I Need Wisdom, Lord.

"I need wisdom, Lord."  This has been my heart's prayer a lot more than usual lately.  I really do need wisdom to know what to do in regards to Joshua and his development.  I have found that in the last 12 months Joshua (now 2.5 yrs old) has been maintaining his weight (20 - 22lbs), and if he gains, it's very little, only for it to be lost if he gets sick (which seems to be ALL the time).

Most days Joshua has a very decreased appetite.  You would think he would be starving and dive right into the food that is before him, especially since I limit his milk/juice & snack intake to certain times and certain amounts.   But nope.  Most days it's a battle, "Josh, please take a bite", only for him to take a nibble, the smallest nibble imaginable, or he'll just lick something.  Talk about frustrating for the parents, especially Momma.

I am learning to surrender my children to the Lord, but at the same time I really need the Great Physician's input and advice on what we should do for Joshua.  It tears me up inside to see him lose weight, not be interested in eating (yes I know he is only 2.5 yrs old, you know what I mean).  Most kids, eat one decent meal a day, but Josh will go days without eating at least one decent sized meal.  I am praying this is just a phase and that we'll figure out how to help him.

I am beginning to wonder if he has an allergy to gluten or dairy, mostly due to the fact that he matches some the symptoms that are mentioned in regards to having a gluten and dairy allergy. 

Symptoms he has been experiencing:

• decreased appetite
• irritability
• inability to gain weight
• thin arm and leg muscles
• growth failure 

If you think of Joshua, or Mommy and Daddy, pray for us.  Pray for wisdom, guidance and clear answers.  Thank you.
I plan on talking with his Doctor sometime in the very near future.  In the meantime, I will do some more research.  Pray for my sanity & patience in the midst of this season.

Summer, Where Are You?

Some days cabin fever is just thick in the air in this house.  I feel the need to get out, especially when my little ones are sick.  Yes, yet another cold has put up tent at Camp Chapeau...how many is that since November?  6 colds or 7?  Times that by 3 kids, or 5 (depending if Mommy and Daddy get it), that is a lot of indoor time and a ton of boxes of Kleenex (even when they are cut into 3rd or 4ths)!
Yesterday, all Saray did was lay on the couch sipping ice water (that was all she would drink, and no eating - not by my choice) and watched short 30 minute videos, or laid on the floor listening to music by Alberto and Kimberly Rivera with 3 blankets piled on due to another wave of fever chills.   I hate it when my kids are sick...I really do! 
Grayson has also been dealing with this cold, but he's pretty easy, he just takes an extra nap on top of his normal 2; surprisingly, most of the time he wakes up happy even if he isn't feel good. 
So far, Josh hasn't shown any signs of sickness, but it is only 6am on 3rd day of the cold invasion.
I feel horrible, mostly due to the fact that I really dislike dealing with sick kids, it's so draining, on every level.

Hurry up Spring & Summer, we are itching to get out; we can't wait to ride our bikes, walk in the park, visit the fish and ducks, play in the dirt, go to the water park, visit the snakes and turtles at Reptile Gardens, go exploring, etc.   Please hurry.


  Spring/Summer can not come quick enough.

My Kids and Their Friends

The Three Musketeers - Saray, Cousin Simon, and Joshua

Josh and Saray are at the age where they are starting to enjoy people as their friends.  Saray and Joshua love it when someone comes over to play, or if we go to someone's house. 
The twins play well together some of the time, but when they have friends over they are far more content and more likely to burn off a little energy before the day comes to end.

Even Grayson is starting to enjoy playing with someone his own size, or at least his age.
It's so fun to watch their little friendships grow...now if only they would learn how to share more.

Here are some pictures of the kids and their friends. 

Charlie & Saray

Grayson & Porter

Valerie & Grayson

Cousin William & Grayson

Grayson & Cousin Tristan

Joshua, Saray and Auntie Molly

Grayson & Cousin Torin

First Trip to the Bowling Alley

Simon, Saray & Molly cheering for Joshua

 Jer's Mother and Sister Becca were in town for an extended weekend.  We enjoyed outings to a fantastic swimming pool at "The Lodge in Deadwood" and Sunday afternoon we went to a local bowling alley.  The kids (and parents) enjoyed all the excitement of the extended weekend and spending time with Grandma Fran, Aunt Becca, Aunt Angela, Uncle Alex and cousins Simon & William.  Plus, Grandma & Grandpa Culver and Miss Molly joined the fun at the bowling alley.  

Grayson & Aunt Becca

Saray thought it was fun, but a bit too loud

The kids absolutely loved their first trip the bowling alley yesterday.  Joshua bowled all his rounds and about half of Saray's.  He showed so much excitement when that bowling ball finally toppled some pins down.  Saray enjoyed pushing the bowling ball towards the pins for about 4 rounds, then she handed her rounds over to Joshua (and Daddy).  She had better things to do, like hang out with Molly and chase cousin Simon around.    Saray's score was 78 and Joshua got a strike, so his score was closer to 94 (Thanks to the bumper)!  They even beat my high score of 67.  I am a real smooth bowler!

