Along for the Ride

2009 in Review~

2009-12-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

The last year for the Carroll Family has been an up and down ride indeed!! We seemed to have survived this year's economy, Griffin's medical "stuff" and life in general. God really blessed us this year and has kept us busy and driven to keep moving forward. So what has everyone been us to???

Let's begin with McKenna~

This is probably the most independent, stubborn, hilarious, determined and beautiful child I know!! She has a spirit and will that sometimes is alot to handle, but she looks up at you with those gorgeous eyes and sweet smile and she melts you...We continue to expand our recipe book with ideas to keep up on her allergies. She is allergic gluten, dairy, soy and pineapple.

She also had her tonsils and adenoids removed in November. They were really swollen for several months and after convincing the pediatrician that it wasn't strep, we were able to see the ENT Dr. that removed Griffin's a few years ago. It completely changed her voice, and I would compare it to the mice in Cinderella...I love it!!

Griffin~

Griffin has been keeping us really busy as well. He started preschool this year, and I am excited to see him learning new things everyday and loving it. We are really blessed to have him go to a private preschool, taught by a dear friend of mine, and have the encouragement and support to challenge him and keep him interested. He just had his Christmas play where he was Joseph, the best Joseph I have seen ;). He was really too cute. He is going to be 5 in a few short weeks, and I am trying to remember when we had a 5 year old...sigh...the time is flying by!

His health issues have kept us going as always. He was hospitalized for the eleventh time in January with another round of pneumonia. We made the decision to change pulmonologists, and we are so grateful we did. His new doctor has done a complete evaluation of him to find what is really causing his lung issues. In the last year he has had a bronchoscopy, endoscopy, upper GI, CT Scan, Swallow tests, monitors placed in his esophagus to test his reflux levels, immunology tests, more allergy tests and I am sure that I am missing some. He now sees GI doctor, immunologist, allergist and pulmonologist. They do have some thoughts as to why he is dealing with everything, but the testing is inconclusive. He has also begun allergy shots for all the environmental factors. He is really allergic to grasses, different trees and dogs, to name a few. Just as with McKenna, he has several food allergies that we work through. Nuts, shrimp, soy, eggs, spinach and cow's milk...but we make it work. However, with all that he is doing much better on a day to day basis and we see improvements in his overall heath.

Tim~

Tim has had a crazy year as well. We decided that the job he had was not meeting the needs of our family and he began job searching. I know...in this economy, really?? But what can I say, I am married to stud and he had two great offers to choose from. It was a tough decision and he was given the opportunity to go back to Edward Jones as a Financial Advisor. He works about 3 minutes from home, and was able to get one of the best assistants in the state. He is really flourishing there, and the mood in our house has really changed as the stress levels are dropping, and that is a good feeling.

As for me~

I am still working part time at our church. It has really helped my graphic design skills as I design the connections and other graphics for service each week. However, my photography business has really taken off, and I have been quite the busy women. I really am amazed at the different clients I get to work with and how they enrich my life as I get to be apart of theirs. I was able to have my website, http://www.saracarrollimages.com/, redone and upgrade most of my equipment. I continue to juggle all of that and being a wife and mother. Sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed, okay alot, but it always works out and God always gives me strength to push forward.

We were able to take a family vaca up to Prescott, Greer and Show Low this summer, and we just got back from the Polar Express Train. That was an adventure the kids will never forget, and the look on their faces were priceless.

Hope you have enjoyed the long update and pictures...

Merry Christmas!!

Love, The Carroll's

Our Family Pictures courtesy of the wonderful Jessamyn~jst photography...

New Website

2009-09-08T16:19:00.001-07:00

Please bear with me, I have a new website coming in the next few days. Until then it will be down....thanks for the patience...

Double Trouble...

2009-08-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to spend time with these glorious little one...you will have to be patient with me because I couldn't help myself, and posted a few too many, but they just made my day.

This one just makes me so happy...

Thanks for making it such a great day for me...I really enjoyed spending time with your loves...

Engagement...

2009-07-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

So I have been just crazy busy..which is a good thing...but thought I would pop back on here and update what has been going on. I have been busy working on several photo projects...too many to post on here, but I did want to put some of an engagement session that I had last week. My friend Monique's sister, Marissa, is getting married. If you remember I took Monique's wedding pictures so I was flattered when her sister called and asked if I would do hers too...here are a few of my favs from our time together...

Polka Dots for a Princess

2009-05-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we hit a milestone with our babe. She moved up in the world to a big girl bed. We did it on a three day weekend because she is such a strong willed and independent child, we thought that we would need the extra day to rest. However, I think that she rather enjoyed the fact that she had a "big girl" bed.

She was proud to climb up and sit with her books and read just like her brother. She only got out once on Friday evening, I put her back in bed and that was that. She adapted immediately and she gets out on her own and walks out instead of yelling and kicking her crib when she woke up before. Yeah for everyone. On to potty training...we have been working on that too, she just has been on her own schedule...

True Beauty

2009-05-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Have I said that I love what I do. I love the opportunity to meet new people and get to know them. It is my passion to try and capture them in the images that I take. I want them to see what I have done and say that I have captured the personalities of themselves or their children.

I was able to do that this past weekend. I met this most gorgeous girl, Tressa. I was able to get some real genuine moments with her and some fun poses as well. I know her mom said that she is ecstatic with the outcome, here are some that I just love. Tressa, you are truly a beautiful young lady!! Not just on the outside, but you let me into your heart and you are simply beautiful. I hope that when my daughter is older, her and I have the same bond that you and your mom have. Thank you for this time, and I do hope you love these as much as I do.

A sneak peek

2009-05-16T16:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a little sneak peek from a photoshoot I recently had with Paul from my networking group. (If you have any computer questions, this is your guys, just click on his name!) I had such a good time with this one. I am having a hard time picking what proofs, because there really isn't a bad picture. I think that it is mainly because of this cutie...

She was in the perfect mood and all smiles...Here are a few of my favs, I will post more later :)

Love with a new life

2009-04-30T13:05:00.001-07:00

The most enjoyable thing that I love is the ability to meet with wonderful people and be part of a personal moment. Tim and I go to a networking group on Tuesday mornings, one of our friends in that group referred me to his sister, and I took pictures for them she referred me to this family, and I just love what we were able to get. Here are a few of my favorites...

This breathtaking little guys middle name is Dallas, if you are wondering why he is on a Cowboys blanket. His room is decorated this way, so I think it is perfect...

This last one is one of my favorites, I asked her if I could get a little smile and her Daddy told her to think about icecream and I think this is how I think about icecream too...

Phoenix Tea Party 2009

2009-04-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

As one of the many Americans that are angry and frustrated with an out of control government. A government that over the course of the last few years have forgotten that they do not work for themselves, they work for us. They work for the people. This was a country founded on the ideas and principles of a government, by the people, of the people and for the people! I am so frustrated with what took place in the last few years of the last administration and now how ridiculous it has become with this administration. People in powerful positions that "don't understand the tax code", don't even pay their own taxes, and expect responsible Americans to bail out irresponsible people and companies. A President that made campaign promises, but them passed an omnibus bill with 9,000 pork barrel projects using tax payers dollars. A bill that most congressman admitting to not even reading.

With that being said, I was overwhelmed with the most peaceful but energetic display and unity amongst people in my own community. People who have something to say and came out in bus fulls to say it. (We even ran into our next door neighbors, not knowing that they were heading down there too.) They proudly waved flags, home made signs and kids were sitting on their dad's shoulders to see the sights. I am so glad that we went and my children were able to experience it. I don't want my children to believe everything I do, but I want to instill in them the power to take a stance and stand up for what they believe in. This is America!!! These are some images that grabbed my attention.

Griffin made sure that we got a picture of him on the fire truck too! Then we had to leave because Tim and Griff found their way into a cactus! Ouch!!

Share or not to share...

2009-04-08T10:43:00.001-07:00

I didn't know whether or not to share pictures of this as it involves a certain almost 2 year old and just about all my underwear, but I thought it was just too funny...

I was taking a shower this morning and as I was getting out I saw little body in my closet...here is how the conversation went...

Mama, "Kenna, what are you doing???"

Kenna, "notin"

Mama, "Can you please get out of mama's clothes"

Kenna, "o-tay"

Kenna comes around around the corner of my closet and I see that Kenna has pulled out just about every pair of my underwear, and is wearing them all like beautiful necklaces. (Don't worry, they were clean) She was such a proud little girl...the conversation continues...

Mama, "Oh look at you!!" (trying hard not to laugh hysterically!!)

Kenna, "Kenna so pritteee" (pretty)

Mama, "Yes, Kenna is very pretty!"

Please get a good laugh and have a good day!!!

A mini family reunion...

2009-03-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were able to gather and celebrate my Great Uncle Daryll who came into town. We have not seen him in 20 years, so it was quite the family affair. My Uncle Ron works out at Lake pleasant and was able to rent out the employee lodge for the weekend so we had a private lake and too much fun to be had. Only about a forth the family was able to come, but I had the tripod and set the timer and was able to capture the family that was there.

We were able to fish, paddle boat, explore, hunt for lady bugs, eat and so much more. Griff was able to go out on the lake several times to fish. The first time he went out, he went with my dad, Tim and my Uncle Virgil. And HE CAUGHT A FISH...okay the real story is Virgil caught one on the other side of the boat and between him and my dad they took that fish and put it on Griffin's line and he reeled it in...so he thinks that he caught it and he was proud of himself. I am bummed because I wasn't on the boat to take a picture and it is catch and release...so maybe next time...

Kenna wasn't feeling very good Saturday morning, so she spent most of it snuggled with someone...this one is just too precious...

Once she started feeling better she was back to wonderful self and her and Griff had so much fun looking for lady bugs and jumping and playing...

We were even able to capture a good family photo with Mom in the picture...yeah!

Once the day settled down we had a campfire and roasted marshmallows and had delicious smores...and here is what the sunset looks like at the lake...

More on Griffinator...

2009-02-19T12:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I don't even know where to start with what has been going on lately. I can tell you that sleep has NOT been happening in our household, so exhaustion has been a factor.

I took Griff in on Friday to the new pediatric pulmonologist, who I love already. I wish I would have found her first instead of where we started, but all part of the process I guess. She did a lung function test and found that his lungs are definitely out of whack. The large pockets are only at around 56%, where as the small pockets are around 117% (they all should be at 100%). She also found that after a breathing treatment two of his pockets decreased, where they should have increased. She has some theories, the main one being that he is having a reflux problem. If you remember when Griffin was 5 weeks old he had surgery for pyloric stenosis. She thinks that there may have been a complication from that which is causing him to reflux and then aspirate. Or it could just be a swallowing issue where drops of liquid are going into his lungs and not into his stomach. The liquid is building causing the pneumonia. So where do we go from here??

She wanted him to have blood work to rule out valley fever as well. Check, did that on Friday. She wanted him to have a chest x-ray since he doesn't have one without pneumonia. Check, did that Monday morning. Oh wait, when we were there the technician asked why he was having the x-ray, I explained, then she asked where his last one was because she needed to compare them. Got a call from the doctor saying that he has pneumonia yet again. Thankfully, he is at home this week and on antibiotics and his breathing treatments, and not in the hospital. We were supposed to have an upper GI and a CT Scan scheduled for this week, but they are going to have to wait until his lungs are clear. Is that ever going to happen???

So no sleep you ask, on top of all that is going on with Griffin, McKenna has not been sleeping for the last few months. It has been getting worse and worse with violent tantrums and screaming in the middle of the night. She has only been sleeping about 3 hours combined the last few weeks. So I took her to the naturopath and they have her on a homeopathic remedy to help her sleep. They think she is suffering from night terrors, yes, I had them too when I was little. She has been on the homeopathic medicine for three nights and she actually slept for about 5 hours last night. Yoohoo!! While we were there they also gave Griffin a homeopathic, natural expectorant to help him and that seems to be helping as well. We are still getting up with Griffin every three hours during the night to do breathing treatments, so sleep will happen one day. I do feel like a have newborn twins :)

When we know more, I will pass on the information. I feel hopeful that there are answers beyond asthma and more medication.

Griffin update...

