The Flu & Our Minivan

This past week we have had the flu. None were spared, we all had it. It is a ferocious virus, and we had all the symptoms: fever, aches, coughing, running nose, sore throat. We are just now recovering. After 5 days of watching Barney and Word World (thanks to Netflix), I am looking forward to getting off the couch and cleaning my house.

I think the girls had it the hardest because I couldn't give them any medicine to help them sleep. Not that Nyquil helped me much. One afternoon I walked in to Sami's room and she was standing there crying. When I asked what was wrong, she said that she wanted to take a nappy. But she couldn't get in her bed. Poor thing. But I think we are all recovering. Thank goodness. 

And now to my minivan! Love my minivan. But I didn't at first. Because it stunk, like an animal. I had found the van on Craigslist and it was by Jonathan's work, so he stopped by and test drove on his way home. He loved it, loved the owner, etc, and made a deal. When he took me to pick it up, my nose was overcome with animal smell. I couldn't believe J didn't smell it! But he was congested (the beginning of the ferocious flu) and really couldn't smell it but it was overpowering to me and I got a headache driving it home. Honestly, if I would have test drove it, we would have passed it up. 

But we didn't and first thing on Monday morning, I took it in to get detailed. It was at the shop all day and it was so beautiful when I picked it up! And the smell was gone, thankfully. 

We love several things about it. 1. We love that it was cheap enough to pay for it cash with our tax return and the money we got from our insurance from Jonathan's car. 2. We love that it has rear AC. I have always felt bad for the girls in the back seat on hot summer days. 3. It has a dvd player. This is Sami and Jani's favorite and they want to watch a movie whenever we get in. But we made a rule that they get a show if our destination is more than 15 min. away. Not that they understand that, but it's nice to have a rule :). 

Jonathan worked so hard getting me this van, even when he wasn't feeling good, and I love him for it. It has more miles than we wanted, but that led to the "discounted" price. I think it will work out nicely for our family. I've always wanted to be a minivan mama!  

Happy Valentine's Day!

 I thought it would be fun to have a little Valentine's Day party for the girls. Sami was so excited as we decorated and got ready. She wanted to go to bed early the night before so she could get up and have her party. Having four little girly girls over, decorating cookies, making valentines, playing games, and dancing was a blast! 

 Here we are coloring our valentines. They just sat and colored. (Would boys do this?!)

 Me and my mother-in-law. I ♥ her. 

 We played a game where you match conversation hearts to their colors on the paper. It was fun and easy. (This one reason I love the internet-so many fun ideas out there!)

 Here are the girlies. We were missing Rachel. My friend Kristen set up this picture after she left, but I am so glad I got this picture. Maybe I will photoshop Rachel in :).

 I had so much fun planning this. Did I mention that I got a Silhouette machine for Christmas from my sweetie? I actually bought it for myself off of Craigslist and put it under my bed for 3 months until Christmas. I told Jonathan that he didn't have to worry about Christmas since I bought myself my present. Nice, eh? Well, he was working wards at the ICU in December, so I think he was relieved that he didn't have to worry about my gift. And the Silhouette machine cut out our crowns, our magic wands, our gift bags and our decor. So fun.

 I love my sweeties. Since Sami turned 3, I feel like she has matured so much. She is truly a little girl and I love her little personality. And I love that she has a sunburn in February. Arizona winters are beautiful!

And Janie is still Sami's biggest fan. She is talking so much and is definitely her own little person. 

And I love this man! He is truly the best man I've ever known. He proposed to me on Valentine's Day seven years ago, & I am so, so glad he did! He bought me a minivan yesterday for Valentine's Day-post coming soon!

Have a great, loving Valentine's Day!

What a week!

At exactly 6:45 am on Monday morning, Jonathan called me to say that he had been in a car accident. Gratefully, and most importantly, no one was hurt except a little minor whiplash. I am so grateful that the Lord protected Jonathan and everyone involved (5 cars total). It could have been so bad. But it wasn't & I know it was the Lord's hand. But J's car is totaled & he is still pretty shook up about the whole thing. But since it did happened, I am grateful that it happened as we are getting our tax return. It's good we didn't get our tax return yet or I would have spent some of the money on a fancy, schmancy, dream camera. Now I will get a minivan instead :). A very used minivan, but it's a dream of mine (I've wanted a minivan since Sami came along) & I am grateful that there is a way provided for us to get another car. Because right now I am without a car for a few weeks, and it's not so fun. It's not really that I need a car every day, it just's the knowing that if I wanted the car, I can't have it. But I will have one soon, and I will tell you all aobut it when it happens. :) 

And like everyone else in the country, my kids have been sick. Janie is over the croup, but Sami has had a cold. But I think we're over it, and I pray we are done with illness for the rest of the year! 

Janie keeps me constantly updated on her diaper situation. She is so ready to be potty trained but I just don't have the motivation. Because I know it's an exhausting process, one that once you start you have to see though. Hopefully the motivation will come within the next couple of weeks. Because it would be nice to save money on diapers. But the idea of not having a baby in diapers kind of makes me sad. Just because I then know I don't have a baby anymore. 

I will sign off by showing you my latest favorite movie. It makes me laugh every time. Janie lifts up her shirt, wipes her nose, burps/hiccups (with Sami's accompanying laughter) all while singing most of the ABCs. It's funny to me, because it's so Janie right now.