Ben and I were spared

We both have colds, and Ben got strep throat. Otherwise, no flu here. Yay! I can deal with colds.

It's just crazy in this house. I'm hoping by the end of the week we'll all be doing well so we can get back to normal life. It's been 2 weeks since we have been to playgroup or Bible study or even Sunday service, so Drew's getting antsy. He really enjoys going there to see friends, and has been begging me all day. Maybe if Ben and I are up to it on Thursday we can go in the morning for Bible study.

We went "area shopping" today. Man, it can really get a bit..umm...redneck around here! We drove about 20 minutes south and it was an enlightening experience. Sure wish we could afford the area we are in currently but it is WAY overpriced.

My least favorite part of the season...

Influenza.

So far, Aaron and Drew for sure have it. Aaron had it last week, Drew is still fighting it (on his 4th day of fever from it), and now it appears that Ben has it. We're just praying I avoid it because who's happy when mommy is sick? No one!!! But, I'm achy and tired. I'm hoping if the pediatrician will give Ben Tamiflu, they'll prescribe it for me too.

Aaron spoils me

He really does. I'm getting a Dyson!! Woohoo!!!!

Now, how pitiful does that make me? Am I a "housewife" or what? I'm actually super excited about a vacuum!

Jen's Public Declaration

Jen somehow forgot to mention that she was baptized this weekend. We decided to apply for membership to our new church - Community Christian Fellowship, and you have to be baptized as a believer. She was baptized as a baby but never as a believer. The church happened to be having baptisms that same day so we signed Jen up. I am so proud of her. She reaffirmed her faith in Jesus Christ and declared it to the church body.

Spring has sprung!

It was a beautiful 75 degrees here today, so we spent lots of time outside.

The morning started by going with the church playgroup to House of Bounce. It's a great place for little kids, with 3 huge inflatable jumping things, the kind you see at carnivals. One just to jump in, one with 2 huge slides, and a third with an obstacle course complete with "rock" walls. Drew loved it and can't wait to go back.

We came home for lunch, then headed to WallyWorld to get a patio set. Now that it's so nice, why not take advantage and eat outside more often?? Our deck is rarely in direct sunlight, so it's a great spot to be. Got that set up while the kids played, then had dinner.

The best part of the evening for me was when we were still outside, and I was at the bottom of our hill with Drew. Aaron was just getting Ben ready to go inside for a bath. I was getting up to head back up the hill when Drew said "Mommy, can we lay here for a minute just to watch the sky go by?" It was so incredibly cute and sweet, I couldn't say no. So we talked about the clouds and their shapes for a bit before heading in for his hose down. He was so filthy from playing outside all afternoon that the bathwater could have used a bath after!

Ben's 9 month checkup

We had his checkup this morning, and things went really well. He is now 22 lbs 5oz, 28 1/4". The dr was really impressed with how quickly Ben has gotten mobile (crawling since about 7 1/2 months) and warned me he may be an early walker based on his observations in the office. Overall, things look great, and he got the all clear to eat whatever he wants except for milk, peanut butter, shellfish, and honey. Ben is going to LOVE what that means for him!

I'm a bad blogger

I admit it. I really let too much time go in between! So, here's a montage of what's been going on.

Our real snow a few weeks back with a big snowman:

Ben is now 9 months old. He's quite the climber now too. He gets up the stairs faster than you can blink. And, don't let him catch you napping. This is what happens!

He drags the potty chair over to the couch now when he wants to get to something. He's just too much.

Drew will be going to preschool in the fall. Anyone want to help me potty train this kid? I told him he can't go unless he can use the potty every time, and he said "I'll use it every time when I'm there. At home I use pull-ups." I think we'll have to go cold-turkey.

Here's a few more pics of the boys. The kitchen door shot is how Drew entertains Ben alot lately. Ben sits at the door patiently waiting for Drew to ride his bike by, and then stands and goes nuts for him when he appears.

Also, here's pics of mommy and daddy with the boys. We managed to get a few in before church one day.

One last Drew funny...last night before bed, he insisted he needed to finish watching Blues Clues. So, Aaron told him to make sure the tv was off when it was done, and then come to bed. I checked after I heard him come upstairs, and he'd done it! He watched his last 10 minutes and came right up to bed. Now if he'll only listen so well as a teenager...