Only 4 more days...

I must say that I am having a little bit of trouble getting into the spirit with no snow! As much as I complain about the snow it's going to be very sad to have a green/brown Christmas. Ah well!

Last night was Molli and Jonah's Christmas concert. Jonah came downstairs from getting ready and my eyes filled with tears as I looked at him. He looked so grownup!









The girls and I have strep. Perfect before Christmas but we are counting our blessings that we discovered it and are getting better. We should be in good shape by Monday. Well off to start the day!

After reading Angie's post, I feel silly posting about my day yesterday :)

Actually it was a nothing day. Did some laundry, some dishes. Thomas was fairly fussy and sleepy which is unusual for him. I noticed he felt warm so I took his temp a few times. It flirted right around 100 all day, nothing to worry about though. Around dinner time, he started feeling a little warmer. I took it again and it was 101. So we called the doc, since he's three months, anything over 100.4 they need to be seen for. So off to the ER we went. I hate going to the ER. Especially with something like this, but my mind was racing with all of the possibilities of what could be wrong with him. Well they took blood, from his tiny veins mind you....it was awful. Then they did chest x-rays where the put him in this contraption where his arms are locked over his little head and he can't move.....more awful. Four hours later we were sent home with a "some times babies get little fevers...." I'm so thankful that he's ok...when I grow up I'm going to create a super speed emergency department.

Seems like everyone has had some lists going on in their blogs lately so I'll do one too...(notice how I'm liking the dot dot dot things today)
My husband, who doesn't get frustrated when I call him 800 times about silly things
My Thomas whose smile melts my heart
My Molli who is singing her first solo this weekend, her voice makes me cry (in a good way)
My Emma who can go from laughing to crying in .098 seconds, cracks me up..she deserves an Oscar
My Jonah who has the most tender heart
My Sydney who just is herself and that is awesome
My mom and dad who are always there at the right moment
The memory of my grandpa, who was so much a part of this time of year. I miss him.
My grandma who loves us no matter what
My aunt who makes us all laugh and who loves my children
My brother Joshie who is all grown up *sniff sniff*
My Noah whose laugh seems to make any day better
My sister who always has drama to share
My friend Mindy who knows me...the real me and doesn't hesitate to call me on my stuff
My cats who continue to catch all the evil mice in my house....they're getting good gifts for Christmas.

Ok so apparantly, I am very thankful for people right now :)

Sometimes determination is not a good trait to posses. Yesterday was a great example...

We had to change some sleeping arrangements upstairs. So I proceeded to move beds, well technically I only had to move one bed. But while I was re-arranging, I thought it would be a great idea to move the girls's bunkbeds. Why on earth I thought that was a good idea I do not know. Anyway, two hours later they were moved. There were several near death experiences but I'll spare you the details. Now the upstairs is spotless.... well for the next 12 hours anyway :)

There are also drawbacks of living right behind the church. Some days it's so nice to be able to just walk to church. then you have nights like last night....

Set the scene, it's 7:45 PM and the kids and I are walking home from Wednesday night church. We have to walk through this side parking lot and cross over this chain to get home. As I'm stepping over the chain Jonah lifts it to go under. It catches my back foot and I go flying onto my face. Thomas is in the car seat which goes flying. Thank the Lord that he landed upright. I peeled my self off the pavement and limped the rest the way home. Matt came home a little after this and had to dig gravel out of my palm and knee...ouch. I survived though. Then this morning I got out of the car to take Emma into school and I shut three of my fingers in the car door. That was more painful than childbirth!!!! Plus I had to hold it all in until I got back into the car. Yikes...

Alright off to get some more ice...

Happy 6th brithday Molli!! 

Molli in her new tutu and suing her Bella Dancerella set 

Her cake made by the awesome Mindy Hubbard 

We had a great weekend. On Saturday we set up Mom and Dad's tree, which is huge as usual. The kids had a great time helping put on the ornaments and hear the same stories I used to hear as a child about each ornament. We made very sure that Sydney was kept away from the 100 year old christmas bulb :) IT was a great time of being surrounded by family. Then on Sunday, we dedicated Thomas. It was marvelous to have him surrounded by his family, my parents and siblings, my aunt and her daughter, my grandma, and Matt's sister. My dad started out by sharing why his name is Thomas, in honor of my granfather. He lost it and so we all were crying. It was rough knowing that he wasn't there. But the rest was beautiful. My dad sprinkled water on his head to symbolize the anticipation of his acceptance of Jesus and baptism. Then he put a small bit of salt on his tongue to symbolize when he would be salt and light to this world. It was so nice. I forgot to ask someone to tkae pics during the event, darn it. But here we all are afterwards...



Then Sunday was Molli's birthday as well. She had a great birthday and below are some pics of that. I can hardly beleive that she is 6.

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Highlight, copy, and paste (not forward) and change my answers to your answers.

Be sure to send back to me. Enjoy!! Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

Name: Mandi
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Huh? Who the heck doesn't wrap gifts???
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White outside, colored on the tree
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? The week after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Mom's cheesecake
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: My mom and dad would hide clues throughout the house to lead us to our big present
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't ever really remember believing in Santa
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Just one, it's usually new pajamas to wear that night
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights and ornaments. I've gotten an ormanent every year since I was little and have carried that on with our kids
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it till half way through January
12. Can you ice skate? Yes
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Wow, that's a hard one...I always get such great gifts
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Watching people open the gifts I've gotten them
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Mom's cheesecake
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Man, we have so many! I guess making the kids wait until 7 AM to come down and then they can only have their stockings. We have to eat breakfast before beginning presents. And then we open them one at a time, from youngest to oldest.
17. What tops your tree? Angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Little Town of Bethelehem
20. Candy Canes? Yuck, except for the Starburst ones

Well well....what to write about?

