We survived

100 days of school! I was going to put I survived the first 100 days, but I think my kids and husband should get some credit. They have done an AWESOME job dealing with mommy working full time. They are always up early and are so good about being bounced all around. And my sweet husband has been so nice to help unload the dishwasher every morning (yes, Chris, I do notice).
I have only survived thanks to my amazing family and my AMAZING grade level girls. They have made it easy and soooo much fun. I was able to wrap up my 100's day celebration with a late dinner and gab fest with one of my oldest and dearest friends. She was my first experience of seeing a mom of twins in action. She made it look so easy. It was a great night. I miss hanging out with her. I am going to work on it not being so long between our mommy night outs.

Rockstar

Daddy came home today after being gone 4 days and boy was he a rockstar. He rang the doorbell and the kids were screaming and crying with excitement. Nonie and Papa were my rockstars today. They watched all three kids so I could go to an AMAZING baby shower for Katie and Papa headed to Walnut Creek so i could stay at the shower.
How sweet is it when sisters are pregnant at the same time and having babies months apart?!?! They are so cute. Tiffani hosted an amazing shower that included a raffle for a flat screen tv. I know boy do they know how to pick great raffle prizes. It was a blast and so fun to see all the new baby gear they have now. Now I can't wait for March so we can meet the baby.

While Daddy is away...

Mommy tackles a lot of projects. As much as I hate being a "single" parent while Daddy is away I love all the projects I get done. I was a little ambitious with my list this year and a small set back with spray paint didn't help. I was busy at nap time trying to finish a few projects for Emmeline's room when a spray paint can malfunctioned. The result was a very blue hand. After soaking, giving baths, and soaking my hand on acetone some of the evidence still remains. While I didn't get all of my projects done I finished a few. Looks like the bedroom furniture makeover will have to wait for football camp.

Dance Party

I was just talking to someone the other day about how creative kids are at bedtime. Tonight Emmeline proved the theory that kids' creative juices flow the best at bedtime. My, oh my how creative she is at stalling bedtime. Tonight she switched her normal sweet, classical music to some fast tunes. The music happened to attract a few other monkeys and a dance party followed of course while standing on her bed.

Up and at Em

Today we were all loaded in the car by 6:40 a.m. Not too shabby to have all 5 of us up, dressed in church clothes, hair done, teeth brushed, and breakfast packed. It was an early morning so we could get to Palo Alto in time to see my niece Esther, be baptized. Today was my first time meeting her. She was beautiful! It was so sweet to see Jon and Rachel with their daughter. It was very surreal to see my baby brother all grown up with his own daughter. I can't wait to go up again and hold that sweet baby!

Sparkle

I am not quite sure what got into Emmeline this evening, but I am not going to complain. After movie night I found her in the bathroom making it in her words "sparkle". She was busy wiping everything down. She was so cute wiping and singing. I hope she is always so enthusiastic about doing her chores.

Where did she come from?

Emmeline has been cracking us up lately. She has come out of her shell. Currently she loves putting on a performance wether it be a puppet show or a ballet. Most times she enjoys having a living and breathing audience, but lately we have spied her having a show with EVERY doll in her room watching or today she performed on Mommy and Daddy's bed. I was secretly filming and realized she was watching herself dance in the mirror. It is time we find her some ballet lessons. And yes she is wearing a ballet leotard, tutu, and ballet slippers over her jeans. And she she wore it to the fabric store today. I just love her spunk and attitude!

See you in 6 weeks

Today I took the morning off to take Jackson for his hearing test. It worked out that I was able to take the kids to school as well which is something I rarely get to do. Most of the moms were complaining, but I was loving every minute of it. I miss that so much. Back to Jackson...
Poor guy his hearing test was a disaster.
Caden had the same test done at an earlier age and was a trooper. Jackson was clinging for dear life. He hates animated toys and the test revolves around barking dogs, clapping monkeys, and spinning rabbits. It really was a nightmare for him. They got no data and said we have to come back in 6 weeks. It was just as traumatizing for Mommy that I think Daddy will be doing that visit.

Welcome to the World

Today is such an exciting day, today my brother and sister in law joined the AMAZING club of parenthood. Today they welcomed their sweet little Esther Ann to the world. She made quite the entrance. I know it didn't turn out how they had envisioned or planned but once they hold her they will forget all about it and feel complete.
I wish them a few days of rest before they all head home. I told my brother that he should enjoy it because it will be a LONG time before he ever sleeps so soundly.
Happy Birthday Esther. We can't wait to meet you!

Shark Attack

Well it just happens that there was a shark attack today in Vacaville. And it just happens that the victim and the shark live in the same house. I came home from work today to be greeted by Emmeline informing me of the "attack". It is a good thing that Caden, I mean Jaws was not very hungry. Emmeline was patched up as good as new with some soap and water and Jaws had a good talking too about pretending.

Sleep

It is unbelievable how on the night we go back to work after having two weeks off we spend the night getting very little sleep. Between Caden's numerous breathing treatments we managed to get a few very uncomfortable hours asleep. Caden is not the easiest to sleep with and between breathing treatments he is even more of a bear. After school I picked up Jackson and while driving I caught a glimpse of this. So jealous how kids can fall asleep in a drop of a hat and anywhere. Here's hoping we get a few more hours of sleep.

Tune-Up

Last week was a crazy week and my body is PAYING for it. It is hard to believe that it has been 13 months since my kidneys had a little tune-up. I have been really good about watching my salt (oh how I use to LOVE McDonald's fries), cutting down on protein, and taking my medicine. This past week has been crazy with my Dad in the hospital. As a result I spent the week eating a lot of fast food and hospital cafeteria food and I am feeling it. Dad was released from the hospital and it is time for me to get back to cooking and packing my lunch. The salt and protein was fun while it lasted. Next time I get to splurge is when we are at the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!

Expiration Date

Milk and medicine are both things that have expiration dates that make sense.  To tell someone how much longer they have baffles me. I don't really understand how a doctor comes up with the number? We were slightly discouraged by the news from my Dad's surgery. It definetly wasn't what we wanted them to come out and say, but we are not letting it get us down. Later in the day a doctor came in and gave my Dad (who was still on an assortment of pain meds still) a really good pep talk. I am not sure how much my Dad remembers, but it was what I needed to hear. To sum it up he said that there is no expiration date stamped on his forehead. I needed to hear that and remember that. It really is just a number and that only the One above knows when are day on Earth is done. We are looking forward to a lot more crazy Crawford holidays, birthdays, and chaos.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I am so excited that 2013 is FINALLY here. I have to believe that 2013 is going to be a better year. We rang in the New Year with some of our favorite people. We had delicious food and great company. The kids managed to make it to celebrate New York New Year's and even stayed up until 10. Today we had a low key day and finished up some projects around the house. The kids seem to be getting a little cold so we stayed away from Grandpa and had a fun Skype session with him. We all wished him luck and gave him our love. He heads into the hospital tomorrow for his surgery. It is pretty nerve-racking not knowing what the surgeon is going to do. It is scary knowing my world could change so much tomorrow. I was just doing a devotion with Emmeline today from Jeremiah about listening to our prayers. I know He is listening to all of our prayers and has a plan all mapped out.
I am ready for 2013 to be a fantastic year starting with my Dad kicking cancer.