Birthday, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, Oh My!

I'm way overdue for updates, I know. Styven and I took the boys to Burt's Farm to pick out our very first pumpkin. The boys had so much fun and truthfully...so did Styven and I. The pumpkins at Burt's Farm are huge (and believe me, if you've been there before, you know that that in and of itself is a HUGE understatement). We finally found our perfect pumpkin and after a nice little lunch, we took it home and the kids and I began drawing up what we wanted the pumpkin to look like. Of course, those of you who know us well, will tell you that nothing in this family happens without some form of amusement. We had the pumpkin all carved and we brought the kids in and left Cujo outside. Styven didn't think Cujo would be dumb enough to eat the pumpkin, let alone attack it. Lo and behold, what happens? Cujo indeed ate a chunk of the pumpkin. Styven had to make make some minor changes to the pumpkin..all in all "Jack" turned out OK.
A little later on after that eventful day, Charlie and Danny turned 5. Seriously, though I still find it hard to believe that the boys are getting bigger and bigger. As everyone always says (and please don't utter this to me...it gets under my skin so bad, it's not even funny and I swear I'll scream if I hear it one more time) "soon they'll be bigger than you!" or the equally as annoying "they're as big as you". Mom, Dad, Styven, and I took Charlie and Danny to Chuck E Cheese's again this year. This is the first year in like 2 years that Styven was able to join us for the boys birthday celebration. Charlie and Danny had way too much fun. They played Mario Kart and all kinds of fun games. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep that night.
This year for Halloween, the boys got invited to have a sleepover and go trick or treating with their friends Bryson and Blake. The boys had too much fun! It was their first sleepover and first time trick or treating with friends. I think next year, I shall have to return the favor. I had my fun too. I stayed up late with Shaun and Tracy and got to catch up with them. Needless to say, it was nice to have a little fun with some good friends.

This past November, the boys and I followed tradition and went over to Mom's the day before Thanksgiving. The boys helped Mom decorate the tree, while I helped Mom clean and helped do some baking. Thanksgiving wasn't the same this year. Normally my aunts, uncles, and cousins come in the day before, but this year it was just Mom, Dad, Styven, Charlie, Danny, and I. There really aren't any side splitting stories to tell this year, oh well...there's always next year.


As far as Styven and I go, we're getting ready to head out to Vegas in March for a combination of celebrating our birthdays (his is in a few weeks and mine is the day before our anniversary), 7 years of marriage, and 311 Day. My cousin Nicole and her boyfriend are going to be heading out to Vegas with us,so I'm super excited.
Other than all that, the 4 of us have been doing rather well.
XOX

The Space Between

I LOVE Dave Matthews Band. They're one of my favorites (next to 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, & Foo Fighters). My favorite song of theirs is "The Space Between". I came across the video earlier and thought I'd share it. I can relate to this song more so than others. Dave Matthews is known to write songs based on love and the tangled, and often complicating emotions that come along with truly loving someone. I had this song on repeat quite a bit when the twins were first diagnosed with Autism. If you listen to the song carefully, you can easily see how I can relate to the song. Though Charlie and Danny have made so much progress in the past year and a half, Autism still takes it's toll on me emotionally from time to time. This is how I often felt in the very beginning and still feel every once and awhile. Anyhow, I thought I'd share the video. To view the video, click on the following link "The Space Between".

Here are the lyrics to "The Space Between".

You cannot quit me so quickly
There's no hope in you for me
No corner you could squeeze me
But I got all the time for you love

The space between
The tears we cry...
Is the laughter that keeps us coming back for more
The space between...
The wicked lies we tell and hope to keep safe from the pain

But will I hold you again

These fickle fuddled words confuse me
Like will it rain today
We waste the hours with talking, talking
These twisted games we’re playing

We’re strange allies
With warring hearts
What a wild eyed beast you be

The space between
The wicked lies we tell and hope to keep safe from the pain

But will I hold you again
Will I hold

Look at us spinning out in the madness of a roller coaster
You know you went off like the devil in the church
In the middle of a crowded room
All we can do my love
Is hope we don’t take this ship down

