First Week Of Thankfuls

Instead of trying to get on here every day, or waiting until the end of the month, I am going to do weekly posts of what I am thankful for.

Day 1

I am so thankful for my husband.  He works so hard to support this family.  He has changed jobs a couple times in the last year just to make things better for all of us.  He is a wonderful father to our children, he helps around the house and supports me through everything!  I sure do love him more and more. 

Day 2

Oh Miss Makenzi!  Makenzi is a beautiful, caring, understanding, blessing of a little girl.  Kenzi is the child that will drop everything she is doing to help somebody else out.  She loves school and works hard at her practices.  She loves to swim and is so excited about her first swim meet coming up.  She is a blessing that I am so thankful for.  It took a lot of strength and peoples help to bring her into this world healthy, but we did it and have blessed ever  since.  Love you Kenzi Anne!

Day 3

Little Boy Braxton!  This little guy brought so much life and chaos to our home the day he was born.  For being little he sure knew how to get a room of people to move.  He has always been quick to fight, but if he hurts somebody accidentally he is so sorry and loving to them.   He has a stubborn side that will come in handy some day if he can channel it for success.  The smile he has that shows his personality is amazing.  He is a such a lovey boy.  I could not ask for a better son!  Love you Bracky Charles!!

Day 4

Sweet Little Arianna!  This little girl came into our world 4 weeks and had her dad rushing room to beat the birth.  I can say she has continued to rush her daddy home from work on several occasions.   I think she likes to stress him out.  Arianna has been given back to us multiple times in her short little life and I thank God for that everyday.  2 times she has been in an accident and 2 times she has come out just fine.  I am so thankful for her guardian angels (Uncle Vince and Great Grandpa W and Great Grandpa B are working hard). Arianna is a spit fire, she has an attitude like no other 4 year old should have.  She is a smart little girl that loves life.  My 3rd little blessing.  Love you Ahna Mary!

Day 5

I am so thankful for the house I live in.  Scott and I were blessed with this house.  We live in the country just like we wanted, we landed in an area with an excellent school district, are close to my family, and in community that pulls together in a time of need.  Our house is perfect size for the 5 of us.  It is warm, beautiful, and clean.  It is supplied with everything the 5 of us could ever need.

Day 6

I am so thankful for my parents.  My parents are the most amazing people ever.  They would give up everything they have to help us kids out.  My parents have been by all 3 of our sides helping us with our families.  They love their 9 grandkids to the end of the world and back.  They spend so much time with all of us.  They are an example that I have learned great things from, and I hope my children learn from them as well as us.   Family is so important and I love mine.

Day 7

I am thankful for a great mechanic.  Yes I had car trouble today.  I dropped the car off at the mechanic right before he closed and he said no problem I will get right to it in the morning.  We can trust him and know that he isn't going to say things need to be fixed that don't even though I am female, we know that he has reasonable prices and he is quick about his work.  So thankful that he can get my car back up and running so I can run my kids around the county to where they need to be.  

Disney World Trip

We spent a week in Florida.  We went to Disney World 4 days and we did Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. 

Just a few days before we left, sickness hit our house.  Braxton (it is always Braxton) came home from school on Tuesday and complained of a belly ache.  He went into my bedroom and feel asleep at 330 and didn't wake up until 630 the next morning.  He was still complaining that his belly hurt so I kept him home and decided to take him to the doctor.  The doctor did a Strep test and that came back negative, but they sent it out for a culture.  Wednesday night at 11pm Arianna came down stairs vomiting.  At that point I figured the kids had the stomach flu.  The next morning Braxton's culture was back and it was negative.  Confirmed that it was the stomach flu.  I just kept praying that Makenzi, Scott and I stayed healthy.

Saturday when we all woke up and were healthy I was so happy.  I had decided that no matter what we were boarding that plane and would deal with it as we went.  I figured benadryl would knock them out to get to Florida. 

