tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61438184192435138232024-02-07T04:40:45.545-08:00The F's in LifeFaith, Family, Friends, Food, Fitness and Favorites! Follow me on my journey through using these five F words to move on and become me again. Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-49313024636256111662017-02-13T17:08:00.005-08:002017-02-13T17:08:58.585-08:00Yea, those "F" words.....<br />
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The F words that have helped me build my life after years of struggle and find me again....<br />
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<b>Faith:</b> I have always had faith in God. Always. There have been many times over the past two years where that faith has wavered, I am not going to lie. Painful really. Then, when you think you are at your lowest, you find your way back. All by the grace of God. I pray and pray and pray. I know that things happen for a reason but I also know that God has a plan.<br />
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<b>Family:</b> My kids are my world. My family is my world (parents, sister, cousins, etc). I am who I am because of you. I have had the pleasure of being in a mom since 2005 in the sense of the word "mom" but I have also been blessed to become a mom over again in 2008 and 2013 and I couldn't be who I am today without those three beautiful children. No doubt.<br />
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<b>Friends</b>: Where do I begin?? Honestly... If it weren't for my friends, and you know who you are, I would not be where I am today. Late night phone calls, hours on the phones, girls weekends, overnight sleepovers, movies, dinners, phone calls, emails, cards, hugs and tears-each and everyone of you have been there for me. I have learned that those that are your true friends will always call and check on you no matter what. No Matter What. So, to those friends, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.<br />
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<b>Food:</b> Over the past two years I have ventured into a "low carb" lifestyle. Following a <a href="https://paleoleap.com/paleo-101/" target="_blank">Paleo</a> diet for a while but now trying to focus on a whole food lifestyle. Eating those good foods and not a bunch of junk. I think it's also important for my kids...processed foods don't even really taste that good. I want to be healthy, I want my kids to be healthy. I make fresh meals as often as I can. It's a lifestyle and in my profession, be the example you should be for your students- you know the saying "practice what you preach".<br />
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<b>Fitness: </b>I have always enjoyed being active. I played soccer throughout my teenager years and cheered (is cheerleading even a sport?) all through high school. I teach physical education to kids with disabilities and love giving them opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. I gave up a lot of my fitness lifestyle to have kids, to take care of those kids and to be around for my kids. Over the past three years I have started to take opportunities to put myself first and get back into fitness. And.... I love it! I hate a gym, but I love a good boot camp class and throwing around some heavy weights! I have actually started to enjoy running (it clears my head) and my goal is to get even more fit in the next year!<br />
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<b>Favorites: </b>I have a few (okay, maybe more) favorite things...shoes, purses, sweats, shows, etc. These favorites make me happy and if they are that good, I want to share them. <br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-87731221763526646912014-02-16T09:40:00.001-08:002014-02-16T09:40:51.754-08:00Life's "Hidden" Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post has been swirling around in my head for about a week now. We have had some crazy weather this winter and most recently got 16 + inches of snow dumped on us in a short amount of time. It was nice having everyone home and "snowed" in together but by the next day we were all a little stir crazy and had some severe cabin fever. I have seen a lot of Facebook posts begging for winter to end and spring to hurry up and get here. I have even read a blog or two where people are begging for better weather, schools to be open and the stomach bug to go away!!!<br />
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So, I am here to remind you that all of these things are just life's "hidden" blessings. How is this? In the time I have read all the posts about the bad weather and stomach bugs, I have also read blogs and postings about the following: children fighting cancer, a car accident where a pregnant mother is fighting for her life, a young mother killed while out for her morning jog, and numerous young children fighting rare illnesses or dealing with profound disabilities that can make any mother "crazy". This, my friends, is a reminder. <br />
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A reminder that when your kids are running around pulling the blinds, stealing the remotes, vomiting all over the floor, fighting, crying, yelling, throwing food, singing, laughing, loving and so much more, that you are blessed. You are blessed by these moments in your life. These moments mean your children are home with you, not sick in a hospital. That you are with your kids, here in this moment to watch it all unfold. Every time you get that need to scream at your kids (I am the first to admit, I do and I have) try to take a step back and appreciate that moment. It is time you will never get back.<br />
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I am the first to admit I often complain and jump at my kids when were are snowed in and tired of being stuck in the house. I even wished the stomach bug away in January when it was just moving from one of us to the other. However, when I sit down and start reading the daily struggles that others (many of whom I have never met) are dealing with, I feel guilty. Guilty that I even complained about the stomach bug, or that my one year old daughter is terrorizing the house, and her brothers. I am guilty. But today I took a moment, that moment, to stop and thank God for the "hidden" blessings in my life. Did you?<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-17915281149060924152014-02-04T17:43:00.002-08:002014-02-04T17:43:30.330-08:00ChangeAs people often say "there is only one constant in life-change". Very true, things will always change. It doesn't mean that it always gets better, but it does change. So, what has changed since my last blog two years ago? A LOT.....<br />
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I took a bit of a hiatus in an effort to focus on a few things we really wanted to get in order. The first one was where to live. We needed a support system to help us and knew living a little closer to family could help. It also meant changing school systems (only one county over) but it was still a change. With that came finding a house! We felt packed in our current home, and even though we knew we were beyond blessed to have the roof over our head, we did begin a search for a bigger home. Lastly, our title...we are no longer a family of four but a family of five. Nothing like changing things up by having just one more bundle of joy!!!<br />
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It will be two years ago this March that we moved into our dream home. We were lucky enough to get a good deal on it but unfortunately that meant renting our current home. Things went smoothly and two years later we are more than settled. We have friends and family close by including my mother who moved just seven doors down. You got it, seven glorious doors!!!! And I wouldn't change it for anything! Our old house is still being rented and we are scraping by till the economy gets good enough to sell it or refinance.<br />
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Along with that move came the change of a school system. As I mentioned, change is not always good-but it's change. We needed it more than ever and looking back it was by far one of the best choices we ever made. While things have most certainly not been perfect, there definitely has been improvement. Progress is always good, no matter how small the step. And, with every step forward are a few steps back. What I keep telling myself is that it's progress and each year progress is made. I will post more on Trenton's progress in the near future.<br />
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Lucas also started kindergarten this year!! WOW, where has the time gone????<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The boys! Age 13 and 5!*</td></tr>
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Lastly, an addition to our family! Shortly after we moved we found out we were pregnant! Both excited and nervous we decided to find out the sex of the baby (we didn't find out with Lucas). I had thrown out most of my baby items and what I did have was mostly boy stuff-for obvious reasons. Well much to MY surprise, we were having a girl. So on January 15, 2013 God blessed us with our sweet baby girl-and yes her name starts with a J!!! (For any of you that are new to my blog you will have to go back in the archives to read about all the J's since you can tell T and L aren't J names).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 Months Old*</td></tr>
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So here we are! February of 2014 and I am ready to start blogging again. My sister often requests and I just haven't had the time (can't imagine why). I think I can manage every now and then and I feel we have grown as a family (in more ways than one). I read through some of the old comments and realized people actually read my blog. I also realized that people continued to stumble across it or at least visit it every so often. So, why not? What does it hurt to throw yourself out there and ask for advice from others?<br />
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I hope you join me on my adventure as our team of 5 continues through this crazy life!<br />
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*Photo Credit: Clover creek photography. Amazing photographer in our area. I highly recommend!! Visit her page at <a href="http://www.clovercreekphotography.com/" target="_blank">http://www.clovercreekphotography.com/</a> <br />
