10/17 - Papa and Brad were here

So things have been very busy since I got back from Vegas visiting Brad. My dad stayed the whole next day which was great. The boys had a great time seeing him Aiden says to me in the van a few day after Papa left, "Papa likes to tease people." Aiden learned a lot about Papa while I was gone. :)








My sweet dad tried to help me change Aiden's bike tire. I bought a new tire for Aiden in Vegas because I couldn't find the size in Jax. It ends up it was still too big so I went to a proper bike shop (Open Road) and got the right size. I couldn't get the new tire on myself (I can do it on my road bike) so I ended up taking the wheel to the shop with me and they put the tire on the wheel. I get the tire back on the bike and the training wheels but I can't get the chain on. In fact, I can't even get to the chain because of the chain guard. A day or two later I take the bike to the store with me and they (after a lot of work from a very experienced guy) he gets the chain on. FOR FREE. They put the tire on the rim and then also put the chain on for free for me. That was awesomely nice.

A few days after I got home I promised Aiden I would go have lunch with him at school. He brought his poetry journal for me to see. I was so surprised. He is doing such a good job drawing things or at least trying. Before he was so scared to make a mistake or not know how to draw something that he wouldn't try so I love that he is being forced to at school. He even drew his stuffed animal Iggy and colored it. 

We went to Home Depot on the first Saturday of the month and made a plane. They had a helicopter fly in and Aiden wanted to sit in but Eli wanted nothing to do with it which was a little odd. The boys had fun and I finally got a new air filter for our main air conditioning unit in the house (it's a really weird size so I got stuff to make my own). They had police cars there but the boys didn't want to go see them because they kept making so much noise with the sirens. We were able to watch the helicopter take off and the boys thought that was pretty cool and very very windy. 

Awana just started at our church the 2nd weekend in October and the boys really wanted to do it so I signed them up. I love the Awana program but am not a fan that it is starting to late and the kids won't be able to finish what they need to this year to stay on track but I need to put aside my desire to finish things and embrace the big picture of the boys continuing to learn about God and how amazing He is. Here they are at church wanting me to take their pictures with the dinosaurs.  

The boys and I had been talking about doing karate or taekwondo. We finally went for it and tried this place that gave us free uniforms and 2 classes. The boys are enjoying it (Aiden more so than Eli) and I just signed them up for a month. I think Aiden enjoys the structure and Eli enjoys the activity but Eli doesn't care for all the rules and he wishes there were more than 2-3 water breaks in a 30 min class!! 

Karate Kid Aiden

Punching Eli

Aiden is already saying he wants to earn the yellow belt. We shall see. I just wanted them to be involved in something. It cracks me up that Eli keeps saying he wants to do soccer when the kid can't stand to walk and wants a water break every 5 min in taekwondo. When we go to the putt putt golf course the kid will run around the course for about 15-20 min straight though so maybe I should let him try it. 

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Dave sent Eli a birthday package a few days ago. Eli was really excited and loved all the stuff. (Look how he is holding that pen Rusty - he flips out if I try and correct him). Thanks grandma Jo and Grandpa Dave. Aiden loved his Brain Quest questions too and he even carries them around with him. 

Brad and I started talking at the beginning of last week and I said I would love for him to come home. Well, he came home. It was Change of Command at the training squadron and things would be shut down for a few days and the following monday was Columbus Day (a holiday in the Navy) so he came home late on Wednesday night. I had to include this picture because the poor hubby was trying to find something to eat on and eat with and he had a hard time with that. I forgot that he was only there in the house for about 2.5 weeks before he had to leave (compared to the 2.5 months he's been away). The boys woke up on Thursday and we super excited to see daddy here. Brad was a trooper and got up at 6:30am Florida time to see the boys. 

Brad even walked Aiden down to the bus stop and Aiden was pretty excited about that. The boys were glued to Brad the entire time he was here and the awesome thing was that Brad didn't mind a bit. What a great daddy. 

