It's Snowing!

I am sure that no one else really will care, but it is snowing here in Lynchburg! I am not usually a fan of the white stuff, but it is adding to the holiday cheer. I am glad it waited to start snowing until after I got home. Now I can just sit back and enjoy watching the flakes fall! Oh, wait a minute, I have two children that need baths before Garrett's Christmas play...so much for the sitting back and enjoying the snowfall. Maybe later...

Let us not forget...

Well, it is that time of year again! Time for turkey, and Black Friday Shopping; time for Christmas parties and plays and programs; time for decorating the tree and seeing lights! It is only the beginning of December and I am already tired. I really do love many of the sights and sounds of the holiday season, I just loath how insanely busy life becomes this last month or 6 weeks of the year. Just an example of the craziness just this weekend alone: play practice for Garrett at 10AM today, Annual church Christmas party tonight (I must make a pie and broccoli casserole to take to the party!)I am helping with a clothing give-away at the YWCA women's shelter Saturday morning, Garrett's Christmas play Saturday at 6, but we have to arrive 45 minutes early for costuming. Sunday, Brian will get up early to travel to Pittsburgh for work, stopping at a Steeler's game on the way. Church for me and the boys, grocery shopping for the week...and that doesn't include the caroling party we have to skip tomorrow afternoon because we will be at Garrett's play, in which my little man has a speaking part. He will be reciting a poem at the beginning of the play. When did he get so grown up???

In all seriousness, I want to remain mindful of what this season is all about. Christmas is NOT about presents and decorations and parties, although these things are fun. Christmas is NOT about SANTA!!! Christmas is about remembering. Remembering the birth of Our Savior. God becoming flesh to free us from our sins, overcoming death and making a way for us to get to heaven. That gift of a Savior is what Christmas is all about. And we have been given this gift so that we can give it away to others. This holiday season, I am trying to take time each day to remember what this season is all about. I am seeking opportunities to reach out to others with love. I want others to feel the love of God in tangible ways that will draw them closer to our Savior, whose birth we are celebrating. I am asking God to give me new eyes to see...to really see the hurting people who need love.

I do wish everyone a wonderful Christmas, filled with family, love and Christ.

Go Westover Bulldogs!

This past Saturday, we had the privilege of watching the Westover Christian Academy middle school volleyball team win first place in their division tournament! If you remember from the last post, this is the team that Sydney plays on and Tammy coaches. And, again, this tournament was held at Timberlake Christian School (Hunter's school!). The games were very exciting to watch, and Sydney was outstanding! (and I don't say that only as a proud "aunt"...it is the truth) It just so happened that the team they were playing for the championship was none other than the TCS Tornadoes. It was a great day! Way to go, Sydney!!!

My Apologies...

I did not realize it had been so long since my last post. To anyone who has been checking and getting frustrated by no new updates, I am very sorry.

We have had a lot going on around here lately (which may account for my lack of posting)...We went to Uncle Robert's house a few weeks ago for a cookout. We had a really nice time seeing some old friends, meeting new people and playing games with Granny and Pop. The boys loved a game Robert had called Ladder Ball. I am just thankful that no one and nothing was injured while playing a game that involves tossing two balls attached by a string at a ladder.

Last Tuesday Garrett rode a two-wheeled bike for the first time. He had been petrified of the thought of me letting go of his bike. So much so that he actually would fall over if he thought I had let go. But last week, I knew he was ready. We were practicing in the driveway, and he got going faster than I could run, so I let go. He made it halfway down the driveway. I was shocked and he was overjoyed. That was all the encouragement he needed to get back on the bike and try again. Well, I have not been able to keep him off of the bike since. If it was nice outside or he was not at school or eating (a very common occurrence for my kids) , he's has been on his bike. Brian has even let him ride down the hill in front of our house. I hate him riding in the road, but he really loves the thrill.

Hunter continues to do great in school. He loves his teacher, his classmates, his school! He is not yet being challenged academically, but I have spoken with the teacher. She is in the process of assessing his math skills to determine proper placement for him. She also is giving him more difficult reading material to keep him occupied. I really could not be happier with how the school year has started.

Last weekend we got to go to TCS (Hunter's school) to see cousin Sydney play volleyball. Her school was in a tournament hosted by TCS. It was a fun day. Granny Carole and Grandpa came to watch Sydney, too. Hunter thought he was something else when he got to show his class to his grandparents, Uncle Paul and Cassidy. We got to see Sydney play volleyball again yesterday. Her school was actually playing against TCS yesterday, so I felt a bit like a traitor cheering for the wrong school. But the game was very exciting, and Westover won!

As soon as I can figure out how to get pictures from my camera to my computer, I will post pictures of Garrett on his bike. He is so proud of his accomplishment...he tells everyone, "Hey, I can ride a two-wheeler!"

That is a quick synopsis of what life in the Bowles house has been like for the last couple of weeks.

School Days...

