The Birthday Surprise!

This smile never left my face!

I barely know where to begin. But my birthday was A-mazing! I loved it all. It had mostly highs...no lows--except that it came to an end.

Here's how it all went down...

Wednesday
Jeff left at 10a to go to Enid for a special trip for Pop (step dad) and also to take the kids so they could play with Enid grandparents for a few days while we were away. While he was gone, he'd scheduled me a massage, lunch with my dad and my grandma, and an hour at the race tracks for go-carts for me and my friends. There were about 9 of us or so and we had a blast. I don't have pictures yet from that (but there were some taken). I had an absolute blast. I (randomly) got the fastest car he had and I was killing people. In one race I lapped my friend Kara 4 times! I asked the guy if I was in the fastest car and he said, "yes, but I have never seen it go that fast"--nothing could have made me happier at that moment! I have this thing about going fast! :)

Anyway, I got some cards and flowers and phone calls and emails and such from friends and family. And my mom and dad got me a massage gift certificate and some money too. Really sweet and lots of fun!

Jeff made it back from Enid and we left to start the surprise trip that I didn't know any details of. So we ended up in Broken Arrow, OK at a B&B named Stone Creek. It was the most fantastic place ever! I loved it. The hospitality was phenomenal, the food was great, and the cabin was fantastic! There wasn't anything I didn't love about it, but I will say that I couldn't stop talking about the sheets at this place for days. They were chenille/plush heaven-sent goodness. I now know what I want for Christmas...these sheets (and maybe another night at the cabin :)). The only thing the slightest bit negative was the horrible weather we had that night so we couldn’t enjoy the hanging bed outside to watch the stars! Check out the website for pics of the place. We also had reservations at my favorite restaurant in the WHOLE world (Shogun Tulsa). It was a great experience and the food did not disappoint, but it never has...

Thursday
We got up and had our breakfast that was really good and then got dressed and got in the car and headed to Wichita. On the way we ate at Dairy Queen, complete with chocolate dipped cone & Butterfinger blizzards! On the way there Jeff is telling me a few details, one of which, a Castle was in store for our sleeping quarters that night! I was so excited. The Castle Inn Riverside is where we headed to drop off our things. It was really neat.

The place is a historic landmark (nationally and locally) and so it was a crazy with details and fun things and history. We stayed in one of the two biggest rooms and it was fun. This was on the roof of the castle
What is a castle without a gargoyle?

This is actually at the Exploration Place but it was fun to sit in the King/Queen chairs with another castle behind us.

After we dropped off our things we went to The Exploration Place and that was fun. There were several things broken/not working and one entire exhibit closed but it was fun and it was free! (There was a RiverFest event going on that lasted for 2 weeks and that was part of it).
There were, however, lots of other things we ended up playing with! This is a balance machine/timer. I had none, and Jeff was above average with close to 3 seconds. I was lucky to get .64 seconds without it falling This was so cool. My kids would have loved it because they love bubbles so much! You were INSIDE a bubble. Such an easy, yet very creative concept for kids. I think I was the oldest one to enjoy it (by actually doing it). Then we walked around outside where there is a beautiful new bridge, and this Indian statue and a ring of fire. It was a gorgeous day out! I was being silly. It was so fun! I could let go of being “mom” for a little bit and acted like a kid myself! I made Jeff pose like this because I thought it was funny!
After we played around some more and explored some more of the city, we went to eat. We found a place called Scotch & Sirloin and it was pretty good. I got a birthday picture and a piece of cake (Snickers Cheesecake that Jeff ate). It was a Polaroid so I don’t actually have it for the post. We ate dinner SOOO late every night and stayed up way too late enjoying each other’s company and runnin’ around town, but we had a blast!

Friday
Friday we slept in till the lady called us down for breakfast (about 9:15) and we ate a “hoity-toity” breakfast. Then we got dressed and ready for the day and packed up our things. We went to our new hotel to drop off my breast milk we’d been carting around with us (and stored every place we went in a freezer). Then we went to Botanica. It was so pretty. I loved the colors and the fragrances and the weather was again amazing! Jeff took lots and lots of really great pictures with our camera.

