MOVING!

That is my excuse for not blogging in well over a month.  I will be back soon.  I am not promising to update on everything I've missed, but I will pick up at some point with pictures of our new home!  And I will catch up on others' blogs.  There's just not enough time in the day!!

Rookie of the Year!

A couple of weeks ago we were in Colorado Springs for the Summer Regional meeting for Brandon's work.  Edward Jones is such a family oriented company and they do a great job of including all of us and making us feel, not only important, but critical to the financial advisor's success.  We had a wonderful weekend at a wonderful resort.  We had plans to go to some of the tourist attractions around the Springs, but the hotel amenities were so great that we hung out there the whole time - swimming, eating, paddleboating and relaxing!

One of the highlights of the trip was the awards dinner on our last night there.  We had a delicious dinner (the kids got their own pizza party in another part of the hotel), yummy drinks, and great company.  At last year's awards dinner, Brandon made it a goal to earn the Rookie of the Year award, which he wasn't eligible for until this year.  He came home with lots of awards, but was most excited about the boxing gloves:

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!!!

We're so proud of you!!

Crawling Along

This video was taken about 3 weeks ago when Little Man started crawling.  He's only gotten faster and is now cruising around furniture and trying to climb stairs.  You would think that by the 3rd kid I would have learned to baby proof before they become mobile!  He's SO BIG!

Birthday Weekend!

Busy, busy, (but fun) weekend!  It started off with my birthday on Friday.  Brandon took the afternoon off so I could enjoy a little "me" time with a massage, pedicure, and a little shopping.  Since softball and soccer practices were cancelled due to rain, we got to go out for a birthday dinner.  3 Margaritas!  Yum!

The real excitement started on Saturday - Hope's birthday.  Can she really be 9 already?  My little girl is definitely growning up!  We had a super fun roller skating party with a bunch of her friends at Skate City.  Next, she chose Sweet Tomatoes for her birthday lunch.  Then that evening she, Brandon, and cousin Averi went to Bandimere Speedway for "Night of Fire and Thunder".  She's won tickets to it every year through school for reading a certain amount of minutes.  This year, it just happened to fall on her birthday!  Averi stayed for a sleepover and they played the next morning, we went to church and then to a park.  After Averi went home, Hope and I went to the Rapids game with her soccer team.  The team got to walk on the field before the game and hold the big Rapids banner.  We had a great time!

Whew!  Here are some pics!

New soccer bag!

Getting fitted for her new roller skates.



In the center of the rink with the other kid having a birthday at the same time.  He was also turning 9 - notice the height difference. :)



Some of the girls.

Beck and Daddy enjoying the party.

Cake and Ice Cream!

Swinigng at the park.

Hope, Averi, EJ



Waiting to go on the field.



Waving the Banner!



Moving Backward

Almost a year ago we started to transition EJ to a toddler bed, knowing that we would need the crib for Beck.  It was a pretty easy transition and she's been sleeping there ever since.  Until last week.  One night we went in to check on her before we went to bed and, to our surprise, found her in the crib.  Every night since then, she has slept in the crib, with all of her many "things".  I know we should probably try to break this habit, but she's been sleeping until 8:00 or 8:30 every morning and I don't want to mess up a good thing!

How does Beck fit in there, you ask?  No need to worry.  He's still sleeping in the pack and play in our room.  Yes, he's 8 months old.  No further comment.

Better Late Than Never?

With the craziness that is our lives, I never posted to say Happy Birthday to my amazing husband.  We celebrated with a date night with friends - dinner at Outback (Brandon's favorite) and then a comedy club.  He knew we were getting to go to dinner sans kiddos, but I stealthily set up having T.Jay and Tennyson meet us there and then the plan for the comedy club where KB and Angi joined us.  He was very surprised - mission accomplished! :)

The pictures are from our celebration at home with the kids.  His only birthday request was chocolate cake with white frosting.  It wasn't fancy, but it was yummy!

So, Happy Birthday (a little late) to the best thing that has ever happened to me!  I love you, Brandon!

So this is what people were talking about . . .

The only reason I've ever spent any real time in a hospital was to have my 3 beautiful babies - all wonderful experiences with great nurses and doctors, great food, and great reasons to be there.  So, I never really understood why so many people dislike hospitals SO much.  Until Saturday. . .

Sometimes (often times) people go to hospitals for reasons that are not nearly as joyful as childbirth. 

On Saturday afternoon, Brandon began to feel a little dizzy and the vision in his left eye seemed a little "off".  After he ate some lunch, he started feeling better, and just complained of a headache.  A little while later  the two outside fingers on his left hand went numb, then the numbness moved to his next two fingers.  Shortly, the numbness in his fingers was gone, but the left side of his tongue became numb.  Soon after, his left foot became very tingly - that is the only sensation that lasted for a significant time.  Against his wishes, we met my mom to pass off the kids and headed to the ER.  By 9:00 pm, he was admitted to ICU.  This was scary!  His symptoms were gone, but the doctors were still very concerned about what caused this "episode".

After a myriad of tests (MRI, EKG, CT scan, echocardiogram, angiogram, MRA), they were able to rule out MS, a stroke, heart problems, and artery dissection in his neck.    This was all VERY fortunate.  The unfortunate thing is that we still don't know what caused the numbness.  They are hoping it was just an "atypical migraine". We were able to leave the hospital late Sunday afternoon (though it felt like we had been there for MUCH more than a day).  My mom and sister were definitely glad to give our kids back to us. :0)  We are so grateful for their help!  

Let me just tell you - ICU is whole different ballgame than the Birthing Center!  Instead of a private bath, there's a toilet in the middle of the room.  Instead of a big door to give privacy, there's a sliding glass door with a small curtain.Instead of a couch for the "guest", there's a chair.    Not to mention, the feeling of sadness around, with all of these patients so critically ill.  The doctors and nurses kept joking about how Brandon was the healthiest looking person in ICU.  And they thought it was pretty funny that we both slept in the little hospital bed together!

We hope to find out more from the neurologist at an appoinment tomorrow.  For now, we are glad that everyone is home, feeling healthy, and that he didn't have to stay at the hospital any longer than he did.  Experiences like this really make you stop and thank God for all that you have, and remind you not to take anything for granted!