2009-01-27T10:03:00.001-08:00

Hey, Just wanted to let all you know that Griffin was able to come home Saturday night. He is maintaining his oxygen level at 92% on his own and just taking it easy this week. We are going to see a pediatric pulmonologist at St. Joe's on February 13. He did have one at Phx Children's but we weren't happy with the lack of effort in trying to treat him, so we are reaching out and finding "new eyes" to try to figure out what is causing these crazy bouts of pneumonia. We will keep you all updated. Tim and I just want to thank all you for your love, support and prayers for our family and Griffin.

Griffin round 9...

2009-01-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

As a mom I feel so frustrated writing this. Griffin was admitted for the ninth time last night in to the hospital. He started having breathing problems Sunday and we took him to the ER on Monday morning. He was admitted on four liters of oxygen and his oxygen level was 96%, by 10:00 last night he had almost a 104 fever and they had to up him to 6 liters to keep him above 90. By this morning he had a chest x-ray to confirm that he had pneumonia and they begun antibiotics, but had to increase his oxygen to 7 liters. He will most defiantly be there for the remainder of the week to just get him to room air. The normal criteria for him to go home is sleep through the night on room air and his breathing treatment to be every 4-6 hours. Right now he is on 7 liters and his breathing treatments are every 2 hours. Please pray for Griffin to stay strong and for his lungs continue to grow stronger, and for us to keep his spirits up and find rest to also be there for McKenna...

For my little man...

2009-01-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday my love.

Your strength and courage never cease to amaze me. You are intelligent beyond your years. Your kind heart and loving spirit makes me proud to be your mama. I can't get enough of your dimples and blue eyes. I just can't get enough of you... I hope your 4th birthday was as wonderful as can be!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!!!

We have been so blessed by God's grace this year, and while there have been ups and downs, challenges and obstacles and new paths presented, we are so thankful for all He has done for us and pray that 09 will be just as fruitful.

Here are some moments that have been captured over the last few days of some wonderful Christmas Magic.

McKenna was so excited when she saw Santa in line, but would not have anything to do with him when it was our turn, so this year turned into a family pic with Santa. Griff did great and laid out both his and Kenna's list...

Making Cookies for Santa...

Waiting for the cookies to come out of the oven...

Images around our church on Christmas Eve and one of the kids after service all dressed up...

Christmas morning, all the cookies and carrots had been eaten, proof of Santa visit. He brought Griffin a clone trooper helmet and a shaving kit in his stocking (so he could be just like daddy), Santa brought McKenna a kitchen...but they did had so much fun this Christmas...

Here are just a few more playing in our new dress up shoes and a Lego construction set...

Black and White Love

2008-12-09T17:10:00.000-08:00

Because I can't get enough of these images and most of you know my affection for black and white prints, here are some more prints for your viewing pleasure...

Beauty...

2008-12-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed to be able to photograph families, I get to meet so many wonderful people, and this family is no exception. I met Josh from my networking group, he works for Arizona Exterminating, and let me tell you Tim and I have used his services. If we hadn't we would not have known that we had termites, yes that's gross, but we feel lucky Josh came out and found them before the problem got worse. So...I was extremely excited when he said that he wanted family pictures and that his sister in law, niece and nephews would be joining in. The kids had such a good time and think that we got some amazing shots, I just wish that I could post them all here, but I did want to share some.

This darling beauty was just so excited to explore and follow her cousins around, isn't she just gorgeous...

Even more beauty...

These are the siblings...

These are these just more that I love...

The whole crew...

Thanks for letting me capture some of your most special moments...

Health Update...

2008-12-07T18:23:00.001-08:00

Diana, this is for you :)...

Griffin has been doing really well for the most part, until this weekend. He had a really rough Thursday night and couldn't sleep, so we were up doing breathing treatments all night. I had a feeling that we might end up in the ER this weekend. In hopes of trying to avoid that I took him to Dr. Lauren, our most favorite chiropractic ever and that worked great for Griffin. It loosened whatever was in his lungs up enough to save us from the hospital. We did a few more treatments on Friday but he slept like a champ...however, never underestimate the power of a mother's intuition. We ended up in the ER Sunday night, just not for Griffin.

This little one decided to pull down one of the stockings that we had hung on the mantle and the stocking holding came crashing down as well landing on her forehead. It bled for only a few seconds but it was a deep cut so off to the urgent care we went, only to find it closed so we headed to the hospital. They were able to just glue it shut and no stitches. I was excited for that since it is not as traumatic. Our stockings will be taking a little break even though I think that she has learned that if you pull them down it won't feel so great. Oh well, just add it to the ever growing list of hospital visits for us!

Prayers

2008-12-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

As I said that I would get back to posting about my family and the happenings that are going on...I was hoping not to start back off in a less than glorious light, but it is what is. As most of you know my sister is a RA in college. With that comes extensive training in preparation of every situation that you may encounter when in reality that you don't have to deal with it. Unfortunately, my sister had one of those moments with a situation in her hall, a situation that will forever be with her engraved in her heart and soul. While I cannot share what the situation was or what happened here on this space, it was one that she had to handle as a professional (which she did amazingly), but was shaken to core on the inside. My mom drove up to spend a couple days with her to be a support as she continues dealing with what is going on. But my prayer is that she continues to find the strength within herself as she continues to serve her residents, along with the others involved with this situation...

Family Love

2008-12-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for you to meet this family. The Higgins are our neighbors and Melinda asked if I would take her family pictures to help my portfolio when I started doing this. So we went back up to my favorite spot and had such an incredible time. This family is wrapped in love. It was so amazing to see the interaction between them all, and they were up for just playing and posing and being natural and fun. I think that we were able to capture images that represent the boys personalities and displays the family bond that they share. I hope that you can see it through this pictures.

Thanks for such a wonderful afternoon...you all were so great and we are so glad you are our neighbors!!!

Heritage Makers

2008-12-01T18:21:00.000-08:00

You can check this amazing book that Ashley made with Heritage Makers with all the pictures from our session. Just click here. It is amazing!!! Or you can just scroll down to the bottom of this page...

And so it continues

2008-12-01T10:10:00.001-08:00

One day I will get back to writing about what is going on in our family, but I still have so many wonderful pictures to share from the sessions that I have been doing. We had a great Thanksgiving, very relaxing, lots of food and Tim and I were a couple of crazy people and went out shopping Friday morning.

One of the session that I had a few weeks back was with this wonderful family. I met Ashley in my networking group, besides being a miracle worker with her own business and connections that she has, she is an amazing person. We have become fast friends that talk almost every day. The great thing is that she is a Heritage Makers consultant. This is such a great product because they make online scrapbooks, calendars, personalized decks of playing cards and so much more. So we have been able to begin working hand in hand since what we do compliments each other so well. She is currently making a book from all the pictures from our session and I am so excited to see it. If you want more information about what this company is all about check her out on her blog. Here are a few of my favs from our session...

This is Hailey, isn't she so cute, we have become best friends. Every time I see her now she just gives me a big hug and tells me all about her day...she was so fun to take pictures of...

This is one of my favorite pictures of all my sessions. This is Ashley's husband, Kelvin, can you just tell how much love there is...

This is Peyton, what a cutie...he is so precious. We were on a golf course for this session so there was a great deal to explore and he had fun following Hailey around and finding new things to get into.

This bridge was over a man made lake, so we were looking for mermaids. I think that we found a pink and blue mermaid :)

Thanks Ashley for such a great time and all the wonderful images that we were able to capture. I hope that you love them as much as I do!

More Photo Shoots

2008-11-26T08:56:00.001-08:00

I know, I know I have been saying that I have so much to update here and I do!!! So I am going to try and get that done by the end of the week :)

I am in a networking group with Tim and many other wonderful small business owners and entrepreneurs and this has been just wonderful for me to expand my own photography business. One of the people in our group is Jaime, she own and operates a sign shop with her brother. This shop has been in her family for several years as her father used to own it. They do all types of banners and a-frames, magnets for you car, shirts, hats, etc...Her work is amazing and I was so privileged to take pictures of her family several weeks ago. Here are a few of my favs at my favorite place to take pictures...

And how about this...meet another Griffin. Jaime's oldest is a Griffin too. Her boys have such great personalities and had a great brother bond.

Thanks for the opportunity to take your pictures Jaime!!! And for everyone else in the valley if you need signs or banners Jaime is the place to get them from!!!

Kessler's

2008-11-19T18:43:00.000-08:00

Say Hello to Chip, Katie, Cole and Cade...these are great friends of ours that we have know since I was pregnant with Griff so I was so excited to be able to take pictures for them, and hope they love the images as much as I do, here are a few of my favs...

Even Jack the dog got in on the action...

These kids are just too cute, I loved taking their pictures...

A day for Thanks

2008-11-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

Today I say thank you to all those who have served or who are serving this most marvelous country. I say thank you to those who have lost their lives and shed their blood so I have the freedom to be here on this space. I say thank you to those who have fought for the freedoms of our today's and tomorrows. I say thank you to those who have sacrificed time with their family to serve this country so I can have safety and prosperity with mine. Thank you for what you do. Thank you to those I don't know, those who are close to my heart and are currently serving. Thank you to my grandfather and to my husband for your service to the land of the free and home of the brave.

Buchmann Family

2008-11-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

So I have been behind in posting all my wonderful photo sessions that I have been privileged to be a part of, so this week with be my effort to get caught up. Up first...

Our great friends Travis and Jacinda asked me to take pictures of them, and we were able to make a family trip with everyone up the mountain to snow bowl. It was fun to just play and snap away at the real moments...and the boys loved to play in all the leaves as well. Here are a few of my favorites...

This last one I just love because I was trying to captivate an audience of babes that were just not interested in posing, so in the most helpful way Griffin started putting up antlers on his head and acting goofy behind me and this was the reaction that I saw through the lens.

Thanks guys for letting me capture these wonderful images of you and your babes.

A bucket full of emotions...

2008-11-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

Well the election has come to an end and the country has spoken. Last night watching the returns I was filled with so much emotion, anticipation, excitement etc. I was overcome with emotion as I watched McCain give one of the most genuine and gracious concession speeches I have ever witnessed. Watching this man who gave 5 years of his life in a literal living hell fighting for this country, survive that and continue to serve this country and get before a nation to announce that his dreams of becoming its president had slipped away from him...was heartbreaking to me. To then see Governor Palin standing with every bit of grace in what was an obvious emotional evening for her...a woman, who in my opinion, endured more scrutiny, belittling and unnecessary hate on things that were not even related to issues than any other person running for election. But through all that she remained classy and dignified and rolled with the punches. Then emotion filled my soul again to see President-elect Obama walk out on that stage with his family, and witness history being made before my eyes. Seeing the crowds of people in support and triumph, see the thousands of other African Americans with tears streaming down their face in what was a victory on so many levels last night. Truly, this is a most remarkable and incredible time in our history, and our country should be proud.

As the majority spoke last night there was a sense of disappointment for me. The person that I voted for in the primaries did not make it to the final ticket, and the person that I voted for to be the next president did not succeed. There are many real and true reasons why I did not vote for Obama as I felt that in the state of our country there was a better choice. With that being said, the next president has my respect and support and hope that real, positive change will be brought to this country. Hope that the promises of his campaign, and the words that he spoke with be carried out, minus the redistribution of wealth. As I am not in agreement with the way the current president and administration has handled situations in this country and the direction that we have gone, the position deserves respect and support from the people. Many people and one close to my heart (you know who you are ;) ) would wear t-shirt or have bumper stickers about Bush that said "He's not my President". While you may not have voted for him in the last two elections or for Obama last night, the fact of the matter is that he is President and Obama is going to be our next President. Obama will be my president. This position is one that only 43 people have held, a position where decisions are made by the second, the toughest most complicated job in the world. The President of the United States demands our respect and support. The great thing about this country is that we have the right to voice our disagreements and opinion, a right that many men and woman have died for. We are Americans before we are conservatives and liberals. It is time to come together from both sides and clean up the current mess we are in and move forward in a positive direction. The outcome is what is, I wish nothing for the best for this next president as he has so much to deal with on day one, and I hope that he succeeds above my wildest imagination to move this country forward.

