I've Been Tagged

I'M IT...This is a fun little game that bloggers play, so I guess being tagged officially makes me a blogger!The rules are as follows:

1. Post the rules!
2. Answer the questions about yourself
3. At the end of the post, list 5-6 people you would like to tag and leave a comment on their blog letting them know.
4. Let the person who tagged you know that you posted your answers.

So here goes....

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

I had just graduated from high school and was getting ready for my first year of college at Missouri State. I think I was still working at the bookstore and just enjoying my last summer as a kid!

2. What are 5 things on your to-do list today?
--Take a shower. (yes, it is 3:13pm)
--pick up the living room.
--fold a load of laundry & put it away.
--provide dinner for my family. (Notice I didn't say cook!)
--watch the 2 episodes of "So You Think You Can Dance" that I have on Tivo.

3. What are some snacks you enjoy?

Saltwater taffy, Lays and french onion dip, apples & almonds (if by some chance I am being healthy that day!), banana cream cheesecake (from the Cheesecake Factory), vanilla honey bee ice cream from Hagen Daas, Andy's Vanilla frozen Custard with pretzels and caramel. I have a major sweet tooth and will pretty much eat anything EXCEPT rootbeer floats. BLECH!!!

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire?

Oh my goodness! I would invest of course so that there would be plenty to go around. Then I would start giving! Our church, The Stephanie Phillips Foundation, Ozarks Food Harvest, Children's Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House, St. Judes, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Isabelles House. Then I would make Holly and Jeff's dreams come true and open an urgent care clinic just for cancer patients. I would take a family vacation every year and hire Auntie Karen to come along to take pictures the whole time! I would make it to where all of the women in my life who want to stay at home with their children could and not have to worry about money. Have I ran out of money yet? I would build us a new house that was as "green" as I could get it and trade in the old gas guzzler for a hybrid. Last but certianly not least, I would but the "house" next door to my parents house. I would tear it down and build a brand new house for my Grammy and Papa Tom to live and REALLY retire to. Now...where's that check???

5. What are three of your bad habits?

--procrastinating
--drinking too much soda
--not ever being satisfied with the way I look

6. What are 5 places you have lived?

--Liberal, KS
--Pittsburg, KS
--Oklahoma City, OK
--Rogersville, MO
--Springfield, MO

7. What are 5 jobs you have had?

--Heritage Bookstore
--Summer Breeze Tanning Salon
--Bank Teller
--Residential Tech at Carol Jones Recovery Center (Those were the days huh Jess?!?)
--Mommy (It's the best by far!)

8. What is currently on your i-pod?

A pretty random selection and I haven't updated it lately. Anything from Hillsong to Coldplay to James Taylor to Pearl Jam. I also have the entire collection of Rockaby Baby which is AWESOME. It's instrumental versions of artists like Coldplay, Metallica, Radiohead, Beach Boys, The Eagles and even Pink Floyd (great music, no scary lyrics!). Also for the kiddos Veggie Tales, the Disney's Greatest Hits Collection and Laurie Berkner Band.


9. What are the last 5-6 books you have read?
--I'm always reading my Bible
--Created to Be His Helpmeet
--The Glass Castle
--To Kill a Mockingbird (I recently read it again)
--Lipstick Jungle
--Little Earthquakes

10. Who would you like to tag?

(Okay, I have very few "blogger friends" so here it goes!)

Christie
Emily
Teri
Ashley
Timberly

Swimmers Ear....

It's not just for kids anymore. Who knew that adults get swimmers ear? I used to get it at least once a summer and recall being rather miserable....I WAS RIGHT! I started getting an ear ache on the way home from KC and by yesterday I was in A LOT of pain. Here's how I rate it on a pain scale. (1-10)

Labor & Delivery-2
Bad fever blister-6
Worst Migraine Headache-11
Swimmers Ear-9.5

I FINALLY got my prescription from a pharmacy which was on my bad list until just now. I took two yesterday and was getting ready to take one this morning when my little monkey man grabbed them off my night stand (don't worry, the lid was on tight so please don't call DFS.) and chucked them down the air vent. They went straight down never to be seen again. Thanks Cohen. I just got off the phone with the pharmacist and he said that he would just give me a replacement!!!! Thank you Mr. Drugstore man!!!

What a weekend!