The boys were super excited to show daddy their new skills they have learned in Taekwondo. Here they were goofing around either before or after class. They are so cute. Brad enjoyed watching them do their thing.

We all went and had lunch with Aiden on Friday at school. Aiden was really excited to show Brad his science journal. It also happened to be the same day the firetruck came to his school so he was all decked out as a fireman.

Aiden's 1-384 dot-to-dot picture

On Friday night we decided to go out for pizza and use Aiden's first Pizza Hut coupon for reading for September. He was so excited to go which cracked us up because he doesn't even like pizza. Well, he likes crust but not the cheese. As we were waiting for our food he was doing a dot-to-dot (1 to 384). I think he's in the mid 200's. The writing is so small but he can see it all and is finally almost done with it. Eli wanted to play on the iPad some. 

Eli playing Subway Surfer

Aiden really enjoyed reading to Brad. When Brad left Aiden couldn't read at all. Now Aiden is reading any BOB book and lots of other stuff too. It's amazing how fast they learn. Aiden will only check out "real" books at the library. I finally figured out what he meant by that when I went to his school and we were in the library. He means non-fiction. I told him it was okay to read pretend stuff and he said, "no, I like learning and I want to learn about real things. I will not read those other books." It's too funny because that is something that I would say (but I've never said that to him).

Great Grandma Hagan sent the boys something last week. She sent these two car rugs/mats with a set of construction vehicles for both boys. They love them. Aiden's is all folded nicely with his cars inside and Eli's is the one that is a ball of mess in the box we keep them in. Aiden has a rock collection and decided to get out his rocks and use them for real while playing on the mats. 

Aiden swimming over to Brad. This is new for Aiden!

It has been crazy chilly since the day Brad came here. On Sunday, it started to warm up a tad so we headed down to the pool. The boys have been so anxious to show Brad what they have learned. It was FREEZING. The boys didn't skip a beat and jumped right in. I jumped in because it was too cold and painful to try and do it slow. Brad eased his way in. The boys had a blast and finally Eli was shivering too much and his lip was blue so we decided to get out. It was great though. There were only like 1-2 other people at the pool since it was so cold so we had it all to ourselves pretty much. 

Eli posing with me. Love his smile.

The boys wanted to ride bikes and play when we got home. Aiden stayed outside with Brad for while and they baseball. Aiden is getting pretty good hitting from the tee and Brad throws it to him.  Eli went inside to get warm but then eventually comes out in the garage so Aiden can show him something. The child comes out in his undies. I asked if he's so cold why is he wearing just undies. He says "it's the sun that was making me cold. I'm okay inside." He's such a confused kid. Aiden thought it was pretty neat that his remote control truck can skid all over the garage floor and was anxious to show Eli. 

We ended Sunday night with family time and some wrestling. The boys really enjoyed seeing Brad and Brad managed to get all the things done on the list I had for him. He read them their story on Sunday night and then we all said prayers together. I can't wait until Brad can come home to stay for a bit. He's balances me out so much which is great for me and even better for the boys. That's one of reasons God gives us partners and I forget about that when he's gone for months at a time. Things are hard when he is gone and I'm stressed because there is always a ton of stuff to do and not enough time to do it and I feel like the boys deserve so much more than I can give them but I have to assume God paired me with Brad for a reason and He'll get me through all the times that Brad is gone. It was great watching all of my boys together on the couch. 

On Monday morning Brad got up with me and we left work. He went to my class and then we walked around campus measuring things to help one of my students out for a test he has to do. We ate lunch at Chick-fil-a on campus and then hurried off to a dr appt I was able to make the same morning. (I'll update on that next). After the dr appt is was off to the airport with Brad. It was so hard to say bye to him. I really miss him and we function SO SO SO much better as a family when he is around. I'm a better mommy and person when he is around. 

 

The day after Brad left it rained and this beautiful rainbow came out. It seemed so close like we could drive right under it. I've never felt a rainbow so close before. 