Halloween Fun

2008-11-01T08:08:00.001-07:00

So we had the best time last night, as you can see Griffin was Mike Wasowski from Monster's Inc. and looks fantastic...

And here is McKenna with half her costume on, as it seemed to be 150 degrees last night her costume was a little hot, but wait till you see the whole thing. I had this idea of having the kids going in costumes that match, since I probably won't have much longer to do that. We wanted to have McKenna go as Boo from Monsters Inc. when they dress her up like a monster. They don't make that costume so I had this grand idea of doing it myself. Well life got a little crazy, way stressed and my mom came through...she knocked out this amazing costume, that is to die for...

She didn't keep the head on for trick or treating but I can't get enough...

Here is McKenna enjoying some chocolate...

Yummy!

Pumpkin Love...

2008-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

So on this most fantastic day of Halloween excitement, I am excited to be at a point with my kiddos, especially Griffin, where the concept of traditions of holidays are making sense and the impatience to countdown are becoming louder and louder. I had appointments yesterday morning so the kids stayed with my mom and I told them that we would carve pumpkins when I got back. Of course, Griffin was waiting by the door and yelled with anticipation that it was time to get busy. To get our Pumpkins we went to this farm after I saw pictures that my friend Jen had posted and told Tim that we had to take the kids. When we got there I realized that I had taken a group of kids there on a field trip and knew that we would have a great deal of fun.

There was a corn box, like a sandbox but with corn...a petting zoo, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and so much more...it was a good time. In the corn maze we let Griffin go in front of us and lead the way and he got us through it...

McKenna was getting restless and grumpy, so I love this picture cause I we put them up on a hay stack to take a picture and she just grabbed onto Griffin and Griffin loving hugged her back.

So we headed off to the pumpkin patch since McKenna was ready to leave and then it happened...McKenna wanted to take every pumpkin home with her. She desperately tried to pick up every pumpkin she saw, it was just too cute.

When Griffin doesn't smile I always asks to see his teeth, so he showed them to me...corny smile, but still cute...

Tune in later for their Halloween costumes...they are to die to for and you won't be disappointed. McKenna's is homemade, thanks completely to my most wonderful mom, but I have a few more things to get ready, so I will post as soon as I can...Happy Halloween.

Gillmore's...

2008-10-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

So as I said in my last post I have been busy with photo session and have a back log of wonderful photos to share with you.

A few weekends ago my awesome family posed for some pictures for me..so here is a few of our time together...

Here is the whole crew.

My cousin Ashley

My cousin Kevin

Thanks guys for letting me get some great pics...

Website...and so much more

2008-10-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

So I have been a little busy bee...working on a new website for my photography, working hard on recent photo sessions, busy with my own kiddos and getting ready for Halloween...I can't wait to show you pictures of that...

One event that I participated in was on Monday night. My great friend, Kim, asked me to come take glamour shots at a Mary Kay event. Another wonderful lady, Deann, came to do hair touch ups. It was so much fun, the room was packed with wonderful and interesting women. I did their before picture, they glammed up with fantastic Mary Kay products, got their hair touched up and then off for their after glamour shot. Kim had called to tell me a rough number of how many women would be there, knowing that there would be several, my mom came along with me to help keep me organized and sign everyone that wanted the picture package. It was just a great night and a great opportunity for Deann and I to meet new people and generate business, and the number of people to try and purchase Mary Kay item was awesome for Kim too. We are talking about possibly doing this event again at the end of November. If you are in the Phoenix area, you do not want to miss out on this, let me know if you are interested in the next event.

So on to my new photography website...I am excited to say that I have a new website. While there are changes still to be made, and several more pictures to upload, I am happy, excited and nervous to put my work out there, and hope this generates even more potential clients. Let me know what you think...http://www.saracarrollimages.com/.

Check back in often as I have so many photo session to post...

Meet Meaghan

2008-10-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of taking senior pictures for this most gorgeous young lady a couple of weeks ago.

Her mom, Deann, called me on a Friday night and said she had to have her braces put back on the following Monday and asked if we could take pictures over the weekend. So we drove up to Jerome and got some great shots.

She was such a trooper cause the weather seemed to be nice until we got out of the car and started walking through the town and the wind was just going crazy, but how could I not get great pictures with this beautiful girl.

My First Wedding...

2008-10-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to photograph my first wedding...

One of my dearest friends, Monique, got married this past weekend and so this extended into just taking pictures, I was able to help her with ideas for decoration and then help her and her family make them. I was there to help her set up the church, get ready and drive her from place to place on Saturday...

It was such a simple wedding and went so smoothly, and I so was so excited to be given the chance to take her pictures. We were worried because it was cloudy on Saturday and started sprinkling on and off, but all went well, and I think that we got some really great shots. These are just a couple that I have gone through as I have tons of pictures to edit, but I will post more as I get them done.

Thank Monique and Rodney for letting me take pictures of your most special day...

Firsts...

2008-09-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

This has been an exciting week for McKenna...minus the findings of her new food allergies...Not only did she use the potty for the first time tonight, which I am so excited about, she also got her first haircut. Our friend Deann cut her hair. I know that she is only 16 months, but it was in her face and she was too close to a mullet for me, so it was time. She did so good, she sat on my mom's lap and just let her cut away...

She didn't really cut that much, just trimmed it. I think that McKenna was excited when it was all done and we kept telling her that she looked so pretty, not that we don't tell her that all the time anyway, but we were making a big deal out of it...

Seriously...

2008-09-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

We have been on the move, busy in our lives these last few weeks...playing outside for more than 15 minutes at a time...I have several photo sessions scheduled in the next few week and am so excited how busy I will be with that...and about three weeks ago we had McKenna allergy tested as I was pretty sure that she might be allergic to dairy, it took three weeks to get the blood work back, so last night was our appointment to get the results back. Let me recap for you on what Griffin is allergic to in terms of food...

Nuts
Shrimp
Soy
Eggs
Spinach
and intolerant to cow's milk...

So let me now tell you what McKenna is allergic to...

Soy
All dairy and casein
wheat and gluten
and possibly pineapple, this was borderline so the doctor said it could be a false reading and to not give her any for one month then try and see if she has a reaction

(I am glad they share at least the soy allergy)

So as I read the printout at the doctors office, my eyes filled with tears and all I could say was "How am I supposed to feed these children? Seriously, What am I supposed to do?" Life has been difficult enough eliminating these other things especially soy, as soy is in just about everything, but now to cut out dairy completely and wheat, I just feel overwhelmed. It is times like this when I am glad that I am at home and can monitor their food and have the flexibility to explore and research for new recipes and resources for our food or lack there of. I am thankful that there has been a movement in the autistic community to go in the direction of removing dairy and wheat from their diets, so a great deal of options are available to us. But being the main grocery shopper and food preparer I am not willing to make several different meals to accommodate everyone, so this will be a way of life for all of us...(not to say that I won't keep bread and peanut butter in the house to eat it when the kids are sleeping, cause I am a peanut butter addict...) but frustrating none the less. So today's task will be to go through the pantry...grr...

I know that we are not the first family to deal with this, and so many people struggle with food allergies, it is just frustrating that the list seems to continue to grow... we will just grow and adapt with the new changes as well...

A little piece of Heaven...

2008-08-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

This city has a large piece of my heart...I did a large part of finding myself, growing as an individual, finding the path that would take me where I am now...I miss this place so much and wish so deeply that I could live there, raise my children there, just breath the air....

So in lieu of not living there, my friend Jessamyn and I took a girls trip up, children free to play with our camera's, catch up on girl talk and just regain some mama strength that we desperately needed.

It was just wonderful to not change diapers, take several potty brakes, wipe faces, entertain little babes, and just look through the lens and dream about how I wish my life was taking place in Flagstaff and not the desert heat...

Being up there always give me a sense of peace, creativity and settles my soul...it was hard to get in the car and drive back down...I think that we would have stayed if not for babes waiting to see their mama's again...

Out of Africa

2008-08-22T11:10:00.001-07:00

So I am a little late getting these pictures up...but my great friend Jessamyn and I packed up the kids and headed up to Camp Verde to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park last week. We were thinking that it was going to be a little cooler than it was, but still hot (and wouldn't you know that it cooled off and started raining as we were driving away). However, we had a great time. This park really allows you to get up close and personal with most of the animals...we got to feed the giraffe carrot sticks and pet the camel, who's name was appropriately Humphrey. Plus we saw lots of zebras and tigers, and the kids had such a good time experiencing all this greatness together.

This is a little zebra family, isn't this baby just too cute...

This is a sable, not really found in any other form of captivity cause they are just too aggressive, but beautiful animals...

***Warning for my mother...there is going to be a picture of a snake next, close your eyes if you don't want to see it...

And there is this bad boy, yes this Anaconda got to be loved on by the kids, they go to pet and touch him...good fun...

To end our day at the park we watched the tiger splash show with these amazing cats and their trainers just playing freely in the water and grass. The tigers would jump up in the air on their way to the water and pop balloons. So now Griffin wants me to blow up balloons all the time so he can be a tiger and pop them...Griffin was in this state of pure joy for most of this show and then all the kids started growling and walking around like they were tigers, too cute...

And this little one is sucking on a delicious ice cube, can you tell it is quenching her need for coolness...

We decided that we would go back up when it was cooler and take our hubbies along for extra hands...thanks Jess we had a great time :)

My little hero...

2008-08-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I went to gym, like just about everyday and drop the kids off at the kid center and head off to my workout...I had done some lifting and was off to the treadmill...about two minutes into my run one of the girls from the kids area came and got me. She said that McKenna had been bit by another kid and she was crying...I asked if it was bad, the answer:yes, I asked if it broke the skin, thankfully she said no. So we made our way to where the kids were...

The first thing I see is Griffin standing next to one of the staff and I did a brief glance for Kenna unable to see her until I saw her feet behind Griffin. Griffin was standing in front of her and "guarding" her from other kids. When he saw me he started to walk towards me and I saw that he was holding Kenna's hand...we walked towards each other and Griffin's face turned red and his eyes filled with tears...he started to tell me that McKenna got bite by another little girl...He was so upset, I think more so than McKenna was. McKenna of course was still crying and I saw the damage that had been done to her cheek. I wanted to know who had bit her and it was another little girl a little smaller than her, so I wasn't upset about that.

Anyway, we left and Tim was working out too, so we went and found him and Griffin was telling us what happened. Griffin is extremely honest when it comes to things like this so here is the story...McKenna was playing with a little toy plane and the other little girl wanted it and McKenna was holding on to it, so the little girl bit her in the cheek and Griffin stopped her and told her "no, no". Then he hugged McKenna until I got there and he told us he made sure no one else would bite her. He told us several times last night that when he gets big he is going to be a police officer and put that little girl in timeout because we don't bite. I was so proud of him for taking care of his sister and protecting her until I got there. What a good big brother...

So here is the damage from last night, and she has a pretty sweet bruise of teeth marks on her face today, I am sure that it will be there for a few more days...

Camping Adventure

2008-08-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

My sister moved back up to NAU this weekend, so in a desperate plee to get out of town and heat for a few days we tagged along and camped for the weekend 20 miles outside of Flag and drove in on Saturday to get Rachel all moved in. This was McKenna's first camping trip since she has been able to walk, I knew that she would get dirty, but she was only outside the truck for about 5 minutes before her face was covered in dirt as she was taste testing all the rocks to make sure they were good to play with...

We went exploring to collect treasures and found some beautiful things along the way...

Including Eeyore food...

After all that it does a body good to relax a bit...

What is camping trip without a fire...

The kids had so much fun and the bathtub needed a bath after we cleaned the kids...

Prepare for cuteness...

2008-08-02T10:57:00.001-07:00

We went to a party last week for this handsome little guy...

And there was just too much cuteness not to snap a few shots...

And this beauty, is she just one of the most beautiful girls...

Happy Birthday buddy, hope you had a great day...

Talented...

2008-07-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

I had to work on an assignment for class and was trying to capture this...

Then I was able to capture that...

And as were were getting ready to pack up and go home, Griffin asked if he could take a picture...since I had the camera on the tripod I let him snap a few pictures. He moved the camera up and down and then took a couple of shots...

I was so impressed with his pictures when I got them on the computer...great job my little talented man!

