Log time no post.

I realize it has been quite a while since I posted and so here we go.

It has been a bit on the crazy side for us. I went back to school and studying, working and mothering is all I do, ya I know "want some cheese with that whyne?", but it has been crazy.. Ally started a basketball camp for a few Fridays and is loving it. She also started in Girl Scouts and loves that. In November John and I got the fly, we are pretty sure it was H1N1, the doc. said it most likely was but she wasn't going to count her chickens since John and I had such similar symptoms. The kids didn't get it THANK GOODNESS! and we are slowly recovering form two weeks down.
I missed two weeks of school, once class was 4 quizes and the other was a project. I got all that caught up and turned in, but not with out freaking out a bit and killing myself. This week was finals and so far I feel pretty good! I found out that in my math class, that I thought I wasn't doing so well in after being sick even though I busted my hump, I got a B! I am so stooked! Now I am waiting on my psychology grade.
Last night I cut Matt's hair, all those curls gone...wahhhhhhh! I didn't want to but when people started saying cute little girl I had to. it's just not right ya know!?

Here are some other pics that we love!
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Been awhile

It has been sometime since I posted last. We have been so busy and I have had to get used to a new routine. Ally has started bringing homework home and is learning to read. I am so proud of her. This morning she picked up the book we were working on and just started reading. I am so excited for her! The teacher is sending very light reading homework home, pronunciations and such. I have phonics books and Ally and I have been working with those also. She is doing so well.
John turned 31 on the fifteenth, can't believe I am married to such an old man! Still, gotta love him!
A good friend of mine, Jesse, gave birth on the 17Th to a beautiful baby girl! I am so excited for them! Congrats! And Caitlin turned 6 yesterday! WOW we got a lot of October babies and the month isn't even over yet!
My classes are going pretty well. I am trying to juggle school work around Ally's and Matt's schedule. It is interesting. My computer is giving me fits and threatening to do something I don't want it to but I am slowly chugging along.
I have started volunteering in Ally's class on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before I go to class. She loves it when I am there and I love being a part in that area of her life. Ally also started Girl Scouts last week! She is so excited and I am too! She is a Daisy and she is going to be using my old daisy sash that I wore. I am too stoked for words.
John and I have sort of slipped into a routine on Sunday nights and it is cracking me up. I started watching "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday night a month or so ago after the kids went to bed and the last couple of time John has sat down with me and watched it or has a magazine and "reads" it. It is our time and ironically enough it is a chick show! lol
This morning John and I got the start of a life! We were all sleeping in bed, Ally had moved into ours at some point, and we heard this loud Crack BOOOOOOM ! and the entire house shook! I looked at the clock and it read 5 AM then we heard the next BOOOM! and the entire house shook again only this time it lite up with light! It was a thunder and lightening storm right above our house! It was so loud that the bed was shaking from the booms! I haven't ever been directly under it before and Ally slept right through it, how I don't know. Wow what a way to wake up!
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"Back to school, back to school, to prove to dad that I'm no fool.."

That was the song I was singing yesterday when I left for my classes, to John. Got a giggle out of him. I got to school early to get my books only to find out that I couldn't get my books. Go figure. So my first class is Math. I took a lecture class because I don't have Internet access and the independent one didn't work last time. Guess what!? All of it is done online! My assignments and quizzes are all online! Talk about karma!! Then I find out that my first test is Thursday and yep I still don't have my books. So then I go to my Psychology class. I really think I am going to enjoy this one. It is a bit overwhelming to be back in school but I am really excited to finish it and to know that I will have this accomplished. So here is my song, "back to school, back to school..."
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Measles out cold in

Matt is finally over his Measles, GREAT! Now we all, excluding Ally, have a cold, not so great. Tomorrow is my first day back to school. Wow, didn't think I was going to say that again. I am anxious among other things. But I am also excited to know that I am that much closer. Anyway,
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Still not feeling better

Matt is still feeling pretty puny from the measles. The red rash started to get a little stronger we thought but it is going away. He does not act as though he feels good. Very cranky and irritable. Wants to be held most of the time and tired a lot. The doctor said it would probably be about 30 days for the full effects of the immunizations to be done and the measles to be completely out of his system so-to-speak. So here we are sitting ducks and with a kid that is puny. Yesterday I stayed home with him. I started out just the morning but he started another temperature and then that was it. He slept for a long time and then spent good chunk of the afternoon in my arms not letting me get much done.
Because of what has happened was due to the amount of the immunizations he received (five at once) John and I have decided that no more that three may be given at any one time. I still believe in immunizations, don't get me wrong.
Earlier this year when the entire family came down with Rhoto-virus (refer to previous posts) Matt was the only one in the family who had received an immunization, they just started them the year prior, and he was barely affected. This virus is a leading cause in dehydration hospitalization's and deaths in infants -hence the immunizations- and Ally was knocking on the hospital door.
*Update*
My friends daughter has come out of her surgery well. They found some surprises but all is well now and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. We love you sweetie!
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sickness and school...great combo!

