Where does the time go? A lot has happened since the last post. First, my first love/baby, River, got glaucoma. I didn't think this was possible with a dog that isn't even 6 but it is. She is now blind in her left eye. The ophthalmologist (yeah, didn't know there was such a thing for dog's either) told us that it really would be a matter of time (6 months to 2 years) before it happened to her other eye. It is very sad for us. We are now trying to decide what to do with her bad eye since it costs a lot of money. We really don't have too many options. The main one is to remove the eye because it is painful for her. So now we have to bite the bullet and remove the eye. You have to understand, River is beautiful. When I had my little babies, I had thought that for sure people would stop and ask about my babies but that never happened. Time and time again people would ask us what kind of dog River was and would comment on her cute "foxy" face. So, for this to happen to her is sad because people probably won't be able to see past her bad eye. Poor thing. Luckily, for now she is in good spirits and still loves her family. I will live even if people don't comment on River anymore. Maybe they'll pay attention to the rest of my family now.

Things really had not been going too well for us. In a month we had both of our cars break down, River's glaucoma, kids were sick with ear infections, and if that wasn't enough the IRS wanted proof of childcare payments (which is RIDICULOUS!). Needless to say it was a rough patch. But now, things seem to be better, despite the fact that is is STILL raining and it is June 15th! Matthew went to Mexico and found a really nice place for us to live in and I am finally not scared anymore. I feel like a pawn in the Lord's hand, and I am totally okay with that.

I've attached a picture of River with her bad eye. And the others are of my kids because they are too cute. Eva adds the spunk to our lives with her cowboy hat, ballerina tutu, pajama ensemble before bedtime. Not to mention the fact that she is practicing her ballet moves. And Elijah, well, what's there not to love about a chunky kid in robot pajamas? I LOVE my kids.

Elijah's ONE

What a crazy month. First, on May 2nd, our Elijah turned ONE. It is both exciting and a little sad to see my baby get older on me. He has been so fun to have around. It is crazy to think that a year ago he was 7 lbs. 11 oz., born four weeks early and now he is a stunning 32.5 lbs. He is almost five times as big. That can't be normal. But we still love him. We lucked out on the weather for his birthday. It was a beautiful, sunny day. The first in a long time. April really did bring the showers. I went with the chunky monkey theme, and even made monkey cupcakes out of fondant. They turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself.

A couple days later Eva had her first ballet recital. She was gorgeous as usual but quite the timid one. At one point, her cute friend, Camille, had to help her face the audience when Eva had her back to the crowd. Then when it was time for her to go across the stage on her own, her technique was great but it was like she had on her mind, how the heck can I get from point A to point B the fastest? She was so serious and we just couldn't help but laugh. Good thing she couldn't see us. Nevertheless, I was so proud of her.

And the last is just another picture of Eli. I keep thinking to myself that I too must have done the same things to my brothers since I had no sister. And, while at times I think that maybe, just maybe it was too bad Elijah wasn't a girl for Eva's sake, I quickly think instead of all the fun times I have had having just bros. And now, as one of mine is engaged (YEAH Ricky and Keri!! It's about time...) I think this will be the time in my life when I finally get my sister, with more to come I am sure.

Life is good...crazy, but good

These are just some cute pictures of the kids. The first is of Eva wearing her "make-up," which is really a Burt's chapstick I got from a fun girl's night this past weekend. But of course it is hers now and she loves to apply and re-apply some more. The second is self-explanatory. That chunk is a goof ball! And lastly a picture of Eva's snowman. You might have to enlarge it to see her awesome detail. My favorites are the two cheeks (circles on the face). Then, if you look carefully there is a slight oval underneath the mouth that is it's chin. The horizontal lines are the stomach and there is a small point for the belly button and the vertical lines on top of the stomach is the shirt. I LOVE kid drawings, especially my own.

We had a great Easter this year. We are still trying to work on our traditions and we actually had too many things to do this year that we had to do some of them on Monday too. But that was okay. It was fun to paint eggs, make cookies and chocolate covered pretzels. Funny thing was we got the Easter basket but the weather wasn't cooperating all that much that we didn't even look for eggs. Eva didn't mind though. She filled some plastic eggs herself and put them in her basket. I think that might have been more fun than the alternative.