My mom took us to the airport so we wouldn't have our van sitting there for a week.  We arrived and the kids said goodbye and in we went.  We went to check in and were told that they didn't have 5 seats together.  All they had open were 3 seats in the front row for the kids and 2 seats in the emergency row for Scott and I.  The guy was great and checked our bag for free and told us he would work on getting us seats together.  He didn't want the kids to have to sit alone on their first flight for sure.  We went through security and got to our gate.  The kids were watching all of the planes, but we were able to get some of their homework accomplished.  We found out right before boarding that we were able to get seats together.  We boarded the plane and had a smooth flight.  The kids did great, Arianna took a short nap, Braxton sat with Scott and they had a a lot of fun together and Makenzi drew pictures, ate enough pretzels and drank enough pop to carry her through the day.  The kids loved our rental car, but I think Scott was more excited about it than anybody else. 

We arrived at our rental house around 4pm and the kids ran straight to the pool.  They couldn't wait to start swimming.  They swam while I went grocery shopping.  I hate shopping at a store that I am not familiar with.  It takes so much longer than it should.  We spent the night eating and relaxing. 

Sunday came around and we were headed to Disney World.  We decided we would go to Hollywood Studios.  The kids were anxious to see what Disney World was all about but it faded fast.  They really disliked Hollywood Studios.  Braxton wasn't right from the moment we woke up but he said he felt fine, he ate breakfast and seemed ok.  When we arrived at Hollywood Studios he didn't want to ride on any rides, he didn't want to meet any characters, he refused to eat lunch, and he just was wearing down extremely fast.  Makenzi and Scott wanted to ride a rollercoaster so they took off over there and I decided to leave the park with Braxton and Arianna.  As we exited the tram to head to the van Braxton just couldn't go anymore.  When we finally got to the van I cranked on the ac and Braxton said he was feeling better.  Scott and Makenzi arrived not long after and decided we would go for a car ride and see what was around.  Well poor Braxton ended up getting sick in the car (thank goodness for Disney plastic bags) so we headed home. Braxton felt better immediately, so I questioned if he didn't have strep.  I looked in his throat and the white puss sacks were all over, so I called the on call pediatrician, who told me to take him to Urgent care for a Mono test and strep test.  So here we sit in Florida and now we have to find an urgent care on a Sunday night.  Thankfully I found a list in the house and Scott took him to Dr. D.  Dr. D checked Braxton out and informed Scott that the kid has strep and ordered an antibiotic...which was another obstacle because pharmacies all closed at 5/6pm and it was 730 now.  Dr. D finally found a CVS not to far away that was open until 9.  Antibiotics were started that night and by Monday night he was feeling better.

Monday came and we decided to not go to Disney again like we had planned because we wanted Braxton to rest.  We hung out at the house and the kids swam on and off through out the day.  Monday morning Arianna started complaining of a sore throat.  I checked out her throat and sure enough covered in puss sacks. I decided to call her pediatrician and they called in a script for her.  We started the antibiotic.

Tuesday came and we were out of days to push our Disney days back any so we headed off to Magic Kingdom.  We figured Arianna could rest in the stroller.  Poor Arianna was miserable for the first part of the day though...her belly hurt yet she was eating and drinking fine.  Finally we seen her perk up and she was good to go.  She was riding rides, chasing characters, and smiling from ear to ear.  Magic Kingdom was so much fun for the kids.  Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Dumbo, Barnstormer, meeting Mickey (according to the kids the real one because he was wearing the right outfit), the Princesses, and Pluto.

Wednesday we headed to Animal Kingdom.  We got to go on the Safari ride, rode the train to Rafiki's place, Camp Minnie & Mickey, Tree of Life, Kali River Rapids, Mt. Everest, and seeing the apes (the kids favorite part...I was beginning to think a Zoo would have been cheaper and made them just as happy).

Thursday morning we went back to Magic Kingdom for about 3.5 hours.  We got to do some of the things we had missed the last time.  We went to Adventure land.  We rode Aladdin's Magic carpet, we seen Aladdin and Jasmine, Riverboat ride, and walked through the treehouse.  I went and made reservations at the Pirate League for the kids for that afternoon when we would be back for the Halloween Party. 