Friday night I got a call at around 6:30 from my mom about Matt. He had a temp. of 104.3! So she gave him Motrin and a tepid bath. I got home and we proceeded to continue with the baths and temp. watch. All night it kept spiking up. Two calls to the on-call doctor about what to do and if we can give him an early dose we got to the morning. John took him to the doctor and he has a mild case of the measles. WONDERFUL! Just what we wanted! We think he is over the worst of it but we are waiting to make sure. So far no high temperatures and we the rash is slowly going away.
Ally is in her second week of First grade and we are already seeing her wanting to be a part of the "in" crowd so-to-speak. There is a large group of her friends who are eating hot lunch and she is wanting to do this too. So after her informing me before school started this year that she wanted cold lunch, because that is what these little girls did last year, and me trying to explain to her that she needed to take lunch to school until next week I have finally given in because it is not worth the argument and the stress that I can see she is under. I know it is minor but I remember wanting to be with the big group of girls and wanting to do the same thing as they did so I don't want her to feel left out.
Today is a day of prayers and thoughts for friends of ours. Our very good friends daughter is having to go in today for a second surgery on her stomach for the opposite problem that Matt had. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
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What a couple of weeks...whew!

So two weeks ago I took a vacation. Yeah for me! I started out my weeks vaca with a trip to the doctor and found out I had a VERY bad sinus infection in one side and a pretty bad one starting in the other, no wonder I couldn't hear out of my ear. So then I spent the next couple of days cleaning my house and doing laundry and spending time with my kids while trying to get better for our trip to Diamond Lake that was coming up. Friday came and we all piled into two cars and headed for the lake. Once we got there it was gorgeous! Our cabin literally was looking onto the lake, we tied the boat up about a hundred feet from the front door. We fished and played and walked. We stopped counting fish at 125 and kept 5. The smallest we kept was 16in. the largest 16 3/4in. Then it was time to head home. John road with Gary and had Ally with the boat. Mom and I had Matt. When the guys left they turned right, when we left a few minuets later mom turned left. Made for quite a bit of confusion at first when I made the comment that I don't remember getting car sick on the way up because of how windy the road was.
Every thing ended up for the good.

Now we are gearing up for school. Ally will be in First grade this year! Wow! She is so excited!

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Mom's Birthday

Last night the family and I went to my parents house for Birthday Dinner. Yesterday my mom turned 60..er uh...hmmm...22 again. We gave her a digital frame with seventy some pictures on it so that she wouldn't have to stare at a black screen. Then tonight we are going back over because my mom's dearest friend and my God Parents are in town visiting for the weekend! I am soo
excited!
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Actions and re-actions...the lessons continue.

It seems that lately Ally has been doing a lot screaming and yelling when she doesn't get her way and back talking. I personally am getting really sick of it! I will ask Ally if she will please go clean her room. This leads to a lot of "I don't want to's" and "why" and "it will take too long". This usually goes on for about five min. and then she gets sent to her room where she starts this crying and screaming bit about how she's not special and something else that we can never understand. After going in several times asking her not to yell, telling her not to yell and about 10 min. later she finally has calmed down enough to come out and talk. There are about a bunch of steps there that shouldn't have to be there. So what do we do?

So... I have been thinking about it, watching some shows, "Nanny 911", "World's strictest parents". and have been thinking about what they are doing. Man! People thought I was strict...ha the last show is wow! That's about it. So I am trying a new approach.

What I am going to try to do is this, if she is doing something that is not okay, yelling in the house, running in the house or something that is not okay in general she is going to be asked to stop once. If she has to be asked again she is going into a warning zone. This means that the next step will be a time out or some privileges will be taken away, TV for example. If She has to be asked again she is put in time out for 6 min. (she is 6 after all), and when she comes out we are going to discuss what the consequences are for what has happened.

Yesterday, for example, while I was getting ready for work and getting stuff ready for everyone I asked her if she would get dressed and stated shorts and t-shirt today. She came out wearing a fancy dress and asked if she could wear that. When I stated that no she couldn't it would be too hot for that dress she started yelling and throwing a fit. Long story short I was 10 min. late leaving to get the kids to day care and 15 late to work. NOT COOL!
So last night she and I talked and I told her that she was loosing her TV privileges and that she was going to have to do some extra chores that mommy normally does. She had to pick up the living room, the entry way and vacuum along with going to bed early. She was awesome about this. She was supposed to pick up her room last night but I wanted her into bed early so I slid on that one. This morning she picked up her room and we had a great morning. When we got into the car she started to get a bit of a 'tude and when I asked her if she wanted to do some extra chores tonight she said no and that was the end of the 'tude. Eureka!!

Hopefully this will be the end of the screaming issue for a while.
Oh, by the way here is the picture with me a Larry the Cucumber off Veggie Tales. Enjoy!
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Wow. A lot has happened!

So two weeks ago John and I a VERY busy weekend. We had a birthday party to go to, and helping my mom get her "laundry list" of to-do items done and we celebrated our 7 year anniversary!














Monday I took off so that we could spend the day together. I went and registered for school! Cool beans! I am so excited!! Then we took off and went to the beach! Matt hasn't been there before so it was a lot of fun.

