doctor visits

So this month has been the month of doctor visits for me. It began 3 weeks ago when Joel and I headed to the allergist's office. The results of that day: Joel...still allergic to peanuts (bummer);
Me...(after 56 pricks)allergic to just about everything that grows outside, all year long. Joy.

Then a week and a half later, after stupidly going for a run outdoors, I got sick with a sinus infection (again), so I headed to a new family practitioner and was prescribed antibiotics (again). I am feeling better now, but unable to take my allergy medicine until the infection is completely cleared up. Oh, the cycle I seem to live in.

Then last monday I headed to another new doctor for my yearly check-up and bloodwork to test my thyroid. I have hypothyroidism and have been struggling with fatigue lately. This new doctor was very helpful and has recommended some supplements that have been shown to help your thyroid function better! I am hopeful!

And alas, this Monday Joel and I will have our follow-up with the allegist. I may be signing up for allergy shots...maybe. Any thoughts on that anyone?

Thankfully no one else has been sick in our family! I am also so thankful to the Lord for providing kind, caring, and knowledgable doctors I feel I can trust and who will help me feel better! Truly a kindness and mercy of the Lord!

Christmas Children's program

Here are the boys at the Christmas program at church!

Pretty funny...they weren't really singing very much, but

we were still proud of them! :) Enjoy!

army party

Still playing "blog-catch-up"...
We had Sam's 5th birthday party the weekend before Christmas. He chose an "army guy" theme and was really into it! I found he and Joel some camo shirts and then some face paint to really get into the theme! And a guy from church used to be in the army so he let Rob and Aaron borrow his stuff so they would really look the part too! He even gave my boys some of his old flashlights and bereas (is that how you spell that?). The weather was chilly but sunny and beautiful so our backyard was set-up like a mini battle field! They played outside with Daddy and Uncle Aaron and had a blast! I had to bribe them with cake to get them to come back inside! It was actually a pretty hands-off party for me, and I sort of liked that! I supplied the food and Daddy took over the rest! Here are a few pics from the morning:

The b-day boy getting ready for battle!

Daddy's team

Uncle Aaron's team

The battle...

...and the battle rages on.

Happy 5th b-day Sam! What a big boy

you have become!

Christmas '09

This year we celebrated Christmas with my family early in the month and then at home on Christmas Eve and then w/ Rob's family on Christmas day at their new home in the "country"!
Here are a few pics we took during each chaotic gift time....sorry, we aren't very good photographers!

CHRISTMAS AT NANA & POP's

Asher opening Pop's gift to him...his first glove and ball!

Joel closely inspecting his new Toy Story figures.

Asher not sure what to think.

"What is that beautiful thing?"

Sam and the ever-popular Playmobil knight set! Yay!

And yet another playmobil set...a nativity!

Sam is really checking it out.

Opening their special gift from Nana and Pop...

a recorded reading of The Night Before Christmas

by Nana and Pop! Joel absolutely loved it

and had to be limited to two listenings a day,

one in the a.m. and one in the p.m.!

CHRISTMAS AT OUR HOME!

Joel opeing his gift from Sam.

Sam opening his gift from Joel.

Hug of thanks! Ah, brothers and friends!

Asher with his stick horse Sam got him.

Asher sportin' his new boots! And they light up!

Daddy and his new book...yes, he's wearing a hat in the house.

CHRISTMAS AT G & G's

Awaiting permission to open what Santa brought as

Sam points out the remains of Santa's cookies!

Joel smiling as he inspects his train from Santa!

Sam and his NERF gun from Santa!

And Asher just being adorable!

joel and a train.

(Be sure to pause the music on the sidebar before viewing!)

Hope this works...

This is for you Granny (& Pop-Pop) !

He and Pop-Pop would have been best buds, no doubt.

Love you and miss you!

mexico

Okay, so I am slowing trying to catch up on my blog...sorry for the slow posting. December was crazy, but good! Anyways, back in November, Rob and I took a 10 anniversary trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We left a few days after Thanksgiving and went with some of our best friends, Jeanna and Justin, whom we have known since college and who also celebrated their 10 year anniversary in October. My parents were gracious enough to keep our boys while we were away and even though all the boys were sick and having to take medicine numerous times a day, they faithfully took care of them and made it possible for us to have a relaxing vacation! Thank you so much Mom and Dad for being so generous and for caring for our boys and blessing Rob and I in that way! We are most grateful!
So, now here are a few pics from our Mexico adventure! We relaxed, swam, sunbathed, biked, played tennis, ate, and ate some more! Overall it was a blast and I can't wait 'til we get to do it again! ;)

My parents, still looking sane, BEFORE we headed out!

Rob and I at the airport after meeting up w/ Jeanna & Justin.

Friends, even after all these years and all the miles between us!

Friends who love to give each other their favorite things, books!

Our 1st (of oh so many) meals together!

Us on the beach!

Our view from our chairs on the beach....ahhh!

Dressed up for our dinner reservation at the French restraunt!

Jeanna and I reading...yes...the same book! ;)

Jeanna and Justin the night we were headed to the Asian restraunt.

One of our new friends...iguanas were everywhere!