You know your kid's really sick when......

My poor Peyton hasn't been feeling himself since Tuesday morning. Poor guy has been coughing up a storm and had a fever. Yesterday he started complaining of a bad headache and neck pain. These are times that I think being a mom is the hardest....making hard decisions. These are the times I have to tell myself to suck it up, wear my big girl pants, and make adult decisions!

Those of you who know me, know that I don't like to make decisions. I question every decision that I do make, and feel that 50% + of my decisions are the wrong ones. For instance (and this is just a minor decision!), this past week I decided to get my haircut (since Thanksgiving!). I'm pretty sure that I'm entitled to a bit of pampering for all my body has been through the past year! Well, I made the decision to cut it short again, but when I told my hubby he had me questioning myself and my decision because he likes it long. Ugh! I did follow through on my decision to cut it short, and I'm happy! Well, enough about my insecurities!

Anyways, after reading online that he has some symptoms that are indicative of meningitis and us praying for God's direction, we decided that we wouldn't rush him into the ER. So this morning, after him seeming to get worse we are off to the doctors for an eval. Poor kid is so sick that he's been begging, pleading and crying for me to "take me to the doctors now, I want to go really bad." If that isn't tearing my heart to pieces. My poor babykins!

Life Goes On

So today, Peyton and I had some alone time. I saw a bird that got hit by a car and took him to see it. I'm not sure why, other then he's a boy...hmm, that doesn't sound right now. I think I must have had a momentary lapse of judgement. As we got closer to the bird, I realized that it was a bad idea, and started to turn back. Peyton followed and never mentioned anything of it.

Tonight at bedtime he started to tell his daddy about it. Then we started our devotion. This is how the devotion started:

"The children are sad because a little bird died." Amazing! Here's the rest of the devotion: "We all feel sad when an animal dies. We're even sadder when people die, because we can't see them anymore. But when people die, only their body dies. the soul inside of them does not die. Jesus tells people to believe in him. Then, after they die, their soul will get a new body and live forever with Jesus in heaven."

Peyton went on to talk about what he learned in this devotion. "So, when the birdie got hit by a car and died, he went to heaven, Jesus fixed him up, gave him a Band-aid and now he's flying all over heaven!" We continued to talk about heaven and death, to which he commented that he can't wait to go to heaven to see Jesus, because he loves Jesus so much! We talked about how GiGi is in heaven and that Jesus gave her a new body, and she's perfect! We talked about angels and said that GiGi is a beautiful angel looking out for him all the time. He said that she's with him at school, when we can't be with him! He said that when he gets to heaven he's going to tell GiGi a secret. I asked him what he was going to tell her and he said that he was going to tell her "I love Jesus, GiGi!"

Jesus, said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. John 11:25

The ending prayer for the devotion was "Jesus, I know your promise is true. When we die, we will be with you."

It amazes me how God works...like how this devotion went along with the bird in the street today. A few weeks ago, the boys were praying for their baby cousin who was sick. Peyton prayed first that Jesus would take away his cough, and help him not to be sick anymore. He prayed that Jesus would give him medicine and that he would start to feel better. Parker prayed that Jesus would make him better, and that he would stop coughing. My children have a heart for prayer, and it amazes me the prayers that they come up with on their own! The Spirit definitely works in their lives, and gives them the words to say! That night the devotion was about praying for others! Amazing, God, just amazing!!

One Proud Mommy

Today when I picked Peyton up from school he had a certificate. His teachers gave it to him today for "picking up trash that wasn't his". Right away my mommy pride was beaming and I was smiling from ear to ear! I think every mom understands just how I felt at that moment. It seems like you are constantly trying to instill good values into your children, and sometimes you (well, I anways) don't feel like you're seeing the fruits of your labor. It's refreshing to see your hard work pays off! Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness in helping my son!

 A very proud Peyton with his certificate!!

Mondays on KLove, are MAD...which is Make a Difference. You're supposed to do something that makes a difference or tell of something that someone did to you to make a difference in your life. I went to their facebook page and told them how uplifting it was that even my 4 year old can go MAD. Later in the afternoon, I begrudgingly, went outside to pick up some chalk before the snow began to fall. The second I walked in the house I heard my name and the post about my son being read on KLove's station! They were so excited to read that even a 4 year old can go MAD!

Thanks Peyton John for melting mommies heart, and making me so so so SO proud of you!!

Parker Got A Bite!



Today we took the boys fishing at a local "lake"...not much of a lake at all though! We stopped and bought a new fishing pole, some bait and worms. Peyton decided that he wanted to pass his Spider man fishing pole down to Parker this year. He knows that Parker loves Spider Man, plus I think the thought of getting something new, was a great benefit too!

My Little Fisherman!



Daddy's Helper!



Making friends before baiting him!!

We got to the lake and the boys all got their lines ready to toss in. Of course, their attention wasn't held for long. I tried explaining to them that fishing is a lot of being quiet and waiting. Something a four and two year old don't want much to do with! It wasn't long before they were using their poles as weapons or mixing up the lake water with the tips of their lines. They wanted a new worm each time, and thought the bait was more fun to play with then to use. I was very proud of Peyton, as he tried to bait his hook with a worm all on his own!



Parker was digging his pole in the water when all of a sudden I turned around just in time to see his pole sinking in the water. All the while, Parker was telling me "I don't want it. I don't want it!" As he was saying this he was backing away! I grabbed the pole and as I was pulling it out I realized there was a fish at the end of the line, fully explaining what he didn't want and why he dropped the pole! This poor, tiny blue gill just happened to get snagged right on his gill by the hook as Parker was stirring the water! :)

Joshua and his first fishing trip! What a catch!

