The end of Summer is here. Like most parents, I am a little sad it is coming to a close. I have truly enjoyed my children this summer and everything it entailed.
It started out with one child mastering her bike, one child brave enough to just take off and ride, and one child finally having long enough legs to ride the big wheel (you would have thought she won the lottery), Vacation Bible School, Family Weekend and three weeks of Camp Gabe took us through the end of July.
Camp Gabe is where the kids really thrived this summer. Kaitlynn was enrolled in the Fine Arts Camp. She came home each week with some amazing art work. Not to mentioned she loved the freedom to just create. Jackson on the other hand spent three weeks in Sports Camp. My favorite part about Jackson in Sports Camp, someone finally wore him down. He LOVED it, but he was beyond exhausted.....best he slept all summer.
Madelynn was in three weeks of "Mini" Camp. Half her pre-school class was enrolled, she loved it. My favorite part about "Mini" Camp was the first day when Madelynn crawled out of bed she pulled her Minnie Mouse T-shirt out the drawer. She looked at me and said, "I have to wear my Minnie shirt for "Mini" Camp." Never a dull moment.
The rest of the summer was spent sitting under trees as the breeze blew by, sneaking off to Brewsters's for after dinner ice cream, magic tricks and wild animals at the library and swimming as much as possible. It also included lots of tests and doctor visits. All three had their annual physicals. except for Madelynn's weight the doctor was very please with all three. We also left the pediatric cardiologist with a great report. We have to wait until next year to find out more about Madelynn's nerve damage in her diaphragm but all is well for now.
I'm not going to lie I LOVE when school is in session. It is nice to know if I leave for work and the house is clean, when I come home it will still be clean. My children are routine people. If they know the plan they depend on it. Ask those who come to visit and the plan is disrupted.
This year marks big changes for Kaitlynn. She will earn real grades instead of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. She will participate in End of Grade (EOG) testing. If she does not pass this testing she does not pass the grade. Each student Must pass both the class and the EOG. I have not talked to her about this yet, it is on the agenda for the week.
Jackson will still be on the satisfactory/unsatisfatory program but his teacher will have a challange. Lucky for us she knows all the tricks, has been teching for 25 years, and been at the school since it opened in 1998. Jackson was very excited when he heard she would be his teacher. I hope this was an answered prayer.
Madelynn starts school this week. She was very sad when we drove Kaitlynn and Jackson to school and she could not go. She cannot wait for school to start.
Enjoy the photos from the first day of school through the first day of school.
So Long Summer...
TTFN~
Showing posts with label phil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phil. Show all posts
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
100,000
Back in September 2011, I posted about the 88,888 miles we had travelled in our van. We bought it new. We put every single mile on that van. In September 2005, some time in the afternoon that 2006 Van was rolled off the delivery truck. They hadn't even pulled all the delivery stickers and tape off of it yet and we signed papers to drive it home.
I am not going to lie I felt like I was driving a tank. Earlier last month we reached the 100,000 mile mark. I was so caught up in the everyday events of our life to even notice. Phil finally had some time at home, so he did a little tune up on her before we left for Family Weekend to Mason and noticed the numbers had turned. To be honest, I liked the fact I didn't notice.
If we aren't careful we can spend our whole lives worried about the numbers and what they mean. Until Madelynn had her surgery I always worried about the "numbers" and every little detail they represented. While Madelynn was recovering, the nurses were constantly telling me, "Don't look at the numbers look at your daughter."
That phrase rings so true in too many aspects in life. I know sometimes the little details are incredibly important but if I spent all my days on the little details I would miss the big picture. I want to share my big picture.....
Quick side note......sometimes I have difficulty and am technically challenged. I recently figured out how to link my phone to my laptop to transfer pictures. To most this is an easy task but I finally just spent the time two hours exactly and educated myself. Because of my recent education I can share the following......
In a recent visit to Madelynn's Pulmunologist, he showed me x-rays from the day the Urgent Care Doctor realized there was a problem (the one saved her life). Her heart was boot-shaped, deformed from lack of blood flow. The only reason this x-ray was taken was to rule out a different condition.
The second x-ray is from the week before her appointment to the pulmunologist. You can clearly see how much she has grown but her heart has also re-shaped. This is that bigger picture that brings me so much JOY!!!
If you look closely at the this third x-ray along the breast bone you will see the metal wire wrapped around her when they broke it to repair her heart. We were told the bone would eventually infuse over the wire but I don't think it will ever disappear from a x-ray.
We have come so far in 100,000+ miles. We bought the van because our CRV just couldn't manage our two car seats and everything else you need for a 2 month and 21 month old children (Madelynn wasn't even a thought at the time). The van has seen beautiful beach filled coastlines and crazy bitter winter weather. It has heard hoards of crazy laughter and silently cruised as tears streamed down.
Hopefully, with Phil's mechanic background it will easily last another 100,000.
For those of you, wanting an update on Madelynn's Pulmuology appointment. We did not get any bad news but still nothing concrete. They did do a quick lung study that confirmed her lungs appeared to be functioning normally. There is a more detailed study they will do around her birthday next year. If she is cooperative they will be able to tell how much nerve damage there is from the collapsed lung and paralysis in her diaphragm she suffered days after her heart repair.
