Not me! Monday

It's time again for Not Me! Monday. I love this little blog fun started at http://www.mycharmingkids.net/. Check it out and join in the fun. Have fun finding out how "perfect" we really are.

I did not eat four different Thanksgiving Meals this week. No, not me!

I did not stick my finger inside Evan's diaper yesterday to see if he had pooped because that would really be gross. I did not, in turn, pull out my finger with poop on it. That would be extra gross! Nope, not me!

My dryer did not BLOW up completely last night. It did not happen 25 days before Christmas b/c that would be wonderful timing!

I do not have about 10 loads of laundry to do. Nope, not me!

I am not stressing about not having a dryer for a few days. Nope, not me!

My little Evan is NOT crawling now ever so slightly. That would mean he is growing up and he is most certainly not doing that too fast.

Oh so Thankful!

Well my two guys made it back last night about 10:00pm. Ty was wound tighter than a four day clock, as Andy would say. Andy said that Ty "daddyed" him to death on the plane. This is how he gets after anesthesia and when he is tired. He likes to talk 90 miles an hour. He also doesn't like to quit talking. The treatment went well. Dr. G, Ty's laser doctor, confirmed my suspicions that Ty's lips are growing. This can happen with vascular birthmarks. The blood flow to the area can cause tissue overgrowth. Laser treatments are a huge success in preventing this if started early. I can only venture to imagine what Ty's lips would look like had he not been getting laser treatments. Dr. G had told us early on that he thought Ty would most likely need a lip debulking surgery in the future. I have been concerned lately b/c the laser treatments have done so amazingly well on his face that it seems as though I have noticed his lip size more. His PWS is also on his gums, and Ty has lost his two bottom teeth. The top three teeth are not real. It is a partial due to knocking them out when he was three years old- NOT TY, NEVER! The dentist said that about 6 months after he lost his bottom teeth that he would take the partial out. As I was inspecting his mouth, I noticed the PWS on his gums is looking more red. It was just a concern that I had. So I had Andy bring it up to Dr. G. We really do not know what we are facing with his PWS until his permanent teeth come in. It is another unknown in the journey. Dr. G did however, refer us to a plastic surgeon in NYC who is also a dentist. We will soon make a consultation with him. He will be able to tell us more info about when Ty will need lip debulking surgery, what the PWS is doing in his mouth, etc. All and all it was a great trip. Dr. G said that it just makes his job more fulfilling every time he sees Ty because of the amount of clearing that he has had. It is truly amazing, I agree! Andy said Ty just walked into the surgery room, hopped up on the table and said, "Give it to me!" He is unreal. He did get the chocolate scented anesthesia mask this time. He is his mother's child for sure. I am just so thankful for many things as I reflect tonight. For the Lord blessing me with a wonderful husband who would miss Thanksgiving with his family in order to take his child to the doctor in NYC. Also for a wonderful child who does what needs to be done medically and never once complains about it. For the Lord bringing Andy and Ty home safely. For all of my friends and family. It has been a wonderful Thanksgiving.

On a funny note, I can't believe my Andy went to Macy's on Black Friday. I was impressed. Tracy G.- maybe you should take Andy shopping with you instead of me. He is obviously da' man! He tried to act like he walked right in and then right back out and that he didn't enjoy it. I am thinking a little different though. I noticed that he had a new shirt on and so I asked about it. He then said that he did in fact get it at Macy's. Then, hold your breath, he said that he wished he had more time b/c Macy's had Polo for 40% off. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How impressive Andy! Ty, however, says, "It was packed mom!" I don't even know if I would do Macy's on Black Friday in NYC.

I am posting some pics of Ty after treatment, and of the Kermit the Frog balloon from the parade. Thank you so much for praying for our family and until next time....

New York Trip

Okay I am kind of sad. My baby and my hubby had to eat their Thanksgiving meal at Planet Hollywood. That makes me sad. Andy and Ty were able to check out part of the Macy's Day Parade though. They had walked around four blocks to get there and it was barricaded. So Andy asked Ty if he just wanted to go back to the room. Evidently a police officer was listening to the conversation and he told Andy that they could come on through. How awesome is that? They said it was really neat. Ty got to see the Buzz Lightyear balloon. I was hoping that he would. Buzz is one of his favorites. They have to be at the hospital bright and early in the morning at 6:00am. Ty is the first surgery at 7:00am. Pray for everything to go well. I miss my boys!!
Until next time...

Fantasy of Trees

We headed out today for our annual visit to the Fantasy of Trees. This is our third year to go, and I just absolutely love it. The kids have a blast, and all of the money spent goes to an awesome cause- East Tennessee Children's Hospital. So if you live in this area and have never been then I must recommend that you check it out. You will not be sorry.

