Matthew update

Today had a lot of ups and downs. First Lane woke up sick. He was throwing up a little. Not sure what that was all about. Then our realtor called and told me he had been trying to send me new picture of the house but my email wasn't accepting them. Bummer! But the good news is that the frame is up!!! And I got to pick out the vinyl siding color, shingles color, and trim color!!!!! The first of so many things I get to choose. Of course all that took all of two seconds. The minute he told me what I needed to decide on I spit out my three colors! He just laughed and said he could tell helping us build this house was going to be a lot fun. I informed him that I've been building this house in my head for the past 5 years!!!!

We headed off to pioneer park this afternoon to meet up with Amy, Mel, Ashley, and kiddos. The boys took their bikes. One of Logan's training wheels doesn't like to cooperate so he didn't get to ride as much as he wanted to. Both the boys had a blast and enjoyed their outside time. Of course when I pulled my camera out to take a picture it said my memory card was full. Just my luck! We headed off for a good dinner at Gallos. The food was awesome...I of course ate way to much. All the kids...for once...were very good. So we tested our luck and headed off for ice cream at McDonalds. When we were getting ready to leave Mel invited us over for birthday cake for Aiden's birthday. When I drove through the stop light right before going on post I heard a cop car so of course I stop cause he was right behind me. He ended up merging right in front of me. I look back to make sure nothing else was coming and see this huge line of buses which almost ran over me because they were going so fast. But they were full of soldiers on their way to be welcomed home by their families. So they had every right to be speeding...with their police escort! It was so emotional. I couldn't stop the tears even though I knew Aaron wasn't on any of those buses. Logan was asking questions and when I told him who was on the bus he made me cry even harder. "Is my daddy on that bus?" I'm so happy for those families but jealous too. Just a little bit longer and it will be our turn.

The boys played a little while longer over at Mel's. We ladies gave Amy an extra hard time because her husband will be the first to come home out of the 4 of us. All the kiddos were half asleep by the time we left. These two crashed the minute we got in the car and gave no fuss when I put them to bed. Maybe if I'm lucky we will sleep late in the morning!!

So before I close I want to give a little Matthew update. Matt's 24th birthday was August 26. October will be two years since his accident. He has still been having good days and bad days but lately more good days. Pam, his mom, believes he is saying "Momma." Of course some people will say we are crazy for thinking that but we believe it with all our heart. The first time he did she asked him if he was saying momma and he looked at her and said it again, and again, and again. There have been a few times where they believe he has tried to talk to them. He still has his trach in so he really can't talk but lately he moves his mouth a lot like he is trying to talk. He goes back to the doctor next week to see about getting botox injections to help the muscles in his hands relax. They took him off some medications that they thought were contributing to his muscle contractions but everything will be reevaluated when he goes back in. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He still has a long road ahead but he will make it! Just a few more months and I get to see him!!!! I miss him so much!

Catching up

Yes I know I have neglected the blog the last few days. The boys have been demanding and my mind and body have been tired. Tuesday ended up being a slow day at work and we had an OR case during the middle of the day. So I set off to find a few finishing touches for my "homecoming outfit." I got lucky and found some super cute shoes. That night we went to eat at Denny's with Amy, Mel, Ashley, and kids. We were tucked in a corner by ourselves...it was pretty nice. The kids were wild as usual but it was fun and the food was pretty tasty. The picture above shows off the mini Aaron, Johnny, and Josh who can be a complete handful (just like their older counter parts) when they are together!!!!

All night this week Lane has been whinny towards the end of the night. I just assumed it was because of the ears. Today was his last day on the antibiotics and this morning he was still tugging at his little ears. So I made him an appointment. The doctor checked him out and said that the infection was gone but his ear were "bulging" with fluid. He pretty much confirmed him getting tubes. Of course nothing is set in stone until we talk with ENT but Lane fits all the criteria and the only way to get rid of the fluid is the tubes. The doctor did say that Lane could probably feel the fluid on his ears and that was way he was tugging at them. Kind of like when you get water in your ears after swimming all day. So lets just all pray for no infections between now and when we have our ENT appointment. I just hate seeing him suffer like that.