Thursday afternoon we got back and made it to our reservation.  Braxton picked to be Jake, Makenzi a mermaid and Arianna an Empress.  The Halloween party was a lot of fun but the crowd was unbearable...yet the funny part was you could walk onto any ride you wanted with no wait.  I didn't find the trick or treating that special.  We enjoyed the parade and fireworks show.  It was great to meet the princesses and their princes.  Seeing the villians was pretty cool too. 

Friday we headed to Cocoa Beach.  The kids have never seen the ocean before and they couldn't believe how big it was.  Braxton was concerned about going into the water where the sharks are, but he went in and had a blast swimming through the big waves.  Makenzi swam and swam.  She loved the ocean.  Arianna wasn't as big of a fan because she couldn't really swim through the waves.  They all had one complaint though...salt water tastes bad.  They looked for shells, and made sand castles.  We got back home around 330 and they swam until about 9pm.  We packed up the house and were ready to come home Saturday morning. 

Our flight home was great too but we were all glad to land and be back home.  The kids could not wait to get home to see Sam and Jack (our dogs). 

Another school year

As the new school year approaches the excitement and anxiety peak in the house. My first class started on Saturday and it is going to be a crazy work load but I am determined to stay ahead.  My second class starts tomorrow and I am nervous about this class.  Pharmacology is a class that everybody seems to complain about but I hope to overcome the anxiety of the unknown.

 Makenzi is headed into 3rd grade this year.  She is very excited to be headed back to school.  I am not as excited because there will be 30 kids in her classroom and she got a teacher that I HOPE can handle that many students.  I have to keep reminding myself that Makenzi is a well behaved child, that is a self starter and stays on track so she will be just fine. 

Braxton is going into a new program at our school.  It is a transitional first grade.  I am excited about this program because it is a step forward from kindergarten but not a full first grade either.  Last year reading and writing were extremely hard for Braxton so we decided he needs some extra time and help with it.  We have worked with Braxton all summer on writing and reading journal entries and I can see a BIG improvement.  He has developed more confidence as well.  Last year Braxton hated school and tried to hide in the garage in the mornings so he wouldn't have to get on the bus.  This year he is all excited and the bonus is he is going to have the same teacher as last year and he really liked her. 

Sweet little Arianna is growing up.  She is headed to preschool this year.  I took her in yesterday to meet her teacher and see her classroom.  She hasn't stopped talking about school since.  I am excited for her but I am going to miss having her home with.  I might actually get some projects done though!

SPORTS

Well September comes and the kids start thinking about sports.  Makenzi has known for the last year that she was going to be on the Swim Team this year.  She has never thought anything else.  Well this year I am on the board for the Owosso Sea Turtles so that will be a change too.  Because I am sure I needed one more thing on my plate but I am excited about it!  Arianna had talked about doing Swim Team this year and the coaches were willing to try it out but now she has decided not to.  Instead she is going to do Dance.  So it is time to learn something new for me.  I am so thankful for Arianna's curly hair for the recital though!! 

Braxton has debated between sports this year as well (soccer, swim team and wrestling).  Well we have a pretty strict rule that only one sport per season for each child.  So Scott and I sat down and talked to Braxton to work him through his choices.  Braxton eliminated soccer within seconds, and then swim team was eliminated quickly too because he doesn't want to go 3 nights a week for 6 months, so wrestling wins.  Braxton wrestled last year and absolutely loved it, so we expect the same this year. 

DISNEY

I think I  have decided how to surprise the kids about our trip.  I bought pins and lanyards for the trip for each of them.  I plan to wrap them up and have them sitting on the table in the dining room.  The pins will be attached to the lanyards and inside the lanyard will be a note from Mickey telling them he will see them soon!  Oh I can't wait to tell them.  I will be videotaping them. 

Surprise!

Surprise...we are going to Disney World!  Well this isn't a surprise to me and Scott but it will be to our children.  They have no idea we are going to be heading to Disney world within a few months. 

I have been scouring the internet for cool ways to surprise them.  We want to surprise them the morning we are leaving...I am trying to avoid the "is today the day, when do you leave for Disney" stuff.  I want to tell them and then board the plane! 

