I can hear everything......

Makenna's surgery to put tubes in her ears was a huge success! Dr. Baker did his usual amazing job and was out in less than 10 minutes to let us know that the tubes went in with no problems; he had drained a lot of thick fluid; and Makenna was waking up and would be ready to see us in minutes. It was so difficult to put her to sleep and watch her cry :( put I new that she would be a better child after it was said and done.

In a matter of a couple of hours she was eating like a horse, playing, and talking up a storm. So grateful for excellent doctors, modern medicine, and prayers answered!

Our Precious Little Things

When we were in Florida, we couldn't resist these Dr. Seuss shirts we saw a year ago when we went. So here's a photo of our Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3. If you have seen the Mike Myers version of Cat in the Hat, well there are days when this is very realistic!!!

"Great" Aunt Misty

I like to believe I get the title not by way of relatives but because I love these little girls to pieces. Jamie and Kadence are such beautiful amazing little girls! This weekend was the first of our family celebrations with my nephew Jarred, Kim, and their little girls Jamie and Kadence. Jamie is obsessed with Tinker Bell so I outfitted her with a new Tinker Bell bracelet, necklace, hairbands, cup, and pjs. Kadence provided the best "funniest home video" moment of the day when she took off crawling and was racing Sami the daschund then Sami took the lead and looked back and licked her in the face!!! You had to be there but it was so hilarious :)

Time for reflection

This week has been a whirlwind but terrific reminder of what's important in life. Makenna has been battling something for weeks now that medicine hasn't cured. My gut instinct was her ears. Luckily Makenna got to Dr. Baker and it was determined that she had a cronic ear infections. So tubes, here we come. Keep her in your prayers as she undergoes this small procedure Dec 22nd.
So glad that I took some quality time off with her this week to revel in her newfound skills of clapping, giving 5, and playing ball!

As I was calling my mom about the surgery, I learned that my great uncle had passed away only hours before. I was so thankful that I took a few moments out of last Saturday morning to go see him in the hospital. I had seriously convinced myself that I had too many other things to do. Uncle Gerald has always been such a family man and remembered details like nobody's business until his health started failing. He asked to see pictures of the "baby" and was very interested in all of my kids even though he was in so much pain.

So lesson learned this week....take time for the small things in life, you'll be glad you did!

My own little piece of paradise

We returned from our terrific Florida vacation rested, thankful for a wonderful week as a family, and sad to leave the warm sunshine. The kids had an awesome time at Kennedy Space Station and got to meet an astronaut who flew on Apollo 15. If you want to know how long ago that was, look it up!!!

Then we headed to Cocoa Beach where Ethan built sandcastles, Makenna played footies in the sand, and Kaleigh chased the waves of the ocean. We also spent some quality time swimming in the two resort hot tubs and pools, eating ourselves silly, and shopping. Lastly, we decided to take in SeaWorld. The kids all loved riding the "Polar Express" and seeing all the animals. Mom and Dad liked the free "Hospitality Room" sponsored by Busch. LOL :)

Happy 1st Birthday Makenna!

I can't believe our baby is already a year old! Where o where does time go? We celebrated our little turkey with a turkey dinner with family. Then Makenna dug into her very own birthday cake which she loved to pieces literally.

Then to top off the evening, we got a text that Ryan's cousin Jennifer went into labor and delivered her baby girl, Lyndsi Deanne, tonight. She even weighed in at almost the same exact weight as Makenna. What a special day!

Spooks come out at Night

The beautiful weather and Makenna's first Halloween turned the season into so much fun. We started out visiting a pumpkin patch in early October, carving jack-o-lanterns, and then Fall parties at school and trick or treating!

Ethan asked me to be his room mother for school so Ryan helped and we had a "Mad Scientist Lab" where the kids got to feel brains (stewed tomatoes), kidneys(jello mold), heart (jello mold), fingers (green olives), and stomach (cold, slimey spaghetti).

Then we did a Jump for Apples instead of an apple bob. The kids had a blast!

The girls and I took in the local Monster March downtown and visited all the businesses. They had over 2,000 kids preschool to 5th grade line up to trick or treat. It was the largest they ever had but it took forever.

Several of the area churches also sponsored "Trunk or Treat" this year. The kids got way too much candy between this and visiting family. Kaleigh went as a butterfly; Ethan a judge; and little BMak went as a snuggly little lady bug.