...are glorious days! Hunter is having a wonderful time at school. He is making new friends, and he really likes his teacher. When asked about his day, he usually tells us about recess and lunch first, and we have to pry out of him the academic stuff. He was "lucky seat" in music class the other day, which means he got a prize. He was thrilled! He has had several tests, all of which he has gotten really high marks on. I am very proud of my big boy. He has gotten into the routine of school quite nicely. I can't believe that this week is the start of his 4th week of school. Summer was just too short.

Garrett started preschool this past week. He had an orientation day Tuesday, and then Thursday was his first official day. He did not even hesitate to go up the stairs to his new class. It was like he was an old pro. Last year, I had to convince him daily that I would come back to get him. This year he just said, "I love you, Mom! See you later." I was shocked!!! I thought that I might be a little sad that both my boys were in school, but I was surprisingly giddy. I had a meeting that morning, so I didn't get to fully enjoy my free time, but I think I will adjust nicely!

Hunter went to a Karate birthday party today for a boy in his class...his new friend Brett. It was lots of fun for the kids, and he was surprised that he had 5 friends there (all new friends from school). Daddy and Garrett had some quality bonding time, playing mini-golf and getting ice cream. Today was a great day all around!

The day has come...

UPDATED!!! The pictures are now included.

Today was Hunter's first day of school! Let me tell you just how excited he was. He literally leaped out of bed and was dressed in a matter of seconds. He ate his cereal in record time and had his shoes on without being told. Most days I remind him 5 or 6 times to put his clothes on (you'd think he'd be cold!) and it takes forever for him to eat. He couldn't wait to have his backpack on...he was READY to go to his new school!

We made a family event out of taking Hunter to school. Brian came and took pictures, and got to meet Mrs. Alley for the first time. It was so comforting when we got to the school to see the principal and the teachers in the hallway waiting with the children. Everyone was so friendly and Hunter made his first new friend, Christopher, while waiting in the hall before school. He informed me that he has two new friends today: Christopher and Brett. That was all he had time for today. After all, it was a short day. I think there are 19 children in the class and there seemed to be quite a bit more girls than boys. Mrs. Alley had everything under control, and we felt extremely comfortable leaving.
When I came to pick up Hunter this afternoon, he was bouncing down the sidewalk to the car. He had a GREAT day!

What we've been up to...

The days turn into a week, and then two, and I realize I have not updated the blog. We have been extremely busy, with every weekend of July and the first two of August packed with activities. Let's backtrack a little bit.

July 12 we took a mini-trip to Richmond to meet Granny, Pop and cousin Ethan at the Metro Richmond Zoo. Do not be confused by the name...this zoo is not in Richmond, but on the Chesterfield-Amelia county border. We chose a rather steamy day to go to the zoo, but despite the heat, the boys had a blast. They loved seeing all the animals, and of course spending time with Granny, Pop, and Ethan. Hunter and Ethan were joined at the hip it seemed, running off to see everything as quickly as possible. Garrett took a slower approach and actually stopped to look at the animals. Ethan really liked the penguins and the turtles. Garrett LOVED the monkeys (he knows a kindred spirit) and Hunter loved...well, let me give you a quote. "Pygmy marmoset...I have ALWAYS wanted to see a pygmy marmoset!" For anyone with a toddler who watches Go, Diego, Go! you probably are familiar with the marmoset. But anyone else has no idea about such creatures. But, one of his life's goals was to see a pygmy marmoset, so Hunter's day was made.

After lunch, we headed back to the zoo, and the boys decided they wanted to climb The Coconut Climb. We really did not expect that Hunter would be able to climb much, and we thought Garrett would scale the tree in no time at all. Keep in mind, this tree is about 25 feet high. I'll let the pictures tell the tale..

Yep, Hunter got to the top! Garrett did not get all the way to the top, but the attendant said Garrett got higher than any other child his size...that made Garrett proud. Take a look...

The next weekend, my women's Bible Study group rallied together to have a yard sale. We were raising money to support a family at our church who are missionaries with the group Allow the Children. They set up orphanages in such countries as Nepal and Thailand. This was a lot of fun working together...and we have raised over $400! We still have a lot of clothing left that was in new or nearly new condition, so we are going to try to sell them to consignment shops to raise even more funds. We are hopeful for $500 total!

This past weekend we went to Family Fun Day at Thousand Trails Camp Ground. This was a carnival put on by B and W (Brian's employer)...there were rides, bouncy houses, carnival games, raffles, and food. Lots of food...all you can eat! I was in heaven! It was really warm, but not as hot as in years past. At least we had a breeze.

Yesterday, we went to a pool party with our drama team. That was just a fun time of great food and fellowship. The boys had a blast swimming. Hunter decided to be brave and jump off the diving board without his arm floats on. He is getting to be a decent swimmer.

