WE SAW DADDY!!!!!!!

YEAH, we saw Daddy...and Grandma, and Uncle James, Aunt Belva, Cousins Logan and Aurora! We made the LONG trip to Oklahoma to see Daddy while he was there for a few days. This was the only chance for him to get to see the kiddos and while this trip is as crazy as crazy can be, it has been well worth it!!!! Just to see the look on the kids faces when they saw their Dad was well worth the 23 1/2 hours of driving it took us to get to him!!!!!! We love you and miss you so much Daddy! It was great to get hugs and kisses!! I will get to Michael again over Easter weekend, the kiddos are staying in St. Louis and I am flying to Vegas!! I am counting down the days!! Only 23 more!!

Alright here is the fast version of the "fun" we have had on our trip, the trip that was suppose to end yesterday back in Florida, but we are still in St. Louis waiting to go home:
Friday (10th) Uncle Don flew to Florida to help me make the 13 hour drive to St. Louis. All's well.
Saturday--We start! 3 hours down the road, a flat tire, 4 tires and new brakes later (YES, SERIOUSLY) we are driving again. Took us about 15 1/2 hours to get to Grandmom's house.
Sunday--Day at Grandmom's!
Monday--Day at Grandmom's, the FUN begins. Luke starts throwing up! Kaden joins in a couple hours later.
Tuesday--SUPPOSE to be driving to Uncle James/Aunt Belva's house to see Daddy... We are not. The kids are still recovering.
Wednesday--Driving day to Oklahoma. Daddy calls us, he is at the hospital sick as a dog!! Are you kidding me? But we got to see him and the rest of the fam.
Thursday--All is going pretty well, fun to be with family.
Friday--Luke starts throwing up! Yep, again. This time it's Gabriel that joins in. Oh the fun. And Mommy get sick, just another cold but enough to wipe me out!
Saturday--Daddy is leaving, we are going back to St. Louis. Luke starts with the other end, you know what I mean, I don't have to type it. The big D. But we make it to Grandmom's.
Sunday--4:30 AM Kaden starts the vomiting party. In the afternoon, Luke and Gabriel start the D, both of them. Oh yes, and right before bedtime, Luke throws up everything he has eaten in the past 2 months I think!
Monday--it's Monday now, we are supposed to be in Florida or at least DRIVING there and we are NOT. Kaden still looks terrible but hasn't gotten sick yet (KNOCK ON WOOD) and Luke and Gabriel had no fun through the night (thank goodness).

As I am writing this, I am trying not to get upset. I certainly don't understand why this visit had to contain all this sickness. We have certainly had our fair share this year already. But I am more then thrilled that I got to see Michael, I miss him so much.

And I want to say THANK YOU to Grandma. She stayed with all 5 grandkids, not once, but twice so us parents could go out together!!! So THANK YOU and THANK YOU to her. We love you Grandma!!!!

I will put some pictures up soon!! There were so many good times through all the sickness. Family is a wonderful blessing. And we are utterly, utterly blessed.

And last but not least, here is thank you to those in St. Louis that have come to visit us in our short venue here, our family is the best!!!!!!

I will keep you updated. Take care and HERE'S TO GOOD HEALTH!!!!!!!!!!!

Silly Baby :)

After taking out all the trucks, you know--the ones Mommy just put away, Gabriel decided the entertainment center would be a good place to sit and play. How cute is this kiddo? That smile gets me every time. Daddy is hardly going to recognize him when he sees him NEXT WEEK!!!!! I just had to share this picture!

American Illness---Round 2

Hello all. Time for round two of everyone's favorite new game show--American Illness. Kaden and Flash have nothing to report for this round, they might be out. And though Gabriel had a strong, unbeatable first round, he has yet to make a move in round two. Luke and Jesse however, continue with more of the same. Luke threw in a twist and added our first vomiting to the show. He was sick on Saturday. Jesse also got sick again Saturday. She started with a 103 fever and jumped into a sinus infection. After going to the doc Monday, she now has Motrin, an antibiotic, sinus meds, and cough meds. She is making a good showing this round.

