Hello!

My sister Samantha went to Mesquite for the weekend with my other sister and their husbands.
I got the job of watching her two little ones Bailey and Brooklyn.
I love taking my sister girls, they always have a lot of fun with my boys and Betty.
And Betty absolutely loves having other girls in the house.
They play house and dress up.
She really gets a kick out of it.

Here they are having dinner
And this is what we found a little while laterTold you they play hard

We made little visors, I wrote their names on them with sparkly glue,
and they decorated them with Spongebob, Dora and Easter stickers
but before I got the chance to take a picture, Bailey lost hers.



And here are some little friends
That come around every year
Although it is a little early for them.

On Sunday we decided to get out of the house
by going to Wal-Mart with my sister.
We were there FOREVER
First we ran into an old friend of mine
Then we ran into my cousin
Both who just had their first kids
CUTEST BABIES EVER
Then Brea and Derek decided to make a trip over
Wal-Mart is almost as bad as facebook!

Today
I set the stage for one of my new years resolutions.
(Well two actually)
1. Get my GED
2.Get SERIOUS about my Photography.

I put in my two weeks notice at my job.
And I seriously could not be happier
I feel so relieved
I am going to be able to accomplish so much.

Then as if he knew (God that is)
My sister-in-law calls me tonight
She wants me to go with her
To, well I guess its basically Adult high school.
Instead of a GED you get an actual diploma.

I know we are heading in the right direction
And it makes me so excited!

After I get my diploma, I plan on enrolling in college this fall.
Take some photography classes and turn my natural raw talent
into something that could really make us some money
and maybe even get me some fame. haha.

I know we made the right decision.
My kids are going to have their mom back full time.
We can finally put them in the programs
Like Karate for the boys
and
Gymnastics for Betty.
I can start volunteering at Samuel's School
Things are just going to be great.

I am just really super exstatic.
SAHM is where it is at.
(Stay At Home Mom)

I hope everyone can trust us in our decision
and
have a positive attitude.

PS
The Women
SEE IT!

Oh my
I almost forgot
Cutest thing ever
Tonight Betty came in our room and
Paul and I were pretending to be asleep
And she goes "Daddy."
and we start cracking up
(you'd have to hear the ways she said it)
Then she walks over and starts tapping him
Only she was saying
"Son. Son. Son"
Oh we lost it completely.
What a crack up!

Parent Teacher Conference

Samuel had his first Parent Teacher conference this year. We were a little nervous, just because with both of us working things get swept under the rug. But he is doing great! He is on the level two reading for his class. Which is great, they want them to be on Level 3 at the end of the year. She said she is guessing he will be above level 3 by the end of the year. He loves doing math, and picks it up real quick. And he adapts really well when it comes to playing with the other kids. They play a game where they hop and spell out letters, and since Samuel can't hop he does his own little I guess you would say pretend hop. She said that he is really independent and a great problem solver when it comes to his limitations. He does not seem at all hindered by them or lets them get in his way. She said it was nice that he can think of things on his own when it comes to adapting what the other kids are doing to fit his needs. It makes it easy on her so she does not always have to find a way to make it so he can join in.
And she said "He is very stubborn and likes to do stuff on his own just like his dad"
(Okay so she didn't say it exactly like that, but that is how I heard it in my head. haha)

The only area's that he needs to work on are his writing. Which has a lot to do with his gross motor, and the weakness in his hands. He can't grip the pen as well as other kids and does not press down as hard either. So we thought of some ways to help him practice his writing (like writing letters to his Poppy in Arizona) as well as some exercises (like playing with play dough) to help strengthen his grasp. And the other was cutting with scissors, so just have got to print some little project things from online to help him cut out stuff.

He is doing so great!

I am so proud to be his mommy.
He is such a sweet intelligent little guy, I could just gobble him right up!

Sickeness, Birthday, and More from the burn doc.

