tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176925812024-03-07T19:41:56.708-05:00Simple GiftsI have 1 husband, 4 sons, and 1 daughter who fill my life with so much joy. We are a homeschooling family. My husband is a member of the United States Air Force.
This is my journey.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.comBlogger401125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-38464721393651971532007-09-29T21:39:00.000-05:002007-09-29T21:42:22.108-05:00WE MADE IT!After seven long weeks, Matt is back where he belongs. Right here at home.<br />Zachy said to him tonight, "Daddy, can you please stay with us?" It was so cute. They are so happy to have him home. Me too.<br />I totally admire single moms. This last 7 weeks was truly one of the hardest things I've ever done.<br />I assumed that since I got through him working while going to school, that it would be pie. Oh my, it so wasn't. It was so very, very hard.<br />But..I survived. As my neighbor said (her hubby came home from Iraq today, hooray!) it makes you realize just how strong you are.<br />Indeed. <br />And now I'm ready to crash.<br />I think we're going to six flags tomorrow, so no rest for us!<br />I'm so happy to have him home. :-)Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-82423032224105821272007-09-19T14:58:00.000-05:002007-09-19T16:16:38.828-05:00Museum FunTook the kids to the museum yesterday. It was really fun!<br /><br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/a43b5e6c.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=a43b5e6c.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="width:360px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/f65884a9.pbw" height="360" width="360"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=f65884a9.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-39582329403202964062007-09-16T11:10:00.000-05:002007-09-16T11:18:04.983-05:00The inevitable problem with bloggingI've seen it happen at so many blogs.<br />It's happened here.<br />People think that, because they read your blog, they know all there is to know about you.<br />You may think that there couldn't possibly be more to my life than what I write. The reality is, you are granted a tiny glimpse into my life. That doesn't mean you <i>know</i> me.<br />Even our far away family will tell you that they don't <i>really</i> know us anymore, now that they don't have regular contact with us. They don't know what our kids are into, they don't know what Matt and I enjoy doing, what shows we watch, etc. That comes from a personal, daily relationship with a person.<br />Therefore, for a reader to have any kind of strong opinion about me and my family, is crazy. <br />You may think you know what is best for my kids. But you don't even <i>know</i> my kids. Meeting them once or twice, if at all, is far from knowing them. <br />I think it is so easy to get sucked into that trap of thinking I'm telling you every detail of our lives. That I'm telling you every quirk the kids have, every personality trait. But no. You really don't know much.<br />Please, try to refrain from judging me, based on what you read here. Based on what you think would surely be best for my family. <br />The bottom line is this...God gave our kids to Matt and me. He didn't give them to you. He is guiding us in bringing them up. Please, don't question what we do with them. Rest assured that we pray daily about how we bring them up, and feel very guided to do the things we do. <br />Thank you for taking this post into consideration before you email me, or spout off to someone else about us.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-4719755745421281452007-09-04T21:19:00.000-05:002007-09-04T21:21:17.872-05:00Big Heavy SighIt's one of those nights.<br />A big, heavy sigh kind of night.<br />I'm missing Matt fiercely.<br />Yes, I have 5 kids to keep me busy. But that doesn't mean I'm not longing for Matt to be home.<br />Three weeks down. Four to go. Seems like an eternity.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-41730716798736782882007-09-02T14:54:00.000-05:002007-09-02T15:02:50.276-05:00PicturesI can't even begin to tell you how much I love these kids.<br />I have been blessed far more than I deserve.<br /><br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/63f681ba.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=63f681ba.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-17934586210591726802007-09-02T14:49:00.000-05:002007-09-02T14:53:26.376-05:00Just a little posty postJust to say that all is well here.<br />We are finishing week three without Matt. Four more to go.<br />We had major van issues on Tuesday, that I'm proud to say we came through with flying colors. But it would have been MUCH easier with Matt around.<br />The kids started school this last week and my oh my are we busy.<br />They also started gymnastics last week. They all love it. <br />In general, we've just been really busy with life.<br />I, for the life of me, cannot figure out how mom's with loads of kids are able to update their blogs often. I'm struggling to find a minute or two to myself. And to put pictures up? Oh my.