I almost fell in that little creek while he was taking this picture! We stayed at the gardens for a little over an hour and then left to go to the Wichita Art Museum and had a ton of fun! I love art museums. I really like the Realism Collection that was there. I love abstract art too and really colorful things like this glass work by Karg. Umm….seriously this was amazing. I was laying on a floor for the second floor which also was the ceiling for the first floor FULL of blown glass by Rollin Karg. The chandelier was also done by him. Can you imagine that? It was enormous and a bit over-the-top crazy, but wonderful at the same time! I bet it was about 15 feet long!
This is a “painting” I made of Jeff on a Zen board in the museum store!

We went to eat a cool place (that we forgot to take a pic of) called TJ’s Burger House. It was awesome. Probably the best burger to ever cross my lips! They were huge too!

From there we were very excited at the opportunity to go see Karg’s Art Glass shop about 15 minutes from Wichita. It was hard to find, but we had a lot of fun there. We left empty handed although we both really wanted to buy a piece. Everything we loved was just too expensive after a weekend getaway like we were in the midst of. Maybe next time!
The shop had thousands of pieces and they were all fantastic.We got to go out in the “studio” to watch them blow glass. It was really neat. It is such a detailed thing and takes forever! We were out there for 30 minutes and not sure when they would have finished. But it was cool to see.

From Karg’s we left to go back to The Hotel at Old Town and check in. It was a cool old hotel in the heart of downtown Wichita. There were bars and restaurants all around (that partied late late into the night). All of our rooms (each different place) had Jacuzzi’s in the rooms, but this one was like a pool it was so big! We were the corner room on the top floor. It was a fantastic view. And the room was HUGE! The biggest hotel room I think I have ever stayed in. It was the King Suite. And I felt like a Queen. We stayed and watched TV for a little bit and I started my new book (the last of the Restoration Series) Dawn’s Light by Terri Blackstock (my favorite).

Then we headed off to the Old Cowtown Museum. I wasn’t excited about this until we got there and I really enjoyed it. It was fun. We walked around 47 buildings in this “town” of what Wichita was like in the early 1900’s. It was very neat. Our camera batteries were low and so I don’t have many pics from there, but here is Jeff on the old railway. After we left there it was late and we went to find the Warren Theater. We finally go there and realized we hadn’t eaten dinner and if we went to a movie at that time we wouldn’t have the opportunity to eat afterwards because most things would be closed. But it put us close to PF Chang’s and even though our goal was to avoid places we could eat in Oklahoma, we ate there anyway. It was very good. (Albeit expensive). They used to do the Great Wall of Chocolate for birthdays which was the deciding factor to eat there. When we got there our waiter informed us that they had these new desserts that I could choose one of for my birthday. I was so disappointed in that. We were going to get the Wall anyway in addition to the little shot glass cake. However, our waiter took FOREVER to come back. When he did he said they were OUT.OF.CHOCOLATE.WALLS. I was so bummed about that. But he surprised us with 3 little shot glasses of mini chocolate walls. I was happy again! It wasn’t quite the same, but good enough. Then about 15 minutes later, he came back and said, “as if you aren’t spoiled enough” and handed us THREE more. We got 6 shot glasses of chocolate walls. Then the manager came up to us and apologized emphatically and told us to go ahead and take the shot glasses home with us (we were so STUFFED). We ate all but 2 and took those two with us. They are in my refrigerator now J we’ll have them later!

It was a great night’s sleep after a very full belly. We got up and had a great breakfast again this morning (at 10:45a). Then got packed up and headed out after one quick stop at the Farmer’s Market that popped up overnight outside our hotel. We bought some dried pasta that was fantastic and I can’t wait to make it! We drove home and Jeff went straight to “work” with all our graduates and events this weekend. (*and next).

The greatest birthday ever! I am spoiled, blessed, and very grateful for my hubby and for my 28 years on earth.

We are Back

We are back and I will have to post details and lots of pics later because we barely got in the door and we were out the door for graduations this weekend. I had a fabulous time and was very very very spoiled this weekend! It was fantastic...in.every.way. My hubby is awesome.

things are great can't post from iPhone will check in Saturday but having so much fun

Tomorrow's Another Day

I cannot wait for tomorrow. Today and yesterday have been tough days. I just haven't gotten anything (or much of) right. I try to be so organized and it falls completely through EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I try to be fun and spontaneous and it blows right up in my face. I can't win. But that was today...