Never a dull moment I guess! Luke is fine and has gone to school both Monday and today. I am feeling so much better too. The doc is going to try and help me figure out why I have been sick so often. He thinks maybe it's the stress of being alone with the kiddos and my immune system just can't bounce back as quickly. I am praying that we all stay healthy for our upcoming travels. I'll keep you posted! :)

Thanks Ms. Heidi

Greetings from Germany! We received a box from our good friend Ms. Heidi yesterday (she moved to Germany back in January---Boo Hoo!!!) She sent all the boys little cars with German writing on them. Luke of course thinks they are all his... "but they're cars Mom" He thinks all cars are his. Ms. Heidi sent Momma chocolate, YUM!!! So thank you to her. Kaden got a Nemo birthday card and is carrying it around with him! The boy LOVES his Nemo. What a fun thing to get packages in the mail! We love you and miss you Ms. Heidi!!!! Thanks for thinking of us!

To Curl or Not to Curl

I think the question has been answered. Everyone keeps asking me whether Gabriel's hair is going to curl or not. Well, this is what happened after his bath last night. How cute is that? Mommy LOVES it! And so will Grandmom, that's for sure :) And NO Daddy, he does NOT need a haircut!!!!
(Gabriel is back to his ol' angel self, his ears aren't bothering him at all and NO fever--Thank you God! He loves his amoxicillin, just like his Momma)

American Illness

Welcome one and all to another show of American Illness. This week we feature the 5 members currently residing in the Harmon household. (yes canine counts in this one) The object of our game is to review the illness' and decide who had it the worst. Yes, ladies and gentleman. It is a competition and the winner receives nothing but our admiration!!!
Here is our list of competitors in order of age, oldest to youngest...

1. Jesse---She came down with a fever Friday afternoon, 102.5, then developed a headache, sore muscles, and extreme fatigue. The fever lasted through the Tylenol and Aleve, but mainly stayed a low grade temp over Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Keep in mind also voters that Jesse is the current head of household and had the primary responsibilities to watch over and care for all other 4 members in the house.

2. Flash---Though she is a canine, she factors in as well. Flash did an amazing job of stealing Jesse's lunch of a hot dog and Luke's dinner of a PBJ sandwich which caused her a very upset stomach. This ailment caused Flash to have a very restless night. She woke Jesse up Monday night not once, not twice, but three times to go outside. At 12:30AM, 2:30 AM, and again at 3:45AM. Poor puppy!

3. Luke---He decided to bring home pinkeye with him from his preschool. He officially showed signs of it on Thursday morning. He also has been battling a terrible cough that causes his face to go red and tell his mother "I sure wish that would stop!"

4. Kaden---Like brother, like brother. While older brother Luke was at the doctor for a pinkeye prescription, Kaden was not to be outdone. Oh yes, he had it too. This means one drop in each eye twice a day for the next 7 days. He also has a major cold that keeps his nose running constantly even with Benadryl.

5. Gabriel---Don't be fooled by the young age of this contestant. At only one year old, he definitely holds more then his own weight (especially seeing that he lost 1/2 a pound!!!) Gabriel woke up Friday morning with pinkeye (surprise). But he wasn't done yet. After his nap he had a fever of 104. After treatments of Tylenol and Motrin his fever hung around and peaked at 104.3 on Saturday afternoon. Mom (Jesse--see above) took him to the ER Saturday night, where he had nothing wrong with him but did have to go through a chest x-ray and lots of stickings before his blood with drawn. The fever broke sometime Sunday. Gabriel then developed a rash all over his body, much to the dismay of his mother, he was fussy and crying which he never does. On Tuesday, Gabriel was taken to the doctor again just to discover that he has Rosacea virus, which was the source of the fever and now, the rash. Harmless rash, but rash none-the-less. But voters, he still wasn't done! Gabriel also has gained, not one, but 2 ear infections!!!!!!! Let's hear it for the boy!! So, more Tylenol and Motrin will be given in addition to his Amoxicillin!

So now voters, it is up to you to call in and vote. Who has the stuff to be our American Illness winner??? (this author definitely thinks that angel baby Gabriel takes the cake!!!)


Really, we are all doing so much better. Gabriel is starting to act like himself now. Luke's cough is better and Kaden's nose too. My fever is all but gone, hovering around 99.9, which is not that high for me! Thanks for all the prayers out there. I am hoping that we are done for now!!

(Daddy by-the-way, was casino-hopping during the ER visit, going to MGM where my Aerosmith was playing... not that I am bitter, but I am thinking lots of pampering for Mom come June!!! :) :) :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! We had a pretty special day today. The kiddos had cards from Grandma Short and Grandmom to open, presents from Momma (Daddy) and Grandmom too! What a day. I couldn't decide which pictures to post to I posted a lot of them! I can't help it, my babies are too cute!