I am trying to get Hunter ready for his first day of school in three weeks from today! I overcame my biggest hurdle of finding him some uniform shirts. A family at our church was selling their sons' shirts, so I contacted them to find out how many shirts they had and how much they wanted for them. They had 13 shirts (long and short sleeved polos, size medium and large) and only wanted $30 for the lot! These shirts retail new for $15-17 each! I am so incredibly grateful for this!

It doesn't seem like I did much during the weekdays, and then I recalled why...I had some ugly virus that started out as an ordinary cold (sore throat, congestion) that quickly turned into a sinus infection. To top it all off, then I lost my voice for about a week. It was not a fun time, but I think the boys didn't mind my voice being gone. But, too bad for them, I have my voice back now!!! Well, that is about it. I will post again after our trip to visit Uncle Paul and Aunt Tammy at their lake house!

Let the countdown(s) begin...

August 18th will be here before you know it (and probably before I am ready!). In case you are wondering that is the day Hunter starts at Timberlake Christian School (TCS). So, as a cost conscious, frugal, deal-seeking mom, I was forced to partake of the school supply sale at WalMart. Please keep in mind, I detest going to WalMart, no matter how cheap something is. I think this is largely because their Great Value/Sam's Choice brands of EVERYTHING either contain or are processed with one of the following:soybeans, peanuts, tree nuts or ALL OF THE ABOVE! I get a bit aggravated by that, but I digress...I could not help myself, I had to go today. What was so important that I would dare take my delightful (read unruly) boys to WalMart...$.05 notebooks, $.22 crayons, glue sticks and glue bottles. Hunter now has 10 spiral notebooks for school (I don't know if he needs them or not, but he has them nonetheless), 2 bottles of glue, 2 glue sticks, at least one box of crayons (3 more will stay at home...Garrett likes to color!), markers and colored pencils. ALL of this was less than $4. To the boys' credit, they were very well behaved at WalMart, and the store in Bedford is always so nice (by WalMart standards) that I had an enjoyable trip.

So here is the countdown...
39 days before Hunter starts school!
30 days before our trip to Myrtle Beach! (so really 30 days left to prepare for back-to-school)
31 days before my 12th wedding anniversary!

This is overwhelming me right at the moment!

One tough cookie...

This is how I would have to describe Garrett. Sunday he was doing the dreaded "cool tricks" when I heard crying...never a good thing when accompanying "cool tricks." When Garrett finally came upstairs, he had his hands in his mouth and amidst the tears I gathered he bit his tongue. He's prone to this, as he sticks his tongue out while doing tricks of all kinds (or just concentrating very hard on something). When he removed his hand from his mouth, I nearly passed out from the blood gushing from his mouth. He hadn't just bitten his tongue, he had bitten almost completely through his tongue. I cleaned it up to find a puncture roughly the size of his top front tooth. I had him sit down for a minute to try to control the bleeding. Then Garrett tells me he wants his lunch...a bologna and mustard sandwich and potato chips. I cringed the entire time he ate just certain that the mustard and the salt would sting...ALOT. Well, clearly this is my son, as his love for food out weighed the pain he was in. For the remainder of the day and even into Monday, every time Garrett would stick his tongue out, it would bleed again. This morning, it looks a little better. I thought that he may need a stitch or two to close the wound, but it seems to be healing. Oh, the life of a mom with BOYS!

Gladiators Ready...

For those who are not color blind, I chose the text color Green in honor of my children's newest super hero obsession: The Incredible Hulk! Pair that with the boys new favorite show, American Gladiators, and you have little boy bliss! That is exactly what happened Monday, when American Gladiators has a salute to the new Hulk movie coming out. One of the gladiators was even painted green for the night. Seriously, this has been all the boys talk about.

We went to the park yesterday and oddly enough, the park was empty. So, the boys made up an obstacle course that they could compete in gladiator style, complete with Garrett commentating. He yelled out, "Gladiators Ready?...Contenders Ready?" I was quite amused.

Brian has been out of town this week, so we have tried to stay busy. If I stay busy, I don't dwell on missing Brian and being a single parent. My hat goes off to all the single parents. I do not know how you do it day in and day out. A week is about all I can muster up the strength for.

The boys have had a fun week, and their smiles make my week wonderful! I'll post more later.

Some more results...

We have gotten results from Garrett's blood testing (or as Garrett would say, "the scientists have finished testing his blood"...the blood tests confirmed his negative skin testing! That means, in theory, that he is no longer allergic to soy, tomatoes, all tree nuts, and peanuts. I say, "in theory" because he could still react to food while it not be a true allergic response. We have begun reintroducing soy-containing products will success. I have given him a couple of tastes of tomato sauce, and he does not care for it. He did not react to it, but he probably won't willingly eat it (for now). We have been given the option to have a "peanut challenge" done (at the clinic) where he would be giving increasing amounts of peanut over the course of several hours. If he is reaction-free, we will know that he is truly not allergic to peanuts. I want to make sure that he has had time to adjust to the soy and tomatoes before we try peanuts. What a HUGE answer to prayer!