Tomorrow? Completely different story. I am so thoroughly thrilled and excited I can't possibly bear it. Well, at least after my dental appointment, then the excitement begins. *My dental appointment will hopefully be my last until my next cleaning. I finally get my permanent bridge (and a filling) and we should be done with all the hoopla...yeah!

After my dentist appt. I am having a massage. Then Jeff is getting back from Enid (where he is dropping the kids off till Sunday) and we are going on a completely planned (by Jeff) mini-vacation. He is so excited about it and has put so much time into it. I am thrilled to get some rest, some relaxation, some time away from the Ville, some sweet time with my hubby, some more sleep, and more sleep, and lots of yummy food and very fun places (I am sure). Cannot Wait!!!

It's my birthday, my mother's day, my oh-my-goodness-i-need-a-break-from-having-a-sick-child-that-is-constantly-attached-to-me-and-my-chest-day!

Yeah for my hubby...home run! And we aren't even there yet. The kids are down though and that is a plus. Jeff is out for the next couple hours and I am going to pack the kids bags, do my 14th day of my new bible study, and hit the hay and have fantasy dreams of what my surprise end of week vacation might include! :)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day all you Mommies out there! You are needed, loved, appreciated everyday, but today, celebrate that! :)

I spent my Mother's Day today (because Sundays are far from relaxing for us) and it was wonderful. I played in a grass volleyball tournament in Tulsa. It was fabulous. I am completely beat up and have cuts, scrapes and bruises all over my body, but I had a blast. I seemingly forgot to put sunscreen on my legs and my chest, but got my face and my shoulders/arms. But I certainly could have stood a chance to re-apply to them as well...I am burned. But I am happy. I had fun. We made it to the semi-finals and lost in the first round. It was a weird set up tournament but I wasn't necessarily in it to win, just to play the game I love and be "alone" for a few hours without my littlest leech :) Mission accomplished. I am exhausted though for sure and am heading to bed earlier than I have in a long long time. My hubby is leaving for a movie and I am in bed...that is weird...but oh well.

I feel very blessed to have my babies and my hubby! Thank you Lord for this calling of motherhood...even when it's hard and tiring. I love my job...

Bad Baby Week

To date, this might be the worst week of Creighton's life.

Today we went back to the doctor because my intuition was that there was something just not right. We went to a different doc today. We had chest x-rays done that were awful because they stick them in a plastic tube with their arms flailing in the air and they are screaming bloody murder the whole time. She would be a lot less in pain if she wasn't so strong and bull-headed...I think that might be a theme for the rest of her life, because it certainly has been in mine.

Anyway, she has pneumonia. No fun, but at least there is something to treat now. Doc says she will be fine and it isn't a severe case at all. Started antibiotics today and said within 24 hours there is NOTHING to worry about, but that it was fine for her to be around others because typically it isn't contagious.

But also, and I don't have a pic to load tonight but will soon, she feel and busted up her face yesterday. She hit her head and her nose and her lip. She looks a little ruffed up and a lot like Rudolph. So with blood drawn, a ridiculous urine (amnio-type) test, bloody-ed up face, and a tube x-ray, I'd say she's been through a little bit of baby hell this week.

I am just glad there is "something" to fix and that now I hope she'll get to feeling better...because let's be honest...it's getting a little old having a leech on me non-stop...and I'd like to get some rest and some weaning down...., and of course, my sweet baby girl back to good health!

Creighton 18 Months

Creighton had her 18month well baby visit today! 18 months! Wow, we've all come a long way.

She is 33.5 inches tall (top 80%ish)
She is only 23 pounds 3.5 ounces (30%ish)
She is overall healthy despite the last week.

