Warning: Viewing Dinosaur Eggs Can Be Very Expensive

Last weekend, we took the kids to see Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. There are several kid-friendly movies playing right now, so we let them choose which one to see. I really expected them to choose the guinea pig movie, but they chose Ice Age instead. Did you know they charge an extra $2.50 per ticket for a "technology fee" for 3D movies? Then they had the nerve to ask for the 3D glasses back! It was a cute movie, but not worth the outrageous ticket price in my humble opinion. When I look at these excited faces, I can't help but say it was worth it!

He holds all of our tears in His hands

I've had such an emotional week. My lifelong friend, Heather, lost her only child in a tragic boating accident last Saturday. He was only three. It's so hard to understand why things like this happen. The funeral was last night. It was just heartbreaking. Please pray for Heather and David. I just can't imagine...

Now Don't Be Jealous

Look where we've been...

Here's a clue

When we left the hospital last week, Parker had big plans to visit a certain mouse in town. We told him we would go "soon". Last night, we lived up to our promise.

Parker and Claire have some mad dancin' skillz (just like their Daddy)!
Games and Rides for All

Til next time Mr. Cheese!

What A Week!

Don't get me wrong! This week was way better than last week!

This week Parker started to school (after missing all of last week). He is at a new school which means that everything and everyone is new to him. He is trying SO hard to put on his brave face, but deep inside he has been very nervous. It broke my heart every time he walked down the hall to his classroom every morning with tears in his little eyes. He tried to hide his emotion, but this mama was onto him. I think he is starting to feel more comfortable. He's also starting to regain strength. The first three days of school he fell asleep on the way home. He usually fights sleep with all his might, so I knew he was exhausted.

Claire and I both started our second week at new schools. We are both still adjusting. She is doing much better this week. I think I am too...

The (NOT) so big news for the week:
We finally agreed on a contract on our house. Everything seemed like a done deal. We agreed to all the terms of the buyer. We signed all the paperwork. I repeat: WE AGREED TO EVERY TERM FROM THE BUYER! Then she pulled out! What in the world?!?! So, we're back to square one. God's timing is perfect. God's timing is perfect. God's timing is perfect. Just have to keep reminding myself.

Hope you've all had a great week!

First Day of School

Parker went to his 1st day of first grade today. He missed all last week and yesterday due to his sickness. He is going to school where I am teaching this year. We are both excited that we get to be two doors down from each other.
Claire actually started to her new preschool last week, but I decided to wait and post the pictures together. She is starting to settle in to her new environment. It is a wonderful preschool program, and I'm sure she'll do great!

Celebration!

Parker has felt great today and really wanted to go out to eat. We went to Cracker Barrel to celebrate his coming home from the hospital. It was yummy! Parker and Claire even had an ice cream sundae for dessert.

Can you tell he lost about 6 pounds while he was sick? His face is definitely thinner. His appetite has picked back up, so just give him a few days! Ha! My parents joined us for the celebration
I wanted to include Claire in the pictures too!

It's wonderful to have my family back together for dinnertime!

Thank You Jesus!

We had a HUGE scare with Parker last Saturday. He had been sick for a week and taking antibiotics. Saturday morning he came into our room acting fairly normal, but we quickly realized something was very wrong. He stopped responding to us even though he was looking at us. He couldn't talk, walk, or hold himself up. We rushed him to the Children's ER. Most of what happened after that has become a blur. They did tons of testing including blood work, cat scan, and a spinal tap. We were moved to the PICU. We were then told he had viral meningitis. Later, we were told they couldn't definitively conclude whether he had viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis or encephalitis. They treated him for the worst case scenario. He improved quickly, but developed a fever later in the week which set off a new round of testing. It was all very stressful and scary. He was in the hospital for a full week, and we brought him home yesterday. He is feeling great and acting just like the good ole' Parker we know. We will take him in the morning for a recheck on his blood. We are praying for good results and no relapses.

I had to start to work at my new teaching job this week also. Can you say bad timing?! Of course, there's never a good time for your child to be hospitalized with meningitis. Brian and I were able to work it out so that we could take turns spending the night and staying with him during the day. Parker missed his first week of first grade too!

These pictures were taken yesterday. He was obviously feeling much better at this point!
We had so much support and encouragement while he was in the hospital. Lots of people visited, brought gifts, sent cards, took care of Claire for us, and most of all ~ PRAYED! We appreciate all of you so much!

Parker insisted on pulling his own "loot" out to the car as we were leaving.

We are so thankful that Parker has been healed. Jesus gave us the strength to endure the most difficult week of our lives. We praise Him!