Dinosaurs At The Zoo

Today the kids and I went to the zoo to see the new dinosaur exhibit and it is AMAZING! The dinosaurs are huge and robotic, so they move and makes noises. It is really cool. John Whitten was scared to death at first and he kept telling me, "they bite me, mommy". Lillian and he spent the first few minutes huddled together walking along the path around the exhibit. It was actually really cute. They eventually trusted me in telling them that the dinosaurs were not real, so they were able to enjoy it to. It was really funny to watch their reactions.

It was a gorgeous day, but there where a ton of people there because schools are out for spring break right now. We cannot wait to go back, and next time we will be going on a Saturday so Shaun can go with us!

John Whitten and Blake

The only dino Lillian would get next to for me to take a pic. It was a "baby" dinosaur. 

love spending my days with these guys!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The Flu, Ear Infections, Tonsillitis And Pneumonia

The last couple of weeks have been simply exhausting. John Whitten started acting fussy and irritable on Wednesday, but with no fever I was pretty sure that it was just his runny nose/cold that was bothering him. However, by Friday not only had be started running a consistent fever, but he was also inconsolable and pretty much was falling apart at all times unless I was holding him. Finally I decided to take him to the doctor Friday evening around 5:00. We made an appointment at Children's South and they saw us right away when we got there. I was so thankful that there was no one else there at the time. His oxygen levels were low(91-92), so they automatically where concerned with his lungs and his breathing. He had a lot of wheezing and after a couple of chest X-rays we knew why. The poor kid had pneumonia in his left lung. He also had an ear infection in his right ear so that accounted for his irritability over the last few days. They have him two breathing treatments to try and get wheezing under control and the second one seemed to help. Even though the doctor saw us, did his X-ray and blood work and diagnosed him within an hour we still had to stay for a couple hours to "monitor" his oxygen levels sense they had been low when he first got there. We left thinking he would be feeling better after a few days of his antibiotics. Boy where we wrong! On Monday not only was had he not gotten any better his poor little fever had gotten much worse. We were suppose I follow back up with our regular doctor on Monday anyway for another chest X-ray, so Monday we headed to see Dr Walley in hopes of getting an answer to why John Whitten still felt so bad. Our answer....the FLU! Type B to be exact, so not the one he was vaccinated for last September. Dr. Walley said that he also had tonsillitis, so with all if that sickness going on in his little body it was no wonder why he still was so pitiful. We got another prescription an headed home for more cuddles. We didn't get the tamiful because he was already outside the 24 hour range of when he had gotten sick, but he did write us a script for Lillian incase she starting showing symptoms. She of course never caught any of it.

With all of that going obviously John Whitten wasn't sleeping well-or in his own bed-so I have been one sleep deprived Mommy the last couple of weeks. Add sleep deprived to sever cabin fever and let's just say that when shaun would come home from work John Whitten was not the only one crying. Thankfully I can officially say that all the sickness is behind us and John Whitten is back to himself.

So thankful for all of the friends and family that called to check on us everyday and who brought us dinner bad treats. Shaun and I are truly blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.

on our way to the doctor

All of John Whitten's meds/breathing treatments

I was glad to see this little smile once he started feeling better

But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds-

Jeremiah 30:17 

Working Mamma-Kind Of

About a month and half ago I started keeping an adorable baby boy, Blake, as a way to help earn money for our adoption. He is absolutely the sweetest little guy and his parents are wonderful too, so it's been a great relationship so far. Lillian loves him and especially loves getting to help me take care of him. John Whitten had his moments of jealousy but has really surprised me with how well he has done having him around. Also, it's good for me to get use to juggling life with three, and it actually feels good to do something that makes a little extra for our adoption fund!

I am so incredibly thankful to God for this opportunity. I had really prayed for a long time to come across something like this. An opportunity to make money for our adoption, but without leaving our kids so this was just a God sent.

John Whitten throwing in a helping hand

@story time

Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

Valentina's Day...A Little Late

Shaun and Lillian go on regular "dates" together, but on valentine's day Shaun tries to make it extra special for her. For a week Lillian would ask Shaun, "is it Valentina's day yet? Is it time for our special date?". So when Valentine's day finally rolled around she was prepared. She had made two or three special valentine's day cards for Shaun and we also made him yummy cake. When Shaun came home he brought Lillian some beautiful flowers and even brought some roses for me from him and John Whitten. Lillian knew that she and Shaun were going to dinner but he also had a special surprise for her. He took her to get a pedicure and manicure! My sweet Lillian loves everything girly, so she was very excited when they pulled up to the nail salon. Oh, did I mention that she made Shaun change clothes when he got home from work!? She wanted him to wear a tie; I thought that it was so cute that she wanted him to be "dressed up".

They went to dinner at Johnny Rockets-Lillian's favorite place-after finishing up with her mani/pedi. Then they came home and we all ate yummy cupcakes from Edgar's that Shaun had gotten for us. It was a perfect Valentine's Day!!

Lillian getting ready...

it was the sweetest thing to watch.

cutting out Valentine's Day cards for Daddy

John Whitten's Valentine to me :)

my valentine 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11

A Surprise In The Mail

One of my favorite things about my Mom is that even though we see her once or twice a week she always is sending us little notes or cards in the mail. Last week my Mom sent Lillian a special treat just for her in the mail. A sweet card and gift card for her to go shopping with to find a special prize just for her. Lillian was so excited when she opened the card. Of course in true Lillian fashion she told me she wanted to use the gift card to buy her brother a present too!

We went to Target last night to let Lillian pick out her toy. She has been talking about getting a Doc McStuffins doll for two months now, so it was no surprise to me when she told me that was what she was going to get. Then she spotted a ninja turtles sword that lit up and made sounds and she just had to get it for John Whitten. When I realized that the sword and the Doc McStuffins doll where going to be more than Lillian's $30 gift card I told her that she didn't have enough money-basically telling her to pick something other than $20 sword for John Whitten. She was so quite, just standing there holding the giant box that held her beloved Doc McStuffins as if she was adding up the numbers herself when she looked up at me and said, "Okay, I will get something else so my brother can have that ninja sword". I was blown away. Blown away! Her willingness to sacrifice something she so desperately wanted so John Whitten could have something was just amazing to me. I was so impressed with her and it just reminded me how mature and kind she is. I of course soaked up the extra cost and let her get both items. I am pretty sure she regretted the sword purchase when John Whitten hit her on the head with it about five times the second we opened it.

Family Night-Puppets And Popcorn

A couple of weeks ago we went to family night at our church. The best part was that we got to bring Shepard with us! He and John Whitten were really excited to get some extra time together.