Easter

Easter was GLORIOUS!!!!! The weather was frigid but we still praised our "Risen Lord!" Our church had services at the Berry Center and God was so faithful. We packed it with 4,000 people and the music and message were so amazing!!!

The kids had fun even poor Tate. With this frigid blast came our first bad Asthma attack this year and she is still trying to get over it. She missed church and has had to stay indoors because of the wind! So, here are some pictures of her and Jake dying Easter Eggs and of her singing in church on Palm Sunday!!! She kept putting her fingers in her ears becuase the girl next to her was singing to loud! OK SIMON!!!!!!! What fun!

A Daddy and Taylor Weekend

My sweet hubby took Tate on a long daddy/daughter weekend to Salt Lake City. Michael's sister lives there and taylor has always wanted to visit her Aunt Kitty and get to ski for the first time. After all the changes a new baby brings it was a neat treat for Taylor to get some special one on one time with her daddy. She is such a big help at home and she deserved to be rewarded. They had such a great time and she loved skiing. She did that for one day and then they visited the zoo twice, ate great food, went to a wonderful library and even an amusement park!

Now, I deserve a vacation for being at home ALONE with the boys! We had a special time but in Bench fashion Jake got bronchitis and Caden was still sick so I had plenty of sleepeless nights. It was well worth it though. I don't know who had more fun Tate or Michael!

Here are some special pictures from that weekend!!

Two Months Old and Definitely a Bench Kid

HAPPY TWO MONTH BIRTHDAY CADEN AND WELCOME TO BEING A BENCH KID!!!!!!!! Poor Caden is so sick. Everyone of my kids at two months old gets sick! The week started out with Tate and Jake at the doctor for sinus infections and bouts of tonsilitis. Michael has had an ongoing cold for 2 weeks and I got sick Thursday. I had a shot of antibiotics and some heavy steroids and am doing so much better. Caden is doing the worst. He made two trips to the doctor's office yesterday because by the end of the day he was wheezing again and it was really starting to scare me! He has an ear infection and bronchilitis. He is on antibiotics and neb treatments every 4 hours. Yep, definitely one of my kids! Luckily he is sleeping great at night so that has been a blessing even when he sounds terrible he is a little trooper!

So, our spring break has stunk! It rained most the time and we have watched enough Spy Kids that I know all three of the movies by heart. (I prefer the first). My kids want to be Spy Kids for Halloween! I said SCORE!!!!! Cheap costumes for me to create and go to the dollar store for "gadgets".

Well, I hope every one's spring break was better than ours! It's sunny now but since you could take a bath in the pollen we still have to stay in doors! Go away pollen!!! The good thing for me is I am an old hat now at sick kids and breathing treatments so no freaking out on my part (I know a miracle in itself). Michael can tell you we have totally done a role reversal with this new kid. I am way more relaxed and he is way more uptight! God definitely has a funny sense of humor sometimes!!!

Happy Birthday Tate

Today my baby girl turned "5". I can't believe it! She started the day excited because her daddy took the day off work. She then had her first day of reading class which she loved! I love her eagerness to learn. We then took the whole gang for a picnic at Meyer park. We had a blast and Jake loved chasing the GOOSIES!!! After a rest at home we headed to the YMCA so Taylor and daddy could swim. To end the day we ate the most discusting dinner at 59 diner (but she loved it). There Jake had the runs and came running out of the restraunt butt naked. Daddy was close by and he had been sprayed so we headed home with the windows down. AHHH I love this crazy life!

Today she is celebrating at school with all her friends and her daddy is surprising her with lunch! She then is going to get her nails done with her granny (a birthday tradition). Tonight is the big party at the bounce house place and then we can go back to normal!

YEE HAW!!!!!

These pictures are HILARIOUS (at least to me). Taylor has Pony Day at school today. They get to ride the pony and have there picture made. She was so pumped!! This is her decked out in her cowgirl gear! She kept having me take her picture because she wanted to pose just right!

Praying for My Man

How many times do I pray a day and during my quiet time that I forget the most important person in my life: MY HUSBAND!!!! I get so caught up with my kids, myself and screaming for patience that at times he is overlooked. I realized he is the spiritual leader of this house and needs to be covered more than anybody especially in the work place today! So, my friend sent me this and I LOVED IT!!!! Enjoy!

Dear Lord, I pray for my husband, from head to toe.His Head -That he will look to You as Lord of his life. (1 Corinthians11:13) His Mind - That he will have the mind of Christ and think as the HolySpirit and not the flesh would lead him. (1 Corinthians 2:16) His Eyes -That You will keep his eyes from temptation and that he willturn his eyes from sin. (Matthew 6:13, Mark 9:47) His Ears - That he will hear Your still small voice instructing him. (1Kings 19:12, Psalm 32:8) His Mouth - That his words will be pleasing to You. (Proverbs 19:14) His Neck -That he will humble himself before You and be strong,courageous, and be careful to do everything written in Your Word so thathe will be prosperous and successful. (James 4:10, Joshua 1:8-9) His Heart-That he will love and trust You with his whole heart.(Deuteronomy 6;5, Proverbs 3:5) His Arms-That You will be his strength. (Psalm 73:26) His Hands-That he will enjoy the work of his hands and see it as a giftfrom You. (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 5:19) His feet - That You will order his steps and that he will walk in Yourtruth. (Proverbs 4:25, Psalm 26:3)

Potty Training

I HATE potty training!!! Taylor was so easy! Why Jake WHY?????????????

This is NOT a pretty story. Jake has been wanting to wear his big boy pants like daddy and Aaron (Kim's son) for days. He has been in pull ups and he stays dry for the most part. The catch is I have to take him regularly he will not go on his on and bribary has to be involved. He has only pooped once on the potty so I stressed to him he HAD to tell me when he needed to go (that has only happened once).

So, we are rocking along just peachy and Jake comes to cuddle with me when I get a whiff of him! OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I strategically try and get these things off without engulfing his feet in crap and look up to find Maci licking his butt!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!! I told you this wasn't a pretty story! I finally get Jake bathed and cleaned up and put to bed with a PULL UP on. No more big boy pants for you Jakey Boy!

I am cuddling up with Taylor and Maci watching the new Cinderella III, such a cute show, when I am rubbing maci and notice her hair is all matted together. I smell my hands and OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! I think maci had licked on Jake longer than I realized. So, I had to bathe the dog which I have done now twice since have had her. I hate bathing her. Anyway, I have come to realize I really am hating potty training Jake!!!!!! Any helpful hints for potty training a stubborn boy please leave in the comment section!