Bummer today for her was she was gonna get out of getting poked (no shots till next time), however, since she was still not feeling up to par, doc decided to do a urine test. Well, little did I know this meant sticking a LONG needle through her belly into her bladder to retrieve it!!!!! Poor baby was screaming (obviously) like mad! I was sweating and very nervous. It was awful. They did initial tests that came back fine and then they send it off for a few more but she thinks they won't find anything because whatever she was looking for was done in the "in house" test. But I guess they send it out for the lab work as a normal thing no matter what the case. So, hopefully this will all pass. She has held out without fever (well, its like 99) all day and night. She is just a grumpy girl...very very very very grumpy and cranky and oh, man I want my little girl back! Thank heavens she did sleep decently last night and I am praying for another good night's rest from her...and for me :)

Very Curious Jackson

Conversations happen almost daily about the fact that Jackson has a penis and Creighton doesn't. He asks or tells everyday, like it might change. I always have the same answer, yes, boys have a penis and girls have a vulva. (I like that word a little better than the other v-word).

Anyway, tonight we were reading and getting ready for bed and Jackson is tucking in Curious George and he stops and stares. I was curious (haha) about what he was thinking when he said...

"gurge no have a pea-nis?"

"ummm...yeah, George is a boy, so he probably has a penis, but maybe it is under his diaper."

"he no have pea-nis, mama, an' no dwiper eeder"

I got a diaper and diapered George and said it was under his diaper. Then he just ripped it off and was pointing where it should have been...and was very confused...as was I as to how I could have responded better...oh well.

He is one funny boy. And very aware of things...already?!

Speaking Volumes

I got this in my email today and I really liked it! Thought I'd share it with you. I did post below about Creighton and that she is doing better today...have a great day!

Speaking Volumes
Marybeth Whalen

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
James 3:13 (NIV)

Devotion:
Have you ever heard someone say, "That speaks volumes to me?" What does that really mean? It means that something they heard or read went much further than just the sentence or paragraph that was spoken. It means that somehow the words reached inside them and touched a place that was broken or missing or in need of reassurance. It means that the words resonated throughout their heart and mind, echoing in every area of their life.

I want to be a Christian that speaks volumes into the lives of those around me. Not through my eloquent speeches or profound sermons. Not through my emails or blog posts or devotions. I want to speak volumes through my life. The trick is living a life that is visible to others-- yet transparent and not hypocritical. I have to live out loud without hesitancy, without apology and without fear. That's a tall order that involves a series of daily, intentional choices. And so, I ask myself a series of questions to help me make these choices often.

Am I insulating myself in a Christian bubble that eliminates me from encountering people who need Jesus?

Am I sharing stories of what Jesus means to me and has done for me with those I encounter?

Am I staying grounded in God's word and praying without ceasing?

Am I the same person behind closed doors that I am around others?

Am I readily admitting my own faults and struggles to others?

Am I quick to forgive others, to not judge them and to try to see them through God's eyes and not my own?

Do I have someone I am accountable to, and do I listen when they call me on the carpet?

What would my family and friends say about who I really am?

What would God say about who I really am? Who am I when no one else is looking?

All of these things are elements in my life that need my constant focus if I am to be a person whose faith is attractive to others. I have to make myself stare these things down, instead of turning my head and pushing them to the side to be dealt with another day. One of the biggest complaints I hear against Christianity is that Christians profess to believe one thing, but act entirely different. We profess to have love, but don't act lovingly. We profess to be humble but act proud. We profess to be forgiving but exercise harsh judgment. We say we follow Jesus but exemplify none of His character qualities--avoiding the people He came to serve in the process.

Last summer, a neighbor of mine stopped me at the pool. "I see you running every day," she said. "I admire that dedication you have to run even when it's so hot outside." As I walked away from that conversation, I thought about what she had unknowingly showed me. I have never seen her peeking out her window or waving from her yard. I never knew she saw me, never noticed her noticing me. And yet she was watching.

We may never know the numbers of people who unknowingly watch us run the race of life. They will see us struggle and strain, falter and even fall. But it is our dedication that will speak volumes. The fact that we keep going out there and trying again that they will remember. When we live a life that is visible, transparent and committed to God, we speak volumes to those around us. Even though we might never know we did.

