Home after Christmas

Meghan spent most of her time trying to sit in Daddy's lap.

Johnny and his favorite friend Alexis. They are the cutest kids together.


Here is Meghan and Benjiman sharing Grandpas race car pillow. They are also so very cute together.

Tarah and Johnny and Alexis at Grandma's house for Christmas.

Here is Kevin's sister Heather and her finance` "Uncle" Cory (aka one of Kevin's 2 best friends). We started off Christmas in Houston at Aunt Suzy's house and then drove to San Antonio later on Christmas afternoon. It was a wonderful visit for everyone.

Here is Larry and his wife Norma. He is Kevin's other best friend from childhood. They grew up together and it is so awesome that our children get to do the same. They are the proud parents of Alexis and Benjiman.

Here is Meghan and Johnny trying to be jolly just to make mommy happy!

Here is my favorite shirt of Meghan's. It says "did it all for the cookie" I thought it was perfect for a christmas party. Although only one or two people got the joke! Meghan is sitting in a rocking chair that belonged to Aunt Suzy's son. Who is now 27!

With having children who are 27 and 24 it can be safely said that Aunt Suzy's house was not completely child proof but I am happy to say that not one thing was broken by my children!

Do you think that Johnny loved his RC trucks???

Benjiman, Alexis and Johnny had a great time being Bees. They haven't seen the movie yet but I think they will love their costume even more when they see the movie.

All grades and in and now the grown ups are sick...

Well, I ended up with 3 A's and 1 B. I was so sick and with the kids being sick I just really blew the final in my research class. At least I still have my 3.5 (barely) to graduate with. I cut it as close as you can. My GPA is 3.500 and that is the minimum gpa for graduting cum laude.

I am sick with strep. I have been fighting it off all week but it is taking over. Unfortunately, I have to go to work tomorrow. The good news it that the kids are 100% better and can safely go back to school tomorrow for their Christmas party. They are bored and very excited to go back to school.

Nativity weekend is here.....

Well out of 4 classes 3 of my grades are in. 3 A's so far. I won't know my final grade until sometime early next week. But I am fairly confident in sliding an A under the wire. This semester was a little close, several of my A's were only a few points above the cutoff. I am so glad that there is only one more to go!

I have to go up to the church to hand out the angel food order this morning and then finish up some last minute costume alterations and then it is up to the church for the evening for night 1 of the Nativity. tomorrow is the Christmas Cantata and we are singing in both services plus tomorrow night is night #2 of the Nativity. It is a crazy weekend for our household.

I just hope the kids are feeling better today. Meghan's rash should start to go away today and then we can start her on her new antibiotic for the strep. The kids are so congested and can't eat much with the sore throats. Now if us old folks can fight off the infection we will be good to go.

They both have strep throat!

an updated pic of her spots....these are much easier to see.

Meghan and her spots. It is hard to see in a small picuture but all those red dots are from the penicillin.

Poor Johnny has such a red nose from all the nose blowing!!!
It is a good thing he has SpongeBob to keep him company!
Meghan likes Daddy to be the chair when she does her breathing treatments.

Well todays visit to the peditrition was eventful. Meghan was in the middle of an allergic reaction to penicillin so she is covered in spots. So she is done with that stuff forever.

Meghan and Johnny both have strep throat and get to spend the next 10 days on a new antibiotic. Both have a horrible cough and cold so she gave us Robitussion for that. Meghan is still wheezing so she gets to have a new daily medicine in her breathing treatments.

Our house is a giant box of germs for about two days until the meds kick in for the kids. I really, really, really don't want strep again. It was not fun. We are washing our hands like Howard Hughes.

Sick kids, again or still, I am not sure at this point!!!

Johnny has gotten worse. He feels like crap and his cough is horrible. We will be making another trip to the doctor in the morning. Meghan is still not better even with all of the medicines and treatments. Johnny has not responded to the breathing treatments either. My poor little guys have been sick for 7 days and have not left the house once and for some reason they are still not recovering the way they should be by now. We have cleaned everything we can think of and are trying to keep the kids from coughing on each other but that is like keeping ice from melting on a hot day. They are joined at the hip and when one coughs the other joins in like it is a game.