The space between
Where you smile and hide
Is where you’ll find me if I get to go

The space between
The bullets in our fire fight
Is where I’ll be hiding waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splashed in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into your room

The space between
our wicked lies is
Where we hope to keep safe from pain

Take my hand
Cause we’re walking out of here
Right out of here
Love is all we need dear

The space between
What’s wrong and right
Is where you’ll find me hiding
Waiting for you

The space between
In your heart and mine
Is the space we’ll fill with time

The space between

A Rant to End All Rants....

In all honesty, I wish it was. I normally try to keep my ranting to a minimum, but hey- this time I really can't help it (honest). Is it just me or is Michael Jackson's death coverage getting on anyone else's last nerve? I mean come on! The poor guy had a crappy life (his father beat him senseless, amongst other things) and all people care about when it comes down to it are the following: who gets what, who was left out of his will, accusations that he (MJ) was not well weeks before his London show, Joe is upset b/c he was left out, etc. I could go on with a whole 5 page list. All I have to say is, MJ was a tortured soul. He had to endure years of abuse, accusations of him being a molester (I have a theory on that: either the kids sued for MJ's money or MJ really did do it- either way a child should never sleep in another adult's bed. Your own children- fine.), the list is rather long. I'm so sick of MTV covering MJ's death. It's like they're beating a dead horse that doesn't need to be beaten up anymore. SO what? MJ is gone, get over it MTV! Actually, all media can get over it already! MJ was a human being and that poor soul needs to just RIP. If I hear one more thing about MJ's death, my brain is seriously going to implode. What's sad about it all, is the entire media is treating MJ's death as if he was the Pope! OK, I'm done now...honest.

Random Updates and Then Some

It has been one crazy week. I can't believe that it's going to be Tuesday already in about 20 mins. from now (it's 11:40PM). I just now got around to posting up our camping pictures and hopefully by tomorrow night, I'll have my 4th of July pictures up. The boys and I went downtown again this year for the fireworks with my parents. Daddy had to work again this year and once again, Far Coast ended up closing a little later than they had planned. OH wells. Mom and I took the boys to Johnny Rocket's (yummy! Sadly, I'm actually kinda craving it at the moment ::gasp::) for lunch. Outside of Johnny's was a dude who made balloons and did all kinds of tricks. CJ and DJ loved every second of it. Thank GOD it wasn't nearly as hot out this year as last year. I swear last year it felt like it was in the 100's. In fact, I'm sure it was...with the heat index and all. The boys had a field day and loved the fireworks. On Sunday, we had our friends Sean and Tracy over with their two kids. It was so nice to see them, as we haven't seen them in a long time.
Styven's working odd hours and his days off are kinda weird. Seriously, him having off tomorrow (Tuesday) is going to throw my whole routine/schedule off. This shall be exciting..I guess. I'm not used to having him off on days other than Sunday and Thursday.
Anyhow, the above pictures are pictures from our camping trip to Helen, GA. Some are taken at the Chattahoochee River, some at the cabin we stayed at, and others at Sleepy Hollow (it's an awesome campground...Styven and I LOVE it). Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th.
♥,
Lynes

To Indy and Back...

