Post Number 100!!

Isn't that cool? And like 5,000 views of my blog. Aren't we something?

Life has been extraordinarily crazy! Troy's birthday was a success. At the end of the night, he went to bed 2 years old! It's amazing how fast this past year has gone. I feel like his 1st birthday was just yesterday. This past year has held many new experiences for us but more on that in a later post.

Troy received many phone calls, he took cookies to daycare for a treat and at home he opened some gifts from us. We got him these little Star Wars figurine things (he kept trying to steal his cousin, Isaac's, so we though we'd get him his own) and a box of Duplo legos. He could've cared less about the legos with the figurines around. We sang happy birthday numerous times. He told me he was 2! On the ride home, he copied everything I was saying when I was talking to his dad on the phone. We have a DVD player in our car and the poor GeoTrax dvd has been playing everytime we went somewhere. On Sunday we decided to go somewhere and put in a different movie. However, last night when the DVD player turned on, Troy not knowing it would be a new movie, yelled, "ALL ABOARD"! It was too cute.

Thursday, which is New Year's Eve, thank goodness, we have Troy's 2 year well child checkup. My mom is going to watch Rylee and Troy, when he gets done with his well child checkup, while Kris and I are at work. Kris has to work a half day which mean 10 am to 3 pm and I have to 8 am to 5 pm with a break to take Troy to the doctor.

**STORY ALERT>>>STORY ALERT>>>**

Kris reads this, so sorry in advanced babe!

Saturday, we had to do a quick stop at Walmart for a couple gift bags, batteries and few other things before we headed out to Cassville then Platteville for Christmases. Kris's parents phoned at 9:30 that morning and wanted to know if we could be there by 11. We only had a quick stop at Walmart so that would probably be workable but Kris told his parents that it would probably be noon. (And his parents didn't know that Rylee and I were coming, he wanted to surprise his mom with Rylee!) We were ready to walk out the door anyway. We got to Walmart at 10 and were in the checkout by 10:10. Troy was stinky and we left the darn diaperbag in the car. Kris and I decided he would take Troy out to the car, change his diaper and Rylee and I would pay for our few items and meet them out there. We were doing great on time, just enough time to get to Cassville by 11. I came out to the car and Kris was just getting off the phone. He was standing outside the vehicle and Troy was inside. Turns out that Kris left Troy in the front seat while he threw the diaper in garbage. In the meantime, Troy locked the door. Troy was locked in a running vehicle while Kris was outside. Poor daddy was pretty upset but called the police to come unlock us. I sent Kris and Rylee back into the store to warm up. I worked with Troy to roll the window down or push the unlock button. Troy wouldn't listen. I had an open box of Girl Scout cookies, Carmel Delights, in the front seat. There were only 2 cookies missing that I ate. Troy pretty much topped those off while waiting for the police officer. The dvd player started playing in the backseat so he would watch that. He climbed into the drivers seat and pretended to drive, even turning the key to shut the car off. Finally after 20 minutes, the officer arrived and got the door open. By this time it was 10:45 so there was no way we would make it by 11. Good thing Kris said noon. It was a very nerve racking situation and I guarantee Kris never leaves Troy in the front seat again!

THE END!

The number of the day...2!

2 years ago, from exactly this moment, 5:20 pm, I gave birth to our son! Our lives forever changed, this day, 730 days ago.

Troy Thomas Klauer was born at 5:20 pm weighing 8 lbs, 9 oz and 21 inches in length. He had apgar scores of 8 and 9. He had blonde hair and dark brown eyes. He was a big boy...much bigger than this momma was built to birth!

This year Troy has blossom into a fascinating child. He became a big brother and transitioned and supported the role better than we ever expected!

He learned to run and jump. This summer he played in the backyard and this winter he played in snow for the first times!

At age 1, he was 29 lbs and 29.5 inches tall. Today, he is 28 lbs and 34.25 inches tall.

This year he has learned many words. His favorite word I would like to say is Mommy because he calls everyone that. However, lately he has started to call his Dad, Daddy!