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-71625277003449873752011-10-04T17:54:00.000-07:002011-10-04T18:35:28.642-07:00Raise your hand if you know me. Hug me if I am your friend. Hold me, hug me, kiss me, and wipe my tears if you are my best friend!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbxSn44f7LfG3KNt7tY76sfDm26MWtIbANYz7TM894jcD8N9obyTejasAN_gDUyHGEqwyJgLNoCaHwah3K-YJ51zHuO2ej3rkWtNNDHoVYIZcbOFIFio3zkcFEi-pBSP22PRLLqRTG3Ld/s1600/Fair+Week+030.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbxSn44f7LfG3KNt7tY76sfDm26MWtIbANYz7TM894jcD8N9obyTejasAN_gDUyHGEqwyJgLNoCaHwah3K-YJ51zHuO2ej3rkWtNNDHoVYIZcbOFIFio3zkcFEi-pBSP22PRLLqRTG3Ld/s320/Fair+Week+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659813117704211298" border="0" /></a><br />We had a conversation similar to this with Trenton tonight. We tried to explain to him what a "true" friend is. Not just an acquaintance. We also definitely warned him about trying to fit in. So far, it has only gotten him into trouble. A lot of trouble.<br /><br />So, 6th grade has been rough thus far. Really rough. I struggle daily with how to wake up and move on into a new day. I am exhausted and tired of dealing with a school system that doesn't make it any better. The worst part is how bad our son is suffering. It's not just school, it's life. He doesn't know how to move on but instead still struggles with coping with his past. He's so broken and we just don't know how to help him.<br /><br />We continue with therapy and that does help to some extent but we really need to work with someone who understands and has background in attachment issues. I began researching on my own and trying to figure out how to get more help for my family. After contacting numerous agencies to see what we could qualify or what help we could receive, we found an attachment clinic in Charlottesville, VA. We have been in contact with them and it sound promising.....5,000 dollars promising..and not covered by insurance. So, we are waiting to hear back from Trenton's school counselor on programs we might qualify for to assist with the payments (although I won't hold my breath because they don't ever get back to me).<br /><br />So, while we still are at a really rough spot in our life we continue to plow through and do what we can. I told Trenton tonight (he is not happy with the thought of more specialized therapy) that one day, maybe it will be 10 or 20 years from now, he will look me in the eyes and say "thank you, for loving me and taking care of me". I know one day he will look back and appreciate me for all I have done and/or tried to do. I told him that I loved him the day I met him and that I will love him for the rest of my life. He just has to learn to let me love him as a mother should.<br /><br />So, my life is a circus act and I am on the tight rope feeling like I am about to fall off! When will this feeling stop?????<br /><br />P.S. I never stopped blogging, I have about 5 drafts that I wrote and never posted. Sorry!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-36870434118187210912011-04-26T17:41:00.001-07:002011-04-26T18:16:36.986-07:00TOO COOL for SCHOOLOr at least he thinks so.....<br /><br />Trenton was making such good strides! I guess that is why I haven't blogged in forever. But we hit a rough patch, a bad one. I feel like our family is so fractured right now and while we may look happy on the outside we are definitely hurting on the inside. And...just for the record, I feel we get many looks and stares because I know people think we are too hard on him. The fact is, we aren't even as strict as many of the books say we should be. Maybe that is the problem, I am just not sure. For right now though if you had to pick the one issue that is the biggest and main area of concern-it's SCHOOL!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b7fcIyAAbkbs_3KXTqerZeGKlh8adYsHxRmZrDXd-Gd12d_UO-9su9rdj_23Sa7dBmC9QpnNyXbo8pmjEsgyBxGFXCoqPSy1lLEELo4bBHG4dQLVyI40Bv7qqyHd9NH9Q4Jydp-y9b50/s1600/Spring+11+244.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b7fcIyAAbkbs_3KXTqerZeGKlh8adYsHxRmZrDXd-Gd12d_UO-9su9rdj_23Sa7dBmC9QpnNyXbo8pmjEsgyBxGFXCoqPSy1lLEELo4bBHG4dQLVyI40Bv7qqyHd9NH9Q4Jydp-y9b50/s320/Spring+11+244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600063543132020914" border="0" /></a><br />School is a train wreck and that is putting it nicely. The school system is failing him....literally. He's failing-three classes to be exact. He has been "refusing" to do his work and when they put it on his desk or he is given an assignment to complete he just simply doesn't do it. When asked why, he says because he "doesn't want to" and "doesn't like his teacher". Even though we explained to him that in life there are many things we have to do, that we don't want to, but we do anyway...he doesn't get it. Not sure I expected my almost 11 year old to understand but I gave it the old college try. Anyway, due to this he gets zeros and zeros cause his grades to drop. I have tried to motivate him and encourage him to do well-even provide him with rewards. He just doesn't want too....and nobody can make him.<br /><br />Did I mention the school doesn't help. They allow him to sit and do nothing and it's not like I expect them to "make" him do it. However, I do expect that they will motivate, use motivational methods, modify, adapt, etc. I am not sure what a behavior plan is because he has one and well... I don't think it is working (or being implemented)! He has a first year teacher and a special education teacher who doesn't support her. It's quite sad to be honest with you...really. He comes home with his homework written in his planner but he doesn't have the supplies in his book bag. What happened to checking his book bag?? Why won't they send home his assignments to us (aka: the parents) weekly so we can ensure that the work is here-even if they are too lazy to do their jobs and check his book bag daily. Did I mention that he has a teacher assistant for 30 min daily to help provide behavioral support? I wonder what she is doing to help?? I won't tell you what my son (who is old enough to tell me what she is doing) says she is doing during her time in the classroom.<br /><br />I am not giving up, I won't. Mom's don't give up on their children. I may be tired, emotionally drained and well spent...but I won't give up. I will fight, I will encourage, I will put a smile on my face and I will continue to seek help. But I won't give up.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-32590233985365534282011-02-16T16:40:00.000-08:002011-02-16T17:59:17.460-08:00ABNORMAL EATING PATTERNS in children with RADSo, first of all, I would like to again thank all the friends and family that have reached out to be supportive during this time. Whether it be a comment on the blog, my facebook page, or a phone call-it is much appreciated. Establishing a support system is one of the priorities in the book which says that it is important to surround yourself with people, <span style="font-weight: bold;">who understand</span>, that you can call and process your thoughts, vent your rage or have respite care. So, thanks!! We feel loved!<br /><br />Now onto the topic of food issues with Trenton. Some would look at him and think "wow, he is so skinny, does he eat?" Of course he eats!!!....he eats, and eats, and eats, and eats........ Which, in all actuality, that is the problem. I know most would think he is just a growing boy and that he needs to eat all the time-who knows, maybe it is a growth spurt...right? WRONG.... It couldn't be more wrong. See, children should have three well balanced meals a day with two snacks (a morning and evening snack). With Trenton, the first issue we have is gorging (another symptom of RAD). He will eat a meal and want more or he would go to a buffet and eat till he got sick to his stomach. We have had family members state that "all he did was eat while he was with us"! He was so hungry! Again, this IS a problem. What the book recommends is that we give him those balanced meals and snacks during somewhat of a scheduled time-you know...the normal time of day for those meals! Then, if they want more during each meal, allow them to have more. Offer them nutritional additions like apples, carrots, a piece of cheese, etc. to each meal if they ask for more. Eventually, the more you offer them they will eventually say-no, I am full (and feel full of love too...:).<br /><br />So, why does he gorge his food??? It's simple really. Most likely, at one point during his first three years he was not given food when he requested it. Whether he cried for a bottle and didn't get it or asked for a meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and wasn't provided with one. Now, it may not be that he wasn't provided with one at all but even if his request was ignored and he wasn't fed till a much later time, it can cause issues with food! Food is a basic need right? It's like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs">Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.</a> You can't move up the pyramid until you have the needs in each level met. In this case the bottom of the pyramid which is his physiological needs weren't met. It makes it difficult to go to the next level which is safety/security. Once each need is met he can then move forward with love/belonging, esteem and then self-actualization. I have learned that I will never deny him food-HOWEVER, it is very important that he have food during those structured meal times. Never send him to bed without dinner either, that is another important lesson learned!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.selfmademiracle.com/images/posts/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.selfmademiracle.com/images/posts/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, the other food issue we are dealing with has gotten increasingly worse over the years and we noticed it more (or found it) over the past six months. He hoards food. Yes, he takes food when we aren't looking or around, and shoves as much of it as he can in his mouth. We don't see this but what we are finding the empty wrappers, drink boxes, etc. We figured at some point he takes the food and hides it till he can quickly empty it into his mouth. We have caught him a few times but more often we find the empty wrappers. One morning, Jonnie caught him naked eating M & M's. He was getting dressed downstairs for school and after undressing out of his pajamas, he located the M & M's and then started shoving them in his mouth! He didn't even get dressed first! We started hiding treats and quickly found that he will search for them anyway. We found empty bags of gummy worms and bears that we brought back from Disney. We found six empty packs of fruit snacks that he probably shoved in his mouth in one sitting-we found those in the pantry. Jonnie found 6 empty capri suns in the garage (he must have taken them from the garage fridge) which he also most likely drank in one sitting. I know no longer try to limit his sweets....I give him dessert every night! When he hoards like this it is his need to gain control and feel comforted. I am trying to parent him in a way that now lets him now I won't deny him food, take food away from him, or ignore his basic "need" of hunger.