I had a rough morning getting there. When I got downtown to the Convention Center the Holiday Inn Parking garage was full. I have never been when this garage is full, so I just wasn't sure where to park. It has been many years since I have been on campus driving around. (almost 10 to be exact). I was a little nervous, but eventually I found an obscure lot down behind the Foundry. I didn't have to pay, but that kind of made me nervous. I had visions of coming back to a towed car! I guess the catch was you had to walk 14 hundred miles to get to the Fantasy of Trees so who cares if you park there. The kids did great. Even Ty with his healing leg. It is pretty much back to normal now, and he only has an ever so slight limp. We just walked kind of slow for him. We made it finally. Then when we got in the door, I realized that my camera battery was almost dead. All my scrapbooking friend can relate. I thought I would die. I mean we had the matching outfits on. No camera- AHHHH! I did manage to salvage it for a few great pictures though. After these couple of mishaps the day turned out perfect.

This year my niece, Rachael, was singing. So we watched her junior praise team sing a few songs, which were so good, and then headed off to the booths. My sister-in-law, Susan and her mom Betty, along with Rachael walked around with us. My mom and my Gran E also met us there. I was grateful for the extra hands for sure since this was Evan's first year at the Fantasy of Trees. He did great as usual. Man, I had forgotten what it was like to have that darn stroller again. It is good for carrying things though.

So we hit some of our favorite booths. The cookie making booth, the nail painting booth, the mini tree booth, the craft bag booth. We also rode the carousel and the little tea cup things.

I know what you are thinking and yes, Ty does get his nails painted. He loves to do whatever Tristan and Rachael do. I just let him do it. I figure it will only last a while, and the year that he decides he doesn't want to do it anymore I will be sad. That means he will be growing up. So until then I will cherish these memories- Gold fingernails and all!
The carousel was fun this year. Mom rode with me and the kiddos. Evan had his first ride. He enjoyed it for sure. Tristan was so excited to ride on the horse sponsored by Dr. Abby and Dr. Greg. She raced to it and about took everyone out trying to get on "Dr. Abby's horse".

So after a quick look around at the trees, and I do mean quick, we headed home. The trees are beautiful, and I would so love to have an adult day sometime at the Fantasy. It would be great to look at them. With my kiddos it just doesn't happen. I don't really mind though because one day I will be able to look at those trees, and the cookie making, nail painting and tree decorating will be of the past. That will make me sad for sure. They grow so fast. I hope you enjoy our slide show of pictures.

On another note, please pray for Ty and Andy. They will fly out to NYC tomorrow morning at 5:45am for Ty's 16th laser treatment the Friday after Thanksgiving. I am sad as this will be our first year of not being together as a family on Thanksgiving. Andy and I know though that this is one laser treatment closer to maintenance. We are hoping for only two more until we reach maintenance- per Dr. G. I will keep you posted on his progress. Until next time.... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. God is so good and He bestows many blessings upon us. We have so much to praise Him for.

Not me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday. This is one of my favorite things to read about on MckMamas blog http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ Check it out and have fun reading about how "perfect" we really are.

I have not relented into letting my husband pick up the Santa Clause piloting the Pirate Ship to put in our front yard all in the spirit of Christmas for the kids of course. No, not me!

All three of my kiddos are not sick today and we are not all going to the doctor this afternoon.

I am not in the process of having Marathon Thanksgiving week. Last night, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. That would be a little too much Turkey so No, not me!

And last but not least, My husband is really NOT Clark W. Griswold (wink wink)

DOES HE EVER STOP??

Okay, so now we have a light up Santa Clause Mailbox. Ya just gotta see this. I am officially revoking Clark's Visa Check Card. He is out of control!

Oh, and here is the much anticipated Manger Scene

Merry Christmas, Clark!

Yes, I am the official owner of a classy, inflatable, manger scene in my front flower bed. Lessons on this. #1. Never let your husband go to Lowe's by himself with your 6 year old daughter
#2. Never talk around your husband about how you really don't like inflatable
Christmas decorations.
#3. Learn to let it go that your house now resembles Clark W. Griswald's house.

Just call Andy- Clark. I have been renaming him all week. So after I have given Andy heck about this inflatable Manger scene, Tristan put it all in prospective for me.

Andy : "Tristan, do you like this inflatable manger scene?"
Tristan: "Yes I do daddy"
Andy: "Why?"
Tristan: "Because it has Baby Jesus in it, and He is the most important thing about Christmas
anyway"
Andy: gives his wife "the look"

So I will once again listen to the heart of my children and keep my Clark W. Griswald manger scene. After all, the Lord's birthday is the most important part of Christmas.

I will however, draw the line at the Santa Clause piloting the pirate ship that is supposed to be here this week. I will make Andy, er Clark, walk the plank on that one.
Until next time....