V A C A T I O N

We headed out last week Friday after school. The girls were so excited that we figured trying to leave in the morning wouldn't work. So we packed it all in, slammed the doors shut and headed to Fort Myers Beach to find grandpa and grandma. We found them :)

What an amazing time to relax and have fun. We took a day and went to Clear water aquarium to see "winter" the dolphin from "Dolphin tale." The girls were excited to see him and we got to meet up with the Plaggemars. They even got to hold his prosthetic tale.

Grandpa and Grandma's condo has a great pool. So we headed there every day to swim and burn off energy. I thought Brooke would be scared or at least a little gun shy of the water, but she wasn't. At one point I was at one end of the pool with Macy and Brooke went to the stairs and walked in. She stopped and sat on the steps and a nice lady walked in with her. Another time, my mom was there, and she walked right in. Over her head and all, she came up spitting and sputtering, but loving it. They may just live with life vests on this summer. Two, 3 year olds are quicker than this mama.

There was a park nearby to play on that had toys that water came out of. That was FUN!! Entertaining to watch! Even grandma went down the slide.

We went down town and watched the street performers, out to eat, to the beach and mini golf. The girls concluded those were there top favorites. It was an amazing week that went by too fast.

There were many tears the night before we left and the morning that we left. I assured the girls that shows their love and its a good thing. Ashley asked if she could be home schooled and we could live there :) As tempting as that is, we had to return to reality. On the way home we left at 4am and got home at mid night.

Long car rides amaze me. You see every emotion in 20 hours. Laughter, tears, joking, hitting, playing, hunger, love, caring, dislike, screaming. My favorite was about 2 hours from home. Leah says, "Brooke did you poop!" Brooke is sitting as far forward in her car seat she can get and says, "Yup and it's all over my back. I told you my tummy hurt." At that point you just laugh and do damage control.
So we are back at it! The kids got their crabbies out yesterday in the van. I had my turn this morning. I wasn't ready to come back. I so enjoyed being with my parents I could've handled 1 more week. We miss them like crazy when they are gone. While we were gone we had new flooring installed in the dining room, kitchen and entry way. To come home to the mess was overwhelming. I told the girls I am trying not to be crabby but I am not winning. To my surprise they all grabbed rags and helped me mop the floor. From there we put the stove, table and chairs back. WE ARE WOMEN!!! We tried to put the fridge back but that was a little more than we could handle. We had to admit defeat and ask the man of the house for help. It again looks like a home and I am loving the new floor. A few finishing touches to make. So blessed God has brought us so far!

"Short stature"

That's a nice way of saying, "vertically challenged", "little person", or just plain short. There are pro's and cons no matter if you are short or tall. Our family has, obviously, always been tall. I have no problems with being tall (at this point in my life). When I was young that was a whole different story. But I've grown into my height and found a great man taller than I am :) Our goal has been to grow confident women and to teach them size doesn't matter.

Brooke had her endocrine appt this week. We realized long ago when MD's come into the room and are slightly quiet, then say, "well." Just spit it out! Not much can surprise is these days. Steve and I were excited.
December 1, 2011
weight: 25# 9oz (11.61 kg) In the 2% of growth chart
height: 2' 9.6" (0.854m) In the 0.27% of growth chart
February 16, 2012
Weight: 28# (12.7 kg) In the 7% growth chart
Height: 2' 10.6" (0.88m) In the .58% growth chart

SHE GREW!!! A whole inch, gained over 2#. His concern is, with parents her height, (always comes back to the parents :) and her lack of growth hormone, when he typically prescribes growth hormone kids shoot up. She is growing but hasn't shot anywhere. He drew some more lab work to check her thyroid again (it was normal last time), and check her growth hormone levels. If all is good we might bump up the dose a little and see if that helps. No worries either way.
You see it doesn't matter. Short, tall, heavy, thin: everything has it's own trials. The personality that shines through that body is what counts. And these ladies over here have LOTS of personality!! We'll take whatever God gives us!

