What's been going on...

At the beginning of this month, we started out with the swine flu at the Ward's house. Joe was infected first, then Jeff. I was lucky not to get it! So Joe was sick for a week straight with 103 and below fever, then as soon as he was better...Jeff started with a fever. Both of my boys started getting their symptoms on a Saturday so by the time we had a doctor's appointment, Tamiflu wasn't of any help. So, they had to endure the week long illness. We are very thankful that neither of them developed pneumonia as a complication from the flu since that is what seems like the fatality from the swine flu is related to. Both of my boys were troopers and had moments where there was time for laughter. I tried to capture some pictures of Joe; Jeff, wouldn't let me ;)

Enough kisses mommy!

Northwest Arkansas

Joe and I headed to NWA to see my parents after all the "Razorback fever" had left our house. We briefly got to see my sister and her kiddos as they were with my parents during the week and left a couple of hours after we got there that weekend.

Joe loves him some water! It was so cold, but yet he still wanted to play in it. It was a good distraction in between stores.

One of Emma's favorite things is being pushed around by her momma in the laundry basket. Joe got to get in on the action. I'm not sure how long they will both fit into the basket as Joe's feet are already at Emma's head!

faster, faster!

Hanging out at the house

Today, Joe was going to try and put his portable high chair up on our bistro table...well, it didn't quite work out how he planned.

This is hard work! Let's just take a break...

JDRF Walk for the Cure

On Saturday, Joe and I joined a group of coworkers at the JDRF Walk for the cure. JDRF is the juvenile diabetes research foundation and they raise money to fund research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. They also have support groups for families with diabetes and do many other things as to which I gladly give my money to support this foundation. Many thanks to my friends and family who also gave money in support of our team. We had a great time and look forward to next year. Thanks JDRF for all you do for our families! and I hope one day, we can just do the walk and not raise money because the cure has been found...

Biggest Loser

In honor of the season premiere of the Biggest Loser

I won the chance (along with ~50 other women) to work out with Bob in August. We worked out for 30 minutes, using no weights or machines, and I was sore for 2 days! I give HUGE kudos to the contestants working out hours, every day for 12 weeks. I don't know how they do it! I enjoyed every minute of his workout. Thanks Bob for motivating people to change their lives and live a healthier lifestyle. You rock!

Grammie's Birthday Weekend

Joe in his big boy airplane seat...unfortunately he's over the age limit for traveling on my lap, so he got his own seat and was very proud!

Last Sunday (7/26) was my mom's birthday and there happen to be a last minute air fare special, so Joe and I took off for NWA to surprise my mom. Turns out my sister in Memphis, Brenda, was thinking the same thing and she surprised my mom too! We had such a great weekend of talking, swimming, eating and visiting with family. My niece, Emma, was also being dedicated on Sunday too, so we were able to be a part of that special service too.
Hope you had a great birthday weekend, mom! I know we did and can't wait for more air fare specials!

Entertaining himself on the airplane, he did so good!

Waiting to get off the airplane...ever so patiently.

Emma, she is definitely my brother's child...I couldn't help myself to capture this moment in time. She's going to love me for this picture ;)

Elizabeth coming out of the slide at Grammie's neighborhood pool

Rebecca

This is the new slide at Grammie's pool. My child loved it! The next picture shows him climbing up the stairs...he has no fear

Grammie and Joe

Brenda and her oldest, Elizabeth

Abigail

Rebecca

Coordinating Cousins...unplanned

My beautiful sister and her husband, Reg

Emma's dedication

Emma

Emma and her cousin Darby

Cousins

Joe and Grandpa wrestling

Emma and Joe cleaning out Grammie's cabinets

Emma avoiding the camera

Still avoiding the camera...

Joe's new stool for his bathroom...made with love, by Grandpa. Its perfect Grandpa!
(please ignore the toilet seat up...after 6 years of marriage, I still don't have Jeff trained)

We went to NWA for Michael and Jennifer's wedding and had the best weekend. We are lucky that my parents and brother and family live there, so we had free babysitting and I know they enjoyed every minute of their grandson/nephew. Of course, I have no pictures from the wedding, but here are some of Joe and his cousin Emma. She looks so much like my brother...so cute. The only way she would be cuter is if she looked like her momma!

