Christmas Traditions. Part 1.

Every year, I buy the kids a new Christmas outfit.

I almost forgot this year with all of our crazy illnesses and I almost decided that it wasn't a necessity (WHAT???). But it just didn't seem like Christmas without out them, so I busted my butt on over to The Children's Place last weekend.

And to my surprise, the older boys actually "liked" their new clothes (because "they're black").

I tried to get a spiffy pic of the kids together, but it didn't really worked out...However...individually, they shined...
I may be biased, but I think I've got some good looking kids!! You can be the judge, but just keep your opinions to yourself!

Holiday Lovin'

I can't believe that 2008 is closing.

I just wanted to wish everyone some happy holidays. Our Christmas card list grew this year because of new "online" friends, re-connections with past friends and our ward split...however our budget did NOT grow, so my apologies if you did not receive a Christmas card from the Kunzs. Just know that we love you still the same!! And digital will just have to do!

Happiness

10 years ago, I was as happy as I thought I could ever be...
10 years later, I'm even happier...

Happy Anniversary, Rob. I love you.

Slang

Jared and I now have a new appreciation for the slang "toss your cookies." As much as we love all of the Christmas cookies in our home(from the cookie exchange), they can go now.

We have tossed them, we're ready to toss them and when we're better we'll hopefully not be so fully disgusted by the thought of cookies that we'll want to literally toss the rest of them.

Good news, though...Rob is coming home a day early. Lucky him!

Imitating Life

There are so many new discoveries I have come across while raising a daughter.

My boys version of pretend play consists of crushing dinosaur battles and blood drawing light saber wars.

Anna enjoys doing the every day things like grabbing her doll by the hair and dragging her around the house (okay, so that's not an every day thing--at least not around here).

She loves to sweep, set the table, get dressed (she's a much better dresser then her brother who is two years older than her), and even this morning she was pretending to get her nebulizer treatment all ready!

But never fear, my daughter is not only a domestic goddess in the works, she's also been found clicking away on the computer...I wonder what she's pretending to do...digital scrapbooking or programming?

Just counting my blessings...

Rob
Mary Jeanne
Diane
Delilas
Denise
Lenee
Emily
Lia and Chris
Sue and Tony
Jeff
Brian
Marlene
Julie
Jean
Leanne
Tyler
Jared
Evan
Becky
Mom
Susanne
Wendy
Mike and Diane
Erica
Melanie :>)
and more...

E-mails, phone calls, blog, forum and facebook messages, food, errands, babysitting, etc...I have been so overwhelmed with the kindness and compassion of our family and friends. It truly is humbling.

I have been thinking a lot today about the talk from General Conference give by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland called "The Ministry of Angels."

I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.
...God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face.

Anna is doing better. Her oxygen levels were higher when she went in for her recheck (so we escape a hospital stay) and her sweet personality is finally coming back. She'll receive nebulizer treatments round the clock (every four hours) for the next few days. Sleep however has been difficult for her, but we seem to be going uphill!

Thank you for all of your support.

No rest for the weary, but this isn't about me (or is it?)...

I keep thinking about "finding joy in the journey"...haven't found it yet...at least not today, at least not during this journey...

As much as I do NOT love my toddlers tantrum phase (as seen in the above photo), I'd take it over my lethargic, rapid breathing toddler who I've been worried sick about. After Denise returned from her ER visit, she took Evan for me so I could take Anna back to the doctors.

At first they thought pneumonia, then they mentioned "doing our best to keep her out of the hospital"--nothing a tired, alone and concerned mommy wants to hear.

The conclusion is most likely RSV/Bronchiolitis.

She'll love the albuteral/nebulizer treatments every four hours (even through the night--no joy there) and then a follow up visit tomorrow morning--with strict instructions to take her to the ER if anything changes for the worse.

Keep her in your prayers. You can throw one up for me, too.

Living like a rockstar!