Joshua LOVED watching the ball knock the pins over

There is something so precious about seeing the world through the eyes of your own kids.  They see everything so fresh and exciting and they love to learn about their current surroundings.  Sometimes I forget to enjoy the little things, but my kids are teaching me to notice and enjoy EVERYTHING around me, big or little.

My Littlest One

I blinked and Grayson is now 8 & 1/2 months old!  Where did month 6 & 7 go?  Oh wait, I remember now, those were during the holiday season! 

My littlest one is growing up too fast.  He is on the fast track to catch up with Joshua and Saray.  He wants to be right in the middle of the action and so enjoys their presence.  He still squeals at the top of his lungs with glee and absolutely adores it when Saray or Josh play peek-a-boo or some other silly game.

Grayson is still army crawling around my house, yet to convert to regular, easier crawling; I have a feeling normal crawling isn't too far off.  Even though he simply army crawls, he can be quite fast!  One minute he is in plain sight, then the next he is gone, off exploring, even adventuring down the 1 step we have in our house.

I love this little one named Grayson, he adds so much extra joy to our lives.  I couldn't imagine our lives without him.

P.S. People ask if we'll have more kids.  To answer that question...God willing, yes.  When?  Not yet....gonna wait awhile.

If You Don't Suceed the First Time, Try Again

Six months ago we set out on a potty training journey with Saray and Joshua; Saray had some interest in it, but hit a wall shortly after having a big success.  I guess she wasn't ready.  Joshua had no real interest in potty training at the time.  And I had very little interest and time in cleaning up extra messes.

But, on January 10th I finally decided it was time, so I started potty training the twins, again.  Boy, has it been exhausting!   Adding a little more work to my already chaotic day, makes for a very long & tiring day. 

So far, Josh has peed on my couch, pillows from the couch, kitchen floor, carpet, and he has peed twice on our in-floor-dinosaur heater (while it was on - yeah, that's just gross.) He has also had some success peeing and pooing in the potty chair, about 8 times in about 5 days - not bad.  It's a good place to start. 

Saray, on the other hand, is really catching on; since we started on the 10th of Jan, she has only had one minor accident!  She has been staying dry from 2-3 hours at a time.  And if she does have to go, she tells us or answers yes if we ask her.  She even wants to wear underwear (last time she wouldn't look at them.)  She really enjoys the rewards program (special sticker on her potty chart & 2 Reese's Pieces). So, she is down to wearing diapers only at nap & night time.    Not bad, not bad at all.  Now we just need to work on her trying to put #2 in the potty chair...that will take some time, I'm sure.  But hey, I am happy with the success we have had so far.

Good Nite Moon

My children have always been early risers.  And I have always been one that likes to sleep in past 9am (well at least I used to be like this).   Anyway, almost 2 months ago I just couldn't put up with the fact that my kids were wide awake at 5am (sometimes 4:30am) and ready for the day.  4:30 and 5am is just far too early for me and them.  By 10am everyone was exhausted, included me.

I did some research and found an incredible clock for the kids...well it's not really a clock for them but it for us.  It's a moon by night and sun by day.  You set the time when the moon comes on (come on at 6pm, a hour before we put the kids to bed) and then it switches to the sun at 7am.   It has worked wonders!

Now the kids actually sleep in til 6am or later, and most of the time they play quietly until 6:50 or 7am.  When the sun "comes up" at 7am, Saray shouts "Momma, the sun is up!"  And that is when the day begins.  But if the moon is blue, and if the kids happen to wake in the middle of the night and absolutely need to be checked on (like someone is screaming bloody-murder, etc), we make sure we point to the blue moon and generally they quiet back down pretty quickly.  We try our best, especially now, to refrain from talking and eye contact (tip from "Healthy Sleeping Habit, Happy Child"). 

Anyway, it's a great tool, especially for kids that don't have a real idea on how time works and how to tell time when looking at a digital clock.  Plus, I get at least 4 to 5 days a week where I have at least 30-50 minutes to myself in the morning to have some time with God.   Yeah, so I don't get to sleep in anymore, but I do like the fact that I get to spend some time in the Word and with God, and I am not having to start my running after kids at 4:30 or 5am anymore.  There truly is a time for everything...including sleep and running after the little ones. 

(This clock may look big, but it's hardly bigger then a softball.)
We have it hanging on the wall so both kids can see it.  The only con about the "Good Nite Lite" is that it plugs into an outlet like any other night light, it doesn't have a normal cord like you would find on a lamp.  So we had to do a little "fixin'" to make it work for the twins' room.

Update 2/17/2011:  I got this through Amazon, type in 'Good Nite Lite' and it will take you to the right place.  It is a little spendy (close to $40), but my sanity was worth it...is yours?