Styven and I took the boys with us to my home state of Indiana for my good friend Libby's wedding this past weekend. Boy what a trip home that was! I got to see my childhood best friend Lisa and her mom and dad. I can hardly believe Lisa and I have been best friends for 22-23 years. The boys had a field day at Lisa's house and had so much fun with her mom. I guess her mom reminded them of their nana. Funny thing is, Charlie and Danny kept calling Lisa's mom by Lisa's name. It was hilarious. After a yummy pizza dinner at Donato's (if you ever go to Indy, you've got to go to Donato's in Carmel....so, so good!) we went over to the Moran's house to let the boys run loose for awhile. Styven and I got to meet Lisa's boyfriend Alex and he's really funny and sweet. On Saturday morning, Styven and I took the boys back over to Lisa's house and waited for Lisa to get ready. Lisa and her mom thought since it was nice out, it would be a good day to do the Indianapolis Zoo...so that's what we did. Charlie loved the penguin exhibit. There was a penguin who looked just like Lovelace on Happy Feet. Danny seemed to like the Polar Bear exhibit the most. They made a lot of changes to the Indy Zoo since the last time I had been there. My mom used to take me quite a bit as a child. They don't have the big Great White anymore, now they have a huge pool of sharks that you can touch. Saturday night was my good friend Libby's wedding. I hadn't seen her or her family in like 13 years, so it was really good to see them. Libby made the most gorgeous bride I have ever seen. It was a really simple, but elegant outdoor garden wedding. She had 10 people stand up with her and her husband Chris had 10 people stand up with him, plus the ring bearer, and 3 (yes 3!) flower girls. I promise you, you did not read and count the size of the wedding party wrong. The ceremony was surprisingly short. I think it was only a half hour, if that at all. The reception was inside at the Deer Zink Pavilion at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I got to see some old neighbors of mine from when I lived in Sugarbush Hill in Zionsville. It was nice to catch up with them and to catch up a little bit with Libby and 6 of her siblings (she has 7 total). Styven and I left a tad early, since it was getting close to the boys bed time and they were starting to get a little cranky. Then on Sunday we went with Lisa, her mom, and her dad and went to the Children's Museum. I hadn't been there since I was at least 9 or 10 years old and the whole place is just different. It's one of the biggest children's museums that I know of (it's 4 floors, but the exhibits are huge and no that is not an understatement). We got there at noon and we were there for 3 hours, and still didn't do all of the museum. Part of the museum is still being worked on (they're building a huge travel to Egypt exhibit). On Monday, we went with Lisa's mom and took Charlie and Danny to Holliday Park (my mom used to take me quite a bit when I was little and it's still just as big). It has one of the biggest playground areas for kids in Indianapolis. There are 3 separate playgrounds. One has all kinds of slides, bridges, etc. for kiddos to climb on and play. Then right next to it is a smaller play area for toddlers or smaller kids. Then next to that one is a huge tree house play area with super fast slides (not kidding, I got scraped on part of my arm from trying to slow myself down at the end) and all kinds of ladders. Monday night we met up with my Godparents Lorna and John for dinner and went over to their house afterwards. I told Styven, it's sad that we've been together for so long and he hadn't met my Godparents up until then. My Godfather and Styven got along fabulously (I never had a doubt though, they both LOVE science and Styven finally met his match). Styven laughed at me a little, since my Godmother pulled out those old school California raisins from the 80's that I used to play with all the time when I was little. She even still had my Little Pony that I played with and my Godmother still has the crayons and Little Pony coloring book that I had. Charlie and Danny had so much fun running around and playing with all my old toys and playing in Lorna and John's yard. My original plan was to leave at 9ish when it was the boys bedtime and have them all worn out so they'd sleep the whole way back to Atlanta. At 10PM it was still light out, so Styven and I thought it couldn't have been any later than 8ish. We ended up leaving at around 10 and about 15-20 mins. later both of the boys were out like lights. We drove through to a little north of Nashville, TN and stopped for the night. Yesterday, we headed back to Atlanta and got home around 3 in the afternoon. It's good to be home, but at the same time this last trip home to Indy makes me miss Indiana that much more. I don't get to see all of my childhood friends or Lisa as much as I'd like to. I told Styven that I'd really like to save our trips to Florida for the spring time and I'd really like to go home to Indy every summer from now on. There's just something about Indy that once you leave and go back and then leave again, you just miss it more and more. At least I do. I don't know if it's because I'm a midwestern girl who never really got over her love for her hometown or if it's because I miss my friends or a combination of the two.

The above pictures are some that I took over the weekend. Some are from Libby's wedding and some are other random ones that I've taken over the weekend. Sorry, no funny or hilarious videos this time guys. I'm saving that for later.
XOX

Wowsers, what a week.....