Turning Circles

2008-07-21T08:50:00.001-07:00

This has been one of the longest weekends for Tim and I, not necessarily in the best possible way. We had one the most disturbing experiences since becoming parents that took place on Friday night, that I just keeping running around and around in my head...

Both of us got home late from work and errands on Friday night, and decided that we would go out to dinner. So we went to a little local family restaurant. As we were sitting and waiting for our food, McKenna started to squeal. Not a tantrum or yell, when she get excited or wants something, she has this high pitched "girly" squeal. She was making noise, but Tim and I were keeping her entertained with snacks and playing with her...Then the unbelievable...

This older man in his 60's came around the corner and started to walk past until he stopped and said, "Is that your kid making the noise?" Me thinking that he was going to say something like What is all the noise about, you know in a joking way, like I usually get if she squeals like that... No, not so much. Tim responded, yes. Then this man proceeded to start yelling and us...not talking, yelling...as loud as he could, to where everyone in the restaurant turned and were looking...some people started to "boo" this guy. In the middle of his first yelling sentence or two, Tim said, "Are you serious???". This man yelled, "Yes, I am serious, you may not care what your children do, but the rest of us want to have a quiet, uninterrupted dinner. You need to learn how to control your children." He actually said that we needed to control our children several times. Even after he saw that McKenna was a baby, and he didn't know that we had "children" until he walked around to where we were sitting cause Griffin had taken a transformer car with him and had hardly talked because he was engrossed with transforming. Not to mention there were TV's everywhere with ESPN on half and Winnie the Pooh on the others.

I was literally in a state of shock, and as this guy continued with his voice raised, he started to walk away and Tim told him what he thought of him, the best way possible since we had our kids with us. After the man walked away, a couple of people around us came up and said to ignore him. Since this a local family owned restaurant, the owner was there and came up and apologized and tried to accommodate us for the rest of the meal. But after she came up, I lost it...Pathetically, I just started crying, uncontrollably...our food came out at that moment, so I told Tim we needed to leave and we took our food to go. I felt the need to go for several reasons, I was crying and couldn't see my plate...Griffin was confused to what just happened, and McKenna was still squealing and I didn't know the mind set of this man and I had children to protect. So we walked out to car and when I was inside the car with the kids, Tim went back in and really told this guy what he thought of him.

I think that I was so emotional, because this was such a heartless thing to do. Such a mean, cruel thing, that happened in front of my children. You know when you are in a situation and wish you knew what to say at that moment, or what to do, only to sit on it later and wished you would have handled it different. I felt trapped as to what to do in that moment. This man needed to know what he had done was completely inappropriate, rude and intolerable. But at the same time, how do you articulate that when your children are present, so you don't have to justify your actions if you handle the situation poorly. I do so desperately wish that I could go back to that night and start over. Both Tim and I do, as we have been reliving this event all weekend and wish we could go back and start over. Since Tim did go back in, he got a little relief, but I didn't even say anything to this man. I know that this will never be seen by this person but for my own sense of moving on...To you sir I say this:

I am so sorry that my daughter was making noise, she was not throwing a tantrum, she was just excited. I am sorry that you did not have a quiet, uninterrupted dinner. Maybe if want a dinner like that, I would suggest staying home or going to an adult restaurant, not a family restaurant with Winnie the Pooh on the TV's. Furthermore, when you came around the corner and saw that the noise was coming from a one year old, you should have walked away. When you saw that we had another child with us, you should have walked away. If you really felt that way, you should have talked to your waitress or the owner. You sir should be ashamed of yourself, for behaving that way in place full of children. Children including my own that witnessed your repulsive behavior. We made the decision to leave not because our daughter was making noise, but because we had to explain to our son why a person would come up to his family and yell horrible things to them, and let him know if he ever chooses to behave that way there will be consequences and he will be punished. So when you look in the mirror, I hope you are happy with the reflection, because I am sad for the lack of joy and happiness that is obviously missing from your life.

Okay, I feel a little better...

Heads in the Clouds...

2008-07-16T12:14:00.001-07:00

I have this dream of what my days and life would look like in a "perfect world"...I would wake up, make a loaf of bread so my house would smell so delicious...then I would get the kids up, make a breakfast and more than just oatmeal or toast, walk out back to get in some gardening and pick some fresh veggies for dinner, work on a craft project like scrap booking or sewing a new outfit, play the rest of the morning outside with my babes, after lunch we would go an adventure somewhere so I could take some pictures, then stop by the gym for an awesome workout, followed by some way of giving back to the community, come home to make dinner and hang out and play games after that until bedtime. Of course my house would be spotless the entire time. While I do a majority of these things, I can never find time in a single week to get most of them accomplished.

I dream of this world outside my house, outside of my children, outside the role of mother and wife. I dream of what would happen if what I wanted was on the forefront of my thoughts. So many times, and I know that all moms feel this at some point, I feel as though I have been lost in the shuffle. My husband has a life outside of our house, and has the fortune to experience many wonderful events and opportunities as a perk of his career. My perk, doing dishes 3 times a day and changing diapers...being a little sarcastic here...but knowing that I am so blessed to be able to stay home and raise my children and see all their new discoveries, being able to go and play and do things during the day because I have no 8-5 commitment...but on that same branch of thought, I desperately miss the outside world, the adult interaction, the ways in which I was challenged to perform in a job...so it has been my quest over the last few months or so to find something for me that balances out home life and outside life, something that allows me to grow as an individual but still allows my the opportunity to be a full time mom.

I have been taking photo classes for a couple of months and have really found a passion in looking through the lens and seeing more than just the face on the other end or something I am trying to shoot. When I look through the lens I see the bigger picture, I see beyond the roles of my life and I see a sense of freedom. With the encouragement of my instructor and his more than ego boosting compliments of my assignments, and with the praise I have received here and through my family, I have made the decision to start doing this professionally. I have so much more to learn, so much more to experience, and a great deal more practice. But this is a stepping off point for me. I am going to spend the next few months building my portfolio and taking a couple more classes as I continue to enhance this new craft of mine. The most exciting this is that my husband is all for it even when I told him how much I wanted to spend on equipment...this will not be a speedy thing, it will be a crawl, so while I am crawling along and finding my way through it, if you are local to me and would be willing to let me practice and get some experience I would be so grateful...this may just be something that takes my head out of the clouds and grounds me to a reality...

What is this country coming to?

2008-07-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

So I usually don't dive into to worldly topics here..even though I have immersed myself into politics over the last couple years and have alot to say and several opinions about the direction of the country...that is neither here nor there. Furthermore, I have been educating myself on nutrition and health and made it my priority to make sure my kids are healthy and we are giving them everything their bodies need to stay that way...we don't watch TV during the day(or at least not a lot on really hot days) so my kids can constantly stay moving, exploring and develop their imaginations...and then driving and listening to talk radio (yes, I listen to talk radio unless we are listening to the Alvin and The Chipmunks soundtrack or the Curious George soundtrack...very entertaining) and heard the most unnerving thing...that children as young as 8 could receive cholesterol medicine...seriously???

Let me give you a little back story...I had my 1 year old at the pediatrician for her 1 year check about 2 months ago and the you have seen pictures of her here...she is a healthy baby in my opinion...the doctor told me that she is to thin and needs to gain weight...She weighs 20 pounds, I think that is normal for a one year old, that is what Griffin weighed when he was one. As a matter of speaking, that is what I weighed when I was one. I asked the doctor if she was serious and she said "Yes, we will look at her weight at her next check up and decide if we need to put her on a high fat diet to increase her weight. How often are you feeding her?" This doctor has seen us more than we have seen most of our relatives due to all of Griffin's problems and this has never come up before. In my mind I am just spinning circles and angry...as the doctor asks me if McKenna can say any words...I tell her yes she can say about 7 or 8. The doctor says...she can't say that many...so I start to say out loud the words that kenna can say and in perfect little form kenna repeats the words. "Mama, dada, dog, duck, ball, no, yes, stop, what's that"...the doctor has a somewhat impressed look on her face...so in some what rude but deserved form I told her "Well apparently I don't feed my children, but I do educate them." But at the end of this checkup after we were told she is the 95th percentile for height but in the 12th for weight, I am thinking who are children getting compared too, why don't we compare them to themselves and make sure that they are growing and making progress...

Which brings me to this outrageous topic of giving cholesterol medicine to children as young as 8. What happened to playing outside and being active, what happened to eating healthy nutritious meals together as a family, what happened to taking the time to invest in the things that will teach your children how to be healthy, happy adults. Why do we have to result to medicine, why can't we alter our behavior and lifestyles to make the correct steps for our children's future. I am not saying that I am a saint, I have been through my fair share of drive thru's...our lifestyle is due in large part to Griffin, we don't have anything that is processed in our house, we eat mainly fresh foods especially fruits and veggies, and I refuse to give my kids anything with high fructose corn syrup in it. We don't spend money on frivolous stuff, but I do make sure to spend money on organic and healthy food, I know it is more expensive but my children will thank me when they are older ( I hope) and Tim and I are in good health. They do get treats and "exciting" food every once in a while...but I am happy to say that both my kids prefer broccoli to most things including ice cream...yes Griffin has asked for broccoli instead of ice cream on several of occasion after dinner and we always give it to him.

Now that I have gone on for a ridiculously long time...my point is that instead of shoving pills down the throats of our children for a band aid over the problem, maybe we should take a step back and reevaluate the way in which they are being raised and change their diet and get them away from the tv and video games...

Happy 30th...

2008-07-10T11:56:00.001-07:00

So yesterday was Tim's birthday...the kids and I were busy from the time the sun came up until we passed out at the end of the night. Busy making Griffin friendly cakes, which was a disaster, but ended up okay...decorating wrapping paper for gifts, making cards, etc. But I wasn't able to jump on and say Happy Birthday to my hubby...he is 30!!! Yes older than me, but I guess that means that 30 is only 2 short years away for me...Hope you had a good birthday yesterday, Tim...(my parents are taking the kids Saturday night so we can actually go out and have a real date...yippee!!)

So it's true...

2008-07-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

You know how everyone says that if the kids are doing something and it gets quiet, they are probably getting in to something or doing something they aren't supposed too. Well this is completely accurate!!! After getting back from our trip I rebelled against doing anything yesterday and the kids I laid around all day and read books and watched cartoons, and just wasted the day away...part of my rebellion was not really thinking about what to do for dinner, so when Tim got home we decided to pack up and go out...so as we were getting ready, we saw the kids go into Griff's room with a book and close the door. Thinking they were reading we got ready at record pace due to lack of helpers. When we were about ready, we noticed it was very quite and Tim went to open the door and didn't see any reading...just this...

They had taken an entire bottle of baby powder and "decorated" his room and mainly her. Laughing on the inside we let Griff know that it maybe wasn't such a good idea, and he declined to have his picture taken cause he was embarrassed. The good news is that after we cleaned her up and vacuumed the large quantity of powder up, the back of our house smells like a baby's butt. Warning: If your children are quite, check on them!!!

Prepare yourself...

2008-07-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

A little spur of the moment decision took the kids and myself on a little road trip up to Show Low, up to Greer and back to take a timeout from the scorching hot weather. It rained every day, and we actually got to wear jackets in the evening...I really hated to come back but Tim didn't go so we were missing daddy...prepare yourself for some delicious pictures as I had a hard time deciding what to post...

Playing in the rain...

Too much fun...

Watching the hummingbirds eat...

Playing in Greer...

Between chasing ducks and getting to help feed the fish, and playing in the creek it was hard to leave...

(all those ripples are tons of fish)

I have more pictures to share, but I will save that for a different post...

Field Trip

2008-06-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

Our photo class took a little trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens...I learned so much, and even though it was three thousand degrees, okay only like 105...I'm glad I got to go and learn even more, here are a few of my favs.

Flippin fun

2008-06-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

As we try to move on this busy filled summer all while trying to escape the heat of the city...grr, I guess I never really minded the heat until I had children and am stuck doing indoor things for most of our days...we have been sidelined for a few days.

While this mom has strep for the second time in 4 weeks, really, I think I got the full effect last time... a grumpy little girl is trying to fight a cold and working on some teeth...so while we are are then mend a feeling a great deal better, we have a little gymnast as our entertainment...

