Sammy's Testimony

Jeff did a lesson on testimonies during family night on Monday.  Andrea and Josh didn't care but Sammy sat down and told us about what she thinks of all these things.

Brotherly Love

Josh's new game is that whenever someone is sitting or laying down, he thinks that you want to wrestle.  His favorite wrestling partner is our friend Aaron.  I don't think Aaron enjoys it but he puts up with Josh for a little bit until I have to pull Josh off.  I think it is kind of funny!!  Here are a few pictures of him attacking buddy.

Sick of Being Sick

It seems like it has been forever since I have done anything!  We have been sick for about two weeks now.  Sammy started it, gave it to me, then Jeff got it, and then Andrea and Josh got it.  We have been very lucky and very blessed in the last two weeks even though it has been a struggle.  When I finally took Josh to the doctor this week we found out he has pneumonia.  We caught it early enough that we have been able to keep him home with the understanding that if he gets worse at all then we are to call the doctor immediately.  It is hard to hear the doctor tell you that he can barely hear air flowing through your baby's right lung.  Our doctor has amazing ears and can hear everything.  He was really worried about Josh but allowed us to keep him at home.  Josh has been on medication for three days now and still sounds horrible.  He did finally eat a good meal today.  He has purked up a little bit but still wants to be held a lot and still just wants his mom.  It has been a really hard couple of days as he has cried most of the day.

Now that Josh is slightly better, Andrea is sounding worse!  She is starting to cough more and is looking tired a lot.  I really hope she isn't getting pneumonia too.  I really want us to be healthy again so we can return to normal activity.  Sammy is mostly better.  She still coughs every once in awhile and gets tired easily. Jeff is feeling better.  I am finally starting to feel better.  I still have a bad cough but it gets a little better everyday.

We were very blessed in that none of this happened until we had health insurance.  I would hate to know how much all of the medications (5 in the last two weeks), doctors visits, and lab work would have cost without insurance.  We got the insurance cards for Jeff and the kids the day before we took Sammy in to the doctor!  We have confirmation (through a phone call) that I am now insured as well but we have yet to see the information!

We have wonderful friends and family that have given us support over the last two weeks.  Thanks for all the prayers and for the cookies to help lift our spirits!!

Observations from the waiting room

While waiting for Sammy's doctor appointment today I made some interesting observations.  There was a mom there with two kids.  She told her son that he couldn't play with any of the toys because he wasn't sick and she didn't want him to get germs.  Then she got on her pink cell phone and chatted with someone for awhile.  When her kids would come near she would tell them she was busy.  Then she was filling out paperwork and told her kids she was too busy and to leave her alone.  To try to entertain her children, she pulled out an ipod touch for each of them.  One child's was dead so he was upset but the mom kept telling him it was his fault for not telling her it was dead.  The part that really got me was when her daughter replied to a question with a simple "yes" she was corrected and required to say "yes, ma'am!"  Seriously, have we become so disconnected in society that our preschool age children are carrying around their own ipods and answering their parents in a very formal way.  Needless to say, I was a little shocked and wanted to laugh!!  If only this mom would give her kids a few minutes of her time.....

On another note, Sammy apparently has influenza and has lovingly shared it with me!!!  Lucky Us!!!

Happy New Year

2009 has brought many ups and downs in our home.  We feel very blessed for all that we have and for the wonderful family support we have during tough times.  We have three beautiful children who are all (at the moment) healthy.  We have a home to live in, a car to drive, and food to eat.  We have what we need and feel very blessed that we are also employed.  We are very thankful for all the love and support we receive from family and friends and pray that things will get better in 2010.

Christmas Pictures

The loot before the mass invasion of overly excited children!

Isn't it a rule that everyone has to take a stairs picture on Christmas??

Josh LOVES shoes and had to wear around his new church shoes with his pajamas.  He even took them on a test walk after we put them on by walking from the living room to the kitchen and back.

Grandma and Grandpa opening one of many gifts made for them by Sammy, Andrea, and me!!

Can you sense the excitement?

Josh looked very grown up wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.  Can you spot what is wrong with his sweatshirt??  It took me until today to notice!!

I really stole this picture off my sister's blog because I didn't get any pictures with my bike.  My dad surprised all of the girls in the family with this new bike!  It is REALLY nice!!  I love it.  It is a cycle cross bike and is by far the nicest bike I have ever owned.  I wish it was a little warmer out so that I don't freeze everytime I go on a ride.

Until Next Year

Christmas has come and gone again!  Andrea was already telling me tonight what she wants for Christmas next year.  She wants walkie talkies and a Snow White bike that is like Sammy's bike (two wheeler with training wheels).  We spent time riding today and Andrea wanted to ride her own bike.  She was very sad that she couldn't ride her trike with me in the street.  I wonder if she thinks that when she gets a bigger bike that she will be able to ride on long bike rides like mom and dad.  The reason that we went on a bike ride....my dad surprised me (and my two sisters) with bikes this year!!!  They are cross train bikes so they are like a road bike but the tires are slightly different.  I LOVE IT!!!!!!!  It is so quiet and rides really smooth.  I wanted to tell my brother about it (because he is into bikes) but I was sworn to secrecy until he gets off his mission in June.  I now need to get Sammy riding her bike with more confidence so that I can take the kids on bike rides during the day.  I have a bike trailer I can put Josh and Andrea in so I just need something for Sammy. 

Our Christmas was really good.  We got to have my parents here with us which was lots of fun.  The kids loved it even though they mostly got clothes,  socks, and underwear.  They were equally excited about all of their presents.  I got a surprised by a box of clothes from some people.  Whoever you are, THANK YOU!!!  I have needed new long sleeve shirts for quite some time but didn't have the money to buy them.  I am pretty sure I know who all the people are that contributed to my clothing present but I just wanted to say thanks...it was very appreciated and needed!!

I will post more about Christmas later along with some pictures but for now I am going to bed!!