The doctor's best estimation is that the nerve damage will be minimal. The best explanation he gave was that she will be allowed to play sports but she would never be a marathon runner. We will know more next year. In the meantime, we will do our best to keep her healthy and enjoy all the every day moments with all of our children. Spending the days enjoying the bigger picture and worrying about the details as they occur and not let life control us with them.
TTFN~
I am not going to lie I felt like I was driving a tank. Earlier last month we reached the 100,000 mile mark. I was so caught up in the everyday events of our life to even notice. Phil finally had some time at home, so he did a little tune up on her before we left for Family Weekend to Mason and noticed the numbers had turned. To be honest, I liked the fact I didn't notice.
If we aren't careful we can spend our whole lives worried about the numbers and what they mean. Until Madelynn had her surgery I always worried about the "numbers" and every little detail they represented. While Madelynn was recovering, the nurses were constantly telling me, "Don't look at the numbers look at your daughter."
That phrase rings so true in too many aspects in life. I know sometimes the little details are incredibly important but if I spent all my days on the little details I would miss the big picture. I want to share my big picture.....
Quick side note......sometimes I have difficulty and am technically challenged. I recently figured out how to link my phone to my laptop to transfer pictures. To most this is an easy task but I finally just spent the time two hours exactly and educated myself. Because of my recent education I can share the following......
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| This is Madelynn's Heart 10/12/2008. |
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| This is a picture of Madelynn's Heart last week (7/5/12) |
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| The side view from 7/5/12 that shows the reminder. |
If you look closely at the this third x-ray along the breast bone you will see the metal wire wrapped around her when they broke it to repair her heart. We were told the bone would eventually infuse over the wire but I don't think it will ever disappear from a x-ray.
We have come so far in 100,000+ miles. We bought the van because our CRV just couldn't manage our two car seats and everything else you need for a 2 month and 21 month old children (Madelynn wasn't even a thought at the time). The van has seen beautiful beach filled coastlines and crazy bitter winter weather. It has heard hoards of crazy laughter and silently cruised as tears streamed down.
Hopefully, with Phil's mechanic background it will easily last another 100,000.
For those of you, wanting an update on Madelynn's Pulmuology appointment. We did not get any bad news but still nothing concrete. They did do a quick lung study that confirmed her lungs appeared to be functioning normally. There is a more detailed study they will do around her birthday next year. If she is cooperative they will be able to tell how much nerve damage there is from the collapsed lung and paralysis in her diaphragm she suffered days after her heart repair.
The doctor's best estimation is that the nerve damage will be minimal. The best explanation he gave was that she will be allowed to play sports but she would never be a marathon runner. We will know more next year. In the meantime, we will do our best to keep her healthy and enjoy all the every day moments with all of our children. Spending the days enjoying the bigger picture and worrying about the details as they occur and not let life control us with them.
TTFN~
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Savannah, GA
When I opened the gift I truly had no idea, complete surprise. For the first time in 9 years Phil and I were going on a trip WITHOUT kids. Phil, my family and Nana Patti were able to work out the logistics so we could be gone for 4 glorious days.
Friday March 16th we were off to Savannah, GA. Over the years, Phil and I had been there for our 1st Wedding Anniversary which was FABULOUS. Last November on our way to Florida we stopped there over night with the kids and they loved it. But together Phil and I had never experienced St. Paddy's Day down there. I was VERY excited.
We arrived about 4pm Friday afternoon parked the car and the rest of our travelling would be on foot. We walked most of Bay Street every day. Saturday morning we were up very early walked to mass at the Cathedral, watched the parade, went to eat, watched more parade. One of the things we tried to do was support only local restaurants and not the big franchises. We found terrific food. I tried so many new foods in those four days than I did in 40 years.
We stopped by the Mercer House (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the first Girl Scouts House in the US, St. John the Baptist Cathedral (twice: once for Mass and and the other for pictures), admired the simple beauty of the squares, walked River St multiple times, a dueling piano bar and Savannah's Vietnam Memorial was really cool. One afternoon we walked through the Colonial Park Cemetery. There was something about this cemetery that just draws you in. The last time someone was buried there was 1853.......Yes I said 1853. One of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence was buried there.
There was one thing I saw that took my breath away and just stopped me in my tracks. There was a family plot that had a headstone that was five feet by five feet. I had never seen a burial stone so big. If I remember correctly there were eleven names carved out on this GINORMOUS stone. That was a big family. After taking a closer read, Phil and I discovered they had 6 children buried in the plot. Not one of these children lived to their 3rd birthday. It was very sobering to think of the heartache that mother must have carried. I felt so fortunate to have such a beautiful family.
One afternoon we decide to take the car to Tybee Island. I heard about what a beautiful place it was but had never been. It would be fun to take the kids and stay there a few days. We also discovered a Civil War Fort. I never knew one was there. So we walked all of Fort Pulaski. This is a must see if you are ever in Savannah.
I posted several of my pictures on my pinterest page for viewing here's the link: http://pinterest.com/addler99/my-photographs/ I will be posting more. I think I took close to 300 pictures if not more.
This trip would have not been possible without so many of you. Thank you to Phil and my family for scheming to put it all together. Thank you to Patti for taking the time out of her schedule to fly in and take care of the kids (that was a gift in itself). Thank you to Ray and Linda (Kaitlynn's god-parents) for taking care of the kid logistics and getting Patti at the airport so Phil and I could get the heck out of dodge. Quite possibly this was the best birthday present ever.