He loves his little sister with his whole being and calls her, RyRy!

He had his first surgery of tubes insertion and adenoid extraction.

He loves playing with cars, balls, trains, puzzles, dinosaurs and blocks. He is all boy, through and through!

He is 2! He is my first born. He is my little boy and I think I will forever remember him being 2! He is AWESOME and will tell you too!

Happy 2nd Birthday Troy!!!

Oh Christmas time, Oh Christmas time!

Christmas has come and gone. Thank goodness for that. It was a very long 2 days of missed naps, crabby kids, a ton of wrapping and tissue paper and bags and bows, lots of shunned hugs, a million little metal tie things on the new toys, and LOTS and LOTS of family! I love my family, it's not a hidden aspect of my life. Over the last 2 days, we've attended 4 Christmases and had a celebration of our own at home both Christmas eve and morning. Troy opened all of Rylee's toys from Santa. He had so much fun They got some awesome toys. Kris and I got some awesome gifts. Take a look at some of our "loot"!

Troy's gifts

Rylee's gifts:

Kris and I each got new jackets from his parents.

Last year for christmas, Kristopher and I received a small chest freezer from my dad and a quarter beef. This year we got another quarter beef. We all got lots of things. These were only a few. I do have to say that our tiny house became a lot tinier after fitting all these new things in here. Next up, Troy's birthday. Oh man, my baby is going to be 2! I hope you all, whom I didn't see, had a great holiday!

A new star in the sky

Sunday morning I was informed that a little girl, age 5 passed away the night before in her sleep. Monday morning, through my coworkers, I learned that that little girl's mommy is a nurse where we take our sweet children to get checked out. That little girl's mommy has called me many a time to discuss my little girl on Dr. C's behalf. This little girl's name is Abbey. Her obituary was in the paper today with her photograph. One of the last lines reads..."Proceeded in death by her cousins, Tom and Laura Tennessen." Many may not know who Laura Tennessen is but if you google her name I am sure you have heard the story of her. Laura Tennessen graduated with my sweet husband and was killed in a motorcycle accident. It was sad, she was so young but what happened afterwards was much creepier and appauling! Three boys tried to extract her from her place of resting days after her death. Well I am sure if you haven't heard the story, you can figure out what they were planning on doing to her beautiful lifeless body. Tom is Laura's brother. Her parents are little Abbey's aunt and uncle. This family has had to endure so much in such a small amount of time. I am not sure how Abbey died or what happened her but what I do know is that her sweet mommy had to do CPR on her daughter and hold while she passed away. I don't know her sweet mommy well but she has said some amazing, encouraging things to me as I had a meltdown in the doctor room. Tonight is Abbey's wake and I am not attending because I don't know what to say to her mom, dad or 2 brothers. I don't know what to say to Laura's parents when I see them. I don't know what those two mother's are going through. My daughter (and my son and husband) are my whole life, my whole reason for getting up and through the day, everything I do is for them and I can't imagine one of them not being here tomorrow. I would be devestated. I am devestated for those mothers. I can't shake it for my mind. It, again, makes me question God's motives. I guess it was Abbey's time and Tom's time and Laura's time. It may have been Laura's time but her parents and family and the Cassville community didn't deserve to have to grieve because of those 3 monsters. I just don't understand.

We are 6 days post op for Troy. Troy, my sweet sweet Troy, hasn't been the same boy since. He has turned into a little devil. I kid you not this child is driving me bonkers with his whining and crying. Last night, I kid you not again, he cried from the moment I took him out of the car to the time he fell asleep (which was 7 pm, which is very odd for Troy). He cried about getting out of the car, he cried about his coat being on, he cried about his hat being taken off, he cried that he wanted to take his shoes off, he cried because he didn't want milk, he cried for a cookie, he cried because I took his shirt off for dinner (which was spaghetti and he needed a bath afterwards anyway), he cried because I was going to give him a bath, he cried about the fresh clothes I put on him, he cried that he locked himself in his room, he cried that he wanted a blanket, he cried himself to sleep after he threw himself down on the floor and curled up on the pile of dirty laundry awaiting to be put in the washing machine. That is where he slept for an hour (because I didn't want to hear him cry any longer) until I picked him up, cradled him, rocked him for a while and then placed him in bed. He is a crab that I wish would just get over this. However, I am afraid that the sassiness and crabbiness is going to be sticking around for the next O..20 years....UGH! However, I am glad that I have him and will take a temper tantrum or hour of constant crying over nothing at all.

