yes, i'm still alive...

so, where've i been.
well, other than california, i've been here.
we had a wonderful visit from doug's mom, sister and her two beautiful miracles.
since they left though, we've pretty much been stuck inside.
tending to sick sick kiddos, snuggling them back to sleep or wiping pink-eye crusties from their eyes much to their dismay.
i'd be good if they never ended up with that again.
phew, what an ordeal.
ashlyn got it bad and almost had to go to the hospital through the night one night because her eye swelled shut and she was in a good amount of pain. a call to the doctor and we had orders to medicate her, warm compresses and wake her every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to check on her til morning.

not to mention, i have another crazy book deadline looming and absolutely no inspiration to draw from. i think i'm tapped dry. i think this will be my last for a while. i'm ready to scrap just for fun again.

we are in the middle of a kitchen makeover too. we started well over a month ago, but it quickly got put on hold while we waited for our countertops to be made. i'm beyond thrilled that they are now installed thanks to doug and my dad spending the bulk of the day on it! and boy do they look sharp. you'll have to wait for a picture though. we've still got a long way to go. like stripping wallpaper, sanding cabinets, patching, priming, painting.....blah, blah, blah. lightfixtures go in tomorrow and i pick out paint then too.

so, i've been taking the pictures and have lots to share.
i'll try not to be absent for so long next time. but can't promise another update for at least a week----book projects need to be a week from monday. eeek!

anywho.
feb 11
who can resist chubby little fingers smothered in chocolate frosting. long, long ago, doug started a little weekly tradition with ashlyn making some sort of treat with her. cake, cupcakes, brownies.....something. usually on sunday, but sometimes on his other days off instead.


feb 10
well, she had high hopes with 10 valentines on her list to make. she pooped out after 2. it's all part of her sensory thing. she has trouble remaining focused on a task for too long. (more about that in my next post---stay tuned.)


feb 9
happy 33rd birthday my love. his favorite----homemade apple pie. in progress.


feb 8
she won't sleep any other way this past week. clung to me like a magnet.


feb 7
american idol. tuesday and wednesday nights. never miss it. if we don't watch live, we watch it on DVR. i've decided i've had enough of the auditions...let's get on to the good stuff.


feb 6
emma and my newphew jason (2 months older). all they did for a week was fight over any toy the other had. annoying at first, but quite comical by the end of the week. incidentially, this is the only picture i have of the two of them together. emma just didn't care much for the invasion on her territory. guess that's thanks to having a bigger sister who torments you on a daily basis.


feb 5
mmmmm........fresh garden salad awaiting some grilled chicken.


feb 4
i sent doug out to kroger for some tums. he came home with 4 bottles---why not, they were on sale afterall. sad thing is i think 1 whole bottle is gone already.


feb 3
the clutter magnet. (top of the microwave)


feb 2
he is an incredible daddy.........and his adoring newphew makes him long to have his own boy that much more.


feb 1
a visit to COSI (our science center) with cindy and the boys.


jan 31
family night at magic mountain. and worth noting----ashlyn's first time ever to go through the tunnel maze on her own. we are starting to see evidence that her therapy is making a difference. before now, she was extremely fearful of these type of tunnels.


jan 30
mmmm. darn that suzi. she's got me hooked on starbucks frappaccino. mocha frappaccino is my fav. a nice little treat while waiting to board our flight home from california.


jan 29
learned how to solder metal at the tradeshow. fun, but i don't think i'll be investing in the supplies any time soon.


jan 28
the roaring lion in the atrium of our hotel in california


jan 27
california palms at night on road leading you to disneyland.


jan 26
hollywood california.


jan 25
suzi and i ready to hit the icy gray skies heading for warm, sunny california weather.


one of the first pictures i took in california.


we took a little road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway and ended up at a beach right at sunset. absolutely breathtaking.


suzi meets her future husband at downtown disney.


jan 24
a screaming clearance bargain at target made for a perfect {early} birthday surprise from daddy. something she's been wanting for the last year.


jan 23
her comfort. sucking her thumb while tickling her nose with a handful of Baby's hair.


jan 22
6 inches of snow makes for a lot of fun playing in the fluffy stuff.


jan 21
you know it's gonna be an interesting day when you get attacked by the dishwasher first thing in the morning *sigh*


jan 20
garlic cheese biscuits. yum.


jan 19
nothing sweeter than listening to ash sing jesus loves me along with the veggie tales while listening to her headphones.


jan 18
they have an entire room----the biggest room in the house---just to use as a playroom. why, oh why, do they have to dump everything at the top of the landing all the time?


phew. i'm tired.
i'll be back next week with more scoop from my trip to california.
it surely was an adventure to say the least.
definitely memorable.