<br /><br />So, another step in the right direction. School issues are currently being worked on so I am feeling like once his new IEP is in place we will have better results! And....one last note-he hasn't taken a shower in two days. The book says it's common for poor hygiene. So, rather than forcing him to do it or yell and make a big deal out of it. I let him go to bed 2 nights in a row without a shower! BUT...when he does take a shower I will throw myself at him, jump up and down, and make sure he knows how good he smells!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the count down begin:)<br /><br />Love to all!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-9986673787272542122011-02-13T16:44:00.000-08:002011-02-13T18:59:23.053-08:00No Regrets....and a weekend of respite!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gXji5anBpLzAoa71U7M97-IcXTcxHOIypbzakv_acwSZ_Vm-aR1Z5byFbiicFpmkZDw-6fKNrBYpe_ptgVNr4N4HVH8MNKjyFvuUbVoLTQ1ij7k8c7N4qc2m9D7iDa-3H0yWUNw7kQcS/s1600/January+2011+037.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gXji5anBpLzAoa71U7M97-IcXTcxHOIypbzakv_acwSZ_Vm-aR1Z5byFbiicFpmkZDw-6fKNrBYpe_ptgVNr4N4HVH8MNKjyFvuUbVoLTQ1ij7k8c7N4qc2m9D7iDa-3H0yWUNw7kQcS/s200/January+2011+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573374399259479650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Any regrets in raising Trenton? No, not one. You can ask me again in 10 years and I will say it again...no regrets. We kept him from being able to go to parades, trick or treating and birthday parties but I firmly believe we made the right choice! According to the wonderful book I am reading, <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.childrenoftheworld.biz/images/whenloveisnot.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.childrenoftheworld.biz/Products/Parents,teachers%26professionals.htm&usg=__Kp4YOFJTGv4DFsyPOjT8lNSLRTk=&h=600&w=401&sz=64&hl=en&start=0&sig2=dotr14gG7M_Eb2jsaWEKfg&zoom=1&tbnid=sfgTG79CYap9CM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=95&ei=5IxYTZbdAYP-8Abq3_mfBw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwhen%2Blove%2Bis%2Bnot%2Benough%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D585%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=302&vpy=219&dur=12069&hovh=275&hovw=183&tx=89&ty=267&oei=5IxYTZbdAYP-8Abq3_mfBw&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0">When Love is Not Enough by Nancy Thomas</a>, we are and HAVE been doing the right thing! Those are privileges and for a child with RAD-privileges have to be earned! Big time...... They earn them by being respectful, honest, responsible and fun to be around. You shouldn't push them and you shouldn't have to remind them of their basic daily chores. Wow! So all the years that Jonnie and I have been giving him chores and making him be responsible, we were doing the RIGHT thing! Yea for that! My only regret??? Not pushing all the Dr.'s much sooner to look at a different diagnosis other than ADHD. I knew there was some true mental health issues with him and I just didn't know how to help him.<br /><br />Tonight he was definitely difficult but I feel we made a very small step. He was having a hard time following through and completing the task asked of him (to remove the sheets from his bed to be washed since they were urinated in). We sweetly offered for him to rest since he was too tired and exhuasted to do what was asked (a tip in our book). He didn't like that at all..he promptly went into a full on tantrum in which he took every picture in his room of myself and/or Jonnie and threw them face down. It was a bit heartbreaking but I knew that he was angry with us and that is to be expected. After given time to calm down, I approached him and tried to get him to tell me why he was so angry. He immediately went into wanting to see his sisters (he has half sisters who live with his biological mother) and other family members where he knows he can be in control. He hated that we were in control today!<br /><br />He eventually broke down into tears and was able to talk about his anger. He said it was his fault that he doesn't see or live with his mother anymore. He blames himself for her giving up custody of him-his words exactly "it's all my fault because my mom couldn't handle me anymore". I told him it wasn't his fault, it was a choice she made. Unfortunately, he is suffering the consequences which is the hardest aspect of all of this. He is so broken and his heart is so broken. I wish I could fix it for him and I wish he would let us love him.<br /><br />On another note, Lucas and I had a little respite getaway to my Dad's on Saturday. It was peaceful, restful and quite nice! Luke played, I cleaned off my old computer, and we rested......quietly. I feel a bit refreshed! Hopeful of a calmer week ahead!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-64887186250930263322011-02-10T17:22:00.000-08:002011-02-10T18:32:36.495-08:00Abused Parents and RAD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.childrenoftheworld.biz/images/whenloveisnot.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 323px;" src="http://www.childrenoftheworld.biz/images/whenloveisnot.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Jonnie/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Jonnie/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><br />That is how I feel, "abused". Harsh, but true-so true that those words are simply stated in the book that I am reading. To be exact, "Parents of Attachment disorder children often appear unreasonably angry. Probably because the more they love their child, the more pain the child dishes out to get them to stop. The child believes love hurts, as it did when his heart were broken as an infant. They don't use the parents' love to grow emotionally strong. Parents are basically abused in their own home." Wow, another strong statement and so true as to the anger and hurt we feel in our own home. I also read that there is a very high incidence of divorce in families who have children diagnosed with RAD. I believe it!!! We have had so many fights which have nothing to do with each other but rather how to handle and take care of Trenton. It has us feeling so damaged, broken, and torn. We now know it's important for us to take time for each other, as well as time for ourselves. The first chapter of the book speaks about how you need to take "me" time to keep your sanity and remain calm. You should also have "trained" respite providers but we have been cautioned that "untrained" providers can undo the hard work you have completed thus far.<br /><br />So, what is RAD and what causes it? RAD is basically the inability for individuals to form long lasting relationships. This may be a reason why Trenton has no friends as schools and struggles to interact appropriately and at his current age level. In addition, RAD occurs in children who typically fail to develop a conscience and do not learn to trust. They do not allow people to be in control of them due to this trust issue. This is why it is so easy for Trenton to act out or do something he know he shouldn't and just look at you and say "oh well, I don't care".<br /><br />I will tread lightly when I speak of what I believe to be the cause of his RAD. This is only MY assessment of what I feel has traumatized Trenton in his past and is based off of information I have read. I was not in his life for his first year and half and cannot speak for others as to what could have possibly happened to him before he lived with Jonnie at the age of four. Again, this is my speculation. What I do know is bonding begins in utero and can have a direct effect on the bonding ability and personality of the child. "Drug or alcohol exposure, maternal stress, or an unwanted pregnancy can damage the developing child". His mother was pregnant with him when she was 18 and because she and Jonnie were not together during the time of her pregnancy I can't say one way or another if any of those issues were to blame. What I can say is that I know it wasn't a planned pregnancy. In addition, some of the following issues that occur to a child under the age of 36 months can cause further damage and puts them at high risk for RAD; physical or emotional abuse, neglect, several moves/placements/daycare providers, or an unprepared mother with poor parenting skills. Your guess is as good as mine.<br /><br />So, where does that leave the child? It leaves then unable to open up to love, trust and care with their maternal figure. In this case, the "real mom", which is me. Even though the difficulties are with his biological mother, their past history, and current relationship-he will take his anger out on the "real mom" as I try to love him. These children allow no one to control them, they manipulate, control and have little or no conscience development. All signs that Trenton has. He most definitely has control issues which have been highly documented in the home and school setting with us, teachers and classroom peers.<br /><br />So, that leaves me tonight with sign number two that we have highlighted as something that he exhibits. "Indiscriminately affectionate with strangers. They do not go through the healthy stranger anxiety period an infant goes through. As older children they hug strangers (he does this all the time) and school principals and anyone else they feel they can get on their side, against their mom." He hugged the therapist the first night she was here with him!!!!!!!!!!!!! She looked at me when he walked away and simply made a comment about how most 10 year old children would just roll their eyes at a therapist there to "help them" and gladly see them out the door. Not Trenton, she was his best friend and he clung to her side the entire time she was here. I began to contemplate if I had ever noticed that before. I did, but I always assumed he was a friendly kid-not scared of strangers. I soon realized that with Luke he does have stranger anxiety but with Trenton, he would go with or to anyone you introduced him to. Especially now that I see him hugging "strangers" I realized...that is kinda weird for a kid that is heading into the sixth grade...right???<br /><br />Well, enough for tonight. Thanks for listening to my story. This is therapeutic for me-that's for sure. Keep the encouraging words coming!