Update Number Bazillion...

Ok, I am just so crazy busy (as mentioned previously numerous times) that I just don't have time to blog. Or.. er.. it could be that I just need to take a time management class! Ha! 

So, here we go... 

Gabe and Kien and their cowboy boots! Yes, we were headed out and it was not worth the argument to have them put on the proper shoes. I mean, Kien's are getting a bit small, and Gabe's are two sizes bigger, but really, is this a battle worth fighting?! No, and I won some pretty cool mom points! LOL

So, daddy was out for the day with his friends and the boys and I decided that we were going to go hang out at Chili's. They happen to have a guy who was making a variety of things out of balloons! Kien of course had to have the sword! (which lasted two days believe it or not!!)

And proof that Gabe DOES take after his daddy, he opted for the motorcycle balloon! Go figure!

We went to Cabella's with our friends The Hashke's so all the children could watch the fish feeding. It is actually quite amusing. Every Sunday at 1 PM. Afterward we went upstairs and took some shots with some of the props they had out. Boys thought it was super cool!

I love this pool because, well, for one, it is easy to drain and clean and the boys love it as well! This was a huge summer hit!

Story time. Now I want you to note that I am lying on the floor reading the book while Gabriel is sitting on my back. Now before the photo, Gabe would lean in on my shoulder to look at the pages and listen to me read. He STILL even after 2 years LOVES to locate the mouse, still. I also want you to note that Kien is lying on my legs not even close to seeing the book, right?! Yeah, he was TOTALLY RECITING THE BOOK as I was reading!!!!!!! He is such an amazing son!

I don't know what he was doing, but it was cute and photo worthy! He has such great expressions!

Utah Trip

As many of you know, my father in Utah had been battling esophageal cancer from what I understand since November of 2011. It wasn't until February that I was informed that it was already at stage 4. At that point, and by word of mouth it was imperative that I was to go and that it didn't look good. So, I arranged to pack up 3 kids and myself to head to Omaha to start the trip. I was going to stay in Omaha for 2 days and leave again with my grandmother to head out to Utah for a couple days, then back to Omaha, then back home. Well, only 1/2 the trip happened, and here is our story.

I left early early in the morning for the 12 hour drive to Omaha. I planned to stay with my parents for 2 days because I knew that with all the driving we had ahead of us, the kids were going to need some down time in between. 12 hours to Omaha. 14 hours to Utah. 14 hours back to Omaha. 12 hours back home. For a teenager it's really nothing but an ipod or an iPhone  and a lot of conversation to keep them occupied. But for two toddlers, this could get a bit tricky. I had everything under the sun you could possibly think of ready for anything on this trip.
We got up to Omaha with no issues what so ever. We even got to see our first real snow on the side of the road. The first night was great. The second day Jeremy stated his throat hurt and he took a fever that rose to a whopping 104.6 degrees. I spent the whole day rotating back and forth the Tylenol and the Advil to break the fever which it did not completely go away. That evening, I took him to the emergency room only to be told it was viral but was given a prescrip for a Z pack just in case even though his strep test came back negative. We were finally able to bring it down to 100 degrees. The next morning, Gabriel took to a fever as well. JUST AS HIGH! It also wouldn't break below 102. degrees after a full day so, I took him the next evening to the emergency room only to be told the same thing. Gabriel wasn't given anything because it was viral with no signs of any other problems. SO this puts us in a dilemma regarding getting to Utah. I was beginning to get frustrated and had an inkling of a thought that maybe I shouldn't be going on this trip. I just pushed that thought to the back of my head because I really just wanted to get this trip going. Jeremy had already missed enough school that with this week of being gone was the exact amount of days he was allowed for the semester in order to not have make up days on Saturdays.

At this point I just decided that we were going to have to go fevers or not and then just let the boys stay in the hotel with Jeremy long enough for me to visit for just even an hour or so. I wasn't comfortable with this option one bit, but what choice did I have? Jeremy was old enough to babysit for a couple hours, but with being sick it would be uncomfortable and miserable :(.