We were watching the U.S. Olympic trials the other night, and Griff was mesmerized by what he was seeing, immediately he began to do somersaults and flip around the living room...then he saw they had tape around their wrist, so yes, he had to have tape as well...(warning...please excuse the mess in the background as I have given up on picking anything up until I have two sleeping kids)

Then he continue to watch and saw that the girls were putting chalk on their hands before they did an event...so even though he said he needed it, we decided to skip that part and work on pretending...he did a good job at that...

Then the best part was he would stand up with his hand in the air then he would come over and give one of us a hug just like the girls hugged their coaches after a routine...this has become part of our daily play!

Watermarked

2008-06-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

I have not been here in a while as I am afraid some of my images have been taken off this space, but crisis averted...my sister is helping me create a watermark design for permanent use, so until then you will see the pictures as they are...Once upon a time I was a scrapbook queen, but when I was working full time and had the first babe time just didn't allow for it. So this space does that for me in that I can document events and thoughts and images to remember what is going on in our somewhat hectic life. I am happy to say that I have jumped feet first back into scrap booking again of course when I have the time...All that to say I will continue to keep ya'll updated on the happenings just with more caution and hope that my images remain my images. For my friends and family...if there is a picture that you want (watermark free) just leave a comment at the bottom of the post and I will be sure to get you a copy...

These pictures have been screaming to be shared...

I am currently taking a photo class as well so I will be in full force here as I continue to learn and practice...I love this class cause not only am I learning from a great photographer, I get 3 whole hours to myself on Thursday nights...more to come!

Lots of Daddy love...

2008-06-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!!!

Oh, Griffin...

2008-06-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite pieces that we have in the house. It was a gift from my parents a few years ago and has become our wedding album along with some other pictures of the kids. Griffin never has really played with, but McKenna tries to touch it all the time. It has fallen backwards two times before but never hurt anyone...so I have thought about finding a new place for it until she looses her fascination with it...Well it is finding a new spot today after last night.

The kids were playing and running circles around the couch, laughing and giggling until...McKenna decided to push this down...it came forwards this time and Griffin happened to break its fall with his head. So after stopping the bleeding we made the decision that he need to have a professional look at it. A sticker, a sucker and two staples in the head later all seems to be going well.

So if you are keeping up with our record at Urgent Cares in the last week...I was in last Thursday for my sinus infection, Tim was in on Monday because he stepped on a rusty nail and needed a tetanus shot and now Griffin...I am knocking on wood as I write this hoping that McKenna keeps herself out of there...

What a trip...

2008-06-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

We have made our way back to the heat...I miss the Georgia weather greatly...We did have a great trip and packed it full of fun things for the kiddos...Unfortunately, I got really sick on Wednesday night and spent most of Thursday and Friday in bed after a visit to the local urgent care and getting some much needed antibiotics, but at least there were several sets of hands to help out with the kids so I could sleep...I took so many, many pictures...here are a few of our adventures...

Playing with Grandma Carroll's boa's...

At the lake up the road making sure to eat the sea shells and pretend to be fishes...

At the Ocean in Charleston...

Meeting a new friend, Noah...

Heading out

2008-05-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

We are on our way for a week long trip to Georgia to visit Tim's family...two kids on a 4 hour plane ride and then a few more hours in the car to make it to our destination...wow! this will be a first. Griffin has been on a plane, but doesn't really remember, but is so excited to sit at the window and see the clouds. But he told us that he didn't want to go through the clouds because then the birds would not have a place to sit...so thoughtful, don't you think?

Most of my day was spent just organizing and planning how to keep these kids occupied and not turn into one of "those" families on a plane full of people. I filled up my ipod with all of Griffin's favorite songs too, anything to help. We have lots of things planned for the week and I can't wait to get some real practice with my camera on the east coast...we will be back with lots of stories, I am sure...

Have a most fantastic week!

motherhood

2008-05-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

This past week with the accumulation of Mother's day, I have been trying to inhale this idea. This idea of motherhood. This was my fourth mother's day, the one year anniversary of becoming a full time mom and a mama of two beautiful treasures.

I can say that on this journey I have most definitely learned more from my children than I think that I have taught them. I have been learning patience, forgiveness, curiosity, imagination, wonder, happiness, joy and love in a way in which I never dreamed.

Parts of me are wondering if I am doing the best job that I can do in this role, knowing that I can do better to enrich their lives and there is always room to grow and learn. Parts of me are screaming to find a part time activity such as a job outside the home to give me a break from the everyday, thinking that giving me that break would make me a better mom, but I don't really want to do that either... so much uncertainty of how this story of mine will play out, but most certain that I am dedicated to writing it...

On a side note, there was a study that was released last week stating what a full time mom would make. This was based on all the roles that a mother plays, provider, care taker, cook, teacher, taxi driver, laundry mat, house cleaner, etc. This study said that a woman in today's market would make $117,000 dollars a year...really, that's it...I know I am worth more than that, and I know so many mothers who are priceless. This study was obviously done by a man without a wife or children...

Those Eyes

2008-05-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

Every where we go people stop and tell me how beautiful your eyes are. Just the other day when we were at the grocery store a group of fire fighters stopped us to comment on your eyes. And while they are right in the glorious beauty of those eyes...they don't really get to see them. They don't get to see the excitement that fills your eyes when you learn how to do something new. They don't get to see the love when daddy comes home, or I get you out of your crib in the morning or when Griffin plays with you. They don't get to see the kindness in your eyes when you lean in for a hug or kiss or try to share a treasure you have found. They don't get to see the sleepiness when you reach your arms up to lay your head on my shoulder. They don't get to see the joy when you walk out with a book and we pick you up to read it together. They don't get to see the curiousness in your eyes when you find a new spot in the house to explore. They don't get to see the gentle, loving spirit that pours out of your eyes to the world. We are blessed because we get to see your eyes...

On this day a year ago you gave us a moment of uncertainty when you just weren't ready to come into the world. When the nurses and doctors couldn't regain your heartbeat and your little body went into distress my mind went in so many directions as they wheeled me back to the operating room, and I was counting down the seconds laying on that table with your daddy next to my head, waiting to hear you cry. I knew that it would all be okay, but I couldn't wait to meet you face to face and finally out you came with just a little whimper, and while I had to wait a while to hold you and love you, your daddy got to see you right away and walk with you into the nursery. He told me how beautiful you were. When I got to finally hold you, you looked up at me with those eyes, I had already fallen in love with you before you born, but you took my breath away. While that day, one year ago, left a permanent mark on my body...you my beautiful angel, have left a permanent mark on my heart.

Happy Birthday my love...

The answers...

2008-05-02T11:55:00.001-07:00

Now we have gotten back the results from Griff's allergy tests and things that I thought were good for him...just kidding, I was told. Here's the list...peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, shrimp, soy and spinach...he is not technically allergic to dairy but is borderline on the charts, so we are going to begin the process of omitting that from his diet as well. But spinach, really??? We are also in the discussion process of whether or not to omit gluten, not because he is allergic, but there is a great deal of research supporting a healthier, high functioning body without it.

He is doing great with all the supplement and we can see an improvement all ready...we are still having some issues with his behavior...a combination of adjusting to his new way of life and as a friend pointed out, McKenna walking full time may be causing him to act out as he is adjusting to that as well. His naturopath was telling us that kids with allergies and asthma have deficiencies with zinc, vitamin A and C, and that we should increase his protein intake.

We have just been so busy lately with t-ball, play dates, and soaking up as much of the weather as possible before we get into the triple digits...

28 years

2008-04-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

Today is my parents 28th anniversary. I hope you have the most wonderful day...I think this is the first one as empty nesters... Much love

Earth Day

2008-04-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hopefully everyone is having a great earth day. Luckily for us, it is still nice during the mornings and early afternoons to have all the doors and windows open...but we will be out and about today soaking up some sun and playing in the dirt.

The last time Griffin was in the hospital some of my new planted friends did not get the attention they needed because we just weren't home, so unfortunately they became mulch, so today I thought it would be a great day to replace them...

Hope you all get a little dirty today...

Struggles

2008-04-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

In beginning this journey of traveling down a different path to determine what is best for my son, I knew that there would be struggles and difficulty. While I am most certain that we have made the right decision in the form of natural medicine and seeking a further path and answers down that road, it is still a struggle. We still have two more weeks until we get the blood test back and the waiting is killing me because I don't know if there is something that I am giving him that is hurting him. For example, I made a loaf of banana bread the other night and kept out the egg yolk because we are positive his is allergic to just the yolk of eggs, but after eating it that night he started coughing and wheezing. This time I was able to correlate that to something he consumed and gave him benadryl and one breathing treatment and he was fine...no hospital.

The biggest struggle is his behavior in the last week. I know that his body is trying to assess what is going on and adapt to vitamins and supplements and learn how to cope without the medicine. I also think that the withdrawal of soy is playing a large part in this. I wouldn't say that he is horrible, but he is not listening, being mean to McKenna, throwing tantrums, whining, crying at everything...and so on. Our time out spot has seen more action this week than it ever has. This is definitely not him, but it is getting better everyday as his body continues to "relearn", and it has become safe to go out in public again...

We will get there and I have absolute certainty that the answers will come, I will just be relieved when they do...

A weight lifted

2008-04-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

Finally, yes finally the direction we were waiting for. After this year long of trial and error, really, for finding what is best for Griffin, the answer and direction I was waiting for. After taking him to a naturopath doctor this week, I left there not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Tim was busy that night, so I called my mom on our way home and was talking a mile a minute. I asked my mom if she could tell that I was excited and she let me know that she could tell.

After going over his history for about 45 min. The doctors left (it is a teaching school, so they went to consult with their supervising doctor), they came back in and asked a few more questions and decided to have his blood tested to see if he had an allergy or intolerance to milk, soy, wheat, eggs and citrus. We knew of some of his allergies from testing that he had done last year but they explained how there are different allergy tests then what he had done last year at the allergist.

Finally, a different direction. Also, they put him on some immune boosting supplements and pro biotic to replace all the good bacteria that has been stripped from his body with all the medicine and antibiotics that he has consumed over the past year. However, this wasn't the best part of this experience, besides a direction for finding a real solution to this problem, they said that the blood test could come back and show he doesn't have a problem with food and then proceeded to explain their plan B and C. They did all this while talking with Griffin, talking to Griffin and asking him how he felt...this is the first time for that. Plus they asked me what has and hasn't worked for him. Relief...refreshing...hope for a solution not just a band aid to cover up the problem.

Plus more news, we went to his allergist as well and she was great when I told her we went to a naturopath and wanted to do some tests to compliment what they had tested for. Turns out Griffin is allergic to shrimp and egg yolks, who knew. He just developed the egg allergy over the last year because he had been test for that before.

So until we go back in 3 weeks to get the results of the blood test we are going to just keep growing, laughing, playing and try to stay out of the hospital.

A Step in the Right Direction

2008-04-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

One thing that can be said about my little man is that as fast as his lungs seem to give up on him, that is as fast as he can make a recovery. He is back to "normal" and wants to be out doing everything, into everything, playing hard. The struggle is that I know what his little body has endured over the last several days, and his comprehension is not there yet...so I have to hold him back so he doesn't get himself in trouble again. Providing activities that allow him to play but "settled down"...lots of play dough, 2 hours walks in my most fabulous double stroller (he pretends he is a race car driver, hilarious), Tim and I even took him to the driving range (which has become one of his favorite activities!!)

We make our way to the naturopath doctor this afternoon, who specializes in pediatrics. I am very excited to go to this appointment...The more research that I have been doing on all the medicine that Griffin has taken over the last year and the possible affects that they can have, leave me with a pit in my stomach and a sense of disappointment in myself that I have put these things in his body. Some research is being done as we speak on medicine that he taking...for example, he takes singulair once a day...the research: to see if this drug is related to suicidal depression as have been reported by other patients taking this med. Not to say that Griffin experiences this, but he has had other reaction to meds that doctors told me he would not have.

One change that we have made is Griffin drinking soy milk. My dear sweet friend, Diana, called me all the way from Australia after reading my last post and we starting talking about naturopaths and other things and she told me of some alarming things in soy that I was not aware of. This will be one of my first questions to the naturopath...

