Boys' 6th Birthday Party!

Here are the actual pics of the boy's cowboy party. They had a blast and were so much fun!


Waiting to blow out their BIG #6 candle!

John

Mason

John was just a little bit excited (LOL!) and Mason was quit happy to have a basketball each!

They were even more excited to have an adult size basketball goal their very own! :)

The "theme".

Pawpaw still has it! He hit a "3"!

Some of the yummy homemade cupcakes. That was chocolate buttermilk cupcakes with chocolate and vanilla butter cream icing! All homemade! ;)

Two tired yet happy 6 year olds with Nana and Pawpaw at the end of their party day! Pawpaw was not asleep....just closed his eyes for the pic. LOL! We are SO BLESSED!

The Actual BirthDAY!!!! March 22, 2012

John (on the left) and Mason (on the right) opening gifts before school on their BIG day!

I went to school to eat lunch with the boys. Here is Mason!

Here is John!

I got to make cupcakes and take to school for their special birthday snack that afternoon. You would never have believed that Mason (on the right) had the flu and strept earlier in the week and had missed several days of school.

Mason opening a few gifts from my parents that afternoon!

John is loving his new basketball shirt from Nana and Pawpaw!

Loving Pawpaw!

The boys getting birthday love from Nana!

The boys had a great birthday but the party is yet to come!

Happy 6th Birthday, John and Mason!

Where does the time go???? My sweet boys are 6 years old today! I am blessed far more than I deserve and God is so good! Please goes to April 18, 2008 and you can read just how good HE has been to us and the boys' "story". There are 4 parts! I will post more with pics this weekend as that will be their "big" party. I am going to eat lunch with them today at school and then have a special snack with their classes this afternoon! They had doughnuts with Nutella for breakfast and opened a few gifts from their Daddy and I. Can't wait to see what the rest of the day holds! God is so good!

Cowboys

The boys love the cowboy lifestyle. Mainly they love the jeans, boots, buckles, horses and hats! LOL! They have decided to have a cowboy themed birthday this year. Their birthday is in March but it will be here before we know it! They want us to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. I will make bronco baked beans and we will have choctaw chips and dip. I am having a friend to make a cowboy cake with 2 smaller cakes with the boys' names. I would love to find some metal pie tin type plates for serving up the grub. I think we are going to keep the family/friend list a little smaller this year. We shall see how it all pulls together! Do you have ideas or suggestions?!

Blessings!

Responsibility

We have always stressed the importance of responsibilty to the boys. They turned 5 in March. Here is a list of their chores and responsibilities.

1. Make their beds


2. Put their dirty clothes away


3. Cleaning their rooms


4. Setting the table


5. Clearing the table


6. Bringin in groceries and things from the car


7. Putting groceries and things away


8. Helping fold laundry (washclothes, kitchen linens)


9. Unloading the dishwasher (no knives or glass)


10. Helping with supper prep


11. Brushing their teeth and flossing of a morning (we do their bedtime brushing and flossing)


12. Dressing themselves


13. Putting their laundry away


14. Emptying indoor trash cans


15. Keeping their toys picked up and put away outside

So how old are your children and what responsibilities do they have around the house?

Good Friday, Happy Earth Day and 5 Year Old Well Checks

I hope you had a blessed Good Friday and remembered what the real reason of it was as well as served our earth in some way!

The boys had their 5 year well checks and immunizations yesterday. Their appointments were at 9:30am, which meant we needed to be on the road by 8:30am. My Mom would need to go with us since the men folk would be working on the lower farm and she had just started some new meds and would need someone close by incase something happened.

I also needed to drop the boys Easter eggs and the Easter cupcakes off at their school before the appointment so the boys get easily get back to the Easter party and egg hunt at 2:30pm.

So off we went, I knew that my Mom would need to wait in the waiting room since the boys would be upset after the shots and finger sticks. We got there with time to spare.