<br />Emmie is 6 months old tomorrow. How in the world did that happen? When my mom left she said, "see you when you're walking" and I laughed and said, "don't say that, that can't be true" But alas, it's already been 6 months since they were here. And 2 months since my inlaws were here. Time's a flyin! So, unless my mom gets her tookus out here soon, Emmie may well be walking when she sees here next. <br />We have a birthday party to go to this afternoon, so I'm off!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-90818313372219258252007-08-21T15:09:00.001-05:002007-08-21T15:09:56.778-05:00Working on a new layoutAnd it all takes time. This is as far as it goes today. For now anyway. <br />I got tired of the green.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-76670516949436369552007-08-19T21:25:00.001-05:002007-08-19T21:25:35.654-05:00A Village?<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_s18yj57iwU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_s18yj57iwU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-28903238941298959522007-08-17T17:40:00.000-05:002007-08-17T17:42:57.549-05:00Happy kidsMy dad is here.<br />He took his stuff up to his room and promptly pulled out a TMX Elmo. Collin and Zachy think it's pretty cool.<br />Then he came downstairs, stripped off his shirt and declared to the boys that it was time to pretend we're in the tropics.<br />In case you don't know, we're in the middle of tropical depression Erin. The boys were beyond thrilled to run outside in the rain. <br />Next time I looked, they were all on the trampoline, with Papa shooting them high in the air. I thought for sure they'd soar right over the net.<br />Then they decided they just had to swim in the rain. And much to their delight, papa hopped right in with them.<br />He's just like a big kid. And the real kids couldn't be happier.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-67481555007559276772007-08-16T20:16:00.000-05:002007-08-16T21:00:38.707-05:00ChangesOh my. I stink at updating lately. I just don't have the gumption to sit and write.<br />Life is feeling pretty monotonous lately, so I don't write.<br />But alas!! CHANGES!!<br />First change, if you recall, we should be in Colorado right now. Well, as luck would have it, our plans had to change, and now Matt is in Colorado, and the kids and I are here. For seven long weeks. Although, we already have almost one under our belts.<br />I'm not complaining. I am so thankful that he is only in Colorado, and only for seven weeks. It's much better than Iraq! <br />Other changes include Emily. She is now on Singulair, in an effort to stop this coughing. The constant coughing. I'm thinking the pulmonologist thinks I'm just batty at this point. Because, of course, she doesn't cough around him. However, when the pastor's wife holds her, she manages to cough up phlegm on her. Lovely, indeed. It is all so very frustrating. If the Singulair doesn't help in about three weeks, then he wants to scope her and make sure she is anatomically correct. Ha, that sounds funny. But you get my point.<br />Em is now 5 months and 2 weeks, she started sitting up yesterday. All by her self. Such a big girl! And a big event like that, calls for a big celebration. So we celebrated today by giving her her first food! MMMMMM, she loved her bananas!<br />Normally, I'm a strict nothing-but-breatmilk-for-the-first-six-months type of mama, but she was so ready. She wanted to gobble everything up that went in my mouth! <br />And onto a totally different topic..my dad is coming to visit this weekend. We are all so excited. We really enjoy having visitors in these parts. Probably because we are so all alone here. But it's really ok. We have each other, and that's all that matters.<br />The school books have started to roll in. And the kids are getting pretty excited about school starting. As usual, I'm hoping to do a better job this year than last! I say that every year, and I think I do better every year!<br />I started this post talking about changes, but got sidetracked. Sorry. I have to go get to cleaning. <br /><br />Yep, we sure were messy!<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/ed878b43.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=ed878b43.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div><br /><br /><br />Matthew was taking pictures today.<br /><br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/56d3eb3a.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=56d3eb3a.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div><br /><br />Some pics from the birthday party<br /><br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/776b3b21.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=776b3b21.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-68224912267349262102007-08-10T23:55:00.000-05:002007-08-10T23:57:23.337-05:00Happy BirthdayDear sweet Collin! Happy birthday to you!<br />I cannot believe how fast the last 6 years have gone! How you have enriched our lives so much. You make me smile so many times during the day. Your smile is so contagious. <br />I'm so glad God gave you to us! We are the luckiest parents alive!<br />I love you more than words can say.<br />Happy Happy Birthday.