On another note...there is one thing that I can absolutely NOT about our living location. Thus being my neighbors. The neighbor to the left has a billion cats or should I say he feeds the stray cats that reproduce faster than rabbits! The neighbor directly across the stress is a hoarder and cuts her grass with a scissor hence the nickname, The Crazy Lady. The neighbor diagonally to the left is nosy! The neighbor to our right is a single woman who mows her grass down to the dirt every day and in the winter she snow blows her driveway. Now I completely understand why people need a snow blower, I wish I had one, but the problem is: 1. she blows it directly at our house so it goes thump...thump...thump the length of our house (which a large portion happens to be our bedroom), 2. she, normally, starts at the butt crack of dawn and 3. her darn motion sensored light flashes on and off and on and off (which points directly into our bedroom window). Now I hate to complain! We've voiced our opinion of her snowblowing habits and she continues to do the same shit. (Pardon my french but this woman hit the high one this morning.) We have tolerated her snowblowing habits rather well. However, this morning, she decided that she needed to snowblow her driveway at 4 am! Yup you read that right...4 freakin' am! If it was just me that she woke, I wouldn't be so angry. It was Rylee that she woke up. RYLEE of all people got up for the day at a grooling 4 am! Therefore, I've been up since 4 and a little crabby about it! I called the town hall this afternoon to see what the best route to take in dealing with this would be. They said that we need to call the police next time that she is doing it. Which, I have decided instead of calling the police, we'll talk to her 1 more time about then we'll call the police. There is a town noice ordinance and it is against the law for her to pelt her snow at our house since it crosses property lines. Apparently when the snow falls on your property, you own it. Who knew? So we're going to try to resolve this matter between us neighbors and try try try not to get the police involved. I hope she will understand otherwise it's her pocketbook paying the fine.

Good night all!

We've been busy!

I think my last post was...Tuesday? Since Tuesday we have had our hands full with lots of exciting and some not so exciting stuff!

Wednesday morning was Troy's surgery. His appointment was originally at 8:15 and was moved up to 6:30 am due to some cancellations. The alarm went off at a grooling 5:15 am. I awoke, Kris awoke and Miss Rylee awoke, who was up the entire day with only two 15 minutes catnaps throughout the day! Troy did well through his surgery. He had adenoids removed and tubes placed. His adenoids turned to mush and fell apart apparently, which meant they were chronically infected. Thus meaning that they were 100% the problem! When he was waking up, he became fixated with his IV and wanted to pull it out. Luckily after a stressful 15 minutes, he was awake enough for them to remove it. I got him dressed and the 2 of us headed home with a pit stop at the pharmacy for his prescription (which cost me $101.54...what is this world coming to...$101.54 for a small bottle of ear drops...gosh!) He was a handful that evening. He cried every 15 minutes. Last night, he got up 5 times throughout the night...ugh! He is still overly whiny and keeps covering his mouth and/or ear(s). I am really not sure what to do now. We are just going to continue giving him the drops and see how it pans out. If he's not better by Monday than we may have to visit the doc.

Wednesday, Kristopher had his one and only final (that is why he couldn't come with me to Troy's surgery). My sister Carmen watched Rylee while Kris took his final. So school is done until the latter part of January next year. I am beyond excited and I know he is too!

Thursday was just an average day, just with a little boy who was much crabbier and needier than usual.

