Back to normal.......I guess

Well, Dax made it home safe and sound.


However, my time without him didn't really get any better.


On Thursday we had some pretty nasty thunder storms come through here. I don't know if they had anything to do with it, but when I got to the office on Friday morning our computers were no longer speaking to our server. Now, even knowing what the server is uses about all of my computer smarts so other than turning it off and turning it back on, I was at a loss. (The computer guy didn't actually get everything running again util yesterday.)

Kirsten was all set to spend the night with a friend on Friday. She went home from school with her, but then her friend's mom had to call me that evening to get her because she wasn't feeling well and her fever was 102.9. I'm sure she had whatever Abigail had the weekend before. (By the way, am I the only one that has kids that never get sick unless the doctor's office is closed?)

She was feeling better on Saturday so we went to the outdoor theatre to see Rio. This theatre is not only outside, it's also 'old school' and uses the old reels. When they were changing the reels during the middle of the movie, the kids decided it was too cold and wanted to go home so we've only seen part of the movie. But seriously, who knew it would drop down into the 50's?

The kids missed Dax a lot too. Kirsten and Abigail left a trail of flower petals up the sidewalk and on the steps to welcome Dax home.

They said they had to use over 100 flowers to do it.

Dax came home in his uniform so I decided to take a picture.

He was trying to give me a tough look so I decided to leave the cute little bunnies in the picture too. lol

It's time to come home!

Dax left yesterday morning to do his anual training for the State Guard.


I'm ready for him to come home already!!!


This was waiting for us when we got home yesterday. And I mean waiting. He didn't move at all when we stopped there.

I tried to run over it, but I think it got away. Addison and I couldn't find any trace of it. (I know that's not very politically correct. In my defense, though, I don't go out on our land looking for snakes. But, if they bring themselves to my attention then I treat them all like they're poisonous and send them to meet-their-maker, so to speak.)

Anyway, we also got rain last night for the first time this year. Of course it came in the form of big storms with lots of thunder, lightning, and hail. And not until about 10:00 at night. So, Bodie was freaking out and kept me awake until almost 1:00 this morning.


It's storming now and he's beside himself everytime he hears the thunder.


It's probably also putting the brakes on the Diabetes Walk at the school today. I'm just guessing, here.


I know it's only been over night, but I'm ready for Dax to come home now......

Another whirlwind weekend.....

This weekend was the state tournament for Addison's soccer team.


This time the games were in Houston so we had to pack up and head out of town.


Of course, that means boarding the dogs.


So, all of our trips out of town start off looking something like this......

Jealous aren't you?


It gets a little cramped with 4 kids and 5 dogs, don't you think?


We got the dogs dropped off and headed to Houston. About 1-1/2 hours into the trip we stopped at McDonald's to grab a bite to eat. Abigail had been feeling bad when she got back to school from her field trip earlier in the day. She had been sleeping most of the time we were in the car. While we were standing in line waiting to order she told me that she felt dizzy so she was leaning against me and I had my arms around her. It was a good thing too, because she passed out!!! Dax came and got her out of my arms and carried her to a chair and sat with her. She was running a fever but we had no way of knowing how high. I made her take some motrin and made her eat something. I don't think she had eaten much all day and I really think that's what made her pass out.


Once we left there, we were able to make it the rest of the way to Houston without incident.


Addison had two games on Saturday, with the first one starting at 7:30 am.  I'm certain that the people doing the scheduling must have lost their minds!!! We had to be at the fields at 6:30....... on. a. Saturday!


They lost the first game and won the second game.


The Grandparents all came to the 2nd game and got to see their victory and we all went out to eat after the game. Then, we headed back to the hotel and most of the team hit the pool.


Abigail started running a high fever again on Saturday night (after she had been fine all day) and I had some trouble finally getting it to break. Bless her heart, she certainly didn't get to have much fun on this trip.


Sunday, Addison played again at 7:30 in the morning. (Happy Mother's Day, right?) They tied that game, but it was enough to move them into 2nd place for State.


The girls are all very excited and we're very proud of them!!!


Here's Addison getting her medal.

And here's a great team photo....

Do I have a talent for catching people at their best, or what?


We made it home safely with no fainting spells from Abigail. So far, every night at just about 6:00 she starts running a fever again. It's the only time of the day that she does. It's just weird! So yesterday I called the doctor and she has her on a different antibiotic this time to see if we can get rid of whatever is bothering her once and for all.

Hounded by the Paparazzi

Evidently the paparazzi followed Wyatt to his hockey practice.

It's been reported that someone heard him say "Mom!!! Quit!" (Whatever that means.)

He really enjoys doing this. (The hockey, I mean. Not the pictures.)

In case you wonder too.....

People often ask us if (or have the assumption that) it gets easier having multiples as they get older.


Uhmmmmm, NO!!!


When they were babies we certainly got less sleep, BUT when we put them down some place (like in their beds), they would still be in that place when we got back.  Once they get mobile, everything changes.


Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that it's more difficult now. It's just not easier.


And, it doesn't get easier, it just changes.


Take this past week for example.

Monday: Abigail home sick so off to the clinic. Soccer practice.

Tuesday: Cheer practice.


Thursday: Dentist appointments for all four kids. Soccer practice.

Saturday: Wyatt and Abigail at school by 3 AM to leave for band competition.
Addison to soccer fields by 8 AM for all day soccer tournament.
Took Addison and Kirsten to dinner and a little shopping.
Pick Wyatt and Abigail up at school when the band returns from tournament. They were running late so didn't arrive until around midnight.

