Nerd !!

It was all I could do to allow this child to walk out of the house in this outfit. It was crazy outfit day at school. What you don't see in the pic is she had on grey leggings under those shorts, non-matching socks and her Uggs.  She was so very proud of her nerdy outfit.  I have to admit that face to so stinking cute.

OUCH !!

Poor Walker fell hard in the shower the other night. I hated to have to use it as a life lesson but I have said OVER AND OVER again to not jump in the shower. Poor guy had a big ole goose egg.

He is totally fine but he scared me to death.

LONGEST 5 mins of my life...

 Saturday we were at the mall with some friends that were visiting from out of town.  We met them in the food court for a little lunch . As always during the meal Walker had to go to the bathroom. We had a table close to the carousel as well as a view of the bathrooms. I let Walker go solo ( he keeps saying that boys should not go into girls restrooms ), I watched him go in. A few minutes went by he had not returned, so I thought he was finishing his business. But I headed over the the bathroom and yelled him name, NO RESPONSE, I asked a teenage boy to go in and call out his name still NO RESPONSE.  PANIC started to set in... I even went into the men's restroom to see if he would answer STILL NO RESPONSE. At this point I felt like someone was stabbing a knife in my stomach. I ran back to the table to ask our friends for help.  I told Lauren to stay put just in case he made his way back. 3 of us started to look for him. My mind was racing and going places I don't even want to talk about.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small group of people in front of Starbucks ( which was away from our table).  I walked that way and there was my sweet boy talking to a security guard. He actually did what he was taught to do.. As soon as I saw him I started crying which of course made him cry.  He hugs me and says, " Mommy I so sorry you lost me."  Lol.. 

He told me later that when he walked out of the bathroom he went the wrong way.  He said he was confused and got a little scared. But I told him that he did exactly what he was suppose to do.  It will be a very long time before he will go to the bathroom solo again.

My Loves...

I absolutely love this picture of Lauren and Walker. They really do love each other so much. Even though they don't show it all the time. Just looking at this makes me smile. 

Finally 70lbs

Lauren was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease 2 years ago. Basically she has no thyroid and will probably always be tall and thin her whole life ( sickening I know). Today was our 6 month check-up. They look at her weight, height, check her hormone levels etc...  Well today she has officially hit 70 lbs ( 70lbs 2 oz to be exact)  which for her is huge. Not sure why that number is a big one for her but she was so EXCITED.  Today she said something that really stuck with me. " Mom, having thyroid issues makes me part of who I am. Taking a pill everyday kind of stinks but it makes me feel better. Its just a part of my life.".  Love her attitude. The doctor said shes in great health and she will see us again in 6 months.

Been awhile..

I know for all of the 3 people that actually read my blog. I am sure that you all have been checking in daily to see what is going on in the Wheeley House.  Well the list goes on and on .. will update you later on our exciting lives ( if only it really was ).  We are full swing into summer and I am ready for the kids to go back to school today. We still have 4 more weeks left and we all may not make it.   More to come later....

Spanking on Lebanon

Last week the kids fighting was crazy. It was constant and got louder and louder every waking minute. We were headed back from who knows where.  I look in my rear view mirror to see toys flying , kids SCREAMING ( you get the picture). I came to a complete stop on a major road, at this point the car became very quiet. I jumped out of the car went and pulled both kids out on the sidewalk. To which I spanked  them. Yes I did.. right on broad daylight on a major road. Lauren is yelling Mommy people will see you and you could go to jail. Well take me then because I am done with the fighting. Walker of course is yelling dont beat me I love you sooooo much Mommy. I sooo sooo sorry. ( Notice Lauren offers no apologies just keeps saying I could go to jail).  About the time that Lauren spoke up a car drove by and honked while giving me a thumbs up. Other Mothers know exactly what I am going thru at this point in the summer.  We have 4 weeks left.

Lord hear my Prayer -- please help me not kill my children.  If you are willing please help me in the patience department. It is extremely low and could use some assistance. Amen !!

July 4th

  A week or so before the 4th Mike and Kristi Munoz offered us the use of their pool, since they were going to be out of town.  We told them that we had plans to hang with all of the Haarala's, they said no problem. We took them up on there offer. Which I was so happy we did after all of the chaos that took place at our house the day before. 

After several hours of swimming Terri started taking pics of everyone. These were the ones taking of our family.  I am not any of the pics because NO ONE wants to see me in a swim suit. After swimming we met for dinner at Casa Rita, then over to Terri and Richie's to watch the fire works. It was a fabulous day with great friends.

