The Annual Daytona 500 Extravaganza

Every year our friends Brad and Rachel host a Daytona 500 party to kick off the Nascar season. I was really looking forward to it because I had been cooped up all week with the boys (and if you wait until the end, I'll fill you in on my not so fabulous Valentine's Day). As always it was bunches of fun with great friends and some great food. The race itself was a little bit of a disappointment because it ended up being called early due to rain, whatever, the good news is that Curt won his Daytona 500 pool at work! He's excited about that, he rarely wins anything unless its a t-shirt, he wins those all the time... Here are a few pictures of the day.

This is the entire group, I'm pretty sure that this will be the new picture that Curt displays on his blog.

This is Brad checking out how far and how fast the rain was coming into Daytona. This is important stuff...

This is me being ridiculously excited about a plastic tiara. I just need to say that I've always wanted one and although I really had hoped it would be made out of platinum and gemstones and of course come with a fabulous title, a prince in disguise, a castle and a whole bunch of servants that would just love me to pieces I am not at all disappointed by this one. I love it. You may actually see me wearing it, proudly and outside of the house in public!

As for Valentine's Day... I woke up in the morning, looked in the mirror and what did I see? A giant red eyeball... apparently it decided to accessorize for the holiday. I have pink eye. So this time instead of taking one of the boys to the Urgent Care... it was me, yippy! And to top off the Fabulous Day of Love... Auntie Flow decided to pop in for her monthly visit. The end.

Random Goodness....

You know you can't get enough of all things random! I'm going to just go with the whole bullet point system because, well... I just am... (you can blame it on Sarah)

• Baby Veiyah is still with us, she is still fighting so please keep praying. Click on the sidebar button for the latest updates.
• I had a major blond moment yesterday. I had my iPod in one ear listening to music and was making a phone call with the other and I couldn't find my phone. Yea, it was already tucked up under my ear and ringing in that ear. It took me a good 3 rings to actually figure out that I already had it and had actually already dialed it and was listening to it ring... ahem... I am just going to blame it on Bryan Adams for singing so sweetly in the other ear. He's not here to defend himself, so it works for me.
• I am excited about this weekend. If you've been reading right along you will know that we had a very long week with very sick kiddos. They are doing really great, but I have a little HUGE case of coopitis. I am going to get a long overdue haircut then do a little shopping (in an actual mall). It really is enough to make me squeal in delight! After that is a visit with my mom and dad who have been in Florida since just after New Year's. My sisters and their families will be there too. I plan on doing a lot of laughing... And if that wasn't enough weekend goodness, on Sunday we are going to Brad and Rachel's for the annual Daytona party that kicks off the Nascar season. I am extremely giddy so if your going to be at the party, just be forewarned that I'm needing to break out a little. I love Nascar and I love my friends, it really just doesn't get better... well except that we'll have yummy snacks!
• Monday, I am going to be starting a new workout system called Chalean Extreme. It was created by Chalene Johnson who also created Turbo Jam which I absolutely love. This system is a weight lifting and muscle building program. Apparently muscle burns more calories than fat and the more muscle you have the better. The tag line is "Go Heavy or Go Home" which is scary enough for wimpy me, but then she starts throwing around phrases like "muscle fatigue", "muscle failure" and "breaking down the fibers". I am just a tad intimidated by it, but I'm going to give it a go anyway, I'm just crazy that way...
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD!!

OK, so that's all the random goodness for today. Enjoy your weekend and Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

Update on Baby Veiyah

First, I want to say Thank you to all of you who have gone before the Father to ask for healing for this little baby. I am asking you to continue to pray for them, she is not even close to being out of the woods. She is in extreme critical condition. You can either click the button on the sidebar or this link to check out the latest updates. **I thought I should add that the family has posted pictures of this sweet baby, I believe they were taken after the first surgery. They may be hard for some to look at... I am sure that this family would love to hear words of encouragement, short prayers, just "thinking of you's", so if you feel led, leave a comment and let them know who is praying for them.


Have a blessed day.

Urgent Prayer Request....

You may have noticed the new prayer button on the sidebar. Please, first before you read their story, drop to your knees and go before the feet of our Lord and pray for this family.

Right now, at 5:30pm Eastern Time their infant daughter is undergoing open heart surgery. The little girl was born a twin, but her sister did not make it. A surgery that she underwent earlier today did not go as planned. She is fighting for her life. Her parents are believers and are asking everyone to pray. Please spread the word.

It Really is a Happy Yellow House...

Ethan just got his last shot at the doctors office and although he cried, he did really good and I even saw a smile on his face before we left the office! Jacob being the jokester that he is hopped up onto the exam table and said to the nurse, "I feel sick, I'm ready for my shot... for real". Uh yeah right!

We are doing soooo much better. They are both playing and asking for lunch which I am on my way to fix, I just wanted to send out a quick update for all of you that have been keeping up with us. We are so thankful for all the love that has come our way. You guys rock!!

Good Morning from the Happy Yellow House...

Good morning friends... things are looking up here at the Yellow House. Jacob and Ethan are both back to their normal selves today. We all had a good nights sleep, even me! Today is Ethan's final trip to the doctor for those painful shots. I can't tell you how happy that we are to be almost done with those. They have been, by far, the hardest part for me to deal with. Our appointment is at 11:30 today. And then all we have to do is finish the oral meds at home!

