Tim is NOT smarter than a 5th grader *wink*...

...We found this out on Saturday when we traveled to Clarinda to see Cody for the afternoon! We had a good time, lots of laughs, played some games (hence the reference to Tim not being smarter than a 5th grader) shared some fun stories and talked about future when he's done!

Cody looked great! We believe that he has matured since going 3 months ago. He's playing baseball and throwing disc on the track team. He was in good spirits, and jumped at the chance to gang up on Tim with me, when Tim wasn't up to his usual smart self answering his trivia questions!

We are waiting to hear from Clarinda on the status of Cody's home passes. Tim would really love for Cody to be able to go on the week long fishing trip that they started planning last fall. Thats coming up at the end of June, so we're hoping they will allow this alone time with his Dad, for an extended pass. I think it would do everyone some good, and hope his case manager agrees!

Anyway...we had a good time. It was hard to leave him there, but he is doing so well!
In fact, we received grades! He's getting all A's and B's, and is on track to leave in August with his GED! That means not going back to public schools once he comes home. He has plans to attend Hawkeye's welding program and holding down a job!
We're excited for him and can't wait for him to come home!

"She's Growing like Gangbusters!"

Thats what Dr Julie said today in Iowa City! Becca surprised us with the amount she has grown since last visit in November! She gained 4lbs 6oz and 2" !
She is now 25.6 lbs and 33 1/2"! Thats even 1.6 lbs and 1/2" since March 10th appointment with her Pediatrician! We are sooo happy about this. Dr Osterhaus was very pleased and reassured with her recent growth, as are we!

Rebecca did very well, with her own Dr kit in tow! What an excellent birthday gift idea, Aunt Wendy! It came in handy, and transitioned her well from one "check up" to the other. Dr Julie even stocked it up with Tongue depressors and band-aids! She's so neat! We love her!

The blood draw for the tests was the only real meltdown, but it only lasted a few minutes. Daddy made it all better and we were done and out of the hospital within an hour today! She's a good little patient. We told her over and over how proud of her we are for her perfect behavior and for growing up to be a big girl!

We stopped at Walmart once we got back into town. We needed to stock up on goodies and games for Cody's visit tomorrow. While we were there, Daddy didn't forget the promised "treat" that was coming for being such a big and brave girl at the Dr today. That treat, that I figured would be in the form of a snack food.....turned out to be a SCOOTER! Its a My First Scooter for toddlers. Wider base and wheels on each side, so that it isn't as easy to tip. We haven't gotten it out yet, but I'm sure this weekend it will be broken in fast!

We love you Becca Boo! We are so incredibly proud of you!

Introduction to Earthday...in the backyard!

With beautiful weather the last 2 days, we have finally been able to spend some much needed time outside! Tim cleaned out the pond and raked the yard. We cut down all the dead stuff so we can now see the new growth in the flower beds! Becca discovered some ants and some potato bugs! She loved to watch them work their way around. I accidentally found a nest of baby bunnies in our yard while cleaning out a flower bed, so she met them as well! Last night I came home from work, to find her and Tim watching the 12 goldfish they just bought and dropped into the pond! She thought that was so cool! I asked her to count them and she said, "ok...6-9-4, all done!"
It was cute.

This weekend will be a busy one for us!
Friday, we head to Iowa City for her quarterly thyroid check up! We're praying for another growth spurt, in hopes that she doesn't have to go through the Level 2 Growth Hormone testing they "threatened" us with. Ok, so it wasn't a threat, it was more of a warning that they may need to do it if she is still showing not enough change in her growth charts. Long story. But it would be filling her with insuline (she's not diabetic) and then doing blood draws every 15 minutes for 2 hours. THat is so they can measure how her body is recoverying with the growth hormone. But, shootin her up with insuline, being so small, and not being diabetic, means possible seizures, migranes, induced diabetic commas, fever. Just overall misery for her. And to not be able to understand it all, being so little....I just can't even fathom how hard it will be to comfort her. Please, keep her and us in your prayers. We're hoping she doesn't have to do this. We know that she gained 2lbs and 1" since last fall, we're hoping thats enough to satisfy them.

Saturday, Becca will be spending the day with Wendy and Xavier, while Tim and I go to Clarinda to visit Cody! We're looking forward to the time with him.

Well, I'm on my lunch while I type this, so I better eat quick before my time is up!
I'm sure we'll have updates after the weekend!