I know that we don't have it that bad when it comes to Griffin. I know that there are parents out there dealing with much more. Especially after being at PCH twice in the last 2 months and seeing kids that have been there for 9 months, 10 months, since they were born and their parent have had to go on with their day to day lives and hope that the nursing staff is taking good care of their kids during the work hours. However, I am hoping today I will begin to receive answers that I have not been given and make changes that allow Griffin to move past this and truly be healthy.

And in terms of more steps in the right direction...Griffin has obviously been the focus here, but I can't forget about my other little love. She is taking steps two at a time and then falling on her little bum. I just can't believe she is so close to walking...beautiful...

Thank you so deeply for all your encouraging thoughts, calls and emails in this journey...

Another round...

2008-04-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

"We have exhausted all our efforts here, the next step is have him transported to Phoenix Children's ICU, the ambulance will be here in about 20 minutes. Do you have any questions?"

Yeah, I have questions, a great deal of questions. This little beginning intro came from the ER doctor at the hospital next to our house to start the week. A little runny nose Monday turned into another fun hospital stay for us this week. This time was different, I thought that he would have to be admitted for one night, not transported from one hospital in an ambulance to another.

I feel at this point I am back to square one with this situation, we know all his allergies and avoid them...we are proactive in his diet, we eat as organic as possible and read every label that enters the house...we have tried several aspects of the doctors advice...and here we are. He has asthma, I get it...he has allergies, I get it. However, the way in which he gets into distress, the unbelievable rate in which this happens, the way in which his stomach expands and his rib cage seems to shrink, the fact that there are no warning signs before he is beginning to turn pale...these things leave me with this feeling that there is more to what is going on his body that has not been discovered yet. Answers that I am determined to find. I have plans to take him to a naturalpath doctor at a co-op clinic where his chiropractor is taking her practice to, she doesn't start to take patients until April 20, so I am going to see if I can move this up...the doctors at the hospital want to fill him up with meds and I don't' want that in his body...again this discussion took place, and again I was "wrong"...I am his mother, I know how he reacts, and these medicines that fill his body take him into a worse state for about 36 hours before there is even an ounce of recovery signs. I know when it is out of my hands, that is why we end up at the hospital, I believe that you do what works for you, and for Griffin, this path is not right for him. So I am going to be on a mission in the next few weeks and try and get answers for this precious little boy, answers that I don't believe we have. With those answers I am looking to find solutions that work for him in a healthy, safe, secure way...

Who's on first?

2008-03-29T19:40:00.001-07:00

Today was Griffin's first t-ball game...hilarious...the first practice he was behind Tim and cried, so we thought that he was not going to do so well. he is just one of those kids that is very shy and cautious until he is comfortable in the situation or with people...but he participated, hit the ball twice, ran around the bases, stood in "ready" position but didn't go after the ball...good times. Hopefully, by the last game he will go full force. We all had fun, especially Griffin, and that is what is most important.

About time...

2008-03-26T10:33:00.001-07:00

"Dada", "Stop", "What's that", "What's this", "dog", "duck", "okay", "ball"... These are all the words that my little girl says. She says them frequently during the day especially stop and what's that. The story of how she began to say stop is quite funny...when Griffin was in the hospital this last time she spent the first night at my parents house. My parents have this little dog that has as many allergies as Griffin does. So every time Gidget, the dog, begins to scratch someone says, "Gidget, stop." This is when McKenna picked up on the word stop and when we make our way over to my parents, we walk in the door and she points to Gidget, says stop then says dogs. Very cute...in our house it applies more to when Griffin is laying on top of her and she tells him to stop if I am not in the room to tell him first.

But finally, after much anticipation and waiting patiently on my part, yesterday after she woke up from her nap, I heard her in her crib..."mama, mama, mama"...oh what a beautiful sound. She has been saying it over and over...

Speaking of about time...I promised a new recipe last week, got busy and didn't deliver, so here is one that was delicious as well. Griffin didn't eat all of it, but I put grapes in it and that made him more willing to try...

Chicken Salad

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or diced

1/4 cup light mayo

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1 cup seedless green grapes, sliced

3 green onions thinly sliced with the green as well

2 ribs celery, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

1 T. lemon juice

2 T. honey

Optional ingredients

Salad greens

Sliced avocado (yummy)

1/2 cup walnut pieces

Combine everything except honey, including walnut if using. Then stir in honey. To serve, put it on the salad greens with avocado slices. Or you can toast some bread and make a sandwich, either way delicious...

Easter Love

2008-03-23T15:27:00.001-07:00

Blossoms

2008-03-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

Today seemed like a good day to get back in the dirt and plant some color in our lives...

A little adventurous girl got to eat some more dirt, grass, and what ever else she could get too...

A big helper got to help mom and use the shovel and hose...

And the final product brings a spring size smile...

refreshing

2008-03-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

As I packed up the troops in the stroller this morning and went for a little venture around the neighborhood, I made the decision that I would get a little accomplished today...clean the garage, wash the car, do the yard work out front...(YES, I got it all done) Many times I put off doing things because I think that it will be harder than ever to get it completed with the help of 4 extra little hands. On this morning McKenna hung out in the stroller while I was cleaning and organizing the garage munchin' on some snacks. Griffin, on the other hand, what big helper...I gave him a few small tasks and he got it all done. When I was weed eating and mowing the front lawn, Griffin kept McKenna entertained and I got it done in record time. But the icing on the cake was when we washed the car. Kenna played in the grass, eating everything she could find...and Griffin just couldn't get enough soap on the car. So after all that we were all covered in dirt, sweat, and of course a little water from that beautiful hose, and two babes were in definite need of a bath...oh, the sweet calm it brings to these two. It keeps them occupied for as long as I let them stay in the bath...and the moral of my story is it didn't take any longer for me, and kept us occupied with something to do all morning...

In Love

2008-03-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today I am just really feeling lots of love towards these beauties...

(My sister, Rachel, took this pic)

Lately, since the sun has been rising earlier, Griffin wakes up at the first peek of the sun. Then he rolls his little body out of bed, he makes his way into McKenna's room and makes sure that she is awake too. Many times she is not yet, and then he will come into our room or yell from the other side of the house, "Momma, McKenna is up, and wants to get out of bed!" I lay in my bed for those last few seconds, praying that I would have received just 10 more minutes of sleep. Then I go through this list in my mind of what I want to accomplish during the day and pray for a little bit of patience, okay-a lot. Just about this time, Griffin comes in and reminds me that McKenna still wants to get up. Then he climbs into our bed and wants to get under the covers saying, " I am soooo cooooold", even if he is not. At least he makes me laugh a little before I make my way to my baby girl. As the day goes on I realize that I have only accomplished about 10% of my list that I created in my head, and maybe should have written it down. I also come to the conclusion that the next morning I will ask for a little more patience. However, today I am really trying to remind myself that it is my job to fill their days with love, creativity, learning opportunities, fun, laughter, guidance, play and more love. If the list doesn't get done it's okay, although this little lady still doesn't sleep through the night...its okay, I'll survive. While most of my days are picking up the chaos, dishes that may not have got done the night before and laundry, its okay, one day they will be old enough to help out. And while I am still struggling to find time for myself while trying to be a wife and a mother, it's okay...one day I will figure it out.
Until then I get to look at these faces all day, and that's okay.

Happy St. Patty's

2008-03-17T11:54:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone has a wonderfully green day. Tim made some scrumptious corn beef and cabbage yesterday, that we have every year in celebration of today. And this momma got herself a brand new camera that is very overwhelming, but with some help from my little sis, I am working on it. So back to my point, every morning I try and get out and walk a few miles or run, however I am feeling. Sometimes in crisis negotiations with my children, this is my way of calming the troops and they usually surrender. Especially when we need to be lulled to sleep. On this day we were feeling a little fussy, so away we went and so I took my camera and try to capture some pics that would be fitting for this green day...

(This last picture I took on Saturday in my parents backyard, but I thought it was beautiful)

Dad

2008-03-13T17:56:00.000-07:00

(Papa and Griffin at 5 days old)

When I was growing up I only remember seeing you show emotion in the form of tears twice, once at Uncle Dennis' funeral when I was 11; the other was about a month before I left for college. I am sure that there were other times along the way, I just don't remember seeing that side of your emotions. On this second time, you and I went out to breakfast at Earll's. Toward the end of our breakfast we were talking about how fast my high school journey seemed to go, and I know at this point you realized just how fast that time did go, and I saw the emotion in your eyes, your face and most importantly your heart. At this moment, not only did I see the love you had for me, our family, but I felt it...

Now as a parent myself, I get it, I understand it. I think of that conversation that we shared that morning and try to enjoy all the small moments along the way and try and not let time slip by and I hope that my children not only see how much I love them, but that they feel it as well.

Happy Birthday to a Great Dad, a Great Grandfather and a Great Man

Dad ~since then, I have seen the emotion on many occasions, I hate to say you have become a softy, especially since Grand kids :)

mmm..mmm..good

2008-03-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my good friend posted this most delicious recipe on her site, and yes it was scrumptious Jess. So I thought about how I try to find things new and exciting things for dinner to make and keep it interesting at the dinner table, especially healthy things to keep Griffin on track. So I am going to try and post one recipe a week to share with all of you, so for this week this recipe is courtesy of Rachael Ray with a few variations...

Pizza Cobbler

Ingredients

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 C. chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled

8-10 oz. sliced mushroom

1 1/2 c. tomato sauce (I used organic tomato and basil spaghetti sauce)

1/2 c. sliced black olives

2/3 c. sliced pepperoni (I used turkey pepperoni)

(** for the veggie loves replace pepperoni with broccoli)

1/4 c. pureed carrots or squash

( I added this myself for extra veggie goodness, and reduced tomato sauce to 1 1/4 c.)

1 c. shredded mozzarella

1 7.5 oz. can refrigerated biscuits , separated and cut into quarters

Preheat oven to 400. In large skillet, on medium high heat, combine oil, onion and garlic and cook for about 2 mins. Add mushrooms and cook until tender about 5 min. Stir in tomato sauce, vegetable puree if using, and olives, bring to a simmer.

Spread sauce in greased 2-quart baking dish. Arrange pepperoni in single layer and top with cheese then biscuits. Bake until bubbly and biscuits are brown, about 15 min. Let cool for 5 min, and enjoy!

** I don't like mushrooms, but I thought I would give it a try and ate it all**

Plus, it only took about 25 min from start to consumption...

giving it an effort...

2008-03-09T19:33:00.000-07:00

So while I have been trying so hard to get this place organized in the way that I want it, I can't seem to keep focused on it too long cause the weather has been so nice...we just can't get enough. While I sit there with my babes I dream that I am at the ocean and the wind is on my face, but the sandbox in the backyard will have to do.

McKenna has also decided that sand is not the tastiest thing that she has had in her mouth, but interesting none the less...

On a mission

2008-03-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

(Griffin's list is on the left)

When Tim and I bought this house, we did so with the idea that we would be having our first child about 6 or so months ago...okay so plans don't always work out the way we plan and we found out I was pregnant 3 months after we moved in. Our little modest house was great for just two people, now that our family is four it is tight for space. I thought that is was important for the kids to have their own rooms and space, and that meant cramming every thing into our bedroom and our office went from its own room to the living room behind the couch.

My house has been saying things to me in several subtle ways, and screaming when I seem to be ignoring the daunting task of getting organized. Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in all the "stuff" and lack of space and I don't feel relaxed in my own house. I have been complaining to Tim and my mom and myself about this for awhile, and I decided I needed to be proactive. So I have begun my "mission organization." I made my list and I am going to just do one thing at a time and mark it off with a big red pen. The mission is to get organized in creative ways, simplify our lives and get rid of all the stuff that is collecting dusk and taking up unnecessary space. I would like to do it like they do on that show "Clean Sweep" and take all of our belonging outside and start over, but I don't have that kind of time of luxury with two kids (and a husband) so one thing at a time...

Leap Day

2008-02-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

Since it only comes around once every four years, thought I'd say Happy Leap Day...

We spent most of our day enjoying the warming weather...

Hey Sista

2008-02-28T12:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Jessica!!