We started out at the beach by Moe's in Lincoln City. The tide was out so we got a chance to go walk where we usually can't and go to see some interesting logs. We had a blast. Then we went to Depoe Bay to have lunch and walk around. While we were there we got to see a whale not far from shore and Ally got to see it spouting water! She thought that was sooo cool! Then we went to Yaquina Head and Ally and I spent some mommy and daughter time while Matt was sleeping and went for a walk to the cobblestone beach. Got some great pictures! THEN we went to Agate beach and everyone made sandcastles and played in the water.


























We left there and went to Newport to go see the sea lions. Ally got to see two get into a fight and she said they were playing. Matt thought they were the coolest . He kept looking over and straining to see them "talk". Afterwards we hit Mickey D's and went to Devils Punch Bowl to eat and I noticed that we had a flat tire.

We hustled back to Newport, to see if we could get to a better lite area since it wasn't completely flat yet, and changed the tire. We put the spare on, a donut, and it was flat too! We filled that one up and when John was in using the restroom I got that weird feeling in my stomach and checked the oil. Two quarts low! Sheesh, we need to get home!! So we put oil in, got home and went to bed.

Tuesday morning while I was sleeping I became very sick and ended up staying home because of vomiting. I was the only one sick so we think I got some food poisoning. Not too surprised with the way the day before had gone.

Last weekend we had a baby shower for my friend Jessie. She is due the 10Th of October, I told her she should hold out till the 15Th, but we'll see. It was really nice to see her and other friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Here is a picture of Jessie and I. Doesn't her tummy look cute?!











Ally starts First Grade! She is on a four day school week now. Three day weekends!! I start classes at the end of Sept. and still have a five day schedule. NO FAIR!!! WAAAHHH!
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I need a weekend from my weekend!

What a great weekend! Saturday we had a birthday party to go to for my nephew. He turned seven! I know I will never forget his birthday, or age for that matter, because he was born 10 days before my wedding. He was the youngest one at the wedding! We stayed for a BBQ afterwards and fun in the pool. We didn't get home time 10 and it started at 2! Sunday I worked with Linda, a co-worker, at an event in Albany. We were photographing children with Larry the cucumber (Veggie Tales). It went pretty well. If we do it next year we definitely know what we need to bring! And YES I did get a picture with Larry, I should be getting my photo on Wednesday!
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Weekend fun

Last weekend we were invited to go to Sarah's house to a pool party. What fun that was! We spent 3 hours non-stop in the pool. Matt loved it! He was talking and pointing and laughing. The girls Ally and Catie were jumping all over and having a blast. I would have pictures but alas Sarah's camera has them and she hasn't gotten them to me yet. Oh well. I'll get em up soon.?
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Some pics over the summer. Enjoy!

Chow Time!



















Ally swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's















These are the fish that Ally caught at Diamond Lake with Grandpa and Grandpa.
The were so big that mom had to take the picture sideways with her phone.















Matt swinging at the park

This is Ringo our new kitty



















Matt's "job" at Grandma and Grandpa's he plays with the rocks. Taste test and all!

WHAT A MESS!!!

This morning I thought I was ahead of the game. I was ready to go on time, was getting ready to wake Matt up to take him to the baby sitter's. I thought to myself what a great day it's going to be. HA, Famous last words!! At 8:10 I went in to wake Matt up and found him diaper less and smearing poop on the wall! UGH!!! He had it all over him, head to toe!, the wall, the crib, the sheets EVERYTHING!! So I had to get undressed so I could take him to the shower. I scrubbed him then got him dressed. I was running around naked trying to get the crib stripped and the wash started when I heard a familiar noise of no good. I turned around and Matt was playing in the new kitten's potty box (thank god I had cleaned it moments before this fiasco!). SO I stopped what I was doing and had to give Matt a sponge bath to get him cleaned up. I set him on the floor with a bottle and went to finish stripping the crib. Got the sheet and blanket in the wash!

You know what John did when I told him?! He laughed and said what a mess I have. I told him uhuh! I started the cleaning process but when he gets home he is going to have to use some heavy duty cleaner on the crib and wall. Then I told John that he got it from his side of the family! John said no he didn't but I said that I never played in poo that only guys did that and there was five on John's side so it defaulted to his fault!
I got Matt taken care of and to the baby sitter's on time! What a mess!!
Oh, by the way all this transpired in a matter of twenty minuets.
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New member of our family

Last night Daddy gave in and let Ally have the kitten she has been gooshing over since it was about an hour or so old. Several weeks ago my in-laws cat had babies. Ally got to see them and picked one out, of course she asked daddy if she could have one and he mistakenly said "we'll talk about it". So the weeks have gone by, she named the kitten "Rosie" and was adimant that that was the kitten she was bringing home. Fastforward to last night. I get a call from John asking what "we" are going to do about the "kitten thing". I said what kitten thing. This is between him and his little girl. I told him I wasn't the one who said "we'll talk about it". He got quite for a moment and then said well we have two options. The first being I could pick up the kitten and have it waiting for her in the bathroom, or two, she and I could go pick it up. I guess in the end he couldn't say no to his little girl. It is a sweet kitty, however, it's a boy. When I brought this up to her she said to name him "Ring". I though she said "Ringo" and she goes yeah Ringo. So the kittens full name thanks to John is "Ring around the Rosie."
Lord help us all the kitten won't know its name from its tale!!
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What a weekend!

