Jump Kraze Kraziness

The boys have been stuck inside the past few days thanks to all this lovely rain we've been getting.  Getting restless myself, I decided last minute to load the kids in the car for a trip to Beckley and take them to a place called Jump Kraze.  I somehow manage to get our grocery shopping done with three kids tagging along, but I was not crazy enough to attempt going to such a place as Jump Kraze without a sidekick so we picked up Grams along the way.  The boys had a blast!!  Daniel, like always, was quick to make new friends.  Denton, on the other hand, just wants to be where his big brother is and tries his hardest to keep up.  He had to be reminded of this a few times, but I was actually impressed at how patient he was with Denton.  He would get caught up in the moment a few times only to realize that he had left Denton behind.  When this happened, I heard him tell his new friend that they needed to wait on his brother Denton.  It was a proud mommy moment for me!!  Where were places like Jump Kraze when I was growing up? 

As always, here are some pictures of our day:

Projects

After finding out last week that we were having problems with our septic system, a crew is now in the process of digging up our backyard.  The boys are enjoying the show, but I will be thankful when there's no longer a giant hole in the yard.  Basically, in the ONLY flat part of our five acres!  While they're here with the equipment, they're also going to dig up a pond at the bottom of the hill.  It will make for a nice home for the ducks we plan on getting in April!

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Nathan is also in the process of building a chicken coop for the 15 chicken he bought over the weekend.  It's coming along in the short few days he's been working on it, but not without his fair share of injuries.  I had to explain to him that when hammering he must aim for the nail, not finger.  He is now going to lose a THIRD fingernail in a matter of only six months.  

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Addi has just about mastered the art of sitting up on her own.  She has been sitting in front of the back door watching the boys watch the workers.  :)  She's also in the process of cutting teeth.  (something I've been saying for a long time now!)  Mommy can only handle so much crankiness before becoming cranky herself.

Addison ~8mo~

Trying to master the cuppy

Baby Chicks

Well, I surely didn't expect to post again so soon, but Nathan and the boys bought several baby chicks today and I now have a great story thanks to Addison!!  An Easter picture doesn't get any better when you have baby chicks to throw in the mix.  Or so I thought!!  In an attempt to get a picture of the kids with some of the chicks, Addi grabs one by the wing and just starts waving it around like a toy.  It wasn't an easy task trying to pry those little fingers from the chicken.  I'm not sure I've ever seen her so excited!! 

Millie walked right past several of them before even realizing they were there.  Once she did though, you couldn't keep her away from them!  She's sitting right in front of their box as I type.  =)  She was all over the floor trying to chase one down.  Lucky for the chicks, Millie's getting up there in age and doesn't see or hear too well!  As for Maddie, well she's just not too sure what to think.  She hasn't actually seen one yet, but she keeps sniffing the boxes and will turn her head side-to-side when she hears them chirp.  It's best she keeps her distance from even the smallest of animals because she's not much for holding her own. 

This day just continues to get more interesting!  Before I could add the last period to the previous paragraph, I hear the boys yelling in excitement as they watch Millie chase around one of the chicks.  They're keeping their mouths sealed as to how the chick escaped, but my money is on Denton!  :) 

Here's a couple pictures of the kids holding the chicks:

Millie and her chick

Addison

Denton

She has her eyes set on her victim!

Daniel

Weekend Chaos

Our weekends have become part of a routine that I look forward to at the end of each week.  Addi crying for someone to change her diaper, the boys fighting over today's most popular toy, Nathan complaining about the weather or the state of West Virginia in general, the dogs barking, Addi now crying because someone is changing her diaper...what's not to love about our seemingly chaotic life?!  I say that with sarcasm, but the truth is that I adore this life!  I would be lying if I said I enjoy it all the time.  I do look forward to the end of each day when the kids are asleep and Nathan and I can relax in bed and argue over our half of the middle and what to watch on TV. 

Raising three kids can be overwhelming, but they are each a blessing that I am thankful for each day.  Their innocence is refreshing!  I love to watch how even the smallest of things can bring such joy to their lives.  And the best part is that I have Nathan to share this journey with!! 

Daddy reading the WV boating regs to Addi as she patiently waits for more pancakes!

One of the few times Millie ever wants anything to do with the kids

Boys playing with Buzz and Woody



Sunday Best

Giving it another try!

YES!  Once again, I am attempting to blog!  I would like to say that I will keep up with it this time, but I have yet to keep true to that statement!  I may not post as often as I intend to now, but I hope to at least keep everyone updated on the happenings of our family on a "regular" basis.  :)

Now to bring everyone up to date...

The boys will both start school this fall!  Daniel will be attending Pre-K at Hinton Elementary School and Denton will enroll into the Head Start program in the area.  The best part?  They will both be in school Monday-Thursday, ALL DAY!!

This would be a nice opportunity to find a job while we would only have to pay childcare for one child, but Addison cannot be placed in Daycare until she is Salmonella free.  Although she shows no symptoms of Salmonella, she is still testing positive for the bacteria.  In cases like Addi's, they say she can be a carrier for up to a year or longer.  I'll be thankful when the day comes that we (and by we I mean I) no longer have to dig through her poop for stool samples!  We have to do this four times a month and will continue to do so until she finally has two negative results. 

Nathan and I have finally found a church to take the family to.  It's a small church with about 25-30 members.  We really enjoy going and the kids do as well.  We attend with the couple we bought our home from.  They're good people and I believe the husband looks at Nathan like a son.  Nathan calls them our adoptive parents!

On to the dogs...
Maddie has been getting into her fair share of trouble lately!  She first came home with a spot on her nose that we later found out was a staph infection.  After spending a small fortune at the vet to treat it, she turns around and injures her leg.  We have no idea what she did or who she lost a fight to, but she had a nasty tear on her upper leg.  Back to the vet we go.  48 hours later, she manages to pull out half of her 40 stitches.  And again...back to the vet!  This time, and in our opinion what they should have done the first time, they put about 20 staples in her leg and a cone around her neck. 

Well, the noise from the other room tells me it's time to take the video games away from the boys.