Thank You.
TTFN~
Friday March 16th we were off to Savannah, GA. Over the years, Phil and I had been there for our 1st Wedding Anniversary which was FABULOUS. Last November on our way to Florida we stopped there over night with the kids and they loved it. But together Phil and I had never experienced St. Paddy's Day down there. I was VERY excited.
We arrived about 4pm Friday afternoon parked the car and the rest of our travelling would be on foot. We walked most of Bay Street every day. Saturday morning we were up very early walked to mass at the Cathedral, watched the parade, went to eat, watched more parade. One of the things we tried to do was support only local restaurants and not the big franchises. We found terrific food. I tried so many new foods in those four days than I did in 40 years.
We stopped by the Mercer House (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), the first Girl Scouts House in the US, St. John the Baptist Cathedral (twice: once for Mass and and the other for pictures), admired the simple beauty of the squares, walked River St multiple times, a dueling piano bar and Savannah's Vietnam Memorial was really cool. One afternoon we walked through the Colonial Park Cemetery. There was something about this cemetery that just draws you in. The last time someone was buried there was 1853.......Yes I said 1853. One of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence was buried there.
There was one thing I saw that took my breath away and just stopped me in my tracks. There was a family plot that had a headstone that was five feet by five feet. I had never seen a burial stone so big. If I remember correctly there were eleven names carved out on this GINORMOUS stone. That was a big family. After taking a closer read, Phil and I discovered they had 6 children buried in the plot. Not one of these children lived to their 3rd birthday. It was very sobering to think of the heartache that mother must have carried. I felt so fortunate to have such a beautiful family.
One afternoon we decide to take the car to Tybee Island. I heard about what a beautiful place it was but had never been. It would be fun to take the kids and stay there a few days. We also discovered a Civil War Fort. I never knew one was there. So we walked all of Fort Pulaski. This is a must see if you are ever in Savannah.
I posted several of my pictures on my pinterest page for viewing here's the link: http://pinterest.com/addler99/my-photographs/ I will be posting more. I think I took close to 300 pictures if not more.
This trip would have not been possible without so many of you. Thank you to Phil and my family for scheming to put it all together. Thank you to Patti for taking the time out of her schedule to fly in and take care of the kids (that was a gift in itself). Thank you to Ray and Linda (Kaitlynn's god-parents) for taking care of the kid logistics and getting Patti at the airport so Phil and I could get the heck out of dodge. Quite possibly this was the best birthday present ever.
Thank You.
TTFN~
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day!!
Before there was Madelynn, Jackson or even Kaitlynn, it was just Phil and I. For six years it was always Phil and I. As much as I love my children, I would walk through fire for them. Sometimes I miss when it was just Phil and I.
Today is a special day for so many reasons. For starters, it is Grandmother Caroline's birthday. Even when I was a little girl I always thought it was "cool" my grandmother was born on Valentine's Day. In my entire life I have only had one really SPECTACULAR Valentine's Day. I'm not sure Phil will ever be able to top it. Seeing as it was my FIRST Valentine's Day with Phil and he proposed. To most I am sure it all sounds very cliche but it was one of the few times in my life I was REALLY excited.
Since Madelynn's diagnosis and surgery Valentine's Day has taken on a WHOLE new meaning. Instead of just buying traditional valentine's and sugar filled candy, this year the kids created their valentine's. I cut out close to 60 hearts, we painted and the kids addressed each one. Since Madelynn couldn't write I used her's to spread Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness.
One side of the heart says, "One out of every 100 babies is born with a CHD every year".
On the other side it reads, "I AM 1 in 100. Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Madelynn."
It is strange to me to observe this permutation in my life. To reminisce about days of independence from children always makes me smile. But when I stop and admire my life today including the tremendous hurdles we have jumped or some days crawled under, we wouldn't be complete without ALL of it.
Life is just not how I ever thought it would be. I have learned to be grateful for the journey set before me. I am completely indebted to Phil for never throwing in the towel. Very glad he will always be my Valentine.
Wishing everyone a Wonderful Valentine's Day!!
TTFN~
Today is a special day for so many reasons. For starters, it is Grandmother Caroline's birthday. Even when I was a little girl I always thought it was "cool" my grandmother was born on Valentine's Day. In my entire life I have only had one really SPECTACULAR Valentine's Day. I'm not sure Phil will ever be able to top it. Seeing as it was my FIRST Valentine's Day with Phil and he proposed. To most I am sure it all sounds very cliche but it was one of the few times in my life I was REALLY excited.
Since Madelynn's diagnosis and surgery Valentine's Day has taken on a WHOLE new meaning. Instead of just buying traditional valentine's and sugar filled candy, this year the kids created their valentine's. I cut out close to 60 hearts, we painted and the kids addressed each one. Since Madelynn couldn't write I used her's to spread Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness.
One side of the heart says, "One out of every 100 babies is born with a CHD every year".
On the other side it reads, "I AM 1 in 100. Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Madelynn."
It is strange to me to observe this permutation in my life. To reminisce about days of independence from children always makes me smile. But when I stop and admire my life today including the tremendous hurdles we have jumped or some days crawled under, we wouldn't be complete without ALL of it.