If anyone read the last blog, I did get the girls their iPod off Craigslist. I even bartered for it, over email, of course. I could never do that in person! But they are super happy! The things you do for your children :)

Have a blessed week! Home improvements underway again. New flooring and light fixtures. I'll get ya pictures in a week or so.

I don't do that

I am in search of a treadmill. We have been to stores, I've tried some out and kinda know what I want. So we decided to look on Craigslist and see what we can find. We have found a few to look at. My husband says, "email them, ask them questions and if it's what you want we'll go look at it." HMMMM, I don't do that. I will go look at it, and decide if I want it, but the rest is up to him. He thinks this is the funniest thing in the world! So this is his new mission in life, to "teach me" to barter. He is a great teacher, the catch is, you have to have a willing student. And I am not.
So he decided to start smaller. Megan is wanting an electronical device. So I did the leg work on that one (its less money) much less nerve wrecking. However I am praying that if this works, I am on call, working or in some way busy so Steve has to go look at it and "barter" the price.
Steve thinks this is so funny, because we have been married for over 17 years. We have known each other for 20 years. He thought he knew everything, hehe. After he found this out, I said, we have been to alot of auctions, have you ever seem me bid on anything. Nope. I did buy something off Craigslist before (I found out it was Steve's Uncle selling it, whooo hooo, no anxiety).
So, there's my secret. I know, I am not too exciting. My husband is just appalled that someone that can talk to a wall (yes I have no problems talking) can't barter for a good price. It's just not my style :)
Have a great weekend!! We have been so spoiled my the beautiful sun, it looks like snow is in the air again.

Twins!

Here goes the day..........we pick up Leah for an ortho appt. That goes well. McDonald's for lunch. I listen to a hilarious story between the twins about, "remember when Grandpa brought us to McDonald's." Brooke: "Yea, that was fun. I had nuggets." Macy: "maybe they'll take us again someday." Brooke: "Yea, if we see them again." (Grandpa and Grandma are in Florida. It's only been a few weeks but to 3 year olds it's been YEARS).

Next to my work. I was talking to a lady I worked with when I 1st graduated from nursing school. She said, "I heard you have a special needs child, how is she doing?" Totally sincere, sweet lady, as Brooke is yelling at a man going down the stairs, "HEY MAN, I SAID HI TO YOU!" Yea, she's "special" alright!! I should've been embarrassed by my child's actions but I chuckled. (we thought she was going to be shy)

Next to Sam's club where they twins decided to have a fist fight. My options were to stop them or let it go til they stop. They are 3, their attention span is not that long. So, they duked it out, Brooke drew blood and then it was done. I continued shopping (I was on a mission).

Next stop home........I am putting groceries away and all is quiet. This can't be good, no worries LOTS of laughter (even worse). Again I have options. I chose to put my groceries away. Once all was put away I found them in their room with Pop tart pieces all over and about 20 band aides stuck to the carpet. hehehe, could've been worse. So I plopped down on the floor, had some Pop tarts with them and they helped me unstick the band aides. Then we vacuumed.

My point to this story................do the youngest children really get away with more. Absolutely!! BUT there is a reason. It doesn't matter! You realize after your 1st few kids, the things you thought were REALLY important aren't as important anymore. Sometimes they have to figure it out themselves. Obviously I did talk with Brooke about manners and not yelling at adult men or any adults for that matter. And she had to apologize. We discussed fighting but sometimes they have to figure it out themselves. They have to realize if they call someone a "stupid head" chances are they might get punched. And naughtiness, you put two 3 year olds together, things are going to get messy.

I must say, I am so glad these 2 came along later in my years. I have apologized to Leah. Being the oldest must suck sometimes. All in all, it's a great day with some fabulous ladies!!!

All tired out after all that action :)

Macy has been without a pipe since fall. She found this yesterday and was so proud of herself! She couldn't wait to show me :) Too bad it's "lost" again!!!