We had a few fun sessions of Guitar Hero World Tour while at my parents house this past weekend. The kids sat by and patiently watched, dying to put their own musical skills to the test. Finally, we let them have a chance.

Needless to say, they LOVED it (it has in fact made it on Tyler and Jared's Christmas list--little do they know that it was already on ours and is currently hidden in the basement...shhhhh)! Tyler loved bass, Jared guitar, and Evan on mic.

A few days ago, Evan asked to call his Grandpa Happy to see if he could buy the microphone off him. Evan wouldn't settle for a "fake" microphone--like a brush or a light saber--nope, had to be the real deal. I made him a deal that if he'd sleep in his room all night (rather then sleeping on the floor in mine after he wakes up in the middle of the night...grrrr...) then I'd get him a microphone (dollar store version). He slept in his bed all night!!!...

I think he's a natural!

Jared had to make a musical instrument for school. Of course, he wanted a "cool" guitar. So we came up with something "cool" in his eyes! Oh, those eyes! What a creative kid!

I fully claim this child as my own!! Always more fun when you're dressed the part!

Which now leads to our new rock star duo...

What should their band name be?? Suggestions?

They sure did have a great time tonight. There favorite numbers are Eye of the Tiger and Imperial March.




Rock On!

My Secret Agent Man

Well, Rob is gone AGAIN--what a crappy time of year to take off! Thankfully, I have the greatest husband in the world and he put up the tree and Christmas lights before he left and did a lot of the family Christmas shopping (crazy, I know)!

Before we left on our trip to PA, Rob had to pick up a "secret" package from his work. He needed to take this with him to Japan, but it COULD NOT leave his sight. He could not sleep while the package was in his possession. He could not leave it in the car or with me if he pumped gas or took the boys to use the bathroom--it had to remain with him at all times. He carried it around in a backpack all the way to PA. So to refrain from total teasing at the hands of my Dad and brothers, Rob delivered the package to King of Prussia after we arrived at my parents--to be watched under lock and key until he could pick it up on the way to the Philly airport on Saturday morning. Could you see him playing in the Turkey Bowl with his SECRET package on his back? Or going to the movies with it, playing Guitar Hero while wearing a backpack, eating Thanksgiving dinner,...HAHA!! Good thing Rob had a great sense of humor about it!!!

Never left his back!!!Off to ditch the SECRET package!Cloak and Dagger

Gifted and Talented??

Tyler and Jared both participate in the START program at school (gifted and talented). Now, this is by no means a post to brag on my kids, but in fact it is quite the opposite.

Lately, I've been wondering if my children should really be in this program. I definitely do think that my kids are "smart" (when they choose to be), but isn't the gifted and talented program supposed to be more than that? It almost seems like half the kids in my boys classes are in the program. And are my kids "outside of the box" thinkers. Sure they're good readers, wiz's in the math department and very obedient (at school)--but "outside of the box"??? I wasn't convinced. UNTIL...

Before we left to Pennsylvania, I noticed that Jared had shoved all of his Sunday clothes into his pajama drawer. I reminded him that Sunday clothes get hung up in the closet and that he needed to go upstairs and hang his clothes up. Fast forward to this morning when I went into his closet to find and iron some of the Sunday clothes. This is what I found...I really couldn't complain. He did what I asked him to do.

Outside of the box?

Most definitely.

Growing Pains

Mike from the hypochondroplasia yahoo group posted a message last week about an article that would be posted in the Washington Post Magazine on Sunday, November 30th. We don't normally receive our Sunday paper on Saturday, so I was excited when I got home from our long drive to find it in the driveway. After I sent the kiddos to bed, I pulled out the magazine and started reading. I haven't finished the article, yet, but I thought I'd pass it on to you, so you can have the opportunity to read it, too.

Growing Pains by Caitlin Gibson

I guess limb lengthening is a controversial topic in the dwarfism community. And I can understand why, but I always enjoy hearing both sides. Caitlin Schroeder has hypochondroplasia like Evan does and so far it has been interesting reading her perspective on dwarfism as a teenager. She seems like a smart girl who has thought this through and is very fortunate to have supportive and understanding parents. I look forward to reading the rest of the article and seeing the outcome. I can't wait to hear what you think about it!

