Reactive Airway Disease = FUN!

Benjamin gets sick a lot….did I say a lot? Every time he’s around someone sick, he’ll get sick. When he was 3 weeks old, I had to bring him to the ER for this really bad cough that was pretty scary. Since then we’ve made more ER trips (never been admitted, thank goodness). When he was around 4-5 months he started getting ear infections, every time he got one he’d get this nasty cough and start wheezing. Last winter he got what seemed like 1 big 3 month long ear infection, antibiotics didn’t do anything for it, he just seemed to be sick the whole time, which triggered the wheezing/coughing. Finally we got tubes, thinking that fixed our problem! Well it didn’t. Not too long after he was sick again, this time, no ear infection! Just the coughing/wheezing. When he starts up we have to start breathing treatments, 4 times a day. And, when those don’t clear them up he gets put on a steroid which turns my sweet little boy into this psychotic monster! He even had “Bronchitis” 2 times during the summer…who gets sick during summer? A couple months ago, she mentioned that she thinks he could have Asthma (which makes sense since I had it as a child) A few rounds later of this coughing/wheezing business and she’s decided to call it Reactive Airway Disease. I am happy that we have a name for what’s going on, but doesn’t make it any more fun. I’m sick of him being sick!! I’m sick of missing work for him being sick! I’m sick of breathing treatments and whatever else he has to do. He could grow out of this, or it could later be diagnosed as Asthma. No matter what it is, it’s not fun!

Decorating....

Decorating the Christmas tree! I love this time of year and all of the beautiful decorations that go out! I always make EVERYONE (even Dan!) help! This is one of our family traditions...have to have that Christmas music playing too! :) Here's just a few shots from the evening...

Whew!

So much has happened since my last entry! I have started my photography biz up again, Dan picked up a 3rd shift part time (2nd) job, Thanksgiving, Christmas decorating and lots of fun moments in our house with these boys of ours. Lots of new things happening here but God is good and because of him there's minimal stress with our crazy schedules. :)

I've decided that I'm going to do something Christmas themed with the boys everyday this month. Christmas should be a whole month, not just 1 day! So, I've put up the challenge and hoping I can stick with it. Have a wonderful Christmas season everyone!!

School is now in session!

Well, the boys went back to school last month. Is it wrong to give a little Hallelujah? Don't get me wrong, I love them, love having them around and spending time with them but by the time summer comes to an end it seems like they're all at each others throats, there's fighting and just too much craziness....I'm just ready for my regular routine again! Plus, this is the first summer that I've been a working mom so it's been a little rougher because of that.

Elijah started Jr High this year. This was way harder on my then it was on him. He was anxious his first day but he took a deep breath and headed into it like a mature young man. :( Me on the other hand? Not so much. As he left me van and walked towards the school it hit me and I started sobbing like a little baby. Even Nicolas told me to get over it lol. (see what I have to deal with?) After the first few days when he got used to his locker, changing classes and following his schedule things were way smoother. I think he has the hang of it all now. He's getting so old, I can hardly believe he's a 6th grader and will be 12 years old this year. How is that possible???

Nicolas moved to Central this year. In our town there's a school just for Kindergarten, a school for 1st and 2nd graders, a school just for 3rd-5th grade, then Jr High (6-8) and High School. Yes, that does make having kids in multiple grades VERY difficult. Anyway, he started 3rd grade this year...so a new school. This is his teachers last year teaching, she's retiring after this year. I've heard she's kind of strict which I'm kind of happy about because if you know Nicolas, you know he needs a teacher like that! So far he seems to be doing well. We've really stressed to him that he needs to do well this year now that he's in Central, no more goofing around. I guess we'll soon see if that happens. He's a very smart kid, just doesn't apply himself.

Joshua started 1st grade this year (and a new school as well). I LOVE his teacher. Nicolas had her for 1st as well and she is one of the sweetest teachers I've ever known. I know her personality will work VERY well with Joshua's so I'm very excited about what this year will bring for him. He's a hard worker and did very well in Kindergarten. So far everyday he comes home, gets out his homework and gets it done. Where did this kid come from?? He is not like his bigger brothers AT ALL! LOL!

Zachary starts preschool this week. He's pretty excited about it too! He was supposed to be in the 3 day pm class, but I wanted him to be in mornings. Well, last week we got a phone call telling us they had an opening for mornings...Praise God!! So, he will have the same teacher as last year (which is fine by me) but will be starting this Wednesday morning!

Benjamin is 16 months now (too young for school) but is loving the alone time he gets to spend with grandma while mommy works! I think he misses his brothers a little bit but is enjoying being his own person a little too. :)

We finally did it!

After 3 months of denial (denial was on MY part) we finally had Benjamin's first birthday party! It was a small party, just family and a couple friends, but it was very nice. I decided this was going to be the party where I impress everyone with my awesome cake baking skills. I designed the cake I wanted to make, wrote down ingredients, weng shopping, baked the cakes, all I had to do was decorate! Then, FLOP! I will spare you all of the heart wrenching details as to why my cake FLOPPED, just know that it did...and I'm still a little upset about it! LOL! Instead, I decorated chocolate cupcakes with a white frosting I used food coloring to change blue (to match the theme of his party) and then formed the cupcakes into the shape of a 1. Woo hoo! NOT what I wanted, but it worked. So, we had cupcakes and ice cream, he opened all of his presents (he got lots of fun new toys!!) and then we said goodbye to everyone, INCLUDING his 4 big brothers who went to grandma's house for the night! Benjamin closed out his party with a nice 1 hour nap. :)

Thank you everyone for making our last little baby's FIRST birthday party such a success!!!

