I'm Going To Blame The Pain Killers

Today was NOT a good day.

I woke up with a migraine and fought it all day. This was not helped by the fact that the kids were nothing but one big tantrum all day long. Noah just cried and screamed. Lilly did nothing but yell, cry, throw one tantrum after another, then add on top of this the fact that she never quit talking... not. even. once...

Then add to the mix that between the hours of 8am and 2:30pm I changed 11 poopy diapers. Yes, you read that right, 11. Eleven poopy diapers between two kids. Any wonder why I hate changing diapers?

So, on to the title of this post.

The entire day, Shane rested on the couch. I cooked and brought him food. He didn't need to deal with the kids (even though I really could have used his help) but this is all with good reason. He is recovering from surgery and needs to rest. I totally get this. And I want him to heal. I don't want him to help me while he's recovering.

But then....

Once the kids were bathed and FINALLY in bed, I start cooking him something to eat for dinner... THIS is when he gets off the couch to "help." I tell him to just go lay down, I can take care of it. (thinking to myself... Oh, NOW, that the kids are in bed.) His response? "Well... I get stir crazy just laying there." Then, he knows I've had a horrible horrible day, so he comes up to me to give me a kiss on my neck but before his lips even touch my neck he pulls back and says... "Wow! You are sweating garlic from every pore!"

I just smiled.

I wanted to slap him.

I know I smell... I've done nothing but chase kids around all day, tried to do crafts with Lilly that ended up just causing more tantrums, I had just bathed them both in a hot humid bathroom, and now I'm cooking dinner over a hot stove.

Yet, I just smiled.

He normally is much more sensitive and helpful. So, I'm going to give him an out and blame his pain killers. And I'll be super nice and not even tell him about this and unless he reads this post (which I doubt he will) he will never know.

Man, I really love this man.

My Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH!!

Happy Birthday my dear sweet precious boy!!

Thank you to all of you who have sent your well wishes and prayers our way. Thank you for celebrating this momentous occasion.

Here are some photo's from his recent birthday celebration. You can also read more about his birthday at Noah's Adventure. (And check it out for a very cool new video!!)

It's funny, I think he is the ONLY kid in the world who wouldn't TOUCH his cake. And I'm serious, he wouldn't touch it. I tried to get him to taste it... and well, you can see he didn't like it much.

He loves his Aunt Jenny.

And his Daddy.

But not the cake.

Grandma and Noah partied just a little too hard.

A classic Noah cheeser smile. Who couldn't love this little man???

Why?

I'm not afraid. I'm not worried. I trust the Lord. I know Noah is in His hands just as much now as he was a year ago. I know we are blessed beyond measure to have the greatest Doctor.

Then why won't my heart stop pounding? Why can't I get it to stop throbbing in my head and trying to jump out my throat? Why is it every time I try NOT to think about handing over my precious little miracle baby to go into his Heart Cath I start to cry?

Shane says it's because I'm a Mom and that's my job.

Wordless Wednesday - Memoiral Weekend Fun

Don't be mad but you mind find some small words mixed in with the wordless...

Girls Night Out at the Sex in the City Movie. Emily Above. Then Leeann and Brittany below. It was AWESOME!!

Our first family outing to Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake. Lilly LOVED it (that's actually an understatement) Mr. Magoo Man Slept most of the time.

What? Huh? Did I miss something? OK, I'm going back to bed now.

ALL ABOARD!!

This was our Transplant Fundraiser Yard Sale 15 minutes before it was to start (notice people were already here!!) It went really well. We sold almost everything in 6 hours for $300.

Guess what bear we ended up keeping.

Our Trip begins with Breakfast.

Lilly was so excited she got to feed the horse. Thank you uncle Lonny and aunt Leecie.

This look is the look of PURE heaven on the face of a pre-schooler. She could not be any happier over getting this Hannah Montana Guitar. She was in AWE!

Don't Play In The Water!

Momma, I played in the water!

I think I'll read now.

Thanks for stopping by. I know there were a lot of pictures. Now if you were actually looking for the macro pics I posted incorrectly on WW, you can find them at In The Name Of Blog. Sorry for the mix up.

I'm Sharing The Love!

I'm sharing my love blogging award with my favorite blogs. You can read all about it here. But the blogs I've listed below are some of the blogs I have on my reader that I can't go a day without checking.
I've become attached to these people. Some probably don't know I read their blogs, (why? Because I read them on my phone which is really hard to comment so I end up being a naughty lurker, bad blog etiquette I know. I'm sorry.) Others are not just my friends in blogging but in my daily life and I could NOT live without them!!

So I am sharing my love with them all because they share their love with me by posting the joy, the sadness, the randomness that is their life and because they share their lives with me by being my friend through the happy and the sad times through my good days and my bad days. And for putting up with me when my neurons misfire and I even annoy myself. I love you all!!