<br /><br />Lastly, on a side note...Luke is doing really well and continues to grow like a weed. Today was crazy hair day and tomorrow is hat day at his school. He is learning his letters, colors and numbers and always adds new words to his vocabulary every day. He tests us at times but seems to respond well to "time outs". He is a loving child and we are now bound and determined, more than ever, to raise him in a loving, nurturing, and well adjusted home!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-58682541495370922222011-02-09T18:00:00.000-08:002011-02-09T19:03:57.988-08:00RAD-no longer a word used to exclaim "cool, awesome, super!"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7u1kQQCg2SDiD_xg7fjfNMK56umef1qDkewxEKarxfx77FBid5i1-lq-VKaPH9NibT-KYLu5pDFQsxcG0U8AQfH2SZm36CsEmg2XjlwZG7IfGWlvxo0AJyUWqc2BdJbTn694p125ldUT/s1600/New+Years+2011+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7u1kQQCg2SDiD_xg7fjfNMK56umef1qDkewxEKarxfx77FBid5i1-lq-VKaPH9NibT-KYLu5pDFQsxcG0U8AQfH2SZm36CsEmg2XjlwZG7IfGWlvxo0AJyUWqc2BdJbTn694p125ldUT/s320/New+Years+2011+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571891166529912386" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactive_attachment_disorder">RAD-Reactive Attachment Disorder.</a> Where do I start? I am not sure, so please hang in there while I explain.......<br /><br />Obviously, I am speaking about my oldest son (well, he's actually my stepson but I have been a part of his life since he was almost two and I have raised him as my own since he was four-so, he is my son) who was recently diagnosed with RAD. I am having a hard time coming to terms with it but mainly that is because I am furious that it has taken six and half years to be diagnosed and four therapists later! That alone makes me want to vomit......literally sick to my stomach. The money, time, and effort and all we were ever told was our son was ADHD and medication would probably help. Well guess what, we have tried almost every single medication for ADHD and to be honest, there was never a change. It is one of the most discouraging situations I have ever been in. Within the last three months I finally went in to the psychiatrist office and said "it's NOT working, this isn't working-we need help". Who knew that those words would change our lives so much.<br /><br />We were blessed to find a new therapist that was able to come to the home and quickly looked at his past history and said, "that sounds like reactive attachment disorder". Funny, because years ago when he was four and first came to live with Jonnie we noticed he was having trouble adjusting. Normal, yes but also worrisome... In fact, Jonnie's sister and I often discussed that he displayed these odd behaviors and upon further research it seemed as if he may have RAD. But, we are not doctors and we could not provide him with therapy to heal. So, the years went on and here we are. He's 10-going to be 11 in May. He suffers from many of the symptoms of RAD, it's so hard for me to believe that he wasn't diagnosed earlier. I will begin to go into the symptoms...but only night at a time. I know it would be too much to go on even though I feel like I could write all night. In advance I would like to thank each and every person who reads this, comments on this, shares this with friends, and offers us support.<br /><br />According to the book I am reading, <a href="http://www.attachment.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Category_Code=&Product_Code=101&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=attachment">When Love is Not Enough: A Guide to Parenting Children with RAD-Reactive Attachment Disorder </a>by Nancy Thomas, there are about 23 sign/symptoms of RAD. The diagnosis calls for at least half the symptoms and one of the causes (we will get into what I feel the "cause" may be a little later). Just so you know, together Jonnie and I calculated that we feel he has about 18-20 of these signs/symptoms....again, unbelievable that no other therapists saw this earlier. For tonight, we will focus on the first symptom which is "acts superficial and phony, especially around strangers or people they feel they can manipulate in order to be in control."<br /><br />He does this, often. He clings to strangers and prefers to be with individuals he know he can manipulate (grandparents, teachers, etc.). He puts on a front at times, so much so that even family members look at us and tell us that we are too hard on him. They see the beautiful side of Trenton (which we all know and love) but they never see the other side. The side were he treats us as if we have abused him, abandoned him, or hurt him physically or mentally-which we have not. But, as I read he has to take the anger out on his "real mom". In case you didn't read my earlier note on facebook, I leave you with this quote from one of the first pages that by far was one of the most profound moments.<br /> "Who is the real mom? Is it the one who gave them birth? Not necessarily! The real mom is the one that guides their way, picks them up when they fall down, holds them when they cry, and loves them no matter how bad their behavior becomes. It must be clear to the child who the real mother is! She then will become the target of their anger and the haven for their hearts to heal".<br /><br />So, join us on our journey as I use our blog (I promise not to just blog on RAD) about how our family is learning to heal and searching for the right way to show him how much he is loved.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-3322879266788392052011-01-24T17:45:00.001-08:002011-01-24T18:30:32.892-08:00Thanksgiving in Disney!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS8pDECBepMdWfc-aoO3eq2z9XGruoLtOBjLj5lHPqlHCBnbOSOdtLjovft4CqDjOmSmb_YNXL6SXZRZLVn2XJVRVPXykhdPXfpz3iTf-BQr3px6wM0ogMeGGcmXAtAgLOmdB69dG-U9-/s1600/BG.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS8pDECBepMdWfc-aoO3eq2z9XGruoLtOBjLj5lHPqlHCBnbOSOdtLjovft4CqDjOmSmb_YNXL6SXZRZLVn2XJVRVPXykhdPXfpz3iTf-BQr3px6wM0ogMeGGcmXAtAgLOmdB69dG-U9-/s320/BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565937814148654050" border="0" /></a><br />Well as we all know, I am not the best at keeping up my blog. Too busy raising my two....I mean three (husband included) boys! So, here is some info and pictures from our great trip to Disney World this Thanksgiving.<br /><br />We were fortunate that Mom and Chuck offered us the opportunity to go to Disney for the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, I had been furloughed the beginning of that week so it offered Lucas and I some additional time to go spend with Nana and Papa in sunny warm southern Florida! Luke and I flew out on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and had a blast doing our favorite Florida activities; shopping, boating, breakfast on the water (Lobster Benedict), and dinner on Las Olas. Magnificent!!! We packed on Wednesday and drove north to Orlando where we met up with Daddy, Trenton, and Aunt La La.<br /><br />Disney was action packed! We had a great time at the resort Thanksgiving day playing in the pools and lazy rivers. We were able to enjoy a traditional feast with turkey, candied yams, cauliflower salad, and cranberries. Yummy...... The following four days were filled with trips to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom. We also enjoyed the Very Merry Mickey Mouse Christmas Party where the kids were able to take in the snow (fake of course) and parade festivities with all the great Disney characters! What a special and very memorable experience. If you ask Lucas I imagine he would tell you that his favorites were meeting his hero, Mickey Mouse, in person and then there was Buzz Lightyear...... Trenton would tell you that one of his favorites was the Tower of Terror and Expedition Everest. He would also probably tell you that I screamed like a little girl on those rides....and maybe, just maybe I did.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAahEobqyX_JK1CMQI7w8X_6hOlqnqu8sn-ZmRzW586z93mQLGQbHcT_hqVXtbLIM_Jnob2Fcr0X4CUmzHTJeeM3Z-VCEU4_WugFAYi1PS3jFJE1FXrQTZu2dDIpRVFNE_7D-RIlNm9YE/s1600/Disney+2010+026.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAahEobqyX_JK1CMQI7w8X_6hOlqnqu8sn-ZmRzW586z93mQLGQbHcT_hqVXtbLIM_Jnob2Fcr0X4CUmzHTJeeM3Z-VCEU4_WugFAYi1PS3jFJE1FXrQTZu2dDIpRVFNE_7D-RIlNm9YE/s320/Disney+2010+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565943722184918914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Enjoy the pictures! I hope to continue to play catch up and post some Christmas pictures too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnbzyQsEw8zEWcWXN2VTYR3kbphcA3ICQU_OA6P1Wtd3r73n-KB5bxdLNWsJXXJZpCEv8q4m7jie-LqazBGwdzLopxJ-lb7usQ25QFWBTQNfxZqnfulkPPA3C4tVYAtqn1CtpTOMtHUGd/s1600/Disney+2010+010.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnbzyQsEw8zEWcWXN2VTYR3kbphcA3ICQU_OA6P1Wtd3r73n-KB5bxdLNWsJXXJZpCEv8q4m7jie-LqazBGwdzLopxJ-lb7usQ25QFWBTQNfxZqnfulkPPA3C4tVYAtqn1CtpTOMtHUGd/s320/Disney+2010+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565942925686270562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih62OklyQEHMy6GRWVPHpuvF3iZoEvqmfNhXaVaMlUSo1qQvl0qotPo9uOofLEq-B46-e0tTYj71fp2s0L2HAl-KZyPgOE4B9ebYiBewTeXKohzdChFsClzr3ZsW4FZf37oglrpbsQi2Dm/s1600/Disney+2010+014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih62OklyQEHMy6GRWVPHpuvF3iZoEvqmfNhXaVaMlUSo1qQvl0qotPo9uOofLEq-B46-e0tTYj71fp2s0L2HAl-KZyPgOE4B9ebYiBewTeXKohzdChFsClzr3ZsW4FZf37oglrpbsQi2Dm/s320/Disney+2010+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565943719286081394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWB92NogSzbIvTGAKx8bnP9tQW4At7jL9ZomOvrKjDN2WDrWov6oKMxQ875xh4__DdYqPEnO306JJID401chQ6AtLay8eVaZ3G3HSYGjBimfjKPq5pvC1hjNxOvvfnxR6GV1CdG7OqRVi/s1600/Disney+2010+028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWB92NogSzbIvTGAKx8bnP9tQW4At7jL9ZomOvrKjDN2WDrWov6oKMxQ875xh4__DdYqPEnO306JJID401chQ6AtLay8eVaZ3G3HSYGjBimfjKPq5pvC1hjNxOvvfnxR6GV1CdG7OqRVi/s320/Disney+2010+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565944528446417874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcecSyf4BUrOsVDIKnn4mAcQRdDJ1S8wjhVPH2vyJE_Oq0G62ifKBBWiy8MdntM0CZRoDMwoal5aAiQXGAWifuR0q7_oq-IFE_JheknBCAlPbjCqYxh4h4QME579hHR8k_EpCvizs2chG/s1600/Disney+2010+083.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcecSyf4BUrOsVDIKnn4mAcQRdDJ1S8wjhVPH2vyJE_Oq0G62ifKBBWiy8MdntM0CZRoDMwoal5aAiQXGAWifuR0q7_oq-IFE_JheknBCAlPbjCqYxh4h4QME579hHR8k_EpCvizs2chG/s320/Disney+2010+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565944535825256978" border="0" /></a>Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-25738232198125757812010-11-14T17:46:00.000-08:002010-11-14T18:17:28.797-08:00More pictures....Fall, Football and Halloween!The past post had pics from Luke's trip to the Pumpkin Patch and the boys day of fun at Hershey Park! See below pictures of Trenton's pigs and some random others!