Yesterday I finally made it back to the gym. I was no "he woman" but I did pretty good I thought! I finalized my accessories for my outfit so now I just need that plane to arrive with my husband on it!!!! Yesterday was a beautiful day so the boys and I played outside until bath time and bedtime. Today was another cold rainy day. Well it just rained on and off. Of course I didn't get as much done as I had hoped but I did get the car tag renewed. I brought the boys home from school pretty early. They have been wild since they set foot in the door. Fighting, throwing toys at each other, Lane is hitting, both are screaming...the list goes on and on. I woke Lane up from his nap when I picked him up to go to the doctor...so believe me...he's paying me back for it tonight!!!! Well I'm off to cuddle with these precious love bugs and then tuck them in bed before a little relaxation time for me. Enjoy your Saturday!!!

Poor Baby

Well this week didn't kick off exactly as I had planned. Lane was not feeling to good this morning and he was tugging at his left ear. I grabbed the Motrin, ear drops, and left over Amoxicillin from the where he just finished a round of it last week and dosed him up. By the time we got to school he seemed to be feeling fine but I still took him to the doctor just to make sure. My gut was right...another ear infection....this time double. About 3 weeks since the last one. Little man earned himself a referral to ENT. I vaguely remember the whole tubes in the ear thing from when my brother had them. For those of you who don't know my brother and I are 10 years apart so yes it is possible for me to remember those things. Of course my feelings and emotions about it now are much stronger this time around. Of course I love my brother and I was sad for him to have to go through that...twice. And I remember waiting in the waiting room for the doctor to tell us we could go see him. So pitiful. But being on the mother end of that is something I'm not emotionally prepared for. I know that kids get tubes everyday and these days it's a pretty routine procedure but I'm scared and nervous. I keep telling myself that maybe the ENT will not think he needs them but deep down I see myself as a basket case waiting in the waiting room for the doctor to tell me that my precious baby boy is all done and in recovery. I see people waking up from anesthesia everyday. It doesn't bother me one bit. But when it's my baby I know it will be a different story. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Yes I know, man up Tiffany, everything will be fine and God will watch over him every step of the way. But he's my baby and it pains me to know he's in pain. This is one pain I can't kiss away.

On a better note, Logan had a great first day of real preschool. He was super nervous when I dropped him off. He kind of stuck to my side for a bit. We walked through the classroom and he was glad to find a few familiar faces. I stayed with him for a bit until he started to wonder a little further away from my side. I kissed him on the cheek and wished him a good day. He was playing away when I picked him up and his teach said he did wonderful. His best friend Logan Joshua is in his room now and she said the two of them played well together all day. I'm so proud of him. Next thing I know he won't be letting me kiss him goodbye. They just grow up all too fast!

Tonight was a super lazy night. After dinner Lane curled up in my arms and Logan laid down beside me. Lane and I fell asleep while Logan watched some TV. Now we are all laying in bed and ready for a much better day tomorrow.

Mommy and boys time

This weekend ended up being fairly relaxing which was just what we all needed. I got to spend a lot of time with my baby boys. The weather was perfect. Yesterday we went to the park. Pioneer Park was having military appreciation day. The kiddos got to make their own candy... And they gave out free hotdogs!
The Ft. Wainwright firetruck was there. Logan was scared to get in it because he didn't want the siren to come on. But fearless little Lane climbed right in.

We let the kids play at the playground for a while and then we headed off to do some shopping. We looked for some shoes and then checked out Old Navy. They were having a nice sale and I ended up getting at least two things for each of us for an awesome price. I just love shopping! Mel and I carried the boys to McDonalds after all the shopping. They played for a while before heading home.