Friday was an AWESOME day! Rylee was suppose to have Occupational Therapy with Jessica and Speech Therapy with Krisann however, due to illness, Krisann cancelled. Jessica did come and was excited with Rylee's progress. Back in August, each therapist set goals for Rylee to meet by February 1, 2010. Well, Krisann pretty much told us the goals were met the last time she was here, which was November, and Jessica told us that she is going to have to write new goals for Rylee because she has met her goals for February! The only area she is legging on is physical therapy which we knew. Her trunk and upper body muscles are immature. Rylee is a small 12 lb, 14 oz and a long 25 inches...which is a fantastic 10 lbs and 10 inches in 10 months! Someday we will meet those physical goals! Jessica gave us new things to do with Rylee such as placing a toy in each hand and letting her bang the toys together. That way she learns that she has 2 hands. She is fascinated with hands and is constantly checking her out, I guess to make sure they are still there!

Other very exciting new is we now have a reason for all Rylee's drool and chewing...2 teeth! She is budding 2 teeth on the bottom. AND!...she is loving her cereal...most of the time. Last night, she ate 2 bowls of cereal plus drank 5 ounces of formula!!! That's a HUGE supper for her!

Today, I went to Dubuque. I arrived around 9:30 and didn't head out until 2. Oh my goodness...it was CRAZY! My first stop was Old Navy. Last night as we were watching TV there was a commercial for $3 sweatshirts. So I stopped in and got Kris a couple. My next stop was right next door, Michael's, to finish us some Christmas presents! Then I went to Menard's for a new light fixture for above our kitchen sink and got a Christmas present there. I proceeded to Hobby Lobby to complete a Christmas present and while there I got an amazing letter K! Doesn't it look awesome in our entryway? I love it and it only cost me $3.00!

I made a suppose to be quick trip to the $100 store...I mean Wal Mart. Really I can never get out of that place for under $100! I picked up a pack of cookie cutters for Christmas cookies, some baking ingredients (baking chocolate, candy canes, butter), 6 shirts for Kris (they were advertised for $2 so $12 for work shirts is a small price to pay for necessities and they just get yucky and filthy anyway!) and 4 cans of formula (that was pretty much my entire bill there!) and probably a couple of other things that I can't think of right now. They I went to Target for some diapers and wipes. I picked up a couple of cans of green beans for .50 a piece, what a deal! My last stop was Little Folks Trading Post. It's a second hand kids store. Their motto is.."Keeping the cost of growing up...down!" I love that store! They have super nice things. Everything that you would need. Plus it is reducing our carbon footprint by using gentally used. I picked up a cute pair of PJs for Rylee, a pair of khaki pants for Troy (since the holiday season is approaching), another 2 piece outfit for Rylee and a sling to carry my babes with for under $20. The sling brand new is $50 so that is pretty good. They told me that the sling was too small for the woman who bought it. AWESOME! Right next door to the Little Folks Trading post is The Hanger. That is a second hand store for my size people (and bigger). I picked up a couple of tops for a total of $8.00!

After shopping, Kris hung up our K while I wrapped a gift for a christmas party we had tonight! While I was wrapping I kept smelling this AWFUL smell. We noticed it all week and couldn't figure out what the heck it was. We have a box in our living room that contains our water pipes (since we live on a hill, there is ground under our house so the pipes had to wrap in the house to supply the bathroom on the other side of the wall with water) which we refinished and boarded up nice and tight last winter. Kris and I scooted around on hands and knees trying to find the source of the smell. It was coming from the box! Kris was worried it was the pipes and I was worried it was a mouse. So we pried open that top of the box and inside on top of the Pink Panther, Pepto Bismal colored insulation was a furry little dead mouse. YUCK! At least it was in the box and not in our house. We disinfected and now the smell (and the mouse) are gone.

Tonight was my dad's girlfriend's parents' christmas celebration. It was fun. Troy was a whiny pain in the rear. Their house is very non-child friendly. I was panicked he would fall through the railings or break something. OH MAN! It was the most stressful couple of hours of my life. Ok, maybe not, but it was stressful none the less! We had fun. I finally uploaded the photos off of my camera...enjoy!