This award lovingly goes to:

• the world: through the eyes of ME
• Tidbits of the Tippuli (Jen's blog is private for those of you who are invited, sorry!)
• Miracles Happen
• The Cutest Little Family
• A Place I call Home
  
• A "Sample" of Jennifer's Thoughts
• Anna's Place
• Barker Adventures
• Believer in Balance
• Cafe at the End of the Universe
• Cameron's and Melissa's Broadcast
• Checketts
• Comedy Plus
• Dan Donaldson Family
  
• Dallas Miao'd
  
• Dandelion Wishes...
  
• Evil Clomid
• Foster Me Up
• Gus Gang
• Hootin' Anni's
• Kaidence
  
• Life at Gale Speed...Don't Blink!
• Life in a Fish Bowl
• Life Simply Lived (Mickey's blog is private too. Sorry!)
  
• LIFESONG
  
• Livin with Me
  
• Meet the Barkers
• Mental Poo
• Mimi
• Mom of 3 Girls
  
• My Chaos My Bliss
• Not Afraid To Use It
  
• Our Baby Beckham
• Our Fun Funky Life
• Our Happy Happenings
• Pensieve
• Purple Valley
• Rambling Shan
  
• Random Thoughts
• RDH Mom
• Rhett's Journey
  
• Roberts Family
  
• Secret Agent Mama
• Skittles Place
• Soggy Cheerios
  
• State of Confusion
• The Bergers
• The Gourley Family
  
• The Groffs
• The Incoherent Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mom
• The Rounds Rock
• The Quigley Family
  
• Up The Hill Gang

I would really appreciate if you would include a link to this post when (and if) you post about the award on your blog so people know what its all about. If you don't post about it, that's fine, just display it proudly (YOU DESERVE IT!!). But I would LOVE it if you would SHARE THE LOVE with those who you love too! So pass it on!

FYI: You can find the code to the award button on my side bar!!

My Cup Runneth Over

I don't have time to post all the posts I have piling up in my drafts right now. Tons of pictures and fun updates. But I just had to jump on to say how much I love my children.

I LOVE my children!

A New Award To Give Away

My precious son Noah would not be here today if he hadn't received a Heart Transplant on 07.07.07.

As you may have recently seen on my side bar, I have finally created a custom blog award!! I have wanted to do this for a long time but never came up with something that "fit". I didn't want just anything. It had to be something that meant something to me. And what could mean more than Sharing the Love by giving you pieces of my heart??

So I created this award in Honor Of The Donor That Saved Noah's Life. I share this award with those of you whose love and friendship have enriched my life and made my world a better place.

I hope by passing this award around the blogging world we can all help raise awareness of the need for Organ Donation.

The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**

So get sharing and then come back here and check out who I am going to be sharing my love with. (I'll be sharing my love within the next few days.)

Recent Things and Things To Come

Yesterday was a busy but fun day.

It did start of on a lazy note which I always enjoy.

Shane got up and went to play air soft shooting for a few hours while Lilly, Noah and I napped and just rested all morning. Then when Shane got home we all went out to lunch. It's kind of like our new family tradition to go out to lunch or breakfast on Shane's day off. Since we spent so much time apart or stuck in the house. Its just nice to get out together.

After lunch we took Lilly to get some new shoes. She was in some desperate need of sandals and play shoes. At first she cried because she didn't want me to take off "Lilly's shoes!!" but then when she saw all the cute new shoes she didn't have a problem with it anymore.

Then we took both the kids to get their very first official hair cut. Lilly got her hair trimmed and got a few bangs cut so they would stay out of her face. She did a great job holding still and was a very big girl. Unfortunately there are no pictures because she was sitting on my lap and Daddy was in the car while Noah was sleeping.

Then it was Noah's turn. He was not quite as still as Lilly. Since he is a jumping man and LOVES to play with everyone, he refused to hold still. And when the clippers were turned on he cried. So we ended up cutting his hair with scissors which took longer. But it all worked out. I think we cut probably 2 or 3 inches off. It was crazy how long his hair was!! But it looks so good now. And today everyone at church kept saying how much hair he had. I just laughed. Knowing that all of his hair was actually now in the trash.

After the haircuts, we went and got ice cream since Lilly was such a good girl. Then we went home and my sister came over to baby sit so Shane and I could go on a date. That was super nice. We went to a movie and then out to dinner.

As we waited for the movie to start and while we ate dinner we got to talk about church history and Joseph Smith. It was really relaxing and wonderful to just have some personal time with the man I love.