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-65977061871057765942007-08-05T11:47:00.000-05:002007-08-05T12:04:18.755-05:00EventsOur lives are molded and shaped by all the events in our lives.<br />Whether they be good or bad events, they form us.<br />I've had many events in my life. Once, I was asked to do the sound effects for the community theater's production of South Pacific. It was there, that I met Matt. That small event, would pave the way for the rest of my life.<br />Because of that play, my life has changed in so many ways.<br />I've found out that I am much stronger than I ever imagined I could be. I think I can survive just about anything.<br />Four years ago, I was about to embark on a huge life changing event.<br />The birth of each of my five children, has changed my life.<br />At this time, four years ago, I was going through my first drug free labor. It was induced with Pit, so I guess it wasn't completely drug free. And once, I had a shot of nubane, just to gather my senses. <br />The birth of Zachary, was a pain I had never experienced. But the physical pain, was nothing compared to the pain my heart would feel over the next couple of days.<br />You all know the story. I won't bore you with it.<br />Every year since then, Zachy has grown to be an amazing person. He makes me laugh so much. And frustrates me all at the same time. He is so giving with his love and kisses. <br />I couldn't ask for more, he is my Zachy.<br />Happy Birthday sweet, sweet boy. You have shaped me in only a way you could. I love you more than you can ever imagine.<br /><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dd01b3127cce9a9d65bff02b00000036108AZsnDJs0cNe"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dd01b3127cce9a9d65bff02b00000036108AZsnDJs0cNe" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d624b3127cceb897f571074400000006108AZsnDJs0cNe"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d624b3127cceb897f571074400000006108AZsnDJs0cNe" border="0" alt="" /></a>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-47469644277137408882007-07-09T18:51:00.000-05:002007-07-09T19:19:24.700-05:00I'm not dead!I've been asked if I'm still alive, and the answer is YES! Aren't you so glad?<br />So much has happened since my last update, I don't know where to start.<br />Maybe I'll do the short version! Wait, there's no such thing!<br />Ok, so Matt's parents came to visit the third week of June. We had such a great time! It was sad to see them go. We did all kinds of fun things like the Alamo, and Sea World, and even a mission or two. Unfortunately, the day we did the Alamo and Riverwalk it was sooo hot. It was pretty miserable. But we made the best of it anyway. Then a couple days it poured! Phooey! We never did make it down to the coast. This was a huge bummer. When we lived in Ohio, Matt's parents came to visit and we were going to go to Niagara Falls, but we had a blizzard! This time the rain ruined things. Oh yes, and a baby who HATES the carseat! Maybe next time they come we'll make it down there!<br />As for said baby...she is doing great! The night Matt's parents got in we got a new to us couch and love seat. Suddenly, Em's breathing got better! Then there was a definite pattern to her crying. She cried when her meds for the reflux wore off. But we quit the breathing treatments and she has done great. We know we are dealing with an allergy for sure now. She has started to roll over now, but I don't put her down too much because when she is down on the ground (even on a blanket) her face is breaking out. <br />Stupid dog, I seriously cannot get rid of her. No one will take her. The humane societies are all full. I have no idea how to get rid of her, short of taking her to the country and dumping her...which I wouldn't do! She has to go though. We are on the waiting list at a couple humane societies, so pray for an opening for us!<br />Emily sees the pulmonologist on Monday, and we are going to keep that appointment. We just finished up VBS, it was a wild west theme and we had hay and all sorts of horse stuff in the chapel. Em's breathing was bad then. So, we need to see how to control all of this.<br />She saw the gastro who said it sounded like we were doing a good job controlling the reflux, which I agree about.<br />We also saw a new ped for her four month check. I really liked her, even if she wasn't that pro breastfeeding! Oh well. Can't win them all.<br />Matthew finished up pathfinders and was awarded pathfinder of the year. YAY MATTHEW!! So Matthew was pathfinder of the year, Dill was adventurer of the year, and Collin was Eager Beaver of the year. All their hard work paid off for them, and we're so proud!<br />In August we are headed to Colorado Springs for 6 weeks. It will be so nice to have a break from Texas for awhile. They needed a temporary audiologist, so Matt volunteered to go. Fun times!<br />Let's see..what else? I don't know. How abot some cute poop stories??<br />Zachy insists on getting naked to poop, and we still have to wipe his bottom. So he called for us to come wipe him. When Matt walked in, Zachy was sitting on the pot, in the classic meditation stance...heels together, elbows resting on his knees, middle finger and thumb together..chanting "ummmm..yucka yucka yucka..ummmm..yucka yucka yucka yucka" So funny!