Daddy shoveling during our big snow storm!

This was from the summer just my kids sleeping (it's been a while since I uploaded the entire card!)

August 4, 09. This was my niece and nephew's Radio Flyer tricycle after their house fire. I like this photo.

Merry Christmas!

Santa's bells are jingling, can you hear them?

We have 10 day until christmas morning. HOLY COW!! This girl is almost done christmas shopping. I still have to pick up something small and little for daddy from Troy and Rylee. I also have to finish a gift. Other than that, I am done! We did the shopping for Santa this past weekend. There are an equal number of gifts for Troy and Rylee. The dollar amount is a little off, Rylee got hosed by a little but she got bigger gifts (which Troy will probably claim stake too like everything else). Santa wrapped all his presents already and have them stored in a special spot (the garage). We decided last year that we would wrap all of Troy's toys in all green wrapping paper and Rylee's in all red wrapping paper. Therefore, there is no need for gift tags. We also put necessities in their stockings like socks, undies, sippy cups...everyday things that they need. Those are going to be our traditions every year. We are also going to do christmas different this year. Christmas day we will be apart from each other for most of the day. Therefore, Christmas eve we are going to have a traditional Christmas dinner just the 4 of us and maybe drive around and look a lights. Christmas morning we are going to enjoy a cream cheese butter braid and open gifts from santa. Then the rest of the day will be complete mayham!

Tomorrow Troy has surgery to have tubes put in his ears and have his adenoids taken out. Originally we were suppose to arrive at 8:15 am. They called today to tell us that there were cancellations so now we have to be there by 6:30 am. Good grief! That means we have to leave by 5:45 to get there on time. As Troy would say (and Swipper too), "OH MAN!" I stocked the fridge with jello and pudding yesterday. We have popsicles and ice cream too. Pray for Troy tomorrow that he has a speedy recovery and for me that I don't get too tramatized by having to hold while they put him out. I am the most nervous about being there when he is put to "sleep". I wasn't with Rylee when she was put to "sleep" for her shunt surgery. They just took her and did it without us. I wonder if she felt alone or scared. At least Troy will have me to comfort him when he is put to "sleep" and when he wakes up. Kris is going to keep Rylee in the morning and my sister is going to watch her during his final, if we're not home by then. I am going to rent a movie or two tonight so that Troy will sit and watch those tomorrow. I plan on taking care of him but depending on how he is doing, hopefully I will get my christmas cookies baked and decorated. Those can always wait until the weekend though. Tomorrow is a Troy day. Hopefully all goes will and no more ear infections EVER for that poor boy.

The weight is on...

or not really. Rylee had her "9" month well child check up today. Last time we had her in, was 3 weeks ago and she weighed 12 lbs, 11 oz. Today, she was 12 lbs, 14 oz which is 1 ounces a week in the last 3 weeks. HOWEVER, before you judge and think only 1 ounces a week when they want her to gain an ounce a day, let me tell you a few new tidbits of my precious 10 and half month old child! In the last 3 weeks, she has had 3 physical therapy sessions, 1 occupational and 1 speech therapy session each. In the last 3 weeks, she has grown into this beautiful little girl by:

1. She is actually jumping in the jumperoo now, not just sitting in it. In case you're wondering what a jumperoo is..it is this:

2. She is growing in length. She is now in 3-6 month sleepers made by Gerber, Chico and Child of Mine. She fits well in her 0-3 month clothes (mainly length wise).

3. She is actively trying to roll over either from her belly to back or visa versa.

4. She is initiating sitting up on her own.

Therefore, she is much much more active than she was 3 weeks ago. I'll admit when that 12 lb, 14 oz came up on the scale, I was thoroughly disappointed. However, once I took all of that stuff in account, it was a gain which is good. More good news, we were given the ok to try and feed her solids. It really depends on her whether or not she is ready for solids yet. All in all, it was a good appointment. Dr. C is very happy with her progress. So yay for Rylee!