I was lucky enough to get to sleep in a little this morning. We lazed around all morning. About the only productive thing I did was laundry. Mr. Lane crawled into my bed and fell asleep for his mid day nap. He's just so sweet!Before we headed off to Walmart the boys played some more. I caught them doing this!

Too fun! After Walmart we headed off to Mel's. She was helping me pick out my outfit for the homecoming! I have two outfits and I can't decide. Now as long as I find all the right accessories I know which one I'm wearing! Tonight the boys were being super sweet. After bathtime we laid in Logan's bed and read a book. Then we tried to teach Lane how to show off his muscles. He was being so funny and could stop not laughing. Then I would close my eyes and pretend I was sleeping. The boys would try to wake me up. Logan was even prying my eyes open. Then I would say "boo" and they would just giggle and giggle. Those two are truly the light of my life!

Tomorrow is Logan's first day of real preschool. He's nervous. I know he's going to love it. But he's a shy one so it will take him a day or two to warm up to his new teachers. So say a little prayer for him. He's getting so big!

Park time

Yesterday was super busy. I was up at 7:30 and worked my booty off the whole day. After dropping the boys off I ran all over town and on and off post more times than I can count. I met Logan's new teachers and walked around his new classroom. On Monday he starts a new class called Strong Beginnings. They will be having a more structured classroom setting that is going to help get him ready for Kindergarten. It seems really neat and I think it will be really good for him. Plus I think he will really like it. After that I was off again. Making phone calls and moving boxes and shopping. I got all the shopping done for the single soldiers gifts and we finally got the sheets for the guys' beds. So thanks to a few wonderful ladies the sheets got washed and Mel and I sat in her basement and fixed these last night:The baskets have a tshirt, boxers, wash clothes, shaving cream, razor, snacks, candy, toothbrush, tooth paste, small shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.
And this is just what fit in the back of Mel's car. There were 50 baskets total!

This morning we were back at it again. I met up with Jodi, Mel, Susan, and Taza and we got to work in the soldier's rooms. We got lucky when Rear D showed up with a bunch of extra guys. I put them to work and they did awesome. In no time we had the sheets on the beds, the baskets, towels, and goodies from the parents placed in each room. All the Welcome Home signs were hung...the barracks are now ready for soldier's to move in! Aaron called as we finished up so I got to take a break and talk with him for a while. Even though a lot of guys have left they are still doing missions and taking care of the things that need to be done. Hopefully time will pass quickly for him.

After I talked with him I headed home to take a nap. I was exhausted. The nap was wonderful! I picked the boys up next and Logan's first questions was "are we going to see Logan Joshua or Aidan?" So since it was a beautiful day outside I made a few calls and we ended up going over to Mel's house. The kids played around the house and then we took a walk to the park. Lane was being wild. The kid WOULD NOT stop putting rocks in his mouth. I don't know how many times I jumped up and ran over to make him spit out rocks. He still would not stop. He wasn't trying to eat them, he just wanted to stick them in his mouth so that he could spit them out. That's what was happening here! Yes those are nasty rocks falling from his mouth! Notice the other hand is full of rocks just waiting to go in his mouth!
After a little while I caught him doing this...
I have no idea why! Oh me...boys! Logan got a little more adventurous and learned some new tricks on the swings. Aidan and Paige showed him how to spin around in circles on the swings. He had a lot of fun...even told me he was going to swing so high he would be able to see Heaven and God.Here are a few more pictures from the park. I LOVE these two pictures of the boys....Logan was concentrating so hard on crossing this...and he was so proud of himself when he did it.

If you look really close you can see my refection in Lane's eyes. I think I'm going to have these two pics blown up...I love these two boys sooooo much!

After the park we headed home. On the ride home Logan started asking me about marriage. He wanted to know if me and Mel were married and I explained that we were and that I was married to Daddy. Logan asked if he could get married. I told him that when he got older he would get a girlfriend and when he was sure that he loved her they would get married. He then tells me that he wants to marry me. I explained to him that I couldn't marry him because I was married to Daddy. So then he decides he will marry Paige. Then he tells me...and Johnny will most likely ban us from his house when he hears this..."me and Paige will have 5 babies!" It was so funny. How cute that at 4 years old he has it all figured out!