They have to feel better soon. This is just crazy. The croup is supposed to last 2-5 days not 7! They are taking their meds and vitamins and staying hydrated. They eat fairly well and I am trying to keep them from running around too much and bringing on more coughing fits.

My birthday is Sunday and all I really want is healthy kids.......

The wait for grades continues......

Out of 4 classes so far I have 2 A's. My Legal classes are incredibly hard so I am really thrilled that I got an A! I also have an A in my Science class (I think) she isn't posting the grades until Thursday. It wasn't terribly hard and I had one of the highest grades in the class going into the final so I am not too worried. I only have one final left and it is a legal memo that is due on Friday so I won't know that one until next week. It is stressful waiting to see what I end up with because this is my "official graduation GPA". But I have plenty of things to keep me busy....

The kids in pics.....

Here is a picture from Thanksgiving. My Grandparents house was built in 1892 and when I was a young child my Grandfather renovated the whole house. He would take me to the lumber yard with him and buy load after load of paneling for the walls. Everywhere we went all the people knew my Grandfather. He seemed to know everyone by name. When I saw meghan sitting at the bar where so many of us grew up eating, it really touched my heart. Papa would have really loved to meet Johnny and Meghan. He would have spoiled them rotten with a constant stream of ice cream cones. I am so glad that we can still visit this house that is a part of the family and is so full of memories for all of us.

Granny has turned the back yard into an incredible work of art. It is beautiful and every year it comes more to life. The grandkids and great-grandkids love spending every available moment out back. Here is Meghan and Johnny playing in the snow. The tracks are from the snow shovel Patrick used to gather up enough snow to show Johnny how to make a snow man.

We are having to find indoor fun because the kids are highly contagious and Meghan can't afford any more germs right now. Johnny gets better at building things every year! and he loves it when Meghan doesn't knock things over!

Meghan is still having trouble breathing but that doesn't keep her from enjoying the 80 degree weather we had a couple of days ago. They both really love the sidewalk chaulk!

Johnny isn't happy unless he is running around and making a giant mess! He is quite a busy boy trying help Mehgan have fun while they are house bound.

The Live Nativity is next weekend. That means craziness for me. I am so glad we are going to have a week off after to do nothing but relax and hang out with family for Christmas.

I have my two toughest finals tomorrow. So far out of 4 classes I have one confirmed A. I hope I get some sleep tonight so I can do well tomorrow. After next week I will finally know my graduating GPA. I am so excited that it is finally happening!!! It has been so many years since I watched Kevin graduate and thought to myself, "I want to do that too!".

Meghan's little lungs are under attack again.

30 days after her RSV, Meghan has the "croup". Unfortunately, her lungs are still irritated so it went straight for them. She is pretty unhappy with all the steroids and antibiotics and another series of breathing treatments each day. We are all hoping that she heals quickly that she can have a break from all the germs for long enough for her little lungs to get back to normal.

I have finals next week and then the Nativity is next weekend so it is awesome that Kevin gets to take this week off. He is so great at getting the kids to take their medicine and they love having him at home during the day.

Johnny has the "croup" too but he is having a much easier time fighting it off. He has a much stronger immune system. He is helping to keep Meghan cheerful while she is feeing down.

It is going to be a germy, crazy, busy week so keep a good thought out for all of us.

The best Thanksgiving ever!!!

I have pictures that I have not downloaded yet. But I just have to say that this was no doubt the best visit ever!!! Everyone was in a great place of positive forward movement. I know we usually squabble over stupid little things and we can be silly sometimes wrapped up in our own lives, but this visit was different. Maybe we are just all getting older and realize that we are human and doing the best we can and that when it comes down to it, we love each other more than we express. This holiday brought us all the realization that nothing is forever so it is up to each of us to make each day one that shows love and kindness and a willingness to fight to the finish.

I have a great picture of Granny walking in the snow. I can't even begin to explain how proud I am of my family. Both my granny and dad are doing great in moving more and both showed awesome signs of improved physical health. I am inspired by them. I measured out how much a mile was in my neighborhood and I am going to walk too. My goal is to go with Granny on her walk to the river.

