Pics!

I actually have my camera ready to load some pics! So here goes a few updated beautiful pics of my kiddos!

Taking time

People have always asked Hal and I, "how do you do it?" "How do you juggle school, kids, work and life?" The answer is "we just do it!" Since Hal and I have been married (7 years in December), we have between the two of us...completed undergrad school, completed graduate program, completed associates program, worked full time jobs, been a soccer parent, coached t- ball (2 years), gave birth to 3 beautiful, amazing children, and so much more. PTO, work, new found pageants, ballet, doctors appointments, etc. I look at our lives so incredibly ordinary. I think about all the accomplishments we have made and I know that we will make more in life. We have only just begun. I don't think that we are any better than any other family. We set out a goal in life and we did it. We never sacrificed our role as a parent, as many people had told us we would have to do to succeed in what we did/do. That is our number one focus. Yet, sometimes while I'm thinking about humble I really should be...I take one second and think to myself... "can't we be proud?" Seriously, are we not allowed to yell to the world that we put our children first, that we finished college, that we have good paying jobs, that we are succeeding in life? Do we have to be humble all the time?

I know this is simply rambling. I understand that it must sound like crazy talk. Sometimes I just wonder if we are allowed to simply be happy. It seems that there are so much negativity in our lives with unhappy people who want to always bring us down. Bring us down because we are not exactly what they thought/think a family should be like. Bring us down because they think they can do better.

I was recently told that it takes a community of people to raise children. Why can't we be proud that it doesn't take a community with us? Can't we be proud that when we reach Heaven's gate that we can look God straight in the eyes and tell Him that we did the best we could and protected our children from the wrong of this world?. For so many reasons I dislike this statement. A community is not held responsible for the shortcomings of parents. The parents are held responsible for the lack of upbringing of a child. No one will say, "that community failed that child." They will say "they had rotten parents." Plain and simple. What about cultures and teaching differences in family to our children? Can a parent truly teach that on their own? I believe so. Do you know that the families that I work with the most that have difficulties are those families that there are too many roasters in the hen house. Children get confused easily in life. Distorted views of life are easily instilled in children. My children are exposed to probably more than Hal and I combined as a child. We were both brought up in a family that did not communicate with other families as often as most. However, we are two of the most social people I know. I want my children to know that the people we surround ourselves with are those who respect our values, our morals and will give my children something positive to learn.

I have three of the most social, sweet, understanding, caring and affectionate children in this world. They care deeply for each other and have the best relationship (at this point in their life) that I could ever possibly hope for. They understand that there is hardship in this world and that there are children who are suffering. My children donate toys to children who do not have any, we make an effort to comfort families who we can, and we are there for our family and friends when they need us the most. My children have the joys of a teacher for a mother who will never give up on their learning of the academics and of life. My children love music, dance, playing outdoors, waterparks, parks, watching birds fly in the sky and a good day of fishing. My children have friendships from birth and easily make new friends and will even help an unknown child if they fall on the playground. My children adapt well to change, understand that mommy and daddy are not perfect and love their lives. My children understand love and know how to give it. They have independence, yet compassion too. What more can I ask for? What more should I instill?

These past few days I have done a lot of thinking. I have thought that I think too harshly on my own parenting skills and rely to much on the thoughts of other. I'm a good mother. I do not need anyone to tell me that. When my children give me a hug every single night before and every single morning before school, I know I'm a good mother. I will not allow negativity to take that away from me. I'm done with those people in my life that make me feel otherwise.

I do pray however that some day, those people who think that everything has to be negative will find joy. That they will find a reason to stop being so negative and find hope for the future. Until then...goodbye negativity....Hello to a good life!

Update with loads of updates!

Okay, I know, I know...been a long time. Well, life has me pretty busy. Okay..lie. I just haven't felt like posting. But today I was reminded why I should, so here I am.

Paige Alivia is doing amazing! Palate is healed! Remarkable! Speech is great! She has loads of new and fabulous words.
Mama
Dada
Go
Ut oh
more
kitty (where she got that, I don't know) LOL
Baby
Go
NO!
Baba
Bear
Ball
Bye
and I'm sure more that I'm missing.

She is amazing every single day. She will go back for a follow up with her surgeon November 29th to check her speech. I have no worries. Plus, she is hearing everything now. No ear issues and passed her hearing exam! She is a bucket full of energy and keeps me on my toes every day. Mostly though, she's as sweet as pie!