You are now entering...

I never thought I'd be a fan of a teenage based book about vampires...BUT I was sucked in (HAHA). I'll admit, I don't think the books were necessarily well written and I was a bit disappointed in the ending of the last book, but they were a great way to pass away the end of the summer, without having to think too much. And it had me anxiously awaiting the Twilight movie.

My movie review in brief (without giving away too much)...

I saw the movie last night with 5 other women and 5 teenage girls. If you liked/loved the books, I don't think you'll be disappointed...if you keep in mind that these books were written for a teenage girl audience. Thus, expect LOTS of squeals and oohs and aahs throughout the entire movie. If you haven't read the book, you may think the acting is not so good, but I was impressed with some of character portrayals--especially Bella's.

Hopefully, the movie will make enough money to support making New Moon, but I must say that I hope there will be enough money to improve on the special effects and make-up. The running/tree scenes were cheesy. If using the effects in Twilight, I can only imagine how hokey it will be watching Jacob turn into a wolf! Oh and the make-up was awful. Just awful! I could barely look at the character Carlisle. And Edwards lipstick--smooth it out, dude. And the shimmery sunlight deal, not how imagined it.

But all in all, I enjoyed the movie. I stayed awake--which speaks volumes for me!! I'd even see it again. Maybe Rob will go with me this time!!!

Have you seen it yet? What did you think?

Who Me?

I love this look on Evan..."I don't know what you're talking about. I'd never make this kind of mess."
Actually, they're both guilty of tearing apart the house today (what is in the picture is only a small fraction of the disaster zone). But I guess I'm somewhat guilty, too, because they were 100% supervised during the process...by me.

I just don't care today. I don't care that all of the clean laundry is strewn around the house or that all of the napkins are shredded into teeny tiny pieces all over.

These two have become the best of friends lately--I guess that's all that really matters right now.
My problem is that I really do need to keep a close eye on them...they're too cute for their own good!

Tantrum in Photos

You can think I'm the worst mom ever...I don't care.

I just had to document and share a full fledged Anna tantrum! She's 19 months old now, so hopefully this is "it"--the terrible two's. Let's hope she gets it out of her system quickly.
Stomping her feet...
Even jumping up and down...But I must say, she is cute as can be with those little piggy tails poking out of the top of her head!!All it takes is a quick cuddle to calm her down (but don't get too excited because it starts all over again a few minutes later)!!

I sure do love this girl!!

FHE...Kunz Style

Monday night is family night (we call it FHE or Family Home Evening). Sometimes we have a little lesson. Sometimes we just play a game together. Sometimes we just have a special treat. Often, we use this time to teach our children about important issues that arise within our family (i.e. an example of this is found in here). Tonight will be one of those nights, but we're keeping it short and sweet.

Scripture:
Matthew 15:2 "...for they wash not their hands when they eat bread."
Luke 11:38 "And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
2 Corinthians 7:1 "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh"

Activity:
Washing our hands.






Here's to a sick free week at the Kunz household.

I am only one month (or so) away from celebrating my 1 year anniversary to blogging--haha! Any reason to celebrate!!

Katie (in this post here) encouraged her readers to go back and re-read their blogs from the start. I took her up on this challenge. So, I will now bore you with my deep thoughts...

• I actually kept some of my New Years Resolutions and so did my children. I didn't think I'd be able to keep up with the whole blogging thing, but I did!! And how grateful am I to now have this record of the past year--the good and the bad.
• It's been a great year! We've been able to travel, the kids are doing well, we've avoided major health issues, we've survived my husband's traveling, our house is coming together, etc, etc...I really can't complain. 2008 has been very good to us.
  