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5Kqvi41C28MIhuIBoAkg5un7VAqn79LHP4yMhPuxmXEamxvx8jOp6Xdw0rcjGWd0-Obh0hoO_Dqg2NXkTzD-x7xlQKlN4QqAGo158iAwOd7g9ZQHL8V9NiKbrk_vcgICN0QyN-rOucLs/s1600/pig+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5Kqvi41C28MIhuIBoAkg5un7VAqn79LHP4yMhPuxmXEamxvx8jOp6Xdw0rcjGWd0-Obh0hoO_Dqg2NXkTzD-x7xlQKlN4QqAGo158iAwOd7g9ZQHL8V9NiKbrk_vcgICN0QyN-rOucLs/s320/pig+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539588184447612018" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0dc63ExxNDFBtJebZxr4kyZJx2P_ZuopwI4bUz_mSyKWWpKDr5bpErN4YSUJ9q2UuVl-yBvoJBkY3bWxvXjWS4ScPy_FDv_m1w9beh6c_Lx6AgYPjkCF3GHYCgT5SxUzFWTZcpo0aIFG/s1600/Summer-Fall10+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0dc63ExxNDFBtJebZxr4kyZJx2P_ZuopwI4bUz_mSyKWWpKDr5bpErN4YSUJ9q2UuVl-yBvoJBkY3bWxvXjWS4ScPy_FDv_m1w9beh6c_Lx6AgYPjkCF3GHYCgT5SxUzFWTZcpo0aIFG/s320/Summer-Fall10+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539590839249749746" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoax6kzLxol_VndJ1RwDZsP81qWQX3FDf2ZZUNnCb2YBj8uYN9a1PgLWP5zb1ReaBRwLwo1mgRD44dq-h9aXibkjclgdFbiKl76VY-Q6F-0pPcTocfcViPSHLFY1C5DBmQkT0BiVkZw1wy/s1600/Summer-Fall10+038.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoax6kzLxol_VndJ1RwDZsP81qWQX3FDf2ZZUNnCb2YBj8uYN9a1PgLWP5zb1ReaBRwLwo1mgRD44dq-h9aXibkjclgdFbiKl76VY-Q6F-0pPcTocfcViPSHLFY1C5DBmQkT0BiVkZw1wy/s320/Summer-Fall10+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539594745120476258" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb6ewt50WCpILieaqADna11x-yb8JJUUd-6xbtB3NX2Pcl7Tc6-eUdNe-MbPjKMvHZXIQeZPvkdnV5dqJ9DGCQrAo5VBadQP2yb-o6a4L2JXOufdBwXV0pGTjHeZneY65F90q4kLTioLU/s1600/37136_1521909362607_1080751764_31211673_1515848_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb6ewt50WCpILieaqADna11x-yb8JJUUd-6xbtB3NX2Pcl7Tc6-eUdNe-MbPjKMvHZXIQeZPvkdnV5dqJ9DGCQrAo5VBadQP2yb-o6a4L2JXOufdBwXV0pGTjHeZneY65F90q4kLTioLU/s320/37136_1521909362607_1080751764_31211673_1515848_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539593188128528594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjhE3vgk_3h0PpR4Pxct-TCC9L8ZaSn7Y7zZD40RByfSRiKFG1a4UmwErSZCEFH5Z0uNLIdHk4PEAktfIrk1PY5pV6q690dXUwgrU4yFGfCkP3cSWs-jI_MK3bexOoYs6alCfrHu-tnXy/s1600/73948_1521902242429_1080751764_31211622_1140126_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjhE3vgk_3h0PpR4Pxct-TCC9L8ZaSn7Y7zZD40RByfSRiKFG1a4UmwErSZCEFH5Z0uNLIdHk4PEAktfIrk1PY5pV6q690dXUwgrU4yFGfCkP3cSWs-jI_MK3bexOoYs6alCfrHu-tnXy/s320/73948_1521902242429_1080751764_31211622_1140126_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539593258373481874" border="0" /></a>Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-77424019555678841042010-11-14T17:16:00.000-08:002010-11-14T17:43:15.175-08:00Fall Happenings...So, never a dull moment in this house<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82g23tpuZn2r5_TphoG0NVTF221vYUHtzEch5nlKxUubutA-r6ZgD54bt4DBcTNLJnEbkvE8L2XAhEJPPwroqxgHzjmm-e5X7gc-KWg2uXPAyFEVoJizRzSzixR-sKYzIu47XVVE2TFg5/s1600/BG.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82g23tpuZn2r5_TphoG0NVTF221vYUHtzEch5nlKxUubutA-r6ZgD54bt4DBcTNLJnEbkvE8L2XAhEJPPwroqxgHzjmm-e5X7gc-KWg2uXPAyFEVoJizRzSzixR-sKYzIu47XVVE2TFg5/s320/BG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539584783743323266" border="0" /></a>! Guess that's why my sister has to <span style="font-style: italic;">kindly </span>remind me to "update the blog". So, here goes! Last posting we were working through Trenton's school year and we continue to do so. Things have been far from perfect or great for that matter but we are working the best as a family or "team" to help guide him. It's very hard because at night when all is quiet and the kiddos are sleeping I often think- is there anything else we can do for him, more than we already are? It's exhausting and saddening at times but we have decided that this "team" approach will put everyone on the same page-along with some help from the outside therapeutic world!<br /><br />Lucas continues to grow and thrive every day. His vocabulary is expanded daily, he continues to sing songs and he talks about shapes! This might very well be one of the best ages (2 1/2) ever, who would have thought? Yes, there are some bad and embarrassing tantrums but they are worth it to see how much he is learning. For example, tonight I was cleaning up dishes and he was standing in<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZ6-Ul3CNqOLusoldZUV6gM-quZPNzxEGIBTofUmlBeY-uEz0FsUMCG0Mjn9ndGp40zIAxGloFK5LwfTNoASic4Z3hUPpIxeGFhyphenhyphen8s8tYyGn4AfIhaCA7PI8RN2B6e-404en-OwPRtue/s1600/Lukeand+apple.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTZ6-Ul3CNqOLusoldZUV6gM-quZPNzxEGIBTofUmlBeY-uEz0FsUMCG0Mjn9ndGp40zIAxGloFK5LwfTNoASic4Z3hUPpIxeGFhyphenhyphen8s8tYyGn4AfIhaCA7PI8RN2B6e-404en-OwPRtue/s320/Lukeand+apple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539583131543826322" border="0" /></a> the hallway with his Lightening McQueen car. I heard him saying something but wasn't sure exactly what he was saying-until I turned around and saw him. He was standing on his car with one hand on the wheel and one on the back of the car saying "skateboard, skateboard". OH MY! I couldn't believe he was trying to ride the car as if it were a skateboard...and where or where did he learn that??????? Of course, it's difficult to tell him "it's not safe", "you will fall", "get down", blah blah blah.....He looked so cute and was doing a pretty good job! Maybe when he is a little bit older we will get him a skateboard.<br /><br />Well for me and the hubby, we are also surviving. We are looking forward to an upcoming vacation to Disney with my Mom, Chuck and J-La! Be prepared to see some great pictures of the adventure!!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-69938250001525169762010-10-05T17:55:00.000-07:002010-10-05T18:14:10.444-07:00Again, a bad bloggerWell, I can't say I don't try. I often open up the Four J's blog, look at it and think I should add something (and boy do I have lots of things to say) but I never seem to have the time! I hope to add some pictures of the fair and tell you all about Trenton showing his pigs in the Clarke County Fair this summer. Just waiting for that sister of mine to send pics my way! Hint, Hint J-La!<br /><br />Trenton is in full swing of his LAST year of elementary school! It actually brings a few tears to my eyes to think that the year Jonnie and I got married and moved into this house Trenton was beginning kindergarten!! How did we get to this point? Where has the time gone? I often look back and wonder if I truly relished in all the wonderful moments we have had as a family up to this point. Time passes too quickly and if there is anything I have learned it's to cherish every moment because you never know when it might be your last. He still continues to have his struggles through this school year so far but we take it day to day. Unfortunately, the bad days are beginning to outweigh the good but we are optimistic that he will hit a growth spurt allowing for more maturity.<br /><br />Lucas on the other hand.....is growing like a weed and beginning to really talk up a storm. I try to remember funny things he says and does so that I can tell the family and friends afar but as usual, I often forget. Tonight he managed to tell me that the remote was "broken, t.v. broken" and "uh oh, Daddy gone" when Jonnie left to pick up something from the store. These are some of the first times I have been able to understand the words that he is actually putting into sentences. He gets this expression on his face where he raises his eyebrows and looks at you like-don't you get what I am saying! He is doing well in his new preschool and seems to really enjoy it. He behaves well too and is learning a lot about shapes, colors, numbers, etc. He had a virus in the beginning of the month and is now fighting off the "crud" as the Dr. called it. However, there seems to be NO lasting effects from the Acute Cerebellar Ataxia that he suffered this summer. We are very happy about that!<br /><br />Stay tuned as I promised to yes...post some pictures! Lucas does not let us take pictures of him but we can always count on Trenton and his usual cheesy grin. I don't have very many but I will dig some out from our recent trip to Hershey Park and definitely the Clarke County Fair. Enjoy the Fall weather!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-4884499741676712972010-04-14T17:16:00.000-07:002010-05-23T18:21:33.875-07:00Running, Running, and Running, Running....Well, maybe it should be called jogging. Either way, I have been doing a lot of it lately with, as usual, NO results! It's beyond annoying. What's that you say? "Muscle weighs more than fat" and "don't your pants fit you differently?" NO! I am still overweight and carrying around that extra baby weight and it is almost two years later. I have been fighting this now for a year and half with absolutely no results. I have tried weight watchers and various other diets and am to the point that I think I could not eat anything all day for days and I would still be overweight!!!<br /><br />So, I continue to run/jog and despite the lack of weight loss I am actually beginning to enjoy myself. I have been able to run about 2 miles a day for about three to four days a week! I had to find a way to push myself further and thanks to advice from friends rather than push myself to do it faster, I began to push myself to run further. So, I have been able to run three miles at a time and even last week I managed to run four miles after work! I was so impressed with myself. <br /><br />I need to stop getting on the scale and just be proud of myself for my "inner beauty". I may not be happy with my body but I know that there is a health benefit in all of this! I have to learn to just be happy with myself and every time at look into the eyes of my sweet baby boy, I know that it was worth every pound gained!