Life is just not how I ever thought it would be. I have learned to be grateful for the journey set before me. I am completely indebted to Phil for never throwing in the towel. Very glad he will always be my Valentine.
Wishing everyone a Wonderful Valentine's Day!!
TTFN~
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Catching Up.......
As I type this I realize I am really behind in my posts. When I looked back I hadn't left a post since Christmas. It seems like since Christmas I was dropped in a whirlwind and I just recently found the door to get out. So I am going to post a few Christmas pictures and then move on into the new year.
The kids were so excited for Christmas I truly thought my house would explode. It was all we could do to settle the kids down. Jack had such difficulty calming down at school I had to threaten to keep his Christmas presents and that Santa would not any for him. He finally got the picture and put the brakes on. On the last day of school before break he brought me home this....
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| Reindeer noses compliments of Nana Patti. |
I thought he did a great job. I was bummed we couldn't keep it, but you get the idea from the pictures.
Christmas Eve was spent with Grandma and Grandpa Bacho with Christmas dinner (Grandma Bacho did a FABULOUS job!!), church and presents and yes in that order. We went to the Mass with the Handbell Choir and Children's Choir it was really nice. It was such a crazy day, I was too busy being with family and didn't take any pictures. I couldn't believe it either.
Christmas Day, when in town, we always go to Kaitlynn's god-parents house. The house looks like you walked into the North Pole. Think of everyone of your favorite Christmas treats or favorite food it is on the buffet to eat. I do not eat anything before or after this visit because I think I eat all three meals for the day during the visit to their house. Talk about YUMMY!!!
The rest of Christmas Break for the kids was uneventful, we just tried to spend as much time together as possible since the kids had to go back to school on the 2nd.
We really hope everyone really did have a Wonderful Christmas.
Ok on to 2012!!!!
TTFN~
Thursday, October 13, 2011
October has been very busy.............
October has been really crazy and we are barely half way through it. Jack is really enjoying soccer and doing quite well. His game last Saturday was against his best friend's team. He did really well with a goal and a couple of assists.
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| He can run. |
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| Jack and Sam |
After the game there was a fall festival in a community near our neighborhood. Old cars, games and fun for the kids, something for everyone.
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| I loved the blue color. |
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| Phil checking out the old cars. |
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| Daddy teaching Maddie how to check out an old car. |
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| Get Ready!! |
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| Away we go. |
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| When things don't go quite as planned. |
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| We walked the festival, did a little face painting it was time to go. |
I am not sure who was more exhausted the kids or myself. Monday was a teacher work day so Katie and Jack were out of school. I promised we would paint pumpkins.
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| It makes me laugh when the tongue has to come out to get the job done just right. |
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| She begged me for that little side ponytail. |
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| His concentration kills me. |
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| She loves to paint. |
Those last few days have been busy and it just continues. I have a few more photos to post of Jack and I, maybe tomorrow.
TTFN~
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Happy Birthday Aunt Joy!!!
Happy Birthday Aunt Joy!!!
We wanted you to know that we are thinking of you today and are sorry we aren't there to help you celebrate. Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn drew pictures for you and we have mailed them to you but we thought we would share them with everyone.
She wanted to make sure you knew all the words in yellow on the right were supposed to fit in the thought bubble. This is what she thought you would say about your presents.
What you should know about this picture...... Jackson wanted to know your eye color before he started drawing. Whenever he draws a picture eye color is VERY important!! He was very excited you and he had blue eyes.
She was very proud of this picture and brought it to me with the biggest smile on her face. However, I must share the best part about this picture. The whole time she was drawing it I could hear her singing the WHOLE Happy Birthday song including inserting Aunt Joy when she got to that part. It was really cute!!
All that to say we truly hope you have a Fantabulous 18th Birthday and we will see you soon!!
Sending lots of Hugs.....
Phil, Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn
TTFN~
We wanted you to know that we are thinking of you today and are sorry we aren't there to help you celebrate. Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn drew pictures for you and we have mailed them to you but we thought we would share them with everyone.
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| This one is from Kaitlynn. |
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| This one is from Jackson |
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| This one is from Madelynn |
All that to say we truly hope you have a Fantabulous 18th Birthday and we will see you soon!!
Sending lots of Hugs.....
Phil, Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn
TTFN~
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Art with Daddy
Here lately it isn't that things aren't going on it is almost like too much is going on. I can barely keep up between work, soccer, swimming, Maddie (yes she gets a category all by herself) and keeping up with everyday things I just can't get it all done.
I did however get a chance to meet up with a friend and go to a Christmas Craft Fair. It was so much fun. I didn't have to worry about which child was running off in which direction. I had two uninterrupted hours of shopping and talking to vendors. It was GREAT!!
All to often when the two hours were over it was back to the grind, a quick run in the grocery store, stop home to put the cold stuff in the fridge and off to Jack's soccer game. They didn't win but 6-7 year old kids playing soccer always provides great entertainment. I must say it was FREEZING....the sun wasn't really out, the wind was blowing and it was only about 58 degrees. I was so glad to get home and warm up.
Probably the best part about my weekend was watching Phil and Katie complete her homework. As an assignment Katie was required to make a musical instrument. The back of the instructions from the teacher were some ideas to make an instrument. They were really clever ideas.