Madison Grace...

Maddie recently won our Waterfowl Little Princess pageant! My beautiful baby girl got a crown, sash and all! Such a pretty girl and so outgoing it's not funny. She has attitude and sweetness. A little of both that suits her just fine. She's such a sweet daughter. She is also REALLY loving her third month of Ballet. She loves her teacher and is learning so much. She started Pre-K this year and I have to say that she is as bright as can be!

Owen Carter...

Last but surely not least...Owen is doing awesome in school! He is learning to read and has a great memory of sight words. He does AWESOME in math and always has an A on his assignments! He has made new friends and past ones. I don't think there has been a free weekend without birthday parties for him and Maddie since school started. They are definitely my social butterflies. I wouldn't know where they got that from?!?? LOL

Hal and I...

Hal is working as an RN in the Meadville Surgery department...so if you need surgery...ask for a different RN. JK!! I tease him about that all the time. He loves his job. Loads to learn and do every day.

I'm still a Behavioral Specialist..love my job of helping families to overcome behavioral difficulties! It's rewarding in so many ways!

So that's us in a nut shell. I have loads of pics on facebook! So you can check out some pics there until I get some loaded here.

Happy commenting everyone!

So many updates!!

First off, Paige's surgery went well! She had her palate repaired on July 16th. After not eating for 2 1/2 days and being on liquid diet and then soft diet for 3 weeks, she is now starting to eat real food again. She really didn't have any issues eating most of the time. She had no interest in a bottle for 2 1/2 days after surgery. She remained on IV and morphine for the entire duration until the last day we were there. It was not as bad as I thought it would be but it wasn't pleasant either. She had a breathing tube in for the first 24 hours. Her IV infratrated on the last day so it had to be removed. :( She was back to smiling the day after surgery but wasn't really herself for a few days. She did REALLY well with the no-no bands. She played, crawled and EVEN STARTED WALKING while having them on. Best part of all, a week after surgery, SHE PASSED ALL OF HER HEARING EXAMS! No more ear issues hopefully! YEAH!!! We have started to transition her to whole milk now but it hasn't been as easy as it was with the other two. I think it's a comfort food for her.

All in all, she's doing fabulous! Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts! We appreciate them all. We found out the number of people praying for us and it was absolutly amazing! Hundreds of people to say the least. Churches that we didn't know about had her on their prayer list and much more. I really do appreciate it all!

Further updates:

In case you missed it...PAIGE IS WALKING! She kept with the family tradition of walking at 11 months old! YEAH PAIGE!

Paige turns 1 next week!! (August 21st to all you damn forgetful people!) WHOOHO Can't believe it's been a year already

Owen is going to 1st grade in a few weeks!

Madison starts Pre-K in a few weeks!

Madison is starting Ballet the first week of September! She is super duper excited!

OMG I know there is so much more that I'm missing! I'll add new pictures soon! I have a ton on facebook to anyone interested in adding me there!

One week left

Tomorrow is 1 week prior to the dreaded surgery! I hate surgery! I hate the idea of making my happy baby so miserable! I hate that she is going to be outta it for a couple of days and then so limited for 2 weeks. She is eatin table food every day. How do I tell her she can't eat that? I don't even know if I'll put her in her highchair. Seriously, what's the point?!?! She will just be mad that I can't give her anything more than a sippy cup with liquids in it. This just sucks to say the least.

On a positive note, the kids are playing soccer again. This is Madison's first year. She likes it thus far! Owen loves soccer. Tonight was their first game. We unfortantly missed the real first game so it seemed they were a little outta sorts today. I'm really hoping Tuesday will be a better and cooler day.

Pre-op appointment

We took Paige to visit her plastic surgeon today for her pre-op appt for palate surgery. I love posting these updates because when people (no names) complain that their lives are so bad, I would love to remind them that they are idiots and that it could be worse. My poor 10 month old baby didn't ask for any of this, she didn't do anything to deserve it. And yet she will have to endure more than most adults do!