Doin' better

I was very thankful for prayers that were answered last night. Creighton slept in her own room from 11-4:20. That was very nice. I was thankful for the rest, unlike the night before. From 4:20-6 was pretty much not fun, but she is doing much better than Monday/Tuesday. She fell back asleep for a little bit but was up at 7:20ish and wouldn't go back down. We got dressed and took Jackson to school and then ran errands and I got her a cute new baby and a baby stroller to play with today since she is feeling better and yet can't go play with her friends. She LOVES her stroller...she was SO happy with it!!! :) It was really cute.

Then she crawled up in my lap and asked to "joon" which somehow means nurse...I obliged and she went right to sleep. Hopefully she'll take a good nap...I am on my way too!

Thanks for the prayers. She is fever free for now (since last night).

Sick Baby...

My little girl is sick. She has been running a very high fever and we have had difficulty getting it to lower. Last night was torture for all of us (except Jackson who slept through it all, and woke up very perky). She slept very little. Jeff had a few hours in the sun room and I slept none at all. My sweet hubby let me take a nap this afternoon though which was so much a desperate need. I hope she is feeling better tomorrow (tonight actually so we can all rest). I took her to the doctor and they don't know what it is but think it might just be a virus. Getting her blood taken today was so sad. She is so strong that she was moving all around when the needle was in her and so her arm is badly bruised. And, thankfully, they didn't find anything abnormal...although at times like these I almost wish there was "something" to fix...I hate waiting it out, especially when she is miserable! (and so is everyone else).

I have been doting on her and nursing her round the clock because she won't eat anything or drink anything or do anything but let me hold her (and nurse). So much for weaning...I was so proud of how we were both doing with it...now it is all uphill and will be a huge battle once she is feeling better! UGHHHH!

But because of all of that Jackson had his worst day in a long time with behavior. He wouldn't listen to a word anyone said and got lots of timeouts/spankings today. I hate it because I know it was because he was bored and wasn't getting attention, but still! That kid about drove me insane, even though really, I already was...

I hope her fever stays low/normal tonight but I am just not sure. She seems to be worse at night and when she sleeps. Its like her body can't control its heat or something when she is sleeping and she lights up like a furnace...103.9...that is HOT. and scary...scary enough to make me give her a suppository. That was no fun for anyone!

Thankfully Jackson isn't sick and has school tomorrow! That is such good news. I wish I was able to send Creighton so I could rest, but maybe I will actually get some tonight. I was so bummed too, because tonight was the last Apples of Gold night and I had been so excited about it. When we got there I was so tired I couldn't barely stay awake and my heart just wasn't in it since I had a sick baby at home with a high schooler. She ended up calling us to tell us she was miserable (Creighton) and so we left early...oh well. The food was great and on any other night I would have been the last to leave, but tonight, it just wasn't happening. Such luck!

Pray for Creighton to feel better and for us to figure out what it is, or for it to just heal/go away quickly. Poor baby!

Bike Ride!

We went again on a bike ride yesterday and ended up being gone from 4:30 to 8:30! It was a long long long trip but SO fun filled with lots of funny stories and memories and adventure! :) And, one of the many reasons I wanted to go was because I was determined to take pictures...




...and I did!


We had quite the adventure. We dropped movies off at Blockbuster. Then, we headed towards the Ducks, but stopped off at the Wayside playground for a little bit (they loved that playground and didn't want to leave). BUT, we had to detour (a long one) because Jackson decided he needed to poop and we forgot to bring diapers and wipes. So we ventured past the duck pond through Colonial to old Colonial to my friend Sharla's house to "borrow" a diaper and wipes. Then we went to the duck pond...which brings us to pictures!


This is what our entourage looks like. The bike I am using right now is Jeff's old piece of juuuuunnnnnk! I hate it, but its all I have for the moment.

Creighton is saying "cheese". She loves the doodlebug.

I might have to send this picture to Ree to see if there is hope of redeeming the face of my sweet little girl...she was SO messy. We gave them these cherry things to eat and this kid is the messiest kid I have ever known. She ruins more pictures outfits than ANY one I have ever known! (even worse than her brother EVER was)! But, do you see those EYES!?!

My boy LOVES his sticks. (and sword fighting with them). I liked this pic with the ducks in the background.