Today, Hunter went for his testing to go to school. Not too surprising to me, he scored in the 99th percentile for everything. He only missed two questions on the entire battery of tests. I am so proud of him!

It is a wonder how stores like CVS can afford to pay customers such as myself to shop in their fine establishment. I have mentioned it before, and I will again say that their Extra Care Bucks program is incredible. In the last two days I had amazing results (keeping with the blog title):
I purchased: 2-9pk charmin TP, 1-8pk bounty paper towels, 1-4pk duracell batteries, 1 9volt duracell battery, 2-Huggies baby wash (for baby shower gifts), 625 cotton swabs, 2-listerine smart rinse, 2pk oral-b toothbrushes, 1 box bandages, 4-ultra dawn dish soap, bag of chex mix, and small tin of cacao reserve truffles. I only spent $9.61 out of my wallet and I received $14 in ECB's from the last transaction to spend next time. I need to figure out where to store it all, now!

Before I go, I thought I would just mention that it is 95 degrees today!!! And then next 7 days look to be just as hot! Hello Summer!!!

Just a little update...

Well, as usual we have been quite busy lately. And from what I can tell, we lead far less busy lives than many people I know...boy, they must be exhausted! Anyway, some highlights from this week:
~Hunter has been sick. He ran a mysterious fever all day Wednesday and was fine until last night when he got "spitty sick" (as the boys call it) all over the dinner table. Thankfully, we had just finished eating. Yuck! Today, all seems fine! We went to see "Horton Hears a Who" today. It was such a cute movie. The boys really liked it, and there wasn't anything better to do on this rainy day.
~We bought a car! Brian has been looking for a car that gets great mileage, and alas, we finally found one. We got a 2000 Saturn that gets about 40 MPG on the highway! Yes, 40 MPG!!! That is much better than what the blazer gets. So now we have 3 cars...all 8 years or older!
~We have decided to place Hunter in school next year. This was an agonizing decision for me, and I really did not want to even consider not homeschooling. I prayed many prayers for clarity and direction for what was best for Hunter. After visiting the public school in our area, I was not impressed. I figured I would just keep him home and intentionally get involved with a co-op. Brian and I decided it wouldn't hurt to at least check out a small Christian school as well. We went in to Timberlake Christian School and Hunter fell in love, and so did I. The school is very small, having about 16 children per grade. I can absolutely see Hunter fitting right in at this school. I have peace about this decision, and I can actually say I am excited for Hunter!
~I have taken my money-saving tendencies (frugality, to some) to a new level. I am obsessed with getting a bargain. I love that CVS actually gives you money back to spend on your next visit, and this week, I will buy a new razor for Brian, tums, deodorant and shampoo for $2.17 +tax and will get $14 in ECB's (cvs bucks) to spend next time. If anyone is interested in what fueled this obsession, visit the site moneysavingmom.com. It is AMAZING!

So, that was more than just a little update, but now I think everyone is caught up. I am exhausted, as usual, and I am headed to bed. I need my rest so I can hit CVS and Kroger tomorrow to get my bargains for the week.

Amazing Garrett

Today we were playing outside and "The Amazing Garrett" had to wow us with his skills. You see, "The Amazing Garrett" has astonishing strength. He starts at one end of the swing set, hanging from the top beam. He proceeds to walk on his hands across to the other side. To add some challenge, he likes to have the swings moving a little, increasing his chances of getting caught in the swing. I know, this sounds dangerous to the Grandma's reading, and I assure you it probably is, but it is quite an impressive stunt. I may just have the next "American Gladiator" in my midst!

Baby Gwyneth is going HOME!!!

I wanted to let everyone know that baby Gwyneth (Tricia with CF's baby girl) is going home today! She is just a couple days past 18 weeks old, and she is now over 4 lb 10 oz and about 16 inches long. She started out born just shy of 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lb 6 oz and was 12 inches long. This is truly a miracle that she even survived, let alone is thriving and being discharged healthy. Such an amazing story!

Happy Mother's Day

I love being a mom! I have the enormous privilege of shaping and molding the lives of two of the most amazing boys. While I would love to think that they learn lots from me, I know they teach me many things each and every day. The boys have taught me how to love...really love. Through them, I have been educated on how to appreciate EVERYTHING! Life is a matter of perspective, and for a 4 year old and a 6 year old, even a weed is beautiful. They pay attention to the fine details of creation and see the beauty in nature.

I was awakened by the bellows of Garrett screaming "Happy Mother's Day" at 6:45 this morning. After my heart resumed a regular rhythm, I heard him tell Hunter he needed to yell "Happy Mother's Day" to me also. In Garrett's mind, louder is better, so his bellowing actually was really sweet. Hunter offered to make my sandwich for lunch today so I could rest (his words). That was one of the best turkey sandwiches I have ever had. He told me it was all the love he put into the sandwich (again, his words).