Great Flood of 2012

Kids and I left the house to run a few errands before the big 4th of July holiday. We were only gone about 3 hours, when we got home Walker came in the house first as he typically does. He came running into the garage to tell me that there was water ( his voice was not panicky by any means) , I assumed one of the dogs had an accident. Lauren ran in after him to check it out, I was still getting bags out of the car. Lauren came flying out the back door with a look of PANIC on her face.  I knew something was BAD. I ran in after her to find WATER ALL OVER the place. Well let me clarify all over, 1/2 of the family room. 1/2 of the master , most of the front all, 1/3 of the dining room, all of the powder bath, all of the coat closet. So pretty much EVERYWHERE . Needless to say I lost it, several not very nice words came out of my mouth.  Walker said, " Sissy we better get out of her before Mommy's head blows off".  

The water was coming from the feeder connector tube on the toilet.  It some how burst and water was spewing everywhere. I have been married to Ken long enough to know that I needed to shut the water off from the toilet which I actually knew how to do. 

First try I was unable to get a hold of Ken. Lauren called him from her phone still no answer. I text-ed him 911 to which he called me back.  He of course was so calm and I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  Literally I thought I was going to lose it.. Anyway we called Service Master and the insurance company. Service Master was great , they were at our house with an hour and a half.  They had to leave 8 very large fans, 4 De-humdifiers and some other fan looking thingy in the house for 5 days. It sounded like a tornado in here.  Insurance ... well they aren't so great. We are still haggling with them over what needs to be repaired and how much money they are willing to give us. ( Example, Mrs Wheeley,  we will only replace half of your base boards.) Such a HUGE PAIN IN THE BUTT.  Anyway its going to be a long process getting all of the repairs done. Silver lining it all of this .. we will get new carpet, flooring and paint.

Answers prayers

 Walker is more than ready for this school year to be over.   Tomorrow is field day but there is a 80% chance of rain. This is the conversation we had over dinner.

 Me- Walker it looks like rain tomorrow so you may not have field day.
Walker- Hmm... well Mommy I need to have a talk with God about holding off on the rain.
Me- Its always a good idea to pray but it could still rain.
Walker- Mommy he answers prayers ALL the time and this one a really important. I think God knows that my brain needs a break from learning.

For the sake of EVERYONE that has to deal with Walker tomorrow. Please let the rain not come till later. Please Lord, that is my prayer.. AMEN

Helping out...... NOT !!!

Walker has a binder that gets either a smiley face or a sad face daily. Actually he gets two faces a day. That way if he has a bad morning he can turn his day around and get a happy face in the afternoon. Last week while Mrs Montes was out for the day he had a substitute. One who he has had before and knows her rules. Anyway she asked him to come work on something. He has no desire and apparently made a fuss about it. She told him that if it didn't get done she would have to sign his binder so that I would know. Well he then took it upon himself to get his binder and but his own smiley face. If you look closely at the picture you can see that there is a smiley face with a frown drawn over it. Well that is the one he made and then his substitute changed it. When we asked him why he did it, " he said well, she was very busy with all the other children and needed some help. So Mommy, I was just helping her. Its good to help people." After I left the room to laugh and then came back. I let him know that this was not the appropriate kind of help.

My Mom reminded me that in 2nd grade I forged her name when I note came home from school. My Mom's name is Beverly.. I signed the note Beberly.. haha !! I guess that apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I do love that boy so much .. 

Afternoon at the park.....

These pictures are extremely deceiving.. They both argued the entire way to the park. On a good part of the walk thru the nature trail.. But as soon as I turned the camera towards them they turned the charm on. Making me look like a  liar.  I told them that its going to be along summer if the arguing keeps up.  Walker says well.. sometimes it more fun to argue with  Lauren. Lauren then says its a brother and sisters job to argue with each other.. Umm.. I don't think so you two.. Looks like we are going to have to have a long chat about the how they should be acting.. Thankfully I was able to get a few good pics of the 2 of them

Teenager in the making....

Dear Lord, PLEASE HELP ME with this child .. She is going to be the death of me.

 I found this pic on my phone and I am sure this is the face she wishes she could do to my face. I do love her dearly but we are going to go toe to toe for years to come. All I can say is my Mom survived my teenage years so there is some hope.

Easter with our " Adopted Family"

We were invited over to Marc and Shelly's for Easter lunch ( well actually I think I may have invited myself , that's how good of friends they are)  with the entire Haarala gang. Kids got to die eggs ( thankfully because I never did that with them), we hid candy eggs and we ate more food then we really needed to. It was a fabulous day.

You maybe wondering why we have 2 pics that look almost exactly the same. Well you know girls and we had to get the best pic possible ( I could of posted more but decided not to go over board).

Lauren absolutely LOVED getting to hang with her bestie Emma as well as the older girls. 

This is the entire gang of kiddos.  As well as the only pic of Walker and Hayden we could get. Even this one was so hard to get them in. They told us they had way more important things to do then take pictures.

No words for these 3 clowns. Just kidding !! This was the only pic we could get them to take.

All in all it was a wonderful day with our " Adopted Family".