Her surgery is scheduled for July 16th. It will last about 4-5 hours. She will be on a clear liquid diet for 2 days afterward. She will then be on a liquid diet for about 2 weeks, depending on how well she heals. Then she can resume to soft foods. She will have a breathing tube throughout surgery and for 24 hours incase her tongue swells. She will have an IV with the option of morphine if she needs it. She needed it for lip surgery so I anticipate palate surgery also. She will have her tongue stitched down so it can't swell into her air way. She will also have a tube inserted into her nose to keep her air way open further. She can use tylenol when we go home but I'm going to ask for tylenol with codeine, although her surgeon doesn't usually use it. But, Paige had a lot of pain the last time. She will be in the hospital as long as it takes for her to start to drink fluids regularly.

So basically we are taking a good natured baby and taking her food away, inserting crap, medicating her, and then telling her that she can't touch her mouth for 2 weeks with no-no bands. Her nurse practioner told us, "I'm not going to lie to you, it's really rough." Oh so glad to hear that! :(

Basically we are not looking forward to this at all. It's going to be absolutly miserable for Miss Paige. She is going to hate us afterward, I think. I just hope it's the last surgery. There is always a chance that she develops a fiscula (hole in her palate), infection or that the muscles will not connect together properly and require additional palate surgery. They stated that they generally assess her speech 3 months after surgery to see if additional surgery is necessary. I guess those speech classes better pay off! I'll be working with her even more than I already do!

SO prayer is definitly needed. Needed during surgery and to ensure that we make it through without grey hair. Ensure that Paige heals and recovers quickly! Lots and LOTS of Prayer!

I have made arrangements for the other two kiddos during surgery. They are going to have fun with Grandma and Aunt Alisha. Their basially two favorite people anyways. So it all works out there. I'm still thinking I may perhaps send Maddie and Owen to daycare after surgery so we can take care of Paige without them feeling left out. I took off 2 weeks after surgery (well working from home basically). But, we are not sure what Hal will be working. That's the tough part. If I'm home alone then I will definitly be sending them to daycare for a reprieve. I don't want them to feel neglected or worse, mommy is mean because I'm stressed. I'm SOOO glad this is all taking place over summer and I can treat the kids to fun times when Hal is home or vice versa. I don't want to think what this would all be like if it was during the school year again. We did that once, don't want to try it again. Lip surgery was nothing compaired to palate surgery. People don't think of it that way because you think the lip is the most noticeable and therefore the most important. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Palate is required for so much and there is still a chance of aspiration with an open palate, lack of speech, etc. This is an important one.

Joys of Life

What are your joys in life?

Being a mother is one of the best things in life. Having a child look at you for guidance, support and love. Having days where you just sit and talk, paint toe nails, play soccer in the yard, cook smores and catch lightening bugs. Those are joys in life. With school out, it's so much fun doing different things with the kids. We have waterpark days in our yard, get fire works, have friends over, go on picnics, ride bikes, go to the park, and so much more. Those are what makes me smile. I love being able to provide my children with a home that is rich with activities, fun and love. While I admit, we have our days of fustration over the summer with the constant, "I want to watch a movie!" But, we spend a great deal of time outdoors and doing things we wouldn't normally have the time to do.

This summer may perhaps be the very first summer the kids will have to go to daycare. I have always had the summer off but now that I'm working, they may start going when Hal gets his position at the hospital. This is a tough time for me. I do not believe in summer daycare. I want to be home with the kids! I want to paint rocks, draw on the sidewalk, make bubbles, practice reading, and sleep out in the yard. That's what makes summer fun!

We have big intentions for this summer. We are taking the kids to the Pittsburgh Zoo for the first time. They have been to the Cleveland and Erie Zoo but even mommy has never been to the Pittsburgh zoo. We want the kids to think of Pittsburgh as not a scary place where Paige always goes. We also want to go on some sort of vacation at some point. With Paige's surgery in the middle of the summer, that might be hard. We are going to have a water day for the kids and friends. They love this. We get like 1000 plus water balloons and place them in containers throughout the yard. The kids then go nuts. We set up water stuff in the yard and squirt guns. I think this year we might even do fireworks at the end. Too fun! Not sure when this is happening yet though.

The one thing I do not have time for this summer...NEGATIVITY! I refuse to endulge myself in petty crap during the summer. I will not let other people bring us down. We are going to have fun and surround ourselves with people we care about and people who have supported us through life. No negativity allowed! :)

So while I'm rambling (as always). Take a minute today and think about what you are looking forward to this summer and what brings joy to your life!

Happy Summer!