<br />The week of VBS, Collin was having some intestinal issues. He was in the bathroom when I heard, "oh no..I pooped a little in my pants" Then a horrified, "OH DEAR" I asked what was wrong, "it's melted" he replied!! It was just a tad in his pants, by the way. <br />The melted poop carried on for several days. I had to stop by Family Christian Book store on my way to church one night. And Collin said, "I have to poop, and I know it will be melted" So we hurry to the bathroom. It was one with just one toilet and sink. It took awhile so I was standing there nursing Emily. He is pooping, while someone is rattling on the door. I hollar out that someone is in the bathroom. It was Zachy. He had to go. He had to go now or else he was going to poop his pants! His had melted by this time as well. So, I'm standing there, nursing Em, telling Collin to take a break and let Zachy sit down so Zachy doesn't poop his pants. Collin freaked out that he would then poop his pants. I'm trying to plead with him to get up so Zach won't poop his pants. It was mighty comical I'm sure. But no one pooped their pants. When I opened the door, there was a line of people waiting to use the bathroom! HOW EMBARASSING! <br />Anyway, that's it..my poop stories, and my update. Have a great week!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-91082121787144921442007-06-14T20:11:00.000-05:002007-06-14T20:13:34.195-05:00Creative MemoriesHey all! I'm having a creative memories party at my house next Thursday. I wish you all could be there. I have never used creative memories for scrapping, but it looks like they have really expanded their products. <a href="http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/shellyfallis/catalog-index">Go have a look.</a> You can order for my party on the internet. Just let me know if I can help you!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-5203906977912281822007-06-14T11:51:00.000-05:002007-06-14T11:55:16.650-05:00Just a quick updateok real quick like...Em saw the dr on Monday. He agreed with the other dr that she needs to be seen by a pulmunologist and a gastro doc. She is scheduled to see the gastro doc on July 3. Still waiting on the pulmunology appt. He also ordered allergy testing, but I'm not holding my breath that they will be conclusive. They did a nasal wash to rule out RSV as well. It was negative. They upped her breathing treatments to twice a day.<br />So now we just wait, I guess. *sigh* It's really pain, I wish we had answers, now.<br />OK, off to clean, must get ready for the in law visit.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-78274475725481002932007-06-10T21:05:00.000-05:002007-06-10T22:57:08.336-05:00I feel like I'm running on one brain cellOK, so a few people have emailed me and asked me to update.<br />I realize it's been a long time, I just have a lot happening right now.<br />First and foremost is Emily.<br />What is wrong with my precious baby?<br />As you all know, she has been very congested, for...oh..ever.<br />The last time I posted, I said that she had her upper GI and did not have reflux. Well, the dr called me to tell me these results. I was so upset. I said, "then tell my why she is so congested and wheezing so badly!" He said he didn't know, but he could tell I wanted her to be seen again, and since it was going to be memorial day weekend, I could bring her in on Friday. <br />I was all prepared for this meeting. I took video of her breathing so he could see that she was really retracting and trying hard to breathe. It wasn't needed. When the nurse called us back, she freaked. She pulled the dr out of the room he was in and said he had to look at her NOW. They immediately started a breathing treatment. After two treatments, she was still wheezing, but not so bad that she needed to stay there. He told me at that point that the upper GI had said she didn't have reflux, but based on what I had said and her symptoms, he was going to treat her anyway. So we left with meds and a new nebulizer to treat her every 4 hours.<br />Over the weekend her cying escalated. There was no consoling her. It was awful. <br />On Tuesday when we went back in, the dr hung his face in his hands and said, "something is wrong with your baby, and I don't know what" He then told me she would be sent to a pulmunologist and gastroenterologist. Finally, we'd be getting somewhere.<br />That Saturday, we got a letter in the mail announcing the drs retirement, stating he'd be seeing no more patients. <br />Now, I had been fed up with him because this has been going on so long and he really hasn't helped much. In fact, I was ready to find a new dr after this ordeal was over. This put us in a pinch.<br />I decided to make the specialist appointments and work on switching her provider. Little did I know that that would be impossible. The gastro dr is booking in March! March folks. She'll be a year old. The pulmunologist can't see her till the end of July.<br />Thankfully, I was able to call Tricare and tell them what is going on. They got her a PCM immediately, and she has an appointment on Monday. I didn't like our former military dr experiences, so I'm praying it goes better this time.