About a month ago, Phil cleaned off his truck with all the old copper pipe and fittings to be turned in to the scrap yard for cash. At the time were a little strapped for money so I knew if we helped him it would help us all. When you added it all up we spent about 24 hours breaking down the copper so we would get the most for our money. The kids were helping sort and clean it was kind of fun with all of us chipping in.
When Phil came back from the scrap yard we were straightening up the garage from our work stations we set up and realized we left a length of copper pipe in the corner. Phil was a little disappointed we had missed it. Off the cuff I just said, "There was a reason it was missed. Just leave it there and we'll find a reason. If not we'll take it the next time."
Little did I know the length of pipe would be broken up into a homemade xylophone. With an extra set of chopsticks we had, Katie is so excited to go to school tomorrow. Bonus points for Daddy!!
TTFN~
I did however get a chance to meet up with a friend and go to a Christmas Craft Fair. It was so much fun. I didn't have to worry about which child was running off in which direction. I had two uninterrupted hours of shopping and talking to vendors. It was GREAT!!
All to often when the two hours were over it was back to the grind, a quick run in the grocery store, stop home to put the cold stuff in the fridge and off to Jack's soccer game. They didn't win but 6-7 year old kids playing soccer always provides great entertainment. I must say it was FREEZING....the sun wasn't really out, the wind was blowing and it was only about 58 degrees. I was so glad to get home and warm up.
Probably the best part about my weekend was watching Phil and Katie complete her homework. As an assignment Katie was required to make a musical instrument. The back of the instructions from the teacher were some ideas to make an instrument. They were really clever ideas.
About a month ago, Phil cleaned off his truck with all the old copper pipe and fittings to be turned in to the scrap yard for cash. At the time were a little strapped for money so I knew if we helped him it would help us all. When you added it all up we spent about 24 hours breaking down the copper so we would get the most for our money. The kids were helping sort and clean it was kind of fun with all of us chipping in.
When Phil came back from the scrap yard we were straightening up the garage from our work stations we set up and realized we left a length of copper pipe in the corner. Phil was a little disappointed we had missed it. Off the cuff I just said, "There was a reason it was missed. Just leave it there and we'll find a reason. If not we'll take it the next time."
Little did I know the length of pipe would be broken up into a homemade xylophone. With an extra set of chopsticks we had, Katie is so excited to go to school tomorrow. Bonus points for Daddy!!
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| Art with Daddy |
Friday, September 30, 2011
A Family Tidbit..............
A few hours after Kaitlynn was born we were talking about how our pets would respond to the new little person in our home; especially the cats we had at the time. One of the nurses suggested Phil take home the hat they put on Kaitlynn's head at birth. This article of clothing would have Kaitlynn's strongest scent on it. Phil said the dogs and cats were completely enthralled with it and wouldn't stop smelling it.
The purpose of this exercise was to help with the day Kaitlynn came home. All of the pets would recognize the scent of something familiar. It work!
Well a few weeks ago Phil came home from my parents house with some photos. There was some discussion as to which baby was in the photo. The picture in question was this one......
During the discussion of who it was there was mention of the hat and that not all three kids had the same hat at birth. Phil was very confident that all three of the kids wore the same hat at birth. My parents were a little skeptical and wanted to know why Phil was so confident........
Because Phil pulled this out of his pocket.......
My parents were a little surprised. By the way, the child in the photo was Madelynn.
October 3, 2008 I took this picture because I loved the fact that Phil does not start his day without first putting the hats in his pocket. I knew one day I would have a reason to use it. I loved the contrast of the cleanliness of the hats as to how many days they travelled in Phil's pocket. Until today there were only about 10 people that knew this family tidbit.
There have been some mornings where Phil has startled me by coming back in the house at 6am because he did not have them. There was even one morning I came downstairs to the kitchen and found them on the counter.
He forgot them.
I have to admit it stopped me in my tracks. The kids even asked me why Daddy forgot them because they know Daddy carries them.
I assured them it was an accident and just to make sure Daddy did not have a bad day we called him to wish him a good day. Everyday he comes home from work and I see him pull the hats out of his pocket. It always makes me smile.
TTFN~
The purpose of this exercise was to help with the day Kaitlynn came home. All of the pets would recognize the scent of something familiar. It work!
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| This hat (Kaitlynn). |
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| And this hat (Jackson) |
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| And this hat (Madelynn). |
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| Which one was this??? |
Because Phil pulled this out of his pocket.......
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| From left to right Kaitlynn's, Jackson's and Madelynn's hats. |
My parents were a little surprised. By the way, the child in the photo was Madelynn.
October 3, 2008 I took this picture because I loved the fact that Phil does not start his day without first putting the hats in his pocket. I knew one day I would have a reason to use it. I loved the contrast of the cleanliness of the hats as to how many days they travelled in Phil's pocket. Until today there were only about 10 people that knew this family tidbit.
There have been some mornings where Phil has startled me by coming back in the house at 6am because he did not have them. There was even one morning I came downstairs to the kitchen and found them on the counter.
He forgot them.
I have to admit it stopped me in my tracks. The kids even asked me why Daddy forgot them because they know Daddy carries them.