• My technical skills are improving. The fact that I can even navigate around my blog (and yours) is AMAZING. And now I can even use PhotoShop without screaming at the computer--what a difference a year makes!!
• I am so grateful to blogging for introducing me to others in the dwarfism community. I have learned so much from them and I know that their support is only one click away. I used to think it was weird that people had "Internet friends" but now I'm one of them.
• And a year ago, I had NO IDEA that there was a whole cyber world of digital scrappers out there. I've enjoyed being a part of this community and have enjoyed doing something for "me". Everybody needs their "me" time and this year I've learned to make it a priority for my sanity and my family's)--but everything in moderation, of course. I wonder if next year I'll be attending an on-line scrapper addicts anonymous courses!!??!!
• I have a great life. I really do.
• I look forward to 2009.
  

I've been sucked in...

Every so often I get bit by the nostalgia bug. I'll reflect on high school (but not TOO much because I hated it), Ricks College, BYU before my mission, my 18 months as a missionary in Paris, BYU post-mission. Each of these time periods helped make me who I am today (take it or leave it) and all of the people I acquainted myself with, hold a special place in my...sap, sap, but it's true...heart. I would never trade where I am now to go back to any of these times, but occasionally I think and wonder about what my mission companions and district Elders are up to or where my college roommates are living, what their families are like, if they've still kept the same quirky qualities that I loved. I wish I had been able to keep in contact over the years with all of them, but to be honest...there aren't enough hours in the day.

When I started blogging, I started to reconnect with some of them and now that my eyes have been open to Facebook, people from my past have been flying out of the woodwork and I must say that I love it!! That's all I needed...just a little glimpse to know that they're fine, an occasional post "wall-to-wall", a way to still feel connected to the past while living in the present.

Okay, enough cheese for now...more to come tomorrow.

Where Has Autumn Gone?

I wish time would just pause a moment and wait for me. My favorite season of the year seems to be breezing by and I'm getting left behind. Time to take a deep breath, step back and enjoy it a bit.

The temperature is in the mid-70's today. The skies are blue. The leaves are falling and their colors are beautiful. AND I'm finally starting to feel better. Evan, too, is on the mend. We both finally had a restful night of sleep. Antibiotics are a godsend. I think a walk is in order today! I could use some fresh air!!

On another note...isn't this pumpkin awesome--no, not just because of it's extremely cool coloring, but because of the design. My husband has some mad carving skills. Can you tell who it is? He wasn't too sure about it and actually "forgot" to bring it in at the Trunk or Treat, but I think it looks great. We've even had a few threats about it disappearing from our porch...you know who you are--we're watching you!

Our mischievous plan

We love our neighbors. Have I ever told you that before?

We don't want them to leave.

So, when my child built this in our front yard......I let it stay! This beautiful masterpiece was built by Tyler and used for this (in case you were wondering)...So, if you drive by and see this atrociousness, please remember that it is our last hope.

We are desperate here!

And we apologize to all of our other neighbors who have to look at it.








P.S. On a side note, if you're looking for a home, we know of a great one. The neighbors are awesome!! (Do you believe me?)

SCORE!

This is a post "Melanie style"! Check out the sweet deals I got. I had a few minutes before picking up the preschool kids today, so I thought I'd peruse the Target aisles. I must have looked like a zombie because I've been feeling like crap today, but there is nothing like a 75% OFF sale to perk me up a bit!! And the kids were even more excited then I was once they saw the goods!
T-shirt for Anna
Lighted Vine Tree for the porch
Door mat
Ghost pillow
3 glow-in-the-dark pillowcases for the boys
spider web
spiders for the web
pumpkin carving patterns and tools
3 big bags of fruit snacks (I was So good and passed on the candy--at 90% off, it may be a different story)
6 12 hour burning jack-o candles
Paper plates and napkins for Mummy dog night
8 melamine dishes for spooky dinner
2 awesome decorative pears (my favorite deal)
1 decorative green pumpkin
4 hand towels
4 wash clothes
Halloween party invitations
2 small serving bowls

I'm still giddy over my deals!!