I signed us in and paid the $80 copays. Then we had to do udpates (even though we were just there last week with Mason) and then I was off with them to tinkle in the little cups. That went well and then back to the waiting room we went. Then we were called back for finger sticks. Wowzee they were not happy and neither was Mommy. I had to carry Mason back tot he waiting room and he cried for a good little while.

Finally we were called back to see the doctor. All of the typical things were done and finally Dr. H came in. Mason's coughing asmatha had flared up due to allergies and John had a sinus infection as well as a ear infection. John weighed 41 pounds and was 44 3/4 inches tall while Mason was 45 inches tall and weighed 47 pounds. We had to wait on the nurse for their two immunizations and blue forms for their schools.

Then it happened, the nurse came in and they lost it. John went first. He cried and screamed during the first stick and the second as well. Mason tried to escape out the door and I had to catch him, then John pulled the second needle out. The nurse had to restick him to finish giving the meds.

Mason screamed kicked and fought the whole time, during both injections. He just kept crying. My Mom said she heard them screaming the whole time. She seemed ok. I had promised the boys we would go to Dairy Queen for ice cream. It was barely 10:30am but hey that was okay. They both wanted vanilla cones while Mom had a club sandwich and I am grilled chicken salad.

Both to the potty and we set off for home. We had to stop and get the meds at the pharmacy. That was a $103.56, 30 minute stop. Mason was due for Singulair and a new inhaler while John needed an oral antibiotic and an antibiotic ear drop. We also needed some Tyneol and Advil for them.

I got Mom in the house and got her settled and then took the boys home. I had gotten a them a chicken finger box to bring home for their actual lunch and they polished it off. I gave them meds and then they took naps. John woke up screaming with his ear and head, once again (I had been up with him all night the night before). He was also running a 101.2 fever. I gave hima dose of Advil ( I was altenating the Advil and Tyneol for him). Cannot do that for Mason since he is allergic to Ibuprofen. I held my precious baby for a long time. He needed to stay home from the party and egg hunt and surpriseinly wanted to stay home. I went to wake Mason and found he was still tired and also wanted to stay home and finish his nap.

Around 3:30pm the nurse called back and told me to up the Tyneol/Advil rotation to every 3 hours as long as the pain was that severe and the meds were wearing off so quickly. I realized the time and quickly called my Mom to make sure she had taken her meds, thankfully she had.

By 4:30pm Mason was up and the three of us were just laying around while Mommy rubbed backs and we watched Phineas and Ferb.

Needless to say I did not get much accomplished in the house but no worries here, I was needed in other roles today. The boys finally went off to sleep between 9pm and 10pm and slept all night. Thankfully!

Have a great Saturday! Blessings!

Strawberry Pie & Pics

My Mom and I took the boys to pick strawberries yesterday! We had a good time the boys were great helpers! Her are some pics below! I also am putting up the recipe for my strawberry pie (aka Shoney's Strawberry Pie). This recipe make 2 pies. Hope you enjoy!

PIE
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c boiling water
4 level Tbsp. cornstarch
1-3oz. box strawberry jello
2 cooked, cooled pie shells
2 cartons fresh strawberries, washed and sliced

Mix sugar and cornstarch well; add boiling water to mixture. Dissolve well and cook on medium heat until mixture becomesclear looking and thick. Add jello. Cool. (Sit opt in ice water in sink). When cool, add strawberries. Pour into pie sheels and refrigerate. Can serve with whipped cream. Yield: 2 pies.

Rough Few Days but Happy Good Friday!

Thank you Father for sending your Son and Saving us and thank you for him rising again! I praise Him today and always for He lives!!!! Happy Good Friday to you all!!!

The last few days have been rough to say the least. The boys got great checkups Wednesday from the pediatrician. John is 35#, 41.25 inches tall. Mason is 40#, 41 inches tall. They are doing great after each a finger stick and 2 vaccines, except for their allergies. John's had already started acting up and now his are full blown and Mason are right behind. I have been up for 2 nights straight and John slept in our bed Tuesday night. Noses are running, sneezing and John just coughs, coughs, coughs, Mason's eyes are staying swollen. We are using some over the counter things and John had a steroid to help the inflammation in the lungs and lessen the coughing some. We also have started giving John honey, Mason will not touch it. They say if it is raw and local (it is since it's from our bees) that it will help with allergies. It has helped Big John and we are hoping for the same with Lil one.I also am using plain saline spray in their noses.

