July Updates...

So, I've been experiencing some technical difficulties.


I have a TON of pictures from 4th of July, Sandy Mountain Days Parade, camping at Fort Stevens, and some funny pics of the boys just being themselves and goofing off...

But I can't get my computer to let me download them to my blog!! :( And normally, I'd ask my BIL Curt to fix it...but he's out with his wife at a wedding reception - and I figure half a post (more like a quarter...!) is better than no post at all...

So here's a picture of our site at Fort Stevens....fun was had by all....it was great. :D All things considered, we had an awesome time. It is a little tough to go on vacation with ALL the family - and combine personalities, likes/dislikes, and SIX CHILDREN under age 6, and not expect a few feathers to get ruffled. But we made it. Relationships in tact.

I only had one or two minor incidents where I was completely annoyed with one person or another....and I kept my moodiness under control and stayed to myself (napped, read or just hung in the trailer while the boys napped....) in the handy-dandy trailer that we borrowed from some really good friends of ours....THANK YOU...Jim & Dianne. :D

All in all - it was really good. The boys slept through most nights - in their own beds even. :D Always a good indicator of how the trip will turn out - gauging how much sleep the parents get....

We were able to visit the Astoria Column while we were there - I stayed up top for a grand total of 10 seconds, before I felt a panic attack coming on....(did I mention I'm terrified of heights? I didn't? Well, now I just did...) Stann laughed. He'd never seen me like that before....both he and David had the boys (Matt & Josh) I'm pleased as punch to report that Matt walked all the way up to the top by himself and was able to go down the stairs all by himself as well. David, however, carried Josh. :D What an uncle!!!

I'm super-duper proud that the boys weren't frightened at all. Just me. Their chicken mother. But I have to add - I'm proud of myself for making it up there. I'm constantly trying to 'get over' this irrational fear of heights. I push myself to see if I can eventually move past it one day....and I know one day I will. :D

We found a fun little store in Astoria - Deals, Deals, Deals...kinda like a bargain basement - sell outs/buy outs and we had a fun time rummaging for deals there....we also visited a Norwegian Bakery - it was pretty yummy...the shortbread was my fave.

We visited the South Jetty - watched the waves come crashing in - and drove on the beach a few times too.

Have I mentioned I love the beach? Every time I go, I feel completely at peace. There is something so incredibly soothing to my soul, just sitting there - hearing the roar of the ocean....feeling the salt mist blow on my face, skin and clothes....watching the seagulls and listening to their cries....feeling the sun try and peek its way out through the clouds and feeling the soft, gritty sand in between my toes.....

It's heaven. :D

The only other thing that would've made it perfect, was if there had been a storm. I LOVE watching the storms roll in from the ocean - watching the waves get bigger - and feeling the wind blow - and watching it rain - all from the comfort of a car or hotel room though....!

So, all in all....it was a GREAT vacation. :D

This little blonde dandy - what a little stinker. We had some really fun conversations with him. I'll explain more when I get the rest of the pics downloaded. One particular excerpt:

(Ambulance sirens in the background...)
Matt: Mom! Mom! The policemens are going to save the little boy!!
Me: Huh?
Matt: The little boy got his arms ripped off and the policemens are going to put them back on. The little boy didn't listen to his mommy and daddy and now he has to go to the hospital!
Me: (wondering where this all came from...and then remembering the conversation that he and his daddy had on the trip up - because Matt couldn't keep his hands off a sleeping Josh...)

NOW REMEMBERING...Daddy/Stann saying: Matt, if you can't keep your hands to yourself, I'm gonna take them off - and you'll have to go to the hospital to have them reattached....

So the light dawned...and I replied...

He'll be okay.

LOL. Probably not the best parenting tactic in the whole world, but he kept his hands off his brother - and stopped hitting him for the rest of the car rides while we were on vacation.

And this little cutie pie - showing off his temporary tattoo...it stayed for 3 weeks. He was sooo proud of his little tattoo and his little honorary badge from the firemen - that were doing 'inspections' in the church parking lot - where we watched the fireworks and held our annual 4th of July BBQ / Birthday party for Shaun (though he didn't show...)

And this...well, this is our latest family picture. :P

Update on the weight loss - though I haven't been posting, and I've passed the 12 weeks, I'm pleased as punch to report I'm down 14 lbs. Just from changing my eating habits and cutting out soda.

I'm also pleased to report - that while on vacation - I only gave into temptation twice and had 2 cokes. Before you all groan - and say "No, Liz!! Don't get back on the soda wagon" - let me assure you I won't be drinking soda again anytime soon.

My body has taken to having NO SODA in its system so well, that both times I drank it, I was sick to my stomach and running to the potty non-stop. Too much sugar. And since I'm not a glutton for that kind of punishment....I'm done. :D

It's been a fun couple of weeks. We came back from 70 degree weather (high 70's anyway...) to it being 107 in Portland. We holed up (and still are, for that matter) in our house and Stann was able to get his hands on another AC unit for our house - so we have 2 AC units, 1 industrial fan and we've closed all doors/windows and run the HVAC unit (though we don't have an AC unit attached outdoors) and it's been able to circulate our cooled air throughout the entire house and keep it a balmy 68-74 degrees inside. :D I love that Hunky Hubby is inventive like that.

We also had the boys tested by the County - and both are enrolled in the early intervention preschool - they both qualify for it - Matthew for his socialization/developmental issues that keep popping up - we've found from the testing that he can't filter the noise around him.

They likened it to something like - being able to tune out a baby crying. Matt doesn't have the 'filter' where he can ignore sounds....theres no 'off' switch. Which is pretty common for children exposed to drugs/alcohol while in utero....so they (the county) are helping us find tools for Matt to deal and for US to recognize the signs and help him deal with everything around him. The sounds have been a pretty big trigger - and we can totally see it. NOW. So, I'm extremely encouraged.

Joshua qualified for help with his speech/development. He also has some behavioral issues - mainly his temper tantrums. We've got an amazing teacher - Miss Elizabeth - whose specialty is kids with tantrum/temper issues. She really is amazing. The bigger the tantrum, the more excited she is to 'crack' the 'code' of what sets the kids off and help them gain control. Needless to say....for those who've witness Joshua's monumental temper tantrums....

WE ARE THRILLED! :D

Matt started preschool on the 16th - and he LOVES it. I drop him off and pick him up. Josh will join him in his class in November. In the mean time, because he's still 2, we have home visits 1-3 times a month. :D

His first one is Monday. I can hardly wait to report back to you all....with Matthew we noticed improvements within the first week. And while I know both kids are different - I do know the teachers have given us some wonderful, insightful tips/ideas on how to better parent the boys, and they've been right on....and we've made some headway in a really short time. :D

That's pretty much it. Not much is going on besides me trying to keep from pulling my hair out - I won't let the boys go outside during their normal play hours - because of the sweltering heat. :( So they are going nuts. And attempting to take me there with them...)

HOPEFULLY I'll get the rest of the pics up soon. As soon as I corner Curt and get him to fix my computer, anyways!! Hope your summer is going well! :D