It seems like just yesterday that Hunter was 10 weeks old and we were posing for my first Mother's Day picture. I did not pose for long, as Brian discovered a snake in the yard, and he was off to take care of it. I do remember the gift I was given that year...a gold charm that said "mom". It is hard to believe that was 6 years ago. My little man is now quite the young man. His mind is a sponge and he soaks up everything. Learning is a game for him. Hunter has 3 loose teeth that he wants to just fall out on their own. I would be yanking them out if I were him. I am not that patient. We are finished with school for the year. He had completed first grade math, spelling, and Language. He continues to excel in reading and he has an interest in all things science. Twice a week, Hunter plays soccer, and to my surprise and delight, he is getting quite good at it. He has learned to be more aggressive and will run after the ball. His long legs give him a speed advantage, so he is able to get to the ball quickly. It really has been fun to watch all of the kids on his team working together.

Garrett is a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes in the morning until his head hits the pillow in the evening. He has two speeds: fast and faster! Garrett is all boy! His favorite thing to do now is to be "The Amazing Garrett!" This usually involves him swinging from the monkey bars at the playground. There are three sets of monkey bars, but his favorite are the "S-curve" set, 20 monkey bars that make an "S". It scared me the first couple of times he tried them, but now I just have to applaud the accomplishment. He has no fear, and he's incredibly strong. Garrett has been doing well with his reading. We are going through the lessons slowly, as he has a short attention span, but he is remembering the sounds. He was so excited when he was able to sound out the first few words.

It is so much fun being the Mom to my wonderful sons. They keep me on my toes, that's for sure. But I am grateful the God entrusted them to me. I don't know that there is a luckier mom in the world!

Could it be...

Yesterday, the boys and I made the trek to Charlottesville to see Garrett's allergist. We knew that they wanted to retest Garrett for his nut allergies, and we requested they retest for everything. While we were told last year that he was no longer showing allergic to soy and tomatoes, and he was not allergic to outdoor inhalants, he still seemed to be having reactions. He did, however, still have a positive result for nuts (peanuts and tree nuts).

Imagine our surprise when they told us the results from his scratch testing: ALL NEGATIVE!!! This included the nuts as well. They drew blood to confirm these findings. We have to wait about 2 weeks to get the results. Then, we will be able to start reintroducing foods to Garrett. It is really incredible to think that we were given about a 15% chance that Garrett would ever outgrow the peanut and tree nut allergies, and it is really looking like he has. Garrett told me yesterday as we were getting in the car to come home that he talked to God about his allergies. I asked what he had said and this is his response: "I asked God to please take the allergies out of my body." It seems like this is what is happening. We'll know more in a couple of weeks...stay tuned!

Soccer, Basements, and Spring Programs, Oh My!

Let me first apologize for not having posted anything sooner...I have been really busy (the story of my life). This past month has been full. Hunter started soccer again. This season his coaches actually know something about the game, and have taught the kids some skills. Hunter really seems to enjoy it. He had his first game (of sorts) last Wednesday. It was so funny! One little boy on his team thinks they are playing rugby (I guess). He likes to push and shove to get to the ball. A little girl on the other team kept picking up the ball and running away with it. We parents laughed so hard, and the kids really seemed to have a great time.

As for the basement, Brian has nearly completed the ceiling. We are a couple of tiles short, so the four corners of one side are not done. That should be taken care of in the near future. I must say that our basement looks completely different! I love it!

Last Saturday, Garrett's preschool had their Spring Program. I received a note home that Garrett showed interest in participating in the open mic part of the program, and he was going to recite "Old Mother Hubbard" all by himself. All of the other children were performing in groups. We practiced that nursery rhyme all week. At the program, I was so proud of Garrett as he walked up to the microphone all by himself. He took a breath, and began reciting "Humpty Dumpty!" He said it loud and proud! He told me he was going to say something else other than "Old Mother Hubbard", I just didn't believe him! He then performed with two other groups of children also. I think he really likes the spotlight!There was also an Art Gallery of the student's work. Here is Garrett posing next to his art (his is the caterpillar and life cycle on the green paper).

Hunter is just days away from finishing 1st grade! He works very hard, and has accomplished so much. He loves school!

Amazing update!

Just for those of you who are wondering, Tricia's double lung transplant went very well, considering how damaged her lungs were. The CF had basically destroyed her lungs. She is OUT OF THE HOSPITAL! Tricia was released last Thursday (I believe) and now has some rehab still at a center near Duke University. She is getting stronger every day, and so is her precious little Gwyneth Rose. Baby Gwyneth is now over 4lbs and should be ready to be released from the hospital by the time Tricia is ready to go home (Nags Head) in a couple of weeks. Please keep praying for this family!

Please Pray for Tricia Lawrenson

I know that this is supposed to be a place for you, my family and friends, to get updates about the boys, and I promise, an update on them is coming shortly.

