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....and here we go....

it's time to get on packing! I'm happy to say we are about 75% done!!! We have the kitchen done and a lot of other "things". This is going well....for the most part. It's just hard to pack up a house when you have no idea where you'll unpack. I guess it just leaves a little suspense in the whole idea. So, here we go, onto another move....I think we were meant to be professional packers in a second life....or not.

My little helper, an angel from above :)

Copper the Cat who we will miss dearly! She has tried to sneak in our home many many times! She lives next door and is beautiful. She helped us pack up our garage, literally she jumped in a box and wanted to come with us! So we took her picture:)

Riding Michael's motorcycle

Sam and neighbor Michael!

Sam's last day of school

was today :(. I think I took it harder than he did...but it was oh so sad saying good bye to Ms. Jamie, I shut the door on her face as tears were forming...on both sides. We gave her a hug, but she's coming over tomorrow night to have dinner with the boys! Sam was still hesitant today going to school, but once he saw his buddy Aidan, he forgot I was even dropping him off. Thanks Aidan, as usual.

We've had such a great experience at School this past school year. It was full of many many firsts for Sam and for that we are so thankful. What a great opportunity for us to grow and learn. I believe it was also a great learning experience for myself watching Sam go through so many emotions.

We are going to miss all our friends....and I AM GOING TO MISS all the parking lot chats! What am I going to do? I always laugh when I have an agenda to conquer on the days Sam has school, only to find myself at Bagel Bagel, Panera or the park because it just sounded so much better to be with friends! Ladies, I'm going to be sad to leave you all....thanks for all you do. Our Kirkwood experience would not have been the same with all of you!

A run down of our Ms. Jamie's class
Chris & Sam

Sam & Colin

Sam, Colin and Cal
Sam & Evan

Aidan

Eight eyes?

Nothing explains life as well as this. They could have all the toys in the world, but just be happy with all the things they shouldn't have. Like these...mommy and daddy's glasses! Seriously, the boys had sooo much fun with these. It was funny when they put my glasses on....it took them forever to focus. Matthew went crossed eyed a few times. Sam just looked strange. Should have been this years holiday card! Oh well, maybe next year.

To take a nap..or to not take a nap

That has been the story around here these past few weeks. Sam is starting to reject naps in full force. So, together we decided that not taking a nap was okay, however, I would need him to spend quiet time in his room until Matthew awakes. There is no way in *&$%*) Matthew is giving his nap up yet. However, he loves his naps, so I think we're okay, well for now.

What we are struggling with is, the staying in our room part of the quiet time. I swear Sam finds over 200 excuses to come out. Needs water (when there is water in his room), needs ice in his water, has to poop, needs a Kleenex, his tummy hurts (I'm so over this one), his eye feels strange, his lips need chap stick, the dog outside is barking too loud, he THOUGHT he heard Matthew up (3 minutes into his quiet time) and my favorite, he wants dessert! And today, he came out wearing this....how could I not bust out laughing? He was so serious when he came out all decked out in the gear telling me that someone was in trouble and fell under his bed.

The day before..he came out of his room riding a horse, all dressed up!

I just love this picture

It was our holiday card this year! It is just so innocent!!! My boys are growing up too fast! Someone make them stop.

Our Holiday School Party

Okay, step back to December with us! Here it is. Let me set the stage.
December 18th, 2008

Temperature: 84 degrees

Humidity: STICKY

Attire: Shorts and t-shirts

Agenda: Celebrate Christmas as a class starting out at school, ending at Ms. Stacey's house. Make gingerbread houses, eat pizza and just be together!

It was a great great great day! We started the day as a normal school day. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at school a moments after the kids arrived. Sam was so super duper excited, he was shaking!!!! Mommy and Matthew also came to the event. Matthew, screamed the entire Santa event. I found it humorous as Matthew kept chanting (in Matthew fashion with one finger up his nose) : "NO Santa, No, No, go away" as he sprinted to the other side of the church with his girlfriend Katelyn.

Sam was glowing!

The boys under the school Christmas Tree! Matthew still unsure that Santa is going to make eye contact.

Our Present to Ms. Jamie
It was a christmas tree full of gift cards to her favorite places! She loved it!
Getting ready to make a gingerbread house hoping the frosting doesn't melt!

Matthew's house! Mighty perfect for a 2 year old! Sam's gingerbread house. Mighty perfect for a 4 year old!

FRIENDS!

Our wonderful teacher and friend, Ms. Jamie

Matthew and his love, Katelyn! Oh Amy, wouldn't it be awesome if they did marry???? Matthew just loves her.

Stud man with the shades under the tent because it was HOT HOT HOT!!!

Check out the rosey cheeks! It's kind of humerious to think we got in the car the next day and drove to WI where it was -24 degrees and the ground was covered in snow!

We missed you Mallory and Colin

They are ALL better...well almost all....

Matthew under the weather. He was such a sad sad mess. But, he's back :)

Eating Chicken Soup to get better!

Poor sick baby Sam...just miserable. He's feeling better, but he is still not himself.

Well, the sickies are gone...however the butterflies are still lingering. My poor Sam is experiencing extreme separation anxiety. I go food shopping, he freaks out. I go to the mailbox, he thinks someone is going to pick me up and take me away. He has never been this way and it hurts my heart. Ever since Brad and I left for a week, without them, Sam has not been the same. He hasn't really ate. His stomach always hurts. He doesn't smile. He doesn't want to leave the house. He is a mess.

Today was the worst of it. Everyone who knows Sam well, knows that he LOVES school. He always requests to go. If I don't take him he mopes around the house. Today was a complete opposite story. He kicked and screamed all the way to school....he almost threw up. It was horrible. He is worried that I am going to leave him again. I keep reassuring him I am NOT leaving again. It is over. He is worried SICK....literally.

We go everywhere with our children. We really never leave them and we feel lucky to be able to include them in our everyday activities. We've learned that this is what works for our family. Enough said. Now I am dealing with his miserable mess and Brad abd I are at an end. It is so draining day in and day out to deal with a mess of a child. His lack of energy, his lack of appetite, his unwillingness to get off the couch, his lack of willingness to survive. I just want him to drink water without having to force it down his throat. I feel so bad for him....it hurts. I want SAM back. The fun little guy who always has a smile on his face :). Now my mommy duty has doubled and it is not an easy job. It's not easy, but it's a part of parenting....I do thank all my awesome friends for their support. You gals rock!!!

So, here we go again, round 35, talking and talking about things over and over and over. I swear he is like a watch dog. Always with one eye shut and one ear open. If I move, he growls. My poor Sam...please please come back. I promise I have NO intentions to leave you again!!! I love you little guy. You are breaking my heart. You NEED to eat. He is getting so skinny.

The sickies

Oh my oh my have the sickies hit our house. My poor little boys. Last week Matthew had a tummy bug, then a trip to the doctor to find out he had an ear infection. And, low and behold, this morning Sam has been struck with the tummy bug and is laid up. I just feel so bad for him. Rolling around with tummy pains, not knowing which end is going to explode.

Cross your fingers and say your prayers for us that this too shall pass....that darn peanut butter recall is scaring me as well. I surly hope that isn't what Sam has. He just ate those crackers.

oh no...I just got an email from Daddy....he's on his way home. Looks like he isn't feeling well either.

I'll keep you posted.