Happy Easter 2012

Elijah

This sweet child has been in thoughts and prayers daily ever since I heard the news that he has "restrictive cardiomyopathy" . In non - doctor terms.. he needs a heart transplant. No words can even express my sadness. It has taken me days to process this. I have done more research on the internet and its a flipping scary diagnosis.

 For those of you that don't know, I was in the delivery room when this soul came into the world.  He will always hold a special place in my heart. As will the entire Auxier family. When we lived in Portland, we met the Auxiers at church and hit if off immediately. We spent holiday with them. Stayed with the all the kids when Jeff was lost in the woods of Oregon eating bugs ( just kidding, that story is a whole other post). Anyway I was pregnant with Lauren and Elijah was only like 3 weeks old.  I LOVE Jeff's wicked dry sense of humor ( made the man spit water across a table one time, I still laugh when I recall that dinner conversation). As you can tell I LOVE LOVE this amazing family. We may be in Texas but we still love them like family.

For some reason today , I have shed many a tear about Elijah. As well as what Kimmee and Jeff are going thru as parents.  This is my prayer today...

Tender and compassionate God, you are our steadfast companion in the joyous times of our lives. When we rejoice, you celebrate with us; when we are anxious and afraid, you offer us a relationship where we can find courage to face the unknown; when we weep with sadness, you are our comforter. Help us, O God, to believe that you receive us as we are, and help us to entrust ourselves, with all our many struggles and hopes, to your faithful and abiding care. Amen.
− Unknown

Please continue to pray for Elijah, Kimmee, Jeff, Ed, Mary and Luke.

http://loveforelijah.wordpress.com/

First the Tooth Fairy... Now Easter Bunny

Lauren walks in and says , Mom, most bunnies hop on 4 legs.. But the Easter Bunny walks around on 2. Can you explain that to me ? ( I knew what was coming ). I said well its how the Easter Bunny is..
Lauren:  Mom, I mean really its a little creepy to think about a furry bunny walking around the house leaving Easter Baskets..
Me:  couldn't help but laugh.
Lauren:  You have to admit it is creepy. Mom, I'm thinking its like the tooth fairy.
Me : what do you mean ?
Lauren: Well you and Daddy are the tooth fairy. So I'm thinking you are the Easter Bunny as well.
Me: yes we are
Lauren: ( long deep breath).. I am so glad that you are because the thought of a big furry bunny coming in the house is just WRONG ..
Me: I'm sad that you are getting so big.
Lauren:  Its OK Mom it happens..  Also , I know for sure that there is no Cupid because Daddy has no romance skills.

This girl cracks me up. I hate that she is getting so grown up.

Slumber Party !!!

 Walker asked Lauren to sleep in his room. Which is HUGE because he never wants anyone to sleep in his room.  Trust me Ken has asked numerous times and the answer every time is NO Daddy.  I sat outside the door for a few mins and listen to all the giggling.  Warms my heart !!

Why?

Way to much illness has been too close to home lately.  Way to much stress to close to home. Way to much sadness.  I would really love some good news. I pray multi times a day , ( My mom has a sign that says, Hello God, its me again.) I am thankful God is patience, because if not he would be extremely tired of hearing from me. 

 The other day while in conversation someone told me that we shouldn't ask God why things happen? That we should  just except it and then you would be at peace with the situation.  

1) Elijah Auxier - a dear friends 11 yr old son needs a heart transplant.
2)  Friend from HS 7 yr old son died in a freak accident.
3)  Lauren has a friend from school with leukemia.

This list could go on and on. How can you help but ask why?  Yes I do believe that you have to have faith in Him that all will be OK. But how in the world could we say to any of those parents in these situations, to not ask why ? 

My prayer is for some good news very soon. I feel like I have been consumed with sadness. My heart has been so heavy for all of these families , from the stress of unemployment, and just the day to day stress of the kids. 

Toothless

Walker has lost a total of 4 teeth and they are all right in the front of his mouth. We keep calling him " Toothless" which he doesn't like much. Anyway the other day he finally lost one that was just hanging my a thread. It bleed and bleed like crazy. He was not happy to say the least. He was trying to convince me that he couldn't go to school, " with a bleeding body" . Well we got the bleeding to stop and off he went to school. But not happy at all about it. I emailed his teachers to give them a head's up. Once he arrived he was totally fine . Mrs Oliver was able to get him on video to show me proof that all was well.  You have to admit that he looks so cute with all those teeth gone.

Mom, you need to sit down...