We have the best family. Because when it comes down to it love does conquer all!

enjoying one of the last few pretty days before winter hits

Kevin and I took the kids on a nature walk out by the lake. The city built a cool little one mile trail and it has lots of birds and creepy, crawly things to look at.
Johnny really had fun looking for nests and trying to climb trees!
Meghan is a little more fearless when it comes to heights. Johnny must get the fear of heights from me. Sorry little guy...

It was a wonderful day and the only thing missing was Tarah. The house is so quiet without her. I am looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. Teresa is coming over to watch the dogs for us. We can't afford to all go to Amarillo so we are helping each other out. Hopefully she will be ok hanging out catching up on homework and enjoying some peace and quiet. We are leaving really early Thursday morning and have to drive back on Saturday. It is as much time as we could get between work and school. but we are looking forward to it.

Please keep little Brandon and Melissa in your thoughts and prayers this week. He is having trouble breathing and they have to go back to Houston to get a scan for possible lymph node swelling that is pressing on his windpipe. I know she is great at handling this type of trip but I would just pray that there is good news and that he doesn't have to have any more surgeries. He deserves a break and I just want him whole and healed and for their family to get a break from all of the stress and exhaustion that comes from illness and the unknown. She is the best mom I know and I don't know how she perserves with such a great spirit. I plan to buy her a big drink next week. Now that all the germs are gone from my house I can go check on her.

Pray for all of us traveling this week that we will make it safe and sound with peace of mind.

Graduation Date

I found the schedule and we graduate on 5/10/08. I will have to set up a cool counter on my blog page to count down the days!!!

The children are finally feeling better!!!

Things here are finally getting less germy wormy...Johnny still has three days left on his antibiotic but he is feeling better. Meghan's lungs seem to have cleared up and we may be able to stop the constant breathing treatments. They are cleared to go back to school after the holidays but I hate the thought of sending them back to all those germs. But I will because they miss it very much and all kids have germs and spread them to each other. The stuff they get now is just one less thing to contract in kindergarten. I can't keep them in a bubble no matter how much I may want to some days. We will just be much more careful when Meghan shows any sign of a respiratory problem.

I had a meeting with my school advisor and have gotten all the kinks worked out of my computer based degree plan and have been green lighted to graduate in May of 2008. I have applied for graduation and will be all set as long as I pass each of my classes these last two semesters. I don't know the date yet but I do know that it is a 9 am graduation ceremony and that each student is given a certain number of tickets for "the show". The good part is that Teresa and I are graduating in the same ceremony so we get to consolidate our family visitors instead of making everyone travel twice or on different dates or times. It is so strange the way it has worked out for the two of us.

I can't believe that I am finally going to finish something. It is going to be great to finally have graduated from something. (and before I turn 40 too!!)

Kevin has taken the week off so that I can get caught up on work and school. He makes it look so easy but I am not complaining. It makes life easier to have a helper. Of course Tarah helps out a lot too but she is a busy bee these days too!

I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving in Amarillo. It helps to spend time with family and friends to remind us of what is really important in this crazy, buzy and sometimes out of control world.

A few pics here and there.....

Johnny loves to clean out his ears.....he loves q-tips so I talked him into kleenex.

Tarah is a stunner....It is hard when so many people want her to be a model but I want her to be a well adjusted teenager!

Meghan is not quite up to her happy self lately!

Even Buzz Lightyear loves to play with pom-poms once in a while!

This one is for Tarah's dad! He talked her into posing in her dress. We had a fun night.

Johnny is sick now too so we are a giant house of germs

Johnny likes his cool Dragon mask. We have the nubulizer at home now so the kids can get their breathing treatments here. We are hoping and praying that the kids will be healthy again by next week. Johnny has the cough and an ear infection too!
Mommy is having to santize all our toys so we get to play camping out today!

Trying to keep things clean and germ free between these two is impossible so I am cleaning everything in the house with soap and bleach water. Considering how many germs we have, we fill pretty good after treatments and medicine!

Halloween pictures

Johnny was Buzz Lightyear and Meghan was a Cheerleader! Johnny insisted that Kevin and I dress up to go with them.
Johnny was really good at saying trick or treat! He only skipped a couple of houses that were too scary. Meghan said Please and Thank you!
They both got way more candy than I will ever let them eat. Tarah is helping out with that. (and mom and dad too)
Here's Kevin getting Johnny all decked out to be Buzz!
Meghan had a great time once she got used to the dress! She kinda had a fit about it at first!