<br />She is still on breathing treatments daily, and still wheezes and is horribly congested.<br />Through all of this, she tries very hard to be a happy baby. She smiles and I just know a laugh is in there somewhere.<br />Dillon and Collin had their ending program for adventurers last Saturday. Dillon got Adventurer of the year. We were pretty proud of him!!<br />Last Sunday, we took Dillon to camp. He was there for the week. I missed him terribly. He had a great time. <br />We picked him up today and dropped Matthew off for his week. He is totally excited because he gets to do waterskiing this year. Fun times.<br />Last week I spent dejunking the kid rooms. Everything is nice and in place now. We'll see how long that lasts.<br />Also, on Thursday, Collin lost his first tooth!<br />This week my in laws are coming to visit. We are very excited about it, and plan to do lots of fun stuff with them.<br />In our free time, we are busy working on VBS. It is going to be a huge success this year. We are holding it the last week in June.<br />I'll be so glad when July hits. No plans, so far. It will be nice to stop being so hectic!<br />So there you have it, a big long entry from me...you asked for it!!<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1181534133.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=1181534133.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-34474947217264630882007-05-23T11:03:00.000-05:002007-05-23T11:04:37.154-05:00More Emily CutenessFirst off, let me say that Em had her upper GI this morning and she does NOT have reflux. Which is oh so frustrating for me. It puts us right back at square one. Something is wrong with my baby, and I don't know what. GRRRRRR<br />Anyway, here are some pictures from last night, Matthew and Dillon were playing with her trying to get her to smile.<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1179936156.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_logo.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/?action=view¤t=1179936156.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_viewshow.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshow?action=landing" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/album/slideshow/wrapper_getyourown.gif" style="float:right;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-4283005755496131622007-05-21T23:37:00.000-05:002007-05-21T23:45:48.890-05:00An answer...finally..and some picsSo Emily just seemed to be getting sicker and sicker. She was constantly choking and gagging. Starting last Wednesday, she was throwing up every morning. On Sunday, her breathing got pretty labored. I decided it was time to see the dr. So we went to the ER yesterday. And the dr said, "she has reflux". He said that she would need an upper GI but that he could tell it was reflux. He started her on pepcid yesterday, and already she is improving. Still really congested, but not nearly as fussy. <br />Today, we followed up with the ped and she now has an upper GI scheduled for Wednesday morning. I hope it is simple. And I hope we get the answer to all of her misery, once and for all. <br />I was asked to put some more pictures of her up here, but the reality is, we don't have many. Why? Because she is constantly crying and in our arms, or sleeping. But you've seen lots of sleeping pics. So tonight we got some other pics. And here they are, along with some of Collin, just because he suddenly seems so grown up to me.<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/smilie.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/sleepyhead.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/kissy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/happygirl.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/inmouth.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />I don't know if you can tell in this picture that she is trying to get her jammies in her mouth. Her hands are constantly in her mouth, and she puts anything she can get her hands on in it. It's awfully cute!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/collinbike.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/cadvent.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a><br />This is a picture from a mother's day tea that Collin's adventurers class put on. They sang a few songs for us and told us about their favorite Bible friend. Collin's was Jesus. No surprise there! :-)Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-26145842634253969442007-05-08T13:26:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:27:43.470-05:00WildernessOK, not really the wilderness, but at one of the missions, there was a short nature trail along the river. It was the prettiest place I've ever seen in Texas. There were millions of caterpillars, and if you stood still, poop would fall on your head. You could hear the poop hitting the leaves. It was really wierd.<br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1178648398.