Thank you all for your prayers and support. It truly does mean the world to us!

We are Back From the Doctor...

*Update* Jacob just ate a whole bowl of noodles with white sauce and asked for more! This is the first time he's eaten more than a few crackers since Thursday!! This is a huge answer to prayer.


and all I can say is "Sometimes being a mom sucks!"

The appointment was nothing short of brutal. The good news is that Ethan's Xray came back negative, but she could still hear the crackling in his lungs and although his oxygen levels have come up some, they are not where she would like them. So he is continuing with the treatment plan.

Jacob had his last dose of meds at the office and we are very happy about that. He actually put up a physical fight today. I ended up with him on my lap and had his arms wrapped around him like a straight jacket and his legs pinned under mine. He is still crying about how much it hurts (as is Ethan). I've given them both Tylenol and they are laying down with ice packs on their legs. I'm hoping they both fall asleep. They could use the rest to heal and I could use the rest to recharge my batteries for tonight.

Two days in a row they have gotten the nurse all choked up. I feel really fortunate that we found a doctors office and staff that is not only 3 minutes away from home, but is also filled with genuine compassion and caring for their patients, especially the kids. It's times like this that you really begin to appreciate those traits in the people that are caring for your children.

Jacob is off for the rest of the week from school, but she said he should be back at it on Monday. She just didn't want us to rush him this week. I don't think he's enjoying this time off of school as much as he had hoped...

We are very thankful to all of you who have been praying and sending e-mail messages, phone calls, etc. It means a lot to us to know that our little family is loved in such a big way. Thank you.

Now, its time to recharge those batteries...

I'm a Survivor...

Can't you just here Beyonce singing that... it is my theme this week. I am a survivor...

The boys woke up this morning and promptly started arguing, I'm pretty sure that is a sign that they are both making great improvement! They are still at it.

We go back to the doctor today for Jacob's last round of shots and Ethan's second. This is the worst part. The needles don't seem to bother the boys, its the medicine... it is very thick and painful. Ethan was limping around all afternoon and evening yesterday... and he cries every time he remembers he has to have more.

I am still trying to get Jacob to eat. So far all he eats is Goldfish crackers and Honeymaid Bees graham crackers and orange juice. Ethan on the other hand is having no problems with appetite. Neither of them have shown any sign of respiratory distress!

By 8:15 last night I was completely spent. It was just a really tiring day running all over town from here to there and back again. It was emotional, because really, who wants to see their little boys get painful shots one right after the other? And I was trying to keep up with all their needs. It truly hasn't been as bad as it could be. Neither are in the hospital and for that I am beyond grateful.

I was in bed and asleep shortly after 9pm and woke up feeling like I had slept for days at 2am. I finally went back to sleep sometime after 3:30am and then Curt woke me up at 6:30am and I've been up since and I don't feel too bad. I do think that if I can settle down enough today, I may try to take a nap when the boys do.

It Has Spread...

When I took Jacob in to get his next dose of antibiotic from the Doctor's office I thought it would be a good idea to have Ethan checked out. I am glad that I did. He also has pneumonia. The doctor seemed a little more concerned about him because his oxygen levels were low, even after a breathing treatment. We are keeping a close eye on both of them.

Jacob did really well with the shots today. He didn't cry, but I could tell he was biting it back. Ethan on the other hand cried so hard that the nurse had to leave the room because she was getting choked up. They are both on oral antibiotics as well.

After the doctors office visit we went and had Ethan's chest X-rayed and when we go back tomorrow for another round of shots we will get a better idea of what he is dealing with. She did say that the boys have it in the same place which is very rare.

Thank you for all the prayers.

Update on the Sicky!

Jacob woke up this morning talking more than he has in all the days since Friday. He is not as pasty white as he was and he actually made it from his room to the bathroom to my room and out to the living room without running into or bouncing off of a wall. This my friends is progress. He still hasn't eaten much, but I can be stubborn when I want to be (as my mom and dear friend Rachel can attest) so he will be eating something and actually finishing it before the day is out....

We will be going to the doctor to get another round of antibiotic shots and I'm hoping that today he doesn't throw up the oral antibiotic. But, we are making strides and I just can't tell you how this mommies heart is singing. We appreciate all the prayers and ask that you continue to keep 'em coming!

Seeking Prayers...

I took Jacob in to the Foote Hospital Express Care this morning. He has pneumonia. The pediatrician said that if he isn't improving or if he is still refusing food tomorrow they may have to admit him for I.V. meds and fluids.

Right now he is taking two antibiotics, one in the form of shots that he has to repeat tomorrow and Tuesday and also an oral form that he will take for five days. He threw up the first dose of the oral.... I think it had more to do with him drinking a whole glass of juice quickly to get the taste out of his mouth than the medicine making him sick. He is willing to drink juices, but water makes him "icky" and he's refusing food.

He is sleeping on the sofa and looking very pitiful... my hanging by a thread composure is still hanging by a thread.

I will continue to update on the blog how things are going... we just really covet your prayers for his healing.

I Love Jesus, but I Drink a Little...

I found this video through a Facebook link and I laughed so hard tears were streaming down my cheeks. It is a classic. I hope you enjoy! Before you watch it, scan to the bottom of the page and pause the music.