Meet Kanyon.

We had Kanyon's 3D/4D ultrasound today. It was amazing. We had so much fun watching him. He was pretty bashful and kept his hands in front of his face most of the time. The girls talked to him and he started opening his mouth and even smiled for us twice! He is measuring two weeks big, so he is really cramped in there. But, our tech was great and got us a lot of awesome photos. We have a lot, so I put them in a slideshow.

He is perfect and so handsome! We are so blessed!

Why We Walk.

I don't personally know anyone who has battled breast cancer. I thank God for that. But, everyday women battle this terrible disease. My cousin Valerie has a friend who is currently battling breast cancer. She was diagnosed during her pregnancy. She went through chemo while she was pregnant. I can't imagine what she has had to go through. She is an inspiration to us all. You can read her story here. After attending my first Race for the Cure event I was hooked. You see survivors. You see families honoring their loved ones who fought the battle and lost. It is very emotional.

I may not know anyone with breast cancer, but I still raise money and walk for my family. I walk for my mom. I walk for my sister. I walk for my aunts and cousins. I walk for my friends. I walk for myself. Most importantly, I walk for my girls. Any of us could be diagnosed at any time. And, I pray that if that ever happens they will have already found a cure. Click here for instructions on how to donate to Kinnison & Kimber.

Here are some breast cancer statistics:

In 2010, it was estimated that among U.S. women there would be [31]:

• 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer (includes new cases of primary breast cancer among survivors, but not recurrence of original breast cancer among survivors)
• 54,010 new cases of in situ breast cancer (includes ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), of those, about 85 percent were DCIS)
• 39,840 breast cancer deaths

Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen. In 2010, it was estimated that among U.S. men there would be [31]:

• 1,970 new cases of breast cancer
• 390 breast cancer deaths

Attitude.

I used to be a very optimistic person. I saw the best in everyone. I was rarely in a bad mood. I was happy all the time. I would say I was something like Dory in one of my favorite Finding Nemo scenes:

Somehow that has changed. Instead of Dory, I have been Debbie. Debbie Downer. I can think of a few key events that have led me to this new attitude. Things have not always went my way. People haven't always treated me fairly or kindly. We have had our share of rough times and disappointments. But, everyone has those. Sometimes the smallest most insignificant things send me into a downward spiral. Sometimes I feel like my expectations are unreasonable.

Luke and I have always said, "If we didn't have bad luck we wouldn't have any luck at all." But, that isn't true. Not even close. My husband is my best friend. He works his butt off so I can stay at home with my babies. I am living the life I always dreamed of. (even when I am drowning in vomit) I have two beautiful girls and a beautiful boy due in 14 weeks! I have an amazing family and some amazing friends.

So, starting now I am going to be working on a new attitude. This includes a new language and a new tone. I have been quick to judge others. I have been quick to throw stones, often saying things I regret. I have been focused on the things going wrong in my life instead of all the things going right. I have two healthy, beautiful, smart, generous, sweet girls. And, I want to be a positive, patient, kind, generous, Christian role model for them. My family is my life. I am so incredibly blessed!

It doesn't get any better than this!

Progress!

Luke's Grandpa, Mom and Uncle came over today to work on the shop/apartment. They made huge progress! We have lived here almost five years now and the outside of the apartment still needed a lot of work. His family came over early this morning and worked all day. Luke is still working now. A HUGE "Thank You" to Jim, Robin and Todd for helping us out. We really appreciate it! It looks so much better already! And, Luke got a closet to store all of his hunting, fishing, and camping stuff! We still need to paint the closet and wall and seal the garage floor. But, we are so much closer!

I haven't been posting (or taking) many belly pics. So,I decided I better take one this week. I am 25 weeks!

Trying To Think Positive!

Kinnison puked all over the bathroom. Then she puked all over her bedroom. This included their lesson box, computer desk and the new chair with a canvas seat. I had a full fledged nervous breakdown. She is the one almost done with medicine. She is the one without a temp. She is the one feeling well. Why is she puking now?? And why on earth has she quit hitting the trash can and toilet?

I can't handle vomit anymore. I have cleaned so much of it up in the last 5 years. When one of them throws up I honestly want to scream...and sometimes I do. (mom of the year) I start to shake and recently have begun to cry. I am blaming that on the pregnancy hormones. Remember the sensitivity to smell when you are pregnant? It makes my eyes water and I start heaving. Kinnison threw up all over herself in the car this week. She had a large puke bucket in her lap. I saw it all over her face. I knew she was going to puke. I made her get her puke bucket. (butter bowl, cottage cheese bowl, gallon mayo or pickle jar or nearest empty container) She had it IN HER LAP and still proceeded to puke all over herself and the car. She had to ride around most of the day naked. We finally found a Wal-Mart and I bought her some new clothes. I can't tell you the number of times I have had to do this! Kinnison had reflux when she was a baby. She puked all day every day. I constantly washed clothes. I had to take a change of clothes with us every where we went. If she has drainage she pukes. If she gets nervous she pukes. Riding in the car makes her puke. She pukes for no reason. She has puked on the way to almost every single photoshoot. She puked on the way to her dance recital. She puked on the way to the way to the Clothesline Fair Parade. She puked on the way to the hospital the day Kimber was born. She puked on the way to the hospital when Kimber was admitted for pneumonia. She puked on the last day of MDO. Seriously. SHE PUKES ALL THE TIME.

