Cousins...

My cousin Carla visited with her family a few weeks back and we had a fantastic weekend playing in the yard and the park. Of course, this is not reflected in the end group photo - but is rather a typical scene when trying to get four kids four and under to POSE for a photo. The pictures reminded me of many we have at home from our younger days with cousins. We are incredibly blessed to have a family that still gets all the kids together whenever possible - even though we all live in different cities.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to take a quick minute to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day! And by everyone, I really just mean the dads of the world. =) I am so grateful for all of the father figures in my life (Dad, Grandad, Terry, Father in-law) and to be married to one AMAZING father (that's you Kevin). And then of course, we are all incredibly adored by our Father in Heaven - and that's pretty amazing!

when life gives you lemons...

Well if you add sugar to make lemonade, then you'll just add a bunch of calories and get fat. Or fatter. And really, to make lemonade there is a little EFFORT required. I say let's just suck the lemon, make the ugly face, and let it pass.

It's been one of THOSE weeks here in the Ruff house. We started the week off with a 7am commute in rush hour to Skokie (for those not in Chicagoland, it's about an hour and a half stop light to stop light) to see the Cranial Technology tech for Lyla's band. She'd had a weekend of sleepless nights and a nasty rash on the head. After an adjustment that included Wet n' Wild ruby red lipstick and a few more hours of healing, she was back in the band. Sleep not included. That was Monday.

Tuesday, Kevin called just after lunch to let me know someone broke the glass in his car to take the GPS from his dashboard. Of course, insurance considers a GPS a household item that is covered under homeowner's policies, so there is a thousand dollar deductible (per incident). I want to meet the idiot who needs the GPS in his HOUSE. Luckily, the glass is fully covered and was replace the next day.

Then came Wednesday. After a completely sleepless night with Lyla, I thought I might pass out. I thought this was from the exhaustion of being awake all night, so I opted to try some caffeine. By lunch, I had the chills and a fever and extreme pain in my chest (think breastfeeding girls). After a call to the doctor's office, I was on my way to CVS for a dose of antibiotics to cure MASTITIS. nice. My sweet mother in law came today to help with the baby, and luckily I was feeling much better by mid-day.

Then there's this whole insurance game of semantics in paying for a DOC band. I can explain it offline to anyone who really wants to know, but I find it rather boring to read about personally so I'll spare you. I found out there is a grant offered to help when insurance covers little or none of the cost - then I found out we made exactly $2,000 too much last year to be considered.

I don't need sugar here. Salt and tequila - I might make the effort.

So it's Thursday now - Lyla is getting used to the idea of the band, Costco had a great GPS on sale, I'm feeling much better, and the kids got some Grandma time. Also, I plan to tell everyone I know who childed gets "banded" about the grant (www.uhccf.com) - perhaps they can benefit from it, though we can't.

Here's looking forward to a pleasant weekend celebrating the men we adore. Happy Father's Day!

it's still us...

Hey there! I've changed the blog template - so don't leave! You're still in the right place. I found some adorable free blog templates at www.quirky-bird.com. There's a linkeroo to them down there on the right side of this page. Somebody please use the cutest gnome page I've ever seen! For some reason I didn't see it until after I'd already loaded this birdy one, otherwise you'd be staring at super cute garden critters as we speak (well, technically as you read I suppose). And for all y'all out there who want to be on my linky list there, no worries - I'm still updating it from the old page.

Always exciting around the Ruff house. Owen and Ray are outside watching the roofers roof the garage. Lyla is sleeping - still getting over yesterday's drama of six month shots. Really, it was all of thirty seconds for her. Now Owen is panicked about his four year old appt because he too will get the stick. Lyla's helmet had to come off al of yesterday because of a nasty skin irritation. It has to heal completely before we can put the thing back on her cutie head. On the plus side, she slept almost through the night last night without it on. So mom and dad got some much needed sleep.

Now I am off to the gym for some much needed exercise! Enjoy the weekend.

she's a happy girl!

Lyla has taken to the band well (with the exception of sleeping). She and Owen love to sit on our front porch and watch the squirrels, birds, cars, etc.

lyla's got a brand new do...

Our little cutie got her DOC Band today. These are photos from her "fitting." At first, the band was too low over her eyes and ears. After a few adjustments, it fit fine (sorry no photos yet). I managed to paint it tonight, so I'll get a photo of her in it tomorrow. Thanks to all who have called and emailed today to see how it went! We so appreciate your prayers and concern!