Grandpa's and Grandma's

What else would you wear to Grandma's house?

Springing forward should be optional!

Surgery

We learned this morning that Maddie Grace will indeed need surgery. When her ear canal swelled, it apparently lodged a piece of her ear tube near her ear drum. The doctor will go in to remove it, and he may or may not patch the hole in her ear drum. That will depend on how her ear drum is healing at the time. They did a hearing test, and she did wonderful! That is a praise. I will let you know when we get the surgery scheduled. Please keep Maddie in your prayers.

Guess who?

Guess who found a black magic marker before school?

Update on Maddie Grace's Ear

I took Maddie to the ENT this morning for a follow up. He could not see in her left ear at all. (Could be that Maddie turned her head away and kicked him accidentally). We were sent to a room with a big long table, and all I thought was this is not gonna be good. And I was right. She screamed louder than I have ever heard her scream. Two nurses and myself held her down while the doctor removed the tube from her good ear. Then he cleaned out her bad ear so that he could get a good look. She had so much infection that the drops we have been putting in her ear could not go in. She definitely has a ruptured eardrum, and we will continue with drops and go back next week. If her eardrum is not better, she will require surgery to repair it. Please pray for healing of her eardrum as well as protection for her hearing. I hope there will be no long term damage. On a positive note, we took the tube from her right ear to school for show and tell. The kids thought it was really cool that it came out of her ear. Here's a picture of it:

My Boy

Today Preston is 21 months old. When Maddie turned 21 months old, Preston was just 2 days old! I can't believe how quickly time goes by. Preston has the most contagious laugh. I tried to put him in time out a few days ago, and he laughed hysterically as I tried to make him sit on the step. I couldn't keep a straight face. He loves Mickey Mouse, but he especially loves Dee-dee (Maddie). We love you so much big boy!!! You are such a blessing to our family!

The ER

We made it 3 1/2 years without a trip to the ER with Maddie. That all changed on Saturday. Our girl has a ruptured ear drum. Her ear canal is so swollen. She seems to be in a lot of pain. She had ear tubes put in 2 years ago. They are no longer in place, but they are in her ear canals (working their way out). You can imagine how her swollen ear canal pushing on that ear tube must hurt. Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do but put drops in her ears and give her Motrin. It breaks my heart.

Valentine's recap

Marty and I don't "do" Valentine's Day. We make it fun for our kids, but it's just not a big deal to us. We try to show each other our love every day.

This year, the kids had their annual party at school. Maddie's class made healthy bodies by tracing themselves on paper. They then placed a heart on their "body".

Maddie in front of her "body"
This was her 1st year to make a Valentine's box. So fun!
Preston joined Maddie after his class party.







I love to watch Maddie's peers when Preston comes in her room. 3 year olds have a lot of rules to follow, and well, Preston breaks most of them. They all try to block him from their craft and toy shelves. It's hilarious. My kids have amazing teachers. They love the kids and work so hard with them. Maddie can count to 100 straight through, and she can also count to 100 by tens. The teachers take the kids to see their siblings throughout the week. They love this, and it's always a treat for the class to have a visitor.
At home, Maddie and I decorated a Valentine's tree.
We chage a coffee table tray for each holiday. I just noticed teeth prints in the hearts. Hmm...


We went to a birthday party for Drew on Valentine's Day.
A fun way to spend the day with friends!

A few fun pics

Buddies
Dad's birthday
Is it just me, or does he look like such a big boy?






Mamaw and Papaw came the weekend of my dad's birthday. Preston absolutely loves his Papaw. He talks about him all the time. He wants to be right beside him when he's around. Everyone thinks he looks like my dad, and I have to agree. Happy Birthday Papaw!!! We love you!

Fashionista

Guilty Pleasures

Around Christmas time, I heard someone talking about tithing and giving back. He said people don't give because it's a possession thing. They forget that everything we have is God's already, not our own. I spent some time thinking about this, and Marty and I decided to be more thoughtful about how we spend money. Before we buy something, we ask ourselves if it's a good use of what God has provided us with. We decided foremost to not waste money on "meaningless" stuff. Well, there went my subscription to US Weekly! And my daily trips to Target. I will admit it...I want to know what Brangelina will name their next child and I love to see fashion disasters. But I gave it up. I haven't thought much about it until last night. I was at the store, and I saw this:










I have boycotted the Bachelor for the last 10 seasons, but for some unknown reason, I am watching the current season. Do I think it's a waste of time? Yes. Am I still going to watch? Yes. I also watch 19 kids and counting. I think the Duggar's are a great family. They are living their life according to their convictions. 19 kids would be a bit much for me and Marty, but it works for them. Their kids are extremely well behaved, and they give back to their community.

Anyway, last night was the first time I really wanted to buy the magazines. Then I got a call from Marty and it was time for me to get home. So I walked away.

And as for Target, I honestly can't believe they haven't called to check on me. Is that any way to treat your best customer?

So now I want to know...what are your guilty pleasures?

Frosty...can I kick him?

Marty and Matt worked so hard to build the kids a snowman. He turned out great, but Maddie asked if she could kick him. She is so silly. Frosty's buttons are peppermint patties, but just after the picture, Olivias dog Chandler ate them. Hilarious.

Snow!

We have lots of snow!

Maddie loved holding a big block of it

Let's make snow cream

Of course he loved it!










I have so many good memories of my mom and sister making snow cream for me when I was young. I wish they were here this weekend to watch my kids enjoy it.

My Boys

Barbie and a Band of Thieves

Well, not so much a band of thieves. More like one thief. Or should we call him a sneak? Maddie's Barbie's keep losing their shoes. And we keep finding them in strange places.

Under the bridge of the train table
In the DVD drawer
Behind a curtain




Someone in this house is up to no good!

What's Preston up to?

Preston and Madi Claire just hangin out in the drawer of the train table.
Maddie noticed that Preston stuffed the dollhouse oven full of goldfish.

Maddie's Haircut

Maddie's hair has gotten so long. It's down to her waist, so we decided to cut off 3 inches.
Before
After
We love this sweet girl!

O-R-E-O

We like to share...

I got these huge lollipops for decoration at Christmas, and the kids have had their eyes on them ever since. I finally let them have one. They took a few licks, then it went in the trash.