Nose is connected to the ear that is connected to...

This snow late morning we had to take Troy to the ENT doc. Remember in my last post about life being not so great and having 23 days until the end of the year? I've knocked on wood and prayed hard...but it looks like we have another hurdle to jump over before the end of the year. Troy is having surgery next Wednesday to have tubes put in his ears and have his adenoids taken out. I hate that he has to go through this but after 11 ear infections in 17 months, I think it is definitely time. Plus this will help with his hearing by removing the fluid that just sits on his ears. We were ready for this news and prepared to hear what the doctor said before we went there. We've known for the last 17 months that this would probably be what would happen to "cure" this. He has about a 10% chance of developing reoccurring ear infections. This is reduced because the adenoids are coming out. The removal of the adenoids will also help the constant runny nose thing he has going on and may help cut down illness since the bacteria will not be just sitting idle anymore. We were prepared for this so it's not so shocking. I just hate that he has to be put under. Rylee was put under when she had her shunt surgery and the hours it took for her to come out of it were absolutely awful. She would just cry out because of the pain, the change in her brain pressure and the anesthetic wearing off in general was upsetting. I was tramatized by this and since Troy is bigger, fiestier I am a tadbit nervous of the anesthetic wearing off. We'll do fine. Just another hurdle to cross, bump to go over! What really bites the big one is that I have to take the entire day off work which means I have to make all 8 of those hours up before the end of December...it's going to be tricky that is for sure! So if we could just make it through the rest of this year with this little bump, no more surprises and time off, we'll be doing great! UGH!! Sometimes, I tell ya. Have a wonderful day all.

Luck is not on our side

I have literally been trying to get groceries for days. First it was I hate taking both kids to the store by myself and avoid that at all costs, secondly, I am alone and after arriving at WalMart, realize I forgot my pocketbook at home, and then it was 9 on Sunday night. I absolutely had to bite the bullet, pick my kids up from daycare and then go get some groceries. We did it! There were only a few meltdowns from Troy about this or that but overall he did very well. This was by far the best trip in the last 12 months, hands down. Rylee, of course, didn't make a peep the entire time. She just looked around and let the groceries crowd her in in the front of the cart.

We got home tonight and ate a very late dinner. Troy even helped me put things away. He thought he was big stuff! After dinner, which was just smoked sausage, mac and cheese and California medley (I know you were wondering) oh, and I made cookies for dessert (remember back in September when I bought overpriced cookie dough, well it arrived last week so making a pan of cookies is rather easy at this moment in time). I really don't think a period should go there but it's late and I'm too lazy to modify that last sentence. Anyway...After dinner, I laid both Troy and Rylee down to get diapers changed and pajamas on. Troy was talking to Rylee, pretending to tickle her when all of the sudden he reaches over, grabs her hand, kisses it, says "Ahhhh, Ry Ry" and lays a big wet one on her forehead. My heart melted. She just did this little gooey for you smile and eye flutter thing. If you know Rylee than you know what I am talking about. She loves him from the tips of her hair to the tips of her toes.

