Pancakes

Well, today Judah thought pancakes would be a great idea. That was until I informed him that there was no milk left. He did not find this a problem at all. He had a very interesting suggestion. "Creed's milk. How about we use your milk mom!" Jon and I could not help but laugh and want to hurl at the same time....I told him they wouldn't taste the same and we moved on to a new topic! Two year olds are FABULOUS! (Lynn...you would have taken him up on the suggestion, wouldn't you!)

I Need Starbucks.

Oh so tired. Last night Judah woke up several times with a fever of 102.7 and the poor guy couldn't sleep very well. In between waking up to take tempatures, I was nursing the crying 4 month old and trying to find meds for everyone (Albuterol for Creed and Tylenol for Judah!) Needless to say, I am not exactly well rested today...My good friend Elizabeth is out getting me a Venti half-caf iced mocha with whip right now. I can almost taste it...

I am still a Starbucks junky to the demise of our bank account, although I must say I am doing better now that I went home to Wisconsin for 15 days where there is not a Starbucks for miles. I did not exactly give them up....I found a cute little new coffee shop in town called Cravings (fitting for people like me) and it was very good. I only went a handful of times (which is really good for me).

back to Judah...he is still miserably feverish. I will be taking him to the doctor tomorrow if this does not go way...I think it must be another ear infection. The poor guy can't seem to kick this infection in the left ear. Please remember him in your prayers. He has been asking to play outside all morning...I just heard him say it again in his sleep! Hopefully this is nothing contagious for the rest of us.

Random thought: If anyone has any tips on how to keep the two kids occupied, clean and fed along with keeping the house picked up and clean and the laundry done, please let me know. I have several friends who are interested in the secrets of you obsessively clean and organized people out there! Our husbands would be floored! (Am I right mommies?)

One More Sticker to Go for Your Prize!

Who knew that pooping in the pot would create such excitement in our house! Judah successfully pooped in the toilet this week...one more to go and he wins his third prize...A trip to the movies with daddy! He already won 2 Bob the Builder trucks (Muck and Scoop). Jon and I are trying to figure out how to span the prizes out a bit more...so far they are working and they are cheaper than diapers, so we cannot complain!

Creed is doing much better for those of you who have been concerned (Thanks! I needed support through all my worry!) He is still coughing, but he seems much perkier. Please continue to pray for his health...we would love to see his asthma completely healed! Other than that, he is great! So smiley and talkative! He is scooting and rolling all over the place already. I am not sure what this means for me. He is only 4.5 months!

Jon is preparing for travel camp for youth group...so far too many youth and not enough leaders! We are going to camp in Gold Beach, Oregon. I am excited, but it will be interesting with the kiddo's. Jon and I are considering starting a second service at the Arcadia Vineyard geared for the younger crowds. There are many young adults who are interested in the idea...we will see.

Gotta run....two year old avoiding a nap and 4 month old screaming to be held...

Creed's first pool experience...look at those beautiful rolls and cheeks! 

My first tower...I did it myself! 

This picture captures Creed's personality! 

Everybody RELAX!

Don't worry about Creed! He is doing great....and yes I started the steroids even though I was hesitant...I believe God uses medicine too, but I also know that doctors over use medicine sometimes...we are taking both our kids to the healing rooms at church tomorrow night. I still find it frustrating that there are many natural remedies that doctors do not even consider when diagnosing a child! In the meantime, for all my well meaning friends I talk bigger than I act, so when I say "who needs steriods?" I am probably irritated, but willing to use them! Thanks for all the concern...I miss having all of you in my life...tangibly.

Cough Cough Cough

...so we went to the doctor yesterday and found out that Creed has Asthma! Not only did I receive the "get your children vaccinated or they might DIE" speech (which I understand could happen, but scare tactics are not the way to sell me on vaccines) but Creed's cough has gotten worse, which makes me nervous that on top of asthma he could still end up with whooping cough. (In fact one website said that if you have asthma the chances are higher that you will get it!) We were sent home with 5 medications! (for those of you who know me, I will probably only use one or maybe two unless I really feel he needs it...what 4 month old needs steroids?) Thanks to everyone who is praying. I have to keep reminding myself that I am a woman of faith--otherwise fear most definately reigns. Most cases of death or severe sickness is in infants under 6 months. Like my friend Melisa said "Jesus is bigger than that." Now I just stand on that for two more weeks and hopefully by then everything will be back to the "norm". In the meantime, if God brings our family to your mind send out a prayer! Thanks. By the way, Jon is not worried at all. He feels bad that I worry so much over a cold! What a great man I have for a husband-I need him to be the rock right now. Sorry ladies, he's taken.

Just "hanging" out... 

Why Can't Money Grow on Tree's?

Jon and I stopped at the Salvation Army yesterday and saw the the coolest loft bed with a slide off of it. You have no idea how I was racking my brain on how we could afford it! It was rediculously priced for a thrift store ($300), but it had a tent and a desk too! Jon rolled his eyes as the provider that is just trying to make ends meet...don't get me wrong, he would have just as much fun sliding down as Judah, but I was being completely unrealistic--you better believe he let me know it!

I realize it has been ages since I wrote last, but I was home for two and a half weeks in Wisconsin visiting my parents. We had such a great and refreshing time. Unfortunately I was sick for the first full week as well as the boys, not to mention I got my sweet gradparents sick too! Note to self: Do not visit your 80 year old grandparents when your children have even a slight cough or runny nose! Duh! (Sorry Grandma and Grandpa John!)

The second half of the trip consisted of hot tubbing in my parents new and beautiful loaded hot tub (CD, 6 person, a million jets and under the stars) and shopping with my mother who has no problem spending money on me! (Thanks for making me look good again mom, and dad, thanks for working so hard so that mom could inhance my beauty!) I am thoroughly enjoying my new wardrobe, eyebrow wax and freshly dyed hair!

I also picked up Shaunty Feldhans book, For Women Only. What an absolutely crucial handbook for women who need a little booty kick as well as some insight on how to love their men better. I encourage you to pick up a copy--you will not regret it!

On the plane ride home, both boys fell asleep and I was able to actually carry on a conversation with the guy across the isle. (This was a big deal knowing that on the plane ride there, Judah was asking where the door was an hour and a half before landing--fruit snacks and barf bag puppets only go so far) His name was Krishna and we just chatted about life. He asked about what it was like being married and I got to tell him the honest truth! (How absolutely amazing it is and how much work it takes...not to mention the growing that takes place!) He plays guitar and is currently looking for another band to work with...he just quit the one he was in, but Jon and I are looking forward to possibly meeting up for a show sometime! I find it interesting the types of people you meet on an airplane. Krishna challenged me--he was so "impressed" (for lack of a better term) that Jon and I have such ambition for life and are so pumped about church planting...his attitude encouraged me and made me all the more passionate about what is in store...poor guy got his ear talked off by a mommy of two needing a conversation with someone older than two that is not only intersted in Bob the Builder and his "dump-dig" (dump truck). Thanks Krishna...it was a good chat.

Upon arriving home, I found out I left Creed in the nursery with someone who may have Whooping cough...I have not had either of the boys vaccinated with these shots, so pray that they do not catch it! Creed is coughing this week and I am just crossing my fingers...

Summer is so fun and our little community here is continually out and about playing pool volleyball and cooking out...it has been refreshing for Jon inbetween all the youth events (He is scraping and painting a little old lady's house for a fundraiser tomorrow!) I am finally back down to size (with the exception of the un-toned tire...tuck it in for now) and feeling well rested. I couldn't ask for a better life.