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-85419778231662230202010-04-07T14:17:00.000-07:002010-04-07T18:12:25.213-07:00Easter Can What???????Well, that's the question that has been asked when I tell everybody what I did for Easter! It was actually an "Easter Can Hunt" and let me tell you that there is nothing like watching a bunch of adults running around grabbing as many beer cans/bottles as you can before they are all taken! I mean, we all want to get the most right? That makes you the winner and we all like to win! Good thing it was all going in one cooler to be taken to the chicken coop that night! Are you now asking yourself what I mean<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEng_7ccrsH7WRSujh9FgDe5OVQfhY5IzPlqtcy3jMtd2mWJrGg_JylAfTwdPh6mxquDn81o1zmX_Q4C-ynD9fhB3iumJv1UOIjfHhRcOBsNmmPIUmmmfj1NzuPilzX4rtSl-kgbYGPJWW/s1600/Spring+2010+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEng_7ccrsH7WRSujh9FgDe5OVQfhY5IzPlqtcy3jMtd2mWJrGg_JylAfTwdPh6mxquDn81o1zmX_Q4C-ynD9fhB3iumJv1UOIjfHhRcOBsNmmPIUmmmfj1NzuPilzX4rtSl-kgbYGPJWW/s200/Spring+2010+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457564032209372178" border="0" /></a> when I say chicken coop? That's right, we party in a chicken coop (formally) which is now decked out with, well....... us, a few tables, chairs, coolers and whatever farm equipment can fit while we are all standing in there. My mom tells me that since more than half of us (the cousins) are over the age of 30 we should be done with all this partying in the chicken coop but year after year and holiday after holiday we all find ourselves there late at night enjoying the time together and the memories we make. I think it's worth every minute, even if I can't hang past midnight anymore these days.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The rest of the trip to PA was packed with the usual run around! I took the boys up during the day on Friday and we picked up Nana and went to visit Papa in the nursing home. He was just recently placed there due to his dementia and the unfortunate progress of the disease. He lit up when he saw the little kids but has trouble recognizing any of us. He remembers Nana and enjoys holding her hand which is to be expected after 60+ years of marriage! On Saturday we did our usual trip to the mall and our typical "scurring" about prior to the kids Easter egg hunt. It was great seeing all the cousins and their kids-it's hard to believe there are so many of them and how fast they grow! Check out the picture below of the three boys celebrating their first Easter! We missed Auntie Lala like crazy because she was stuck in Minnesota. It's never the same without her:( We love you J-La!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrDVF9_TOtwu1ZA-FVyfDWzHbgSMIsjbkcTt2OCGeaFKpNdJGnN45yZ7ELYKxN7LSe9rhzRX8BIbeyzmFtIf1_mcO5p83DpVSpwN4S_2cgxKvcwznx01Qarfs7lfVtYfVtrGYPZ1uH9iE/s1600/Spring+2010+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrDVF9_TOtwu1ZA-FVyfDWzHbgSMIsjbkcTt2OCGeaFKpNdJGnN45yZ7ELYKxN7LSe9rhzRX8BIbeyzmFtIf1_mcO5p83DpVSpwN4S_2cgxKvcwznx01Qarfs7lfVtYfVtrGYPZ1uH9iE/s320/Spring+2010+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457565804930382674" border="0" /></a>Shane(Nadine's baby), Carter (Kristy's baby) and Nate (Melissa's baby)<br /></div><br />On Sunday we had a blessed day at church and in addition to it being Easter Sunday, Carter Crosby was baptized. We had a nice dinner and Jonnie left with the boys to visit with his family. I stayed behind and took Nana so we could visit with Papa one more time before I left. I want to en<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezpsjPQ5zhYJJ364h-9eGCaQt3utw0KvXfPCgfTcAwLq33kabE_BJHozIuMoBfbuI6kCgZn67uo7eqphdyAX9B8I5X6FvhkK_7OvpqsJH2hTG_fVVYGi-6NTwPXUu0nzdgs7KlQgptuUU/s1600/Spring+2010+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezpsjPQ5zhYJJ364h-9eGCaQt3utw0KvXfPCgfTcAwLq33kabE_BJHozIuMoBfbuI6kCgZn67uo7eqphdyAX9B8I5X6FvhkK_7OvpqsJH2hTG_fVVYGi-6NTwPXUu0nzdgs7KlQgptuUU/s200/Spring+2010+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457562463509642146" border="0" /></a>joy every moment I have with him even if it's quiet and all we do is look at each other. It was worth every minute.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-57010591991493382292010-03-31T07:36:00.000-07:002010-03-31T08:13:47.596-07:00Bad Blogger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lQZspiZ2TU9aHKr7Pkif-yvhzc7LtA4GcRVsVHIHXrcP0Ky_igmg20phWSOmLGtwYtMoAAwNbSL3iggyJJAEZWPlKHgdkmTEt3m-gwq8zy1SxX9cA1Zup_jfNZFjgAAywEBfLuCSwa-l/s1600/March+2010+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lQZspiZ2TU9aHKr7Pkif-yvhzc7LtA4GcRVsVHIHXrcP0Ky_igmg20phWSOmLGtwYtMoAAwNbSL3iggyJJAEZWPlKHgdkmTEt3m-gwq8zy1SxX9cA1Zup_jfNZFjgAAywEBfLuCSwa-l/s320/March+2010+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454811939138008722" border="0" /></a><br />I am such a bad blogger! I haven't posted since last year! Wow! Funny thing is that I said after I was done with my certificate program I would have more time to devote posting blogs about my wonderful children. We see how that turned out. All I have to say is as a mom you know that time is limited! Especially with two kids, one who is almost 10 and one who will be 2 in July! Where does the time go?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Trenton has been having a great year at school this year and I credit the change to a wonderful staff and administration at his new school. They have been completely supportive to him and have helped him nurture and grow into a fine young man! He is active in the school chorus and is also playing bells and singing in the church choir. He decided not to play baseball this spring because he is gearing up to buy his hogs and lambs for his 4-H debut! I laugh because I asked Jonnie who would be helping Trenton, if Jonnie had to work or was out of town, feed and care for his animals. He looked at me lovingly and said "you"! I didn't know that by Trenton joining 4-H I would be tied to being not only a supportive mom but a hands-on mom who would need to learn how to care for the animals as well.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKtg0R6yX7AkF497wQn3jmaUBCXcpyQnuo07PfHSW0MMH8ghCkDxJWzfUPerIPZC9M-w_uJldGSDyE0RTk1skQT2cVUl6forAb_VYp4ucYcy-pJQJPtmqW9RePjVIF1wIOUGidLy2ubWN/s1600/Thanksgiving+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKtg0R6yX7AkF497wQn3jmaUBCXcpyQnuo07PfHSW0MMH8ghCkDxJWzfUPerIPZC9M-w_uJldGSDyE0RTk1skQT2cVUl6forAb_VYp4ucYcy-pJQJPtmqW9RePjVIF1wIOUGidLy2ubWN/s200/Thanksgiving+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454814507314086738" border="0" /></a></div><br />Luke is growing wonderfully and is growing way too fast! I miss the moments of holding him as an infant but I do love watching him learn new things every day. He loves to run and play outside and has even cried when I pick him up from the sitters because he doesn't want to leave the outside sand table. He has been fairly healthy till February when he h<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQgHRWA6gztRABphDc7fLHXvyxMhQoa9pQU9_QOkz4uDzESUl3IpMeOhH5YhVVxnZo48tNyiclq_SKs1yKz4xLpJf3DljLheKw-AF0AIB76t5Et2ZVtsEuGwA6kzMdoZ__1hw4-QgBVzC/s1600/March+2010+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQgHRWA6gztRABphDc7fLHXvyxMhQoa9pQU9_QOkz4uDzESUl3IpMeOhH5YhVVxnZo48tNyiclq_SKs1yKz4xLpJf3DljLheKw-AF0AIB76t5Et2ZVtsEuGwA6kzMdoZ__1hw4-QgBVzC/s200/March+2010+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454816215196306082" border="0" /></a>ad breathing difficulties and the beginning to an ear infection. It took a month to clear out but he is back to his old self spinning in circles as I type!<br /><br /><br />Many additions have been added to both the Hornbaker family as well as my cousins from PA! We enjoy the moments the kids have with their cousins and love that they always have someone to play with wherever we go. When Jonnie and I were first married we were one of the only couples with a child so I enjoy watching everyone else chase after their kids too!<br /><br />I promise to do a better job, especially for Aunt La La who often reminds me to pick up the pace and keep her updated on our life! I vow to no longer be a bad blogger!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-61520385764910687812009-10-03T14:01:00.001-07:002009-10-03T19:49:04.353-07:00More pictures!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW1zCAQXGONhv56AOGFZd9347nthkb_VFgEhDdPTC3bPlIfeYMnfHno65g_BXdC8u_-h8rzm8fQG1bCxtaQ4j9T3mor5HarmVoxjiYhmsHESgDZpN6ZZbds9-naXq82OfBRffhkCAdUaa/s1600-h/End+of+Summer+09+077.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaW1zCAQXGONhv56AOGFZd9347nthkb_VFgEhDdPTC3bPlIfeYMnfHno65g_BXdC8u_-h8rzm8fQG1bCxtaQ4j9T3mor5HarmVoxjiYhmsHESgDZpN6ZZbds9-naXq82OfBRffhkCAdUaa/s320/End+of+Summer+09+077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388558935101309794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrWBqlV5Fa-GCm3e83sgqdmTolTHyQ8S0bwiNrmlPDDhy-I5YRdOrFXF4H3tmBOoC1D04FGhs8zI_pVQjZSmzg8hKTyTe3w2XoYoOVItDEhqZqa7Ar6r48ktUIauVGx8v9QPbGhJ3pcGH/s1600-h/End+of+Summer+09+014.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrWBqlV5Fa-GCm3e83sgqdmTolTHyQ8S0bwiNrmlPDDhy-I5YRdOrFXF4H3tmBOoC1D04FGhs8zI_pVQjZSmzg8hKTyTe3w2XoYoOVItDEhqZqa7Ar6r48ktUIauVGx8v9QPbGhJ3pcGH/s320/End+of+Summer+09+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388558931967822482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ENbP-ZXtHdtZ8gYEj0rUR66-n8EMKaI-GMdkjwTV6Ao_C7npWRkHEUu2t7hMKAbdF64H_Mkkrux5Dw1WDHbCb1U2M4PPcvfMR5dZ7TL83HOltC_MGW2-jeHolSMgFBFL8hSUIREQf4Uq/s1600-h/End+of+Summer+09+002.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ENbP-ZXtHdtZ8gYEj0rUR66-n8EMKaI-GMdkjwTV6Ao_C7npWRkHEUu2t7hMKAbdF64H_Mkkrux5Dw1WDHbCb1U2M4PPcvfMR5dZ7TL83HOltC_MGW2-jeHolSMgFBFL8hSUIREQf4Uq/s320/End+of+Summer+09+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388558924473768194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7zJeT7dDxU2Y3s8Elxa72rwJuoJW6BkMlBff_HH8qh0t5hGxhIHMAraivN4aiGq0bIahKLIRrEKKL5pITnJFK2VUDgcGeQkwi11ohoihfWaWrbd06wrL7OUn_d7ud63JGwpUeAM2QBhp/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+124.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7zJeT7dDxU2Y3s8Elxa72rwJuoJW6BkMlBff_HH8qh0t5hGxhIHMAraivN4aiGq0bIahKLIRrEKKL5pITnJFK2VUDgcGeQkwi11ohoihfWaWrbd06wrL7OUn_d7ud63JGwpUeAM2QBhp/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+124.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388558913108751890" /></a><br />Here are some more pictures from the summer. Some from Epcot, Antonia and Sarah's visit, etc.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-205503115513215102009-10-03T13:17:00.000-07:002009-10-03T13:58:25.123-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBA1_u6WRO7bk3-0m-JSPyJjXuOzEjMvPQQxUM7UVb-jI610dzWlr5DoGsTRi3h1Ir89ihfWvL1AQI3FXSZbI0JNgb-Gydij5KaQBffpvb2Ew9Evc6VnJXq3XKcr-99YyEzgxdZFMyuOs/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+041.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBA1_u6WRO7bk3-0m-JSPyJjXuOzEjMvPQQxUM7UVb-jI610dzWlr5DoGsTRi3h1Ir89ihfWvL1AQI3FXSZbI0JNgb-Gydij5KaQBffpvb2Ew9Evc6VnJXq3XKcr-99YyEzgxdZFMyuOs/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+041.