Ally left Thursday to go to Diamond lake with Grandpa and Grandpa what a blast they had! Friday I got a call from them, Ally had pulled out a 16.5 inch 2.5 lb Rainbow Trout! Yes I will have pictures when my parents get them to me. Friday, eh nothing big. Saturday John and I ran errands separately and then met up later to finish them off. Later that night I drove to Corvallis to help photograph a wedding. What a beautiful day for it. What a great wedding too. So many great ideas! So Sunday rolls around. John woke up sick to his stomach really early and spent all day in bed. My company picnic was at 4. So when Ally had gotten home and rested the kids and I went to my company picnic. John was not getting any better so he stayed home.

We went and had a good time until Ally slid off the big air toy and got hurt. I thought that it was just a scrape. When I got to ally she was crying and complaining that her ankle hurt and she heard a pop. Well that got me a little more nervous. So I had her point and flex her toes, which she did but couldn't wiggle her toes very well. So I piled her and Matt in the car and we went to the hospital. John met us there and my parents came and picked up Matt.
So after seeing the doctor he told us that it wasn't broken but s 2nd degree sprain. Which basically means there will be bruising and swelling and to take it easy for a little bit.
He also said that purplie bruising with a pop is never good, however because she was so cold and wet that it probably did that so fast because of being cold. That being said if she doesn't complain in a week were in the clear!
SO what a weekend. One healthy, one sick, one hurt and mommies exhausted!whooo!

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WOW! Two posts in 24 hours I'm on a roll!

Well Ally is off to go fishing with my parents. Today is my parents 10 year anniversiary and they are off to Crater lake and that area! UGH I wanna go too! OK, that's enough. I have added a link to Wind Dancer Photography. This is the photography company that I am working at part-time. I am very excited about this. The style of the photography is what I am wanting to learn to achieve. I know I am going to learn a lot and will grow with the knowledge.
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Long time no post!

So I realized that it has been a bit ( yeah I know over a month) since I posted but I've been busy! So the school year has ended. Ally will be a first grader this year! Wow, doesn't seem that it has been that long ago I was pregnant! She is so excited! She keeps asking if she has school tomorrow. Last month our was FULL of birthday's! June 13Th we had two! We started out at our friend's daughter's, Alexus. She turned 1! She is so cute! Wild curls! Then we went to my nephew's, DJ. He turned 12. It was not that long ago it seems that he was Alexus' age! Quite the young man! Then June 23rd was Matt's, we celebrated on the 27Th! It was a blast. We had the family, close friends, and tons of kids! Matt was a cake machine! He LOVED it!

John and Ally have been going fishing so much! Ally pulled, forgive me I can't remember what type of fish, a Channel Catfish? out, three BIG ones. You go girl!

No these are NOT the same fish!

Matt has been sick this whole weekend. 102.5/103 fevers. We thought it was his one year molars coming in. Not only that but the poor babe has an ear infection and a virus! that stinks!
Tonight Ally is staying with my parents and going camping and fishing with them till Sunday! What fun that will be.
We have been busy busy. John is working full time Monday~Thursday for the school 6 am to 4 pm, then working his business full time. I have taken up a part-time position with Wind Dancer Photography as a (yep you guessed it) photographer, and working full time at The Shutterbug. On top of that we have all kinds of "events" going on, parties, visits, baby showers, all kinds of things. Phew, when does summer get over? Did I just say that?
That's about it!
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What a weekend!!

Well, where to start...

Ally had her first game on Wednesday. Her team WON!! I was told by another parent that Ally hit the ball both times on the first time and was doing really well! Apparently she ran to first base with the bat and then when she ran to second John was yelling "go Ally" and she started to run to him!. Overall it was a great game! She has another tonight!!

Friday I moved Ally's BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS bunk bed by myself (yes I know I can hear it now, why are you doing this by yourself. Three words...Because I can!), got it moved with out any major injuries, smashed toe and hand. No biggie. Sat. Ally went with Grandma and Grandpa out on the boat. Matt hasn't been feeling too good lately and so he and mommy stayed home. I got A LOT cleaned! and Laundry is almost caught up. Sunday...Ah Mother's Day. They day where all mothers should be told they are loved. I got the CUTEST thing from Ally. Her class made "Mommy Makes It Best" recipe books. Each child told what their favorite dish was that mommy made and how they make it. Ally's was Oatmeal. It was so cute, I will post what she said tomorrow, but the last sentence was so cute. It said "Mommy only makes me oatmeal when I'm dressed!" I go to sleep in, 8 am oh yeah! I was taken to breakfast, we went to Lowe's to get my mom's gift and John surprised me by getting two large outdoor pots that I have been drooling over, apparently with out my knowledge, for a long time now and got two Chalalillies for each one, and not just plain white, beautiful colored Minni's. We got them planted and set!. What a lovely day. Then we made mini pizza's for dinner. The perfect day.