Happy Halloween to all and to all a good Fright!

Cinderella goes to the Ball

Kaleigh attended the Girl Scout Fall Ball at our church on Saturday. The girls got to wear old formal dresses (Kaleigh wore a flower girl dress I wore in a wedding 21 years ago). Then the leaders organized stations where they got their hair and nails done, jewelry, paper corsages, and refreshments.

Then a dance instructor came in and told about learning how to do dances like the rumba, samba, fox trot, waltz, and quick step. The dance instructor was my old elementary school principal and several of the leaders were leaders when I was a girl scout.

Kaleigh had a blast and met up with some friends from school and church. A fun time was had by all but just like Cinderella, her fairy mother said they had to go home by 3 pm! (to take a nap)

Popcorn, Get your hot, fresh Popcorn

This fall, Boy Scouts in almost every community will kick off their annual popcorn sale. This annual fund-raiser aligns with one of the goals of Scouting—to teach youth within the organization how to become self-reliant. We have the opportunity to teach Scouts how they—along with the combined efforts of other Scouts—can help make the world a better place.

Last year, over 70 percent of the fund-raiser's proceeds stayed within local councils. Of that amount, one-third of a council's proceeds went directly to the units that sold popcorn to fund their local programs and activities. If there's a scout in your life, be sure to support their efforts!

Who knew that popcorn could be chocolate coated, buttered, cheese flavored, lite, etc....so many choices. There is something for everyone in every flavor and every price range.

We are the Champions!

Well, thanks to a little luck, an awesome team, and a lot of teamwork the COMOS 4th-6th grade soccer team was declared the 1st Place Champs of the Soccer Little League. Yeah, Ethan!!

Far, Far Away in a land of no children

Ryan and I used to enjoy traveling together and exploring new places. As our family has grown larger and our responsibilities greater, this hobby has not happened as often. In our first trip away from Makenna, we are headed out for three days together without any children.

I forgot how much work it is to pack an entire family (and a baby for that matter) to head out even for a couple of days. Ryan had Family Scout Camp this weekend and I was in Salina for the past two days leading up to the weekend. Here's to an awesome trip to Dallas, reconnecting with a spouse, and hoping we still enjoy spending time together without talking about the next kid's activity or amazing thing the baby did.

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

It's that wonderful time of year called Fall! After looking at the family calendar and realizing we had every evening and weekend jam packed for the next couple of months, we decided to spend the weekend together and have some quality family time. So after a last minute notice, Ethan had his first soccer game which he won. Then we headed out to the Woods Family Pumpkin Patch just west of Pittsburg. The kids had a blast playing in the kernals of corn, finding their way through the hay bale maze and jumping in the inflatable playlands. Who knew that there were inflatable caterpillars in the middle of a pumpkin patch! After an exciting and tiring afternoon in the patch, we picked out pumpkins and headed home for a good nap!

Watch out Sarah Palin,here comes a Soccer Mom!

Okay, so I can't say no especially when it comes to my kids and their happiness. My particularily non-athletic child, Ethan, really enjoys playing soccer in the spring and fall. After his last season's coach, I decided that I couldn't do any worse and would volunteer to help if there weren't enough coaches. Needless to say that PeeWee football is still going so many parents are still doing that and well others are best sitting on the sidelines. Our first practice is today after school, so here goes nothing!

I'll be sure to post tomorrow if I'm in the ER or immobile after this little adventure! Go Soccer Moms!

Dirt returns to KS 09

For those of you who have included GB as employment over past years will remember John Morello and his one man show I am Dirt. An interactive monologue that helps educate kids and community members on how much alcohol and other drugs impact our lives both directly and indirectly. John headed to Kansas in October 2006 courtesy of Ms. Marla after she saw him at a conference. Needless to say, he was a hit! So doing what we do best in prevention-we are sticking to what works and bringing him back in collaboration with PSU in February 09. If you get a chance, check out John's website-I can't wait to see his show again!

