A GREAT WEEKEND

I had a FABULOUS Mother's Day weekend. It started Friday when my brother and sister came into town. We all met for dinner at Benihana's. The entire Carpenter Clan...my two sisters, brother, parents and grandma. We got a sitter for the kids and had a great night as adults. Had a yummy dinner, a few drinks and then listened to my brother sing a few of his new songs. Saturday, Frank got up early and headed downtown to play in the finals of the World Oilman Tennis tournament. And he won!! Way to go Babe! They didn't allow kids this year so we stayed home and got ready for our family who was coming over. We had a swim party- BBQ and played by the pool pretty much all day Saturday. It was a blast.
Today for Mother's Day I got to sleep in. All the way until 8am...this is big stuff in our house as the kids are usually up at 6:30. And I was instructed to stay in bed. I got a yummy breakfast in bed, flowers, and Starbucks. The kids also made me coffee cups. They are so cute and they were so proud to give them to me. After breakfast we headed to church and then to my parents to hang out with my brother and sister before they left. We don't get to see them as often as we'd like so we made sure to spend as much time with them as we could. Then tonight Frank ordered Cheesecake Factory for dinner..it was yummy and I am so full. I am sure I must have gained at least 5 pounds this weekend. And my day is not over- as I write this Frank is drawing me a bath with my new bath junkie products. And I was promised a massage later. It has been one heck of a Mother's Day. My kids were so excited for Mother's Day. All day I have been hearing things like, "You are the BEST Mommy Ever!" "You Rock!" "Thank you for being the best mommy in the whole world!" Most of this has been coming from Gavin. He is such a sweetheart and has wanted to cater to me all day. Always asking, "well it's mother's day so what do YOU want to do." And giving me hugs and kisses all day. I feel so lucky and so blessed to be these three sweet kiddo's Mom. And VERY, VERY Blessed to have such an amazing husband who always tries to make me feel special. What a great day. And I am also very, very thankful that God gave me a wonderful mom to teach me, show me, and model to me what a great mom should be. I love you Mom!! Happy Mother's Day to you and all the other Mom's out there!

Our Girl is Back...

Just wanted to update and let everyone who has been praying for Hadley know that she is doing GREAT!! Her foot is healing really quickly. After about ten days of keeping her off her feet the skin started coming back on her toes and I actually stopped wrapping her foot this past Wednesday. I just kept a sock on it and by Friday she could walk on it barefoot. People kept telling me, kids heal quickly- but I really had no idea it would be so fast given what it looked like the day of the accident. Thankfully, she is a happy little girl again and we are happy to have her feeling like herself again. Trying to keep a BUSY 14 month old off her feet is not an easy thing to do. We tried the best we could and were either holding her or putting her in her highchair to play. It wasn't too bad, but I am definitely glad it is ALL behind us. One good thing that came out of all of this is that she loves to snuggle again. She hasn't been very snuggly the last few months and now she loves it. Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, calls, texts and visits. Hadley is a lucky little girl to be so loved!!

Here she is learning to color in her highchair...an activity that actually kept her pretty happy...


Eating Ice Cream...


My little Monkey...Always Attached to Me...


Friday, her First day with shoes on...she was a happy girl to be walking outside....


Enjoying the Afternoon at the Park...like the Good ol' days...

