Happy New Year 2008!!

2008...A new year here, another one gone. It's nice to start a new year with new goals and motivations. My New Year's Resolutions are to be more organized, lead a simpler life (I'm still not quite sure what that means but I want it), and of course be healthier. Bill and I got an elliptical exercise machine for Christmas from each other and a 27 1/2 inch computer monitor to watch movies while we exercise. That was supposed to be our only gifts from each other but an opportunity arose that we couldn't pass up.. so we also got a "new" used car. We bought my parent's 2003 Toyota Avalon from them. Our Christmas was nice but it was not the same without Shannon and Chad here. I told Shan I didn't want to spend another Christmas without her. Brianna and Alyssa had a great time opening all of their gifts (way too much as always). They were really into it this year. Alyssa was sick with a bad cough and runny nose on Christmas and seems to have spread it around to the entire family (my parents, Grandma, Brianna). My 89 year old Grandma is now in the hospital with pneumonia. She should get to come home tomorrow. We had a really fun New Year's. My parents watched the girls on Sun. night so Bill and I could go to dinner and a movie. We had the best time! They spent the night and didn't come back until N.Y.'s Eve night so we went to the movies again the next day. We had a small get together at our house. We played American Idol Karoake and Pictionary. We did lots of laughing. Mostly at my dad's expense (he is pretty tone deaf). Sorry Dad! Bill had a great birthday. I was supposed to work but got the night off! Yeah! The holidays were wonderful. When I was taking all of the Christmas decorations down yesterday Alyssa said she missed Christmas. I'm sure another one will be here before we know it! God bless you all!!

An Early Morning Trip to the ER

About once a year Alyssa gets croup. On Sat. afternoon I heard the start of it- the barky cough. I put her humidifier in her room that night. At 4am I heard her cough, it was tight and I could tell she wasn't getting much air. I got up and checked on her. She was burning up and definitely having trouble breathing. I gave her some Tylenol and took her to the ER. Fortunately there wasn't too much of a wait. They took us back and gave her some Motrin for her fever. Then she got a breathing treatment, some anti-inflammatory medicine and a chest x-ray. After 2 1/2 hours we got to go home. She was a different girl when we left. She could breathe again. She was very talkative and happy. She held very still for her x-ray and took her Prelone with no problem (it tastes really bad. We have kids spit it out all the time at the hospital). She was a champ! She took a 4 hour nap in the afternoon. I called in to work and told them I couldn't come. I feel so guilty doing that but when she has croup I feel better to be home with her. Plus she couldn't go to preschool. This morning she woke up sounding awful. Keep her in your prayers please. Thankfully it usually only lasts a few days.
On Friday night, we had my mom's 70th birthday. We went to a nice dinner and surprised her with my sister, Sandi who flew down for the day. My mom cried when she saw her. My dad took her to Cambria to a bed and breakfast for a couple of days. I still can't believe she is 70. She seems a lot younger to me. The other night the girls and I made gingerbread cookies for the first time ever. I messed up the first batch so we had to start over. They turned out cute but don't taste good at all. I think the recipe wasn't a good one. They needed more sugar or something. The girls liked them OK, but I'll save my calories for something that takes good. They sure had fun decorating them. I'm attaching a cute picture of Brianna. Last night she came into the living room on her rocking horse with a scarf on her head saying she was Mary. Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Happy Holidays

It's my favorite time of the year. Also the busiest, so forgive me that I haven't written in a while. We had a wonderful time in Ohio visiting Shannon and Chad. They live outside of Columbus in a beautiful house in a very nice neighborhood. The houses are so big and so inexpensive compared to Southern Ca. It was tempting us to relocate. It was fun to bundle up for a week. However, coming home really made me realize how much I like our weather. We went to the Columbus Zoo, Art Museum, Kid's Science Museum, The Bodies Exhibit, and did lots of shopping. The mall that Shan works at is really nice. We played games and hung out in Shan and Chad's theater (their basement that we called the "man cave". They have a projector and movie screen, bar, pool table, and computer). That is where Bill hung out the whole time. It was great to spend time with Shan but soooo hard to say goodbye. Alyssa was a bit of a challenge on the plane. It's hard to keep a 2 year old entertained for 5 hours. We bought Brianna a Leapster and she was a perfect angel. Now it's back to the real world. Brianna went back to school on Monday after being off for a month. It's been a little hard readjusting and she has gotten in trouble- No TV for a week. Great news with Alyssa- she is officially potty trained!! Almost 2 weeks ago she turned 2 1/2 so we decided it was time to put her in panties. She had 3 accidents the first day, then 1 accident the next couple of days and then no more. She's been doing so good. What a relief! I'm so glad to be done with that. It can be so frustrating. Tomorrow we are going for family portraits. Wish us luck. That can also be a frustrating thing. Now that Alyssa is getting a little older, it should be OK. Last year was a bit of a challenge. Bill and the girls spent Thanksgiving in San Diego with his parents. I had to work that night so I went to my cousin Susan's in Corona. My parents, Sheri, Grandma, Aunt and Uncle and cousins were there. Why does the food have to be so good? Bill and I are hoping to get some kind of exercise equipment for Christmas for each other...Treadmill, Eliptical or Bike. Any suggestions would be great. Well, Alyssa is climbing all over me so I better giver her some attention. Remember: Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!

In Loving Memory of Virginia Margaret McCage 1914-2007

My sweet Grandma McCage went home to be with the Lord on Tues. night Oct. 30th at the age of 93. She will be greatly missed. I was able to spend some time with her on Monday afternoon and again on Tuesday. It is never easy to see someone you love go, but it is comforting to know that she is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. She was such a strong lady right up to the end. She was always so positive and sweet. I learned a lot from her. She was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.