I Made It..........

Ok, So I get a call from my BFF, Kelley, yesterday. She wants me to meet her at the gym at..............5 AM!!!! WHAT? Are you kidding me? She was serious! I couldn't answer right away, I really had to think about this! That would mean setting the alarm at 4-ish and leaving the house about 4:30.....AM! Well a couple hours went by and I thought to myself OK...I CAN DO THIS! besides I need to loose some weight. So we get to the gym about 5-10 minutes before 5 and went in. I haven't been in so long I was afraid my card wouldn't work! We worked out for about 45 minutes. I got home a little after 6 and I feel REALLY good. Hopefully Kelley will be workout buddy and keep me motivated to keep this going and get in shape for summer vacation!!!!

A Sad Day at the Romans Today...

No there has not been a death or anything! But we got a call from Charlie's doctor's office today and got some news that is sooo sad to us. I have posted numerous times how much Charlie LOVES his food. And how happy we are that he is such a GREAT eater and likes everything. WELL, today we learned that he is allergic to LOTS of stuff. He will have to start a gluten and casein free diet. He is highly allergic to cow's milk and has been on rice milk for a year now. He has an allergy to RICE. He is allergic to most grains with soy being the least. We are going to try him on soy milk. He can no longer have oatmeal. This has been a staple for him for a year now. He eats 2 packs daily!!! I've been on the Internet this morning looking up the gluten and casein free diet. Some of his favorite things will have to be eliminated from his diet. He loves to "DIP" everything in ranch, or onion dip. He loves a soft piece of bread for a snack. So we are a little sad that certain things will have to be eliminated. BUT, we are sooo very thankful that it looks as though surgery is ruled out at this point. PRAISE THE GOOD LORD!!!!!

PE Extravaganza..

This was the 4-5th grade novelty act, and it was so cute. The did some Kong foo fighting!
Ashley had a little trouble with her wig. But that didn't slow down her dancing!

The music was loud and the kids had a good time. The found out during this, that school would be cancelled on Friday for the Blizzard. The yells were heart stopping!

My niece, Livy, she performed doing the parachutes. They did an awesome job.

Baked Tortellini

I got this little fast recipe from the FOOD NETWORK the other day. I thought it looked good so I tried it, and it was yummy.

Ingredients:

Bag of Tortellini I got the "hard" ones from the pasta section. You could us any kind you want. We just used the Cheese, but any kind would be great.

A jar of Marinara sauce

4 oz. cream cheese

Shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese for the topping

Cook your pasta til done, then return it to your pan. Add the sauce and cream cheese. Let the cream cheese melt and combine with your hot noodles and sauce. Pour into baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. I put my oven on broil and let it hang out until the cheese got a little melted and brown on top.

We served this with salad and garlic bread. Guess who loved it!

What's Happening Today....

Make a Smilebox postcard

Here's What We're Doing Today....

A view from the back yard.
Our front yard

The Blizzard even blew in a little snow inside.

Well the weather is less than desirable today, so we are having some family time!

My Neighbors are a bunch of Animals...

There are some negatives about living in the "country". For one thing, the drive is a pain in my side! But where else can you walk out your front door and see this.........

This cute little thing is the newest addition to our block. We pulled up to the house after grocery shopping today and saw her. Charlie started laughing. Isn't she the cutest. I love cows! I would love to have one someday. (As a pet, NOT for FOOD!)

Oops I forgot one..

Just because he is soooo darn cute here!

Discovery Center

Charlie and Daddy making a water tornado!
Charlie almost got swept away in a tornado!

Indoor Clouds!

Hey this is pretty cool, MOM!

He had a BLAST!

We had a fun filled Friday. We took the kids to the Discovery Center for a few hours. They have redone the whole thing since I was there last, and it was a fun time. Charlie had a Blast and I'm sure Ashley and Ally did too, I didn't see them much! After we finished up there we went that evening to see TWILIGHT. Finally, I saw TWILIGHT on the big screen. (Then went and bought the DVD the next day.) I loved it!

Rockin' Spring Break...

SORRY- You'll have to click to enlarge!

MY LIFE....

That is how I describe my kids. They truly are the loves of my life. (ALONG with my hubby!) I sometime laugh to myself when I look at these kids and think "these are MY kids!" I at one point at my life thought Ashley would be IT, my only KID. Now to say "MY KIDS" makes me laugh. Even on crazy, busy days I am so proud to be their MOM.

Ouch!

Ashley has been a little "accident prone" this week. Sunday she hit a rock and FELL off her scooter and got a skinned up knee. Monday was a repeat for the other knee. OUCH.

What a Mess

Charlie really enjoyed our "Thanksgiving" feast last night. He has started using a fork and spoon. (He claps when his food makes it to his mouth-A little something his BIG sister started doing for encouragement. It is darn CUTE!) Well, he didn't think that the dressing needed to be eaten with a spoon. It was WAY to good, so instead he just shoved it in by the handfuls. He had to soak in the tub for a while after dinner last nigh for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving??

Ok, It is far from being "turkey day", but tonight we are having a Thanksgiving Feast.

