Prayers Please

Two nights from now, I will be up from 2am on trying to keep a very sleepy boy from falling back to sleep. Cody's EEG is scheduled for Friday and it is a sleep-deprived EEG. We will put Cody to bed at his regular bedtime and then wake him up at 2am. I am going to be prepared with mindless, um his favorite videos of Yo Gabba Gabba, Sesame Street and SpongeBob. I will probably be online to keep myself awake or doing my Daniel Bible Study homework. His appointment is at 7am, but he and I have to be there at 6:30am. *sigh*

We are hoping there will be results on this test as I really do not want to stay 3 days in Children's over my summer vacation. (Here is a secret that most people do not know, I have NEVER been hospitalized and stayed overnight in a hospital and I really do not want to have to do this while Cody has to undergo a 3 day test.) We are just praying and hoping that the results show what is best for Cody and what we can do to help him.

So, if you are up between 2am - 7am EST on Friday, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Lawn Mower Extraordinaire

Carleigh enjoys mowing the lawn like her daddy!

Sunday School Class Picnic

Our married Sunday School class had a picnic yesterday with all of our families. Cody and Carleigh really enjoyed it because it meant going to another park. Whenever I mention the word "park" to Carleigh, her eyes light up like lightbulbs. She is such the outdoor girl and loves to play on playground equipment. Cody doesn't like it as much especially slides. He did enjoy all the little rocks and had to be warned not to throw them like the bigger kids!

More Park pics

My beautiful little girl

Carleigh has grown from a toddler to a beautiful little girl! I am just amazed at her growth over the past few months. She voices what is on her mind and tells me when she is hungry, tired, sad, and scared. Today, she was opening an Easter egg (she likes to put rocks in them!) and I asked her what she was doing and it startled her. She said "Mommy, you scared me!" We picked up someone to take to church this morning and she leans over and asks, "Mommy, who is that?"

Bad Mommy Moment

Oh, I feel like a bad Mommy! Yesterday, I put Carleigh in a sleeveless blouse and neglected to put sunblock on her. (Umm...do we have any from last summer?) Needless to say, this outdoor girl played hard yesterday. We also had a picnic with our Sunday School class and she was out in the blazing sunshine. Who would think that one would need sunblock in April? Well, now she has a burn on her arms, shoulders and neck. I feel awful! I have learned my lesson!! The good thing is that she hasn't mentioning it hurting her, but I can feel the heat on her burn. Poor thing!

Bring on the sunshine!

I actually enjoyed recess duty today! I love the sunshine and wonderful temps and I laid out shorts and t-shirts for the kids to wear today. Oh, I love this weather! I am so looking forward to the weekend!

Yesterday, Matt dropped the kids off at my school as he had an appointment and I wouldn't be home early enough in time for him to get there. Well, I was showing the kids around my school and talking to some teachers. I was really impressed with how more outgoing Carleigh has become. One of our first grade teachers asked her some questions and she answered them without hesitation. Cody of course wanted to check out the gym and my classroom. They also enjoyed getting lollipops from the principal. And wouldn't you know that Carleigh just had to take 2!!

The Little Sneak...

Yesterday, I was resting and de-stressing from the workday (standardized testing, need I say more?!!). Cody was watching tv and Matt hadn't arrived home yet. So, I decided to close my eyes on the couch for a few minutes, little did I know that Carleigh was up to her antics again. She became very quiet which signals HUGE WARNING SIGNS that she is doing something she shouldn't. I remember that this means she is up to no good and find her underneath the end table with something in her little hands. I ask her what she has and she ignores me. I move her fingers and find a small box of Junior Mints that someone gave me with a little note of encouragement. Well, I had that in my teacher bag and the "Little Sneak" must have gotten into my teacher bag again (for like the hundredth time) and decided to take a little snack before dinner. I did manage to get the last 2 mints which REALLY made her angry.