Don't let them fool you...

...they are not as sweet and innocent as they appear!!! Tonight they have been wild. After work and school we headed off to get Logan's hair cut. We waited forever before finally getting it done. Logan was such a big boy...he jumped up in the chair and said, "a 2 on the sides and a 3 on the top!" He was so proud of himself! Daddy called while we were throwing together a very nutritious meal of hotdogs (for Lane) and a sandwich (for Logan). Did I mention Lane inhaled two hotdogs is under 5 minutes! That boy can eat. Both the boys talked Daddy's ear off. Lane even did his counting for him. I'm not sure that Daddy heard much of what I was saying towards the end of our conversation. The boys were screaming and fighting and being...well boys!

Tomorrow will be 11 months since we started this deployment. Some of the guys are starting their journey home but we still have a little bit. Aaron has to stay back for the change over of our unit to the new one. But as long as everything goes as planned...he should be home before the 12 month mark!!!! Our countdown says 29 days...but I'm REALLY hoping that it's a little off!!!

So much to do

So far this has been a typical week for us. Yesterday the weather was beautiful. Just cool enough and just warm enough. After a busy day at work the boys and I played outside for a while. Lane is so funny when he's on the trampoline. He loves to be bounced. I would hold his hands a bounce a little and he would just laugh and laugh. Today was a short day at work. I got off at 2:30 but headed off to check out some new running shoes. I have been getting horrible shin splints so I've been really bad about working out because I needed new shoes so bad. I ended up finding a great deal on a pair of Nike Shox. I'm really happy with them. I bought some insoles to go with. I've never worn insoles so we shall see how well they work. And to top it all off...they were on SALE! I love that word! Watch out Aaron...I'm off to break your record now! (I've been teasing him that before he knows it I'm going to be able to out run him...lol...maybe in my dreams...but shhhh don't tell him that!!)Next I headed off to get a few things for the single soldier's baskets. Their cards are almost done. I found an awesome stamp that said "For all you are, For all you do, Thank you." I just thought it was so fitting. So I put that on the front of the card and I'm fixing up the back. I'll share pictures once I have all their stuff done. So far everything is falling into place but I've got a lot going on so I should be pretty busy until right in time for Aaron to arrive which is just around the corner. Well I'm off to bed. I got to bed by 10:00 last night and if I hurry I'll make it again tonight! So I'm off to dream sweet dreams.

Oh, babe, I'm sorry I missed your call yesterday. Thanks for the sweet message though. We love and miss you so much. Call me back soon!

Our weekend

The boys and I had a great weekend. It rained most of the time so we were stuck in the house. I rather enjoyed being able to just sit and relax...and clean a little. After going to Walmart I was bringing in the groceries and Lane picks up Logan's old bike helmet and jumps on the tricycle. I had to grab the camera...it was too cute. Here's a closer look...yes the helmet is on backwards! (Excuse my dirty garage...it's full of single soldier items for their rooms...oh and the brown box holds my fabulous refrigerator.)I turned it around for him and he was ready. He just looks so big here.
We had Mel and kids over for dinner. The kids played and Mel and I tried to watch 17 Again. It was cute; we just missed a lot of it with kids interrupting. When they were leaving Lane was passing out kisses to Tyler. He is almost 3 months old and cute as a button. Lane loves babies. They say at school he always wants to see the babies and he is so good with them. He's very gentle. So gentle that Logan said the other day that we needed another baby. I informed him he did not know what he was talking about but he insisted that he needed another brother. No way...we need no more men in this house. I'm out numbered enough as it is!
This morning we slept late. That was soooo nice! After breakfast I started the laundry and the boys played. They played so well together for a long time. They went a good while with no arguing or crying. I was so proud. I FINALLY found an outfit worthy of picking my husband up in! Actually I found two...I need to try them on to see which one is just perfect! So they should be here sometime next week...I just hope I like them as much on me as I did on the model!! Here's my little fireman who was being absolutely adorable today!
Here are a few pictures of the boys playing.

