We spent the afternoon in ER as Trei's cough has once again gone to his chest. They gave him a breathing treatment, steroids and antibiotics and a cough suppresant to take over the next few days. We have to closely monitor him that it doesn't get worse or they will admit him for pneumonia. He has been amazing, a real trooper but please say a prayer his cough will heal up immediately and that he doesnt have too much discomfort with his breathing. I am also sick with a head cold and fever which doesn't make caring for the kids easy and Desiree has the same cough as Trei. Yes we are a happy little bunch right now and can use a miracle.

For those of you writing Duane & not getting a reply, the ships email is down for an exercise that started last Monday and will last at least a week longer. Apparently they will be doing this off and on throughout the duration of the deployment which doesn't make communicating with him easy. So if you do get your emails returned or not replied just try again....

Presents.

My sister Feli and Marco took the kids "Toy shopping" yesterday since they weren't here for their birthdays...Trei picked out 2 new Trains to add to his collection and Desiree chose a stroller and doll and some baby bottles...This is a BIG thing for her as up until this point she has wanted nothing to do with dolls...She has been pushing her stroller and doll around the house as fast as she can, then breaks to give her a bottle. Guess her past 2 1/2 years playing with trains and cars has carried over and she has now taken on a new sport "Stroller racing". Thanks Marco & Feli for the toys.

Desiree with her new Stroller and Doll. Trei with his new Trains, "Thomas & Stanley" from The Great Discovery Movie.

Kids fevers are gone but we are all battling nasty coughs, guess its the season for it...argh!

Always check your Childs homework

(Here's the reply the teacher received the following day)

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit.

I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

My kids are both pretty sick with high fevers, please keep them in your prayers.

Twinkle Twinkle lullaby

My sister sent me this, its kinda disturbing in a funny way...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l3LBDHYOo8

Birthday party

The kids and I went to Desiree's friends 3rd birthday yesterday, all the kids dressed up like Disney princesses or superheroes, they had a fun time.

Nite B-4 Daddy left

Duane left on deployment last Monday, we had made a "daddy doll" for Desiree and "dog tags" with a picture of Trei and Duane on it for him. We also made home made photos books of all the fun things they have done with their Daddy so they can remember him and look at them whenever they get sad! Its been a tough week on all of us, thanks for your prayers, we need them over the next 7 months.

My sister Feli and family are here from Albania, they are staying a few weeks to recover from jet-lag before moving to San Diego. Its been nice to see them and the kids are having a fun time playing together. Its been a nice distraction.

Every girl, and guys dream....

On Bended knee

How Cute?

Big Day!!!

Today with Daddy home early we took Trei's training wheels off, he had been asking to do that for a week and so he was excited the day had finally come....He impressed us with riding all by himself right away..He was smiling from ear to ear and going soooooooo fast, and only fell twice while trying to learn how to stop. I thot it may take a few days to get the hang of it, but he just took off...I snapped a few pics and took a video clip of it!!!

Trip to Sea World

My two favorite recent photos of the kids...

My pre-deployment gift, a Coach purse, I just love it....

This stuff is awesome

Whenever I find something that "really works" or even thats good for you and that my kids will actually swallow, take and like I like to pass it on to fellow Mom's....My sister-in-law Tendai enlightened me to "black elderberry" and this particular brand and flavor my kids love and is for both Kids and Adults and unlike "Echinacea" which you have to do two-weeks-on two-weeks-off this you can take every day!!! I got it at a Health food store while in Dallas, so I am sure others carry it. Anyhew, with flu season here I thot it might be helpful!!! And trust me, if my kids will take it yours will....

Well Happy New Years 2009!!! We rang in the New Year with a big glass of bubbly and watched "Dark Knight" which kept us up till 5 minutes before midnite. I think thats the 1st time we have made it till midnite on New Years eve since we have been married...Yup I know, but then when you have kids its hard to stay up that late and then get up bright and early the following morning with them. We hope You all had a memorable Christmas & pray this New Year will be a good one! It was so nice seeing many of you during the holidays and we hope that you all will visit us again this year. We as a family will be experiencing a challenging New Year, as you all know Duane leaves for deployment next week, will be getting home in the fall and re-deploying, or as the military puts it "surging" the following January! Right now it seems like a lot to deal with but I know as we take it a day at a time we will make it through okay. Please do pray for both Trei & Desiree, Trei especially has been having a difficult time knowing Daddy will be gone for a looooong time. Its hard for us to see him sad and not knowing how to deal with his emotions, he is alot older this deployment and his Dad is everything to him, & he doesn't quite grasp what all is going on or understand how long he will be gone which makes it harder for him.
Please also keep Duane and VFA-154's safety in your prayers as they embark on their mission. Thanks so much & a Happy New Year again to you all!!!