I can't believe it is already April. Before I know if it will be June and the school year will be over. How does that happen? Not to mention the fact that my chunky monkey turns ONE next month! Wasn't he just born?

Well, I'm going to go now and recover from the fact that time goes by too quickly for my like sometimes. But before I do I didn't ever get a chance to post this bottom picture of Elijah on St. Patrick's day that I thought was hilarious. Eva and I think he is such a tool sometimes :) Poor kid!

These past couple of days have been kind of crazy. Friday night we took Eva to the ER because we thought she was having an asthma attack but a 50 dollar copay, four stickers and a little stuffed dog later, she had croup again. She seems to get that a lot. She seemed to be getting better but then Monday she had a fever all day that wouldn't stop. So, four hours later in the urgent care room with a 105 degree temperature little girl on my hands, they told me she had the onset of an earache and treated her for that. She is getting better, thank goodness, but man, we realize how much more fun she is when she is feeling healthy.

Meanwhile, Elijah, while still chunky, is managing to get all around the house and getting into trouble. Monday when we were trying to get Eva to urgent care, he decided he was going to get into his bag, pull out the formula, open the container, and begin to eat the powder and smear it all over the place. He makes us laugh! I was worried about him not moving sooner, but I'm thinking I'm in for it now with his mischievous little personality.

(I love that second picture where you can see him trying to lick that formula off his face. You would think we starve the kid, or something.)

Got the latest stats on our chunky monkey this past Thursday. Elijah will be 10 months on Tuesday and he is off the charts.

Height 2 feet 7 in. (98%)

Weight 29 lbs. 11 oz. (100%)

Noggin' 19.76 in. (100%)

How do I carry him you ask? Ergo Carrier!

Enjoy his yummy rolls :)

At the Guadalajara Temple in Mexico. I didn't edit that sky...

My beautiful Eva in her dancing attire.

Our chunky monkey. It's what we call this kid. Not sure where he learned that goofy smile.

Eva's cute hair. We always get some tears when I do her hair because it's still curly.

Eva showing me her dance moves.

Seems like January was a crazy month seeing as to the fact that tomorrow February starts. I can't even believe that I am saying that. Our kids are cuter than ever, of course! Elijah continues to grow like a gigantic weed. In fact, people comment that the poor kid should be carrying me around. Not true of course, because he can't even crawl let alone walk even though he will be 9 months on the 2nd. He makes the funniest faces, has the funniest laugh and loves his big sister to death. He is starting to get that stranger anxiety thing, which in a way make me feel good to know that he know his little family enough to be comforted by use whenever someone he's not sure of wants to hold him. I think we have an appointment for him soon and then I will really know if I am right when I say he's gotta weigh 26 or 27 pounds. He's definately solid.

Eva started dance classes this month, thanks to her little girlfriend's mom who takes her for me. She loves it! It is fun to see her little moves. She also started primary. She is so sweet singing the songs that she knows. Today she was supposed to give the opening prayer during primary but chickened out. Regardless, I am impressed with her and her ability to learn all that she does. She currently loves watching the nutcracker, that her aunt Sandy(well, really Matthew's aunt) gave her and playing "you wanna go on a bear hunt, yes we do!" Thanks to her daycare, Pam, she know that one. Elijah, Eva and I have fun doing that one around the house.

In January, Matthew and I (Nana came and watched the kids, THANKS again for that one Carla) went to Guadalajara and spent four days there checking out the city where soon we will spend the next 4 years of our lives. It was fun to be there and see the school. Matthew got into the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He's finally going to get to live his dream of becoming a doctor! We are proud of him and grateful that Mexico is giving him the chance to fulfill this desire of his to help people. I'm scared but know that this will be the best thing for our family. Besides, I keep getting the impression that everything is going to be okay, and that brings me great comfort.

For now, we keep going about our lives, enjoying our kids and taking everything one step at a time.