Yes, I know Christmas was a month ago!

Yeah sorry about that! I send everyone my blog telling them it is a great way to check up on us, then I don't post anything for two months. The last two months have just flown by. We had a great Christmas! We had a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Yardley. I will have to down load some pictures when I get to the big computer. I had to give Jason a hard time when I cleared out our S-card and out of 75 pictures there wasn't one of me. I know "boo hoo" but really.. 75. I have been using the time I would blog to do my leg exercises. It has been feeling better, but I think it is mainly from not wearing heels anymore. Dylan and Jackson are perfect. I pinch myself everyday. They make me laugh non stop. Today Dylan and his friend Adam were pushing their trucks in a line and Jackson was pushing his little car following their every step. Jackson is at a hefty 23 pounds. I promise I feed him. The only time he is not full speed is when he is sleeping. He loves to get me to chase him especially when we are in a crowded restaurant. Dylan is doing good in his school. His teacher sends home newsletters about things that the kids should be doing. Usually Dylan can already do it and has done it for awhile. We are debating to hold him back from kindergarten next year. He is only two weeks behind the cut off date. Jason thinks he will be fine, I want to talk to his teachers about it before I make my decision. This morning I woke up and listened to the alarm radio (which I never do, I usually turn it off right away) anyway, they were saying how they will have a report about the closure and delays I figured that they were talking about the airports... anyways they start listing off the schools. At first I got all excited like when I was a kid and we got out off school for a snow day. I looked out the window expecting to see three feet of snow. Nope..nothing. There was ice on the roads so they shut the whole city down. It wasn't too bad, but not as fun as when I was kid. I didn't get to go to the Thrift store either. I wouldn't have minded, but I spent the night before getting my consignment ready. The angel in me, or the martyr, volunteered to manage the Thrift Store next year. I really am glad to do it. The work is so rewarding, and we have a great time. It isn't going to be the same without my good friend and neighbor Jenn. It will be hard to see them go, but that is life in the military. It brings wonderful people into your life and yanks them out just as fast. It ended up snowing, well sleet that stuck. It was at least enough to get me excited. Jason left for Puerto Rico last Friday. He was lucky to get this mission. We were going to go with him, but I didn't want to be the only wife down there, and we didn't know how the kids would do on the Herc. Jason says we could still come down, but we will have to see what his schedule looks like next week. Well I better go I still have to do my leg exercises Ugh!!! I will down load some Christmas pictures soon. Here is one I found of me.

The 2008 Christmas letter!!!!

Hello friends and family, Welcome to our blog. I am glad that you were able to understand my mess of a card and find us here. I was in a rush trying to order them. They even remind you to check it all over and make sure everything looks good. For those of you who know me pretty well, you are probably not surprised. Then I noticed that the picture is lopsided in the frame. I feel like I have given you all a little game. "Lets find all the mistakes in the card", fun for the whole family! I just have to keep telling myself that it is the thought that counts. I went to a Time Out for Women conference in SA this fall. Jason Wright talked about how important it is to send out letters. I believe in that, but I also believe that a blog is a Christmas letter that never ends. You can check up on us all year long. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. I will try to give a little summary for this last year, but if you want to get more info, you can look at my older posts and get it all. Watch out though I tend to carry on a bit.
Jason joined the Air Force in 2006, since then we have lived in Del Rio, Corpus Christi, Little Rock and Abilene. It is so nice to finally be settled, well at least the AF's idea of being settled. 3-4 years in the same house seems like an eternity to us. We bought our first home in July. As you can tell, we really like Texas. After Jason finished his training in Little Rock, he was ready for his first assignment at Dyess AFB. He flys the C-130 Hercules and loves it. He didn't deploy with the squadron this time, but will probably go in June. His only complaint about his job is he either flies too much or not enough. There doesn't seem to be a happy medium.
We love our new home and it is in the best neighborhood. Dylan has boys his age that live on each side of us. They have become "Best Buddies". He is going to a 5 day a week preschool 8-2:30. He has learned so much. He comes home everyday telling me what they did. His teacher is impressed with how well mannered he is. Dylan played soccer on the YMCA league. He was awesome! He would tell us before each came how many goals he was going to score. He is going to try Basketball this winter. Jackson is my climber. He would make my cousins Jonathan and Chad very proud. I had to put my chairs on top of my table. I figured out that he can scoot them over to counter and climb up on top when I found this I was in the other room. I thought he was just pulling the Tupperware out of the cupboard. He is quite the babbler. He also says Mommy, Dadda, What that, and uh oh. He will sometimes try to repeat what I say. I just discovered that he will shake his head when he means yes. It has made things so much easier. He is still small, but he can hold his own. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives. It still isn't decided if he will be the youngest or the middle child.

