Ahhh the questions

OK, so there are a couple of questions that I get asked on a regular basis, so I figured what better place to answer them than on my blog.

1. Are are you through having kids??? Hmmm... I wish I knew the answer to this one. Some days I could say - are you freakin crazy??? I can hardly juggle what I've got, and sleep has become an all but distant memory. However, other days, I look at my boys and think... give up the chance at doing this again - NO WAY. It is hard for me to think that I might not ever experience bringing new life into the world again. To be honest... all of my life experiences have paled in comparison to the moments Jack and Collins were born. I do understand that does not justify having another child. So I guess we will see. I know my heart has room for more, I just don't know if my mental and physical health do! And of course there is Brendan... whom I think would be content with being finished.

2. Do you miss being a nurse? Some days.I did enjoy working and I worked hard to learn what I did. And I was good, real good at what I did. However, my schooling, my job, my paycheck.. It all has little value to those boys lying sweetly in their beds right now. I just couldn't possibly go back to work and leave them. In the whole scope of eternity all that stuff doesn't matter as much as raising them. Don't get me wrong, I do have my days, actually I just had one recently. Believe me when I say... the burn unit has nothing on this place! Maybe one day, If Brendan's schedule allowed for him to be home when I am gone to work. I do miss the adrenalin rush... I would have to go back to the ED or Unit...no doctors office for me...taking a Blood pressure and replacing the tissue on the table would not cut it!
True story... On my second date with Brendan I told him that when I have kids I've got to stay home with them. I told him if that wasn't going to be ok with him than I wasn't the one for him. He looked at me like I was CRAZY.... but he promised then, that if by some wild chance we were to work out... I could stay home. I will have to say he has kept his word. Since then, God has poured out so many blessings on us, that we know we are making the right decision. Next...

3. Are you getting any sleep yet. Umm...NO. I am however going too Sunday night!!! Brendan got me a room at Ross Bridge for the evening. I have every intention on laying out in my swim suit that doesn't fit, getting burned from my lack of sun screen, ordering poolside and room service ( I am pretty sure he put it on his buisness credit card =), and sleeping LATE.. you know.. till like 8... sure bets 4:30!!!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I'll be sure to blog about it!!!

Ok, well I'm tired, hope this gives anybody who cares clarity.
Courtney

Blog Worthy

Today Jack had his preschool music program at church. Now he has had one of these before, but he just sat there while everyone else performed. That was not the case today, he sang louder than all the other kids and did all of the hand motions!!!! It was so cute and I was so proud of him. It was particularly funny because all the other kids were sitting, doing nothing. I am loving watching his personality blossom... although me and that personality go head-to-head sometimes.
Later today when Jack was in time-out....for the fifteenth time... he fell asleep! He was in the corner and when we told him he was free to come out, we got no response. We laughed so hard because he was OUT and his head kept bobbing and we were sure he was going to tip over. Needless to say we got some awesome video of it.
Well better go and get ready for small group... have I mentioned I love our Sunday night marriage small group?!!!
Courtney

Facebook

You might want to have a seat when you hear this news... I joined facebook!! Yes, after MUCH peer pressure I joined... I know I am the LAST joining member. We will see how long it last, I hardly have time to blog.

We had a wonderful Easter. He has Risen!!! Church was awesome. If you didn't go to Church of the Highlands you missed out... and you were the only one!!! Over 19,000 attended and over 2300 accepted Christ!!!!! How awesome is that!!! Praise God!
Of Course I didn't get pictures, I had my hands way too full! Looking forward to this weekend at the lake for a little rest.
Courtney