I hope all of your Thanksgivings were wonderful. We had a rather stress filled day. It started when my dad was talking to my brother who is serving in Iraq. They were chatting via instant messenger and Tigger told him that he was being sent into Baghdad for a few weeks. If you'll remember this was the day that so many people died in that city. So that was very rough for us emotionally. Then Sydney proceeded to spray lens cleaner all over my father's new laptop computer. Major stress....thankfully, it was easily taken care of. Not to mention the fact that Grandpa wasn't there. It was odd, I expected to walk into the other room and see him watching football with my dad, or walk into the kitchen and see him poring over the turkey. Everything just seemed slightly off. I've spent nearly every Thanksgiving since I can remember with him. It certainly made the day a little tougher. That night we watched the video from his funeral. It brought many a tear and a few smiles. Man, I miss him!

On to happier things, this weekend is fun filled. My cousin Holly is flying in and we are going to get my mom and dad's big tree and put it up. Molli's birthday is this weekend as well which just gives us an excuse to eat cake :) Then on Sunday we are dedicating Thomas at church. I'm so excited about this, he'll be so surrounded by family who love him and will help him grow in the Lord. Plus my Aunt Carol is letting me use the christening gown that my Uncle Tommy wore...another Thomas Michael. That is so special to me. I'll be sure to take pictures of that great day.

Alright well Laundry beckons...till then.....

I haven't written anything in so long....guess it's time!

We're doing well in Battle Creek. Matt just finished a week of vacation where we just bummed around, did some Christmas shopping, got some projects done around the house and just generally enjoyed him being home. We're gearing up for Thanksgiving which promises to be a good time. The kids are so glad to have a few days away from school.

So other random things...

This morning as I am sitting here typing I hear yelling from upstairs. I knew Sydney was playing up there and so just kept an open ear. Soon I hear the yell get more frantic but I can't make out what she is saying. So I head upstairs to find her dangling from the bunkbeds, in clear distress. However, what she was yelling made me laugh so hard I had to catch my breath before rescuing her. "Ayudeme! Ayudeme!" For those of you non Dora/Diego watchers that means Help me in Spanish! I was laughing so hard. Thomas is getting bigger by the minute I think. He's gotten so chubby and so I've decided that I don't need to go to the gym as I can just so several reps of lifting him and be good to go. He's entered the cooing/smiling phase which I just love. We've been trying and trying to get a pic of him smiling but with our digital camera but by the time it takes the shot, he's done. But Matt finally got this one last night.....



Anyway, other than "doing life", we're god....happy Thanksgiving you all!!

This is what happens when you leave your 7 year old alone with your camera....





Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Right now I am crouched in the computer chair. As I was in the kitchen, I noticed the cats chasing something. IT'S A MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I am terrifed of mice! So now I am terrified to go in to the kitchen, Thomas is sleeping in my bedroom which I can only access through the kitchen...what am I going t do when he awakes?????? SOMEONE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darth Vader and his dragon take a break 

Princess Emma 

Dragon Sydney 

Go Molli go!! 

our spooky crew 

Well I survived.....barely :) Just kidding. Thomas finally settled down and I was able to determine that he was reacting to things I had eaten, guess I kind of went braindead about nursing there for a while! We had a great weekend with my grandma and aunt who were visiting from New York.

This week my mom and dad are on vacation so we are camping out at their house taking care of Noah. It's nice to be able to help out.The kids are so excited about being able to sleep over at Grandma's on school nights. I'm excited about sleeping in Grandma's big bed!!

Here are some pics from this weekend....and some new pics of Thomas for Kenny!!


Aunt Lisa and Noah


Noah got a hold of my camera and took over 100 pictures including about 30 of Molli

Emma playing




My little man


Our Chip

It started out well. Wednesday night Thomas slept five hours in a row. You remember those days?? First you freak out, thinking that something must be wrong with them, you check their breathing, etc. I was so thrilled. Of course I geared myself up for this to be a permanent thing. First mistake.....

Last night he did the normal 2 hour routine till 3:30....he refused to go back to sleep. Nor was he content to let me sleep. I tried for an hour to get him back to sleep....no luck. So I got up, changed him, swaddled him and put him in the swing. he konks out. Of course, now I am awake. Fast forward...now it's 10 PM and I've been up for 16 hours. Thomas is hysterically crying, nothing I try is working. Matt is in
Grand rapids and I am losing it....

Time for a real post I suppose...

Not too much going on in the Kurtz home. Matt is in Grand Rapids for the week for work so I am experiencing single parenthood. And let me just say, hats off to those of you who do this full time or have husbands who are away for long periods of time. Ugh. Even going to bed is hard.....

I had my 6 week postpartum checkup today. Can you all believe it's been 6 weeks already? Nothing like a pap smear to get your day going :) No matter how many times I have that done, it's so embarrassing. Ah well.

ok....what else. hmmmm....nothing. Wasn't that exciting??