Programs and festivities

As we continue to battle sickness in our family, the fun comes and goes. I only post pictures below of the times we've actually gotten out and done things, which hasn't been much lately since we've battled colds and flu's the last month or so. Anyways, here's the update on our fam.

Bryan and I were giving the boys shoulder rides around the house and they were loving it! The one who wasn't being given the ride, however, was trying to take down and tackle the one who was GIVING the rides (mom and dad). What is WITH the tackling, but anyways... Ethan actually stopped and smiled for the picture above.

When Austin got on my shoulders, he was clinging on so tight to my forehead that he didn't care whether I could see or not. My hair was all in front of my face the whole time. Ethan thought it was pretty funny, but needless to say, I had to watch my feet to see where I was going.

Bryan's newest project is replacing all of our interior doors. Our friend and neighbor, Lee, discovered how to do it and bought a tool for it, so he and Bryan are collaborating to replace all of our doors and their doors. So far it's been a couple of weekends of sawdust noise in our garage while the big boys play with their big boy toys. One night Braedan and Toby (Lee's sons) came over to hang out with our boys and play Mario cart (which is Ethan's newest favorite game to play). It was amazing watching them all together because Toby (the one by Ethan) was Austin's age when we all met when I worked with Lee. My how time flies!...

Ok - my personality is NOT the type that likes things unfinished for long periods of time. (This is why my lack of scrapbooking sometimes kills me if I think about it). Anyways, I got this puzzle out that I had gotten when my parents cleaned out my Papa and Nana's house, and decided to open it and make it. Here is how obsessed I got....I actually sat down and chatted with Riva while completing the whole thing (border was done the night before) during the boys' nap time. It took me a little over 2 hours. I HAD to complete it. I'd say that's pretty darn good considering I haven't made one of these in years!!

Ethan had his Pre-school Christmas program last Tuesday and there was a time there that I did NOT think he'd get up in front of everyone and sing. In fact, even that morning Miss Lisa informed me that he'd cry every time they'd practice and go to the auditorium. Well, she must have said something to him during the day, because that night he went up there and performed like a champion! He was one of the best in his class singing all the songs! I was so proud of him because it was something new, but he didn't cry all the way through it. Sometimes I feel like I tell him over and over how it's going to be ok and not to worry about it and it doesn't get through.... (I know, mom and dad, I hear you saying it's coming back to bite me from when I was younger...)

Afterwards, we went to Miguel's Jr. and had some yummy Mexican food. I have to stay away from spicy still (which is hard for me) so I had a soft taco, but Bryan got nachos and Ethan got a bean and cheese burrito. Austin, however, didn't want anything but chips. No matter what I tried to get him to eat, all he'd eat was the chips. Until he discovered CILANTRO.

Then each chip was piled high in cilantro (or salad according to him) and devoured. A lot of it fell off during each bite making a mess, but he got some greens in him that night! We were laughing at how meticulous he was at getting all that cilantro on each bite. We've found a winner!!

An update on my physical stuff: Things have been going ok lately. After my CT scan a few months ago they saw nothing and figured that it is probably IBS (or Irritable Bowel Syndrome) that is causing the irritation and pain under my rib cage. I went to the Chiropractor and he figured out that he needed to adjust me differently, too. So, it could be a mix of things. In the last week I've been having some soreness and pain where my surgery was and today I had a check up appointment with my surgeon. I told him about it, and he had me do a blood panel so they could check my numbers. If nothing comes of that, he's not worried. I guess it could have to do with the fact that I've started jogging again and lifting (although I've been lifting weights for a few months now). Anyways, I hope it goes away and I can figure out the sort of diet that I need to be on for whatever it is that my body needs. There's a difference in the IBS diet and the Gall bladder (or lack thereof) diet. So, I would love your prayers concerning that! It's been hard to be good considering this is the time of year for goodies and stuff.