He falls down,

so I make fun of him.

____________________________

I run in front of him in the picture, shouting "I am cuter!"

...all the time.

I elbow him because "he's touching me."

I put my hands over his eyes...

and yet he still loves me most of all. No one else can get him to laugh with a single glance.

Little Brothers are great, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving!

A little late, but fitting this Thanksgiving week

About two and a half weeks ago, my mom had ear surgery. This was her third one in three years; toughest yet. Long story short, it was worse in the ear than originally thought and led to a longer surgery than expected. Coupled by them being 2 hours behind in the first place, I felt bad for my mom as she had not eaten and I am sure she just wanted to get it over with.

After she came out of surgery, my dad asked if I could go downstairs to get her prescription from the pharmacy before they closed. I know the hospital well, but somehow I ended up backwards. I finally came out into the lobby, which I had passed through earlier in the day with no feeling whatsoever. However, something about being back in that spot with no one around almost brought me to my knees.

My heart started pounding faster and faster, and my eyes started welling up with tears. I could feel my breathe catch. It is amazing how one place can do that to you.

I remember sitting by the edge of the fountain, looking down at all the quarters strewn about the bottom and smelling that odd smell every fountain emits.

I remember seeing the pennys and nickels intermingled inside the fake plants surrounding the edge of the water, and wondering if those people got their wish.

I remember pleading with God to heal Bryce's heart.

I remember taking Kayden to that same spot later in the morning, leaning in next to him as he threw in his own quarter, saying "Please heal Baby Boy." My eyes get watery just thinking about it.

I cannot say for certain why that fountain brought about such strong emotions, since we have been back a few times since. Something about the quiet of the hospital at night, when visitors have gone home and the badge of courage has dissipated. I do know this- I started praising and thanking God profusely. Time has passed, the danger does not seem as present as it did that early morning when I pleaded at that fountain.

I guess my point is that this week, it is a good reminder of all I am thankful for.

This Blog sucks

Whew. Long time without a post. Sorry, blogger nation.

I turned 30 years old this past week. My dad lovingly took me to the Rockettes. This is far more MY type of show than his, but in the end he really enjoyed it.

Walking downtown, there were a surprising amount of people filing into the Van Andel. We arrived very early- about 45 minutes, in fact. We watched as almost every seat was taken. Ice skating, Santa flying through the air, snowing on the audience, fireworks...I was impressed, since I thought it would be an hour of kicking and wiggling.

On my actual birthday, it was a preschool day. I used to have a very hard time getting Kayden ready for school. He putzed around, and I would have to fight him to get dressed.

Enter: the beloved shopping cart.

He is ready to go out the door to preschool at seven am now.

The minute we get to school, he throws his coat and bag at me while walking up the steps, and runs down the hall. He immediately grabs the shopping cart, where he tries to craft one-handed while holding onto it.

We went to Great Wolf Lodge on Friday, I will post some pictures soon. Really fun time, although both the boys are sick now. With the RSV scare we had last year, I could hardly sleep last night, thinking every cough was going to land us back in the dreaded ER again.

Anyway, I really had a great birthday, so thanks to all the well-wishers!

Special Day

The crackers and cheese were bought with care. Juice boxes for 15 students lined the fridge, all ready for preschool friends. Tembo the Elephant book was looked over twice, then Tembo himself tucked in neatly next to Kayden before bed.

5am I awoke to a snuggly little boy asking for water. One glass of water down,

one glass of water right back up.




It sucks to miss your special day.

Pepsi's new logo

Obama's logo

Hmmm...look similar?

Discuss.

Rarrrr

Opening Presents

Opening presents this evening, all the sudden I had one thrust into my lap.

"I don't want this medical kit, Mom. You can give it to Baby Boy."

Ouch. Honesty. That hurts.

Gorgeous

Pumpkin Bowling

Watch out VanDam twins. There's a new man in town

I could not have asked for a nicer day for Kayden's Birthday party. It was perfect.

We went to Orchard Hills farm, and this was probably the most fun I have had at any of his birthday parties (okay, there have only been four, but still). The farm had enough to do that we weren't bored, the kids were all at the age where they self entertained and got along really well, Kayden was spoiled yet again with tons of fun toys to play with, great pumpkin donuts and cider, we did not have to wait for the hayride....

Here are a few of my favorites from today. I posted almost all of them on facebook for those that attended and would like to see your kiddos in action.

Once we got home, Kayden took out his big wheel and was going up the driveway, then bakcwards on the way down. That is, until he topped end to end because he got going too fast.

"It would be much better to go up the driveway, then back down forward and not backwards."

Good idea.

You remember the picture from when I was younger, right?

Just to refresh your memory, here it is again for those of you that missed this nugget the first time around:

Cute.

Needless to say, the boys were not knocking down the doors.

My Friday nights constisted of sitting next to my cassette player, pressing play, rewind, rewind again, rewind a little more.

Perfect.

That first verse, sung in full falsetto, from New Kids on the Block still brings me back to that very minute.

Oh, Jordan. You had me at "I'll be Loving You Forever."

There are other songs that I love to reminisce to as well.

Boys to Men End of the Road still lends itself to sweaty palms waiting to be asked to dance at the church 8th grade mixer. See said picture above for answer.

Bob Seger We've Got Tonight when my best friend Gabby had to go back to Mexico.

The Cure Pictures of You, Depeche Mode Somebody, or Hootie and the Blowfish Only Lonely on the Inside from the mixer tape Josh sent to scan the 3,000 mile gap between us.

anything by Journey.

However, none capture it quite like NKOTB, as it was the first. Writing "I love Joey" on the whiteboard with my sixth grade friends. Good times.

So, while I was watching the Rachel Ray show today and there were mid-thirty somethings still swooning after them, I kind of get it. However, more than one audience member was kissing their Donnie Barbie Doll.

And that, blogger nation, disturbes me.

Which one is which?

Lately, I have been told multiple times that my boys look exactly alike. Can you tell which one is which?

1 2

3

4
5

6
7

8

9

1011
12
13

When did this kid get so BIG?

I will post more when I get a chance, but these are a few of my favorites from the session with Katie. The bottom one cracks me up every time I look at it.

Favorites

Hello from MYR

Complete random order, a few pix thus far:

300 alligators, 2 tigers, monkeys, snakes, and reptiles galore. Kayden's favorite part?

The Sponge Bob ice cream bar.

So windy. Hard to look cute with a mouth full of sand

Watch out, people. Lightening may strike.

Kayden in crocks. Ugh.

On the beach today

When we arrived, our hotel was not ready yet...so we went to the beach anyway, thus the umbrella to shield Mr. Fairskin from the sun




Off we go!

The landing was quite rough, leading Kayden to state we went KONK upon arrival.

Nice.

First Biter Buscuit. Yummy!

After the alligator farm.

Just like his daddy.