I have been so sick the last couple of days. It all started with Betty. Tuesday night she started coughing, then Wednesday her and Aidan both had fevers and a little bit of a cough, by that night Betty was wheezing. So I called the on call doctor. and his nurse heard her cough and said "Oh that is croup". She gave me somethings to do with Betty and I took her to our regular doctor on Thursday morning. They gave her a shot and she has been fine ever since. except for a few fevers here and there. Thursday night at work I just kept feeling worse and worse, I was wearing my coat and freezing, when I got home I had a 102 degree fever. I took some medicine and crawled into bed. I slept most of Friday until I had to go to work, then I just felt like crap all night, and I slept from the time I got home from work until almost 2pm yesterday, woke up long enough to eat and went back to sleep. What a great Valentines day. Sorry hun. Aidan is Sleeping it off. Doing much better today. and Then Samuel came in last night and had a fever. So now everyone but Paul has this dang cold. I have never been sick for this long. Usually if I just sleep and get enough water in me, its over with the next day. But this is going on the 4th day now. It really sucks. And trying to keep up with the kids on their fevers and breathing treatments, and poor Paul. It can get pretty draining. I finally stole a minute to myself to hurry and change my blog background and do a quick post.

Wednesday was Samuel's Birthday. He went to the store and picked out a new video game and couldn't have been happier. We also had Paul's appointment with the burn doc that day, we ended up being like an hour early. (shocking I know) and they actually went a head and saw him, and we got out of there by 2. which is when his appointment actually was haha. So that was really nice. I met this girl out in the waiting room, (she thought i was 13 and watching my brothers and sister haha) She was watching her little brother while her mom was getting everything ready for their dad to be discharged. Apparently he was working in his shop and something happened where a propane tank exploded along with a Co2 tank and just blew the whole shop to pieces. Her dad was burned down his legs and arms and his face. She said his lips were melted together. The reason I am telling this, is because it really is an example of how now matter how bad your situation is, someone else could be living through something much worse. I know I am blessed. Even when things are at there worse. I know things will turn around.
Paul got his little glove, so no more dressings. Although I don't know if this is better or worse. He always seems like he is in a lot of pain when they switch treatments. But I guess he will get use to it. His thumb is still pretty bad, and the doc said that the red will probably stay for a few months because he has no pigment in his arm.

so here are the latest pictures
and it looks 10times better than this already

We are not sure when he will get to go back to work. Hopefully soon though. He has another doctors appointment on Wednesday and I am sure we will find out more by then. But in the mean time, we did find out that he can most likely get temporary disability, so we are just waiting to hear back from them.

Paul sold one of his trucks (Even more shocking I know!) to help us out in the mean time. I am very proud of him for making this decision. Plus its nice to just get rid of the ugly eye sore. (And no it was not the ram charger. I think Paul will be buried in that sucker haha) Well that is really all that has been going on in our lives as of late. I'm just hoping we can get over this stinking cold, and get back to real life!

OMG I ALMOST FORGOT!

SAMUEL HAS HIS FIRST LOOSE TOOTH!
It's on the bottom in front.
He was so happy he wanted to call all his cousins.
I can't believe that he is already that old!
I know I say this all the time but
He is growing up way to fast.

I probably shouldn't post this because I am so mad. But it needs to be said.

People think that Paul and I don't know what we are doing
When it comes to our kids, finances ect.
But last time I checked we both have good jobs
and take care of our family on our own
Yeah we've had to ask for help ONCE IN A WHILE
But not for every little thing. And We have taken the steps to get our finances back in order. We paid $1300 toward our rent this month, when we only have to pay $1100 a month.
and We only ask for help when we are DESPERATE! We exhaust every possible option before asking anyone for help.
We are working towards paying back what ever debt we have accumulated from that help.
Some people are giving us crap about our recent choice in vehicle.
But We did the smartest thing buying our truck.
We got it for 2000 less than what Kelly Blue Book says it's worth.
Its well taking care of.
Isn't going to break down on us in 6months.
Oh yeah and we don't have a loan on it
So We don't have money coming out of our pocket that we don't have.
And its not going to be Repo'd
Leaving us stranded once again.
As for gas, it gets the same gas mileage as the durango did.

As for our kids, I think our boys are doing amazingly well. They have hit all their milestones right on time for their disability. They are excelling in school. They are very healthy, smart, and doing exceptionally well.
Betty is healthy happy and hitting all her milestones before its time. She is even potty training herself.
Our kids never go with out anything. We give them our all.
And not that it is anyones business but our own. We are trying for another. We have had a lot of LONG talks and have thought really hard and prayed even harder about it. And if you don't have anything positive to say to us about it, than we don't want to hear it. (and you should also keep your opinion to yourself, because people talk, and it will get back to us.)