A top of my full time job as a stay at home mom, I have volunteered at the thrift shop on base. It is a great way to meet new people. I have also been very involved with Jason's squadron spouses. They have get togethers all the time. The only problem is that I don't know if Jason will be able to stay with the boys until the day before. Luckily I have a girl down the street that is always willing to watch them. I wanted to do more to help, so I offered to help with the squadron playgroup. That same week, I was asked by one of the mothers in my church if I would take over their playgroup. I really enjoy it. I use what I learn from one to help the other.
I saw something on the Internet about "This vacation will change your life". It made me think, I don't want to change my life. I wouldn't mind more money or sleep, but we wouldn't change a thing. It will be hard when Jason deploys, but I have the greatest friends that will help us through it. I want to wish all of you the happiest of holidays. Please relish in the time that you can spend with your families. I hope you have all enjoyed my blog. Please check back again. I usually post once a week. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving in Dallas and pics of christmas lights

Wow only 14 days away, I feel like I am barely getting over my triptophan daze. Thanksgiving was Delicious!!!! I haven't eaten that good in.... well, probably since last Thanksgiving. We had a great visit with my sister and her family. The kids had a blast. Dylan was following my oldest nephew all over the place.

Dylan was suffering from his "Roid rage", so he would get very upset at the slightest problem. It was funny at times, but still hard to deal with. He started crying when we were about to serve the meal. His cousin wanted to have ham and turkey, but Dylan wanted him to have what he was having, and he DIDN'T want the ham.
I felt like I was dealing with a teenage girl. The next day we picked up decorations for the house, and a few presents. We thought it would take a day to put everything up, nope 3. It took all of Saturday to put the lights outside up. I had already made my wreath for my Mantel 2 weeks before, so I just had the kitchen to do. I was going to post some pictures, but haven't taken them yet. I have been trying to get in the mood to do our Christmas cards. I finally realized if we took the picture it could give me a theme to work with. Friday morning I got ready before Jackson was awake. I told Jason that since we had to dress up anyways for the party we might as well take our Christmas picture. Jackson was taking a late nap, so I knew everything would work out. Then Dylan gets off the bus complaining of a stomach ache. I thought that he just ate something bad. After he puked, I knew the curse of the pictures was happening again. He felt fine after that so I put him in his suit. We were about to take the picture when he said his stomach was hurting again. I asked him if we could just hurry and take the picture. He was standing by my side on a stool, I had to hold him up and try to get him to smile. We finally settled on him leaning into me with a little smile. He laid down for a minute and then ran to the bathroom again. I thought I would be up with him all night, but he wanted to go to bed at 7pm and we didn't hear from him till morning. I ordered the card from Walmart this morning. I was debating whether or not to send a letter, but then I had the idea to put my blog name on the card and just write a letter on my blog. That way those who didn't get a card would still see it. Brilliant huh! If you would like me to send one to you, make sure I have your address. If you want mine I can send you an email. Well I better go. We are taking some Thrift store rejects to the homeless center and I have to try to put a dent in the laundry. I will try to post again before I do my Christmas letter. This is a CRAZY week though. Till then. This was what Jason and Dylan were doing while I was taking these pictures...


I need to pull down the lights that blew on top of the roof on the garage...

Should I send Dylan's pictures back? Help me decide

So Dylan had school pictures awhile ago. I got them back and they were not what I expected. Dylan has such a pretty smile usually, but in this picture his eyes are squinting and it looks really forced. My friend Jen says that all school pictures look like that and I should be grateful he looks as good as he does. So I could send them back and just get singles of him with our family, or just start giving them out. What do you all think?
We will be decorating the house today. I will take pictures and download them and of our Thanksgiving with my sister. Dylan and his cousin made a gingerbread house. Of course it collapsed with Jasons city driving. My BIL said to put it back together with toothpicks. It could work! Well I better go drag Jason out of bed, considering it is 10:45. Write more soon!