This weekend was the best weekend we have had in a long time! We finally used the holiday as an excuse to do pretty much nothing but play. We went to Silver Dollar City on Saturday with Grandma Connie. The kids had a blast and Brian got to ride some roller coasters. Due to my EXTREME motion sickness, I can't ride anything with him so he was flying solo! He said he felt really weird and creepy standing in line with a bunch of kids! Brian and I decided to talk Claire into going on a ride with us. It was a water toboggan ride that we went on as kids and USED to be pretty tame. You never really got wet, maybe just a few sprinkles here and there. Well...they changed it!! The second we took off I knew we were in trouble! We shot around the first curve and then got completely soaked. It was fast, scary and REALLY wet. Poor Claire screamed, "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!" all the way down. I felt horrible! We were soaked to the bone and Claire was less than pleased with her Mommy and Daddy! We were forgiven after a trip to the kids area and some berries and cream. We ate and ate and ate and ate! Then on the way out grabbed a bag of saltwater taffy for the road. (It's my VERY favorite candy!) We grilled hamburgers for Grandma's birthday dinner (Happy Birthday Connie!!) and by 8:45 pm I was the only one still awake! I enjoyed an hour of peace and quite and then I hit the hay too!

Sunday was "Birthday Sunday" in my Sunday school class so I got to celebrate with four of my little ones who will be or have already turned 4 years old! It's a fun day for them but I left wondering about the kids who are there for all 3 services. "What will they be like after icing, decorating and eating THREE large sugar cookies?" I will have to keep that in mind when it's time for my kiddos to have their birthday Sunday!!

We ate at I-Hop after church and then headed to Nanny and Papa's for a day at the pool. We swam and ate REALLY good food. We got to hang out with Steph, Scot, Drew and Levi which rarely happens. Then we got a surprise visit from our favorite tax lady and retired Highway Patrol Captain, Miss Robbie and Mr. John! They played most of the afternoon with us too. I went up to change into dry clothes and check on my little sleeping prince when it started to rain. I went out on my parent's deck just to see how hard it was raining and the view took my breath away. I sat on their covered, screened in, private deck on the comfy double lounger and just took it all in. I really can't remember the last time I just sat by myself and soaked in the view. The plants and the waterfall are amazing this year! It's hard to believe that just a few months ago everything was a disaster after the ice storm. It was so peaceful and for some reason it was a moment I will never forget. Just before we were going home my brother and Ashley stopped by and I got to see my sweet Alivia!

We spent yesterday just hanging at home and playing outside between rain showers. Today I will be finishing laundry and packing bags for our trip to Kansas City. Claire's stimulation test is Thursday at 8 am so we will spend the night tomorrow night. I am really hoping that they will get us in right away because the test itself takes 3 hours. We won't get results for a week or two but I am hopeful that this will be the last test. Keep her in your prayers!!

Our Haven.

Our home. Our place to hide away when the world gets crazy. It's cozy and warm in the winter, bright and cool in the summer. The spring and fall finds us with the windows open, attic fan on and brooms in hand! Barring the occasional leaky diaper or stomach bug, it smells good here. It may not always be as neat as it could be, but it is clean and safe. There is always something to be done but we all know that the chores will be waiting for us later if we decide to run out to play or hit up "happy hour" at Sonic!

Our haven is shelves of books that are tattered and torn from being read over and over from the comfort of our couch or Claire's bed. A rug under an art desk covered in marker and paint and hundreds of masterpieces to show for it. There are little fingerprints everywhere reminding me of how lucky we are to have 20 little fingers attached to two of the most beautiful children in the world!

Our haven is a yard full of grass that is as soft as the carpet inside and a playset that has been the backdrop for puppet shows, talent shows and jungle safaris. A tree houses 4 new baby robins and teaches my 3 year old about how precious and delicate life is. A swing hanging outside has heard too many silly made up songs to count.

Our haven is full. Full of love and laughter, smiles and giggles. Full of bumps and bruises, hugs and kisses. Full of the pitter-patter of 4 not so little feet. Most importantly our haven is full of Gods love. We are blessed and that is all there is to it. Just blessed.

Our haven is not in any way perfect. However, if I choose to....I can make it sound pretty good. My home is a haven as long as I choose to make it that way. It is a haven when I open my eyes and thank God for another day here before my feet even hit the floor. If I focus on the things that have not been accomplished, our haven quickly becomes nothing but a huge chore. I have been guilty of comparing myself to others all too often. There was a time (not so long ago) that I was so down on myself and my housekeeping habits. I was letting other peoples opinions and influences get me down. Once I quit worrying about what others thought and started serving God and my family with a joyful heart it was easy to change my habits. It has freed up more time to just play!

