Anneliese

Anneliese gave us a scare last night. I think it's payback for all the times I ran my mom to the ER with a concussion or needing stitches. We were outside playing and three of the girls were climbing on a rock. Anneliese lost her balance and fell forward landing on her right side of her head and face. She lost consciousness for about 30-60 seconds, not breathing in that time. I was holding her on my lap trying to get her to breathe and open her eyes. Nique and Brian came running and I called 911. The ambulance, fire department and police all came out. The paramedics came in a separate vehicle. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance on a back board. It took her nearly 45 minutes to say even a word and then didn't say anything else for another hour. The CT scan came back completely clear. But she was admitted for observation and given fluids for the night. Finally after about midnight she started to get talkative and move around. The hospital staff was AWESOME. They give pediatric patients a little goody bag to make their stay a little easier. We were released this morning. She is back to herself. Now we are to try and keep her from reinjuring her head. Fun to do with a 2 year old. God really answers prayers. I am grateful that Nique was here as she was able to take care of the other kids while Brian was up at the hospital with me til we were admitted.

Prior to being outside, I was taking pictures of all 4 of the girls in their new Fall dresses made by Becky.

Girls in dresses

Recently Nique's mom, Becky, made all four girls dresses/outfits. Becky also made outfits to match for the girls' dolls/animals. Becky has been wanting pictures of the girls in their outfits so we went outside with the camera and the following slideshow is the result. Becky is planning on selling dresses with matching doll dresses. If interested please email niqolle@dock.net.

old friends

So on Wednesday we had a field trip to Plymouth Massachusetts. We went to see the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock. The boys will be doing lap books on Plymouth and the Pilgrims this month and next.

But the best part of the trip was seeing our dear friend Anne Marie and two of her kids. We were close friends in Ridgecrest. Anne Marie was one of the first people to watch Leo on a regular basis while I was at school. It has been 7 years since we have seen each other. Last time we went to Plymouth, I didn't call her and she read about it on the blog, well she only lives about 10 minutes from there. This time I knew I had to call her. Sorry for the last minute decision to go down there:) Moving with the military stinks sometimes but other times like these where we can reconnect with dear old friends makes all the moves worth it. Anne Marie I promise it won't be 7 years or even 7 months before we see each other again.

It is a beautiful day

Today it is absolutely beautiful outside. Fall is definitely in the air.
We went to story time at the library yesterday. It was a fun time for the girls. The boys sat quietly and read. There was another twin mom from my twin club there. It’s nice to start recognizing people when I am out and about, makes me feel like I am getting settled in. Then we went to the mall for some Lego shopping time.
Today we will be doing some park activities and "regular" school work. I am actually learning that Caleb at least does MUCH better when I give him one on one school time. We get done with his school in much less time with a lot less difficulty if Leo isn't near by or is otherwise engaged. Caleb really struggles with reading and Leo has to butt in and give his 2 cents every 2 seconds. So for now I will be having school separately for all the boys. It is definitely more of a challenge having 3 different grades this year. I think we get a lot accomplished during nap time as well.

Reuben is 6

Reuben is such a joy and delight. I am blessed to be his mom. For all his allergies and ezcema he is the most huggable of my boys. This week he started kindergarten. But you know what I am even blessed to be his teacher. There are days where I am tried and tested and at my wits end but I am thankful for Reuben and his part of my life. The sadness in today is that Sheri/Granny, my mother-in-law, isn't here to share in the joy the way she was six years ago. Back in 2002 she was in San Diego watching Leo and Caleb while Brian and I were in Loma Linda preparing for Reuben's arrival. Tonight we will be having pizza and brownies for dinner per Reuben's request.

School Has Begun

Reuben is in Kindergarten. Caleb is in second grade. Leo is in fourth grade. Today was a crazy first day but we talked about shapes, spelling words, compound words, nouns and pronouns, how special we are and began a book ALL ABOUT ME, seasons, scientific logs, force, went for a walk to the construction site around the corner, gathered leaves, saw a bull dozer, counted beans by twos, fives and tens, and even made brownies. Reuben's letter of the week is B. This is going to be a good year. Tuesday we are going to story time at Barnes and Noble and will do school during the girls nap time in the afternoon. The boys are keeping writing journals, spelling dictionaries, science logs, reading logs and math journals of random math problems.

Making strides/Ramblings

Today I had my first mammogram. Yep I am reaching that age. I refuse to grow old but I am going to take care of myself. I got my baseline mammogram, my next one will be in 5 years. Early detection of breast cancer is a MUST. In 5 weeks I am Walking in Making Strides against Breast Cancer to aid in the fight against breast cancer. This past spring I lost a very dear friend, who I look forward to seeing on resurrection morning, to breast cancer. I am asking for your help in this fight. Together we can beat this disease. http://main.acsevents.org/goto/desireetomlinson

Gustav hit a large portion of Louisiana but mostly missed New Orleans proper. I am continuing to pray for my friends that will be traveling home this week and next as well as those that have to clean up from the damage. There are three more storms brewing in the Atlantic. Even though I am 1500 miles from NOLA I am still keeping an eye on the storms and praying for those effected.

I will be editing some pictures of my girls and Nique girls in dresses that Nique's mom recently made. As soon as those are edited I will be sharing.

School is starting this week and we are busy busy into the fall season. It will be a busy busy year for us all.

Our church is starting a KIDS (Kids in Discipleship) program this month that will run once a week for the year and an evangelistic series for kids. The kids will be starting Adventurers soon. I am really glad to be involved.