January14

 This pretty much sums up January!

 

Here, in SoCal, it was beach weather!

 

So, instead of just taking a day trip, we went for several days. Shaun had just passed a big test at work and needed some time to relax. And, the boys needed to spend some time with daddy since he had been studying or at work training so much.

 

Silverstrand on Coronado Island has become one of our favorite places!

 

Enjoying the sunset!

 

My California sand boys!

 

We dropped the back hatch of the trailer and it was nothing but sand! Awwww...

 

Dig a hole and jump over or in it! Too much fun!

My Middle Man

This little guy is 42 pounds of love! He is sweet from the inside out. He draws attention wherever he goes and everyone wants to be his buddy! He is so easy going, laughs at everything, and can make some of the silliest faces. Some things that I don't understand about him would be 1. He loves to photo bomb other peoples pictures but, he is the first to put on a sour face when I ask him to smile for a picture. Really!? You'll jump in a picture not meant for you but you get mad when I actually want you in it? 2. He loooooves getting new clothes! Like a lot! However, I can't ever get him to wear anything! Explain that one little man?!

 

He has always gone into classes without any problem... He's been the least clingy and enjoys being around other people. However, in November he started having a really hard time going to his Bible study class and staying the whole time. The preschool director has had to come and get me because he gets sad and just wants to go home. His class is mainly girls (which typically isn't a problem because he luuuvs girls) but, for times that he needs a bro, there just isn't one. The solution: At the young age of four, he is now going to big church with us. He has agreed to go to his class during the Bible study time but, he then comes with us instead of staying for second hour. He does so well too!

 

Nothing holds him back. He's a go getter and doesn't have to try. However, if he is unable to do something, he shrugs and moves on... No big deal.

 

If you take this kid shopping and you tell him he can pick out anything he wants... I can guarantee he'll chose some type of weapon. Mr. Parker is ALWAYS armed and dangerous!

 

He blows me away with how he keeps up with the big kids. Seriously, he fits in with the six, seven, and eight year olds!

 

He loves that his eyes have turned green..B because green is his favorite color! However, I don't think his skin has a chance at turning anything but white! At least he can blame daddy for that one and not me!

 

I told him that he will make a good daddy someday because he is patient. He then let me know that he'll probably have two girls! Good buddy, you'll definitely need patients with girls!

 

He's always wanting to make a deal with me when I ask him to do something... You know the "What's in it for me?" kind of deals. I thought maybe his negotiating skills would mean he'll be a lawyer someday but, he told me he wants to be an inventor.

 

This little guy is easy to love and I'm so glad I get to call him mine!

He wanted to match for church!

Adventure #1

So, I think I'm ready to give back my first new adventure of 2014!

 

Parker started the excitement on Monday and Isaac and Blake joined in today.

 

It was so time consuming and sudden that I didn't even have time to wash my face or change from my pj pants to my yoga pants!

 

This adventure has a name... 

 

What's it called you ask?!

 

Gastroenteritis!

 

How does it start?!

 

By hearing one of your kids say those eight horrible words...

 

"Mommy, I think I'm going to throw up!"

 

Yes, gastroenteritis is a fancy way of saying, the stomach flu!

 

 

I spent some time trying to read about this enemy that has entered our home but, it left me feeling even more sick to my stomach! Yuck!

 

 

Not exactly sure how Parker got it but he threw up 12 times on Monday. He was such a champ. The only time he really complained was in the evening when we told him he couldn't have a hotdog.

 

Yesterday we took it slow while he continued to gain his strength back!

 

And then today came...

 

At 4:30am I heard Blake crying, "Mommy, yook it. Yook in me bed!"

 

I immediately knew he had thrown up. We got him cleaned up and then Shaun had him till he left for work at 6:30.

 

I was wondering how I was going to do school with Isaac when trying to take care of a sickie and a recovering sickie but, Isaac woke up at seven vomiting.

 

While helping Isaac over the toilet I knew it was going to be a movie, bucket holding, laundry washing kind of day!

 

I cleaned up messes that I'll never wish on anyone... However, I'll spare this from being a TMI post.

 

Blake unleashed his insides about eight times before noon and then one last time before bed.

 

However, Isaac made it a complete pukefest! From seven in the morning to eight at night... He couldn't keep anything down! He was skin and bones and asked me if he was going to loose too much weight. Poor guy usually freaks out when he throws up but, by the end of the day he was so used to it that he wouldn't even tell me when he was doing it.

 

I looked back at a blog post from September 2008. I titled it "Trials of Parenthood" and stated that it was my "most draining, exhausting, and emotionally challenging day of motherhood to date." Isaac was ten months and sick. I compare that day to today and realize how trivial it was. Then, I had one kid and Shaun was home helping. Today, I had three kids and Shaun was at work! It's amazing how each "trial" makes you stronger. I'll admit, I did have two cups of coffee today. However, I accredit the success and completion of the day to my friends that were lifting the boys and me up in prayer! Knowing I had support gave me the strength to press on and quit gagging!  

 

I love my little men and it was a joy serving them today!

 

Isaac spent the entire day on the couch!

Parker on Monday. Blake wanted to take care of him, which is probably why he got sick!

And even though he's smiling and eating, he was really sick. He just wouldn't stop asking for water and crackers so I let him eat, drink, and throw up!