Sick, ICK!

For weeks we have been sick. GROSS! Flu, followed by virus. ICK! I am not even going to list the symptoms, because they are so disgusting. NASTY!

But, today- we felt better! The kids went to play outside! It was great!

Hopefully this is a turning point!

But anyway, that is why there has not been an update. Mostly, because there was nothing to update- we just sat around and watched movies, got ill, took showers, sipped soup, and slept a lot.

Visits and Valentines

Valentines Day was hard this year. Missing Kurt is wearing on all of us, and today was especially hard. This is our second Valentine's Day apart. Our first was in 2004! (We were in the awkward "Are we in a place where we are supposed to do Valentine gifts?" phase of our relationship. To which I decided to send him a large cookie bouquet to his workplace, and mark it "Secret Admirer." Subtlety was never a strong point of mine when it came to Kurt, lol!) Hopefully this will be our last Valentines Day apart. Even though I know this long distance deal is the right thing to do right now, it somehow doesn't make the time fly faster, or the heartache easier.

The boys received Valentine cards from Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Russ yesterday. Today the boys received Valentine cards from Grandma Rose and Grandpa Calvin! With any luck Kurt will receive his care package from us- and it contains little gifts from the boys and me =) I was delighted to receive beautiful flowers in the mail - Kurt and I had decided not to celebrate Valentines Day until we saw one another, so it was an extra big surprise! The flowers are beautiful, and really cheer me up. I miss my husband!!!


Today we went into town and met friends! We spent the afternoon with Melissa and Marcy, and the kids got to play with Lea and Nicole's kids too! You know you live in a small town when a lunch at McDonald's leads you to see four people you know, and you know you live in a very very small town when most of them already know one another through means other than yourself! It was a good time, and I always appreciate the support and insight that Melissa and Marcy offer!

We came home and the boys cleaned up, and I made dinner. The boys are now playing Wii (I allowed it because it is a holiday) and I am putting my feet up and playing with photo editing! Seraphina fell asleep right after her bath. Life is so good!

I love messing up Harrison's hair! I told him I was going to put a picture of his crazy hair online, and that is when he made that silly face on the right.

Seraphina had avocado pieces for dinner. She only ate what she fed herself (baby lead weaning). She has been grabbing for food, so I allowed her to mess around with it. Carter and I sat by and watched her and talked to her during her dinner. She loves Carter so much. Here, you can see her watching him intently as he tells her about a storybook he read earlier today. I fully expect her next word to be "Carter!" She adores him! She loves both of her brothers (and her kitty!), but he really has a way with her and they share a pretty neat little bond!

Dinner was silly! We had breakfast for dinner: ham and eggs, served with sliced avocado! Melissa inspired me to make heart-shaped pancakes, colored pink! I cut strawberries as hearts too. The boys really enjoyed it, and ate every bite!

Another week!

I have stopped updating this as much. But that's okay- we have been busy.

This wave of midterms is over for me (still all A's, thankyouverymuch), and things are settling back down. The boys are busy with their homeschool lessons, and I am already looking at materials for the next level of all of their subjects. Gotta plan ahead! I love that the internet makes it so easy, and perhaps more than that I love the helpful homeschooling friends I have that offer good suggestions, tips, and insight!

Such great brothers! This is a horrid picture because I snapped it so quickly. They were playing with her and teaching her how to be a dinosaur, lol!

HA! A bow!

Seraphina is growing fast- the boys taught her how to "be a dinosaur!" She now growls on command. It is actually quite funny, because she follows her growls with giant smiles and giggles. She is so wonderful, it is so strange to think we were ever a family without her at one time! She feels so much a part of us, I really forget what life was like before that little angel joined us!!!

Seraphina looking at a Math-U-See block during "Baby School!"

Harrison is being as artistic as ever. He enjoys making books and telling stories. He also has kept up with "baby school" and teaches Seraphina a few times per week. He gets frustrated that she will not repeat the things he asks her to say. "Say, 'Harrison!' Say it!" She just laughs at him. Thankfully he has a good sense of humor and an ample dose of patience and imagination. Big news around here is Harrison lost his first tooth! He bit into a large chocolate heart and was shocked that his tooth instantly wiggled. He freaked out, and wiggled it more, and freaked out again. He was flipping out and Carter kept trying to get him to calm down. Harrison finally told me to just pull the tooth out, and with very little effort (it was literally half hanging out) the tooth was released. Harrison was thrilled that the tooth fairy left him money, and his little baby tooth space is quite adorable. They grow up so fast!

Seraphina enjoys her new blanket made by Grandma Joyce!

Carter rigged a movie theater for us. He grabbed the white board, a flashlight, and some random toys. He would draw the backdrops and use the toys to create shadows. His movie was 15 minutes long, and contained an elaborate plot. Harrison and I enjoyed popcorn and watched. The film was rated: "PG-Funny!"

While at the grocery store the boys saw a "Scooby Snack" cereal. Oh, how excited they were! Sadly the cereal contained gluten, so I promised that if they behaved then I would reward them with Scooby Snacks. (They were frosted gluten and dairy free brownies. They woke to find them hiding in the fridge- the kids were so happy!)

Carter and Harrison hold their "Valemtimes" (as Harrison calls them) from Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Russ! They were ecstatic to get Valentines! What a wonderful surprise!!! (I received chocolate covered strawberries!!!)

Carter is growing into his new phase of middle childhood and bringing a new dimension to the house. He is now at a phase where he challenges some of the once-accepted house rules or requests. He is passionate about fairness and understanding, so working with him takes longer, as not only do I discuss the request, but the rationale behind said requests! It is really neat to see this natural part of him growing up. His desire to make good choices is abundant, and his conversations have grown much more meaningful. He still enjoys his alone time- today he ran around outside in a mask and cape with the kitties, all by himself. However, he has blossomed into a social butterfly- yesterday he spent five hours playing with his friends!

I miss you. Valentines day is tomorrow, but that's okay that we are apart- we have a lot to look forward to!

I love you.

Lots.

I miss your face.

~Me.

(PS- Amelie glared at me until I agreed to update you on her. She is currently batting a piece of paper all over the floor and going insane. Her favorite things: napping with Seraphina, jumping on my head while I sleep, taking the computer chair when she knows one of the kids needs to use it, "yelling" at the boys, sharpening her nonexistent nails on whatever surface Seraphina is napping on so she wakes her, eating carbs, and Downton Abbey. She is proud to say that she still likes Seraphina, even though Fina has slapped her in the face and grabbed her tail.)

(PPS- Here some of the meals you have missed... you know, just in case you forget what it was like to have me around =p)

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Busy, busy!

Isn't she adorable??? She had her well-check on Friday. She looks great! Her records have been transferred to my favorite pediatrician already! I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the boys because they were already out in the snow!

The other night, Fina didn't sleep. Seriously, like... the whole night. No sleep. This was her in the morning. Isn't she a little munchkin?! So cute, and so happy! (She napped pretty well that day!)

We went to Church, and then we went to a Superbowl party! It was Seraphina's first time in an Exersaucer! She loved it! We had such a great time! I didn't get a chance to snap a picture of the boys because they ran away and played with the other kids the whole time!

I had an exam due today... it was loads of fun. Really though, not too bad. Glad to be done with it! Just a few more and this wave of midterms will be over! YAY!