Our 4th of July weekend...

Last weekend Dan took the 4 oldest boys camping overnight. I stayed home with the baby. If you remember from my first entry I am not an outdoors person, therefore, I do not camp. :) Now, I'm not saying I never will, but for now there is always a reason why I "can't". This time, I have a baby. (yes, I know a baby can camp too but shhhh!)So we spent a few hours getting everything together they would need, I was counting down the minutes until peace and quiet! (they were just joining my mom and step dad for the night and my mom already had meals ready so all they really needed was clothes) Finally the time came. They were all so excited to be going camping with daddy. I waved goodbye until I couldn't see them anymore and then.......FREEDOM! Now, don't get me wrong, I love my family, but have you ever had 5 kids/boys? They kind of wear you out! The baby had just gone down for a nap so it was just me, and me, oh, and ME!

After their departure I had options on how to spend my time. Now, I could sit, relax and do nothing or I could finally clean house without a bunch of boys bothering me. As obvious as this sounds it was actually a very difficult choice. I made the smart decision and opted to clean house. I managed to get the entire upstairs clean (downstairs required another weekend) it was so nice having a clean house for 24 hours!!! On the 4th of July at 12:02 pm, my freedom ended as my family came home. As weird as it sounds I really did miss them. It was nice and quiet, but it was almost too quiet. I actually found myself thinking about them the whole time. I found myself feeling sorry for those of you who only have 1 or 2 kids, it was kind of boring! What? How weird is that? The boys came home smelly and hungry, so they all got showers and then lunch.

Would you believe that in about 2 hours the house was back to looking lived in? How does that happen?? Oh well. I had nothing to show for my weekend! haha! After everyone rested from their busy weekend we went to the 4th parade (and got lots of candy), came home for a cookout and then went and saw fireworks.

Happy Birthday Nicolas!

Nicolas Shayne Rodman came bouncing into this world on Wednesday, June 25th, 2003 at 10:54 am. Who knew 8 years ago how interesting our life would be today? Our lives changed forever the second Nicolas arrived. Nicolas is probably one of the funniest kids I have ever known. This is a good characteristic to have, but we're still waiting for the day when he realizes that it's NOT ok to be funny ALL the time. :)

Today we are having his birthday party. Nicolas, along with 5 of his friends, will be having a blast swimming at grandma's house. He wanted the same party he had last year. Hoping the rain holds off though!!

So, I just wanted to say that I love you Nicolas, you are a very special child, I can't wait to see the adult you become! You are a very important member of this family and I couldn't imagine our lives without you!

Testing how a blog entry looks sent from my cell phone. :)

1 momma + 5 boys = craziness!

Being a mom is the most wonderful gift in the world! I often wonder what my life would be like without kids. Quiet?? Yes! Would I have more free time? Yes! But, how boring would it be? My kids bring me so much joy...and entertainment! When I was a little girl all I wanted to be when I grew up was a mom. I always knew I'd have at least 2 girls and 1 boy. What happened? Why didn't my mom tell me while I was playing "house" as a little girl that you didn't get to pick out your children's gender??? So, 5 boys later I've come to one conclusion...as much as I love my boys, boys are gross! They are! I grew up being somewhat of a girly girl. I have always hated camping, I don't mind fishing (as long as I don't have to touch the worm...or the fish, basically I like to cast!) I don't willingly touch bugs, snakes, lizards or anything else that's not a dog or cat. I don't like swimming in lakes or ponds. And, I don't care about sports center! So, why did God give me 5 boys?

Boys like to dig in the dirt and mud, they like to splash in puddles and throw rocks. Boys like to catch (and squish) bugs, frogs, crawdads, and anything else they can get a hold of, and then they like to bring them in my house to show me! Boys like to jump on the couch, chase each other and wrestle around on the ground. Boys want to play every sport out there, and if they're not playing it, they want to watch it on tv. Boys like to fart, burp, yell, fight, run and do extreme stunts. I don't understand them at all! Why would God give someone who doesn't have anything in common with boys so many of them? I've been asking myself this for a long time. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys to death, I wouldn't trade them for the world...I've just never understood why I got 5 of them!

Do you know what I've come up with? Boys love their momma. They do! And, they've taught me so much. God has given me the HUGE responsibility of raising FIVE little boys, a job I don't take lightly. I get to raise up FIVE boys to become strong, loving, compassionate, caring, selfless, polite, Godly men. I get to turn these FIVE little boys into awesome husbands and fathers. God has trusted me to do this. Upon realizing this does it make me understand my boys more? Not really. :) But, I know what to do when I see a bug...call one of my boys to come to mommas rescue! I have learned all about football, baseball, fish, gaming, bugs, bikes...the list goes on! I'm still learning how to be the momma of boys, I'm still learning how to be excited about things I either think are gross or I just have no interest in. I still don't understand the way they think but guess what...I'm having fun on this adventure and I can't wait to see what life brings us. :)