Grandma told me to book the hotel stay, one in Cheyenne, WY (about 1/2 way point) and then again in Tooele, UT so we wouldn't impose (especially the two being sick) on their household. So, while I was calling  around in Cheyenne, I was told by THREE hotels that all of them were booked because of a Legislative event happening Wednesday-Saturday. So, I continued to research for the next town Rawlins only to be asked to call back because all of I-80 had been shut down through the rest of the state due to icy road conditions that even the ice trucks were on standby because they were so bad. REALLY!?!?!?!??! COULD  THIS BE HAPPENING!?!

At last minute attempt my parents suggested booking a flight for a day and fly back the next and they would make arrangements to work at home and keep the boys. That way my Grandmother and I could go together quickly and still have an opportunity to see him. So, in doing so it was questionable if we should pay the extra $13.00 on already spent $1200.00 tickets just in case to have them cancelled. Well, it was a no brainer since we have already had ALL doors closed so far we might as well. The tickets were bought, plans were made and I received a phone call from my Father. I confirmed the tickets and the day I would be out there only for him to say it would not be a good idea for me to come. WOW! I don't know how else to take it, but it was NOT meant for me to go. We cancelled the tickets.

I couldn't help but WANT to be mad about it, but I felt such a peace in my heart that I just cannot explain. God pricked my heart gently and let me know that I couldn't be mad. I had no right to hold any grudge or anger against him as I was honoring his request. It was like maybe my visit was suppose to be in Nebraska that week. It turned out to be a very awesome week and my dad even took us to the "farm" to see Grandma Birkby and Aunt Mary Kay. We even got to see his long time best friend who I so remember at my parents wedding years ago that I will never forget he was so sweaty gross dancing with me!! Ha!  The boys got to see cows up close and even though it was terribly windy, they even got to play on a real combine and tractor! It was nice to see the farm again, drive by the cemetery where Grandpa Birkby and Uncle Pat was and to remember the empty country roads that led there.

At any rate, I returned home and after a day or two of re-cooping from the long drive I sat down to write my father a letter. I did, sent it and even though I spoke to him three times from then to the day he passed away, he never made mention of it. July 9th, I received a phone call stating that he had passed early that AM. I was relieved that it was over. The suffering on both his part and my step-mother, half brothers, grandmother and uncle. My only hope for him at that point was that he was sitting at the feet of Jesus. While on the phone with my step-mother, I asked her if she knew if he read my letter I sent. She said yes and that he kept it on his dresser.

I have to say that from the get go, other than the fact that my father was dying and felt it would be the right thing to go see him, my heart had a greater purpose which is our main purpose while on this earth as followers of our Savior, Jesus. I had to know in my mind and in my heart that he had the opportunity to accept Christ as HIS Savior, especially with the life altering situation he was facing. In my letter I told him that I wish it would have worked out for me to make it, but that maybe there would be another opportunity. I included in there that I know his religious background was of the Lutheran faith and that my only hope was that he had accepted the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus. I also asked him that if he had not, that he would just say a simple prayer that I included at the bottom of the letter.

I will never know while alive on this earth if he did or didn't, I can only hope that whether it was church years ago, someone else or the prayer in my letter could have been that sealant of his eternal residence. Only God is the judge of our hearts.

Sometimes we are meant to go, sometimes we are not.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Whatever happens or doesn't, above all trust God in everything.

Quick Mini Happenings...

I figured that if I became a tad bit creative with the bathtub crayons on the toilet it might help ALL the boys in the house follow a very simple yet unaccomplished task while using the restroom. Yes, I finally got sick of walking in and finding "presents" in the toilet. So, I wrote FLUSH PLEASE on the inner seat when they lift it up to pee pee. Then, on the back of the lid I put Mommy is: Mad face = When you don't FLUSH and Happy face: When you do FLUSH. 

Well, needless to say, it worked while it lasted for a few weeks. Then it wore off or rubbed off and then had to clean it off. Once in a while I will be surprised it's a clean bowl... other times it's more presents. =/ 

It was a good idea at the time. 