And to close out this post about Brad, he got to fly 2 times this week. That's the same amount he has been able to fly over the past 2 months he's been gone!! He is praying he is home by Thanksgiving, I'm praying he is home the first or second week in November. His orders say he is supposed to be back yesterday.  :(   It's out of our hands but we can still pray every night for him to come home soon. 

9/21 - pool, parks, and fun

It's been a really long time since I've posted. I've just haven't been able to keep up with the pace of life (see my last post). That said, I've still tried to make sure the boys are having fun. Here are the boys at the playground. It's so awesome that Aiden can swing himself now. I'm trying to get Eli to get there. He's totally not motivated by telling him that when he learns how to swing he can swing whenever he wants but I do think I can motivate him to learn by telling him he can make himself go really super hi.

It's been great to have Mike and Arin so close (it would be awesome if they were closer but at least we are only 45 minutes away now) and they came over a few weeks ago and we all went to the pool. The boys had a ton of fun because Mike was there to play with them in a daddy kind-of way. It was also pretty fun to have an extra pair of hands and eyes at the pool. They let us take the kids down the big slide on our lap for the first time ever. It was great and I've been able to do it again since then. When we first moved here they would not let a parent go down with a child in front on them or on the lap so the boys have really enjoyed that lately. It's also great because the boys love playing with Grace so it's a great day when we get to see the Hunter Family.

We've been experimenting lately with some kids yoga DVD's from the library. Aiden is awesome and will try it and does a good job. Eli just hangs out on the couch and watches Aiden.

Here is Aiden doing some "seat work" in some wipe off books we have. Both boys have books that they can do and it's one of their options during quite time on the weekends.

The boys have been wanting to go this playground by us for a while. We pass it going to our house but have never made it to it. We set out on an adventure a few weeks ago on a Saturday morning. We biked down (it's about a mile) and then had snack there and played for a bit. The actual playground is not that great but the boys had a ton of fun getting the back tire of the bike stuck in the sand and then pedaling still so that sand would shoot out from under the back wheel. I was too nervous they wouldn't have enough energy to make it back home so eventually had to put an end to that. We did go on an impromptu treasure hunt after Aiden decided a level of the playground was a ship and we were about to crash so we had to jump ship. We ran to the island and found a tree with treasures (little berries). And no, I didn't let them eat them. The had a ton of fun trying to pick them off the tree and they stored a bunch in their snack cups. It was getting late and hot and I was getting pretty tired so we headed back. Aiden had a hard time making it back but Eli was full of energy. I actually had to slow him down so that he would stay in my sight while I was trying to encourage Aiden to pedal more and/or take less breaks. I finally told them that if they made it back all the way (Nana was on stand-by to come get us) they could have a movie night (watch a movie and eat on the picnic blanket in the living room). Aiden was exhausted but made it. Eli was full of energy and probably could have kept going for a while longer. That's nice to know seeing how he plays the "I'm too tired" card when any kind of walking is involved. :)

I had a Cutco service person come to the house to sharpen our knives about 1.5 weeks ago. While he was doing his thing, Eli (who was fully dressed the man got here) comes out in a full pirate costume. I couldn't even keep a straight face. The cutco guy was laughing and Eli played pirate for a while. This child is so random but so funny.

I decided we hadn't painted in a while and Eli normally loves to paint but usually I don't have the energy or patience for it. I've been making a point to be 100% engaged when I do something purposeful with the boys and wanted to paint with sponges. I cut them up and got the paint all ready and was excited. Eli painted for about 2 minutes and then decides he is done and doesn't want to paint anymore. Aiden got in to it quite a bit. He eventually put an apron on and painted a lizard and a person walking it. He's become so creative and willing to try and draw things. School has really helped him with this and I'm so excited for him. He has always been so scared to try and draw/write things because he will "mess up" or "doesn't know how to do it right" and I'm so glad he's been able to let go of that some and just try.