This has been a seriously insane week. I got a call from my mother-in-law almost two weeks ago, letting Styven and I know that his cousin had passed. We decided to take the twins to TN and NC for an overnighter and have a little fun, in the midst of all the sadness. We wanted to go to the funeral, however, things didn't work out in Styven's schedule, as we'll be leaving for vacation on Friday (finally). Anyhow, if that wasn't a kicker, Styven's got full blown pneumonia again ::sighs::. I'm calling our insurance company tomorrow to find out if they need a specialist referral or not before I make an appointment for Styven to see a lung specialist (sorry, I have no idea what those doctors are actually called).
I do have good news though. My niece is do in a matter of days. My brother-in-law and his girlfriend will have their hands full. My best friend is getting married next month, another in August, and another good friend getting married next weekend. One of my really good friends is expecting her first child...so I have a lot of good news.
XOX

PS: The pictures above are from our recent trip to TN/NC and a few random ones that were taken at my mom's house. If you are able to view the video, that was taken yesterday at my mom's house. I thought it was hysterical. Hope everyone gets a good laugh out of it.

My Random Thoughts for the Night...

Anyone who knows me and knows me very well, will tell you there's no one that's a more die hard 311 fan than me. 311 had an album come out yesterday and I must say, 311 really out did themselves with this one. I'm seriously in love with the whole album, however, there is one song on there that I can certainly relate to more than any other 311 song out there (aside from "Getting Through To Her"). "Golden Sunlight" is one of the best I've heard both musically and lyrically from 311 in a long while. There's a few lines in the song that describe exactly how I am:
There's a door open to walk through, all I want is, just beyond.
What if I could let my guard down? Into freedom, on and on.
What if I could just let my guard down?
What if I could live wide open?
What if I could just let my guard down?
And go beyond into the great unknown?

All in all "Golden Sunlight" is really a great song. I think everyone can relate to it. To listen to it (and some of my other favorite 311 songs) click here: "Golden Sunlight".
If you wish to see the lyrics to the song, click here: "Golden Sunlight" 2.

On with other randomness. Styven, the kids, and I only have 15 more days left until vacation. Yay! My good friend Libby is getting married in a few weeks, so we're going back to Indy for the wedding and than afterwards we'll be exploring around Indy. I haven't been home under happy circumstances in a long while (maybe that's why I relate to Golden Sunlight so much, ha)..so this will be our first time home to Indy since my Grams' funeral two years ago (yikes, it's been two years already, sheesh). When we get back to Atlanta, the boys will have a summer party at our neighborhood's pool (yes mom, you and dad are invited).
Well, I'm going to make an attempt to go to sleep.
X's and O's.

Random Thoughts for the Day

I can't believe we only have one more day to go and the twins will be out of school for the summer!
Thank GOD my schedule and the twins schedule will be a lot less hectic, come Saturday morning. Goodbye getting up at 6:30AM and hello 8AM! No more caffeine at 7:30AM to keep me awake.
Speaking of totally randomness, I was on my way home tonight from my mom's and cops were out everywhere on highway 92. They were doing some random "driver's safety check", whatever that means. They had to check everyone's drivers license, insurance, and registration. Why? Sugar snaps and peas if I know. I personally, think it was stupid...but hey, whatever floats their boats, I suppose. It took me almost an hour to get home from mom's when it normally only takes about 25 mins. MAYBE a half hour.
For some reason, I have been a super late night owl lately. Don't know why. I really, really should go to sleep and rest up for the long day I've got tomorrow, but oddly enough for as tired as I am...I can't seem to fall asleep. Wish I could be like my dear Charlie bear or Danny beans. The two of them can fall asleep in just about any position and just about anywhere (IE: the couch, floor, etc.). There have been times when Danny beans has slept with his head on my feet, but the rest of his body dangling off the bed (this happened last night, though I didn't realize it until around 3ish in the morning). All Charlie bear needs is his Allie (his stuffed alligator) and his blanket and that kid will be out like a light in no time.
Anyhow, that's about all I got for now. I'm going to *try* to get some sleep.