I snapped this picture while Logan was playing outside. I was still inside getting Lane ready to go out but I caught him off in his own little world...singing! He loves music as much as his momma and lately I catch him singing songs that he has made up. Ask my parents...I did the same thing. I've even found tapes that I made of myself singing when I was just Logan's age. He even sings along with me in the car. He will sing as loud as do...Aaron's in trouble!!! I can't wait to get him started with some guitar lessons.

Lane's first bowling trip

Lane got to bowl for the first time last night. He loved it. In fact I couldn't get him away from the lane and he wanted to push everyone's ball for them. We went with Amy and Mel and their kiddos. All the kids had a blast. But it was a crazy adventure. Between helping kids bowl and taking kids to the bathroom I don't think I got to sit for more than 10 minutes. And I didn't get to finished my yummy patty melt until it was cold! The kids were still FULL of energy after the bowling so we headed off to McDonald's for ice cream and play time. Aaron called while we were there so I got to chat with him for a while. He was doing good...still a little bored though. After MickeyD's Logan begggggggged to go to Logan Joshua's for a little more play time. So I gave in because even though it was late both boys were wide awake. We stayed for just a short time but it was enough to satisify Logan. After we got home we did "Daddy's day." Normally Lane is sleeping when we do it or he's off playing and not paying attention but last night he did it with us. Logan always counts all the days that have passed and after Lane heard this he started trying to count. He was sticking his first finger out and making a few noises. His favorite was five which he would emphaise a lot more than the rest. It was so cute...he kept doing it over and over and even some this morning.

These shoes were just too cute on him.

Amy used to keep Lane when he just a few months old...back then he was so tiny and this motion glider just swollowed him whole...last night he wanted to sit in it...he's not so tiny anymore!!!

As for the rest of yesterday I was super busy. The boys went to school and I worked on the single soldiers stuff. I finally got in the rooms after lunch. Mel came and helped me. We hung shower curtains and welcome home signs on the guys doors. I still have so much to do but I'm at a stand still until we get the sheets for their beds...which hopefully will be on Monday. Next weekend will be super full of single soldier room decorating! But after that it should be done and then soldiers will be arriving home!!!! Of course Aaron is on the last flight home so I'm stuck waiting a little longer than my friends...but he is completely worth the wait!!!!

Here are a few more bowling pics...hes mad in this picture because I held the ball in place until I had the camera ready to snap the picture...every time I sat the ball down he wanted to push it right away so I never got any good pictures...without making him mad!

This was Abby's first time bowling too. She was a little better at letting Lane have a turn...he wanted to take her turn and Logan's and who ever else got in his way!

Logan wasn't too into the bowling last night...he wanted the eat the whole time...which is unusual for him but everytime his turn came I had to pull him away from his chicken and fries.

Fair Pics

So here are the pictures from the fair that I promised yesterday. Logan loved it and told me over and over on the way home, "Mom, I had a lot of fun!" We went with the Godines', Sorba's, and Amy's friend Ashley. There were a few kid's rides but tickets were super expensive so Logan got to choose two rides. He rode these little helicopters and the carousel. I was so proud of him because he rode both by himself. He gets scared on those little ride but not this time. He was such a big boy. We walked around and check out all the little booths. Of course we had to have some fair food...the smell just pulls you in! We even got some kettle cooked popcorn. So good! The boys ended up picking out some guns as their "prize." I knew when I bought them I would regret it because that make that annoying little shooting sound. But they love them and have been chasing each other around the house with them.

Logan Sorba, Paige, Logan, Mel, and Aidan

Me and Logan
Poor Lane was too little to ride the rides...but he enjoyed riding in his stroller.