As you all know Lauren is 10 ( going on 17).. she reminds us daily that she is growing up. We have started to let her have a bit more freedom out and about in the neighborhood.  One this particular day she was out riding scooters with her buddy Emma. I told them to be back home by 4PM because Emma's  Dad was coming to pick her up. So off they went to ride around.  With the rule that they CANNOT go to the fort. We have 3 different forts in our hood.  But the one I am referring to always has a huge group of 5th grade boys always hanging out . There is NO good to be had at that particular fort. So they were both told not to go.. I'm sure you know where this is headed.  Emma's Dad showed up at 4 and they girls were NO WHERE to be found. What kind of parent do I look like when I don't where where his kid is? So he drove the hood looking as did I.. I got madder and madder as the minutes ticked away. I told him to go on home and I would find them.. Chew them out accordingly and bring her home.
 As I am driving around Ken calls to tell me they just walked in all jolly and happy. Claiming not to know what time it is.. I told him to not yell but to PLEASE let me have that satisfaction.  When I walked in Lauren says Mom,, you need to sit so that your head doesn't fume off ( her words). She then tells me that they decided to go check the fort out even though I had told them no.  I mean Mom I was with Emma and yes there were 5th grade boys there but we were only there for a few mins. Please don't be mad Mom I'm telling you before someone tells you. That has to count for something. As for me being late.. I have no excuse.. ok Mom, are you mad ??  I was still processing everything when she was done telling me..  On one hand she did come directly home and tell me.. On the other hand she went where she was told specifically not to go to. I did not yell which is my normal response.. I was very calm and told Emma I would be taking her home. Lauren kept asking what her punishment was, asking OVER AND OVER again.  Then I remembered when I was a kid and my mom would say wait till your Dad gets home. It felt like an eternity waiting.. So I made her wait to find out her fate. We don't need to get into the gritty details of her punishment.. Just know that she was not pleased. One thing for sure is this child is JUST LIKE ME... Scares me to death the older she gets.. WOW !! Dear Lord, Please don't give my Mother her wish. AMEN !!

Charlie -- Happy 15th Birthday

Charlie has been with us since before we were actually us. I got him as a late Christmas present from my parents. Ken and I started date about a month after I got him. From then on it was a match made in heaven ( not us but Charlie and Ken). Ha ! 

He really has been the best dog. So great with the kids and their friends. Until recently he has been very healthy. He is so loved that we give him shots 2x a day for diabetes. I wouldn't give Ken shots 2x a day. JUST KIDDING !!

Last week he turned 15 yrs old. We know that day is coming that he will leave us. That is going to be an awful day in the this house. I just wish we could freeze time and keep him forever.

Yes, he does sleep with us. That is all my fault.. when I was single he would sleep with me and once we got married he stayed in the bed. Happy Birthday Charlie !! We love you so much !

Laurens Endocrinologist Check-up

Ever since Lauren has been diagnosed with Hashimotos. We have had to go in 2x a year for her check-up. Typically always falls in August and February. Like always we see the doc first get weighed and height checked. etc.. Then Dr Hutchinson comes into talk to us about any changes. This appt I got the shocker of them all. Well, Mrs Wheeley Lauren is in the beginning stages of PUBERTY. Umm what did you just say to me?? Shes in the early stages but please keep in mind that it could take up to 2 years before.  Then Lauren says until " THE BIG RED MESS ARRIVES".  Yes I about fell off my chair. We have had the conversation but wow. She says Mom I am 10 I know these kind of things. Can we please back up a few years and keep her young FOREVER??? The doctor says its all going to be OK ( mind you shes saying it me not Lauren). I said do you have a pill for me to get me thru these next few years. She cracked up laughing. I am NOT kidding at all. 

This child is so much like me its scary. I know how I was and GOD BLESS my Mom for dealing with me and not killing me. Because I may kill Lauren before its all over it.

Dear Lord Please help me with this child.

T.N.T

My sweet Walker got a T.N.T (Teachers Notice Things) . Walker took it upon himself at lunch to help a friend who didn't get everything they needed. So he got what they needed to delivered it to his table.  He was so excited he couldn't stand still while Mrs Williams was reading everyone else. Mrs Williams even made a comment that she had never seen someone so excited. We are so proud of Walker for helping a friend .

New Years Eve 2011

NYE was very low key this year. We ended up over at the Hammond's house for yummy homemade spaghetti, salad and bread.. Along with a few deserts. Fred brought fire works from Missouri. None of which will be seen in these pictures due to the question of whether or not they were actually legal. Hmmmm..  but as you look at some of the following pictures you will see how excited the kids were with the evenings shenanigan's.  As well as the stressed out look on Tyra face..  Love it !! She did have fun but I think more fun after the firework display was over and we started to play cards. 

Group pic.. minus Fred

Not sure what shes thinking about.

Fred and Ken were just talking a few things over. Like which end was up.

Look at the excitement on Cooper and Katie face. But my favorite part of the picture is Tyra in the background, arms crossed and you cant see really well but COMPLETELY stressed out by the type of fireworks going off.

This is right after Cooper said, " this is the best NYE EVER"

Walker loves Shannon

Family pic to end the night

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