2 Birthdays, a Baptism, and a BBQ

Labor Day weekend was so wonderful and full of all the things important to Ryan and I. We started the weekend by explaining to Kaleigh that even though her birthday was last week and we celebrated with the neighborhood kids that her big family party was this weekend. She took this to mean that 5 years old + 2 parties = 7 years old. It took most of the weekend to convince her otherwise! Makenna Rylan's baptism was held at the church. Lastly to celebrate all of these important events we hosted a BBQ at our house for all of our family. Even my darling great niece Jamie and her daddy made it for the festivities. So much fun that I might need to go back to work just to catch my breath! Here's some photos to share our eventful weekend. By the way, little Hannah Montana gave a concert in the living room for anyone willing to listen-thanks Grandma Debbie for the singing microphone.

Happy Birthday Kaleigh!

2 weeks old
2 years old
4 years old

Amazing how quick they grow from adorable, powder smelling bundle of joy to diva in six short years. August 22nd is Kaleigh Breanne's 6th birthday. We will be celebrating with some neighborhood friends at Pizza Hut then having a larger celebration next weekend with the family. Happy Birthday, Kaleigh!

All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

or so the title goes. Kaleigh headed off to Kindergarten at Meadow View this year. She insisted on riding the bus even though I had taken the day off to drive her there on her first day. "You can drive there and meet me if you want, Mom" she said in her big girl voice. I didn't cry I was surprised but I was excited to pick her and Ethan up to hear about their first day.

Ethan was so excited to get into his classroom and he thinks "Mrs. Cole Rocks" so I guess that is a good thing. Kaleigh is imitading everything at home from school so at least she listens.

Hotter than H E Double Hockey Sticks

I know it's August in Kansas but really is it necessary to be 104 degrees, really. At least Makenna was prepared for the sun with her new sun hat and sunglasses from Auntie Stacy!

100 Things cont.

51. I know enough Spanish to be dangerous
52. I wish I was back in school getting my master's degree
53. and I want a PhD before I die
54. I've learned that addiction has affected most people's lives in some way and they have skeleton's in the closet if they don't think they do
55. My mom once tried to teach me to play the accordian
56. My goal is to visit all 50 states
57. I've visited at 28 of them
58. I'm in love with dueling piano bars
59. I've never been snow skiing but want to learn
60. I can't say no very well
61. and I tend to over commit myself
62. I've always wanted to teach community college
63. People fascinate me
64. I hope I have a marriage filled with love like Grandma and Grandpa Burke had
65. I really miss not having my other Grandparents alive to share my children with
66. I once created and published by hand a 4th Grade newspaper called the Ward News
67. I used to be afraid of water
68. I fell in a camp fire at age 18 months
69. which caused me to have my pinky skin-graphed
70. I never really liked my name b/c it was so common
71. I'm not very technical but I try
72. My first car was a blue Dodge Aires
73. I'll only had 5 cars in 17 years
74. One of my favorite cartoons was Shirt Tales
75. My best friend Jemica and I used to pretend we were a rock band

okay, I'm all out of useless knowledge about myself for today

100 Things About Me

My friend Stacy passed along a blogging challenge to post 100 things that many people might not know about me. I honestly don't think there is 100 things that most people don' t know about me but here goes.
1. I once wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.
2. then decided in 4th grade that I wanted to be a school psychologist.
3. I almost graduated community college when I graduated high school
4. I loved being the baby of the family(it had perks)
5. I have 2 nephews and 1 niece
6. I also have 2 great neices
7. I had a midlife crisis at 25
8. I've taken way too many IQ tests in my life, mostly for fun
9. I enjoy music of every kind
10. I've seen 3 broadway musicals including Phatom of the Opera, Hair Spray, and Lion King
11. My kids are my life
12. I picked my daughter's birthday so I would still be 30
13. I met my husband when I was 14
14. He drove me to my first day of high school
15. I hit a lot of orange cones in driver's education
16. Ryan and I dated for 6 years before we got engaged
17. I got married on July 4th
18. which is my second favorite holiday next to my birthday
19. I am 12 years younger than my brothers
20. My husband and I are both one of 3 children and we have 3 children together
21. My favorite color is yellow
22. I am very competitive, even in the smallest detail
23. I enjoy working out when I see results
24. My favorite musical artist is Chris Daughtry
25. which I saw in concert 3 times
26. I was touched by the Last Lecture and wish I could lead my life that way
27. I named my son after Tom Cruise's character on Mission Impossible
28. I think best when I'm in the shower or during the middle of night
29. My favorite movie is Ten Things I hate about you
30. I mourned Heath Ledger's death
31. I don't add salt to my food
32. I love to add pepper
33. I don't eat green veggies unless absolutely necessary
34. I hope that I can be my kids' hero, but not their friend
35. My earliest memory of doing biographies in school was on Carrie Nation
36. Ironic since I now work in drug prevention
37. I was a girl scout for many years
38. I miss my Jeep Cherokee but still like my new car
39. I miss all my friends who have moved away and I don' t get to hang out with any more
40. I hate science
41. I picked my college major based on the amount of math classes required
42. I love my job working with kids and adults
43. My husband is my best friend
44. I use Sunday football to snuggle with my husband and take a nap
45. I love board games
46. I used to roller skate pretty good
47. My favorite vacation was to Hawaii and wish I was there now
48. I don't like change but know it's sometimes good for me
49. My first job was helping my grandma at the farmer's market
50. I once managed the toy dept at Wal-mart and ordered all the christmas toys