Logan says he has a gun like Daddy's now!
Today was a busy day. I did some running around with the girls and then we had some much overdue sushi. Aaron is gaging now! He thinks it's sooooo gross! I thought it was very tasty and I had my first fried sushi! It was really good. Before picking up the boys I made a welcome home banner. I'm not going to share any pictures but I just love knowing that it's time to make them. Now if I can just find an outfit to pick my hubby up in...I will be all set! Tonight was our monthly FRG meeting. We made signs to hang on the doors for the single soldiers. I've got so much to do to get their rooms decorated but it's going to keep me busy. August is half way over...I can't wait to welcome September!!!!

Breaking ground

The boys and I just got home from the fair. We had a fun night and I will post pictures tomorrow. I am exhausted but I HAVE to post these pictures for Aaron. I opened my email and there were pictures of our house, well the land really, from the realtor! I'm sooooo excited and wanted Aaron to have the chance to be just as excited! So it may not look like much to everyone else but I hope Aaron gets as excited as I did. Especially when he sees the "sold" sign in our front yard!!!!!

These are footers...so the realtor says! This picture is my favorite. I wonder if they will let me keep that sign!!!!! Probably not...but I think I will ask anyway!

Favorite things

Logan says he's a spy and Lane keeps trying to walk around in my shoes!

It is rather loud in the house right now. They boys are playing together. Which of course consist of throwing things at each other. They are both laughing so it must be fun...laughing that is until someone gets hurt. But like Aaron always tell me...they are boys right, they are suppose to get hurt from time to time. I don't like that motto! Today was the usual routine. Nothing too exciting to report. As we finished up dinner we called Grammy to see how they were doing. Logan was in a talkative mood and chatted with both Grammy and Papaw. Lane talked for a little bit. It was so cute!

Logan requested that his Papaw be at the airport to pick him up when we fly home. He is still unsure of this whole move. I'm still not sure if he understands that we as well as all our belongings will be making the move. He did say though that he was going to fly on the plane but only one more time! He hates flying. Mostly because he every time he has flown it's been for a whole day and he knows he just has to sit for the whole time. Not too exciting for a 4 year old. I am worried about how Lane will act. Lane is very vocal and will certainly let the whole plane know when he is fed up with all the traveling. Yes, I'm pretty sure I will be the mom with the loud kid on the plane. That's ok, nothing can contain my happiness...I'm moving home!!!!

I forgot to tell you all yesterday that they started on our house. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have some pictures. I can't wait to see some thing, anything that looks like a house is being built!!! OUR HOUSE! I just love hearing that!

So my cousin, friend Aishlea wanted me to list some things that are my favorites right now. So here are a few of mine.

I'm loving the Loreal Vive pro gloss collection. I have naturally wavy hair so the slightest amount of humidity makes my hair frizz like crazy. This stuff works wonders and adds a beautiful glow to my hair. I use the first 2 products on the left pretty much everyday and I have one of the mousses for when I get an itch to scrunch my hair. To top it off they are cheap...perfect!

Next is my silicone bake ware. My Aunt Sharon bought me two pieces and I LOVE them. They work so well. Nothing sticks to them and clean up is a breeze! When Aaron was home on R&R he would get up and cook breakfast. I kept telling him to use the silicone sheets for the biscuits but he was scared to try them because he thought they would burn. Now I've got him hooked. He got to see how perfect they are. Now I just want to replace all my bake ware! I'm getting there!

Of course I have to list my iPod Touch. This thing is amazing! It does everything including entertain my kiddos at appointments! This thing has become my calendar, my note pad, my calculator, my clock at times, not to mention my music when I'm working out. I carry this thing with me EVERYWHERE!

And last is my electric fly swatter. This thing has saved me from countless mosquito bites and even yellow jacket stings. Just don't touch it...take my word...it hurts!!!

So there's a few of mine...go ahead and list yours!