Meghan has RSV

I haven't had a chance to upload the photos from Halloween yet. Meghan has been sick off and on for about three weeks now. One day she would have a fever and the next it would be gone. We have been battling a constant stream of coughs and mucus that we thought were allergies. It was driving us crazy not to be able to figure out what was going on with her. Well all that changed Thursday night. Her breathing was labored and she whimpered all night. Yesterday morning Kevin rushed her to the pediatrician when it opened and after three breathing treatments and two shots in the office they were sent to Children's Hospital to the respiratory therapy center in the ER. It seems that Meghan has a complication from RSV where mucus is being collected in her bronchial tubes and after a deep suctioning (which took both of us to hold her down!) We were sent home. Kevin and I are in charge of the suctioning now which is very difficult to do and we are praying that it will not be a long term job. We are going to be strong because if we don't suction her tubes then Meghan can develop pneumonia.

I think the scariest part of all was the fact that I had to go take a test and was going to meet Kevin at the doctor's office after I was done. Christoph watched Johnny for us. Kevin was already at the ER and had dropped his phone in the van so he couldn't get ahold of me and I knew something was wrong but couldn't find him and Meghan any where. I finally got ahold of Cory to see if Kevin left me a message anywhere and then the Ped.s office gave me instructions to the hospital. After making it through a massive accident on 35 south which added 30 minutes to my trip, I finally found them and Kevin and I could take a deep breath and deal with learning the treatment from the doctors.

Meghan did sleep better last night and she is even smiling again this morning. Watching my baby lay there and barely move and struggling to breathe was the most scared I have ever been. I am so grateful that she is more like her normal self today. There were a lot of prayers for Meghan yesterday and I am so grateful to everyone for taking over for me this weekend so that I can spend it taking care of my family.

Homecoming weekend

Meghan is trying to pose with the guys.
Tarah and Travis before her first High School Homecoming game. Yes, our team won! Tarah and I made his garter together. It was fun.
Tarah brings a whole new meaning to the beauty of the little black dress.
Tarah, Jennifer, Jordan before the dance....Johnny has lots of fun with Tarah's friends.
Tarah and Travis before the dance. Tarah's dad Scott, came down to see Tarah off on her first High School dance. She had a great weekend and the kids had lots of fun.

We are all hanging in there. Working, paying bills, cleaning house and feeding kids. School is rough but Tarah and I are getting good grades, even Kevin is taking classes for his job.

An update from the Hansen Household :)

Things are pretty much the same daily grind here. Johnny and Meghan keep getting sick every other week.....or the croup is just passing back and forth between them. At least Kevin and I seem to be fighting off and Tarah has missed all the yuckies so far.

To say we are busy seems like such an understatement it is kind of funny. Between my job and school and these crazy kids, my head is spinning by the end of the day. Tarah is always busy with school and now she is playing softball every Wednesday night. I have a class every Wednesday night so it gets complicated some weeks.

We have had two wonderful visits lately. My mom and dad came by and spent the night. And then the next weekend Kevin's mom and dad came by and hung out for the weekend. It is nice to get to see everyone. We miss them like crazy.

It's Homecoming Weekend. Tarah's boyfriend bought her a mum and Tarah and I made him a really awesome garter. Saturday night is the dance and Tarah has a beautiful dress she bought on her last trip to Amarillo. Her dad surprised her with a visit this weekend. He is going to get to meet her friends and her boyfriend tomorrow before the dance. Tarah is really excited.

I have lost 6 pounds and have kept them off for a week now. I may finally be on the right track. I am keeping careful track of what I am feeding the family so that we can all be more healthy. Even Kevin has been careful, he has had oatmeal every morning for several weeks now.

If I can make it though this semseter with only one B or less than I will graduate next semester with a 3.5 which means I will get to wear a cord with my cap and gown. I am counting down the months to freedom. Johnny goes to Kindergarten next year and I am looking forward to a real job with a better paycheck.