First ER visit, Dylan said "Bad shots! you stop hurting me"

Yeah I had to laugh a little when he said that. I didn't know what to say. I hadn't had to respond to statements like that since he was 2. Oh what a day! No one is ever going to read my blog because they only think I write about the bad in our lives. I promise it is just because Jason has to work tonight and I took some pictures of Dylan on his stretcher. We had to leave Church yesterday cause Jackson was running a fever and acting miserable. We came home and he slept for 5 hours. He woke up a little cranky, but was fine after he ate. Dylan started coughing that night but I didn't think much of it. He slept all night, but came in our room at 7 am coughing non stop. We gave him a breathing treatment and he seemed to be ok for a little while. Jackson was extra crabby and wouldn't let me put him down. That left Jason tending to Dylan. Dylan started coughing more and more. He went and laid in his bed and was screaming that his stomach hurt. I figured he was just tensing up and he just needed to calm down and relax. He slept a while, and woke up feeling better. Jason went to the store to buy medicine. I knew it wouldn't help, but I know he was just doing what he could. He started coughing pretty bad again so we gave him another treatment. It worked for awhile, but right after Jason went to work,(of course) he started screaming that his stomach hurt. I just figured he needed to take another rest so I told him to get in bed. To make it more exciting, when I was trying to comfort Dylan, Jackson came in the room and took one of the cups that was on Dylan's bed stand. Guess what Daddy let Dylan have in his room. Yup! Red Sunny D. Jackson spilled it all over our cream carpet. I thought that me scrubbing the floor was keeping Dylan awake, but even after I left the room he was still screaming that his stomach hurt and now he was definitely wheezing. I knew that I wouldn't be able to get an appointment, but I thought I would call them and ask if I could give a treatment every 2 hours. After I explained to the nurse what was going on, she demanded that I take him to the ER. I was in denial that he was that bad. When I saw the look on the admittance nurse face when she saw what his blood O2 level, I realized it was that bad. She presented Dylan to our nurse, she said that his blood O2 was 88. Yeah, I felt like the worst mother in the world. After they took his blood and stuck this weird toothpick looking thing up his nose they gave him a breathing treatment with a fun mask.

He liked it. I had a hard time keeping him taking it off and playing with it. After that he was breathing a lot better and was finally able to relax. He didn't mind the X-ray. The tech said he kept singing Jingle Bells. He was not fond of them taking blood or the shot of steroids and antibiotics. I couldn't help laughing when he said "bad shots stop hurting me". We had to wait for a half hour after they gave him the shots, luckily Star Wars was on TV. After we picked up Jackson ( My good friend Brandi was gracious enough to watch him for us) and dropped off his prescriptions. We got take out and took it up to Jason's work. I was in good spirits until I got home and saw the mess I left. At least I was able to clean up the punch.


We are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my sister and her family in Dallas. We have spent the last few years in Texas, and this is the first time we are able to be together for the holidays. My mom would be so happy. I just wish my brother and his family could join us. I can't believe I haven't seen my second nephew yet. My sister in law is a saint, she sent me this huge box of clothes for Jackson. Her son is a few months older then him, so it works out perfectly. He is defiantly better dressed then Dylan was at his age. My mom and I just went to the Walmart in town and stocked up. I already know of a few things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. My Great Family, my generous friends, and that the hospital is 2.5 miles from my house and that we have great insurance. Take Care, and Happy Thanksgiving.

Prepare for pictures of Jason and Heather in their prime!

Sorry I tricked ya, but not yet. I finally let Jason get a new printer, and I am going to go to town this weekend scanning some of our old pictures. This has been a pretty quiet week, so far. I felt like a horrible mother on two incidents though. I TOTALLY forgot that Dylan had swimming lessons on Wednesday at 4:30. I told my neighbor that I would watch her boy and at about 4:45 I was thinking wasn't there something we were supposed to be doing today. Then it hit me. I was so upset with myself. The other time was today at the mall playground. I was busy gabbing and had a hard time keeping up with Jackson. He took advantaged of that and kept walking out into the mall. I really don't see why they can't put a gate up. I will have to say that I am communicating well with Jackson. I can tell when he wants to eat, drink sleep, play out side, give me a love, run after him, tickle him, and dance with him. Do we really need to know anything else? He finally is addressing me as mommy. Jason has finally talked me into letting him get Jackson's hair cut. I feel bad that I can't do it myself, but with Dylan it was easier. He didn't have as many distractions as Jackson has. I want to set up our family pictures soon after that. Isn't it a week that you are supposed to wait to after you get your haircut? Jason and I attended Dylan's Parent Teacher conference. She showed us his "little report card". He did very well. Everything he needs to work on will take him a few days to master. The teacher said he was the most polite child in the class and that he was as sharp as a tack, but all boy. I took that as he is smart when it matters, but can't sit still for the life of him. I agree! Oh Yeah, Jason and I bought our 2nd large furniture purchase since we have been married (that is what renting does to you). I went to this furniture store that was having a closeout sale. They had this this iron bed frame that I really liked. I dragged Jason up there and we purchased it. I think he was just happy that I finally chose something. I know you are all excited to see me and Jason as babies. If you see him don't let him know what I am up to. He is too embarrassed. Till then!

