All is right with the Turner Family.

We had such a great day here that I felt I had to document it.  NO one threw up.  NO one had a fever.  NO one said they didn't feel good.  What a beautiful day!  It all started with Austin's very first basketball game.  So. Much. Fun.  I love getting into sports with the kids.  Austin got offensive player of the game - pretty impressive!  It's a really cool league.  To start the game they shut all the lights off and have the music playing with an announcer guy and lights everywhere just like an NBA game.  They announce each player as they run out.  So cool.  Austin was pretty pumped up!  Then I did some shopping with my mom which is always a treat.  Watched K-state basketball (not so good), got stuff done around the house that needed fixing (thanks to Shawn), cleaned out my closet and boxed up two huge bins of stuff for garage sale time, did some cleaning and assisted the kids as they made their own pizzas for dinner.  Turns out they really like macaroni on their pizza.  hmmmm.
That's it for today - I look forward to seeing some snow here soon!
Stay warm and stay healthy!

The Big Guy Totally Misunderstood.

So last week I was saying how hard it was going to be to get back to routine and I didn't want school to start.  Just wanted more time with my kids....yeah....well, I think God may have taken that the wrong way.  On Sunday night Austin just didn't seem quite right, had a bit of a fever.  And then the flood gates opened.  I took him to the doctor on Monday because I was just feeling a bit strange about how he was acting.  The doctor said he had no ear infection, no strep, no flu.  So we did a urine sample  and he had blood in his urine.  Then he said it hurt when you pushed on his stomach and he had no appetite.  Then they drew some blood (Oh my, was that an experience and an entire post of it's own.  Took 45 minutes to get him to let them draw his blood.  He was screaming and flailing like nobodies business.  He was bawling, I was bawling, even the nurse was bawling.  Took 4 of us to hold him down to draw his blood.  I have never felt so bad in my life!)  Anyway, after we got the blood results a few hours later his white blood cell count was up and the signs were all pointing to appendicitis.  I was shocked.  I thought he had a simple ear infection.  So now we were to get him to Children's Mercy Hospital for a CT to check the appendix.  At this point his fever had gone up and he was delirious.  He had no idea he had gone to the hospital.  He was suppose to drink these 3 drinks before doing the CT scan and couldn't keep any of them down so they just had to do the scan without them.  Finally after seeing the scan they said he did not have appendicitis and we could head home.  Scary stuff.  I was not prepared to put my baby in surgery.  So, he comes home.  We are still treating the fever, but it wasn't bad.  We went thru the whole next day doing pretty good. I am thinking we can finally go back to school on Wed until Tuesday at 4:30 when his temperature went up to 104.9.  That definitely scared me yet again.  I immediately called the doctor and did all they said.  Since he was keeping water down and wasn't too dehydrated we managed to stay out of the hospital - thank goodness.  Lots of cold rags, Tylenol, ibuprofen and speed prayers and we are finally well again.  We missed 3 days of school this week, but tomorrow I guarantee we will be FIRST in line at school drop-off!!!  I could have sent him today, but wanted to get just one more day of rest for him (although I don't think he sat down all day).  I think it might have been God's way of saying sorry.  It was a nice day with all 4 kids home - no one sick, hot chocolate for breakfast and movies in the afternoon.  Lots of play-do on the floor and it's a hazard to walk thru the living room - but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so thankful for all the help and prayers everyone has sent our way.  You all know who you are and we love you.  And thank God my family is healthy again. 
I must go now - I gotta get to bed so I can get up early and get all the kids to school!! YAY!!
And now....Happy New Year.