Chunky Monkey

Busy, thats what we've been!! I feel like the "tails waggin the dog" these day. I can't imagine having a job... I can hardly manage my family and social life. I am kinda glad for a cold day to stay in and be lazy. The boys are both doing good. Collins is doing much better these days. Between his medicine and formula we have found the keys to happiness. I was sad giving up nursing him, but I realize that is whats best. I only fell 2 weeks shy of my 6 month goal. I will encourage others that breastfeeding is much easier the second go around and I am so glad that I did it! I must say... nothing packs on the pounds like formula! We have a chunky monkey on our hands. Collins looks totally different with rolls on him - its so cute!!
Jack is doing good too!!! He keeps me super busy... if only I had his energy. He is getting so excited about his birthday coming up and reminds me everyday of what he wants. I still have lots of party planning to do.
We are all looking forward to our up-coming beach trip - except getting into a swimsuit... not looking forward to that! I really need some rest, relaxation, and sand between my toes.
Well, enjoy the pics..



Clearly, Collins dosen't like laying out like his mother!

Quick Update

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update. Children's worked us in early and we were able to get all the test done Wednesday. It was a long morning, but really it went better than I thought it would. Poor Collins was all straped down to a table while they took about 50 xrays as he took a barium bottle. Then we had to wait for it to go all through his system. He didn't seem to mind too much and was actually intriged by it all. They also did an ultrasound. Well, all that and nothing... they still don't know what is causing his pain. I am glad that all of his anatomy is as it should be, but frustrated that we can't seem to find the problem. So there are other test they want to run, but I am waiting and praying to see where I should go from here. They did want me to quit breastfeeding and put him on hypoallergenic formula. So for now, I am pumping and giving formula - which is killing me to do. We just want to rule out the possibility of this being a food allergy. Still a lot of sleepless nights which is very tough. Please continue to pray with us for healing and answers. Thanks for all of you thoughts. I will keep you updated and I promise to post some pics soon... I am way to tired to do that tonight.
Courtney

Love Nugget

Well, my poor love Nugget has not been feeling all that well. It appears that he is having some sort of GI issue. This issue has been keeping us up ALL night long. So, we went to a pediatric GI specialist last week to see if we could get some answers. The MD thinks he has bad reflux and he goes to childrens in 3 weeks to have an upper GI and ultrasound done. Our main concern is that there is no physiological problems. Turns out that the intestines are one of the first things to form in the womb and since he was not growing as he should during the early phases we are going to get it all checked out. Also, Brendan has GI issues and being an identical twin he is more at risk of chromasomal issues. So we will see.... better to be safe than sorry. So far the medicine they put him on seems to be helping. The good news is my little "failure the thrive" nugget is putting on weight and is now in the 25th percentile!!!

Hello March

I love snow days! We happily welcomed the beginning of march with a snow day. Collins didn't even notice and Jack liked the snow but he didn't want it to stick to him... so that sort of created a problem. He did have fun building a snow man and loading the snow into his trailer. This weekend we also went to the marriage retreat and had a good time other than not feeling to well. We learned a lot of good info and had fun hanging out with our buddies. I believe that these retreats are so important because it helps bring focus back onto the marriage. When kids come along it is so easy to make them the center focus and let the marriage drift apart. It is vital to remember that those little guys are just passing by and after they are gone we will still be together- so we better get to know each other.
I particularly loved the " theme verse " this weekend. Its actually pretty ironic that it was the theme verse, because every year at this time that verse is our theme verse. We ingrain it in our hearts and make every effort to live it out...

" CHOOSE for yourselves this day whom you will serve... As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

That verse is often thrown on the walls as a pretty decor, but its so important to remember it is a CHOICE that is made DAILY. Its not a one time commitment... its a daily commitment. How easy is it to forget that? I know we do sometimes so it was nice to get a refresher course this weekend!

In other news Brendan and I are officially crack addicts... CrackBerry addicts that is. We both got one and in a matter of minutes we couldn't remember how we ever lived without them! So much fun!
Well I better get to cookin a dessert for small group tonight.... Can I tell you how much I love small group?!?! Brendan and I discuss on a daily basis how blessed we are to be apart of our church and the awesome friends that come with it.
Have a great day,
Courtney