This morning Ally lost her second tooth!

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Ally's new sport!

Ally had her first Pitching Machine practice yesterday and she loved it! It is the in between for T-ball and Softball. Ally now needs a glove and cleats for her practice. She is so stoked!

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Now it's been awhile

Well we have had a lot still going on. We had Easter, Ally looked so cute in her dress and Matt had a little outfit on. We went to my parents for Easter breakfast after church. Then on to John's parents where Ally got to take part in an Easter egg hunt. Seven kids and 250 eggs. Wow someone was busy. Matt has started waling and is all over the place now!Ally's school had their carnival this Friday. I volunteered and helped with the bowling booth. Tuns of fun. Each classroom had a basket theme and everyone brought something to "fill"t the basket with. Ally's class was "Italian Dinner Night" and we donated some super fun glasses. There were all kinds of baskets and I won the "Cozy" Basket. It had so much stuff in it. Four homemade fleece blankets, two girlie and two boy, a bucket of Red Vines, popcorn, a HUGE bag of pretzels, big container of hot cocoa, 5 pound bag of M&M's, a gift card for blockbuster, a gift card for pizza, two liter of pop and 4 tumbler's. Wow all this for one dollar!

The weekend didn't stop there, I purchased some boat seats for our boat for the super expensive cost of a 6 pack of beer! Then Sunday John got his truck running again, moved the boat from his parents house to ours, went and picked up Ally's new bed, fixed his machine...the list goes on. Ally's bed is a bunk bed with a desk and bookshelf. It is really cool and VERY HEAVY! I put her entire bed together all by my self and moved it from the garage to the bedroom. I am so proud, I hurt but who cares!? Now we are on to today. We got to wake up to Matt covered in his poop! So Mommy got to take a shower and scrub baby. John had to get Ally ready for school while I cleaned baby, stripped the bed, bumper, and water proof sheet and bleach the crib bars. When Matt gets poopie he likes to spread it around!!

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It's been awhile

It has been a bit since I posted and I thought I would bring it up to date.

The weekend of the fourth John and I decided that we were both not going to work on Saturday. We disconnected and had a family day. We went on a picnic. We took Ally's bat and ball and worked with her on her hitting. We fished and Ally got one! Matt and I hung out relaxing. All was well until I had to go to the bathroom. Ally and I left and went to the little mart, that was fine but on our way back to our picnic spot a strange dog came up and started to bark at us. It's owner, a child about Ally's age, was trying to call it back. At one point the dog went to his owner I took that chance to have Ally RUN to John. Good thing too because the dog came back and started barking at me again. Finally the kid took the dog and left. We thought we were done. We were wrong. About 20 minutes later the dog showed up with a few more kids and an adult...finally. Well about an hour later the dog started coming around again and it was getting late so we decided to pack up and leave. John and Ally started taking stuff up to the car while I was getting Matt set. I started walking up with Matt (who was in the stroller) towards the car pulling the cooler. That stupid dog started circling me and barking. It got to be about three feet behind me and was starting to get more aggressive. John saw and was headed down to me, I got angry, any mother would when she thinks that her child is in danger, and pulled out Ally's T-ball bat. FINALLY the idiot owner came and retrieved his dog.
So we went home and I was shaken.

The week went on and last weekend was Easter. Yes I will have pictures up later. We did Easter at our home, went to church and then to my parents for breakfast. Later we went to John's parents and the kids all did an Easter Egg hunt. I was fun. When we got home I got busy with cleaning the house! Gotta love the energy!

Anyway, over all everyone is doing pretty good.
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What a surprise!!

Friday night I came home to a wonderful surprise. Ally's FIRST tooth had fallen out!! She had a big hole in her mouth where a tooth used to be!!

Well, lets back up the track here. Last week was Spring Break, and what a break it was. Ally was bit by, we think, a spider on her foot. Not once...not twice...but three times on the same foot. We found out she was bit Saturday morning when three very purple spots, the smallest being about the size of a quarter/half dollar, showed up and she started running fevers of 102+. So Ally spent most of her break with an antihistamine and Motrin mix to get everything stopped. All the bites are gone now and on with the tooth!

She was so excited she conked out on the couch about 9. I, being the responsible mommy, put her designated Tooth Fairy Pillow, with tooth inside, under her pillow before I carried her to bed. That night/morning about 4:30 AM she came running out to me, I was sleeping with Matt on the couch, in a panic "Mommy I need my tooth fairy pillow! I need it!" I told her very calmly that mommy had put it under her pillow already so that the Tooth Fairy would know where her tooth was. She went off to bed and the next morning came running out yelling that the Tooth Fairy had left her "Two whole dollars!!"

Gotta love that Tooth Fairy!

Because of the amount of teeth that are trying to "spill" out of Ally's mouth we made her a dentist appointment. Today she went to the dentist for the first time and did AWESOME!! She crawled into the chair and wasn't afraid. The dentist put all kids of tools in her mouth and even took pictures of her teeth. He told her she was doing a great job of brushing. Only have to work a little more on the back permanents that are just coming in, but otherwise good job!