Urgent prayer request: I am pretty sure I have mentioned Tricia Lawrenson before. She is a young woman with Cystic Fibrosis. She had a baby in January who was only 25 weeks gestational age. Well, Tricia got "the call" yesterday afternoon that she was getting NEW LUNGS! She is currently in the OR undergoing her transplant. Pray for Tricia, for her husband Nate, baby Gwyneth (who is still so tiny, but doing well) and especially for the donor's family. They had to lose a loved one to save someone else. What an amazing gift for the donor! Check out Nate's blog to read more of their story: www.cfhusband.blogspot.com. It is truly an amazing story of their faith in God and their love for each other!

Basement Construction!

Here are a few pictures of the progress in the basement. Brian is amazing me with his ability to do so much on his own. We are ALMOST done with the mudding of the joints. Hopefully, this weekend, we will finish that up, and we will be on to PAINTING!!! That is something I can actually do. I will be sure to post more pictures soon...

When will it end???

Seriously, I wonder when our confinement to the house will end. Since last Tuesday, Hunter has not been out of the house except for a dinner with Daddy Saturday evening. We found out last Tuesday Hunter had bronchitis. My only indication was his horrific cough. That morning as I was taking Garrett to school, he complained his throat hurt. That turned out to be just a ploy to get out of school. He told me as we were on the road to home that he really felt fine and he asked me to take him back to school. Nope, I was not going to do that. Since Hunter already had an appointment scheduled with the doctor, I had Garrett checked out, too. Other than his allergies acting up, he was perfectly fine. We left the doctor's office with 4 prescriptions for Hunter. He completed his course of antibiotics and steroids, and we continued breathing treatments for him, and then Saturday at bedtime, he had a fever.

In the meantime, Garrett had been on all of his allergy and asthma medicine, and yet his cough was getting worse, as was his wheezing. That made me suspect despite our best efforts, his allergy flare up went into bronchitis. That brings us to today. Hunter was running a fever all yesterday and into this morning, but not complaining of anything bothering him. I was getting impatient with him because he wasn't listening to anything I said. Then it occurred to me that he might have an ear infection. Well, I was right for both of them: Garrett does have bronchitis (more severe than Hunter had it) and Hunter has an ear infection. And to top it off, Hunter's ear infection is resistant to the antibiotic he was on for bronchitis, so he has to take yet another antibiotic. And poor Garrett, he has two more medications to add to his lengthy daily regimen. All of this to say, I am really tired of the doctor's office, tired of sick kids, and tired! Yes, the time change couldn't have come at a worse time!

I don't mean to complain...but I am worn out! Worrying about sick boys is hard work!

Last weekend with the Douglas Family

Last weekend Tiffany and her kids came for a visit. The boys just love to spend time with David, Emily and Erin. We even had a sleepover Friday night! I get such a thrill out of watching our kids play so well together. Saturday morning, Granny joined us for some fun! Here are some highlight pics:

Can you say, "Bed Head!"???

Hunter just loves to hold babies...

Cowgirl Emily...too cute!

The boys playing Foosball.

Thanks Granny! We love all of our new Spider-Man stuff.

Some Birthday Pictures

This was the week of birthdays (and partying!) Monday was Hunter's actual birthday, so after we went to Buffalo Wild Wings to eat, he got a cake and presents from the family. Here he is with his brand new bike!Friday was Garrett's REAL birthday (first one), so the boys shared a Spider-Man party for the occasion. We had 10 of our friends come, and we played games, ate hot dogs and cake, and of course, opened presents. The boys are so blessed to have such wonderful friends! Here, Hunter is playing Pin the Mask on Spider-Man. I think he was closest!
And here is Garrett's turn. We separated the children by age group, so as to not overwhelm any of the younger kids (or the grown ups running the games-Thanks Angie and Angie!)
Finally, we have some cupcakes...Garrett actually blew out the candles before anyone sang, so we had to light them again. He is fun to have around!
Hunter's turn!
I really had fun putting the party together for the boys, but I was sure tired once everyone left! On a side note, I will probably not be making any more cake (or other goodies) for any reason for at least 6 weeks (Brian's birthday!) I made three batches of cupcakes, a pan of brownies, a cake and two batches of cookies to celebrate birthdays in the last two weeks...I think I have done my share of baking!

An Extra Day

So I am wondering what everyone else did with their extra day this year??? Four years ago I decided (well, maybe not me) to have a baby on this special day. February 29, 2004 at 5:44 AM Garrett Scott was born weighing in at 8lb 9oz. Compared to the nearly 10 lb Hunter, Garrett seemed so small. But immediately he stole my heart. And, to make him extra special, God gave him fused toes on his right foot...how cute!

Since this day only comes once every 4 years, Garrett got to celebrate his first birthday at four! And believe me when I say this: it is very complicated to explain this phenomenon to a four-year-old! Maybe by his second REAL birthday (or 8 yrs) he will better understand just how special the 29th of February is.

We had a birthday party this evening for Garrett and Hunter. The theme was Spider-Man (surprise, surprise) and the boys had a wonderful time. I am completely exhausted, and will have to post more tomorrow, including some pictures. Good night!

