Today...

Today................

Grandpa has a consultation with the cardiologist because it has been determined he must have a triple and possibly a quadruple bypass. This is not the news we were hoping for. His arteries were too damaged to put in a splint and bypass is the only other option. Plus he has a severe blockage on one of his carotid arteries. Everyone is upset and worried - of course. I am worried about Alvin. He's...........well, I'm just worried. I don't want him to have to go thru the loss of a parent. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. We decide it would be best if someone else went to the consultation with Grandma and Grandpa so Alvin said he would go. Waiting to hear when they will perform the bypass. We were supposed to fly out Sunday to go to Disney. May have to cancel - will wait and see. I explained to Aaron what was going on with Grandpa yesterday and decided he was old enough now to understand the severity of the situation. He said he did understand - I'm not trying to scare him, but I need him to see why it's important not to take each day for granted. This is a lesson for all of us -myself included!!!! With my Daddy, there wasn't any warning - sudden.
Today...........lot's of worry.

Superstar!!!

My sweet girl was in the musical at church on Sunday. The production was called Simon Says - about the trial of Simon Peter. All of the kids were amazing!! Kids from K thru 5th grade participated. They really were great! Elaina had a few small solo parts and she did phenomenal - she was really nervous but got right up there and sang nice and loud - and might I add on key!! She most definitely got that from her Daddy! I was so proud of her - seriously she was so adorable!! Donna, Nelda, and Dawn did an amazing job with these kids!! I helped but was mainly crowd control - you know....stop touching, quit kicking, pay attention - don't flick that on people...that sort of thing. I'm good with crowd control - I'm the mean Mommy who makes you mind. Elaina's the one on the left in the flower skirt.

After church was over we went home so the guys (Alvin, Aaron, Luke, Jake) could get ready for the Macho Man cookoff. This is an annual cookoff/contest for guys at church. After everything is tasted and judged the dishes are auctioned off and the proceeds go to the Sr. High Mission Trip. Alvin, Luke, and Jake all won 1st in their age group. Aaron was a little bummed he didn't place since he's won the past two years - but he still had a ball. The guys got super cool chef hats as their prize. Although it's a lot of work and he's rushing around like a crazy person cooking with 3 boys- Alvin loves doing stuff with those boys. I hope this becomes a tradition for them.

Alvin is to the far left, Jake in front with the grey striped shirt and Luke in the back second from right.

Aaron was cleared by the Orthopedist Tuesday. YEAH!!! He can do anything he wants as long as it doesn't hurt his arm. He was really ready to play ball! They had a game last night and he ended up with a double! Since he's a switch hitter he batted left to keep pressure of his right arm. He did OK in the field - had a good play from right field - need to get some strength back before he'll be 100%. They ened up winning 7 to 3 against the Astros.

The Starz didn't fair so well. For some reason the girls are in a major slump - tons of strike outs, many many missed balls in field - really not great. Last game Elaina struck out both times at bat - she seemed afraid of the ball which is totally out of character for her. After a little work with Daddy and Bubby - she was ready this time. She got up to bat and hit (but fouled) four times - she ended up getting on base because the pitcher hit her - but we were really proud of how she tried so hard to hit! We wouldn't have cared if she struck out - she was ready for action. She even got to pitch a little bit and struck one girl out!! WOOHOO! Look at her go! Lookee Lookee Aunt Julie!! A lot of practice in the future - but she was excited about pitching.

The first year in fast pitch is a tough one - it'll get better. As long as they keep learning and having fun Alvin says he's done what he hopes to do. Many baseball and softball games coming up. More later.........

You'll never guess...

IT IS SNOWING..........IN TEXAS.......IN APRIL!

HUH! ARE YA KIDDING ME?

Aaron's trip to Six Flags with the church youth group has been canceled. The wind chill is supposed to be 27 degrees!!

They were supposed to go to the Casting Crowns concert at Six Flags. Weird Texas weather! It's going to be a COLD Easter morning. So much for wearing the cute little sundress Elaina bought for church and the Easter egg hunt! Bummer! Grandma always takes her shopping for a new Easter dress each year. This year Grandma couldn't go so she gave Elaina money for her birthday and she bought a CUTE dress from Justice. Oh well, she'll just have to wait a while to wear it to church.