It was a great end to a not so great day. Remember in June when the deer ran into us and totaled our Cobalt? Well, we bought a car from Kris's parents. It had these nice, new tires. Well, one of those tires went to tire heaven today. Some way, some how, Kris ended up with a huge gash in his tire on his way to drop the kids off at Tara's before class. The guys at Munyon's put the spare on so he, barely, got the kids dropped off and then dropped in a chair at my desk because he was too late for class. Luck is just not on our side. I really really hope that next year is better for us. I am depending upon this. This is turning into a really bad joke, seriously, and we are smack dab in the center of it. We are the heart and sole of this *bleepeddybleep* joke. So now, when money is tighter than tight anyway, we have to buy a new tire, 18 days before Christmas. Kris and I have had many discussions and blame this year. This is just not our year. I think you could probably quote me at least 5 times in past posts but I am going to say it again...This year just plain SUCKS! AND, there are still 24 days before the end of this god awful year. I do have to say, that out of all my 24 years, this one has been the worst. I have hit my low many times this year. I just want to get back to my happy, size 2 self. I want to be all lovey dovey with my husband (I know, my family is probably letting out a groan at the thought) like we were in high school, college, honeymoon stage of our marriage instead of us looking at each other with pity in each of our eyes and frowns on our faces. I just want normal. I don't want to live this joke anymore. I know, you're thinking "it was just a tire" but it wasn't just a tire, it's not just a bump in the road, it's our life...and as happy as we are, happy that we are all healthy, happy that we are all here, it sucks. So, hopefully, since it's 12:12 am on December 8th, we have 23 more days until next year and we're desperately hanging on to 12:01 January 1, 2010 for things to turn completely around. Luck is not on our side today but maybe in 23 days, it will be and that I am dependent upon, desperate for, praying for.

It was only a matter of time...

Troy started running a temp a few weeks ago. Twice, he stuck his finger in ear. So since it was 8 pm on a Friday night, I took him into the Urgent Care in Platteville. The doc there diagnosed him with double middle ear infection. This is his 8th double ear infection in the last 12 months. He is unique however in the fact that they never seem to bother him much. We never know until he starts running a temp. Last week, Troy had to go have his second flu shot so we had them look at his ears to make sure they were all cleared. Well, his little ears were still pink so he had to go back today. Dr. C decided that it was time to go see ear, nose and throat specialists. We are headed to Dubuque next Tuesday. It was only a matter of time before tubes would be put, we've reached that time.

Tomorrow marks the 4 month anniversary of my sister Carmen's house fire. Guess what? Tomorrow may also be the day they get to move back home. I am praying hard and with all my might that they can get everything done in the next 2 days so they can sleep in their new beds, bathe in their new tub, eat in their new, gorgeous kitchen and watch tv in their new, lovely living room. I talked to her today. Yesterday the carpet was installed. Their "old" house had all wood floors so they didn't have any carpet there. So now their "new" house has some. She said they all just laid out on the carpet last night. St. Nicholas comes Saturday night to fill shoes/stockings so what better a present than to set out their shoes next to their new door. It was only a matter of time before they could move home. That time is here yet so far away!

Smiling down on us

Today is a rough one for me. Today is my grandpa Dodds' birthday. Today is also the first anniversary of his passing. I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss him. He's my angel. I know he's been holding Rylee's hand throughout her struggles. He is a whole in our family. It was so extremely painful to walk into Grandma's house after he passed and everyone had gone home and not have him there. He was a man of few words but when he spoke it was strong and meaningful. My best memory is of him and Troy. I wish to the ends of the earth that I would've gotten a picture of him and Troy together. He loved Troy, always watching him and touching his hand. He clapped with him as he started crawling and trying to walk. I am so grateful for the times I got to spend with him both as a child and as an adult. I miss him terribly. He's smiling down on us! Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Long weekend

This past weekend felt very long. Kris and I spent Thanksgiving with Troy and Rylee. We made a turkey, stuffing, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, pumpkin pie, deviled eggs. All of that for the 4 of us, well only 3 of us ate. All homemade and full of love. It was awesome! I think we may have just made ourselves a tradition. It was nice to spend a major holiday at home, not rushed. We ate when the food was ready which was right at noon. We didn't have anywhere to be at any specific time. It was so nice!

I have a meat phobia. I can't touch raw meat so I was not about to stick my arm in the stomach of a turkey. My wonderful husband did that part. However, instead of us following the directions, Kris just pulled the bag of neck out and stuffed it. After it was all stuffed he said, Opps, we were suppose to turn it breast down and stuff it that way. We found out why when the turkey was all done and we were cutting it apart. We didn't pull the turkey's secret parts out. Good thing that were in a package. That was the only major (which isn't even major) mishap. I consider that pretty good.