I assured them it was an accident and just to make sure Daddy did not have a bad day we called him to wish him a good day. Everyday he comes home from work and I see him pull the hats out of his pocket. It always makes me smile.
TTFN~
Monday, September 26, 2011
88,888............
The title of this blog is a very large number and it has a lot of memories attached to it. It is the amount of miles driven in my van since we rolled it off the lot new in 2005. Where in the world have I been to reach such a large number?
Last week I was sitting at a stop light trying to prepare myself for what was going to be a ridiculous week. I looked down at the odometer and saw that when I rolled through the stop light I would be reaching 88,888. Suddenly pictures flashed through my mind like they happened yesterday of places I have been in this van.
We purchased the van because we quickly realized our CRV would not properly suit our growing family once Jack came along. Jack was born in July and we drove our 2006 van off the lot one late September evening in 2005 just hours after it arrived at the dealership. Phil had been shopping for weeks and finally found our best deal.
Just off the top of my head North Carolina Beaches, Florida to see Family and old friends, Washington, DC to see family and help old friends, Ohio and Indiana come to mind. Most of these trips were filled with laughter and hugs, peace and joy all surrounded by those who mean the most to us. I have the thousands of pictures to prove it.
I look back and see all of these wonderful memories of fun and laughter. Times when I was just worrying about that moment right in front of me and not what I needed to do tomorrow. I wish I could say it was all happy times travelled in those 88,888. It was not. There are many times I racked up miles with tears streaming down my face asking God why was I on this road.
Taking Jack to all three of his surgeries and emergency room visit due to post op complications from one of these surgeries, taking Madelynn to her first pediatric cardiology visit (the day we received her diagnosis) and the daily visits to and from the hospital hoping for good news as Madelynn recovered from her surgery are near the top of the list of most hated miles travelled.
Probably the worst miles ever travelled in the 88,888 was December 3, 2008. This is the day the pediatrician told me Madelynn was in trouble and needed to go back to the hospital. She was stable enough for me to take her but we had to go DIRECTLY to the hospital. It was the longest 20 miles I have ever travelled and I cried the entire way. It took two other visits like the one from December 3rd for the doctors and other specialists involved to finally get the tide to turn.
Today, Madelynn and I travel down the road everyday playing I-spy, talking about anything or me listening to a movie she is watching. Kaitlynn and I are making tracks as she turns herself into a fish once more making laps in the pool. Jackson is showing me that with each mile to and from the soccer field, we believe he found his calling. Both the joyous and painful memories are all part of the 88,888 mile history it is what allowed us to reach today's destination.
TTFN~
Last week I was sitting at a stop light trying to prepare myself for what was going to be a ridiculous week. I looked down at the odometer and saw that when I rolled through the stop light I would be reaching 88,888. Suddenly pictures flashed through my mind like they happened yesterday of places I have been in this van.
We purchased the van because we quickly realized our CRV would not properly suit our growing family once Jack came along. Jack was born in July and we drove our 2006 van off the lot one late September evening in 2005 just hours after it arrived at the dealership. Phil had been shopping for weeks and finally found our best deal.
Just off the top of my head North Carolina Beaches, Florida to see Family and old friends, Washington, DC to see family and help old friends, Ohio and Indiana come to mind. Most of these trips were filled with laughter and hugs, peace and joy all surrounded by those who mean the most to us. I have the thousands of pictures to prove it.
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| Kaitlynn and Jackson's first Disney Parade (Orlando, FL). |
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| Ft. Macon, Atlantic Beach NC |
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| Hendersonville, NC (They last day I felt like my life made sense) |
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| Family vacation (there is nothing like them) |
I look back and see all of these wonderful memories of fun and laughter. Times when I was just worrying about that moment right in front of me and not what I needed to do tomorrow. I wish I could say it was all happy times travelled in those 88,888. It was not. There are many times I racked up miles with tears streaming down my face asking God why was I on this road.
Taking Jack to all three of his surgeries and emergency room visit due to post op complications from one of these surgeries, taking Madelynn to her first pediatric cardiology visit (the day we received her diagnosis) and the daily visits to and from the hospital hoping for good news as Madelynn recovered from her surgery are near the top of the list of most hated miles travelled.
Probably the worst miles ever travelled in the 88,888 was December 3, 2008. This is the day the pediatrician told me Madelynn was in trouble and needed to go back to the hospital. She was stable enough for me to take her but we had to go DIRECTLY to the hospital. It was the longest 20 miles I have ever travelled and I cried the entire way. It took two other visits like the one from December 3rd for the doctors and other specialists involved to finally get the tide to turn.
Today, Madelynn and I travel down the road everyday playing I-spy, talking about anything or me listening to a movie she is watching. Kaitlynn and I are making tracks as she turns herself into a fish once more making laps in the pool. Jackson is showing me that with each mile to and from the soccer field, we believe he found his calling. Both the joyous and painful memories are all part of the 88,888 mile history it is what allowed us to reach today's destination.
TTFN~
Monday, September 5, 2011
Girls Weekend......A little late................
The last weekend of the kids summer break we headed off to one last.....Hurrah!!!
Phil, Kaitlynn, Jackson, Madelynn, Grandma Bacho and myself piled in the van and headed off to Mason, OH to crash Aunt Jenni's for girls weekend. So why are Phil an Jackson going......They only dropped the girls off and headed further on to Phil's brother's for some family time of his own.