So, what works for your kiddos allergies? Would my pharmacist friend like to add something here....? Please!!! I am so tired and have a full blown sinus infection to boot and could use some advice!

The ped said the boys need some exposure to the allergens and I understand that, so they will build some immunity to it. There is a fine line there too.......have to be so careful as not to get them sick because of the respiratory issues from prematurity.

suggestions are needed! The floor is yours!

Blessings and thanks in advance!

Boy's Fouth Birthday Party in Pictures

This is KK our wonderful sitter/mother's helper. The boys as well as their Daddy awaiting party time. I made 60 cupcakes, here are some of them.

The boy s are more than ready to make a wish and blow out their candles.

Here are my niece Ava and nephew Gavin with thte boys and my Mom. She was so tired. She had slept in the ICU waiting room the night before (her brother was in ICU).

Silly Boys!

Opening Gifts!

My nephew Peyton with the boys, playing.

Here are the boys on the bikes my parents got them. We had to leave all of the outdoor toys in the packing house and go see them after the party. It was 40* with rain and sleet and lots of wind.

Here is their Pawpaw McRae (Big John's Dad) with the boys.

These were our BIG gift to the boys. They love their Gators!

My parents with the boys!

Pawpaw McRae with the boys!

And last but not least, a family picture!

Blessings!

4 Year Old Boys Today!

Happy Birthday to the lights of my life, John and Mason! Mommy loves you more than anything! You make each day a blessing and a joy for me! I am so happy to be your Mommy! May God bless you in your lives always! I love you!

Party Day!

Tomorrow my miracle babies will be 4 years old! How my heart aches for them as they have grown too quickly! How excited I am as they learn new things and challenge me as their Mommy! God is so so good and we are so blessed times two! These little boys have brought more joy and love in our lives than I ever knew possible! "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." I Sam. 1:27. Praise your name! I got double the blessing! God is so Good!!!!

We are having a birthday party today at 2pm to the tune of lots of liquid sunshine! Not good the all of the outside toys the boys are getting nor for their energy level. We are going to make the best of it though and have a great day!

Hope you have a blessed day!

Saturday!

Almost party time!!!! Woohoo!

Getting Ready for the Party!

The boys birthday is the 22nd. Today we are headed to get their presents (we have a sitter). I am so excited to see their faces. We are giving them JD Gators. My parents are getting them bicycles. They are having a Disney Cars party. I got great deals over at Disney.com on the party supplies. Hope you all have a great weekend. The boys and I are off to church tomorrow and their Daddy has to work again on Sunday..........yuck.

Blessings!!!

Rembering Back: Four Years Ago Today

You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

This was a few of the gifts on the table.
This is my Mom (on the left), Me and my mil (on the right). Little did we know she (my mil)would pass just after the boys 2nd birthday.

Here is "the belly". Sorry it is so blurry and crooked.

Opening gifts.

More gifts.

SO BLESSED!!!!

Five years ago today we were blessed beyond belief! Our church and each side of our family came together and gave us a huge shower for the twins. There was almost 200 invitations sent out and we received almost everything we needed. We got blankets, clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, books, boppies, cloth diapers, burp cloths,bouncers, swing, duo glide stroller, car seats, baby bedding and decor, lamps, piggy banks, you name it. We did not have to buy diapers for a few MONTHS. It took me 2 1/2 hours just to open presents. It was overwhelming. There were 11, yes eleven hostesses! We had over 110 people in attendance. I was around 26 weeks pregnant and that same week I would go on FULL bed rest. Little did I know the babies would make their appearance just a few weeks later. We chose NOT to know the genders. It was so fun not to know. Yes, we did a lot of yellow and mint green but it was so worth it! Above are some pictures of that wonderful day!