Another awesome thing this week... Noah out grew his infant carrier so he was upgraded to Lilly's convertible car seat and she got a new one. Now Noah travels in style in the Britax Marathon and Lilly travels like a QUEEN in the new Britax Frontier. Which I might add is by far the coolest and safest and nicest car seat/booster chair I have ever seen. It's worth every penny. Since my car accident, I'm a bit more interested in car safety than some might be. So I make sure the car seats I get are super safe. And these do NOT disappoint. VERY COOL! Only downside now is having to carry Noah everywhere.... but then, it wasn't very cool lugging him around in the infant carrier anymore anyways... just way too heavy. My hands are all calloused and I would always have a knot in my arm.

This coming week is going to be crazy. Tomorrow I go back to school. It's a computer programming class. Gonna learn some XHTML programming. It's the start to getting a Graphic Design Certificate. Then Noah also has therapy and re certification. He also has to go back and have his labs drawn again. Then on Saturday I'm participating in the Susan G Komen 5K run. It's my first ever. But I gotta support Leeann and her Mom. So that should be fun too. Busy busy busy. Just trying to get out and enjoy life. I just hope the weather plays along this week.

Much love to you all!

See No Evil. . . Hear No Evil

**The Slide Show has been put in below**

See No Evil..... Hear No Evil

Yesterday we had ANOTHER wonderful and fun play day with our friends Kya, Brennon and Jen.

Jen and I didn't have a chance to get our craft started (a 7 foot tall "ruler" growth chart that is wood and we are going to paint and decorate) because I ended up having a quick work project I had to do as soon as they got here. But that's okay, we'll save it for next week.

Lilly and Kya ran all over the house. Spreading toys into every nook and cranny. I still don't think I have found them all. The little stinkers even found their way into our spare bedroom where we are storing all of the stuff we are putting up for sale when we have our Heart Transplant Fundraising Yard Sale in a few weeks. Let's just say a few things didn't make it. ;-)

Then they went outside to enjoy the semi nice weather. They used chalk and "decorated" the deck. They ran back and forth and back and forth. They played in the dirt. And when I say played what I mean is they threw it everywhere...mainly their hair and their face and their clothes.

When dinner time came around, there was no way they were coming inside to eat with all that dirt on them. So they got nekked and got in the shower together. It was so cute (sorry, no pictures of shower time). But they took turns. And sometimes they argued about it. Every once in a while Lilly would yell for Jen. JEN! JEN! JEN! It's Lilly's turn!! But they actually did really well.

Then it was pizza time. They sat down together and ate pizza and danced and played. Then went back to running around back and forth and back and forth.

We were very sad when they had to leave. But after many goodbyes, see you soon's, miss you's, and blow kisses they went home. Since Lilly didn't get a nap, she had a hard time going to sleep. Well, she went to sleep just fine, she just cried alot in her sleep. (I think she gets anxiety or growing pains in her legs) But we finally got her settled and she went to bed.

Then, later that night, I still hadn't eaten dinner and I was really hankerin for a Slurpee. I had begged Shane to go get me one and he wouldn't. I was just too tired and exhausted to go myself. So I was just going to go to bed hungry (again!)... but Jen wasn't having it.

She got in her car and brought me a slurpee and Sconecutter (my favorite). Mind you, she lives 30 miles away from me!! I told her she was crazy as it was 11:30pm but she said she had so much fun today she had to do something nice for me! Can you believe that? I didn't do anything and yet she totally goes out of her way and I mean TOTALLY out of her way to bring me my favorite treat. (She even made friends with the 7-11 guys who taught her the correct way to pack a slurpee.) She did a great job too.

So a GIGANTIC THANK YOU JEN! You are crazy and hilarious and one of the most selfless people I have ever met. I absolutely love you. I am SO glad you are my friend. (But, just so you know, I thought this BEFORE you brought me my treat.) You are beautiful inside and out!!

A Few Random Thoughts

I had to tell Noah "no" for the first time today. He has started eating solids (and doing VERY well by the way) and today he blew bubbles after I had put food in his mouth... spraying it everywhere. Very normal behavior... but it still deserved a No.

I went to the spa today and got my eye lashes dyed, my eyebrows waxed and dyed, and... a PEDI!! It was SO nice!

I was SO mad today. We have an old freezer that we wanted to get rid of so we called the power company to come and get it. We moved the freezer from the garage and put it under the car port so it was ready to move... Then today we get a letter from the city code enforcer saying we have until the 9th to remove the storage of garbage on our property. It made me SO mad.

Before we moved into this house we lived less than a mile away in the same city. Where was this jerk enforcer guy when we lived there? Our neighbors where the messiest people I have ever seen and they never had to clean up. And yet, they happen to drive by my house right before the stupid power company comes to pick up the freezer.

You would think that I shouldn't be upset because at least it's a problem that's already being taken care of... but your wrong. I HATE that someone can come and give me a warning or a ticket for something that is on my own land.