Random Fun and Updates, Oh My!

Sorry for my lack of updates lately. The past month or so has been busy, needless to say. From the boys getting therapy and me taking up a parenting class, you can see where I've been a titch slow on even updating everyone on the boys progress and what we've been up to as a family. For starters, Styven and I pulled Charlie and Danny out of school for a few days back in February and took them to Florida for Styven's winter vacation. We spent a few days with my in-laws on their property up near Gainesville and then Styven and I took the boys to Disney.
We had way too much fun on vacation, we didn't want to come home...but had to, since the boys were already missing a day of speech therapy at school and I had a prior appointment that I couldn't miss. The boys did really, really well at Disney and we were really proud of them. Charlie only had one little melt down at Stitch's Great Escape. Charlie had to sit by himself, since the thing that goes over your chest wouldn't close with Charlie in Styven's lap. Danny, surprisingly, did really well with Stitch. Other than that, we hardly waited in any lines. The longest line we waited in was for Winnie the Pooh and that was like an hour. The boys went on their very first roller coaster at Disney (no, not Space Mountain OR Thunder Mountain). In Mickey's Toon Town, there's a Goofy roller coaster. The boys seemed to like it.
Aside from vacation fun, I have been waiting for what seems like forever for the boys insurance to approve the twins for speech therapy outside of what they're getting at school. We got approved, only to have me move over the dates, since Charlie got the flu..then I got the flu...and then Danny got it. Styven, somehow (though super lucky), didn't get the flu. We finally got the evals done for speech therapy and as of Monday, both the boys have been getting speech therapy with Miss Maria (she was their speech therapist last summer, but was gone on maternity leave). For now, the boys only get to see her once a week. Once August rolls around, they'll be seeing her twice a week. Danny still gets OT and hopefully will be done with that soon. They seem to be doing very well in school. I'm very pleased to announce that they will be starting a full day in the fall. I'm really excited for that. The only thing is, the full day kids take naps...Charlie and Danny quit taking naps for me like 2.5 years ago. Their teacher says that's fine, they'll just have to sit still for an hour on their mats and play quietly.
Anyhow, we had family come into town for Spring break a few weeks ago, so that was nice. I was over at my mom's pretty much every day, so the twins could play with my cousins. The only down side to spring break...getting rear ended. I just got my car back yesterday from the collision center. They did a great job fixing it....I just wish it didn't take a whole week :(.
Mom and I took Charlie and Danny to go see Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Hiram High last Saturday. I have to say that those kids did a GREAT job! I've been wanting to see the play for so long...just never had the chance to until last Saturday. On Sunday, Styven, the kids, and I spent the day with daddy and went to the Taste of Marietta. We had so much fun with daddy! I wish mom could've joined us, but she had rehearsal for a play she was in at church. Sunday was opening night and I hear there was a big sized crowd. Daddy went on opening night. I went on Monday night to see mom in Last Chance. It was an awesome play! Mom did a great job in it. I liked the play a lot. The whole play was about this grandfather who teaches his children and grandchildren about Jesus. Some of his children and grandchildren accepted Jesus...others rejected Him. After the grandfather dies, the play takes you through the course of 20 years and you see where certain family members end up spending eternity. It was such a great play..I highly recommend everyone checking out the play when it comes to a city near you (you can find dates at a church near you by clicking here: Last Chance Schedule).
Other than all that, no too much has really been going on. Styven's still at the same store and I'm still staying home. I trust that everyone has had a wonderful Easter! Tonight, I shall be leaving you all with some of my favorite pictures that I've taken over the past three months.
XOX