Sunday: Addison back at soccer fields by 8:00 for more tournament play.
Wyatt to hockey practice.


See, still plenty of activity and what is certainly feeling like not enough sleep. 


Addison's team did a fantastic job at the tournament. After day one of play we were a little nervous. They had gone into the tournament ranked 4th place for our division. On Saturday they lost the first game and tied the other two.

Incredibly that left them still in 4th place for Sunday's games. They won both of those games and finished the tournament in 2nd place!!!

I tried over and over to get an action shot of Addison, but it just didn't happen. :0)

This was from the final game on Sunday. It was so wonderful for the girls to beat this team because they played dirty. (It's the same team with the girl that bit Addison during a game.) Their coach was a terrible sport, the girls were, and they were fighting with each other. After the game he was arguing with the ref about some of the calls and I think the ref told him basically that if his girls were the better team they would have won.

I know the girls were happy to beat this team too.

 The girls were waiting to get their medals and this is when Addison realized that her Dad was drinking her smoothie.

 Addison getting her medal from her coach.

She is VERY proud of that medal......as she should be. Those girls worked hard to earn them.

She put it back on when she got out of the shower last night and I had to make her take it off when she went to bed.

She wore it to school this morning, too. :0)

Next weekend we're off for them to compete for the STATE title!!


So, even though it's not any easier, it is so very worth every minute of it!! We are so proud of all four of our children, and I certainly wouldn't change a thing!

Weekend Update

Addison had her last soccer game of the season on Saturday morning.

And I finally remembered to take some pictures. :0)

They won 5-0 and that bumped them to 2nd place so they will be going to the play-offs.

They were pretty excited!!!


Sunday, we celebrated Easter at our house. We had lots of people (family and friends) and way too much food.

But it was a good time.

Every year Addison tries to catch the Easter Bunny. This year her traps were pretty elaborate and none of us were allowed to go outside after 9:30 on Saturday night.

The Easter Bunny still managed to get in and took all of her traps and placed them at her bedroom door.

It took me forever to find my camera because the Easter Bunny took it to take this picture and didn't put it back where he found it!

They got baskets full of goodies and too much candy.

Abigail:

 Addison:

 Kirsten:

 Wyatt:

 The hunt:

 Addison has been asking for a 7-foot bunny for years now.

Well, this year the Easter Bunny finally came through and granted her request.

From that look, I'm guessing that maybe a bunny with 7 feet isn't what she meant.

Who knew?

We all had a lot of fun. Someone had maybe too much fun since Abigail is home sick today. We visited the clinic this morning and I'll be getting her antibiotics on the way home so she should be feeling better soon.

I hope that everyone had a good weekend and were blessed with the love and company of family and friends like we were.

It's over!!!

Tax season is over!! WooHoo!


It was a very busy tax season this year.Dax did more returns than he's ever done!


When you add keeping up with what the kids have going on, it gets a little hectic.


That's what I'm using for my excuse to explain wearing this to the office.

In my defense, I put them on in the dark because I didn't want to wake Dax up.


I can't believe I didn't even notice it until lunch time!!!! The shoes don't feel the same on my feet!


I lectured the kids too for even letting me leave the house looking like that.


They just laughed at me.


But, Addison said that she checks my shoes every morning now to make sure they match......even if she doesn't let me see her doing it. Now that's love.

High fashion....

Abigail went to a birthday party on Friday night.

Party clothes have changed a lot from what I thought they were!!

Really, the theme was to dress crazy. Things you would never normally wear together.

Thank goodness she wouldn't normally wear these things together. Blech!!!

Spring has sprung

It is definitely spring around here.

I can tell because:

* The bluebonnets are blooming.

* My vehicles are all yellow with the pollen.

* The fight has begun for control of my house against spiders, ants, fleas, and ticks. (I almost killed the cats with this one, but that's another story.)

* One of our clients has already killed two rattle snakes at his place (last year he killed over 30!!)

* There are lots of little calves around us.

* It's tax time.

With any luck, we'll get some spring rain soon. We need it!!

What the heck??

Addison had soccer games on both Saturday and Sunday over the weekend.

They won Saturday's game 3-0. These girls have just really come together and have learned to play as a team. It's just amazing to see how far they've come from their first season together. It wasn't pretty that first season, trust me.

On Sunday the game was a 0-0 tie. Addison was terribly disappointed in the tie because she really wanted to beat the team they were playing. I really wanted them to beat that team too.

The team just flat out played ugly. They pushed a lot. Now I don't mean the regular pushing on each other to get to the ball where the girls lean in. I mean putting their hands on our girls and pushing them to the ground. The only time the ref actually called a penalty was when one of the opposing players practically tackled one of our girls.

And all of that was bad enough. What really pushed me over the edge with it all (and I didn't know it happened until after the game) was that one of the girls from the other team BIT Addison. Seriously?! There's no biting in soccer!!!

Addison tried to tell the ref but he wasn't paying attention. She told her coach, but I don't think he likes to make any waves. So, now it's down to me. At the very least, I'm thinking this calls for a 'strongly worded' letter to the board for our league. I let it go a couple of weeks ago when a player from another team called on of our girls a 'f-cking b-tch' thinking that the coach would say something. But he didn't. I think this time something really needs to be said.

I still can't believe the other girl bit her!