Two Peas Blog Challenge

The Two Peas blog challenge today is to write about what one thing, time and time again, always brightens your day? For me it's two things. When Aaron (almost 13) just walks up to me out of the blue and hugs me. This makes me melt! I know this may not last forever - so I am soaking it up!! He really is a great kid! Also, when Elaina makes me little crafty things that says she loves me. I love when she draws me pictures. I have kept tons of them. A couple of weekends ago I was sick and Elaina made me two "get well" pictures. So loving! I'm a lucky mama!!

I felt so bad for Aaron last night. His team had practice and he just had to watch. His spirits are really low. It's going to kill him Monday to have to sit on the bench and watch his team play without him. A few more weeks and we'll have his arm x-rayed again. Hopefully it'll be better.

Two Peas Blog Challenge

Would you say your more of an online shopper or have to see things in person first?

I am definitely a must see it person. I browse online, but rarely do I buy online. I'm lucky, my lss is pretty awesome. She carries a better selection than most larger stores. I like to shop locally when I can. *********

Aaron hasn't had a great week. The doctor said he couldn't do anything at all until he gets a x-ray in 4 more weeks. He's really bummed. Plus his are has really been hurting. I hate when my kiddos don't feel well. After looking at his baseball schedule, hopefully he will be able to make the last 6 or 7 games. ************

I'm beginning our Bahamas album. I decided to make it a 8x8 - my first one this size. I'll post the finished album. Hopefully it won't take me too many months!!!

Back to the Dr's

I'm taking Aaron for his follow-up visit to an Orthopedist to check on his broken arm. Here's what happened.

We went to Breckenridge, CO skiing over spring break. This is our second ski trip with the kids. Last year, they had to spend so much time in classes that we didn't get to have much ski time as a family. So this year we decided to put them each in private lessons. Our thinking was with private lessons, they would get more one on one solid teaching. Elaina took a 3 hour ski lesson and Aaron took a 6 hour snowboarding lesson. If you have not ever tried snowboarding - it's more difficult than skiing so we wanted him to get as much out of the lesson as possible. Elaina is going to be a natural on skis - just like her Daddy. By the end of the trip she skid (spelling) down a blue/black trail! She's only 9!

Anyhooo, Aaron did absolutely wonderful during his lesson. He was really boarding great. Controlled, turning, stopping etc... So we set off on day 2. Our first day together. Alvin and Elaina decided to go ski together because she can already ski down blues with ease. I was staying with Aaron in an area he liked - it has a terrain park and is used by lots of boarders. So on the lift to the area he says to me "I think those ski patrol people are really cool. What does it take to be one?" We discuss this while riding to our drop point. We get off the lift and I decide to ski down ahead of him so I watch board down the mtn. I ski ahead and pull to the side and wait, and wait, and wait. All the time waving my poles at him to let him know I was ready. I see him sitting on the snow and think maybe he is checking his bindings again or just resting. In a minute this kid boards up to me and says "your kid hurt his arm REAL BAD!" I PANIC! I take my gear off and haul myself back up the mtn (about 200 yards). By the time I reach him I am literally about to pass out! Seriously - seeing spots - can't breath. Stupid thin air! I asked him what happened - thinking someone ran into him or maybe he slipped. He says "oh, I was trying to throw a 360". Huh, are you serious?! What else are 12 year old invincible boys supposed to do the first day boarding by themselves. Duh Mom!

I check his arm and it doesn't look misshapen so I take off his gear and sorta fix a sling with his jacket. We walk BACK DOWN the mtn to call for ski patrol. Yep the ski patrol he was just asking about. Two people with the patrol come to help. One skier pulling the stretcher and a snowmobile for me and the gear. The ski patrol that pulled Aaron down the mountain was named Aaron. Funny. We get the base village ER and eventually get seen. It is broken. Aaron is so bummed about missing baseball. He was really great considering how much he was hurting. He never cried - even though I know he wanted to. My sweet big boy.

We'll see what the Dr. says today. Hopefully it's healing OK.

More later.