I will put up some pictures after Tarah and her boyfriend leave for the dance. She is so beautiful. I am glad she is letting me help her get all ready and she even asked me to help her curl her hair. It is nice that she still needs me sometimes.

Well that break didn't last long......

I thought my first few weeks of school would be easy after such a hard summer but I was wrong. I forgot why they call it a full-time schedule. My job at the church is growing by more hours each month but maybe I will get a raise next year.

I got too busy with eveything and I guess I needed a break. I ended up with a serious cold and wound up flat on my back for three days. Kevin stepped in and took care of everything while working from home. He is my hero. Thank God I have some one to help me. I could never make it through work and school and three kids without him.

Enjoying a little break.........

Well I got an A in my ethics class.....We are just trying to relax and get things ready for school in another week. The kids are doing great.
Kevin got certified in Linux and I am finally caught up at my job.
Tarah is all set for school and Johnny and Meghan are going to mother's day out this year. That means I will be able to do some homework on Wednesdays.
I am all set to get back to raquetball with Teresa. I had to quit because of an injury but I think it is finally healed enough.

Saturday morning we went to see the dam at the Lake Lewisville Area Wildlife reserve. We had a nice nature walk and got to see some cool stuff. Johnny is really wanting to go camping or fishing. I am not sure where the interest comes from. It might be because of Tarah teaching him to roast marshmellows.

I'll be back with some cute pics from the weekend.

Tarah gets ready for High School and I am done until Fall!

Tarah got her locker assignment and her schedule today. It is going to be a pretty tough year for her but I know she can do it. At least her locker is right next to her best friend.

I won't know until tomorrow what my final grade for Ethics and Law is but I am hoping for an A. I had an A before the final but that was a crazy hard class! It was fun and I learned a lot but my brain hurts!

We are dealing with our grief for our friend as a community. It is good that we can share our feelings with each other. The support of our church and school makes living in a small town a little easier. I am trying to think of something to do as a gesture of support for the Goodner family. Maybe raising money to put something in the prayer garden in memory of Sarah. Or something for the school band.

I will be back tomorrow....just wanted to let everyone know we are OK.

just a few thoughts.....

One of my friends buried her teenage daughter, Sarah, today. When most parents would be curseing God and hating Life these parents embraced God's plan and were thankful for every day they were given with Sarah. She was a beautiful girl full of life and love and I am glad that I can believe in a universe where she is in a better place, a place of joy and love. It was such a powerful service and I am grateful to have known her and I love her family immensely.

God is Good....all the time.

Just in case of something......I want everyone to know if I die, at my funeral, I want the songs : Just as I am - my southern baptist being saved hymn, the Jesus, Jesus, can I tell you how I feel, you have given me your spirit, I love you so...... song from "candlelight at the Emmaus walk"(ask John or Linda Johnson or John or Janet Gowling) this is my most, very favorite and important song!!!!! I also love "tell me who I am" Alex's song, If they did the CS4C dance it would be perfect. And last but not least "I can only Imagine" the song already kills me form Pop's funeral and the words are some of my favorite.

A great weekend in Amarillo!

We took some pictures of the Cadillac Ranch with the Kids.We also took Johnny and Meghan to see the Cowboy at the cafe my Granny used to work at.
I have the most beautiful daughter in the world !!! I am so proud of Tarah. She is 100 times more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside. (and she is gorgeous on the outside!)
Grandma Mary, Aunt Stephanie and Tarah at the wedding. I loved seeing so many of my favorite people at one time.
Tarah convinced Johnny to take a ride on Grandma's tractor! It was a miracle! The kids did a great job of helping out by putting shingles on a roof for her. They loved learning how to work the land with the tractor!

a few more pics from the weekend

Johnny and Alexis uses brushes to look for dino bones in a cool kids pit.
Grandpa and Grandma help Johnny learn all about air in the science center.
Johnny on the Elephant on the way out of the Museum. He was a good boy, so were all the other kids. It was so much fun.

more pics from San Antonion trip

Grandpa shows the kids his guitar~
We had a great time with Larry and Norma. The food was awesome too!
Johnny shows Alexis a spider.
Meghan sticks close to Grandpa in the scary museum.
Johnny hangs on for dear life when the dino's start to move!!!