So while Jen's house was filled with five sqealing little girls, Phil and Jackson visited with his family and did a little fishing. There is a picture on my facebook page of the first fish of the day on the trip. There were probably 300 pictures from girls weekend. My only regret from this 2nd annual girl time, we never took a picture of Grandma Bacho with her daughters and grand-daughters.
Below are a few pictures of the five raving beauties............
It was a really great weekend. My hope is that we can continue this tradion every year.
TTFN~
Phil, Kaitlynn, Jackson, Madelynn, Grandma Bacho and myself piled in the van and headed off to Mason, OH to crash Aunt Jenni's for girls weekend. So why are Phil an Jackson going......They only dropped the girls off and headed further on to Phil's brother's for some family time of his own.
So while Jen's house was filled with five sqealing little girls, Phil and Jackson visited with his family and did a little fishing. There is a picture on my facebook page of the first fish of the day on the trip. There were probably 300 pictures from girls weekend. My only regret from this 2nd annual girl time, we never took a picture of Grandma Bacho with her daughters and grand-daughters.
Below are a few pictures of the five raving beauties............
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| In one year they have grown so much |
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| So we told the girls to line up on the hearth and on the count of three they should jump. |
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| Three!!!!!!! |
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| Silly Girls!!! ....No Kaitlynn does not wear glasses. |
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| They were hot, a little tired and ready to run through a fountain or two. |
It was a really great weekend. My hope is that we can continue this tradion every year.
TTFN~
Monday, August 15, 2011
Silence from the peanut gallery please...........
Throughout the summer I have made different attempts to get Madelynn potty trained. Several times she screamed and cried and wanted no part of it, I let it go for a while. Recently I went out and bought new "cool" panties trying to encourage her again.
This weekend I am off four days due to the fact I don't work Friday's and I have Monday off because of a Church Holy day. So I thought what a perfect time to try again. I can be home with her for four days. So Friday we woke up went to the potty and the panties went on.
Things started out with me taking her to the potty every hour. She was doing really well. That is until Kaitlynn and Jackson got involved. For example: I take Madelynn to the potty, she is sitting on the potty, I am sitting on a stool encouraging her to go. We have a rule that we have to sing two songs before we can get off the potty. Madelynn and I are singing the songs.
The next thing I know Kaitlynn and Jackson are screaming in the hallway, "Did she pee pee! Come on Maddie you can do it! Mommy is she done yet!! I'll go get the stickers!! I look at Madelynn and she just looks at me like ,"Geesh guys!!"
I tell them no we aren't done yet! No I do not need the stickers! Go back and play please.
After that potty attempt Kaitlynn and Madelynn were playing. I reminded Kaitlynn if Madelynn tells you she needs to potty please tell me. Well Madelynn told Kaitlynn something about poo-poo. Kaitlynn didn't believe her, so she checked her panties and you guessed stuck her finger in poo.
So the next scene goes something like this.....Kaitlynn is screaming, "GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!!! I tell her to go wash her hands. She doesn't want her other fingers to touch the poo finger. Madelynn is running around, " Mommy I poopied!!" I get the girls in the bathroom and there's Jackson looking at girls like they suddenly grew two heads. It was insane.
Eventually things settled down. I thought we were doing really well with the one pooping oops! and a little dribble. Over all it was a successful first day. The second day was a bust from the word go. She woke up telling me she did not want to wear panties and cried. I told her she was a big girl and big girls wear panties.
We did the usually breakfast, get dressed, I set her on the potty and while we were brushing teeth she peed on the bathroom floor. It has been raining and the kids haven't been out much I thought we would take a walk in the neighborhood. We walk the big circle once and stopped to talk to one of the neighbors. The next thing I know she peed in the neighbors yard. It was so embarressing.
Suddenly I realized I was not going to win today and that I had a small window of time to get the yard mowed before it rained again, Phil wasn't home so I put a diaper on Maddie let the kids outside with me and mowed the grass. That too was a bust. Three quarters of the way through mowing, the sky opened up and fell, the kids are full of grass and we are getting pelted with water.
Trying to gain control of the situation I bring everyone inside, upstairs to my bathroom and set them on the floor. One at a time, they all went in the shower. I am suprised I didn't clog the shower drain with all the grass that went down it.
By the time Phil arrived home from work I was pooped. I thnk I fell asleep about 8:30.
Sunday was a much better day. Maddie did really well with her pottying. However Kaitlynn and Jackson were so involved Jackson was sprinting to get the stickers while Kaitlynn was trying to hand Madelynn the toilet paper. I could have done without the extra hands. But we even took her out to eat and she didn't have an accident. I still had to take her to the bathroom five times while in the resturaunt but no accidents.
We will see how Monday goes.....
In case you were unaware......I LOATHE POTTY TRAINING!!......
TTFN~
This weekend I am off four days due to the fact I don't work Friday's and I have Monday off because of a Church Holy day. So I thought what a perfect time to try again. I can be home with her for four days. So Friday we woke up went to the potty and the panties went on.
Things started out with me taking her to the potty every hour. She was doing really well. That is until Kaitlynn and Jackson got involved. For example: I take Madelynn to the potty, she is sitting on the potty, I am sitting on a stool encouraging her to go. We have a rule that we have to sing two songs before we can get off the potty. Madelynn and I are singing the songs.