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388479336807175090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb24WcaUfDdymTT9cOY6vJtnKNfGBxpmqtkhnFsVMWLsFnZf_yOO_KBLNudzts7njvaKvLb8-ovi-k5Cr-DHl8mR8g8Tw-yheV7wBgGAF9vt1SQW3kH_SeTxcMwNUcSMCiZeqsA1xekQu8/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb24WcaUfDdymTT9cOY6vJtnKNfGBxpmqtkhnFsVMWLsFnZf_yOO_KBLNudzts7njvaKvLb8-ovi-k5Cr-DHl8mR8g8Tw-yheV7wBgGAF9vt1SQW3kH_SeTxcMwNUcSMCiZeqsA1xekQu8/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388479332906960050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fxhyWU_MFxe04R3ADNoMO3INsioIzlVQBoO2Oc_s-OKm89JTLUgHR_OgzRJlnuwMxN602hqk4kO2qOK5ayeD50Gp1XZE2HrRoFG04AavEM0dnXEKa8XX0aAzIAqmSIwpQ3STJwViJAt9/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fxhyWU_MFxe04R3ADNoMO3INsioIzlVQBoO2Oc_s-OKm89JTLUgHR_OgzRJlnuwMxN602hqk4kO2qOK5ayeD50Gp1XZE2HrRoFG04AavEM0dnXEKa8XX0aAzIAqmSIwpQ3STJwViJAt9/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388479326326571586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKFOBs4q6lu0yF0RgSblOXSydXuJlZb771GAwb8l8B1TGRLFufZRDJ4VwDZ415xYl18t9WP6j5Y2S0daljnrapYm4p45mC6N3gjKVKylStAJxUfrRmYawzWBbVx62AqWHiCF5xWXZYpEJ/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKFOBs4q6lu0yF0RgSblOXSydXuJlZb771GAwb8l8B1TGRLFufZRDJ4VwDZ415xYl18t9WP6j5Y2S0daljnrapYm4p45mC6N3gjKVKylStAJxUfrRmYawzWBbVx62AqWHiCF5xWXZYpEJ/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388479316619063234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WoEpVuMBkadgerv0MGbdK6NFdBH2p6iS6qMCQkKiCJoyVPThklncwF7VMbdqmUIMaY6ALK5wRdj_7FpLxiq-f9Q_9yEPhgwGchplgx8SOYWf1iEKvbcMz7FkPmTdDOT9RJ87i66qCpqa/s1600-h/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WoEpVuMBkadgerv0MGbdK6NFdBH2p6iS6qMCQkKiCJoyVPThklncwF7VMbdqmUIMaY6ALK5wRdj_7FpLxiq-f9Q_9yEPhgwGchplgx8SOYWf1iEKvbcMz7FkPmTdDOT9RJ87i66qCpqa/s320/Myrtle+Beach,+FL,+and+Epcot+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388479298348138402" /></a><br />Okay, so once again....Jocelyn pointed out that fact that I have not updated the blog in forever. Summer got very busy and now that school started again, time has slipped away. We had a wonderful summer filled with fun trips! We went to Myrtle Beach with the Crosby family and had a blast. It was the first vacation in a while and was well worth the trip. Trenton loves the beach and the water so he was easy to entertain. Luke, on the other hand, hated the beach only because he wasn't walking yet and whenever he crawled through the sand he got covered in it. I think it will be better next year, at least I hope. Macey was a joy to watch as she explored the beach, played, and ATE the sand!!!<br /><br />After our trip to the beach, Trenton stayed with Grammie at the beach, Jonnie drove home, and Nana made a drive up from Florida to pick up me and Luke! We had an 11 1/2 hour drive back to Florida but there was never a dull moment. Luke and I spent about a week in FL and we got to go to Disney for one of the weekends! Nana, Papa and I took him to Epcot and got to meet some of the characters. We visited Las Olas, the beach and of course shopped during our time there.<br /><br />By the time Luke and I flew home summer was almost over. Trenton stayed three weeks at the beach with Grammie and had some time with Grampie there too. He had a hard time adjusting when he came home but we all survived. <br /><br />Towards the end of the summer we had a visit from the Raukers (Sarah and Antonia) and the Greenfields also came by briefly. Luke had a fun time with his future wife, although I think he scared her a few times with his aggressiveness. Nana also returned at the end of the summer to spend some time with the family before we all got back into the routine of the school year. See below some pics from the summer time!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-81305627687874660372009-07-31T18:12:00.000-07:002009-07-31T18:34:39.401-07:00Oops....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPQ6ygSpswoFhHCQNcZ0OI5SsnjT6PmLaHPG9AkYIIfCs42mbX85hjXzqpNES-8Q0KWtdh3kXaLuJmKaIi11XwO8qXwsnST62Dg_yQQ1yHGGe6FxXlHtoCx-9pIs7TxpoARzvMBYjvjiS/s1600-h/Luke's+birthday+party%21+070.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPQ6ygSpswoFhHCQNcZ0OI5SsnjT6PmLaHPG9AkYIIfCs42mbX85hjXzqpNES-8Q0KWtdh3kXaLuJmKaIi11XwO8qXwsnST62Dg_yQQ1yHGGe6FxXlHtoCx-9pIs7TxpoARzvMBYjvjiS/s320/Luke's+birthday+party%21+070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364801550593083906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdeF2mb-3g22T9Px2Fyaw_3JRhjxxnEjZTabBEkQJArjH_u6x5XlMosrT-y-Za-ztnkHLU7vwYF5VxNbmyjNo8_hL3zdu3i_kNWVftx8UtY0r22hcM1Aa-wY-6lg2i0wAXkbRkVyAASti/s1600-h/Luke's+birthday+party%21+065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdeF2mb-3g22T9Px2Fyaw_3JRhjxxnEjZTabBEkQJArjH_u6x5XlMosrT-y-Za-ztnkHLU7vwYF5VxNbmyjNo8_hL3zdu3i_kNWVftx8UtY0r22hcM1Aa-wY-6lg2i0wAXkbRkVyAASti/s320/Luke's+birthday+party%21+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364801549908012978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb8-TWL-UXn0GlawVPafIZI8kQPnFrYxkTirPXkS2Icxy6JbksxDNjKZ556zFXZIl2CvlvVtskK3B454jZPvMW2E9pdVRrQlYTMLCuiIV1eg1qkQQh54tHGQiG-sO56fJN6pnh7kQ4KL4/s1600-h/Luke's+birthday+party%21+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb8-TWL-UXn0GlawVPafIZI8kQPnFrYxkTirPXkS2Icxy6JbksxDNjKZ556zFXZIl2CvlvVtskK3B454jZPvMW2E9pdVRrQlYTMLCuiIV1eg1qkQQh54tHGQiG-sO56fJN6pnh7kQ4KL4/s320/Luke's+birthday+party%21+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364801544347303234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO70qEPLXLZqO7kmUYCWHxIS1fdWG-lfdgR9NVk2oMtiOmixDqbZ3S-5BDWmWZPhbfrfwSXnZUgxOuECnjbvwdyGIzN3VBwuV6DtaucwKBozPG7bUmS0AFyABBlqUiijZ0poTVdG1Zh0Cq/s1600-h/Luke's+birthday+party%21+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO70qEPLXLZqO7kmUYCWHxIS1fdWG-lfdgR9NVk2oMtiOmixDqbZ3S-5BDWmWZPhbfrfwSXnZUgxOuECnjbvwdyGIzN3VBwuV6DtaucwKBozPG7bUmS0AFyABBlqUiijZ0poTVdG1Zh0Cq/s320/Luke's+birthday+party%21+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364801540285890002" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to my sister for pointing out the fact that I haven't updated the blog in quite a while. I do have to tell you that even though I am home for the summer with the kids there has been no time to spend on this blog! It makes me mad because the intent was to keep the family updated and Jocelyn hasn't seen Lucas since April and Trenton since Christmas!!!!!!<br /><br />So, here's to you, Auntie La La.....<br /><br />Luke turned 1! Ah, it breaks my heart but it's a good milestone. My baby turned one.... Thanks to Dad and Toonces for holding the party at their house the night before we left for the beach. I can't imagine trying to fit our family and friends in our house, especially to clean up and leave for the beach the next day. It was so nice and we all enjoyed our time. Luke turned one in style with a "prince" party and it was sure something we will never forget. We can't thank you enough for all of the love and joy shared with our wonderful friends and family, especially those that traveled and those that made the trip out to West VA!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-63796134008159357122009-06-26T17:13:00.000-07:002009-06-26T17:34:32.939-07:00Catching up AGAIN!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X2MelSCO6IV4d7y141bkQ82Fx3hbY_9rS21OOU33x-JMWg04qLKWEJ0aYDPGbbwZfRsDDr8paGOgRQBSGstR7n4EQmHcmTyDkxnKFuyiAivtyc_IniGrWKRC1JfDxr0bwT_hHnYwrU-7/s1600-h/Kim's+Graduation+056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5X2MelSCO6IV4d7y141bkQ82Fx3hbY_9rS21OOU33x-JMWg04qLKWEJ0aYDPGbbwZfRsDDr8paGOgRQBSGstR7n4EQmHcmTyDkxnKFuyiAivtyc_IniGrWKRC1JfDxr0bwT_hHnYwrU-7/s200/Kim's+Graduation+056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351798947357044178" border="0" /></a>Kim's Graduation<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_11rg-FbNT9Pt4iQZbCW7AlLH1Mpf7PeDSyMv7hBJKvkExIHOmSNTdYx-Oh_cF9gRcuNmJT-AqJgE9DDMWZ8aUugajKNl_lzNTY-1cOExv5kTDjAsRuHE_0I5e9KZu3IRMcdMNiPd571u/s1600-h/Kim's+Graduation+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_11rg-FbNT9Pt4iQZbCW7AlLH1Mpf7PeDSyMv7hBJKvkExIHOmSNTdYx-Oh_cF9gRcuNmJT-AqJgE9DDMWZ8aUugajKNl_lzNTY-1cOExv5kTDjAsRuHE_0I5e9KZu3IRMcdMNiPd571u/s200/Kim's+Graduation+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351798943323950914" border="0" /></a>Corn on the Cob.....Yum!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziLQxipdHWKR2pFGLDozfpSbKoryubhqYSmKTm61LgBLut-b5seAdY16Z1Y1lz7IaX0ICLDfipPhlv4ipDkjcXnwKb5QnJpSojc-zyBnRPHI0sEM7aRdiawif-NjbPFy535Fxa7f7rjco/s1600-h/Mom's+Visit+052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziLQxipdHWKR2pFGLDozfpSbKoryubhqYSmKTm61LgBLut-b5seAdY16Z1Y1lz7IaX0ICLDfipPhlv4ipDkjcXnwKb5QnJpSojc-zyBnRPHI0sEM7aRdiawif-NjbPFy535Fxa7f7rjco/s200/Mom's+Visit+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351798932233658354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0r9KZ91GTtC-6qANqTnUcFml6OBxx1Nb0pmCy4jvB3xSr0Fk4ZfTNvZvoiy0cgnWcQE-ueWGLN81T9Ogglc77XuBR7dx-3Zu2tRyb1GFPQxvVMuWA8ub4-vKF7sE1Q5saz6guuEo1J7O/s1600-h/Mom's+Visit+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0r9KZ91GTtC-6qANqTnUcFml6OBxx1Nb0pmCy4jvB3xSr0Fk4ZfTNvZvoiy0cgnWcQE-ueWGLN81T9Ogglc77XuBR7dx-3Zu2tRyb1GFPQxvVMuWA8ub4-vKF7sE1Q5saz6guuEo1J7O/s200/Mom's+Visit+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351798931721762706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6EGBAPIuzACP1J4Zjf7fESCGIxTd6ZfPelYJ0-z0BEY_f4cqs8WcAfAUODGIe6RHjhEc0cJ6dsr0vlVBwQVmrNiAGioxca6XWinLC0o7GDnTNEQcqcnWDmS7HnqzXWerTbTgkfhbtHSc/s1600-h/Mom's+Visit+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6EGBAPIuzACP1J4Zjf7fESCGIxTd6ZfPelYJ0-z0BEY_f4cqs8WcAfAUODGIe6RHjhEc0cJ6dsr0vlVBwQVmrNiAGioxca6XWinLC0o7GDnTNEQcqcnWDmS7HnqzXWerTbTgkfhbtHSc/s200/Mom's+Visit+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351798927407926418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Truly there<br />are no excuses for not posting new pics and info on the kids! I am officially out of school for the summer time as of this week and have nothing better to do then chase the kids around all day!!!!<br /><br />Well since the last posting Trenton is 9! (May 11, 2000) Actually, probably before the last posting but I am still working on getting some pics from that day. He was sick as a dog and we ended up taking him to urgent care as the guests were arriving at his house. Not to mention the fact that since baseball season was in full swing and the rain caused so many cancellations and postponements, we kept pushing back his party every day! The good news was that he got to stay home with his Uncle Nickie (Thanks Nickie) the next day and catch up on some well needed rest. I will post pics of that special day sometime soon.