~* Sickness AgAiN! *~

Wow ~ a lot has gone on in our house since my last post! As reported earlier, Ethan had an ear infection and was being treated for it.....as time went on, he wasn't getting any better! So on Friday I took him back to the doctor! Amoxicillian just didn't cut it and NOW he has a double ear infection! In fact, the one was so bad that the doctor just couldn't believe he wasn't more miserable than he was! I don't think Ethan can get much more miserable than he was!!! More sleepless nights at our house :) Many of you that know me well, know that I DON'T DO WELL WITHOUT SLEEP! My wonderful mother came over yesterday to give me a break from the madness to go to the Outlets with a friend! It was nice to get away ~ and still be able to keep Ethan at home all weekend! Now today, I thought he was on the UPSWING ~ but now he has a terrible bout of diarrhea ......... when I say terrible.....I mean soak through the diaper terrible! It will get better!

On a better note, this week starts the last marking period of the school year! YIPPPEEEE! Nine weeks left! 45 days to be exact! Summer is not too far away!

You are all probably wondering how Ava is doing ~ she has fit right into our house! She is pretty much the princess of our world and is pretty much the most perfect cat you could ask for! I have NEVER been much for animals, but Ava is truly loved by me! Even Kurt is loving her! She had her first bath tonight! As Garrett stated "she looked like a drowned rat!" She didn't seem to mind it at all! With all the hair, I think baths will be a frequent!

I hope this finds everyone doing and staying well! Pray for little Ethan to get over this nonsense!

~* Meet Miss Ava Ruby *~

Meet our newest addition! This is Miss Ava Ruby, our new Persian kitten :) We went to get her last night and she is fitting right in at our house! Ethan is a true animal lover and could have brought all 4 of the kittens home with him! Instead of riding in the cage that we got for her, she preferred to ride on Ethan's lap the whole way home.....he preferred this as well! Even Garrett is being so loving to her,which is great because he is never nice to animals! Let's hope it continues to go well! They boys cried and cried this morning about leaving her home all day alone, however I am sure she will welcome the much needed break from all the "attention!" I hope to get some better pictures of her tonight! Enjoy!

~* The LePreChAuNs Came! *~

We had a pretty fun day at our house yesterday ~ the Leprechauns came and left the boys some goodies....he also left quite a mess behind!

That tricky thing even PEED in our toilet!

Stay tuned for a special post tomorrow! Our family is getting a new member...........

~* A Big ThAnK YoU !! *~

This a big Thank You to my aunts: Susan, Judy, Connie and Randi for a fun-filled day at Splash Lagoon on Sunday! We took a day trip this past Sunday and had a great time :) Unfortunately Ethan was not feeling well, so him and I made a trip down to the mall while Grandma stayed and let the other 3 swim! FUN was had by all! Thank goodness I didn't let Ethan swim, it ends up that he has an ear infection.....uuuuggghhhh! We have had a couple sleepless nights!

We will be going back to Splash Lagoon in the near future to use the rest of our gift cards for an overnight stay! We will wait until everyone is WELL! Thanks again for the great Christmas gift! It was very much ENJOYED!

~* Walk for Autism *~

I have exciting news to share! On June 13, 2009 my coworkers and I are headed to Pittsburgh to do the Walk for Autism that benefits the Autsim Now foundation! Autism is something that is very close to my heart, as I deal with many children everyday on the spectrum! In September, I will be certified as an Autism Specialist, along with a good friend of mine Erin! We have been taking these post-master's courses through Penn State together and it has been a trip! Not a trip that I would want to go on again, if you get the drift :) Anyways, I am collecting donations for this worthwhile cause.....you can donate directly online through this link :

http://www.walknowforautism.org/pittsburgh/shawnconway

It is for a great cause!! I can only pray that during my lifetime they will find a cause and a cure for this spectrum disorder! Any amount will help!! Thanks for considering!

~* KiNdErGaRtEn Registration *~

Can you believe it? Garrett had to go to Kindergarten registration today :) I do not know where the last 5 years has gone! It is hard to believe that the time is here ~ in one way it is exciting, in another way it is sad that time is passing us by so quickly! He was excited about it!

Thanks for all the prayers for Julie! The news is that she is doing WONDERFUL! Way better than expected I guess! Tentative plans include her getting out of the hospital within the week! Her mom said that the boys were going to see her today for the first time, so I hope that visit went well! She was moved out of ICU on Saturday :) She has a long road ahead of her, I am sure!

This is the big kindergartner-to-be himself and the "wanna be kindergartner" on our last night in Florida! Ethan says "Me kindergarten?" "Me?" Have a great week!

~* Prayers Needed *~

This post is a little out of the ordinary ~ however the more prayers the better :) A girl that I went to high school with is getting a HEART TRANSPLANT today! She is a mother of 2 young boys and a wife! It is so exciting for her as she has lived with a heart problem all her life! It is ironic as she was at the parent meeting at St. Pat's school last night ..... both of her boys attend there! They had a very successful benefit dinner for her a short 5 days ago ~ which was great timing! She was in great spirits last night not knowing that today would be the DAY! So, when you retire for the evening please say an extra prayer for her, her boys and the rest of her family! Thanks!

~* Vacation Seems Like FOREVER Ago! *~

WOW! It has been so long since I posted on here! I wanted to get more pics of our vacation up for you all to see, but I have been overwhelmed since I got back! Missing a week at work was ALOT! But, I think things are now back to what we refer to as "normal"! It seems like days come and go......and I never quite get much accomplished! But, they say that is how life goes :)

As for today, it was a special day ~ DR. SEUSS'S BIRTHDAY! Garrett has ALWAYS been a fan of Suess and each year we usually do something special for his birthday! Thanks to a great friend at school, tonight was no different! When I got home, we made CAT Hats for the occasion. For dinner, Garrett and I cooked Green Eggs and Ham and for an after dinner treat....we played Dr. Seuss Dominoes! For bed, Garrett has his favorite Suess books already picked out! His all-time favorite is "Green Eggs and Ham", which I am positive we will read first! It was a fun evening :) Our home is turning into a HAVEN! Right Erin & Michelle :)

I hope to be back on track and posting more often! Not much has happened with us since our vacation.....enjoy the photos of our "Suess Night"!