What a weekend!!

Well I have been tested as a parent this weekend. It all started in the middle of last week really. I was sick Wednesday night(really I just couldn't sleep and I had a terrible headache) and in the morning had all I could do to get in the shower and get ready for work. Well I did it and then I got the kids up. From the moment I woke Matthew up I could tell he wasn't himself. Just as I was getting ready to walk out the door he threw up all over me. I cried from exhaustion and couldn't bring myself to going to work. I stayed home all day with a very sick little boy. We thought he had the flu but after many hours in the ER Friday night we now know he has double ear infections and pneumonia. I didn't know that throwing up was a sign on pneumonia. He was dehydrated and had a temp of 102.8. He is one sick little boy. All day Saturday he just wanted to be held and cried all the time. Today was better--we did venture to the mall for a short time. All of us needed to get out of this house and Matthew did perk up some when we went out however he is back to his cranky self (which he has every right to be cranky). Ryan did take the two older ones outside Saturday and took them sledding---they had a ton of fun. It has been stressful as a parent knowing that I'm doing the best I can do. I wouldn't change having these kids for anything---they keep me going and we love them so much.

I just have to say thanks again to my mom (Marilyn). She came and sat with me at the hospital on Friday night as Ryan had to stay home with the other two. If it wasn't for her being there I would have went crazy. She is such a blessing to Ryan and I and we love her lots----I only hope I can be half the mom to my kids as she is to me. WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!!
This is what Matthew has done for several days --- Ryan and the dogs loved it when it was there turn to take care of Matthew---they all got to sleep.

James at the mall at the play place in River Town Crossing!!

Sally there too!!

Ryan and the kids enjoying the snow---Tory chasing them.

Tory making sure the kids are behaving!!

Spring is in the air!!!!

Today was so beautiful and lucky me had the day off. The kids took there two and a half hour nap (lucky me again) and then I let them loose outside. They loved it. I know this weather is going to be short lived but it was nice to have a break from the snow and cold. I hope they sleep well tonight---fresh air always make me tired and we did have the slider open all afternoon.

PS--Sally is potty training and doing very well. For all of you that knows what I'm going through I was excited today when she went #2 on her potty. We had a little party for her......she has been doing very well with #1 so I hope we are on our way to success. I was beginning to think that Matthew would be potty trained first.

Life with only 3

Sorry there are no pictures this time. I have been enjoying life with only 3 kids. I use to think life was crazy with 3 kids but I have learned that 3 are not so bad. 5 are a handful. We miss having Karmah and Sally and James are a little lonely without her but we are managing and I seem to be bored this weekend. HAHA We have told the agency that we will only take one more and I don't want them to be under the age of 2. Sally prefers we have another girl but I cant promise her that. We are going to be redoing Sally's room and making it a "girl room". It is a nursery now and Sally is ready for it to be a princess room. I don't know when we will complete it but I hope for Ryan to start this week. It wont take much---just have to get rid of Pooh and add Princess. I will take some pictures this week and get them posted. Have a great week.

Dancing Princess Sally!!

I have been meaning to share these pictures with you and I finally found a few minutes to do so. Santa brought Sally a dancing princess package that included an outfit and one lesson. She was in heaven. If she stays with us I hope to enroll her in a dance class in the fall. She is a natural and was not shy at all. She still wears the outfit around the house singing "I'm a dancing princess".

On another note I'm home alone with 5 kids. Ryan is on his annual snowmobile trip and I'm going crazy. Thanks to my great parents I had two less for the weekend. They took the girls for the weekend and spoiled them rotten and the girls loved it. Well I have only had all of them home for a few hours and I'm going crazy!! Thank god that dinner time and bed time is almost here. Then I'm going to watch the super bowl and eat popcorn in the quiet.

Karmah and Kayden are leaving us on Tuesday. They are going to go live with there grandparents. As much as we will miss Karmah I'm relieved. I use to think it was hard with 3 but I now know that 3 is nothing compared to 5. We are ready to have our house back. I don't know how long it will last though---our caseworker has already made a comment about us having an open bed. I hope I get a little break. Don't get me wrong--I love what we do and wouldn't change our path in life. These kids need us. Hope you all have a great week. Please keep Karmah and Kayden in your prayers and thoughts as they once again have another change in there life.

We are still alive #2

Well we have come to the determination that the kids have made a pack to take turns torturing us---today was James turn. I was ready to start drinking. (OK I wouldn't have went that far) The winter weather is really getting to the kids--they need to go outside. Today was going to be that day and then at 13 degree's we decided that wouldn't be a good idea. We took all 5 kids out to dinner with my family on Saturday night. Overall it went well. We even took the all into Meijer---I forgot my camera or I would have taken pictures to share---the looks we get are really interesting---they all call us Mom and Dad so people are really confused!! Well they are all in bed so I better take advantage of some quiet time----hope you all have a great week!!! PS--I want to thank everyone that has once again came to our rescue with clothes, highchairs, car seats and all the little things and big things----we so greatly appreciate it.
This picture is for you Berta---Tory is getting so big!!!

1st bath that Kayden didn't scream the whole time!!!!

The spoiled one---up eating popcorn while everyone else was in bed. She has a wrapped around her finger!!!

Matthew enjoying Kaydens birthday cake!!

Kayden enjoying his birthday cake. He turned on the 15Th!!!

We are still alive!!

Well it has been 3 weeks and Ryan and I are still alive. I'm not going to lie to you--it is difficult being parents to five small children. We wonder sometimes if we are being the best parents we can to these children. It is hard to be sure each child gets the right amount attention and that each child is treated the same. We are doing the best we can and appreciate all your kind words, donations and all of you that have asked to be on the "sitter" list. We are going to take all 5 of them to dinner this weekend at a restaurant. We have not been that brave yet but my family is going to be there to support us. Hope everyone is doing well--- The babies making there daily mess!!!

Our puppy Tory!! She is getting so big!!

Yes you are seeing 5!!!

Call us crazy----at the moment we are a family of 7!! And yes Karmah is back. She has also brought her brother with her--Kayden. It has been a week and we are adjusting but it gets crazy around here at times. We have 2 one year olds, 2 three year olds and a four year old. Dont get me wrong we love having them here but by time bed time gets here I'm exhausted. I'm going to to do my best to keep blogging on a regular basis but if I'm gone for a while dont worry--I change about 30 plus diapers/pullups a day and with all the meals I dont have much time left. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!

Matthew with his Elmo chair---Kayden is not allowed to sit in it.

Lake Ruehs---James wanted to go fishing. This is what our yard looked like after all the rain we had.