She is so stoked she gets to go back next month for a cleaning!!

That's all for now.
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What did I say?... WOW

Like I posted before WOW, what a weekend. I was finally able to finish the last of my imaging that I have been doing for other people. I made a "magazine" cover with a car that is being re-modeled, portraits for a business, editing on some pictures for a love one, and turning a picture into a one-of -a-kind poster. Phew! I am glad things have slowed down. Now onto the business of laundry! This weekend John was busy working and I was running around. Ally stayed at my parent house and got bit by a spider we think. John looked and saw puncture marks that would correspond with that type of bite. Very high fevers and chills, headache, and over all tiredness. Even though she had Motrin for the fevers and Bendryle for an antihistamine John and I decided that if we couldn't get a Pedialyte Popsicle in her then we were going to have to go to the hospital. She ate one and about an hour later her fever broke and boy did it! She slept with John and I and started another about 2 am. This morning she had a low one again with a headache. The bites look like they are getting better, we will see tonight.

Matt is doing well, he has four or five teeth coming in. His front top two have broken through and the others are close. Ally has her two adult teeth coming in in back of her two front baby teeth. She had an appointment today at the dentist, but we had to reschedule.

It sure has been a busy few weeks with another group coming.

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What a week!

This week, albeit not over yet, has been one for the busy weeks! Besides the normal day to day I have been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest with photography and digital items. Ally has her two front bottom adult teeth coming in behind her baby front teeth so off to the dentist we go! Matt has his top two teeth coming in, and three on the bottom. Volunteering at Ally's school and an array of other items, not including lack of sleep for the busy impaired! And this is just me! John, the poor guy, has not really had a day off in several weeks. He is working his full time job at the school and been busy with clients on the weekend. And this weekend won't be any different! He is busy on Saturday working, working, working. Sunday we are helping my parents with something and hopefully I can get my computer to do what I need to so I can get a VERY important image done for my Auntie.
WOW. Next week looks about the same too.
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Here we go again.

This morning we (my family and I) got to take a trip to the doctors office for Ally. She has been complaining of her leg hurting for the last week off and on and this weekend really insistent that it was hurting. Apparently at school last Tuesday or Wednesday a boy fell and "slammed" into her knocking her down. So the doctor poked and prodded, bent and pulled and said that nothing is broken (thank goodness) but she has a contusion and a pretty band bruise to the bone. That explains the puffiness. Anyway so much for a week with out any excitement. AND the power went out again in Amity... I am about to start referring to it as Po-dunk since we have more outages then a baseball game.
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What constitutes fat?

So about a week or so ago we took Ally to the doctor for a check up. She said that Ally's BMI (Body Mass Index) was too high or she was in the 90Th percentile for children her height and weight and the she (Ally) was considered to be...are ya ready for this?...overweight. I ask YOU does my child look like that? She puts her arms up and you see her ribs for goodness sakes! Also, your gonna love this, she said this in front of her. John and I could not get her to switch subjects fast enough with little ears around. Later that night I came home and John said I needed to talk to Ally. I asked Ally what we needed to talk about and she said "I'm fat mommy and need to go on a diet." I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!

Ally and I had a little discussion about weight, diets, and being healthy. I told her that 1) we don't diet in this family we eat healthy. and 2) With that being said we have healthy foods in the house and that is why we don't let her go "hog wild" on sweets.

Our decision was that Mommy and Ally would go for walks at night. That way we were being healthy.

So up to this last Tuesday. The city of Amity lost all power for several hours. Ally had to go with me to the doctor's office because school was temporarily closed. When the doctor checked my weight and said that I had lost some Ally, this is so sweet, asked me if we needed to find it. The doctor and I laughed and said that it was burnt as energy, when she asked what that was I told her that when I was chasing her down the hall and tickling her that was when I had lost it. She just said "mommy" in the way that she does.

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Thoughts and Prayers.

This has been a tough week for a little girl I know and love. She had to have surgery on Monday to solve a reflux issue. I really feel for her and her mom and dad. She basically had the opposite of what Matt did. Matt's didn't work right and hers were busy working over time and causing very painful reflux or GERD.

Her surgery went well. Tuesday Ally and I drove up with Matt in tow to go see how she was doing. She did not look like she was happy. She can't have what she wants to eat and we all know how hospital food tastes...like cardboard ran over. Ally was very upset when she found out that her "cousin" had to have surgery and that like her little brother and her mommy she was going to have to have marks on her tummy. I know what it was like for me with my surgery and I CAN"T imagine what that beautiful little girl is going through. Ally and I have been praying for a speedy recovery for her and Ally says that when she can eat what she wants she wants to have her over for an ice-cream party...whatever that is.

It has been a little crazy in our life over the last eight and a half months and doesn't seem like it is getting any slower. Go figure.

Monday Matt was put on an Albuteral inhaler for virus induced asthma. He thinks that it is a new chew toy for him (makes him sound a bit like a dog huh?) but it is really blowing medicine into his lungs. Ally is now taking her lunch with her and loving it. She says that she just like mommy now.