The next thing I know Kaitlynn and Jackson are screaming in the hallway, "Did she pee pee! Come on Maddie you can do it! Mommy is she done yet!! I'll go get the stickers!! I look at Madelynn and she just looks at me like ,"Geesh guys!!"
I tell them no we aren't done yet! No I do not need the stickers! Go back and play please.
After that potty attempt Kaitlynn and Madelynn were playing. I reminded Kaitlynn if Madelynn tells you she needs to potty please tell me. Well Madelynn told Kaitlynn something about poo-poo. Kaitlynn didn't believe her, so she checked her panties and you guessed stuck her finger in poo.
So the next scene goes something like this.....Kaitlynn is screaming, "GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!!! I tell her to go wash her hands. She doesn't want her other fingers to touch the poo finger. Madelynn is running around, " Mommy I poopied!!" I get the girls in the bathroom and there's Jackson looking at girls like they suddenly grew two heads. It was insane.
Eventually things settled down. I thought we were doing really well with the one pooping oops! and a little dribble. Over all it was a successful first day. The second day was a bust from the word go. She woke up telling me she did not want to wear panties and cried. I told her she was a big girl and big girls wear panties.
We did the usually breakfast, get dressed, I set her on the potty and while we were brushing teeth she peed on the bathroom floor. It has been raining and the kids haven't been out much I thought we would take a walk in the neighborhood. We walk the big circle once and stopped to talk to one of the neighbors. The next thing I know she peed in the neighbors yard. It was so embarressing.
Suddenly I realized I was not going to win today and that I had a small window of time to get the yard mowed before it rained again, Phil wasn't home so I put a diaper on Maddie let the kids outside with me and mowed the grass. That too was a bust. Three quarters of the way through mowing, the sky opened up and fell, the kids are full of grass and we are getting pelted with water.
Trying to gain control of the situation I bring everyone inside, upstairs to my bathroom and set them on the floor. One at a time, they all went in the shower. I am suprised I didn't clog the shower drain with all the grass that went down it.
By the time Phil arrived home from work I was pooped. I thnk I fell asleep about 8:30.
Sunday was a much better day. Maddie did really well with her pottying. However Kaitlynn and Jackson were so involved Jackson was sprinting to get the stickers while Kaitlynn was trying to hand Madelynn the toilet paper. I could have done without the extra hands. But we even took her out to eat and she didn't have an accident. I still had to take her to the bathroom five times while in the resturaunt but no accidents.
We will see how Monday goes.....
In case you were unaware......I LOATHE POTTY TRAINING!!......
TTFN~
Sunday, August 14, 2011
12 years.............
It is hard to believe that twelve years ago today Phil and I made the giant plunge. If you ask Phil what he remembers ..... the church had no air conditioning and he probably left 10 lbs at the altar.
If you ask me what I remember......I lost Phil's ring and delayed the ceremony by almost 20 minutes, I was so nervous my knee was bouncing uncontrollably and Phil wouldn't stop laughing, the unity candle almost started a fire in the church, being surrounded by friends and family - some of which are no longer with us and waiting for the guests to arrive at the reception Phil and I took a walk. Not just any walk our first walk as a married couple. I remember feeling the summer breeze just blow through my hair without a care in the world.
Life is so much different now. No cares in the world turned into three kids, a mortgage and juggling a job with family life. What I thought my life would be at this point, it is not. But like Phil and I remind each other almost everyday....we are together, we love our children and together we will get through everything.
If you ask me what I remember......I lost Phil's ring and delayed the ceremony by almost 20 minutes, I was so nervous my knee was bouncing uncontrollably and Phil wouldn't stop laughing, the unity candle almost started a fire in the church, being surrounded by friends and family - some of which are no longer with us and waiting for the guests to arrive at the reception Phil and I took a walk. Not just any walk our first walk as a married couple. I remember feeling the summer breeze just blow through my hair without a care in the world.
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| Twelve Years ago today. |
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| I have this picture on my desk at work. |
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| The Wedding Party |
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| The Bacho Family |
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| The Addler/Covey Family |
Today there is no big date or fancy dinner. In our own traditional fashion we are going over to a friends house, Phil is helping them with a plumbing problem and as payment we are having dinner at their house. It should prove to be a good time and lots of laughs.
Happy Anniversary Pilbert!!! I love you!!
TTFN~
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Family Weekend 2011
It has taken me a few days to recover from the BIG Family visit and Madelynn's Birthday Celebration. The Family visit was fun but I was just flat out tired. I have attached a few photos from the weekend.
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| The Bacho Family Summer 2011 |
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| The Addler's Summer 2011 |
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| The Boys |
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| The Grandchildren |
As you can tell it really was a fun day. Thanks to my Dad who took most of the pictures. He always seems to get just the right pictures that make the best memories. As he would say these are "Calender Worthy". At the end of each year we turn in our best pictures to my dad and he converts them into a calender for the next year. It really is my favorite Christmas present. I believe he is considering using the follow picture for the cover compliments of Aunt Jenni.
Hope you are enjoying your last few weeks/days of Summer. Family weekend may have ended but Girls weekend is coming up and the Addler Girls can't wait.
TTFN~
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