It's Been A While...

First I thought I would add a few new pics of the girls. My sister took these at Portrait Innovations last week. I thought they turned out great. We are finally in our new house, but have had nothing but problems. On the second day we lived here, the sewer backed up and flooded the downstairs. They replaced everything down there, and then our house was struck by lightening which caused a whole list of damage. Now I have fire ants and spiders inside even after 2 treatments from an exterminator. He is on his way back today. The good news is I am off of work now and enjoying my kids, who are both healthy and doing great. Addie is growing up so fast, trying to keep up with Kendall, who is turning into a teenager already it seems. She just started ballet class, which she loves...but what an expensive hobby!! It is ridiculous! Kyle and I are great...just celebrated my 30th birthday and our 5th anniversary all in one week....poor guy:) We are headed to the beach for the 4th, so I will have to post pics of that. Last year when we went Addie couldn't walk yet, so this year I am sure it will be a handful!

Surgery is Upon Me!

I went today for my consultation and so many things were not right!

For simplicity, I'll make a list...

1. When I told the nurse my weight, her response was "You don't look that heavy." What the heck does that mean?


2. I find out that I can't eat after 2pm on Sunday and I have to drink 12oz. of laxative to "deflate my intestines". Does that sound fun?


3. I have to shower Sunday night and Monday morning in antiseptic to prevent MRSA. Oh, and did I mention I can't wear deoderant for 2 days!!!


4. The nurse who drew my blood had a disorder that causes tremors where her hands shake violently....and of course she had one while the needle was in my vein!


5. I have to wear two hospital bracelets all weekend to verify that my identity and blood type do not change before Monday...seriously!?!? They will be a great accessory to my girls night out!

Of course, when I got home I greased them with lotion, had mom pinch my hands as small as we could get them, and took them off....hopefully they will go back on Monday!

On a brighter note....I am attaching Easter pictures. Aren't they cute!

Update

So...I am officially living with my parents. It has been interesting, but we are adjusting. We are closing on our house on Monday, and our new house should be ready in a couple of months. We had some good news...Kyle's health issues aren't as bad as we anticipated, and after a biopsy on Monday, we can wait a year or two to begin the treatment. On the side of more bad news, I am having to have a hysterectomy on the 20th of April, so pray for that. My co-workers are wonderful, and are giving me plenty of sick days so that I don't have to lose my paycheck. Kendall had a round with strep throat during moving weekend, which yielded 2 trips to the Urgent Care after the first round of medicine made her vomit profusely. I am headed off to a night with friends this weekend, which I desperately need, and hopefully things will only get better.

If anyone still reads this...

So much has happened it is probably easier just to make a list...and I can't even promise that it is in order...
1. We have had the NEVER ending stomach virus. Why can't everyone just have it at the same time? Kendall started it on Valentines Day. A week or so passed and I thought the rest of us were safe...wrong...Addie started last week, then my mom, and then me. Kyle is pulling up the rear for us. I missed 4 days of work which isn't easy as a teacher, and now with snow in the forecast it looks like I won't be going tomorrow. At this rate I think I will just take off until next year:)

2. We sold our house, and are building a house is Tucker Chase in Midland. We will be moving in with Mom and Dad this month until it is ready. Pray for good weather!

3. We started going to church...or back to church...and it feels good. We had every intention of starting back after Kendall was born, and 3 1/2 years later here we are. The girls love their Sunday School classes, so it looks like it's going to be a good experience.

4. Kyle and I are both having some health issues, so keep us in your prayers for that. It looks like this year we just may have enough medical bills to write off on our taxes...talk about a silver lining!

5. I completed my portfolio for my National Board Certification and submitted it. Now I have to wait until November to see if I passed. It is crazy the amount of work a teacher has to do just to get a raise!

I am sure I missed something, and will try to post some pics soon. The girls are so big now it is riduculous! And they both came with attitudes just like their mommy, so that has been fun. I am sure the teens years will be an absolute joy:)

So Many Things Have Happened...

I know that it has been FOREVER. I can't find time to do this no matter how hard I try. I am back at work now, and working on National Board Certification so I have no time for anything anymore. Kendall turned 3 on October 14th. Addison had tubes put in her ears on the 15th after 8 ear infections.....the last of which took 4 antibiotic shots in a row to clear up. She is doing well now...except for the fact that she will not sleep through the night anymore unless she is in our bed. She is also as mean as a snake. I guess what people say about the second child is true. I will post a few pics and maybe have time to get back on here more regularly.

Kendall at her 3rd Birthday. She is so grown up!

Kendall, Addie, and Callie...our new yellow lab. I really needed another mouth to feed!


Kendall blowing out the candles on her castle cake.

Addison playing outside on Kendall's birthday. Did I mention she is a chunky little thing at 24 pounds and only 11 month old!

News

Okay...so I haven't had time to do this in forever! So much has been going on. We went to the beach in June, which both girls loved. Addie came back with a nasty sinus infection that took a month and 2 antibiotics to clear up. Kendall is now officially potty trained....except at night....and she loves to anounce to EVERYONE when she pees or poops in the potty...especially in public. Hopefully anyone with kids understands. Addie took 2 steps today.....she is only 8 months old. I thought I would have a baby forever, but she is determined to keep up with Kendall. I admire all the stay at home moms out there because I am ready to go back to work just to rest. They are definately keeping me busy. I also took up running this week. I have been working out since a few months after Addie, but this week I decided to kick it up a notch. So far I have lost 50 pounds, which I am very proud of. Let's just hope my motivation doesn't die and that I can keep it off. Kyle has also lost about 20 pounds, which he isn't happy about, because I have started cooking differently. I keep telling him it isn't going to hurt him, but I also keep find receipts for candy bars in his wallet....

Our First Trip to the Zoo

Kyle and I both took the day off of work today and took Kendall to the zoo in Asheboro. We left Addie at home with my mom, which turned out to be a really good idea because it turned out to be HOT by the end of the day. We swore that we were going to make this trip BEFORE it got hot, but we didn't make it. Kendall had a great time...actually we all had fun. I haven't been to the zoo since I was little so I think I was just as excited as she was. Here are a few of the 70 something pictures that I took.

Kendall and a baby hippo

Kendall and Mommy on the Carousel

Taking a much needed break

Kendall and Kyle looking at Zebra's

Kendall and Addie when we got home today...they missed each other

Just a few of the animals we saw today during our 6 mile walk.....up hill!!!!