Time to get a new TV

W is just imitating Geoff and I...the dreaded white line appears (with no picture) and we have to bang the TV to get the picture to return. If you know us, we have NO luck with electronics. We have been married almost nine years and are on our third (almost fourth) TV. We bought this one used for $40 bucks when our last one broke after only a couple of years and we thought it would last us forever. Guess not...we don't want to buy a new one before moving so we will just keep smacking the TV until we leave...

Life Changing.......

Have you ever read or heard of a story that just changes your life? Read something that you just can't stop thinking about? And not just for a day or a week, but one that stays with you...for months or years. One that you recall in times when you need strength in your life. I can think of a couple of those stories for me. One that I draw from when I need to.

I read about the Hoyt family a few years ago and it has stayed with me. Their story helped me get through the grueling last six miles of the AF Marathon last month when I really wanted to stop.

Here is an excerpt from their website:
"Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace."

Fast forward to:

"In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." To see how far they have come and what they have done...you have to go to their website, read their story, and watch the unbelievable video:
http://www.teamhoyt.com/

My friend Kate posted on her blog of three Air Force families in the fighter world community who need prayers right now. And one story in particular stunned me. Imagine finding a lump in your breast....then discovering you are pregnant days later, then having a mammogram and discovering cancer. And undergoing chemo while pregnant with your first child. And ppassing away after only being home with the baby for two days. You can read about this amazing family in the blog they began shortly after discovering the cancer. I just can't stop thinking about it. The most powerful part of the story is that they powered through the treatments with such optimism and strength. They never wavered in their faith and drew strength from God throughout the journey.

The Sullivan Family (http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com): On September 22, 16 days after delivering a healthy baby girl, Sara Sullivan lost her battle with cancer. Brady and baby Chloe are adjusting to life without his wife and her mom. Here's a news story, too: Breast Cancer Claims Young Mom

I am not meaning to depress you all....although I cried my eyes out reading their entire blog...I can't stop thinking about it...these families inspire me to be so much more than I am.

Scare Crew

So I found these great Halloween shirts on clearance and then scored another 25% off...and I couldn't resist the boots. Their Oregon boots. Only W is wearing them in the pictures...J has his camo crocs on famously backwards. I was attempting to good a good shot of the two of them together. Sometimes the pictures getting to the picture are the best ones.

W:

Looking at airplanes:

Me saying "Hey guys, don't look down, can you look at me? Please for a picture...look at me...."

You can see they like to do the opposite of what I ask........=):

J showing his pin pin the Penguin:

Seriously...take the picture already mom!

This one is funny...J looks so much shorter than W because he is scrunching down and W has the boots on...love their expressions:

A keeper...

Sneak Peek

Any ideas what W is going to be for Halloween? Just thought I would give you a clue.........and no, he will not be a "box".

I love home.

I see that I am not the only one staying home as much as possible (just read your blog Heather). We have been at home A LOT due to potty training and because of the flu (or more like avoiding the flu)! The boys are high risk bc of their asthma and I don't want to mess around with the seasonal flu or the swine flu. I am scared of the swine flu. To add to my worries, the boys haven't had the flu shot yet (due to their egg allergy) and I can't find anywhere that hasn't ran out of the seasonal flu shot for myself.

Fortunately we have an appointment in a few weeks to have the boys skin tested for the flu shot and vaccinated under controlled conditions...I just called to see if we could do this sooner....because if they receive the seasonal flu and they are OK, then they should also be able to receive the H1N1 (also contains eggs) as well. Since they need 2 doses of H1N1 a month apart, I would like to get it as soon as possible before we start traveling. Hopefully the boys aren't like me but when I travel my immune system just falls apart and I seem to catch everything.

We did sign up the boys for some soccer-I was excited to see a short-term, inexpensive, outdoor activity we could do. The first practice was sheer chaos. The boys enjoyed the first part of it-but after about 30 minutes they had enough. Hopefully the next practice will be more fun for them! It is just a casual, run-around kind of thing but there were about a thousand kids there!

We have had some regressing with the potty training. So it has not been so much fun the last several days...the boys automatically yell "no-I don't have to!" when I ask them if they need to go potty...and then they end up having an accident moments later. So they are just saying "no" without thinking if they really need to or not. On a positive note, they have done very well when we are not home...no accidents when we go on a walk, jog, or run errands...however, from the title of this post we have been home often and therefore, having lots of accidents.

Other than that, we have been enjoying some cooler weather - it dropped from 90's one day to the 40's the next morning. And the first thing I saw was Bear galloping around the yard. I swear I could predict the weather by her temperament. She is so much more frisky when it is cooler outside. It is amazing how much the humidity effects the dogs during a walk or jog. Right around three miles Katy just about stops running and looks like she feels bad. But the last couple of days both Katy and Bear have been pulling me at an all out sprint on our jog. As long as I hold onto the stroller carefully it is fu...in fact, it is kind of like a dog sled and the girls were even helping me up hills.

We have been doing lots of reading and letter-practicing. The boys know all their letters and their sounds...I am always impressed when I find them making letter shapes out of their toys and showing me what they made. Here is W showing us a "X, H and a V" he made all by himself with Lincoln Logs.

Here are a couple of pictures of the boys after dinner one night. I was doing the dishes and when I came into the living room I saw them all snuggled up together on the couch. SO adorable. See all the mess on the floor...that has become pretty much standard the last few weeks. The spot bot on deck and toys all over the place...

I have been soaking up the cold weather...it just makes everything more cozy to me. I love wearing fall clothes, having the heat on, drinking hot cocoa, and cooking and baking. I was excited to get out the fall decorations and I have been lighting candles all over the place! I am taking advantage now since we will be moving during Thanksgiving and Christmas and I won't get to decorate then. I LOVE the months of October-December. Love love love.

Frog on a Jog

We have seen some funny and interesting things on our walks and jogs. But a few days ago...we were almost done with 3 miles when I reached down to put something in the stroller and saw this:

I am pretty sure this is the same frog that took a joy ride with us to the commissary a couple of weeks ago. The bagger and I opened the trunk and screamed as a frog went jumping from a blanket onto the inside window...and it rode the whole way home with us. During the run, he just sat there...facing forward - enjoying the breeze on his face. This is a side view...

Or lack there of...seriously...it was 91 degrees and 99% humidity yesterday. In October. It just feels even warmer when it is in the fall. Hopefully it will get cooler soon because we are pretty miserable right now. Which is why this smart frog is bumming rides in the AC and in the stroller so he can feel some of the breeze. =)

Potty Training is ExHaUsTiNg

Yes, J fell asleep at 5 p.m. while sitting on the potty yesterday evening. Looks like our week of sleepless, itchy nights and no naps all week finally caught up with him.