Time Flies...Just a Little TOO much

I was thinking this morning at how much time flies....just a little TOO much and a little TOO fast.
I say this because as I got my sons up and ready for school this morning, I started thinking that it seems like only yesterday Charlie and Danny were born. They're 4 and a half already! My babies aren't babies anymore...they've become my little toddler princes. I got home, curled up next to a sleeping husband and then started thinking to myself "it's already 2/6 and in another month and 23 days, it'll be SIX whole years since we've been married". I got my husband up, fed, and out the door for his meeting, checked Facebook as usual and one of my friends had said that time flies. I wrote on her wall (basically I commented on her profile) that WOW, time really does fly! I still can't believe it's only been three years for her and her husband. For some odd reason, it really seems like it's been a lot longer (to me at least). Than I caught up with another good friend of mine for a tiny bit this morning and I can't believe that her and her husband are having a baby in August! All my friends are either having babies, getting married, celebrating the birth of a child, or celebrating an anniversary. Not too long ago my best friend from high school Shannon was reflecting on how things used to be for her, our friend Bianca, and I. I think Shannon was right when she said that neither of us expected our lives to take the turn that it did. When we were in high school, we'd sit and think of how grand it would be if the three of us got our own place and how grand it would be if things never got messy or complicated. BUT, we were dealt different cards. Shannon became a mother before me (and she's nothing short of an amazing mom!) and was on her own before I was. Next thing I knew, I fell in love with an amazing man who is truly the best husband any girl could ask for and before I knew it- that amazing husband of mine and I became parents to twins. A few years pass and one year ago we found out, our sons have Autism. Life sure has dealt me a whole set of different cards than my friends. Truth be told, I wouldn't trade what life dealt me in any day. As for Bianca, well- she fell in love and got married, too! I sit here thinking about how complicated things get as we get older and as the great Kanye West says "The weather so breezy, man why can't life always be this easy?". Life seemed so simple then, compared to now. Back then the only things we had to worry about was what college were we going to go to- if at all, tests, SAT's, ACT's, and all things school related. Now, that we're older- we have to worry about jobs..do they or will they pay enough to put a roof over our heads, will it be enough money to feed our families? We have to worry about more than our cell phone bills...like crap- there's utilities, mortgage payments, gas/electric, etc. Than those of us who have children- the cost of clothes, diapers, shoes, food, formula, etc. The biggest debate of having children comes to mind with things to worry about: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate? Life sure does get more complicated in the sense of the things one really has to worry about as we get older. I must say that I really am happy for all of my loved ones and friends who are having babies and getting married! Time really does fly...just a little TOO much and a little TOO fast.

Saliva Test for ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) Could Be Well On It's Way

I just got this from The Autism Awareness page on Myspace, in a bulletin. I thought this was really interesting and thought I'd share.


January 9, 2009 — The discovery of abnormal salivary peptides in a subgroup of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may prove to be a useful biomarker for the disorder, a small study suggests.


Researchers found that more than 60% of children with ASD had hypophosphorylation of at least 1 of 4 salivary peptides.


"These results suggest that analysis of salivary phosphopeptides might help to discriminate a considerable subgroup of ASD patients," the researchers, led by Massimo Castagnola, PhD, from Università Cattolica, in Rome, Italy, write.


The study is published January 2 in the Journal of Proteome Research.


According to the authors, proteomic studies of body fluids offer a "high throughput approach" for the identification of potential biomarkers in a wide variety of diseases. However, they note, until now, saliva has been neglected for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, despite the fact that it offers several advantages, including the fact that it is noninvasive.


To look for potential salivary biomarkers for individuals with ASD, the researchers analyzed saliva samples from 27 children with ASD and 23 healthy, age-matched controls.


The children with ASD were aged 1.5 to 9 years, except for 1 boy who was 15 years old.


Of the children with ASD, 12 had autism, 1 had Asperger's syndrome, and 14 had pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed (DSM-IV).


Analysis of the saliva samples detected more than 120 salivary components. Statistical analysis revealed that the phosphorylation level of 4 specific peptides, however, was significantly lower in more than half of the autistic patients.


Although the study was small and other pathological conditions might explain these peptide changes, the statistical results were robust, according to the researchers.


The molecular basis of ASD may be partly explained by a defect in the phosphorylation process during the development of the central nervous system in the embryo or in early infancy, they suggest.