(Thanks MOM!) We had a turkey breast in my Mom's freezer that would not fit in ours. After a LONG 4 days of work, my mom cooked it for us along with all the trimmings and sent it home for us for dinner. We are really looking forward to a YUMMY dinner tonight. Who would have thought a Thanksgiving Feast on a Tuesday night!

Happy Spring Break!

Friends Need Prayer...

I have talked to a couple of my friends today and both of them are in need of prayer.

My BFF, Kelley, just called and her brother ,Greg, had a possible heart attack this morning and has been air lifted to Atlanta. I believe it is about 45 minutes from where they live. He is only 40 years old and has a wife and a young daughter. Their family is kinda like ours with heart problems. I have known Kelley since I was 12 and we have been BFF's forever. She is like another me in so many ways and I love her very much. (as well as all her family!) Pray for Greg and their family.

I also talked to a long lost friend, Amber, this morning. Her dad has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and cancer in his hip that is a stage 4. He is doing chemo. and finished radiation, but they don't expect a recovery. Basically she told me they are trying to keep him alive long enough so he can give her away at her wedding in May. (She did move it up about 6 months.) She is very close to her dad and is trying her best to be happy about planning her wedding while her heart is sad that she is loosing her dad. Please pray for Amber and her dad.

Daycare?

I'm looking for a part-time babysitter. If you live in my town and know of any daycare openings or someone who works out of their home. I am looking for one. Maybe a few days a week so I can sub. until summer.

Fireproof

We had this movie on our netflix list WAY before it even came out. It has said "VERY LONG WAIT" next to it for weeks now. So we decided to buy it this weekend. I really liked it. I will say the acting was not great, but the message it sends was very good for married people. I'm always willing to learn how to be a better wife and make my marriage all it can be and it is nice that their has finally been a movie about making it work rather than the normal abuse, adultery and violent movies that are out there. Rent it and watch it with your spouse!

What's that smell?

It is this...........I usually buy store brand everything, but I had a coupon for 1.00 off of this little sweet thing. I bit the bullet and bought it. It smells sooo GOOD. I couldn't wait to do laundry when I got home. I'm finally getting caught up after our illness. This may be my new "indulgence". Lord knows Bath and Body works (Which used to be my indulgence) hasn't seen my face in a long time. :(

Stuff

I made this pork tonight for dinner. It was SOOO GOOD. I took a package of thin pork chops and dipped them in an egg. Then covered them in crushed french fried onions and baked them at 350 for abou 40 minutes. Everyone loved them (except Ashley.. who doesn't like anything!)This is a new recipe that I tried last week. Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It was delish. I bought the canned pizza crust. (easy) I cooked it a little first about 7 minutes. Then brushed on blue cheese dressing. I then added chicken strips that I cooked in buffalo chicken wing sauce. topped with cheese and baked it at the temp on the can for about 9 minutes or so. We like a crispy crust pizza. It was really good.

I Made It...

...And I liked it.

I finally did my first sub job. IN PE of all things! I was soooo nervous last night. I only had to sub half day though. It was easy though I felt a little like a fish out of water. The kids are practicing for their P.E. programs with the music teacher. Basically I was "Crowd Control". I had a lot of kids tapping on me, "Teacher, my arm hurts" and "Teacher, she is being mean to me." We even had a girl possibly break her wrist today on the playground. OUCH! Overall I am very excited to go back and do it all over again. I can see myself really enjoying it. I would sign up for Monday, but Charlie has a Doctor follow up. But I'm ready for my next adventure.

Finally Home...

I'm going to make this one very short. We are finally home after 5 long days in the hospital. Charlie had a long bath and looks and smells better. Started to run a temp. again after we got here. (104.3) WHY? He's been fever free for a day and a half? But he did eat a cup of fruit loops and some pulled pork. (What a combination) We are all very tired. Ashley is glad to be sleeping in her own bed tonight too. OH HOW I CAN'T WAIT EITHER. I can almost feel it now! Got the alarm set for midnight to check temp. again and give tylenol if needed. Henry is SICK.. He is running fever and coughing with a VERY sore throat. He has an appointment to see the Doctor tomorrow. I did get to read on my YADA YADA book while in the hospital. I like it can't wait to finish it. I know most or all of you have finished it already. I'm way behind! Well, goodnight for now! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate them.

Quick update.

We came home for a few minutes to shower and get some needed supplies.
Charlie was sleeping when we left. He is in better spirits today. Even smiled a couple of times today. :) The doctor came in and said they still have a concern over his belly. They are going to run a barrium swallow and I think a barrium enema tomorrow before the Pedi. Surgeon comes in. Still think surgery is possible. Breathing issues are BETTER. They have stopped all breathing treatments. He still has his NG Tube in his belly. They are measuring his abdomen every 4 hours to see if it is getting bigger. His temp is normal so far today. I know this is a little short and random, but I'm in a hurry. Thank you for prayers. We need them. Thank you to all who have called or visited. And thank you for all the goodies and gifts too. We appreciate it all. Also Ashley is felling much better too. She is staying with my mom and dad right now. She is still coughing, but overall is better too. I miss her when we have to be apart. So I worry about both of my kids and my stress level could uses some help.LOL