Riordan turned 5 on December 8th but wait!

It has been nothing but sickness and utter inner chaos for me for 3 weeks :(

First! We had Riordan's birthday party on Dec 5th! So much fun!! His friends were so wonderful helping him celebrate such a momentous occasion and he was genuinely overjoyed the entire day. So happy for him!

So, I have had vertigo for 2 weeks exactly today, my SI Dysfunction struck up this past Thursday when Mike left town. The kids, except for Caden, were all sick with fevers, croup, ER visits, 2 am steam showers, throwing up, Tylenol chewables, missing school and pj's all week long.

And Riordan turned 5! Thankfully he wasn't sick yet, but did the very next day...

The week before, Thanksgiving week, I came home from Atlanta, sick. Fighting a sinus infection, I got to go out with a dear friend, Rebecca who was in town the night before Turkey day. Thankfully, Mike and I agreed getting AJ's to cater our dinner would be most wise. The food was fabulous but it was too much, in quantity. And the kids didn't really eat it. So from now on, no turkey.. Just going to grill steaks! I will make my potatoes and asparagus and there will be no food thrown away!

So back to Thanksgiving. That night, while sitting on the couch, I lean over to pick up Teagan and because of the way I was sitting, I torqued my back!! I couldn't move and was in the most scariest kind of pain. Not like my SI back pain, but ' I think I just did something that requires surgery' pain. We have Polar Express on that Saturday to go with our zoo and Uncle John, Aunt Amy, and Maddy!! This can't be happening!!!

Mike calls my PT and gets me in on Friday afternoon. Thankfully by the time my appointment had come around I finally could move, still with pain, but not excruciating.

But it's gets 'even better'.

Friday night Caden has his very first sleep over with his friend Michael. They both have been looking forward to it for weeks

Then Mike came down with the flu Friday night. We are still going!! I decided he can just sleep while I drive the whole way there and back, with my back in pain and a sinus infection.

We go to Polar Express and it was SO MUCH FUN! It was fantastic as much as Mike and I felt so horrible! We even got snow as we came off our trip to the North Pole. So much that the next morning there was plenty to play in!! It was sooooo cold, but the children absolutely loved it and I was so thankfully I thought ahead to bring gloves, snow jackets and hats!

As we were driving home and coming off the mountain, that's when the vertigo began for me. All the change of pressure I'm sure and the infection taking me down. Bad bad week for me. I put my life on complete hold and it's still on semi-hold. How can this work during the busiest time of the year not only for the Holidays but because my boys have their birthdays?!

But, I have amazing girls in my life both friends and helpers that I have relied on so much for the first time in my life, asking for help AND accepting it when offered. And that is how it has worked.

Yesterday was our much anticipated Boot Camp Babes Holiday Fundraiser: Babes for Babies. We raised money for Maggie's Place and had an adult evening in sophisticated attire and elegant dining with the girls and their hubbies. It was a night to remember and we raised a lot of money for a wonderful organization!! So proud of the entire affair!

This week will get busy so to begin at the beginning ;-)

Monday, Mike has a dinner meeting so I will be on my own all day with the zoo.

Tuesday we will celebrate Caden's birthday at school, a week early due to events and Holiday things all week at his school.

Tuesday evening, Riordan and Teagan have their Christmas Celebration at school where they will sing Christmas Carole's. So excited for this!

Wednesday Caden has Polar Express day at school! All day! PJ's, the book, hot chocolate, cookies and the movie in the afternoon! So fun! That night Mike has yet another dinner meeting.

Thursday, the last day of school before Christmas break, Mike and I are making Gingerbread houses with Riordan and Teagan at their school and then heading to Caden's school for their Holiday party/presentation of songs. And a much over due date night that evening for us.

Friday we take a breath.

Saturday is Caden's birthday party with his friends and then Saturday night is a birthday celebration for a friend's 40th birthday!!

Sunday, YES it's not over! I have BCB's Holiday Ornament and cookie exchange in the evening

Monday: CADEN turns 7! Weeeee!!

So the latest and greatest with the children:

Caden: They won the Superbowl for his football team and this past Saturday they had a SUPREMACY bowl. Both winning SE Chandler leagues played against each other and Caden's team won!! They got trophy's and medals and of course bragging rights. ;-) Caden and his friend Dominick move up in age groups so it will probably be challenging for them! It will be nice I think.

Riordan: Still trying to find a niche' for him.. He did not do piano after all and we even tried a general music class but he was too anxious about it :( He is a builder, loves to do Legos, and he loves to play the Wii. He is pretty good for just turning 5 if I do say myself. So not sure what to do with him now. I feel bad he doesn't have an activity. He is however, very happy these days, and I love love watching him at school because he is nothing but one big smile and lots of laughter. Just joy!

Teagan: She has just blossomed both at school and at dance. She is registered to do cheerleading while Caden plays football but she is now saying she doesn't want to do it! Of course ;-) She cracks me up lately she has become quite the little comedian. AND she is finally into her hair! She let's me blow it dry and she requests brushing and pretties now! YAY!! Today is the first time she request a dress for church, but I don't know what's happened, I don't have any! LOL Time to go shopping I guess! She is such a good big sister and is very thoughtful of everyone in our family. She is still the boss too!

Aislinn: Has been calling Naked, 'Caden' for about a month now. And Ju Ju, Julie and Jo Jo, Josie. She literally woke up one day and it was as if she had always been doing it. Caden of course was thrilled. Her foot is very healed too! On Thanksgiving day she walked, and without her boot, after two weeks from her fall! It was like a Christmas Miracle, ha! It was painful for her and to watch, but she was so proud and exclaimed, Me walking! Me Walking! Today, she is back to running and no hint of pain in her foot. So thankful for great care and insight from my friend and her doctor!

So I lay in bed, now for a few hours, praying for complete healing in my back and for the vertigo to go away. I got really down in the dumps with everything, but I am thankful for the roof over my house and food on my table. I know I will heal and I know life will get back on track ;-)