With tomorrow being Easter and the "sick season" finally wearing down, I have decided to venture out and take the whole family to church. I am really looking forward to it... I just hope we don't end up getting sick.

So, I had more things to say but I can't think of them right now. I think the headache today killed off half my brain cells. Hopefully they will grow back if I can get some decent sleep tonight.

Last Weeks Pictures

Here are the most recent pictures I have taken of the clan.

Lilly is already teasing her little brother.

A perfect pair.

A perfect love.

What's Mommy doing?

I wanna see!

She likes the "big" cars like her dad.

Look at that smile!

Worth the $5 tip for the balloon bunny.

Look Dad, his nose!

Lots of bubble fun.

We accidentally cooked Noah. Kept his door closed during nap time even though the windows in the house were open so the heater was on. Hence, the rosy cheeks and sweaty face.

After bubbles and after she got into the powder. Then with Daddy showing her new "hair."

Noah is rolling over now. And tearing my magazines into confetti. It's even in his hair.

See, told you!

And he wants to crawl so bad. If only you could have seen how fast his legs were kicking.

Wordless Wednesday-My First Sippy

Recent Pictures

I finally hooked my memory card up to the computer. So here are some recent pictures. Just a little snack of my cuties. Enjoy!

Shane has the lovely duty of shoveling ALL the heavy snow. And we have had a ton this year. What a stud!
Kinda fuzzy... but he's still a cutie.

This is during RSV when Noah had to go back on the O2. Just spending the morning cuddling with Daddy.

Lilly and I were messing around and I just HAD to take a picture of her with her princess earings on. But of course... she's too busy wanting to "see" to hold still.

I woke up the other morning to see the three most precious people in my world all snug in a chair. Just too precious to pass up.

My Little Cheeser. How I got this picture I don't know. She normally won't hold still long enough to snap it. She wants to take the pictures.

Noah was playing with his Daddy. I tried to capture his big grins and giggles but I was too slow.

Lilly and Jen decorating Valentines Cookies. I don't know who had more fun, Lilly or Jen??

Of course, Lilly has to show Jenny everything!

Lilly found this shovel at Target and begged and begged for it. She wanted to go outside and shovel the snow.

Daddy's little helper.

She was "painting" her tongue.

She thought it was the coolest thing that her tongue was blue. She kept watching herself in the mirror.

She told me tonight she wanted to "swim, swim. Bath in tub!!"

She thinks she is the Little Mermaid. She kept asking me to sing the Mermaid song.

Then, the only way I could get her out was to tell her the bath had to go Ni-Night. So then she decided it was time to go "seep in da bed."

Catch the Snitch!

PICTURES!!

My cousin (actually my mothers cousin) is a truly gifted photographer. THANK YOU Angie for capturing the sweetness of my precious babies.

Check out some more of the pictures here.
*Courtesy of Sweet Memory Garden

Exhaling

This past week has been pure joy.

There is a part of me that still can't believe I am home. And another part that feels like I never left.

I've gotten to do almost everything on my list of things I wanted to do once I got home. I've slept in my own bed... and I must tell you, it is the MOST comfortable bed in the entire world. We have a memory foam topper and it's just Fabulous! I've even gotten to have a coke Slurpee (only one, since I've started my new health routine).

Noah has adjusted wonderfully. He's made such progress with his breathing and eating. He's finally on a good routine. He's even been sleeping through the night. Except for the midnight feeding I have to do to give him his last dose of meds. But I accidentally fell asleep early last night and didn't wake up to give it to him (I'm such a rookie) and he slept from 8pm to 8am. He's just an absolute angel.

Lilly has done even better. It's like the day we came home she switched back to being the Lilly I knew before we left for Denver. She hardly throws any tantrums, she's just as happy as can be. She's even sleeping in her own bed without waking up in the middle of night and she lays down and goes to sleep without me or Shane having to lay with her both for naps and bedtime. I'm just SHOCKED at how much she has changed. I was getting really worried that her sweet disposition was gone forever but it's back and I'm so glad.

I think about the people in Denver everyday though. I need to call them and see how everyone is doing. I've been wondering if Elmira's husband was able to get a Visa to come and see them. I also need to check in on Dason and Sabrya and see how they are (even though they went back home to Wichita). I've been staying in touch with Alison through email. Which is really nice. My heart just goes out to all the people at the RMH that I know still had tons of time left. The family that got our room when we left (since it's the largest room at the house) had no idea how long they had to stay. Their daughter had gotten her Heart Transplant in February I believe. They went home after 3 months and had been there the past 2 months or so because of rejection. And the rejection was so bad, they were discussing having to do another transplant. I can't even imagine having to go through all of that all over again.

But what ever the future holds, I am so grateful for all the blessing I have been given. I love my husband. I love my children. I love my Family. I love my Friends. And I Love my Heavenly Father, who has blessed me so much more than I deserve.