Show me your muscles...

I stole this picture from Elaine's blog because she caught the perfect pose of Joe and his personality...He loves to flex his muscles and say cheese... I love this kiddo!
BTW, we were at Lane and Sarah's wedding...beautiful!

Another birthday party for Joe

Cheese!
My parents and sister came into town for a weekend after Joe's birthday, so we celebrated again...complete with a train cake! Joe had the best time with his grandpa...and grammie and auntie Marti.

Blowing out the candles

His very own car...

Chris and Joe opening his presents

Shooting grandpa with his water gun

Auntie Marti reading Handy Mandy

Joe and his Grandpa...they were big wrestling buddies!

Tagged...

Here are the rules for "eight things": Mention the person that tagged you. Complete the list of eight things. Tag eight of your wonderful blogger friends.

So I was tagged over a month ago by my friend Suzanne and I'm just getting around to it (these are in no particular order):

8 things I look forward to:
1. Heaven
2. More kiddos running around the house
3. A new car
4. Family Vacations
5. Holidays
6. Joe being potty trained
7. This weekend...my parents and sister are coming!!!
8. Having no mortgage, no car payment and no school loans

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Showered
2. Went to work
3. Watched a teenage girl cry because she was overweight
4. Tried to convince 2 different sets of parents why they should be keeping their less than 5 year old kids from having blood sugars averaging less around 200 when their kids are currently averaging close to 400...give them their insulin!!!
5. Carpooled with my hubby and enjoyed less traffic now that school is out
6. Cooked dinner (delicious I might add)
7. Watched TV
8. Went to bed

8 things I wish I could do:
1. Enjoy running
2. Give every kid without a home or in a bad home a safe & loving place to live
3. Travel every weekend
4. Keep our house clean
5. Live closer to family
6. Speak Spanish
7. Live closer to Dallas (Highland Park would be nice)
8. Buy designer clothes/shoes on a weekly basis

8 shows I watch:
1. Law & Order: SVU
2. Rules of Engagement
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. Survivor
5. Criminal Minds
6. Brothers & Sisters
7. Gary Unmarried
8. Handy Manny

I think I'm the last person in the blogger world, so I won't tag anybody else.

Happy Birthday Little Joe!

My 1st 4-wheeler

My very own slide...thanks Marmee

Our dearest Joe,
Another year has flown by. I can't believe you are 2 years old! I just finished reading your letter I wrote you last year and can't believe how far you've come. We have had our ups and downs this year with your health, but nothing in comparison to some families, so for that we are very grateful.

You have changed from a baby boy to a little boy right before our eyes. Its amazing how much you understand and comprehend, but yet have decided not to verbalize it yet. I know that once you do, we are in for it because your favorite sentence is "What/Who is that?" and you have asked that question about everything you have every seen. From the ceiling and doors to every animal. If we ignore you, you just say it louder until we answer you. You definitely have your daddy's persistence.

Some things that you couldn't live without right now are Handy Manny, books and milk. I think if you had those 3 things on an island, you would be happy for the rest of your life. You bring so much happiness to us and I find myself just watching you play and it brings me such joy. You play so well by yourself and such an independent little thing. You love the outdoors and other kids. You also love the pool, so we are going to start some swimming lessons this summer.

Of course, you still have a lot of wonderful people in your life that are helping us raise you to be the man God wants you to be. We wish we were closer to our families in distance, but we have made some great friends that help make our time apart from our family much more fun now.

Little man, we wish you a happy birthday and a great year to follow. We love you with all our hearts! I'm so glad you are in our lives...it just wouldn't be the same without. kiss kiss

Memorial Weekend

We visited NLR over Memorial Weekend and had a small little early birthday party for Joe with our friends and family. Joe loves Handy Manny so we bought him this balloon to play with (yes, I know its technically Bob the Builder, but he didn't realize it)

Aunt Terri came to visit us

Yummy, chocolate cupcakes

Yay! A Handy Manny doll! Thanks Uncle Jay, Aunt Jan and baby Taylor!

Marmee brought me a bubble gun back from NYC...it was so fun shooting Uncle Jay

And then uncle Jay shot me back...so much fun!