At the begining of the year I posted that I was not going to make New Years Resolutions because I think that they set you up for failure subconsciously. However...I would try to do three things. The first one I am doing wonderfully at (go figure) I have successfully lost 20 pounds so far and am rearing to go. Amazing how being forced to change your diet to avoid pain can be a motivation!

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Tials and tribulations of being a parent with sick children and being sick yourself..

WOW! what a weekend...if you can call it that. Thursday I was very ill and ended up staying home with the sickies. About an hour or so later in walks John with the same problems. That night Matt started up with the vomiting. John stayed home with the kids Friday and Saturday morning Ally woke us up at about 2:45 am saying she was going to vomit. She threw up so much that we called the doctor and got her in. Not even 12 hours later she was so dehydrated that the doctor was "on the fence" about admitting her to the hospital. We were able to get a Pedialyte pop in her and she started to perk up. Turns out both kids had the Rhotavirus. We got home and about 9 pm John started complaining again about the sickies and was up all night vomiting. Sunday I woke up with the same thing. We were such a team though. He would sleep for an hour or so and then I would sleep for an hour or so. Both of us were trying to give the other plenty of rest so the hour or so eventually turned into three or more hours. Sunday we were still puny. I wasn't able to return to work until Wednesday. Ally is still out of school. I don't know what is worse. The fact that we were all sick this weekend and quarantined to our house or the fact that I have my entire casual, sleeping, and exercising wardrobe to wash. Every time I picked up a kid I got puked on. Oh well at least everyone is finally getting better and we can see something other than our four walls.
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This Just In!

Apparently Ally has had some fun with her little brother. Daddy caught this image and sent it to me. Well Ally wanted a little sister.
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News from Amity

Not much has been going on lately although Ally had a great accomplishment! John has been working with Ally on her riding her bike and being balanced with out using the training wheels on the bike and she did!! He caught her on his cell phone and I am sharing it with all of you.

She is so stoked!!



Also she has about six loose teeth that are going to come out any day now.

John also caught Matt babbling and sent it to me. It is too cute. Enjoy!

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Not Fair!

So Tuesday morning my parents left the country and the left me behind! So not fair. They are south of Baha, Mexico and are there for ten luxurious days. I told them to bring the sun home...lets see if they do it. This weekend my computer started being "funny" and not in the right way. My angel Ryan, Sarah's husband and one of my children's God-parents, made is stop and fixed it! He is my angel!!! Thank you Ryan you are the BEST!!!
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The days of our lives...

So lots of stuff is going on. It took two days to get the prescription so I can eat. Great!! It is the most EXPENSIVE prescription I have ever had and the best part they don't make a generic! So then we move on to more important issues...Ally got an award at school for being a super reader!!!

Go Ally Go Ally Go!!!

She has improved so much that she received an award in front of the whole school!

So then we move on to this weekend. I was trying to work on my computer to get the Charity Ball pictures done and it did something. I don't know what. I searched and searched and could not find them. UGGGGGG. Hopefully my bosom buddies husband, Ryan, the next most wonderful guy in the world, John is the first, can fix it. Please pray to the mighty computer god for me.

Oh and just an FYI, I had to change the blog address for my photography. It is now trundephotographe.blogspot.com.
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Give me a break!

So I went to the doctor yesterday for a follow up. I have been having a problem with any food EXCEPT top ramen and tuna. How pathetic for me. So I tell the doctor and she said that was a little strange. So get this, she is giving me a medication so I can eat other foods, you know the ones they are supposedly good for you. Give me a break! First I get sick because I was eating the wrong foods and now I can't even eat the right foods if I tried and to do so I have to take a pill!?!?! UGGGG! I'm danged if I do and danged if I don't!
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Sad night for mom and me.

Yesterday my mom called and to tell me that she had to put our old cat down. Marmalade has been with us going on 20 years. He was brought into our family when I was 10 going on 11 as a kitten. Last night I went to say good bye to my old companion. Mom and I talked about all the funny/odd quirks that Marmy had. He LOVED Taco Bell, Cheetos, and popcorn. He hated when we would get suitcases out. He had to lie in them to convince us he needed to go. He would teach all the kittens on the block how to fight, I have actually witnessed this. He also was very loving. When I was pregnant with Ally he would climb up on my belly, that is until he got kicked. He was a loving friend, companion, cuddle "bug" and will be missed terribly.

We will miss you Marmy.

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Going to the Ball...

A friend of mine, Krista, and I photographed the Mayor's Charity Ball Saturday night. It was a black tie affair and of course we were dressed appropriately. Wow, I forgot what a pain it can be to get all dressed up.
The Ball was a night to raise money for the Kids on the Block program. What a fantastic show. This years theme was South of the Border. We photographed from about 5:30 to 1:30 am. Krista shot about 700 images and I got about 1400. It was an interesting night. We both agreed that next year it would be fun to go and attend.
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The photos are here!!

Here are a few of the pictures, as promised, of Ally and Caitlyn. Aren't they cute!!!

We're Number 1! We're Number 1!