Last post for 2010

I am feeling the pressure to get one last post in for the year 2010...especially since I have neglected blogging for over a month, bad, bad, bad.  In my defense it's been crazy busy so when I've had time to blog I found myself either falling asleep on the couch or some other productive activity.  Let's see where I last left off - looks like it was the end of November, Shawn's b-day.  Since then we have had some fun times...and not so fun times.  We made it through the preschool Christmas programs which were adorable.  Gabriella stole the show when she bowed for a good 20 seconds and NO ONE else did.  Then she bowed so long that she fell over.  (and aren't girls suppose to curtsy?)  So hilarious.  And Ashlyn sang her little heart out including doing all actions which is funny since she didn't want anything to do with it last year.  She also said her lines perfectly.  She even did another girls' lines that was sick that night!  Might have an actress here... That was on the 16th.  Then we had the "plague" hit on the 17th.  My sister and I went out for some shopping that Friday night which was fun.  But, about an hour after we got home that night I started to not feel so good.  And then it hit....stomach flu.  I have never experienced the stomach flu before and I would not wish it on my worst enemy - wowsers it was awful!   I didn't get out of bed until Sunday night.  I finally made it downstairs to see the house totally destroyed...don't worry though, Shawn claims he was in control the whole time.  About an hour after getting up Ashlyn decided to start throwing up...then an hour later - Austin is throwing up...about 10 minutes later Shawn is throwing up  and a few hours after that Gabriella is throwing up.  This is NO joke.  It was a terrible few days we had.  I have never been so exhausted and done so much laundry and cleaned up so many peoples' messes in my life!  We ended up having to postpone the Turner Christmas for a week, Austin missed 2 days of school, we had to cancel all the boys going to the KSU game at the sprint center and had to cancel seeing Santa at church, it was just not fun.  The good news was that we were all a go for when Santa finally arrived.  Christmas was wonderful, the kids loved their new stuff and it was just nice to spend time together.  Shawn has had the whole week off which is always so awesome.  I love having him get some time off.  I am sad that it is coming to an end.  Although I do like schedules and routine so it will be nice to get back to school next week, but for now I LOVE sleeping in every day.  Even the kids have been sleeping in every day!  It's now time to get my party on..out with 2010 and in with 2011!!  Bring it on!!
Happy New Year!!

I think I just did the impossible.

Yup.  I just made homemade hot dog buns.  How hilarious is that?  Of course, I don't really eat hot dogs...ever since I choked on one, I just can't look at them the same.  Anyway, here's how the homemade hot dog bun came about.  Today is my wonderful hubby's birthday.  When asked what sort of treat he wanted for his birthday - meaning cake, brownies, pie, etc...he requested homemade hot dog buns.  I'm not sure if it was a serious request or some kind of cooking challenge, but I ran with it.  And what did we have for dinner?  Yes, hot dogs on homemade buns!  And just to top it off - real hot chocolate.  YUM.  Sounds like a good birthday to me!  And here's Austin - looks like a happy hot dog eatin' kid, huh?!

October, where did you go??

Happy (late) Halloween!! I have had many people questioning me as to why I had not posted any Halloween pics, so here they are! This year we had a clown, Prince Caspian (from Narnia), a genie and Super Girl. Not a bad crew! Unfortunately I missed most of the fun this year as I was really super sick. Shawn was quite a trooper - he took all the kids to Trunk-or-treat up at school (with the help of papa settle) and then took all of them out on Halloween night too. I was pretty much unable to move, but am finally feeling better. The kids had a blast and even Lucas learned real quick how to say "trick or treat"!

Group Hug!!
Here's my little clown! All of my kids have been a clown - mom made this costume many many years ago - my brother, sister and I have all worn it too! It was finally Lucas's turn....so stinkin' cute.
Where exactly did October go?? I feel like I just missed that month. I haven't been feeling so good and I guess that made the month just fly on by. And now we're about half way through November! I was time to slow down!! And Lucas is out of a crib too. We have had a crib (or two) up in our house for over six years - and for the first time we now have no cribs in our house. Kinda sad, kinda cool. I can't believe how quick Lucas is becoming a big kid (some days more than others). He just seems so grown up (except for when Austin jokingly said at breakfast last week, "Lucas, throw your bowl". Lucas did as he was instructed of course and threw his bowl of Kix cereal and milk across the room). He's been our easiest transition to a big kid bed for sure. Once we took the front off of his crib (because he kept crawling out) he wouldn't go near his crib anymore. He jumped right in bed with Austin and they've done great. He's only gotten out a handful of times to roam around the house when he's suppose to be in bed. Although this morning at about 5:45 I heard him downstairs. I went down and he was standing in front of the digital picture frame watching the pics come up and pointing out the people he saw. Pretty cute, but unnecessary at 5:45 in the morning. Anyway, kids are all great and realizing Christmas is coming up soon so they are getting a little giddy. I will leave you with some funny pics my momma took recently....

Some days we just have to wait at the door for dad.....
And there he is!!!!! Yay for Daddy!
We love our daddy!

We have a winner!!

Yes, we have had our first trip to the ER to get stitches. My oldest child is now six, so that means we have gone a solid six years before having to rush to the ER to get stitches for one of our lovely children. And who was the winner you might ask? Austin? Ashlyn? Gabriella? Lucas? If you have spent any amount of time with our family then you know there are two likely suspects. Lucas and Gabriella. Well, the winner was Gabriella. 7 lovely stitches right above her eye. Took it like a champ too! Didn't even cry while they put stitches in - amazing. She is a real trooper for a 3 year old. Had it been any of the other kids we would have had to call in a 10 man team to hold them down in the ER, but Gab was incredible. This all happened last Friday and we got the stitches out today - again, she was awesome. Just laid there like it was no biggie. So, now that we got that out of the way....