A Prayer Request For my Baby Girl

****UPDATE- Thanks for all of your kind words, thoughts and prayers. We took Hadley downtown this morning, waited two hours to see the plastic surgeon who barley eyed her foot and basically said, "looks good, healing well, keep up what you are doing." We go back next week. He said it doesn't look like surgery will be necessary. It is a 2nd degree burn. We have to keep her off of her feet as much as we can until it heals. He said next week we should know how the scarring will be. If the skin starts to come back before two weeks he said it usually isn't much of a scar, anything longer, there is. He was optomistic that she is healing fast. Anyway, we truly appreciate all your prayers, emails, texts, and phone calls. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Well, we had a scary, sad
weekend. I was getting
ready for a girls trip on Friday and needless to say, never made it. As I was getting ready to leave and finishing packing up, Gavin asked if Hadley could play with him and Ellie. I said yes, they play together all the time, never a problem. I hear a horrible scream from Hadley minutes later...I run to find her in the sink in the bathroom with the hot water only on. Hot water in the sink, how bad can it be?? Bad. We just upped the water heater a few weeks ago as we were running out of hot water when we'd bath and shower. I pull her out and she grabs her feet as she's screaming. I immediately can see she has blisters and within a minute, the skin has peeled all the way off. Raw, red toes. I call our neighbor panicked, he rushes over and tells me yes I need to go to the ER. I grab Gavin and Ellie and get in the car, head to the ER. Get to the ER, realize Gavin has no shoes on...don't care..we all run in. I am hysterical and can hardly talk. G and E are crying and Hadley is going ballistic like I have never seen. I just keep saying, "Her feet...her feet." And I am throwing my license, insurance card and credit card at the receptionist without her even asking. They immediately get us into triage, then a room. They tell me they are going to ambulance her downtown to the Herman Pediatric Burn Ward. As they are telling me this Frank gets there. He completely melts down as he is hearing the doctor say this and seeing Hadley get an IV put in her arm. We call his mom to come get G and E. They give Hadley a dose of morphine..doesn't touch her pain...give her another dose...still going crazy. Give her codiene and she calms down a little. As we were waiting, I get grilled by three different people about exactly what happened. I realize they are trying to see if it was truly an accident. I ask what the hold up is with the ambulance. They tell me it is waiting for us, but they can't get us in the ambulance until Hermann admits us. So the doctor walks in and says, Hermann is really busy and they want to treat her as an outpatient for the weekend and to go see the specialist downtown on Monday morning. So we were sent home with tylenol with codeine, burn ointment that has silver in it, and lots of gauze and bandage wraps. We've been medicating her every 7-8 hours and wake her at night. She is totally out of it. The medicine is helping take the pain away. She's been a trooper. The hard part, besides seeing her burn, and feeling guilty, is that she can't walk. They want us to keep her foot elevated. It is really hard. She screams to get down after about 30 minutes of being held. She wants to get down and play. I think this is the one time in my life I wish she liked T.V. She is not a television baby at all. I've been trying Elmo, Wiggles..nothing. She just wants to play. We go see the doctor tomorrow. Please keep Hadley in your prayers. I am hoping the doctor tomorrow will tell us it will heal, that is it healing already, and that she'll be able to walk again soon...and that we can take her off the pain meds soon. It is miserable to see your child in pain. I feel so guilty for not keeping my eye on her. I feel guilty that we just turned up the water heater. I know accidents happen, and as a friend told me, we are our worst critics...but still. I am her mother and I should have been watching her more closely. I never in a million years would have thought this would happen. So as you are saying your prayers tonight, please remember our little Hadley. Pray for a speedy recovery, and pray for her burn to not get infected.

A Shower Of Blessings

Last Thursday the kids did their annual program at school. It was so cute to see them up on stage and singing every word. They have been singing to me at home and were so excited to sing for everyone. Ellie kept sucking in her cheeks like she was embarrassed, but kept on with the motions and words...I think she thought everyone was there to watch her. Gavin smiled big and I think kept waiting to see if I would cry as I told him earlier in the week, his songs were so touching I think I could cry. One of the songs he sang was "you are my sunshine." I have sung this to each of my three kiddos since the day they were placed into my arms. I have made up new songs about each of them to the tune, and it was really sweet that Gavin sang that in his very last preschool performance. Hard to believe that we have watched him in that program from a onesie to a pre'k-er. Hard to believe he is almost done with preschool and will start a new chapter of "real" school next year. And hard to believe that next year, Hadley could be up on that stage in the onesie class. My how times flies.

Busy, Busy..

So where have I been? What have I been up to? A whole lot. Mostly just your regular, every day stuff, but busy. Guess I should go back to Easter. We had a great Easter and despite the predicted ugly forecast it was a beautiful afternoon. We had Easter at our house this year and I decided to cook Easter dinner all by myself. Homemade rolls, potatoes gratin, green beans, ham, and a lemon custard berry tart. It turned out fabulous thanks to foodnetwork.com.

Gav, Elle-bells, and Hads all had a fun time seeing all the goodies the Easter bunny left and finding Eggs.

Hadley found the first egg while we were still opening baskets and so we started our egg hunt early. We were racing room to room and then realized she wasn't following. Come to find out she was in the kitchen still with her first egg that she had thrown on the ground and found candy inside. So she was nice and happy just eating the loot she had found. Little did we know that our daughter has quite an obsession for jelly beans. The only one in the family who likes them really. But this kid screams and points to where they are until she gets one.