Stop by Biblical Womanhood and see what other women are doing to make their home a haven!

Happy Mother's Day (part 2)

This is my WONDERFUL mother-in-law. She is another one of the most special women in my life. I can barely remember a time when she wasn't part of my life and I am soo thankful for that. She is a second mom to me and I know she is ALWAYS there when I need her. (Notice I said WHEN not IF!!) When we get a last minute appointment in KC, I never have to worry about where Cohen will go. When Brian is gone and I am in need of some adult interaction, I know Grandma will come to the rescue! She always has fun things planned to do with the kids. Claire LOVES crafting with Grandma Connie! I admire her more than she will ever know. There have been so many times lately when I am "flying solo" and I find myself constantly asking her "HOW DID YOU DO IT?!?!" I can't thank her enough for instilling in my husband the values that have made him the man he is today. I don't think she gives herself enough credit...so I will!!!

Connie,

I hope you know how special you are to our family. (Including my parents!) We love you so much and appreciate every little thing you do. Thank you for always being there and loving our children so very much! Have a wonderful Mother's day!!!!

Love,

Chrissy

Happy Mother's Day!

For those of you who don't know, this is my Momma. NOOOO not my sister, my mother! She is one of the most special people in my life. She has taught me so many things. Some big, some small but all equally important. Here are a few.
1. Kill 'em with kindness.
2. If you don't stand up for yourself, no one else will.
3. Never overload the silverware holders in the dishwasher.
4. You can talk and you can sing, but you can't make nonsense.
5. Don't put a knife in the toaster.
6. Don't put metal in the microwave.
7. Wear what looks good on YOU.
8. Just ask, all they can do is tell you "no."
9. If you aren't sure what something is, use your toes to touch it first.
10. If it doesn't smell bad and you can chew it...it's probably okay to eat.

There are a MILLION more but, you get my point. I have learned some pretty valuable things from my dear mother. Most of the things I have learned just by watching her. I aspire to be the kind of mother to my children that she is to me. I have often told her that I wish there was some way to repay her for all of the wonderful things she has done for me. She told me that all I have to do is take care of her grandbabies and we are even. DEAL! I am so thankful for my mom and the relationship we have.

Mom,
I hope you have a wonderful day! I hope that you know you are loved EVERY day of the year and not just Mother's Day and your birthday! You have prepared me to be a mother and a wife and I know I COULD do it without you....BUT I sure am glad I don't have to! I treasure each day we spend with you!!

Love
Chrissy

Never too much

I was beginning to wonder what my limit was. On Sunday night Cohen woke up with a fever of 104.1 and having a VERY hard time breathing. I took him to the ER at about 11:00. I walked in and groaned because the place was PACKED! However, I was a little startled when the nurse took one look at Cohen and said, "He needs to go back now." Within 15 minutes we were talking to a doctor and he was being given a breathing treatment. 20 minutes later Cohen let out quite a scream and started crying and barking. The doc came in (rather quickly!) and said that the breathing treatment had not worked and we needed an x-ray. They took us down immediately and 10 minutes later the doc came in with the results. Croup. Yuck. His airway was only as wide as a coffee stirrer. Not a straw, a STIR STICK!!! He said that it would take about 8 hours for the steroid to kick in so they wanted to admit him because of the risk of his airway closing off! YIKES! We spent the night and were sent home at around 4 on Monday afternoon. He was VERY grumpy for the next day or so because of the medicine. It was NOT fun for anyone. Brian was out of town Wednesday night and Thursday night so I was flying solo. Wednesday night...Claire starts coughing so hard she throws up all over herself and her bed. She coughed and hacked all night so I kept her home from preschool on Thursday. We were both bummed because it was muffins with mom day. HOWEVER, God knew I was at my limit and He knew we should stay home. Why? Because at 10:00 am the preschool was in lockdown because someone was shot in the carwash next door. AAAAHHHHHHH! How foolish of me to even consider the fact that God would ever give me something I couldn't handle. HE knew that I wouldn't have been able to handle that situation on THAT day so HE took care of it! Thank you LORD for being so faithful!! So anyway, here are some new pics and a video of Cohen in the hospital. Grammy, pause the song that is playing so you can hear the conversation between Mom and Cohen! (just a tip!)