Aiden has been asking if I can bring Eli to school for lunch. Aiden's lunch is at 10:30 which is pretty early so I finally put it in my schedule to do. Eli was so excited to go. I told Aiden's teacher we were coming because he's been wanting to show me a journal that he has a school and she said he could bring it to lunch next time I come. He chose his Science Journal. So far it's a bunch of colors and he has to glue a small sheet of paper onto his notebook paper and then complete it (write the color and then do a little activity near the bottom). On the other page he has to draw various things that are the same color. I took a picture of this page, Orange. He drew some of the same thing on the right side that was in the picture on the left but he didn't have to.  I was so impressed especially with his jack-o-lantern.

Eli gave Aiden a huge hug when it was time for him to go. Eli was pretty excited that we left Aiden's school (where he did eat a decent lunch) and was able to go to daycare and eat lunch again. It turns out though that he wasn't hungry for much.

The Oakleaf Chick-fil-a had a carnival a week ago and we went (it was a Monday or Tuesday night). It was awesome. They totally outdid themselves and put on quite a show. While we were waiting to get our tickets to get in to the carnival, a man on stilts came over to us. The boys thought that was pretty cool and the man was juggling and even played catch with Aiden. Eli was too shy to play catch though. We got in and the tickets that we got to get in were then used for the candy jar booth. They got to pick out 3 kinds of candy to go in a bag which they thought was pretty fun. Nana went to wait in line for the ferris wheel and I took the boys around to some other random booths. They had a mini blinko board and the boys won a free cookie and free Dr. Pepper drink. The threw some bean bags through holes and won a cow too. It was then time for the ferris wheel. 

They were pretty excited and had a ton of fun on it. It's hard to see their faces but they loved it. We then waited in the train line for about 30 minutes. I tried to talk to the boys out of it because we rode the train a few weeks ago and could come back in a few weeks to ride it again. They said they wanted to wait for it though. So we finally got on the train and while we rode the train Nana went over to the ferris wheel and got in line for it again. We literally got off the train and then the boys got to ride the ferris wheel one more time right when we got off the train.

The boys had a really fun night and it was a great even that Chick-fil-a hosted.

 I set up another bike obstacle course again the other day before school. I know Aiden goes and sits all day from 8:30 until 12:30pm which is when he has PE so I try and get him moving in the morning if we have time. They have fun and it's a great way to start the day. In this picture Eli is navigating through all the curves.

Aiden had Parent Night last week at school. The first 20 minutes were for parents of K-2 to go the classrooms and see what has been going on and then to listen about the new grading procedures for the other 40 minutes. Aiden was really excited to show me all his other stuff. I was amazed. He has a Poetry Journal!! It focuses on a letter and then there is a 4 line rhyme using that letter and then a little song at the bottom. He has to glue that on one page and then has to draw a picture of it on the other. Towards the beginning of the journal (before they start working on the letters) they had some open-ended questions. One was "I can ...." Aiden wrote "I can love." and then drew this picture (see pic to the left) on the other page. He said he was dancing with me (I'm not sure if I'm the brown person or orange and blue) and the hearts showed how much he loves me. My heart just melted. So sweet.

Nana asked if Aiden wanted to help her make some cookies last week. He said and then runs out to the craft/game area. I then hear all this weird noise. I go to see what he is doing and he's bringing the art easel over to the kitchen and says "I'll write down the rules." What? Rules? We are cooking. He then proceeds to come up and writes down the following rules:
1. Follow directions [on the cookie mix].
2. Be safe.
3. Clean hands.
4. Clean up your mess.
5. No snezzing on cookies.
6. Don't eat all the cookies.
7. Make sure you share cookies.

The kid cracks me up. I picked up Eli from daycare and once he got home and washed his hands, he was allowed to help too. I was shocked that they both made a few cookies. They have never make a cookie ball for me. They put one finger in it and say it's gross and won't touch it.

 Last Saturday I took the boys down to the pool in the morning at 10am. We were the first ones there! Nana came down a bit later and joined us which was great. It was nice and relaxing and we enjoyed it. It worked out well because it rained all afternoon so we were stuck inside.