First off I have to say GO Steelers!!!! Oh my gosh! Did ya see the 100 yard run for the touchdown?!?!?!? Now that that is said. I was the only Steelers fan in my parents house last night and I made enough noise for my teem. Mom and Gary were not nearly as noisy as I was and Matt thought it was hilarious. Last night was a GREAT game! Close, intense, great moves, a lot of personal fouls though. Oh well, we're number one! We're number one!

Well duh mom.

The other morning while I was getting ready for work I was putting toothpaste on my toothbrush and must have bumped the bristles on the cap. A little spray of toothpaste shot into my eye, OW it really hurts!!! While I was trying to get my contact out, the toothpaste out and see at the same time Ally comes in and asks me why I was crying. I told her that I had gotten some toothpaste in my eye and it was hurting. She looks at me and says "mommy toothpaste is for your teeth not your eyes." I was trying not to laugh because she was so cute and then she tells me my eye is really read and that I have black down my cheeks. Thanks hunny. Aren't kids just so cute when they tell you something that you "forgot"? Moral of the story...toothpaste is NOT for your eyes and ONLY for your teeth.
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They're out to get me!!

So I have decided that machines are out to get me. Two days ago while I was innocently trying to wash some clothes in the washing machine and Ally comes up to me while I was trying to load the dishwasher (another machine) and said that the washing machine was making a weird noise. I stopped what I was doing and listened. Didn't hear anything. I told her to go play and went on with what I was doing. A few minutes later she came back saying the the washing machine was screaming. I stopped and listed and sure enough it was. I quickly stopped the cycle and tried to figure out what was going on. I smelt something burning. I unplugged it and let it be. Now it's my husbands problem.
Yesterday while I was at work another machine tried to get me. I was helping a customer and could smell something burning (yes I know again.) I thought it was the places next door. It got stronger and when I asked if she could smell anything she said no. She was at the opposite side of the store. I finished helping her and when I went to ring her up my printer (another machine) wasn't working. After she left I started sniffing around and found that something with my printer was burning. I quickly unplugged it.
What in the world!! Two machines two different places and they all are trying to get me!
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So I give in...almost.

If you have read my rambling thoughts log you will know that I am not making "New Years Resolutions." However, I am willing to try anything once. Ha ha. So here is my try list.

1) I am going to TRY to loose weight. (No disclosed amount...there is that pressure and subconscious failure looming in. )

2) I will TRY get out of medical debt this year. (Good way to start rack up a hospital bill!)

3) I will TRY to do more outdoorsy activities.

I am not going to put more than three so ha ha to all you pressure people. You know who you are!

So on to more important things.

Last week Matt got his first tooth! Well yesterday John was telling me Matt was super fussy for the babysitter. I picked Matt up and the first thing I found was why. Matt got his second tooth. Both are the front bottom two and he has a third one coming in. WOW so many teeth.

Here is the video of Matt's first crawl. He wasn't interested in the toy mommy was playing with or Ally was shaking for him infront of him...no he wanted the binki that was farther away to his left. That's what you see at the end, his reward.

Now he has decided to give that up and is trying to walk. Guess it's time for padded walls...for mommy and daddy.

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I'm Back!!

Hello everyone!!! I am back to somewhat normalness. My surgery was on January 6th. It became an interesting event. We were told that it would be about an hour and that I could go home after that. Well it took almost two hours, they ran into some complications, and then I got to stay in our lovely hospital overnight. Then I went home. Instructions while at home...take the painkillers they are my friends (they were NOT lying!), not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds-if that (mind you my infant weighs 20), and to come back in a week. I slept a lot and felt weird a lot. The post-op check up I can lift Matt but nothing else. No worries I promise I'm doing that (right). So I am back at work now, adult's!!!Whoopie!!!

So a lot has been going on, Ally had her Christmas program with school, I was only able to stand being there for the kindergarteners show. Matt has started crawling. Oh! and growling. He now weights 21 pounds and is 28 inches long.

Last night Sarah and her lovely daughter Caitlin came over to visit and the girls played dress up and we took pictures (and yes there will be some once I get them sized correctly MS. Sara), and then I got some much needed girlie talk time. Thank God for boosom buddies I don't know what I would do with out them...I know loose my sanity...wait, I think I'm there?...no not yet ...just checking.

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Photography

I had the opportunity to photograph my cousin for her senior photos. My gosh is she getting to be quite the beauty!! I remember when she was Matt's age. Wow how time flys. I almost forgot how much I love photographing people. We had a blast even though it was cold. We are planning on getting together at the Farm when it warms up. Her eyes...reminds me of Goldie Hawns. Gorgeous!!
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New Year's Eve

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!

Now with that said John and I had a kid free night with our good freinds Sarah and Ryan. We drove up to their home and got there about 9 and we played Rock Band or Rockstar (to be honest I don't know which one it was but it was fun.). OH MY GOSH!!! We had a blast!! John and Ryan pooped out about 10:30/11 but us gals (there was three) rocked out and kicked butt!. Too much fun for sober people!!...nah it was great to cut loose. Then we went home and my wonderful baby slept from 10 pm to 9 am...good baby!
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