I did go over and visit with my dad's family. My dad was in Hawaii with his girlfriend Deb and her mom and step-father, Doris and Bob, for the week so they missed Thanksgiving with us. I also visited my Grandma Dodds and Uncle Tim and Aunt Jean were there.

My dad and Deb called me late Thursday evening with some "news". My dad proposed to Deb just after sunset on a beach in Hawaii. Those of you who know my dad or don't, he is 55 years old, never married so this is a BIG step for him. He always said he was too short to get married. Well apparently he has grown.

My Uncle Tim and Aunt Jean's daughter just had a baby a few weeks ago. On Saturday we stopped in and met her. She is the most cuddly little girl. My kids were never that cuddly. Anne and Matt were on their way to Madison. Matt's doing a residency in Chicago and that is over in June. He got a job offer from St. Mary's in Madison. So they were going to look the city over to see if they would like to live there. He has to make a decision by to today so hopefully they'll move her and we'll get to know Frannie all the better!

Saturday morning my sister Erin called and said they were on their way down to Cuba City and wanted to know if we would like to go to Jumpin' Janes later on. So Erin, Dave and I took Troy, Jalyn, Jared, Lexie and Avery to jump off some energy. After an hour, we were all sweaty, stinky and the adults were worn out completely! Troy had fun! We met, my brother Craig, SIL Jen, niece, Isabelle, brother Scott, sister Carmen, and BIL Joe at Uno's. We had 14 in our group. It was rather large. My sister Erin wanted to know if that counted as our Thanksgiving since we were all together. Kris and Rylee stayed home and snoozed. Scott GF Aubrey showed up just as we were all getting done.

Saturday we also visited my sister Carmen at their house. They are almost ready to move back in. It is absolutely gorgeous. Kris hadn't seen their house since right after the fire so it really looked different to him. I can't wait until they are all moved in and comfy.

Rylee wasn't feeling to well over the weekend. She had a stuffy nose and watery eyes. She had a hard time breathing when she ate. It seemed to be much worse at night.

However, all in all, we had a great holiday. Next one is a big one. Due to the extra precautions that we have to take, we are doing Christmas differently. Kris and I decided that it wouldn't be fair to our family and Troy if we completely skipped out on all the christmases. So when Kris's family (his mom and dad, brother, SIL and nephews) have christmas just he and Troy will go and Rylee and I will stay home. When my family (my dad, deb and family) and (brothers, sisters, families, and mom and Rich) get together, just Troy and I will go. We thought that way we are each with our family while Rylee stays happy and healthy.

Hope ya'll had a great holiday also! We are down to 26 days until Christmas!

It's Beginning to feel a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!
Once upon a time, my nephew Jared told me that he knows why Christmas is my favorite holiday. Because my name is Mary and I am married to Kris which equals Merry Christmas! Funny but I completely understand.

Christmas is popping up everywhere. However, we're focused on Thanksgiving right now. We got our turkey. We've got all of the other fixings! We're ready. Wednesday night will be full of baking and prepping. Thursday will be stuffing, roasting, thanking, eating and FOOTBALL, of course!

We're spending Thanksgiving as just the 4 of us. It will be nice. My sister and her family normally do the same thing and love it. It's the only major holiday they spend just as them. We're not suppose to have any visitors in our home so we're couldn't invite anyone. So it'll just be us.

On a much sadder thought, it came to my attention early yesterday morning that a guy I went to school with, well 1 year younger, passed away in the early hours as result of a car accident. He was 24. The amount of death that has happened to so many of the same age, meaning the graduated class of 2004, is awful. My husband is the same age and it just floors me at how many have passed from his class. Greg's life was taken way to soon. It just makes me sad but reminds me that everyday is precious. We've learned that and try to live like it.

I am also excited to tell you that we had Christmas photos taken and have our christmas cards ordered. I saw on the Frugal Mommy's website that with a special promo code you could get 50 photo christmas cards for free. So last night I ordered those and paid $3.19 for shipping. That comes out to 6.38 cents per card and I personalized them with 2 photos! Enjoy the photos.