Jessica ~ I hope this day is a special one, filled with all the delicious things that you wanted to included in this day of yours...art, mexican food, family and yummy cake.

I love that you are stubborn and speak your mind. I love that you are independent, but don't like being alone. I love that you don't care how the "outside" world has ever seen you. I love that you have taken on a career that benefits the community and makes for great stories. I love how you love your family. I love your sense of humor and how quick you can crack a joke and always keep Tim on his toes. I love how much you love my children and think of them all the time...and even though it makes me pull my hair out, I love how Griffin is so similar to you in that he is independent and has to do things his way and that is the end of the story. And I love how I get to call you my Sister!

Happy Birthday

too much fun

2008-02-27T09:14:00.000-08:00

My mom and I took the kiddos to this museum to see all the glory of Jim Henson. Too much fun...Griffin got to see many puppets up close, Ernie, Bert, Kermit, and one of my childhood favorites, The Fraggles. They had a puppet show section at the end of the exhibit and kids got to put on their own puppet shows...too good. McKenna loved it too...

Griffin kept peeking over as he was working the puppets. It was an awesome day, we played for a few hours, had some lunch and on our way home we ran into my dad accidentally at work, so we stopped and said hi and the kids crashed in the car on the way home...

on these days

2008-02-22T16:19:00.001-08:00

On these days I am glad that I stay home and we enjoy a rainy day...

poor baby

2008-02-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

So I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine Day. We spent ours back in the hospital. Griffin had a runny nose on Wednesday and I took him to the Doctor Thursday morning because he was having a hard time breathing. So we got there and we were sent to the ER, I decided to take him to Phoenix Children this time because we had a bad experience at the last hospital we were at for this same issue. Poor guy, usually they can hear where the wheezing in his lungs is but it was so bad that they couldn't hear any air moving in his lungs at all. So after 4 straight hours of breathing treatments and 12 hours in the ER they admitted us and we found our way to a room at 1 in the morning. Luckily he recovered much quicker than last time, the last time was 7 days and this was only 2 days, but there are still so many frustrations that I am working through. They want Griffin to take some different meds that he has taken before that greatly affected him in terms of his appetite and personality so we took him off those, and we were told we were wrong that they don't have that affect even though there is research that we found to back up how Griffin reacted to it. I will be taking that up with his doctor at his follow up and looking for alternatives other than pouring endless amounts of medicines in his little body. We also get the answer of his problems are what they are instead of why this happens to him and what is going on in his body to react this way. So we will see. Thankfully, Grandma and Papa helped out with McKenna since she wasn't allowed in the hospital with the RSV restrictions, and because they bring cool presents everytime he is in the hospital...so hopefully he will work his way back up the healthy ladder.

XOXO

2008-02-14T08:27:00.001-08:00

Go Cart Races...

2008-02-11T11:15:00.001-08:00

Carroll Family Style

On Your Mark ...

Get Set...

Go!!!

my new art work

2008-02-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

So here are some of my favorite pics from our trip to the wineries is Ensenada that I am going to put up on the walls....

This was the first pic of McKenna when I walked in, do you think she was happy to see me? And we got Griff this "Nacho Libre" mask that looks like spiderman, good times...

A Whale of a Tale

2008-02-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

On our second day of cruising, Tim and I traveled into the world of whale watching. I was so excited to experience this since I have a fascination for dolphins, and have swam with those amazing creatures. So the possibility of a whale up close, I just couldn't wait.

When we got in the boat to start traveling, I was in awe of the many navy ships that were also ported at this harbor. They had helicopters a fighter jets, and were just an incredible site, especially for this patriotic family. This was the one point in our trip that I missed Griffin, because I knew that he would be speechless with the sites and sounds of the helicopters flying so close over us, as they went in and out of the harbor.

We kept traveling out into the ocean, the tour guide was explaining that the grey whales were traveling south to baja, so there may be a possibility that we would see one. Then about a mile away, they crew thought they may have seen a whale. So we began to track this whale, and sure enough we saw this whale come up to the surface to take a breath and then retreat back to the bottom of the ocean, but not before giving a little wave of his tale. After about 15 minutes, we saw two more whales on the other side of the boat, and started to follow them, again just breathtaking. I got lost in the lens of my camera as I was snapping pictures of these whales coming up to the surface and then back down. As we were slowing creeping to keep a distance but keep up, everyone on the boat saw what looked like a sea lion splashing in the water, the crew debated what it was for about 5 minutes because no one really was sure, as it seemed too large to be a sea lion. However, this creature solved the mystery for everyone as it began to approach the boat.

This was not a sea lion, it was a grey whale calf. Probably around a year old, thinking that the boat was another whale or just looked fun to play with. This whale stayed on the surface and began to swim around the boat not just once, but about 15 or so times. I felt my body fill with goosebumps, and stayed stationary with my camera as I realized that the whale would keep coming back around, and I would hopefully capture a great picture. Now I say this after realizing what was happening on the boat itself. Keep in mind there were probably only 4 kids on this tour, and the rest were adults, grown adults. As the whale began its first circle around the boat, I lowered my camera from my face to turn to tell Tim how excited I was. However, he wasn't standing there. He wasn't there because this boat full of adults were running in a circle around the boat with the whale, and yes my husband was right in the middle of the crowd. It was just as entertaining as the whale to see all these grown-ups so excited and running in circles. That is when I decided to stay were I was to try and get as many pictures as possible. The whale stayed with us for about an hour or so, and then began to turn south to catch up with the adult whales we had seen earlier. It was truly an incredible experience, even the crew on the boat was screaming and just as excited because this rarely happens.

I couldn't forget about all the sea lions that we did see...

Is it over already?

2008-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Tim and I spent our week away on our cruise for our anniversary. What an amazing time, we went whale watching in San Diego (that will be a post all to itself, as there is so much to tell), we walked around Catalina...ate fish and chips and drank a lot of margaritas. We went to two wineries in Ensenada, beautiful beyond my expectations, and ate wonderful chicken tacos with the best chips and salsa we have ever had. Yes, we ate a great deal of food. In preparing for this cruise we discussed whether we would pack our work out clothes, as have been watching what we eat and getting in exercise when we can. However, I told Tim that I has no intentions of "being a conscientious eater" or spending precious time that I could be taking a nap or relaxing on working out. Needless to say I begrudgingly stepped on the scale when we got home and, well, it wasn't pretty. A whole 5 pounds in one week, but boy was it worth it...most of this came from a chocolate buffet on the ship on Wednesday night. We went through the line and after admiring tables full of artwork in the form of chocolate, I took a sample of everything. In a very conscious thought, I told myself that I would just take a little bite of everything, just to try it. Who was I kidding? After I started tasting, I just gave into my stomachs desires and consumed it all.

We ran into some less than desirable weather in Catalina and things got pretty rocky, it affected Tim but I didn't seem to mind. But when we got home it took a good 24 hours for my body and mind to stop rocking back and forth, but now I am back to normal and moving back into the routine of things again. It really went too fast. We had two cameras with us, one with film that I am waiting to get developed, so when that comes I will be back on with delicious stories of our adventure. Until then, this in Tim and I on our formal night, and the following is a tiger made out of chocolate and butter, from the chocolate buffet of course, mmm...

counting down the hours...

2008-01-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

As I write this we are 9.5 hours away from dropping our children off and beginning our journey to our cruise. I can not tell you how excited I am. Especially packing for the kids to go over to their grandparents for a week and getting myself together, I need a vacation just for that. I hope we return refreshed and and with lots of energy. I can't wait to share our pics and stories from our much needed vacation. Until then...

a cruising we will go...

2008-01-18T15:17:00.000-08:00

Tim and I are quickly approaching our 5th anniversary. I know, I know, where has the time gone. I ask that question to myself quit often. So back in November I was telling my parents that I wanted to go to a really fancy restaurant and have a great night out without the kids, ( I love 'em, but need a little break here and there). So Tim happened to come home that night and say "What do you think about a cruise for our anniversary?" My response, "I'm sorry did you say something? Could you say that in my good ear." You see, if you know my husband, you know that he is very fiscally responsible or cheap, however you want to look at it. Anyways, I was sold on the idea, asked my parents if we could drop the kids off for the week and the plans were made.

We leave on Monday from L.A., sail down to San Diego and go whale watching, then to Catalina Islands, down to Ensanada and back home. I keeping telling everyone that Tim is spending this money so I can sleep on a boat, but all joking aside, I am counting down to spending real time together.

I am apprehensive about leaving McKenna since I am still nursing, but have been collecting a freezer full of reserves for the past two months. So I am hoping she will not be too fussy. I really do think that all parents should do this. I think so many times we get lost in the everyday routine of life and forget that while our children are an incredible gift from God, we need to take a break, get away and remember that a strong marriage only makes you better parents. And as my friend Jessamyn told me, you will all come back together happy and refreshed. Plus, Tim and I never got a honeymoon because of my student teaching and his military commitment, this will be a happy week.

Thanks mom and dad for taking on our babes, for 5 fun filled days!!!

for my little man

2008-01-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

On this day 3 years ago after 18 wonderful hours of labor, you were introduced into this world in a room pouring out with love for you. Other than your daddy, your papa, grandma and aunt Jessica and Rachel were there to witness this most spectacular event. One that forever has changed our lives. Your daddy teased me the entire time I was pregnant with you and said that he wanted to nickname you "Kooter", from Dukes of Hazards, he would talk to you during those nine months and call you that. It was after you were born and were crying, your daddy called you kooter...you stopped and calmly began to let you eyes search around. I am thankful that nickname didn't stick around.

But when the nurse handed you to me a flood of emotion surrounded me. A feeling of pure joy, love and contentment filled me up. As we have both grown these past three years, there are many things that continue to draw me into you and embrace you for all time.

I love your spirit, your sense of humor. You are only of the funniest kids, and you have such great timing. I love how you try to be independent but continue to look to me for reassurance. I love your kind spirit and how you embrace your role as a big brother. I am in awe of your perseverance as you have been through so much in your short life. Every time you have been to a hospital or doctor, you are so calm as I try to be on the outside, you never cease to amaze me with your strength. I love that you have a stubborn side just like your aunt Jessica and Papa, and I really, truly appreciate this stubbornness when you are sleeping. I love how you challenge me to be a better mom and a better person.

I love you, my superhero, enjoy this day...

too good

2008-01-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

Tim's dad and step mom supplied funds for us to get an awesome swing set for the kiddos, and we have had it sitting the back yard waiting patiently to be assembled for several weeks. We had bad weather a few weekends in a row, and family in after that, then the holidays, so needless to say it was screaming out for attention.

With Griffin's birthday approaching faster that I am ready for, I was hoping that it could get up and ready before his party. So with the unbelievably wonderful help of my dad, and Tim of course, and three days of hard work, it is steps away from being done. All that is left is putting the hardware on after the sealant dries. I am so excited because it will help keep the Griffinator occupied.

But the best part was the assistance that Griffin was able to contribute.

This little picture was just too good. This is one of those pictures that I may tease him with when he has his first girlfriend...

And speaking of too good, this little princess has been pulling herself up on everything for over a week now, and is just so proud of herself...

Christmas pic

2007-12-28T16:49:00.001-08:00

oh...too much excitement

2007-12-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Well, let me just start by saying that in my last post I almost spoke too soon by adding up the days in the hospital that we spent. On Monday, Christmas Eve, Griffin had been suffering from a terrible cough and needed the help of his breathing machine all weekend, so I took him into the doctor. She listened to him and took his pulse ox. ( his oxygen level) which read 88%, the hospital will admit if it is 92 or lower, so in a calm, yet panicked state, I asked if we could do a breathing treatment in the doctor's office and have it rechecked as to not spent Christmas Eve and Christmas in the hospital. Being the return patients that we have become in that office all the nurses came in to say hi as he was getting his treatment, and his reading went up to 94%, thank God. There were prayers answered on that day...

We went on to have a very fun and exciting time getting ready for Santa and opening presents all day. My sister had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas, so we did half of presents on Monday night and the other half Tuesday night, which I think that Griffin really enjoyed.

The year in review

2007-12-20T11:24:00.001-08:00

Us on a horse drawn carriage...Griffin was excited...