LEAPLING...

This is the official name for someone born on February 29th! Garrett is a leapling...just thought you might like that bit of trivia!

Hunter's Birthday

Wow, where has the time gone??? Monday Hunter celebrated his 6th birthday! He had a wonderful day...he went to lunch with his buddy Josiah; he ate at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner; we had chocolate cake with chocolate icing; and of course he got presents! Some of his favorite gifts were the big Gravedigger monster truck (that makes way too much noise!) and the Mack play set from the movie Cars. Brian and I splurged this year and bought Hunter a bike. He seemed so unimpressed by the bike at first. But now he asks to sit on it all the time.

So, I don't know about anyone else, but I vividly remember 6 years ago...the long labor, the 3+ hours of pushing, the 9 lb 15 oz bundle of pure joy! It is amazing how many details of that day I remember (I even remember where we ate the afternoon before for lunch) but I can't remember many of the things I need to do each and every day. I remember how how much our lives changed February 25, 2002, but I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Hunter has brought so much love, joy and encouragement into our lives. He is such an amazing young man...I can only imagine the man he will grow to become.

He just came in to my room to get me to help him peel a banana for him. As he was leaving he said, "Really soon I will be old enough to get married." What??? He's six and already talking about marriage! Oh, how he makes me smile!

Happy Valentine's Day

Now that I am feeling better, I figured I would update my blog! For those that didn't know, I had the FLU last week. And, yes, I was sick and in bed for my birthday! It is really not good for Mommy to get sick. Thankfully, Brian was able to stay home Thursday to watch the boys, and Friday was his scheduled Friday off. When he went back to work Monday, he was ready for a break! So far, no one else has managed to contract the horrible illness I had...no one has skin left on their hands from the frequent scrubbing, but that will grow back! :)

Some updates:
1. Hunter learned to tie his shoes!
2. Garrett is progressing well with his reading. He has sounded out several words now and is beyond thrilled that he is learning to read.
3. The basement is coming along nicely. Brian has all of the drywall up on the walls. There are a couple of sections on the ceiling that need to be finished. The taping/mudding/sanding will begin this weekend!
4. Hunter is officially the smartest child I know. He is a walking encyclopedia/dictionary. His capacity to retain information is astounding. The other day he was describing how the elevators on an airplane wing help to steer the plane. He has so many thoughts running through his head, I never know what might come out!
5. The boys have birthdays coming up and I haven't done the first bit of planning for a party (EEK).
6. Today is Valentine's Day and I am surprising the boys...we are going out to lunch to Macado's (their favorite restaurant).

Not Quite the Weekend We Had Planned

So much for planning! We had planned for several weeks to go to Richmond this weekend. After all, it was Granddad's birthday AND my Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda were going to be in town from Florida. I was really excited to spend the time with my family. But, the weather forecast just kept getting worse and worse for Saturday. At one point they were calling for 2-3 inches of snow for Lynchburg, and we just did not feel comfortable with the idea of driving back home in the snow in the dark. So, we were leaning towards not going. Then, Friday evening, Hunter had such a horrible cough, I knew there was no way we could go and possibly infect others with whatever he has. Saturday morning we wake up and the forecast has changed...no snow expected here, but possibly east of here. And, both boys were coughing now. So, we stayed home and Brian continued working on the framing of the basement. He is so close to being done with that now...I think one or two more pieces. I am really amazed at how much he has accomplished in about 5 days.

Today, while there is not much chance of snow, the temperatures are unbearable. It is so cold (and windy) that it hurts to be outside. On a positive note, the boys are both much better today...I am very perplexed by the sudden, hacking cough that mysteriously disappears. We are heading to a birthday party shortly. The boys are going to their friends' (Logan and Jillian) birthday party. The boys get to dress like army men and the girls like princesses. That should be fun! So much for any chance of taking a nap!

Snow Day!

The weatherman was actually right...they predicted we would wake up to snow this morning, and sure enough...it's snowing!!! I think Garrett just doesn't remember the last couple of snowfalls, because he is flipping out! He can't believe the grass is covered, he is fretting that the shed roof is covered, and he told me I can't drive because the road is covered. Well, I won't drive in this, whether the road is covered or not. I do not like slipping and sliding (Mom trained me well!).

The boys are beside themselves wanting to go out to play in the snow. If they knew where there snow suits were, I am sure they would be dressed already! Thank goodness for Mommy's little secrets!

I am looking forward to the lazy day today. Hunter has a couple of assessments he needs to do for school, and Garrett has a reading lesson to do, but beyond that, we are going to be lazy. I think we may even stay in our pj's!

Just a quick update on one of the prayer requests from the other day: That little boy that was hit by a car has passed away. Please do pray for the Rose family as they mourn the loss of their little boy. Thanks.

Busy, busy, busy!