She had lots of fun running around, being non-conformist. Everywhere we were, she wanted to be the opposite place. Her smiles were worth it. I just played photographer. :)

I actually got them to sit down for about a half a second at the same time. I thought it was cute!

More stick-loving fun

She did this so un-solicited. She loves her Daddy. I was hiding...and she just ran up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. This was the best I got because I (nor he) was not expecting it! So priceless!

Jackson had to get in on that kind of action though---she got lots of praise and response from Daddy for her action. So, Jackson planted one big on Jeff's mouth! :) I love it!!!!!

Daddy teaching Jackson how to throw...I love that his hand is resting on Jeff's leg...

Perfect. Peace. Please stop the clock.

We ended our trip with another dirty diaper, from the other one. So, thankfully Braum's wasn't too far....AND there happened to be another baby (and mommy) that I "borrowed" another diaper from. Thank you stranger! We did learn our lesson and will be LOADED with diapers from now on.

Um...lets just say he really enjoyed that malt! (and the hamburger).

The ride home was a little rough because they were getting cranky, it was getting cold, and dark! But we made it home and our neighbors came over and played with us for a few minutes. It was a long but good day!

Perk

One of the many perks to being married to a youth minister: We got to go Go-Carting today during lunch with about 15 youth. It was SOOOOO fun! :)

Loads of Fun!

We have had quite the eventful last couple days...and I love it. I love that Winter is LONG gone and that we can be (and are) outside a majority of the waking hours of our days! This makes me happy happy!

Thursday Jeff was off and we went on a family bike ride. We rode about 7 miles and stopped all along the way to do things like: Blockbuster, feed the ducks, get a treat (fruit snacks), and eat at Taco Bueno! That was way fun (although my bootie is SO sore)...

Friday I did a class at the Y for 45 minutes and then the kids and I went on a stroll around downtown in the stroller to enjoy the sunshine (and kill time). Then we went to my friend Kara's house and played outside with her girls. That was fun. Then after nap/daddy got home, we went to a big party at the school where the kids take Mother's Day Out and had a blast there. My kids loved it! They didn't eat well, but oh well. They had lots of fun playing!

Today we went on another bike ride which again was fun but my tail was so sore I could barely sit down on the bike seat, so I did a lot of riding standing up. Today we went by the Pizza Place and ordered our pizza and then we went by Blockbuster again and then riding in Kara's neighborhood before returning to find and demolish our VERY VERY YUMMY pizza. The kids ate a ton of pizza and I brought some fruit too...very good! Very very good. Then it was nap time and we all took 2 hour naps (except Dad who played video games alone for 2 hours...equally happy for him) and woke up happy! Then we went to the Kiddie Park which has got to be the greatest place on earth and to think it is located in Bville is so wonderful!!!! This was the first weekend it was opened for the season and so I thought it might be crowded but it wasn't AT ALL! It was so nice, although a bit chilly! They had a blast and cried when we left at 9:30 when I realized I never had fed my kids dinner and it was WAY past their bedtime. But we ate the leftover pizza for dinner and had more fruit....(and they did have a snack after their naps :)) which was Peanut Butter cookies with chocolate chips! :) Yummmmmmy!

Good days, lots of playtime, lots of memories, lots and lots of fun....NOT ONE PICTURE! Oh well...

Update

I have gotten up early the past two days (before the kids) and done my quiet time. There is a lot of wisdom in that I have found. It is a great way to start my day, even though I DESPISE getting up earlier than my kids (or up at all some days if I am honest). But it has been neat! I love it. I am trying to do it everyday...hopefully I will stay faithful to that. God has remained faithful to me to bless me each morning and to meet with me there!

My weaning of Creighton is going well. I have started with going down to only 3 times a day. (night, early morning (but not the up for the day waking), and nap time). She is doing pretty good with it. I sense a little bit of cranky (or a lot) baby after her nap (I usually had been nursing her when she woke up but now I am not). I have kept her pretty occupied during the day until lunch and then again after her nap till dinner. She is napping well and eating better. I can't say her sleeping habits have changed much, but hopefully they will soon!

I am doing well. Thanks friends for all the encouragement and love!