So as we come to end of yet another year, I can't help but look back and reflect on the many adventures that we have encountered...

Our family continues to grow with the birth of our little McKenna in May, which was an adventure all its own. Then Tyler entered our family when my sister got married in October. We sadly had to find new homes for our cats as Griffin's allergies to them were just too great.

Tim transitioned to a new job in September, and I was able to quit mine in April to stay home with our babes.

Between Griffin's hospitalizations for pneumonia and tonsil removal and my emergency c-section we spent 18 days in the hospital during the year of 2007- that is a lot... we found out that both our kids are allergic to nuts...Griffin is allergic to everything, dogs, cats, nuts, dust mites, grass, molds, etc...that has been a challenge, but one we are conquering...

As the end of the year comes we still have the event of Christmas, that we are impatiently counting down, as packages being to arrive and Griffin wants to tear into all of them, the anticipation is becoming too great. However, my birthday is tomorrow so Griffin can help with any packages there and that should subside his craving for ripping and tearing...maybe... (it will probably make it that much more intense)

With the new year we are looking forward to a HEALTHY 2008 for us and all our friends and family....

Merry Christmas!

9-1-1 What's your emergency...

2007-12-14T08:55:00.001-08:00

So we are a proud and excited family...my sister is on a fast track to an ever changing life as she just recently got married and started a new job as a 911 dispatcher. The cool thing is that she was interviewed and had an article published about her training and the turn over rate within the department in the Arizona Republic. She has taken a few unbelievable calls, but when she says she loves what she is doing in the article, she really does. Way to go Jessica.....

ok, seriously...

2007-12-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Well Griffin had his tonsils removed this past Friday, and let me give you a little history leading up to this day. McKenna had a fever on mon. and tues. and when it reached 104 I called the doc immediately and she said to give her Motrin and call if she still had a fever on wed. well her fever broke and she was fine wed., then thurs. came and she had a fever of 102, so I took her in and they said she had double ear infections. We woke up at 5:15 in the morning fri. to get ready for our trip to the hospital. Gave McKenna her medicine and off we went.

We checked in at 6, surgery was at 7:30 and he was in recovery at 7:50, very fast. I am glad we had it done, as much as i didn't want him to have to go through it, his tonsils were enlarged and still growing that they touched in the back of his throat and it began affecting his sleep, eating and speech. So the nurse came out and got Tim and I to sit with Griffin as they began to wake him up while my parent stayed with McKenna in the waiting room. Griffin was taking a while to wake up so Tim went out to tell my parent and he came back and said that my dad had gone to the store to get benadryl because McKenna had a rash from head to toe. We got Griffin into his room and my parents brought McKenna up and I thought that she was having an allergic reaction to her antibiotics, so I made a call to her doc to get a different prescriptions. My parents took McKenna with them for a few hours so we could be with Griffin...my mom called and said they were on there way and she had given McKenna more benadryl because she still had a rash. Long story short, after her rash would not go away and getting a small fever again I ended up downstairs in the ER with her while Tim was upstairs with Griffin, since he had to stay overnight. McKenna had gotten the 3-day measles and that was what her first fever was for and then the ear infections on top of that...so after some steroids and more antibiotics she is doing just fine. Just our luck though...

Griffin is recovering great, Sunday and Monday were rough, but a part of me enjoyed that fact that he wanted to cuddle and lay with me for an extended period of time, he is pretty much back to normal. Hopefully we can get some weight on him now since he only weighs 9 lbs. more than McKenna...

the season for crafting

2007-12-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

the holidays are a great time creatively for me. every year around thanksgiving i get this unending desire to craft, bake, decorate, try to create a Christmas feeling as i go outside in short sleeve shirt and flip flops. however, the last few year, i just haven't found the time or energy to do any of these things. working a full time job (usually 50-60 hours a week), having griffin, and squeezing time in for sleep made it hard to just get all the gifts that I needed by Christmas day.

this season however, with staying home now, i have decided to jump feet first into a sea of creative projects to keep us occupied, inspired and counting down til Santa arrives. in years past it was requirement to make a gingerbread house in the recreation program i worked in. so for 4 years i have filled the house with the scents of gingerbread just to cart it off to assist children in the construction of their creations, a couple of castles, a farm and sponge bob square pants house...yes pineapple shaped gingerbread house. So this year I wanted to fill my house with that same aroma, but let my little guy be the creator... let him pick out the candy...let him decorate...even though there was more decoration between his teeth, on his tongue and in his tummy, he did manage to get some amazing work accomplished.

We also made a Santa construction paper advent calendar, he reminds me all day that he gets to take a ring off after he brushes his teeth, when it is dark outside...

I also have carried on this tradition of making Christmas stockings from my mom, she made all of ours... mine has two reindeer and Santa, and my sisters is even grander and then my youngest sister's has tons of details and bead work,they got more detailed and extravagant with each child so I seemed to carry that on as well. I made Griff's, but did a little here and there over the course of a few months, so this year as I am making McKenna's with a snow woman and lots of packages and beads and sequins and "girly stuff", I am trying to put a rush on this one, but finding time with two babes...that will be the magic...

my upcoming project is cookies with all these assortment of 100 cookie cutters i found for a great bargain, but the trick here is that they have seemed to have turned into teething rings and toys...we'll see how it goes

ode to elmo...

2007-11-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

So as I continue to think about things that I am thankful for, I can't forget to be thankful for Griffin's blue blanket and Elmo.

In most family dynamics the mom is the one that kids instinctively run to when they are sick, hurt, having a bad day, scarred and so. Dad's mean fun, play, sometimes discipline...these are they way things run in our house, however, sometimes mom and dad are just not enough. Griffin had a pacifier, but we he turned one, we took that away ( great birthday present..), but immediately following that he naturally clung to this blanket, now called blue blankie. I call it his Linus blanket (you know, from Charlie Brown). This is also the time that he began his obsession with Elmo. He has this stuffed Elmo that I had picked up along the way and held onto for several year for the day that I had kids, and was that a great decision or what.

Elmo is really like a third child during the day...Griffin feeds him snacks...Elmo has in own pillow in his bead, and we have to tuck Elmo in to bed...Elmo is now a "big" monster and goes on the big boy potty...sometimes Griffin has to put Elmo in timeout, but Elmo always says sorry and gives a hug to get out...Griffin and Elmo crawl up on our bed in the morning, on the morning that he is still tired they will crawl under the covers...on the mornings that he is really awake, they both are lions that say "roar" really loud to get mom up...

And this blue blankie, gets chewed on, hugged, used a real blanket, used to play peek-a-boo with McKenna, used as a superman cape, used to hid behind when he knows he has broken a rule...

But most important these two treasures have been with Griffin on all his hospital visits, been on an airplane, been to Indiana, California and Nevada, they have been to Grandma and Grandpa's, they have been on several car rides, they have been to Phoenix Children's hospital when he was getting tested for Cystic Fibrosis and they have to keep redoing the test, they will be Griffin when he gets his tonsil in a few short weeks...these are the things that Griffin clings to for comfort, security, protection and love when mom and dad are just not enough.

and the list continues

2007-11-19T15:53:00.000-08:00

so as to continue my list of my most thankful things...

1. music - i can put it in at any time and we dance and play, music also has a way to ease a soon to be tantrum or fussy attitude

2. Grandma's - my mom took my babes for a little while today so I could partake in lunch with some former co-worker (still great friends),and engage in some much needed adult conversations

3." Big boy" underwear that have cool characters displayed on them and foaming blue hand soap - this has helped encourage Griffin's journey in the potty world

4. ice tea

5. my water pillow, yes a water pillow. this is a special pillow that is made to have water in the middle of it. while i don't great deal of sleep, what i do get is nice and comfy

6. ebay- my hubby found a two seat running stroller that i wanted for $80 cheaper than we found in the stores, it should be here by the end of the week! yeah!!

7. laughter, laughter and more laughter; my favorite is when my stomach hurts after a long good uncontrollable laugh. but when my kiddos both are laughing at the same time - pure addiction!!

Gobble, Gobble

2007-11-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

Over the last few days I have been given this gift to submerge myself in a little of my past, a little of my passion. When I was in college I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years, and a small part of my requirements as a RA was to make "door decs" for my residents. They were these little decorations that you would make,put the persons name on them and hang it on their door. The intention was to bring a "welcoming" feeling between you and your residents. However, these turned into so much more for me. They brought a sense of community, a sense of bonding...My fellow RA's and I would sit for hours every month and make these door decs, they became a sense of expression, art, true meaningful thought to what it meant to the person receiving these. At the end of the year I could walk down the hall and see all my hours of work displayed on the doors, and when my residents would stop by and say thanks or comment on the new one for the month, that is how the community was formed, the bonding, the lasting relationships that I gained.

So that brings me to how I was recently given this gift all over again. When Tim moved over to M&I Bank he became the financial advisor to 4 branches and gained about 37 people that he works with. When Halloween came, the night before he said he wanted to put something together for his co-workers. That is when it came to me... I would do door decs in a way, okay so I made them and put them on the outside of a paper bag, but there were homemade cookies inside ( pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting...yum) I wasn't able to set aside the time like I used to, but I got a little bit done here and there, and I was very excited about how they turned out and I am ready to start on one for Christmas.

(sorry about the pic quality, my camera broke, so while it is being repaired I have to use my backup)

I did make two extras to put on Griffin and McKenna's door and start them on this path of creativity and excitement of what is to come. When I was making these turkey's they were usually after the kids went to bed and Tim would be doing his thing, so I put on the headphones to rock out, but mainly started to think about the way things are in my life, and while some days I can't seem to find the air to breathe or I feel like I am drowning, there are so many things that I am thankful for. So for this week it only seems fitting that I list a few things that I am thankful for...

1.) I am thankful for my hubby and all he does so I can stay home to raise our children (most days...)
2.) I am thankful that I have two beautiful, intelligent babes
3.) I am thankful for exact-o knifes, there were a lot of pieces to cut out for the turkeys
4.) I am thankful that Griffin is potty training and McKenna is dabbling in the world of solid foods so accidents and messes happen, which means more dirty clothes (okay, so I am thankful for the accomplishments not the extra load of laundry)
5.) I am thankful for the food network, that is where I got the cookie recipe...

I will leave with those as my starters and add more as the week goes on...gobble, gobble...

In a child's mind

2007-11-16T07:44:00.001-08:00

As you know we are in the midst of potty training, and doing pretty successful so far with it.

So yesterday, after 40 long days, we finally got a little rain and actual fall type day. I had the kids out in the backyard for a couple hours prior to the rain, and then the rain started and Griffin came up to me with the best analogy.

Griffin: "Mama, you don't go potty in your underwear, like the rain."
Me: "Yeah, you don't go potty in your underwear."
Griffin: "The rain didn't go in the potty, did it?"
Me: "No, you are right."
Griffin: "The rain went potty on the grass and sidewalk, but that's okay."
Me: "Yeah, that's okay, do you have to go potty now??" (as he was doing the "pee-pee" dance)
Griffin: "Yeah!"

Off we went inside..

Oh, to see the world again through the eyes of a 2 year old...

The next color...

2007-11-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well as you can see his nose is now a shade of green with a hint of purple, but it is looking better.

As for my little girl, it has been a struggle of wills today as she is so desperately trying to crawl. She is just so anxious to play with her brother. She is getting up in more of a "push-up" position and then falls forward, it is only a matter of time...

Tim is coming home tonight and his plane has been delayed, so every little noise we hear outside you see Griffins little body run to the window and press his face against the window. Then he yells, "Daddy, Daddy, where are you??" It is just so amazing to me how much has changed in the last 5 days, Tim has yet to see Griffins new battle wounds or to see the progress that McKenna is making on her mission to move. Everyone is excited to see him and share of all our adventures of the last week, and Griffin has many things to tell his Daddy. He says he is going to tell him about his nose, the doctor took a picture of it, the M&M's, helicopters, elephants (at rainforest cafe), M&M's (yes, again), Maggie (my aunt's dog), and M&M's (as you can tell he is very excited about this part), and the slide at the park, and airplanes, and M&M's. So I hope that Tim doesn't want to talk to much when he gets home because Griffin has alot to say.