping".

He said, "I was....sometimes I like to sleep with my eyes open so I don't miss anything!"

Princess

I am SUPER sad to report that PRINCESS has passed on. For those of you who do not know....Princess was our cat. I got her the year I graduated from college.....12 years ago......

Charlie and I had been dating for 6 months, we went to the pound together and I picked her out. Charlie still reminds me to this day it was "not the cat he would have picked". Princess was a persian/tabby mix. She was so pretty and TINY TINY!! She weighed all of 2 lbs. NO KIDDING!! She got sick 1 week after I got her. I took her to the vet. I had to feed her RX food that cost more than what it was costing me to feed myself! ($3/can.....2 a day!) HA!

Sadly, Thursday night Princess went missing. She NEVER leaves the front porch. AND....she was not there.....

We are assuming a coyote.

Needless to say, I was HEARTBROKEN over it. SICK to my stomach....I cried for 3 days....then, imagine having to tell the kids....especially our sensitive, big heart Kaitlyn!

We told the kids yesterday. Kaitlyn cried for over 1 hour. She was crushed. She asked Charlie to go buy her a new cat TODAY, NOW! Charlie politely said NO (he really has no intentions of replacing the cat....but, Kaitlyn and I will have to "work" on him! HA!).....Kaitlyn could not understand. We told her Princess was not coming home...she wondered WHY WOULD PRINCESS NOT COME HOME? I said, well...she is in a "happy" place. Kaitlyn said...WHY WOULD SHE BE HAPPY AT SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME? Sweet Kaitlyn.....I explained to her that Princess was old and sometimes kitty cats will know they are sick and crawl into the bushes and close their eyes to go to sleep. Kaitlyn could not understand what would have happened to her.....WE ARE NOT going to tell her about the coyote theory....we will wait until she is 18 to tell her! :)

God Bless Princess. She was such a sweet sweet kitty. She will be missed!