well that's the first 50 to digest, more to come as I think of the next 50.

One Last Lecture

I had heard the hype about this "One Last Lecture" last year after Randy Pausch gave it at Carnegie Mellon University and thought what a wonderful reminder that time is too precious. Sadly, he has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 25th. Check out his website, listen to the download, and check out his book. It's a great tribute to live life to it's fullest.
www.thelastlecture.com

Lending a Helping Hand

One of the most important things you can do to is to lend a helping hand with others in need. Locally, the Habitat for Humanity project in town has been the dedicated project of our church's mission team. Unfortunately with the kids in tow, Ryan and I weren't able to grab a hammer and join in. So to support those who could bring a hammer, hang sheetrock or hold a truse, our family baked cookies and made lunch for the volunteers. My ultimate goal was teaching my children that giving not receiving is the best feeling you can have! Well tomorrow is another day to serve lunch, so it's off to bake cookies!

Are we staying in the Hocity?

Kaleigh was so excited about going on vacation in Kansas City and staying in a hotel that she kept combining the words to "hocity" instead of hotel in the city. It made for some inquisitive looks from people who passed by.

We headed to Leavenworth to see Aunt Tamara and go swimming at the local Aquatic Park. It was awesome! Ethan and Kaleigh both enjoyed the water slides while Makenna took in the fountains and sprinklers along the edges of the pool. Of course, the most painful part of the trip was Ryan's continuous attempts to relive his childhood on the diving boards. I didn't expect to need band-aids for the oldest member of our swimming party!

Next we headed to Cabela's to look at all animals and do a little shopping. A yummy lunch at Cheeseburgers in Paradise was worth the trip! Then we headed to Wonderscope, the local children's museum, for some afternoon hands-on fun.

We had so much fun at the Hyatt Place in Overland Park. The kids loved the pull-out sofa bed, refridgerator, and swimming pool. Ryan loved the 52" Plasma Flat Screen on the wall and all the electrical amendities. The dream sleep bed didn't hurt either!

Lastly, we ended our trip to the city with a day at the Kansas City Zoo. We got to see the new baby monkey, Koja, and watch the gorilla work with his trainer. After a short afternoon siesta for Makenna, we headed out for the real reason we went to Kansas City---High School Musical at Starlight Theatre. Kaleigh and Ethan, along with about 2,000 other kids, all sang along and had a terrific time. It was a good show and a great opportunity for our kids to be exposed to the arts. One of the perks of the big city!

We were all sad that vacation was over, but glad to be home again!

My Baby Turns 10 on July 13th!

So July 13th, 1998 started like this: wake up feeling like crud and wonder how much longer this baby is going to continue to take residency in my body as today is my due date! I try to sleep off the cruddy feeling until I head to the Dr. at 3 pm. Dr. says "you feel like crap b/c you're in labor so go directly to the hospital, not back to Parsons." So off Ryan and I go to Wal-Mart, visiting his aunt, and grab a bite to eat at Sonic then off to the hospital. Only a few hours later, much to everyone's surprise Mr. Ethan Skyler makes his appearance with gusto! After grabing onto the clamp the nurse had on the cord then peeing on the dr. within the first few moments outside the womb, I should have known life with Ethan would never be boring. He always has a smile for everyone and is a walking encyclopedia.

Happy Birthday, Ethan!

Happy Birthday Stacy, You Dork!

To my show choir singing, 80s music loving, NKOTB fan, no longer a Kansan friend- Happy Birthday! Since you're not in the state, I'll celebrate without you but it's on come November baby! Hope you have a terrific birthday

Happy Anniversary Ryan!