What a week !!!!

I would love to be able to write a post and only have great things to say. To keep up with my "want to be" cheery disposition, I am going to put a positive spin on all the bad.
Halloween was great! We started out the day going to the 39 AS Lunch Bunch. I dressed Jax in Dylan's little "Red Baron" outfit. We went to Carinos. It was surprisingly good. We were sitting next to a 3 and 2 year old boys. It was very nice for the mom not to blame me when Jax kept hitting and distracting them. He also entertained the whole restaurant while he ran around. .Since Dylan was going as Bumblebee the Transformer, I thought it would be cute to dress Jax as a little bumblebee. It seemed only natural for me to be the Beekeeper.

They had a great time at the Trunk or Treat we had at the church. It was so nice that Jason was able to take them around the neighborhood. Katie even took Jax in the stroller. My neighbor was nice enough to come over and sit on my porch to hand out candy. I was taught a great lesson when I handed a mother the candy bowl and she grabbed a whole fist of candy. I was proud of myself when I tapped her hand and said that is too many. Jen and I were able to laugh about it for the rest of the night.

Dylan had a great time at his last soccer game for the season. He didn't even notice when his coach kept his friend out of most of the game so she could keep her sons in the whole time. Nor did he hear his Friends father scream that they were leaving and about ripped his son out of the sideline. Good times good times. They had their soccer party at the Y that afternoon. Dylan had a great time swimming with his friends. He was a great sport when we left his change of clothes at home and he had to sit and eat his food wearing his wet bathing suit while Jason went home to get it.

I was able to move my MRI to 7:30 that night. It was nice to get some time to read my book while I was waiting (1 1/2). I was surprised when they said that I only had to be in the bed for 15 minutes. They even sprang a X-Ray on me. Monday was going without incident until Jax threw up in the entrance way to the fitness center while I was showering Dylan after his swimming lesson. Luckily he only got it on part of Jason's flight suit. Since the kids don't get sick that much Jason and I thought it would be fine to take them to Chuckie cheese for a school fundraiser. It save us a lot of trouble when Jax threw up in the car seat on the way there, and not on one the machines. I have been meaning to take the whole car seat apart and wash it anyway. We lucked out again when the last time Jax threw up it was in between my oriental rugs. It was nice that I didn't have to take care of him all night. I am not even going to talk about what made Tuesday bad. I think you can all figure that out. At least we were all healthy and thought it was just something Jax ate. I don't know if there is anyway to spin Wednesday. It was pretty bad! I have never felt so sick in my WHOLE life. Not only was I suffering from major "women problems", I had Jax's stomach flu. Jason was able to take care of Jax during the day, but he left at 3 to go to a night flight. It was miserable, I couldn't keep anything down, including the Ibuprofen to help my cramps. Around midnight my head and stomach finally stopped hurting. I kept praying that Jason and Dylan wouldn't get this. Dylan seemed fine the next morning so I took him to school. At 9:30 they called me and said that Dylan has thrown up. All I can say is thank goodness this virus has caught us on all different days. There is no way I could have scrub the couches, change the linens on all our beds (twice), and be at each their sides the whole time. Jason has a flight tomorrow so I am praying that he doesn't get it then. If he has it as bad as I did, he is going to be crying like a baby in front of his flight crew. At 8 Dylan asked me to put him in bed. He hasn't come out yet, so hopefully he is better. I have been stuck in my house all week, I was looking forward to getting away from all this sickness and going to my friend Kim's Baby shower on Friday night. My friend Natalie called me and asked me if I was going to the shower tonight. I told her no it is tomorrow night. I felt like an idiot when I actually read the invitation and saw it was tonight. Oh well I feel like I am incubator of this virus anyway. So how did I do? I tried to be a little more upbeat. I think the only good thing about sick kids is that they want to cuddle with you more. Take care.