Matt said that what MADE his birthday was hearing Cody sing "Happy Birthday, Daddy!" He DID sing it to him and sang most of the words. It brings tears to your eyes if you were in that room! I am going to have to videotape some of Cody talking. He is making such progress and we are so proud of our little pirate!

The Big 4-0!

My dear husband turns 40 today! Wow! How did he get sooooo old? LOL! I had all aspirations to have a surprise party, but somehow it didn't work out due to plans and people being out of town. We are going to celebrate it with his family Friday evening. Tonight, the kids and I have a few things up our sleeves for the best dad on earth.

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY MATT! You are OVER THE HILL!!

Fun at a new park

We found a new park and love it! It wasn't crowded and had brand-new playground equipment and new things to play with. Carleigh had so much fun that she did not want to leave! The temps were in the 70s and this evening, I actually got hot! Whoa! The kids had a wonderful time playing outdoors today and we are all loving this spring weather! (I am getting excited for the summer...just 6 weeks or so and I will be out for the summer!!)

Balancing Act

A really neat piece of playground equipment was installed in this new park. The object is to walk across it and it moves as you walk and you have to deal with your balance and wave motion. Carleigh liked it and Cody wouldn't touch it!

Cody Update

Cody had an early morning Neurologist appointment at Eastgate this morning. Despite the rain and missing a turn, we arrived on time. The visit went well and Cody has to have an EEG done. If the results from the EEG come back normal, then the doctor will be ordering a Video EEG in which Cody will stay in the hospital for 3 days. (Needless to say, we are hoping that a regular EEG shows up what is going on.) I dread the EEG because it has to be a sleep deprived EEG which means that MOMMY will be sleep deprived because someone has to keep him awake.

With Cody's possible seizures, Matt's job situation (reduced to working 4 days a week, thankful that he didn't get laid off) and a couple of issues with my health, we could definitely use prayer for peace and wisdom right now.

Bunny Cake

Carleigh and I made a bunny cake yesterday and iced it right before bedtime. It turned out well and very yummy!

Easter Baskets

Easter morning started earlier than when I would have preferred, but getting two kids ready, looking at Easter baskets, having breakfast and getting ready ourselves, the morning had to start early! Cody and Carleigh enjoyed their basket of goodies. They also received goodies from Jen's parents, Jen's sister, Sunday School and Matt's parents. They have enough candy to last them for quite awhile!

All dressed up!

Easter Parade at Church

At the beginning of the church service, all the children nursery through 6th grade paraded to the front of the sanctuary and around the aisles showing everyone their beautiful Easter outfits.

All the Grandchildren

It's very challenging to get 6 children looking in the same direction at one time. These are the best 3 that I took. They all look smashing in their Easter apparel!!

Easter Egg Hunt at the Park

We had an Easter egg hunt at Harbin Park with Matt's family. Carleigh found quite a bit despite being awoken from a nap in the van. Cody was more interested in looking around and of course Michelle's puppy Zoe was a cute distraction for him.

Pancake Breakfast

We had our annual Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt at church this morning. Cody and Carleigh watched "The Easter Bunny Is Coming to Town" before heading out to the egg hunt. They also wanted to "practice" hunting in our living room with a few eggs before the event. Carleigh was cracking us up because she was so serious when she was hunting! I think this year, they finally get the idea of egg hunting.

This evening after an afternoon of shoe shopping, Carleigh and I made our annual bunny cake. It turned out well and I will post pics tomorrow. As we were making the bunny cake, we talked about what Easter truly is...not about Easter bunnies or candy or baskets, but that Jesus died on the cross for EVERYONE'S sins and that He is now alive because he arose from the tomb on Easter. Carleigh even echoed back some of the words that I was telling her. Hopefully I planted a seed.

Church Egg Hunt 2009

Hunting at home

After naps, we decided to hide eggs at home. This of course thrilled the Champion Egg Hunter aka Carleigh! She is so serious when she hunts! It's like she just HAS to get ALL the eggs and is in some sort of competition! Cody likes to hunt the yellow ones and has no competitive side to him.

More Egg Hunting