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/getyourown.gif" style="border-width: 0;" vspace="1"></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-72906630856008155662007-05-08T13:24:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:26:09.873-05:00Mission funI didn't bring the camera on our first day. So here are some pictures from the last two missions we went to. Unfortunately, they were the most rubbled of the missions. Someday, I'll get pictures of the other ones.<br />What struck me the most about these, is that they are still working churches. And in the one with the well, there are actually still francsicans living there.<br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1178648268.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/getyourown.gif" style="border-width: 0;" vspace="1"></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-68962459915082521472007-05-08T13:23:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:24:14.050-05:00Our usual nightHere are some pictures of our usual night. I don't know what we ever did without an exercise ball in the past!<br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1178648126.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/getyourown.gif" style="border-width: 0;" vspace="1"></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-55267624497539405242007-05-08T13:21:00.000-05:002007-05-08T13:23:02.278-05:00Hail StormAwhile ago, there was a huge hail storm. It's been pretty stormy around here lately. In fact, a couple of weeks ago we sat through a tornado warning siren going off. We didn't know it was for a tornado, but heard an announcement saying to seek shelter. Now we know.<br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w112.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w112.photobucket.com/albums/n186/nollidttam/1178648454.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/getyourown.gif" style="border-width: 0;" vspace="1"></a></div>Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-62168398025357795912007-05-08T12:40:00.000-05:002007-05-08T12:49:57.429-05:00I'm having a bad dayI'm sure I've titled posts that way before, but it's been awhile!<br />Things here have been so crazy. We are still trying to find a home for Sadie. Who knew this could be so hard??<br />On Sabbath, we went over to some new friends' house, who have no dander. Emily did great. She didn't cry, and she wasn't stuffy, and she smiled like mad at their baby boy. <br />I honestly just want to move the heck out of here, and go somewhere with hardwood floors. I hate hardwood floors, but this house is probably packed full of dander and who knows what else. It seems nearly impossible to move though.<br />Zachy is acting up. I know he is still dealing with not being the baby, but he is being awful. Last night he flooded the bathroom with water and shampoo. Earlier today, he dumped the entire gallon of milk on the ground. *sigh* He is really testing me. <br />This morning I thought that Emily and I were soaking from a leaky breast, but no...Zachy had come into our bed this morning and his goodnight leaked everywhere. <br />It was super windy last night, and it uprooted our canvas gazebo thingie, bent the metal nearly in half, it's toast.<br />It's only noontime and it's been a rough morning. Hopefully things improve this afternoon.<br />In good news, Dillon finished all his math today. We are so close to being done with the school year. Matthew has one more math lesson. They are done with their grammar. There is no time limit on history, so we'll stop that soon. We've taken a detour from the regular history, and have started to learn about the missions here. We went to them on Thursday and Friday, and the kids had a blast. I was shocked, I thought they'd be bored. <br />That reminds me, I have some pictures I need to post from there. OK, no more complaining about the day..off to upload pics.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-32641091337622993382007-05-02T23:09:00.000-05:002007-05-02T23:10:43.457-05:00SorryI don't know when I'll be back in the swing of things.<br />Last night was awful. Crying. Crying. Crying.<br />In fact, at one point I was just ready to go to the ER. She finally stopped.<br />Something hurts.<br />Tonight is better though. <br />I think she is actually asleep in there with Matt..so I'm off to bed.Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17692581.post-5478635156575394352007-04-29T14:12:00.000-05:002007-05-02T23:11:10.224-05:00SHE SMILES!!I am so happy!! Yesterday, while we were killing time, Emily started smiling huge smiles! Over and over and over! I was almost in tears. How sad is that? I was just so happy to see her look <i>happy</i>.<br />I'm thinking there may be something wrong with her tummy. I'm going to order some gripe water this week. She is really spitty, and when she burps, it makes her cry. I think her tummy just hurts. <br />In completely unrelated news, we now have a new dryer. Matt changed the heating element in the old one, and it worked long enough for me to get caught up on the laundry. So, we said to heck with it and bought a new one. We also bought an extended warranty, so we have a 4 year warranty now. At least that guarantees us 4 years of use, which is much more than we got with this one!Bekkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10218638768506019866noreply@blogger.com2