Yummy breakfast. This is Kien's FAVORITE breakfast. Eggs, sausage, jelly toast and yogurt. With orange juice of course!

This was a kinda cool idea I tried. Since we were hosting home team,  and it was basically Easter/April Fools, I needed to find some fun festive idea's for food. So, I made Resurrection Rolls, (http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2012/04/resurrection-rolls-recipe.html) - Meatloaf cupcakes, (http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/colorful-cupcakes-686085/) and kitty liter cake (http://www.kidskuisine.com/kitty-litter-cake/). It was all a hit, but I only took photo's of the trick cupcakes! They were a bit greasy for my liking, but they were fun.

Gabe found some dice and wanted to play hide and seek. Of course we played along as if we really couldn't see them. "Where they go?" he says.

Had no idea that these lily's only bloom once in spring and then that was it. I like to plant things that bloom much of the summer. Oh, well, the are beautiful any way. :)

Our one MUM that we kept from our wedding was planted in our front flower bed. It has bloomed and multiplied every year. It became so out of control I went to remove some of the dead parts and accidentally yanked too much and fresh green. So I transplanted them in to a couple pots.

I need to find a new place for all my planters. Probably will move them to the back yard soon.

Here is another jasmine ivy flower I am trying to grow and take over the fence. They smell awesome. It will be  couple of years though. :) Patience.

Breakfast at the Park!

Of course the boys just LOVE LOVE LOVE doughnuts! So, on occasion we will pick some up and go to the park before the daytime heating sets in and the equipment doesn't burn while going down the slide!  :) 

I was going to take the boys to the doughnut shop but, we had to get something else at Wal-Mart. We just picked these up. Not home made, but it's ok to splurge a little. ;) 

Our neighborhood park has actually 4 play area's (including the schools playground) but we find this one the be the best. Trying to find interesting ways to slide down :) 

And of course they have to slide wood chips down first to make it more interesting?! ;) 

Do we see the issue here? Although these cute little shoe shots will soon be too big to put through the bars, I think we should stick to the basics and learn how to put them on the right feet first! Ha! 

I am KING of the WORLD! 

Trip To Nebraska.. In The COLD!!

So, usually my plan of action when traveling is I will make a list of all the things that need to be completed during that week before we leave; E.G. major cleaning (so I do NOT have to do much at all when I return!), preparing for my husband to function at home with food, clean clothes etc.., appointments, vehicle maintenance oil change, air in tires, etc... 

Then I spend a day washing clothes and packing. I choose to do this the night before so that I can have everything fresh on my mind of all I need for the trip. Seasonal planning is a must, especially when it comes to having the right types of clothing, shoes and accessories needed. Once I have that all done, I will TRY TRY TRY my best to be in bed by 9PM, but it usually ends up being around 11PM only to get up around 3:30-4:00AM to beat all the traffic in all major cities. But what REALLY happens is we don't get on the road until 5 AM. lol -Speaking of traffic, now I understand that on a Saturday or a Sunday there is hardly ever any major traffic. HOWEVER, when I am traveling just me and the children, I like to leave on a weekday so that if anything was to occur regarding vehicle trouble I could get it in to a repair place quickly and then decide if I need to check in a hotel or not. At any rate, I find it to be a much more pleasant (and peaceful) drive during a business day. 

When we leave at such an unGodly hour (lol - I am NOT a morning person, people should be going to bed by this time!!) I will leave the boys in their PJ's until about 8-9 AM because they will normally sleep close to that time. Then we will stop at a Target or a nice gas station and change them into the clothes I keep in their travel "diaper" bag. It makes the transition easier than getting them up that early just to be irritated by changing into their clothes and then they are awake for the the first half of the drive. I'd rather keep the peace and have a some quiet time praying and listening to christian music. (which I won't get to listen to what I enjoy most because then we have the DVD player going and Jeremy's music to listen to as well)

On with the trip! So, here is where the boys have already awaken in the morning right before we stop to change them out of the PJ's. Of course they have to start the trip off right with a Veggie Tales movie :) 

Fast forward to nearly 10 hours later and we finally hit I80 in Nebraska! Of course, in Texas this past winter we only received flurries and not real snow. I was able to excite the kids and get a shot of the little snow that Nebraska still had! 