The day after Easter Frank left for Birmingham for work. It was a long week single momming it with three kiddos but we survived, rainy weather and all. :) It was actually kind of fun and as much as I miss Frank and would rather him home, it is a good bonding experience for us while he is gone. We did craft projects, rented movies, cooked things, and played at the park a whole lot.

During the week we went to Gavin's tennis lessons. Gavin has really taken to tennis. The girls and I play around the empty court next to his while we watch him. They love going as much as Gavin does. While Frank was out of town I told Gavin how his Daddy used to be number 2 in the U.S. and that he travelled around Europe for awhile to play. And Gavin in all seriousness said, "That's what I'm going to do...I'm going to be famous like Daddy." It was really cute. He looks up to his Daddy so much. We'll see..but so far he seems to come by the sport naturally which isn't too surprising I guess.

After Frank got home from his business trip, Uncle Scott flew in for a one night visit. The kids were so excited to see him. Gavin had been saving the last of his chocolate bunny for Uncle Scott. On Easter Scott told him on the phone that he loved chocolate bunnies. Little did Scott know Gavin would be so kind to hold onto the last bit of a bunny for him. And being the good sport he is- Uncle Scott ate it...even though Gavin had been eating over a few days and had taken it to school and back...and he still ate it... Being the sweet Uncle he is he also snuggled and slumber partied in Gavin's room all night. You can only imagine how much this meant to Gav! Thanks Scotty!

The next morning we said goodbye to Uncle Scott, Daddy and Dan who drove to Dallas to see Jimmy Buffet.

They said it was an amazing concert, and the kids and I survived being alone for almost an entire week and weekend. ;0)

This week has pretty much been the same ol' same ol'. The Easter bunny was kind enough to leave the kids two Grow a Frog pets. Our tadpoles arrived yesterday and boy were they excited. So Lily and Freddy have now been officially adopted into the Morgan family. They arrived yesterday and once getting them, I was putting their aquariums together and realized Ellies has a big crack in it. We tried to exchange it but our local toy store didn't have anymore and they aren't selling anymore...(great)...so we made due with a ball jar. (Thanks Traci!) And our new pets are in their rooms. It is so cute to watch them love on these little tadpoles. I knew they would love them but had no idea they would want them to watch American Idol with us and be present during our daily happenings. You know because every tadpole wants to watch you eat, brush teeth, etc.

The week of Easter I also opened an online trading account. Being a mom of three, just wasn't busy enough...lol. I decided I missed day trading and have been dabbling in it the last two weeks. So, my free time is now consumed with watching stock charts, reading news, and the wall street journal (thanks to my iphone-which I am loving). So if you come to the house during nap time you may just find me looking like a big nerd with two computers up and running, and either screaming with excitement or pulling my hair out. In all honesty, it has been so much fun. I forgot the thrill- and to think I used to think watching Ebay was exciting- Ha! Anyway, so if I post a little less- forgive me. I'm doing my best to keep caught up. :) Life is just busy...busy...

Empty Tomb Rolls

My friend Stacy sent this to me and we did it with the kids tonight. It was a cute and yummy way to reinforce what Easter is all about.

Ingredients:

Large Marshmallows
Melted Butter
Cinnamon & Sugar Mix
Crescent Roll
Oven
Cavity in bun
Directions:

1.Take a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.

2.Dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.

3.Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.

4.Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This can either represent the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death or the Tomb. Matt. 27:57–61; John 19:38–42

5.Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or as directed on the package of the crescent rolls. (The oven can represent the tomb if the roll is representing the wrapping—pretend like it was three days!) Take the role of the guards at Jesus’ tomb. Stand guard at the oven.

6.Let the rolls cool slightly. Open your crescent rolls and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)
Jesus is Risen! Now read Matthew 28:5-8; Mark 16:4-8; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-18; Isaiah 25:8

EASTER EGGS

New Holes

Our baby girl is growing all up...she discovered two new holes today....

Think we need new p.j.'s?? And bigger ones at that?

And another new found hole...

She puts her finger in it all day and will tell us "NOOOOSE."