My plan is to have all the suitcases, carry on, packed and ready to go.  Thank goodness they are all in school so I can get stuff done during the day while they are gone. 

Now onto my ideas:

I have none....anybody have any fun awesome ideas! 

Rolling with the Punches

It seems once one punch is delivered a bunch more follow.  Well in the last few years I have learned to roll with the punches, laugh at the crazy things that happen, ask friends for prayers and support and just make the best decisions I can make.

In the beginning of June my husband applied for a new job, did the road test for the new job and schedule the physical and drug test for the new job before ever telling me of the new job.  He knew I would not be on board.  I hate change, I hate the thought of no health insurance again because who can afford 1,400.00 a month for Cobra?  Well I did my research and decided to apply for medicaid for the kids for the next 90 days.  Scott started the new job July 2nd.  It has been a challenge getting used to the new job and the new schedule.  Scott is home every day but his training schedule was wacky.  Today he started the his schedule 5pm to 5am.  We will see how it goes for him.  So I applied for medicaid on July 1st/2nd for the kids.

On July 2nd we made an Urgent Care visit with Arianna.  She was breaking out in red bumps all over her skin.  Turns out it was swimmers itch.  On July 16th we made an ER visit with the one and only Arianna.  She found a penny at bedtime and swallowed it.  So at 945pm I was told by the on call physician to head to the ER for xrays.  I arrived there after dropping off Makenzi and Braxton at my parents house.  At 1040 I walked in to an ER waiting room packed solid, one man screaming at the nurses and staff, only to find out every room in the ER was full and people were waiting 2 to 5 hours to get a ER bed.  I was not happy.  I got our pager and waited.  At 11:22 we had our room (thank goodness they have a pediatric wing of the ER).  We had an xray done at 1145pm in our room and at 12:05am we were walking out of the hospital.  I was so glad it was quick.  Arianna should pass the penny with no problems.  She is all excited because they sent a picture of her penny in her belly, so she can show everybody! 

Scott and I just roll with all the punches, we just keep pushing through and we will come out on the other end with flying colors. 

Swim Lessons

Arianna has gone to swim lessons the last 5 days.  This is a different experience for me because my other two never went.  They both learned to swim in the pond and were taught by my mom and I.  Well Makenzi's swim team team coach was offering swim lessons this summer.  They are doing 30 minute one on one sessions.  I signed Arianna up for 2 weeks and Braxton is going 1 week (just to reinforce the freestyle stroke).  Arianna was all excited about swim lessons until the morning of.  She just wasn't sure on what to expect. 

Well we got there and her instructor Miss Caylee (who Arianna knows very well from Swim Team) came and got her and took her into the pool.  Arianna was very happy and doing great.  She swam on the kickboard, a noodle and then by herself for a short distance.  Then they wanted her to jump in..and Arianna panicked.  Kicking, screaming etc.  Well she went in anyways with Miss Caylee jumping with her and holding on to her. 

Tuesday she improved as well and tolerated jumping in the deep better as long as Caylee was going with her.  Wednesday she did wonderful.  She swam across 3 lanes of the 6 lane pool all by herself multiple times.  She was just enjoying the water.  She jumped in with Caylee again with no tears or fits.  On Thursday I took the video camera to capture it all on tape and she didn't want to perform.  She had a different instructor since Caylee had to help a little boy that was terrified of the water.  Well Arianna didn't trust the new instructor.  She swam the length of 2 lanes and grumbled every time he wanted her to do something saying it was too far.  At the end I did get to video tape her jumping into the shallow end (holding onto Caylee's hands) and then jumping into the deep end with Caylee.  On Friday, she had Caylee again and showed off big time.  She swam half the pool again, swam in the deep end by herself, jumped off the diving board with Caylee, and worked on floating on her back. 

I am so impressed with everything she has learned.  I can't wait to see what she accomplishes next week.

First Communion

Makenzi made her First Communion on April 22nd.  She was so excited to make this sacrament.  She had an amazing day and enjoyed her family gathering afterwards.