Last Saturday marked one week I have been on my new medication. I found out that 28 days worth of medicine costs $6200. Yeah. You read that right. Wow. The first days felt like no change but I then started to notice one of my medications that typically has not worked, started working (it's called Provigil). After a week on the new medicine, you are supposed to tritrate up to the next highest dose. I am super sensitive to many medicines so I decided to not go quite so high as they recommended. I took my 10pm dose and then woke up at 2am, felt very drugged still, but went ahead and took my 2nd dose like I'm supposed to. I woke up on Sunday morning and had a headache, was nauseous, and very dizzy. I knew it was from my medicine dosage and thought it would wear off in a few hours. It didn't. I missed sunday school and church. The boys were so good though and played so well together which was a blessing. I could barely stand up to even fix their breakfast. My doctor was not reachable so I called the drug manufacturer and they had a pharmacist call me right away. He said it was just taking my body a little longer to eliminate the drug but it would be gone in a few hours (this was 10:30am). Nothing had changed by 5pm. I called again and talked with the same pharmacist and he told me the problem was not from the drug because the drug is so fast acting that it was out of my bloodstream and it was something out and I should get it checked out ASAP. I thought about it, talked with Brad, thought about it, and then realized I waited all day and it wasn't even a tad better so why would it be better after sleeping. I wasn't about to take the medication again that night in case it was the medicine and it might have an additive effect. I needed to teach on Monday morning so I decided the ER was the right choice for me. Problem: how do I get there when I clearly can't drive (I could barely walk) and my mom can't take me because some needs to be with the kids who I just put to bed? I had to take a stupid ambulance!!!
To make a long story short, the Orange Park Medical Center was so amazed at the medication that I was on that they had never heard of that they pretty much just focused on that. I did have 2 awesome church friends (Christina and Mrs. Linda Ferguson) meet me at the hospital and these crazy women stayed with me from 8:30ish until I was released at 2am!!! Now that is a friend. Needless to say, they didn't know what was wrong and thought it was the medication. I canceled my JU class which I felt HORRIBLE about and then went to bed by 3am. I spoke with my dr on Monday morning and he said it wasn't the new medication and then made a phone call and sent an e-mail to Stanford (where all the really smart people in the world of narcolepsy and this drug are at). Someone from Standford even called to talk with me. All day monday I was crazy dizzy but was able to eventually eat some saltines and 7-up. Tuesday morning was still pretty bad and I was getting so discouraged. I literally couldn't do anything. Even shutting my eyes made me really dizzy. By Tuesday late afternoon I started to feel some relief and that was great. I was taking zofran around the clock because I was so nauseous that I couldn't even eat anything which I'm sure wasn't helping the dizziness.

On Wednesday, it was Eli's 4th birthday. Mrs. Chari, Eli's teacher, is so awesome and made a sign for the door since 2 kids in her class had birthdays this week. Eli had a good day (I left a balloon and play-doh for his class) on Tuesday evening. I barely made it through work on Wednesday and thought I was going to pass out a few times.

Once Aiden got home from school, he helped Nana and I wrap presents for Eli and then decided to make a tent for Eli's puppies. While I went to get Eli, Aiden and Nana made this tent for Eli and decorated it. It was so thoughtful of Aiden!! I'll write more about Eli's birthday in the next post.

I took this picture on Thursday. Here is Aiden peeling his carrot that he was having in his lunch on Friday. No he wasn't eating the whole thing but I love how much he likes to help in the kitchen.




This week has been so crazy with me feeling so incredibly horrible for a few days and then trying to prepare for Eli's party which was difficult because the RSVP list doubled after the please respond by date. I don't get that. I had wednesday as the cut off date and got 3 RSVP by then and then got 1 one Thursday night and 2 on early friday morning. I had already made all the goodie bags so then had to go buy more stuff. It was all good though. Eli had an awesome birthday party today. I'll write about that in a few days hopefully.