<br /><br />Luke continues to grow, he is definitely 25 lbs or heavier by now! He has had three, count them, THREE haircuts already-before his first birthday! It is so sad but true....... I have never seen a kid with so much hair and if he was a girl I would just let it grow but since he is a boy I feel bad that his hair is hanging in his face. He is now pointing at objects and babbling like crazy. Some words are understandable while others are not. We are trying to get rid of the nuk except for at night and nap and he is now "taking it out and throwing it away" after night sleep and nap time. He is still not walking but he is definitely standing on his own at times. He has grown so much and I almost tear up at the thought that my baby is turning one next weekend!!!!<br /><br />I am posting random pics of the kids from recent events....Cousin Kim graduated from High School -go Kim! Also, shots taken here at the house and pics of Trenton finishing his first swim class!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-67840927589154792352009-05-24T17:37:00.000-07:002009-05-24T17:55:28.567-07:00What we would call....Chillaxin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsFEkfzBk3wdbo5iKu-gexMVIfR7gwRzasLRvyJy1YfAoS0irpVYUFJHvZOADf3mfqgewfiYqQXP4J55HvksVxY_8wR0lDD1HFMUI0pGtLuICzlCYqtjRFDHWgzpb4jYUddHRekD7MYwZ/s1600-h/Luke+10+months+%2B+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsFEkfzBk3wdbo5iKu-gexMVIfR7gwRzasLRvyJy1YfAoS0irpVYUFJHvZOADf3mfqgewfiYqQXP4J55HvksVxY_8wR0lDD1HFMUI0pGtLuICzlCYqtjRFDHWgzpb4jYUddHRekD7MYwZ/s320/Luke+10+months+%2B+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339558828064928610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0aqw9yPm71bi5QjXrHXgr1TIUVugFLT25oWFTHRbrA8GuVnhrriEjnehoP-QyG7uZeFPfUZf7e3LW4FWo8vjRojdW-fHlRNhtyt_fOGtebnZ5KYTOvtzp_609qXWI8FyZwGsz451jH9Y/s1600-h/Luke+10+months+%2B+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0aqw9yPm71bi5QjXrHXgr1TIUVugFLT25oWFTHRbrA8GuVnhrriEjnehoP-QyG7uZeFPfUZf7e3LW4FWo8vjRojdW-fHlRNhtyt_fOGtebnZ5KYTOvtzp_609qXWI8FyZwGsz451jH9Y/s320/Luke+10+months+%2B+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339558824526840466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_coYOcJ2qc3cG-YVUxoamJXK58HYngVGgbmjyCHgOXIESPFGEOy7U_t3DaZ0byKwe9ktBn7myAY88ejan6AGevRIBARQdH6zotztwjcOu66OgOWikbU7vB5F97MdF6i8vnmwee2QCz6tK/s1600-h/Luke+10+months+%2B+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_coYOcJ2qc3cG-YVUxoamJXK58HYngVGgbmjyCHgOXIESPFGEOy7U_t3DaZ0byKwe9ktBn7myAY88ejan6AGevRIBARQdH6zotztwjcOu66OgOWikbU7vB5F97MdF6i8vnmwee2QCz6tK/s320/Luke+10+months+%2B+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339558819677534226" border="0" /></a><br />Luke is at the age where he is growing and changing every day! He enjoys pulling himself up on everything he can and "cruising" through the house. He is a joy to watch as he moves and explores every day. He is starting to say little words, although not directed at anyone in particular, like Hi, Mama, Daddy, Adyie (his girlfriend at the sitters), and baba. The following pictures are of him chillaxin (chillin and relaxin). This morning he pulled his legs out from under his high chair and rested them on his tray as if he was sun bathing! And....he thought it was hysterical! Enjoy the pictures.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-16763166069043864512009-05-24T17:25:00.000-07:002009-05-24T17:36:07.392-07:00Baseball Season!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVsqMj2MXjj49CDqeZh5gREIkClhwFpWjadjmgnk1XCbvnyaEbOryuGqsU2danAC9GDPMoiKpbwfkSo7uso65C2don5ArH4zPTeNkWZmScVB7JxOHOBKFWogs8gaWnLLgdBZl_IVtZIXC/s1600-h/Luke+10+months+%2B+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVsqMj2MXjj49CDqeZh5gREIkClhwFpWjadjmgnk1XCbvnyaEbOryuGqsU2danAC9GDPMoiKpbwfkSo7uso65C2don5ArH4zPTeNkWZmScVB7JxOHOBKFWogs8gaWnLLgdBZl_IVtZIXC/s320/Luke+10+months+%2B+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339553846905707778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB3DMC7OqM75Ch-J3eXGY8fAwURlqIAHL6XFMDsma5Z73RCTJ88N6_q-6C7KvcIeTGKPhksMm5x0r-ev3dtvV6vYS7ph8bCslDTvUmM_RICDsayiGIhOx1k8GpoLhFA9yMJv2PHg7AtNR/s1600-h/Luke+10+months+%2B+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB3DMC7OqM75Ch-J3eXGY8fAwURlqIAHL6XFMDsma5Z73RCTJ88N6_q-6C7KvcIeTGKPhksMm5x0r-ev3dtvV6vYS7ph8bCslDTvUmM_RICDsayiGIhOx1k8GpoLhFA9yMJv2PHg7AtNR/s320/Luke+10+months+%2B+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339553841404017746" border="0" /></a><br />Well baseball season has officially begun and now, it is almost over! I can't believe it! We signed Trenton up for baseball this year during the spring season since he aged out of the summer ball program. Trenton has made so much progress this year and has gotten really good at his striking skills! He has been able to hit the ball on most pitches (machine pitched) with good force. We are still working on his skills in the field but they have also improved. His team has won all of their games except for one so that has also been a plus this season! Here are some pictures of him up to bat and playing catcher (a great position for him because he has to focus every pitch). We are proud of his progress and hard work this season!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-4492304013360350812009-05-24T17:16:00.000-07:002009-05-24T17:24:53.138-07:00Catching Up!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxCDvnNF4Dww56bv9C2qUR82cU9-RqUp0Elx9iGD8zC5LWB5YfnjuJjai_9gZ5BdhECcOpSmsYnM6g7BiLTCQb3Kj-g9hIxu34IrxZR0Ipe4Mwi4EfjuD5C3lHQcHA3kFSTZGfKsz1zqg/s1600-h/Michigan+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxCDvnNF4Dww56bv9C2qUR82cU9-RqUp0Elx9iGD8zC5LWB5YfnjuJjai_9gZ5BdhECcOpSmsYnM6g7BiLTCQb3Kj-g9hIxu34IrxZR0Ipe4Mwi4EfjuD5C3lHQcHA3kFSTZGfKsz1zqg/s200/Michigan+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339550275809235058" border="0" /></a>Luke and Macey in Michigan<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWWHh2pag1KJsvx40Jr42UnZmCsw8Nwu6TdjX8MVh67Eg5uct7kWsZBlqxj9E03CWGBgN2XWfx81pKZx9rghYj4idYQ7qDm3PVTkrBTFuHkw2kDVCIt8SC1NJw6nZSB6304qiYlV3XPjk/s1600-h/191412130309_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWWHh2pag1KJsvx40Jr42UnZmCsw8Nwu6TdjX8MVh67Eg5uct7kWsZBlqxj9E03CWGBgN2XWfx81pKZx9rghYj4idYQ7qDm3PVTkrBTFuHkw2kDVCIt8SC1NJw6nZSB6304qiYlV3XPjk/s200/191412130309_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339550272109437922" border="0" /></a>Auntie La La and Luke in Minnesota at the Zoo<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZlmYt9AK_vfe2RJKBe5hDxlTr2pNEaLzkUCL7rfsDggKJrwLaEv8ZpFjh5mb_SB1YZCbXZs7gMDyFc9h3soXlKqKviHNVoO24B1Ahyphenhyphenx1HOjJd5UNCoQ3tmP1XSjv2KjA_cunP36gEUkl/s1600-h/Easter+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZlmYt9AK_vfe2RJKBe5hDxlTr2pNEaLzkUCL7rfsDggKJrwLaEv8ZpFjh5mb_SB1YZCbXZs7gMDyFc9h3soXlKqKviHNVoO24B1Ahyphenhyphenx1HOjJd5UNCoQ3tmP1XSjv2KjA_cunP36gEUkl/s200/Easter+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339550272529615042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eQh_wqMVa1e_AJ3MjUrO7hRKcMUEROurBSaR9jfzK17UL6cwc32RMGLnLEcjS3o-FNUy4hRGTvAT65Kiq-6oJkDjrKu6TlcOhzbrY7Iiic4eSbhdovIWNeNLgnsLrKvWaOPaLMsl9xcU/s1600-h/Easter+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eQh_wqMVa1e_AJ3MjUrO7hRKcMUEROurBSaR9jfzK17UL6cwc32RMGLnLEcjS3o-FNUy4hRGTvAT65Kiq-6oJkDjrKu6TlcOhzbrY7Iiic4eSbhdovIWNeNLgnsLrKvWaOPaLMsl9xcU/s200/Easter+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339550265227714050" border="0" /></a>The boys on Easter<br /><br /></div>Since it has been a while I am posting some pictures from our trip to Michigan in early April, my trip to Minnesota with Luke in late April, and Easter with the boys! Enjoy!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-14966932843988622009-04-11T18:58:00.000-07:002009-04-11T19:05:48.035-07:00Luke's "Fake" Haircut<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZKb1sDizFlKyo-qJBxU5yhK4V0QfghSvC7DfdSN9qi57dKelwChRdbN06ofr9Btb0wUgCESeYLjnrurpw46FFQzWSvqBDp1ic6Y6G_oD_MDFD4Lwzm7m1mHdQn-Q9c9QLdp3nG3U-Rsh/s1600-h/Luke's+first+hair+cut.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZKb1sDizFlKyo-qJBxU5yhK4V0QfghSvC7DfdSN9qi57dKelwChRdbN06ofr9Btb0wUgCESeYLjnrurpw46FFQzWSvqBDp1ic6Y6G_oD_MDFD4Lwzm7m1mHdQn-Q9c9QLdp3nG3U-Rsh/s200/Luke's+first+hair+cut.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323620291469718658" border="0" /></a><br />I have never had so many people question why I had let my son's hair grow so long! It was really bad when two of his doctors spoke about the length of his hair. Numerous times when we were out in public people ask about our little "girl"????? So, against my wishes of waiting until he was one to cut his hair, I gave in! Miss Tammi (who cut Jonnie's hair when he was a kid) and Grandma were so kind to carefully take their time and "trim" his hair. However, I requested that a picture be taken and since it took both of them to cut it (one to hold, the other to cut) I took a picture when I came to pick him up that day. Here is the "fake hair cut" picture.Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143818419243513823.post-42612120742718076432009-03-30T16:52:00.000-07:002009-03-30T17:04:27.947-07:00A Sick Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR8XxW7PPwWHqx94a_QyHqlMF_HJIfBX17_Klv2aFgLHMv5oxwYdmZuOtFaTaX4xOgN4rxP0D1LUknB5qUscm4od5Wooy4-5sps7wvjwZvLQNS2gKqdUZuN0mTeCWdOU85ruT8sgnmS2k/s1600-h/Grammy+Tooncis+and+Pappy+Jack+Visit+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR8XxW7PPwWHqx94a_QyHqlMF_HJIfBX17_Klv2aFgLHMv5oxwYdmZuOtFaTaX4xOgN4rxP0D1LUknB5qUscm4od5Wooy4-5sps7wvjwZvLQNS2gKqdUZuN0mTeCWdOU85ruT8sgnmS2k/s200/Grammy+Tooncis+and+Pappy+Jack+Visit+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319135549859821714" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it has been a while since I have written anything but things have been crazy! I finally finished my last grad class of the program I was in-yea! So, I truly vow to take more time to share photos and memories in the making. I am posting a recent picture of Luke as he continues to grow. He is now scooting across the floor, crawling (only a few steps at a time), and attempting to stand up! He also has six teeth and it looks like more are on the way. It is unbelievable to me how fast they grow at this age and the amount of things they can discover. Trenton was with his mom on this day so again, no pictures of him.<br /><br />The day after this picture, Luke got really sick. He has been wheezing and when we went to the Dr. they put him on an inhaler. After that didn't work they put him on the nebulizer every four hours and found that he had a double ear infection. We went back again, and his ears were still infected (three days later) but his breathing had improved. So, that is where we are now. We leave on a flight to Michigan to visit Auntie Kristy, Uncle Chris, and cousin Macey so we are hoping his health improves quickly this week.<br /><br />More on the boys to come......Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07125040579997440055noreply@blogger.com0