On the same day as the stitches happened, Shawn and I went to Costco for dinner with the kids that night. As we were sitting there eating pizza this lady came over and says, "I have been watching you guys and just want to let you know how beautiful your family is." Of course, I graciously thank her as Shawn and I give each other a "mental" high-five. But then she continues on, "I mean it, you have such a beautiful family I want to buy you all ice cream." She insisted so we took the money she left on the table. Now, if any of you have ever been to costco for ice cream you know that it costs $1.50 - for a huge cup. Normally, we get one cup and split it 6 ways (I know, cheap-o). As we look at what she gave us, she gave us a 20 dollar bill! So, we splurged and got TWO ice creams and split it 6 ways. It always nice to hear a compliment about your family, but for her to take the time to come talk to us and leave us money was pretty amazing. It's nice to know that there are good, genuine people out there. Totally made our day.
One random act of kindness can go a long way. I guess it's our turn to pay it forward!
And now onto what the kids believe is the most important time of the year - Halloween. We have costumes finished and ready to go. The kids all had their parties at school today - Gabriella was Super Girl, Austin is Prince Caspian (from Narnia), and Ashlyn is a genie. Lucas will be a clown. Halloween is definitely not my favorite holiday, but the kids sure do love it! And so does Shawn. This past weekend we went to a Halloween party and we won funniest costume! What were we? Well, anyone that knows Shawn very well knows that he owns a baby blue 70s jogging suit and LOVES any chance to wear it. He wore that, and I wore a jogging suit and was his jogging coach. Turned out pretty good. I suppose Halloween isn't so bad if you win a prize!
Here's a pic from the pumpkin patch (sorry no pumpkin pics). Lucas loved riding the fancy tricycles.

And I just love seeing my kids walking together - aren't they just awesome??
Here's my fancy genie and Super Girl!!
And this is what I saw when Lucas came downstairs this afternoon. I don't see him getting a job at Home Depot any time soon! And I almost peed my pants laughing when I saw him.
We are headed to Manhappenin' this weekend. Shawn and Austin are going to the K-State game on Saturday with my brother and his son while I hang out with my bud, Callie and all the kids. Can't wait for Austin to get to go to the game, they will have so much fun. And Callie and I can just kick back with 7 kids and a couple beers - ha!

Happy Halloween!!!

The past month in pictures...

Here's a little update in pictures...
Almost every week, my friend Kim and I trade kids in the evening so that we can go on a date with our hubbies. One family feeds all the kids and the other couple gets to go out - it is awesome. And the kids think it is so much fun to have "dinner parties." It's a win-win!!
Here we are having a little dessert after dinner. Lucas needs to work on his manners I think...
Here's Coach Turner in action!! Austin is on the far right.

Shawn recently smoked a whole turkey. Austin thought it was awesome to eat a whole turkey leg!!
Here I am at Ashlyn's b-day party - she wanted to go to Monkey Business. I was pretty impressed with myself - I let her invite 6 friends, I had 10 coupons so the rest of my kids got to get in on the fun too, plus Austin got to bring a friend. I put the party on super cheap and the kids had a blast - yay!
Gabs and her daddy.
Ashlyn didn't want b-day cake at her party - she requested graham crackers and frosting which was SUPER. I even tried to make it fancy....not bad, huh?
And the next day we were off to Austin's b-day party! Lazer tag anyone??
The boys LOVED this. I have heard that all of them want to do it for their b-days too - they had so much fun playing. Very cool.
Of course, we had to try out the new legos.
I absolutely love this pic of Lucas and grandpa Turner.
I snapped this during "quiet time" one day recently. My babies love their blankies.
Hey cowgirls!! It was cowgirl day at preschool - the girls are loving school - aren't they cute!?
I just think Lucas is about the cutest thing ever. Here he was sitting on the floor flipping through song books and singing to himself - it was hilarious. So cute I had to snap a photo.
Gabriella was all smiles here! Having fun with play-do.

And there you have it - I promised you some photos and actually followed through!! Next I am going to try and update my digital picture frame in the living room...we'll see if it happens this weekend. We have an early soccer game tomorrow, can't wait!
Have a great weekend - I plan to!