The reason I am writing this, is I am just so tired of people trying to tell us (and other people behind our backs) they know whats best for us. No one knows what is best for us, but us. You don't live our lives. you don't know how hard it is, or how easy it is.

It really defeats us when we are doing our best and things are working out to our advantage, and then we hear through the grapevine that someone is telling someone else that they don't think we are doing what is in our best interest or "Morally" right. We don't need people defeating us, we need people uplifting us and encouraging us. We are not stupid, we don't just do things on a whim. It may seem like it. Because we don't include everyone in on our thought processes and decision making. That is our right as adults.

I am sorry if this offends anyone, but I just have had enough. Its time for you guys to start believing in us. We've gotten this far on our own. I think we have the gist of how this whole life thing works. It really makes us just want to keep to ourselves. And that makes me sad, because I really love having the support and knowing that we have people to rely on.

Our New Truck!

Last night we finally got our truck delivered! And all I can say is We are INLOVE!

Here are some pictures..







And it is absolutely killing Paul. Because he can't drive it. HAHA!!
There is so much room, the kids fit perfectly! and all the storage in the back haha
No more cramming everything we buy at costco in around us.


anywho!

Betty is still going on the potty. When we are at home she does not have a diaper on. She wears her panties that she picked out. She had two accidents yesterday. one because she fell asleep. But has not had any today. She even asked to use the potty when we were at the store. I didn't take her though lol because I knew she'd freak if I tried to put her on the huge potty. I swear she has been the easiest kid when it comes to this sort of thing. She didn't fight us when we switched her to a sippy, she does just fine sleeping in her big girl bed. As for her attitude, well what can I say. She is her mom's kid.

Samuel's birthday is on Wednesday, and Paul also has to go see the burn doctor again. We are hoping that He will get to just wear the protective sleeve. His arm is looking really good. I will have to take pictures next time I do his dressing change. Welp that's all that is really going on with us. I worked the last couple of days, and so the kids and Paul have just been homebodies. Tomorrow we are going for a game night at my sisters house. I am so excited! I love game nights!

Exciting Happenings, Good News, and GREAT things!

Exciting Happenings:

4 years ago today, Paul and I were blessed with thee cutest little baby boy.
We named him Aidan
He is now a little fire cracker
who for sure keeps us on our toes!
We took him to Wal-Mart and let him pick out a toy of his choice.
He of course picked out a Batman toy.
He also got two birthday cards, one from his Poppy
and one from his Aunt Jeni and Uncle A.W
He spent his money from his poppy on a
Robin Hood toy.
After that we came home
ordered pizza
and watched Igor.
So I think he had a pretty good birthday.
We usually have a big party for both the boys that will be later on in the month

Today is also my father-in-law Dave's Birthday!Doing what he loves best
snuggling a baby haha
The baby is actually Aidan.
Funny because this is the only picture I could find of Dave.
Happy Birthday Dad!
We love you!

Good News:
We went and saw the burn doctor today.
He said that Paul's arm is looking good
And hopefully by next week
He can get switched to a protective sleeve
and wont have to have the bandages on
He said Paul can return to work as soon as Monday.
As long as he is not on the narcotic pain med.
Posting more pictures.
Scroll down fast if you do not want to see them.
I have news about Betty so you have to scroll down!




The doctor scraped off all the green looking stuff.
Because apparently that is what we should have been doing

If you have the stomach for it, you can make this picture bigger and see the hair growing.
The doctor was really happy about the hair
it means there is skin growing!

Paul was in a lot of pain after the doctors
Because they scrapped all that stuff off
Then left him sitting there for a while
and the air hurts really bad.
We have to wrap it real fast now
Hence the crappy pictures haha.



Anyways!!!
Great Things:
As most of you know
because I texted you haha

BETTY IS GOING ON THE POTTY!
She put on panties about 7 or 8ish last night
went 4 times on the potty.
had one accident and then went to bed.
When she woke up this morning, she ran to the bathroom
took off her dry diaper she had on all night
Peed in the potty and then didn't have a diaper on again
until we had to leave about 11am.
When we got home about 5ish,
I took her diaper off and put her in panties
She hasn't had one accident!
5 hours!
And we don't even have to remind her every time.
I am so freaking thrilled!
SHES 21MONTHS!


All in all. It has been a spectacular day.
I love my husband
I love my kids
I love my family
I LOVE my life.