The research was supported by Telethon, International Scientific Institute “Paolo VI,” Università di Cagliari, Università Cattolica, Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Università e della Ricerca, Italian National Research Council, Regione Sardegna, and Fondazione Banco di Sardegna.


J Proteome Res. 2008;7:5327-5332.
Abstract

SOURCE: http://www. medscape. com/viewarticle/586532


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Updates on Danny and Charlie's First Week at School.

Danny's fever finally broke, this past Friday. He's doing much, much better (thank GOD). The antibiotics that his pediatrician gave him worked better than the ones that the ER dr. gave him. Danny was able to start school yesterday (1/12) and so far has been doing well. We saw the pediatrician today, just to make sure that Danny's lungs are clear and she says all is well with Danny. I just need to keep giving him Dimetap or the Tylenol multi-symptom cough/cold to get rid of his cough that he has. Other than that, it doesn't appear to be in his lungs- so that's good.
Charlie started school without Danny last week. SO far, Charlie has been getting nothing but wonderful reports from his teacher. She says he's been doing very well and participates well with the other children. He really seems to enjoy school, so much so that he didn't give me my hug OR kiss this morning. He hung up his coat and backpack and than sat right down in his desk. I had to go over to him and give him a kiss goodbye. Danny seems to enjoy school so far too. He too, didn't give me my hug or kiss goodbye- I had to go over and give him one. OH well...at least they like their teacher and they're not clinging to me when I leave. I'm able to just drop them both off and walk away. Most parents can't even say that of their kids...so I'm lucky mine separate from me fairly well...well, at least as far as school goes :)

Our Christmas, New Year, and scary trip to the ER

I have lots and lots to update you on...so here goes. Our Christmas was loads of fun. My in-laws came up on Christmas Eve, so Styven and I stayed up with my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and father-in-law and opened up all of our presents to each other. Christmas morning we let the kiddos open up their gifts from the in-laws and from Styven and I, before heading off to my mom and dad's. Charlie and Danny both made plaster shaped hearts for my mom and MIL, painted them, and had a sweet message on the backs. Charlie and Danny both got a John Deere tractor (they have to share it..I got some really funny videos...if I only I could figure out how to upload them) and Lightning McQueen scooters..amongst other fun toys. My mom made a really yummy dinner, as always. The day after Christmas, my in-laws took the twins to the Georgia Aquarium. This was mine and the boys third time there and my brother-in-laws second. I tried to get coffee from Far Coast from daddy, but the lines were too long. If you haven't been to Far Coast yet in Downtown Atlanta (it's in front of the new Coke museum and behind the Aquarium), then I suggest you go put my dad Bill to work..tell him his youngest daughter sent you. No really, you should. It has become my new favorite place. Anyhow, my mom took the boys overnight the next night, so that my in-laws could spend some time with Styven and I..and get some much needed adult only time together.
My New Years? It's been eventful to say the least. Styven went to the ER on New Years Eve (more like 4 AM on New Years Day). He's been sick for awhile and it's not going away. The ER dr. told him he's got a lung infection. All was well until my eventful trip to the ER with Danny last night at 10. Danny had a fever of 105.9 degrees last night, so I got up got dressed, got him dressed and rushed on down to the hospital. The dr. said we were lucky we got there when we did, his fever was any higher he could've had a seizure and GOD only knows what could've happened. Luckily, his fever went down enough for him to come home at 2:30 AM. He was fine and then his fever went up to 103 again at 4 this afternoon. When I checked it a few hours ago, it had gone back down to 97-98 degrees...so all is good, for now ::knocks on wood::. Charlie started his first day of school today and his teacher said he did really, really well. I wish Danny could be starting with Charlie, but unfortunately, Danny has to stay home with me. Poor kid has pneumonia and it's no fun watching him be sick :(. That's about all I've got for now, I must get myself SOME sleep before getting up early to take Charlie to school. Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL New Year and hope that 2009 is good to all of you.
XOX,
Lynes