My 31st Birthday

Last week I celebrated my 31st birthday. It was such a wonderful birthday. On Thursday Frank had our family over and we had dinner and cake. As they were singing to me I looked around the room and felt so loved and I got a little teary eyed just feeling so lucky to have the family I do. It was a perfect night. On Thursday I also got an evite from my romantic husband telling me to pack my bags and that he had a surprise for me on my birthday. I was to be ready by 2pm to leave. (This is big for us as we haven't spent the night away from the kids in two years). On Friday morning I went on Gavin's school field trip and then got us all home and packed quickly as I waited to see where my Prince was going to take me. A bit later we pulled into the Houstonian, a place we used to go pre-baby days. It was so relaxing, wonderful, and went by WAY too quickly. He had a deep tissue appointment for me at the spa upon arriving and after it, a steam, and a shower before we went on our date. We ate at McCormick and Schmicks. It was so yummy. After dinner and drinks we called it a night. You know you have young kids when you automatically wake up at 6:30am even when you spend the night away in a hotel. But what a relaxing, fun, night it was. Thanks babe for a wonderful, unforgettable birthday. I love you!!

Sporting my new apron:

From My 31st Birthday

Yummy Fajita's:

From My 31st Birthday

My Loves: From My 31st Birthday

Playing with my new tripod:

From My 31st Birthday

From My 31st Birthday

About to get my massage:

From My 31st Birthday

Before dinner:

From My 31st Birthday

From My 31st Birthday

My Mommy by Gavin and Ellie

1. What is something I always say to you?

Gavin- You love me

Ellie- clean up your toys

2. What makes mommy happy?

Gavin- that we obey you

Ellie- when I clean up toys

3. What makes mommy sad?

Gavin- when we don't obey

Ellie- when I don't clean up toys

4. How does mommy make you laugh?

Gavin- when you tickle us

Ellie-when you take pictures of me

5. What was mommy like as a child?

Gavin- me

Ellie- a baby

6. How old is Mommy?

Gavin-31

Ellie-26

7. How tall is mommy?

Gavin-tall

Ellie-this tall (with hand in the air)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Gavin-play on the computer

Ellie-work at home

9. What does mommy do when you're not around?

Gavin-works on the computer and goes to lunch

Ellie- plays

10. If mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?

Gavin-me

Ellie- work

11. What is mommy really good at?

Gavin-Playing webkinz games

Ellie- reading books

12. What is mommy not very good at?

Gavin-riding bikes

Ellie- I don't know

13. What does mommy do for her job?

Gavin-watches us

Ellie-watch us

14. What is mommy’s favorite food?

Gavin-vegetables with fish

Ellie-turkey roll ups

15. What makes you proud of momma?

Gavin- because you are nice to me

Ellie- you make me happy

16. If mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Gavin-Penny from Bolt because she's a girl

Ellie- Mickey Mouse

17. What do you and mommy do together?

Gavin-play games

Ellie- we play

18. How are you and mommy the same?

Gavin-we have the same eyes

Ellie- we both have pink clothes

19. How are you and mommy different?

Gavin-I don't have bright hair and you have bright hair

Ellie- I am wearing p.j.'s you have on clothes

20. How do you know mommy loves you?

Gavin-because you kiss me at night

Ellie- you always make me happy

21. What's your favorite thing about mommy?

Gavin- you stay home with us and are always with us and you are really good at guitar hero too

Ellie- that you love me

Sent Home for Gas

Gavin caught a stomach bug this past weekend and while it was a rough 24 hours, he has been fine the last two days. He stayed home with me on Monday and yesterday and today I sent him back to school as he was bouncing off the walls yesterday and we haven't had any more bug troubles. Today, just as I was on my way to run errands, I got a call from his school and they were calling to let me know Gavin was in the front office with gas. I tried not to laugh, but asked if he was sick. She said "No, he just has gas and has had gas all morning." She said I didn't have to pick him up if I was busy, but he was in her office if I did want to come get him. So, of course I am confused but think if they are calling I should go pick him up. So I got to school and see him smiling really big in the chair next to one of the directors and he proudly says, "I've got a lot of gas!" I had to go see his teacher to sign him out and as I was talking to her, I asked, "Has he had to go to the bathroom, did he get sick?" She told me he's been tooting all day and she made him try to go to the bathroom and she went in with him. She said he went in the stall and kept tooting but that he kept telling her "nothing will come out." So she said then they went to recess and he was entertaining the kids with his farts. Seriously?!? I was mortified and laughing at the same time. Entertaining the class with his gas??? So, I've got my own Gassy Gus at home with me now. No fever, no real illness...just gas. Sent home for gas...that's a first.