The whole purpose of this trip in the middle of February was to drive up to Nebraska to stay a day or two and pick up my Grandmother for the drive out to Utah to visit my father who was battling esophageal cancer. I had heard from my brother, step mother and grandmother that it would be a good idea for me to get out there because apparently it was at an aggressive stage.

( Click here to read that story:  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3866073479216091139#editor/target=post;postID=469525841651185002 )

So, when we got up to Omaha, the day before we left Jeremy took a fever. Not just any ole' little fever, it was up to 104.6! SO- door number 1, closed. I took him to the ER after two days of high fever just to be told it was viral. Then, we decided to push our travels a further so I could watch to see how Jeremy would respond to the Tylenol and Advil. Well, then the next day, Gabriel took a fever just as high!! Once his wouldn't break below 102. but shot right back up to 104.6 (just as Jeremy's did) I took him to the ER! UGH! Seriously?! Two sick kids and I was suppose to already be on the road to Utah. In any event, we ended up not being able to go (see next post) and then by Thursday the two boys were fine and Kien and I escaped catching it as well. Here are the two boys in bed because both of them refused to sleep in the sleep over tent or in the pack and play. It was week of squished sleeping! A foot in the rib here and a hand in the eye there. :)

During the fevers Gabe had I tried to bundle him him so he could sweat off the fever. He had the chills so bad he was shaking, but it was good that he was able to fall asleep.

As you can tell by his rosy cheeks, he was not feeling well. This was at the ER, and all he wanted to do was drink drink drink. Which was fine because he didn't vomit at all.

 Once Gabe was feeling better he wanted to play WII dance game with his brother. It was amazing to watch Kien really follow the moves!

At Albertsons we stopped to get Granny some flowers! We always like to stop and get her something nice to remember our visit. :)

During this week we were in Omaha, it was also the Catholic Faith's Lent. So, as my parents were at work on this day, I made fish sticks, shrimp, veggie tray and fruit tray for dinner. They loved it!

Awww, Boys were being extra nice to each other. Kien was a good big brother helping when Gabe was sick. So glad he was feeling better!

One of Jeremy's favorite places to eat is at Panera Bread. So, while we I was in Omaha, I had to stop at a Kmart because we no longer have them in Texas and Panera happened to be right next door! YAY! WIN!

Ok, while we were in Kmart, I had to take a photo of the sleds AND snow boards which are two things you WON'T find in Texas! Ha! I even purchased snow boots for the boys! ACTUAL SNOW BOOTS!!

My handsome dude, Kien! He takes naps in such interesting ways!

It was a good thing that I purchased those snow boots! While we were there it snowed!!

My dad called me from work and mentioned that I should take the boys out to ride the sled down the side hill where it was icy and had fresh snow on it. So, bundled up all the boys and off we went!

The hill was easy at first... Nearly cleared most of the way. But once we got 1/2 way up the wind was horribly cold! I had to hold on to the boys to keep them from blowing away because of the draft in that ONE area. Weird!

So we get to the top and sure enough, there was snow (and very icy)  toward the top! They had a blast! The fun part was coming down, the not so fun part was having to walk back up! I am SO glad they got to experience this! <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

While in Omaha, Dad took us to the farm! I had not been out that way since I was 20 years old!! It was so awesome to get the opportunity to spend a day there! It was a 3 hour drive there and we even got to go to his good childhood friends workshop so the boys could actually see, touch and experience a real combine and tractor! They even got to see the herd of cows up close!

Overall the trip ended up being a great one! I miss home, I miss my family and it's so hard being so far away. :( I really cherish the time I do get to go! http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3866073479216091139#editor/target=post;postID=469525841651185002