Thanks for sharing my special day.......reliving the memories!

Blessings!!!

Homeschooling the Boys

I knew when the boys came out of pre-school for the winter that I would need to pick up the slack and teach them here at home.

Well, we started this week and I was pleasantly surprised at what they already knew. We start each morning around 9 with devotion and prayer.

We do worksheets about lines, shapes, tracing, letters, numbers, opposites, go togethers, same and different, counting, rhyming pictures, letter sounds, beginning sounds, first, next, last, patterns or so on so forth. We draw, glue, practice with scissors, play with playdoh, fingerpaint, read and do other kitchen activites. We do two 30 minute sessions in the morning and then another 30 minute session in the afternoon.

They seem to be loving it and so far I am too. I am so blessed to be able to do this at least 5 months out of the year.

Do you homeschool? The boys will go to public school when they are that age, but right now I am doing all I can do here at home. Some of you will ask why public school. WE have tons of friends that are teachers there and are office personnel. The school consists of elementary, high school and multi needs school and the total size is about 800 or less. My sil works there, my brother is a bus driver and is the president of the booster club. We are so blessed to live less than a mile from there as well.

Blessings!!!!

What a Weekend

Things are much the same here EXCEPT we have two very sick little boys. Double ear infection and sinus infections along with a nasty dry cough that brings vomiting st times (many times)......it has been a rough ride lately..........2 weeks ago, three days before leaving for our beach trip we made the trip to Children's with severe abdominal pain........it has been rough. All total 4 doctor's visits for each of the boys in the last 4 weeks and the hospital trip for little John........i am so thankful for insurance. We are still dealing with issues from c. diff (almost three yeas later).......the cause for the trip to Children's. I am just really rambling here. Sorry for that. I am so tired and sick of being sick. I would love it if my boys were well..........especially before Tuesday's surgery for mommy. The front of my face feels like it is gonna just blow off.......the pressure is so intense (nah, I'm not too wimpy about pain.........after open heart surgery I only took 2 pain pills and was out of the hospital in 2 days). However, this pressure is awful! i can deal with me........Lord please make the boys well. Their appetites are awful, what little we can manage to get them to eat, they end up losing from the harsh coughing. They are on a very strong prescription cough med, it is just too weak for this cough.

I hope this all makes sense, or at least some......I am not proofing this, sorry. I am waiting up to give another dose of meds and I am too tired.

I know there are many families and children much worse off than mine but God hears ALL prayers, please send one up for my boys. Bless you!

God's speed and blessings!

Keeping Up With the Happenings

It has been eventful around here........to eventful (or eruptive)..........you mommies all know what I mean! "I gomma bomit!" That statement is never good.......at least we were not on the carpet but in the kitchen.......which is worse? It's all yucky. John and Mason both are sick with coughs, congestion, runny noses. No fever but some greeny yuck from their noses. Then I was giving John his antibiotic this morning and he started coughing......I mean really coughing and I stopped about half way through. Then he said the above statement and IT happened. He had just had breakfast. Double Yuck! He got a dose of high power cough medicine and now is finally eating some dry Cheerios. Mason is fine (as well as can be). I hope they get well soon!

Last weekend we had our huge semi-annual yard sale. The weather men were predicting rain. And they were actually right.....it rained for a very short time on us twice! We made it though at least through lunch. From 8am until 12 pm we sold $580.25 for 4 families. We all were thrilled and had it packed up before 1pm. There were some things left and we all have raided our houses again......looking for more to add. We are going to have another one the first weekend of November.

I guess that is about all I have for now........

Have a great day and blessings!!!

Sunday Morning

Thiese were taken this past Sunday morning. The boys looked too cute, posing for me not to take their pictures. The top two are of John and the bottom two are of Mason. I sure do love my little boys.

Blessings!!!!!

Building Tall Towers

The boys love building with these cardboard blocks. Here are a few pictures below......

This is Mason with a block "mustache".
Here is John as a "blockhead". Hehe!

Look what our little Elmo builders made..........

Blessings!!!!!