Well, it has been a while since I posted anything, so I thought it was time to give everyone an update on the craziness around here. Shortly before Christmas we had a contractor come to give us an estimate for finishing the basement. Well, much to our dismay, his quote was double what we had wanted to spend. So, we decided that we (yes, Brian and ME) could do it ourselves and get someone to help with the electrical work and the drywall. This meant last weekend was spent at Home Depot and Lowe's getting lumber (lots of lumber) and tools. While at Home Depot, they were having a Kid's workshop, so the boys got to build their own "Castle Bank." Not only did they get to build something, they got a cool orange apron, a certificate and a pin to go on the apron. They were so excited! Hunter couldn't wait to put his apron back on at home so he could be Daddy's helper.


The construction began last weekend and we quickly learned that some different tools would make the job easier. Fortunately, a friend let us borrow a nail gun. Another friend loaned us a table saw, some work tables, and some other things. So this weekend, the job went much quicker. I have some pictures that I will post soon...I need to get them off the camera! Almost all of the framing is completed, except for the door frames for the two doors we are installing...I am so impressed...Brian worked so hard, and it looks fantastic.

Garrett started his first "reading" lesson this week, going though the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. This is the book I used with Hunter and now he is reading on a 2nd-3rd grade level. I only started this now with Garrett because he was asking to learn to read. He told me "all I can do is just look at the pictures" and he wanted to be able to read books like Hunter. It is nice to have a big brother to motivate!

We got to watch a former baby sitter's baby this past week. Hannah had to go back to work and her sitter for Wednesday couldn't keep Schuyler (pronounced Skylar), so she asked if we could keep her. Schuyler is 2 1/2 months old and doesn't even weigh what Hunter did at birth. I could not believe how tiny she was...my babies were anything but tiny! Hunter kept asking to hold her and feed her and change her diaper. He was so gentle with the baby and was trying his very best to be careful. He did ask to carry her, but I did have enough sense to not allow that just yet. Garrett also thought she was adorable and wanted to hold her and feed her. He was allowed to hold her for a few minutes, but since she ate soy formula, I didn't feel it safe for Garrett to feed her.

Well, that is about all I can remember from the last week. Now I know why I should keep up with this thing more often.

I do have a couple of prayer requests:
1.There is a young mother who has Cystic Fibrosis and she had to deliver her baby at 25 weeks due to her lungs deteriorating quickly. The mother, Tricia and baby Gwyneth are both in ICU at Duke. Tricia's husband Nathan is the nephew of a man at my church. You can check out Nathan's blog for updates on Tricia and Gwyneth. www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

2. A two year old boy was critically injured in a hit and run accident today. I do not know his name, but God knows who he is just the same. A dear friend of mine actually passed by the scene before the EMS teams arrived...she saw passersby trying to comfort the baby, and needless to say, she is quite shaken up about this. I figured this boy could use all of the prayer power he could get.

That does it for tonight. God Bless!

Happy New Year!

This has been a wonderful holiday season, and now we are heading full throttle into 2008! Brian had a week off from Christmas to New Years', and the boys had a break from school, so I am just wanting to get back into a normal routine.

Garrett started back at preschool yesterday, and he handled the transition well. There is a new "member" of his class now...a Guinea pig named Peanut Butter Cup. Garrett even got to feed her yesterday. Hunter and I headed to the library to get some new books for school. We do a reading curriculum called Five in a Row, which uses award-winning children's literature. We read the same book each day for 5 days and focus on a different content area each day. This is a great way to explore Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Art while using top-notch literature. Hunter really enjoys this, and Garrett participates, too!

A quick recap from the holidays:

We were home for Christmas Day. Garrett woke up around 7 and then tried several times to get Hunter out of bed. What finally worked was Garrett telling Hunter we would open presents without him. Hunter bolted out of bed! Brian made omelets for breakfast (our traditional Christmas breakfast...), and we played with the new toys. Brian's dad came Christmas afternoon, and stayed for a couple of days. The boys really enjoyed having Grandpa here.

Friday we went to Waynesboro to visit with Nanny and Mac. Hunter and Garrett love to see Nanny and Mac. After visiting for a bit, we ate at Cracker Barrel...always a hit! Later that day, we headed to Richmond. We spent the rest of the day with Tiffany, Chris, David, Emily and Erin. Granny came to visit, too! The kids played for a while, and then we went to Cici's for dinner and saw Christmas lights. There was one house that the lights were synchronized to music. It was spectacular! The boys still talk about the musical lights house!

Saturday we spent the day with my family celebrating Christmas. Robert brought a Wii, and all of the grandkids (and grownups) had fun playing. I enjoyed the bowling...I bowled a 225. In real life I barely break 100, so this was fun for me! Hunter and Garrett loved spending time with James, Laurel, Ethan, and Tori. It was a really nice day. The kids are all getting older, so they seemed to play nicely together without too many squabbles. Like I said, it was a really nice day!

New Year's eve was very uneventful...our eyelids prevented us from seeing the ball drop, but that's ok. Ball or no ball, 2008 is here! We are looking forward to what this year will bring!


God Bless you all!