Apple Hill

That's right a real live PONY RIDE! Charles is still competly fearless of large animals...
He loved watching the ponies and then we couldn't resist but give him the experience I'm sure none of our other children had...a pony ride.

Christmas Time!!

Because of our blended family...we actually have to start Christmas immediately after Thanksgiving around here. We have less time than everyone else...and I know we all feel like we don't have enough time. Perhaps Charles will change all that but as Caleb & Clay are week on/week off..it has become our tradition to run up to Apple Hill and get a Christmas tree as soon after Thanksgiving as we can manage. It becomes our TOP priority as soon as we're done loafing around.


It didn't take more than a handful of broken ornaments before Charles got the hang of it. And a couple of days of me saying "It's like art. We look at the tree but we don't touch it." He now looks at the tree and says "oooo." Walks up to it and either comes close to touching them "oooo-ing" or caressing the ornaments. It's funny.

Clay is loving getting behind the camera but clearly needs a few pointers. Like my "hat?"

Charles & I then gathered some students together to participate in "Operation Christmas Child." My mission (it was successful btw) was to give these kids a chance to experience being on the giving end of charity for a change. With some of my tithe money, I gave them each $10 and told them about this shoe box project and how their gifts would go to a needy child somewhere in the world...or possibly America. They were greatly impacted by as they thoughtfully filled boxes for these kids. It was great to see their excitement and hear their comments about doing good in the world and "feeling really good inside."

Here's Charles, Clay & I at the regional drop point for the boxes.

We partnered with a church in the area the youth live in and they got to meet a local sports celebrity (which was big treat for Caleb & Clay who are BIG fans of hers.) The gal, Monique, who is a community organizer set it all up...she got the celebrity (Ruthie Bolton) on a local morning TV show, the youth got to meet her there and almost got to be on the show as well as she promoted Operation Christmas Child and tried to promote Monique's organization. At the church they got really up close & personal with Ruthie and got to hold her Olympic medals.


On to the BIG DAY...time to be selfish and think about only ourselves for a while!! ha ha.



"I guess Santa hasn't heard we're in a recession...I guess Santa doesn't need my help shopping."
Steve SWEARS we could afford it...I will appreciate all the room it is going to clear out as the current humongous TV we have takes up way too much room and this one will mount on the wall. Steve will appreciate it b/c it's hidef...the kids...well, they really get no benefit out of it at all...they are still relegated to the garage and the current humongous TV is just too big. It's up for grabs, by the way. If you have a really big room to put a 57" TV in give us a call...we're selling it cheap cheap.


Hope you and your families were blessed this Christmas and receive many blessings in the upcoming year.

Have I mentioned: WE LOVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE...CLICK THE LITTLE PENCIL IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT...GO ON I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!!

Trip to the Hospital

Many of you have already heard and prayed about Charles's seizure 2 days ago. Here is a quick pic. of just how sad he was.
So, one last time (I've told the story at LEAST a dozen times already, but they say it helps to work through a trauma by talking about it...and that SEEMS to be working for ME! LOL)

Anyway. A couple of months ago Charles had a high fever which I was concerned about. In the middle of the night he had a BIG twitch...I paniced and called 911. I was embarassed b/c they asked how long it lasted..."30 seconds? a minute?" I told the EMT..."uhhhh, it was a twitch...but a BIG twitch" He assured me that I did the right thing in calling an not be embarassed but as Charles was smiling and happy and fine, it was, in fact...a twitch.

So, on Wed. as I was cooking dinner. Charles had been chewing his finger and felt warm to the touch but...just warm. I hadn't taken his temp. ...assuming he was cutting a tooth and had a little fever. I'm not a very over protective parent. He was clingy and sitting on my lap and he twitched. Steve was right next to me and I said "Look." b/c I wanted him to see the twitch. Then Charles twitched again and I said louder "Look!" at which point Steve looked over and Charles went into a full convulsion. We totally freaked out. Steve called 911 and the entire time he was on the phone Charles was in a seizure. As the fire truck, ambulance and wonderful neighbors we have arrived. An emt was getting out of the truck and about to get some gear when Steve yelled "He's still seizing!" at that point they ran, gearless into our living room to see our little baby convusling. Asked me something, I don't remember what...took him from my arms and exclaimed "We're takin' him!" and turned and high tailed it out of our living room in well, 30 seconds to a minute. I ran after them with no shoes, no ins. card and well, Charles broke my glasses last week and as I hardly ever wear them, I actually taped them up and was...yep, wearing them! YIKES!! (picture of THAT to follow when I'm feeling daring.)

I hope this story helps someone if you ever go through this. It was a febrile seizure which several hospital staff assured me they see every day and that there would be NO neurological damage. The poor baby was poked in every limb and prodded in places he hopes to never be prodded again.

In fact, I put a violin in his hands the next day, as he was running around as if nothing had happened...and now he can play! LOL

Thanks again for all your prayers...they worked immediately.

NO PHOTO--JUST NEWS

I went walking with my friends Emily Kapic (check out her triplets at thekapics.blogspot.com) & Marie Reedy and Allison Shaw. Charles is the youngest and tallest of the bunch. Well, almost...at the end of the walk 1yr. old Emily Shaw was asleep sitting up in her stroller and Charles, instead of playing with all the boys, stood up on the step of her stroller and stroked her hair for a good 10 min. We went inside to play and after about an hour, he and Parker (one of the triplets) had disappeared somewhere in the house. I went down the hall & peeked into a couple of rooms but did not see nor hear anything. I turned back down the hall when I heard the pitter patter of little feet. And there were Charles and Parker coming out of the master bedroom. I said "Oh there you are." and Charles pointed to Parker, who was right behind him. I said "Are you playing with Parker back here?" at which point Charles took a little cheerios from Parkers snack cup and gave him a BIG hug, laying his head in the crook of Parker's neck. Parker gave me a big smile as Charles held on for a good 20-30 seconds I'd say. It was SOOO cute.