The Ickies have arrived!!!

Well it is true. The ICKIES are here!!!! I guess it is not too bad, considering it has been almost 3 weeks since school has started. Bryan was the 1st one down, Tanner right behind, Hunter and Cassie now, still waiting for the other two to start showing signs!!! The good news is.... it does not seem to be completely horrible or last too long. Futhermore..... if you can look this "cool" sick why not try it out. :>

Hoping all our PEEPS stay well!!

Malts Make Everything Better!!!

This is the face of my brave little man!!! Bryan has had some strange "throwing" up attacks. As I monitored them for about a year and tried to figure out what was going on or what might be triggering them I started to get "concerned". So I finally decided it was time to rule out the scary possibilities. Off to the doctor we go. They were not sure what was going on either so over to the lab to draw blood. 4 vials! He did his best to put on his brave face and no tears!!! (I was so impressed because I don't do needles. It does not matter how many times I have been poked I still HATE them, so he was much more brave than I have ever been!)

We finally get the labs back and instead of having answers..... we only have more questions. This time they want to see him back and also do an upper GI. No food or drink for 12 hours, (which seems to set off the issue for us ) but we follow directions and head to that appointment and then back to the doctor's office. Of course, they were behind schedule so now he is starving as it is almost noon. She wants more blood work. Really?!?! Back to the lab we go.

This time the nurse cannot find a vein. She has poked but nothing so she starts to move the needle around in hopes of getting something without having to poke again. I can see the look on my little man's face and big tears starting to form in those gorgeous blue eyes. (for the record... Bryan is the only one who can make me feel bad about anything, those eyes kill me everytime!) I go over and hold him and tell him it is okay to cry and down come the tears. The dear nurse apologizes and explains that since he is fasting he is a bit dehydrated and she has to try again. I can see the fear in his eyes. I want her to take my blood instead but that won't work. So with his lip quivering she goes to the other arm. Luckily it worked. 3 more vials of blood.

Of course, after that I do the only thing I know how to make everything better. Yup you guessed it, my favorite ice cream treat..... MALTS!!! Yes indeed. We have a winner!!! He even looks happy!!! Some days it is so hard to be the Mom!!! I hate to see them hurt and not be able to do something to make it all go away. As for the answers........ we are still waiting for labs to come back, however we are getting closer to figuring it out and the "scary" stuff has all been ruled out!!! But my friends.... never underestimate the healing power of ICE CREAM!!!

1st Day of School 2011

Where did my little ones go? I cannot believe how fast they grow up. And knowing I am 100% biased...... What a great looking group of kids!!


Tanner 5th Grade Hunter 4th Grade

Cassie 2nd Grade Nathan 2nd Grade


Jayson 2nd Grade Bryan 2nd Grade

Jayson told me Sunday..... "my feet are excited for the 1st day of school, but not the rest of me". By morning the rest of hi was excited but you can see nervous on his face. Luckily, they all had a great day and love their teachers. This is the 1st year that they have been able to go back to the same school for a 3rd year. I am so relieved for them!!!

Saw this quote on my calendar and want to always remember it......" Over and over again, my children open my eyes to places and pleasures I might have otherwise missed altogether."- Katrina Kenison

May you all remember to enjoy life through the eyes "little ones"!!!!

Oh how quickly things change!!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!! (and Happy Birthday Shaylee!!!!)

On Saturday as the temperature guage was reaching numbers we would rather not mention......... we decided to get a pool for the young ones. We looked, and looked and looked some more. Finally, we decided on this one! ( since it was marked way down, gotta love clearance sales) What a great way for the kids to spend the final weeks of their summer vacations staying cool. (Right) First day ...... purchase and set up. Second day.......... play 2x even though the water was so cold they thought they would die.


Day 3....... Wait all day for it the water to be a little warmer and the weather a bit less windy. Loving every minute.... laughing...... having a great time......... And what in the world goes wrong?!?!?!?!?!

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This is where the really big........ WRONG, comes into play. Really have no idea what in the world happend. I was watching from the deck above so I could see what everyone was doing and where they were. No one was holding on to the edge.....no one was climbing out.....no earthquake......NOTHING. Immediate flood. And so there began the waterworks and blame games. When I mention waterworks....... I am not referring to the flooding water that is now in my garage and down the street! :>

Of course, being a holiday there is absolutely no one you can contact about your fun adventure that might just ruin your day of fun. And ruin it it did........ I have once again relaimed the "meanest mom ever title". Not sure why exactly..... as I was not the one to break it.

I will call tomorrow and see what the "company's policy" will be.

And for the record.......let this be known....... this is called the "Kearl Factor!!!" Perhaps we should take my maiden name. :> Happy 4th our friends!!! (we hope you survived with no pool explosions!!!)

Birthday Surprise!

One of the things that is great about our six-pack........... is when kids need a birthday party all they have to do is invite us!!! So, of course, it only makes sense to celebrate my nieces birthdays (July 4th and August 9th ) while we are in town. Aunt Elizabeth did not disappoint and made it happen. I do think she is the "favorite"!!!





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Now if we could get her to come to California and plan some more parties it would be fantastic (her favorite word!).

Sprinkler Fun!!

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Kids are having a blast!!! They will always remember the fun that they have had with their cousins!!!! We hope everyone else is enjoying themselves as much as we are!!!

Teeth Numbers 5 & 6

Bryan was my tooth hold out. The only one of the six not in braces or jaw expanders. I loved having at least one with the "baby" look still. Well no more!!!! I had been warned by the dentist and our ortho that once they started falling out........ Well it would happen fast. But I had no idea it would be this fast. Two teeth in three days. Wow, if he keeps it up he will no teeth left. We may have to look at dentures. :>

Unfortunately, the teeth coming in are SO much bigger than the spaces . So I had to call and make his ortho appointment. I am sure he will be in an expander before the summer is over. Six kids all in some phase of orthodontic care. Hmmmm...... Crazy!!! (seriously... where did these big kids come from, it seems like just yesterday I was so sleep deprived that I barely remember changing diapers all the time. )