What great memories we are making with our boys! I loved fishing as a girl and remember the times my grandpa and my dad took me!

Busy Busy Smile Smile

I cannot believe that Joshua is 6 weeks old already! Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were blessed for the third time with such a perfect miracle, a perfect blessing from God! He is already such a smiley baby! We all love to try different things to get his little face to light up. I think if people were watching me (which I'm sure they are, more then I know) try to get him to smile, they would be laughing hysterically at the faces I make at him! Heehee!
The boys are the BEST big brothers ever. They are so gentle with him, and love him to pieces. They are so helpful to me too! They are always wanting to hold him, help with baths, help with diaper changes, help get him dressed, and they even fed him his first bottle!
When I sit and look at my life, I feel overwhelmingly blessed! I love and am honored that God has trusted me to raise these boys to become men of God. I am taking that responsibility with a great desire to truly fulfill it! Sometimes I have a rough day where I get upset and frustrated, but I know that God is helping Matt and I raise our boys the way that He has planned for their lives!

Happy 3:16 Day!

Today is a day I wasn't even aware of....John 3:16 Day! Well, it's a holiday in the making by the radio station K Love. It's a great way to help us step out of our comfort zones and spread the word of God's salvation message. A perfect reminder for our everlasting hope we have in Christ!

So here it goes:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Trust and believe...that's all you have to do!

A great r

You know how to get me!

Listening to my kids talk is the best part of my day!

 I love their little imaginations and the things that they think of. My boys are too smart! The things that come out of their mouths can most definitally shock me, make me laugh and other times melt my heart!

The other day I was telling them that "Mommy's the boss because I'm the oldest and I'm the only girl in the house!" Peyton's response was "Mom, I'm the boss, because I'm 18."

Here's some more of what has melted my heart most recently!

Parker at church last week during worship was rocking back and forth, hands folded, eyes closed and head bowed. He was worshiping Jesus! I asked him later what he was doing and he said "singing songs to Jesus". This really was a proud moment for Matt and I. Our hard work and prayer are working! Our babies are falling in love with Jesus!!

Peyton refusing a haircut with daddy and Parker last week, because he wanted to stay home to have "mommy time"! I'll let you be my little shag man, Peyton!

Parker tonight not wanting to go to bed, started crying, and when I went in to talk to him he said "Mommy, I just want you to hold me." AHHH! Parker Adam Matthies, you so know how to get to mommy! I hope you enjoyed the extra snuggle time with mommy tonight!

I love you my boys with all mommies heart!

Vaccinations....ARGH!

 Matt and I never even put a thought to vaccinations for Peyton or Parker. We were young parents that just did what we were "supposed" to do. I don't think that I even questioned the injections...what they were injecting or what they were really for. I never researched how long they have been giving that particular brand, combination, vaccination...nothing! What kind of parent was I that I just let them do this to my kids? We were just going with the flow with what the "majority" does, and trusting our childs well being with our doctor.

Well, with Joshua, our eyes were opened by my brother...to whom I'm not sure if I want to thank or punch ;) for the fact that now I question everything and feel like I'm stuck between a rock in a hard place. Well, today was Joshua's 2 month check up and first round of immunizations. Our doctor knew we were coming with questions. Last night, Matt and I researched and researched for hours on what our plans were going to be. We finally decided that we were going with a more delayed schedule and opting out of some of the immunizations we felt weren't all that important/valid at this time. I even went and dug up my immunizations from when I was a baby. It's crazy how many more vaccinations are "needed" now adays then when I was younger!

We got to our appointment feeling very satisfied with our research and dicision. I should have known it wasn't going to be easy! Of course, our doctor gave us scary facts about the diseases, and tried to push us into complete vaccinations. We took over an hour visiting with him and pleading our case. I was not ready to give in, but Matt felt more comfortable with somethings. This was what we were wanting to do:

2 Months: DTap
3 Months: HIB, PCV
4 Months: DTap
5 Months: HIB, PCV
6 Months: DTap
7 Months: HIB, PCV
9 Months: Polio
12 Months: Mumps, Polio
15 Months: HIB, PCV
18 Months: DTap
24 Months: Rubella, Polio
2 1/2 Years: Hep B, Hep A
3 Years: Heb B, Measles
3 1/2 Hep A
4 Years: DTap, Polio
5 Years: Titer for MMR
6 Years: Chickenpox if not immune already

We were really hoping to get the MMR separated, but our Pedi says that isn't possible anymore. I'll be researching that a bit more. If we cannot separate the MMR, I probably won't give it until he's 2 or 3. We also were talked into giving the Hep B immunization that we refused in the hospital at his 2 week check up. Major regret now. We will not be continuing that series until he's 2 1/2.

The schedule that the CDC recommends has a TON of major combination shots. Those I have heard are made of some pretty nasty stuff to keep the combinations together properly. Our whole feeling on immunizations isn't that they are bad, but just that they're given in such mega doses we don't feel his body can handle them as scheduled.
Now what we were talked into. :( We were suckered into giving a combination shot for his first round called Pentacel (DTap, HIB, Polio). Ugh...I made our doctor come back into the room several times after I "made my decision". I should have listened to my gut. Blah. :( We also gave him the PCV. We did, however, say no to the rotovirus and Heb B. Here's to going to bed with a sick feeling in my stomach.

Stay tuned to see if I stick to my guns or go with the flow for the major combo vax's.