I can't believe it's been 11 years already! Everyone who hears our anniversary is July 4th is always surprised. I guess it seems like a strange day to get married. When you come from large, extended families who both love the 4th of July like we both did, it seemed like the most logical choice of days to get married. What better way to spend our first day as husband and wife than to enjoy a BBQ with family and friends and watch the fireworks! Who cares that my cheesy husband promised I'd always see fireworks on our anniversary :) He was right! An added bonus that it's a national holiday and we haven't had to work on it since! So 17 years after our first date, married 11 years, and 3 kids later, I couldn't feel more blessed to be married to my best friend. I love you Ry!

Curly and Me

As I finished reading Marley and Me by John Grogan, it brought back those fun memories of growing up with a family pet. My dog "Curly" was a black and white mutt that was part daschund and part chow. Yes I know interesting mix-picture head and body of a chow on little short stubby legs. Best memory about Curly was that she dragged around a piece of chain and never left the yard even though the chain was never connected to anything and that she would lay on her back and chew bubble gum upside down if she would find a stray piece someone had spit out. She was a good sport considering I tried to perm her fur in the bathtub with Mom's sponge curlers!

I'm glad my kids had Daisy until she passed away this winter and Lady the Lab to create their memories with.

To sleep or not to sleep that is the question

at least it was with Makenna in the middle of the night! Those darn teeth are killers. Unfortunately it is hard to be mad or cranky when you get to kiss on these adorable cheeks and see this beautiful smile. Bring on the caffeine....it's time for a new day

Say Cheese!

My cousin Theresa R.S. Thurman is a professional photographer who has an amazing talent for making my adorable, but onry kids look so sweet and innocent! She has recently started a blog site for her studio in Parsons. Check it out http://theresarsthurman.typepad.com/studio_stuff/

Of course every time I visit the site, it reminds me that it's time to set up another appt and document this precious time of Makenna's development. She is so expressive with her eyebrows that it makes you curious what is going on in that little mind of hers.

Happy Father's Day

Here's wishing all my favorite Dads a terrific Father's Day!

Go Gorillas!

Sir Ethan of Burke Family

Who knew you could fight the fiery dragon, build your own coat of arms, and be knighted all at Thayer City Lake! Ethan and Ryan headed out Friday and Saturday for Boy Scout Day Camp which featured a Medieval theme this year or Mid Age as Ethan kept calling it. They built catapults, designed their own coat of arms on their armor, and made a wooden sword to defend their their castles. Then they had some re-enactment group come to camp and knight each of the campers.

So much fun, so little sleep

This is what happens when you put six very involved moms and six very excited 5 years on a church van and send them to camp for the first time. Of course add in chocolate before bed (Smores), bunk beds for the first time (kids all on the top bunk), and a few glow sticks to scare off any monsters under the bed and it's a recipe for a loooooooong sleepless night at camp.

The trip started out as we loaded up at the church for the 2 hour drive to camp. Not even 40 minutes in, Kaleigh had to go to the bathroom at the site of the first gas station. And then again 30 minutes later at the next one. Nerves I guess!

She loved getting to ride Jiggers the horse, but archery is not in her future! There were lots of the traditional camp songs. None of which the kids will remember after learning the "Throw up Song" or how to pray to the music of the Addams Family theme song. The kids all left with t-shirts asking we were coming back to camp.

It's a matter of perspective

What goes up, must come down. What goes backwards, will eventually go forward and probably when you least expect it! Makenna has been so laid back that it seems like she has learned new skills completely out of the blue! Just this past week, she has began sitting up with limited assistance and has even started scooting backwards.


We will all be in trouble when she figures out DRIVE instead of REVERSE!

Summer camp

This coming weekend will be filled with all those wonderful experiences of childhood for Ethan and Kaleigh as they head off to their respective summer camps. Ethan and his dad are headed to Boy Scout Day Camp while Kaleigh and I are headed to church camp. This will be Kaleigh's first overnight camping trip. Luckily, she is getting to go with some of her favorite friends from church and their parents.

First time for everything

So after much hounding and everyone moving across the country, I figured it was time I figure out what blogging was all about. While I don't consider myself to be from the stoneage when it comes to technology, I am definitely not a pioneer like my hubby. So here goes my first attempt at setting up a blog site.