so proud of my kids

I apologize for the strange angle on these mobile uploaded pictures.

O got his hair all cut off today.  He looks so much more like C and so old.

I almost cried in the hair salon.  

C got his hair cut too, but it was not as drastic.

C also went to the dentist and I almost cried there too.  I am so emotional, maybe I am pregnant, (jk) He was so brave and relaxed and independent. I had nervous butterflies as I watched them stick and scrape and spray and slurp so many tools in his mouth.

They really are growing up and I still have so much I want to teach them, I am not ready to release them yet. Caeden will start preschool in the fall for 3 days a week and I am definitely not ready for that yet.

I love them so much, can't they stay little forever

Tour De Cape

This Day was so much fun!  My mom, Amber, Hope, and I rode 15 miles in the Tour De Cape.

Mike, Brent, and John rode 100 miles.

The weather was beautiful.  It took us 1 hr 21 minutes.  It took the guys, 7 hours.  Next up, we want to do a 30 miler in March.  I wasn't as sore as I thought that I might be. Mike on the other hand, was pretty achy.  I am proud of him, because that is much farther than I can ever imagine riding my bike.

This is us, clean and without our helmets on!

I Got Fired Today

I got Fired today................

Let me start with the good news..........Owen had his cast removed yesterday.  It was very good news, perhaps what we were told was a fracture, was merely a bad sprain.  Although sprain or fracture, immobilization for a 2 year old is still a cast, so no harm done.  Our pediatrician recommended that we see a specialist at Pediatric Orthopedics near Health Park.  They were excellent, professional, caring, and courteous (they didn't charge us the extra $100 for cast removal).  The cast was originally applied by Dr. S. were I have been working at a PT (prn) for 2 years now.  We were told that Owen had a growth plate fracture, which can be really dangerous and serious for a two year old, so one can understand our concern and need for a different opinion.  I guess I underestimated the Insage Ego of  a certain Dr. S who flipped out and was irate when I called to cancel the appointment today because Owen got his cast removed by another physician.  He had the Receptionist call me and inform me that I will be billed $1908.00 right away and I could no longer work as a Physical Therapist. YEP! WOW! 

All because I got a second opinion? uh........does that make sense???????

So apparently, Dr. S. took it personal and the receptionist forgot to tell him that I had called earlier and explained why I was cancelling the appt with him.  Big mistake.

I called my lovely Aunt, who works there, and immediately started to cry.  She was very patient and understanding and was able to explain to her co-workers and Dr. S what my intentions were as a young, concerned patient.  I really appreciated it because the receptionist called later that afternoon to apologize to me.  As for working there, I am not so sure I really want to anymore, I think I might check out other options right now.

I am so glad that my Heavenly Father is forgiving and loving and that my identity is found in who He is in me and not my what I do or who I am.  John 15:5 " Apart from me, you can do nothing."  

Today, when I was crying.....My husband, immediately had thoughts of "who can I set straight and put in their place." Owen crawled on my lap and said "what doing mommy, what doing?" then gave me a hug.  Caeden helped me de-stress by riding bikes with me after Mike got home from work and listened to me as I rambled on about how mommy got her feelings hurt today and we should never treat others in a way that would make people sad.  

I love my family, I love that my husband wants to be my warrior and defend anyone who wrongs me.  I love that Caeden loves riding his bike so much, but that it is not complete unless his mom or dad go along and to spend quality time and discuss life with him.  I love that Owen is aware and loving enough to be sensitive to realize mommy is upset and needs a hug.

Thank you God, for showing me what really matters in life!

Indiana Trip

I am glad to be home in the warmth of Fl. Well it was 39 degrees this morning around 8:00 am.  But that is much warmer than -14 degrees.  I never new that Vehicle thermometers would show sub zero temperatures.  But i saw it with my own eyes and felt it with every fiber of my being.  Walking outside, my teeth would freeze over and my lungs felt like I took a bath in Viks vapo-rub.  It was COLD!  Thankfully, Jenn, one of the bridesmaids, welcomed us into her home and clothed my body with Northface gear and my feet with Uggs! I want a pair, by the way, even though i saw someone today walking out of First Watch wearing a pair and it looked really out of place.  They were so comfortable, like wearing house slippers all the time, and definitely kept my feet warm.  We took quite a few pictures, but forgot the camera for the acual wedding ceremony.  Stacy is a long-time college friend and the last one of us all to get married. It was a tremendous wedding.  She is marrying Joe, (see above picture of the two) a widow and father of four great kids, ages ranges from 14-5.  Stacy was the 5th grade teacher for the second daughter and mentored her during the time of her mother's cancer and passing.  The entire family is in the first picture, pouring their individual glasses of sand into the vase and thus signifying the combination of their unique personalities into one family.  It was so touching.  I wish them lasting joy for the rest of their days.  

Birthday Gift

I asked several freinds to describe my hubby in one word, I arranged all the words together onwordle.net  picked a color, font, and design , printed it out on 81/2" x 11" clear label, and pasted it on  a canvas that I painted. 

Orginially I wanted the whole canvas to be covered, but couldn't find sticky sheets that big.

He really appreciated that I took the time to make it and that it was a collaboration from several of his friends.  Below the picture are some of the early trial templates.  If you can see the blemish on the bottom left of the canvas, that was our dog Sammie's nose print. She added her own contribution!

Blogger Hiatus

My hiatus is a direct reflection of how busy we have been.  The following is a time line of our recent events.

Amber and Sam arrived --> Owens bday party --> Spent a few days in Sanibel --> drive to Tampa to have Christmas with Mikes Family and celebrate Grandma Linda, Owen , and Mike's Birthdays --> Christmas -->  Mikes Surprise Party --> drive to Sebring to see Mikes Dad and Gpa--> New Years Eve --> Owen fractured his leg and now has to wear a cast for 2 weeks --> Tour De Cape 15 mile ride for me and 100 mile ride for Mike-->  getting ready to leave Thurs. for Indiana for my friend Stacy's wedding.  This was all mixed in with sickness, an abundance of eating, date nights, movie nights with my sisters, exercise, shopping, baking, cooking, working, and not cleaning my house :).!! 

Amber and Sam will be in San Francisco for a week and we will be in Indy Thurs through Sun. Then we only have one more week with them before they return to Italia.  Our days have been filled with laughter and memory making, my kids are loving the attention from their Aunt and Uncle.  We will miss them, and we await the return of Heather, Brad, Aspen, and Addy in March.

What I am reading right now

This is a Great Book.

It is written by a Presbyterian pastor in Manhattan.

It is deep, intellectual, challenging and insightful.  I would love to share it with my loved ones, who are skeptical about God.