Thanks for everyones prayers!

Go Avalanche

Its been a long time since I've posted!

Time has been flying by. Helping mom and dad with the move nearly every day for the last week, they have officially moved in to the new place. They spent their first night there, after sharing a lasagna dinner with us.

The weather continues to be crappy lately. We're itching to get out and spend some time outside. I have green stuff peeking thru all the dead stuff in my gardens, and haven't yet had a chance to get stuff ready!

Becca will be having a blast once the weather is nice! With a new fire truck, Tricycle and my childhood wagon...she'll have plenty of outside toys to choose from!
We've made one walk. But we would love to get out more. I'm just hoping we don't go from cold and damp to hot and humid. We want SPRING!

Have to share a picture. Becca received "THE BEST GIFT SHE WILL EVER GET...EVER" from Dave, Lori and the boys! And in perfect timing to wear to cheer on the Av's durring playoffs!


Ok, so I will promise to post more later.

Well, as expected, we did make dinner out on Friday night, minus the trip to Lowes! I'm sure it will come yet though! I was in CF Friday afternoon for a Dr's appointment, so Tim and Becca just met me at Texas Roadhouse. As usual, it was excellent! If I could afford it, I would eat there every night!

Saturday was a beautiful day! We enjoyed a skillet breakfast and then opened up the house for a short time while Tim and Becca napped and I cleaned. Becca and I then went to check in on Grandma Deb.

Shes is doing just fine! She was up and packing boxes for the big move. They have little less than 2 weeks until moving day. I can't believe it. The house is looking pretty bare without its decorations, but filling up with boxes of every shape, size and weight! We had a good time as we pulled out Wendy and my Barbies, accessories and clothes. That was a hoot. Oh, we were creative way back then! Velveeta boxes for Barbie bathtubs, wooden strawberry crates with napkins folded up to provide Skippers' kid sister a bed...you name it! We made it! Hilarious. Along with that is the treasure trove I found of all my old New Kids on the Block stuff. *gasp* Wow. And all in time for NKOTB reuniting! I'm sooo at that concert!

We stopped by home to grab Tim and made off to the park! Becca was sooooo happy to be there. She skipped from slide to bridge, to ladder, to slide and all over again! She would clap when she was all done and say, " More this! " On the other hand, she wasn't so happy when it got crowded and we decided to leave. Broke her little heart.


I've been feeling pretty lousy with a cold I'm sure I picked up from my sister. And I'm afraid that Becca now has it. She's definitely not been herself today. Very cuddly, quick to melt, no appetite, and a little toasty. We're keeping an ear and eye open on her breathing, but discovered I need to make an appointment for her with Dr Christiason, so we can get refills for her nebulizer. Our meds expired 14 days ago. Dang! Wouldn't ya know!

Finally April and Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe the first week of April has already come and gone! Right there with that, I can't believe Tim and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary! Yesterday was our anniversary, though I'm sure we'll celebrate this weekend. More than likely dinner out and a trip to lowes will be about it! Thats usually how it goes. This year, we'll be purchasing a new waterheater! Woo Wee! Every year at this time there is another project that needs to be completed! Oh well! I woudln't know what to get tim anyway. I joked that the traditional gift for 10yrs is Tin or Aluminum and the modern gift choice is Diamonds. This is true ~ according to Hallmark! So, I guess I could gift wrap a box of Reynolds Wrap for Tim. lol

Well, we didn't celebrate yesterday, because Mom was admitted to Allen Hospital after midnight /Early Thursday morning for Kidney Stones. They wouldn't pass, so they were doing surgery last night to remove them. She's going home today, and will need to make an appointment to get another blasted out that is the size of a nickle!
This all came as a surprise to her! She's never experienced them before!

Last weekend we did dinner out with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Joe. They came up to spend a little bit of time with Becca, since they were traveling on Becca's bday. It was nice to catch up and visit a bit before they returned to the new Casino and met some long time friends.

Well, I've done it again. Joined another weight loss challenge. This one is 12 weeks. Longer than I have done it before. But maybe at 12 weeks I won't pittle out and fall back into old habits like I do EVERY time. I'm hoping the 12 weeks will get me more into a lifesyle change. I am trying something different this time though. Trying Weight Watchers. I haven't actually attended a meeting, but the girls in my office are doing it also on the points system, and I'm thinking that with their support and knowledge, and point tools, I can do this.