I am not sure how much more of this I can take. I have been locked in this house with sick kids for over a week. Did I mention that my washer is broke...again? This time the rubber around the door ripped and it leaks water and bubbles all over the floor. I have had load after load of pukey blankets and clothes. I am losing my mind!

I am trying to be positive. I am trying to be thankful. I am trying to be patient and understanding (and failing miserably) I try to remember that I'm blessed to have a washing machine...even if it isn't working properly. I'm blessed that we have good doctors and modern medicine. I'm blessed to be able to be home with my kids. I am thankful we haven't had to take one or both of them to the hospital. It could be way worse.

But, this mama needs a break. Badly. I am exhausted. Hand mopping the bathroom floor is not easy on a girl who is 6 months pregnant!

Praying the puking is over!

Prayer Request.

Please say a prayer for Kinnison and Kimber. They have both been very sick. They picked up a virus or bacteria somewhere. It was a terrible illness that caused coughing, sore throat, high fever and vomiting. It was very similar to the flu.

Kinnison started running a temp last Monday. It was 101.5. By Tuesday she was running a temp over 102. I took her to the doctor. She was negative for strep & flu, but had fluid behind her ears and a very swollen throat. So, they gave her antibiotics. Tuesday afternoon her temp went to 103.2 and she was very lethargic. I took her back to the doctor. They drew blood and gave her a new antibiotic and an antibiotic shot. Her bloodwork showed a bacterial infection. Wednesday she was a little better, but Thursday her temp was back to 102. So, I took her back to the doctor. They did another flu swab and checked her out again. Again, the flu swab was negative. By Thursday afternoon her temp was back to 103. I was very concerned, so I made her an appointment at the Pediatric Clinic Urget Care Clinic. They were so busy they couldn't get us in until 9pm! She was immediately diagnosed with pneumonia. He said he could only hear it with deep breaths and it could have been easily missed earlier that day. I was not happy she had pneumonia, but was very happy to have a diagnosis. I knew something else was wrong, but we couldn't find anything. I felt like a crazy lady! She got another antibiotic and has been improving ever since.

Kimber started out with a 101 temp on Friday night. She has had pneumonia three times before and I was very concerned that she would get pneumonia from this as well. We had stopped the first antibiotic Kinnison was given, so I started giving it to Kimber Friday night. She has had the same symptoms except a lower fever. She has coughed, vomited and complained of a sore throat. She ran a 100 temp during the day and then 101 temp at night. We finished her last dose of antibiotic today. I noticed at lunch today that she was becoming lethargic and at nap I noticed she was breathing rapidly. When she got up from nap she was very cranky and couldn't stop coughing. I knew something else was going on. Thankfully Dr. Lee's office worked her in. Luke took her and they immediately did x-rays and confirmed that she has pneumonia...AGAIN. This is her fourth time to have pneumonia! When she is well she will be undergoing a battery of tests to see if there is an underlying cause. Dr. Lee feels like it is most likely allergies or asthma. I can handle allergies, but I do not want her to have asthma. Asthma is so scary! She doesn't have any asthma symptoms, but it is very hard to diagnose in children under the age of five. They are going to do bloodwork to check her immune system. I am hoping she doesn't have an immune deficiency. She has had croup twice, pneumonia four times and has also had tubes. One of her doctors pointed out that all of her illnesses except the pneumonia were normal childhood illnesses. Luckily she has only been hospitalized once. We are going to start allergy medicine tomorrow. We are hoping that will help. I don't know what caused the first three rounds of pneumonia, but I really feel like this was caused by whatever Kinnison had. Kinnison has never had pneumonia and she developed it in a matter of days with this nasty bug!

I HATE when my babies are sick. I get so stressed. It literally makes me physically ill. I can't eat or sleep. I feel so helpless. I would do anything to make them feel better! Please say a prayer that they recover quickly, that Kimber doesn't have to be hospitalized this time, and pray that we figure out what is causing Kimber to have recurrent pneumonia. Also, please say a prayer baby Kanyon. I have not been taking care of myself like I should. I haven't been sleeping at all. I have been waiting on kids, cleaning up vomit, washing bedding and playing pharmacist. Hopefully they both get well soon so we can get back to our routine! I am ready for SPRING!

Love,

Starting My Stockpile.

I have been following the Krazy Coupon Lady for a while. I read on her website that there would be a $3.00 off Gain Fabric Softener coupon in the paper a few weeks ago. I got a paper, but the coupon wasn't there. For some reason there wasn't a RedPlum insert that week. So, I bought some of the coupons on eBay. This is the fabric softener I normally use. I buy a bottle about every 2 weeks. So, I decided to buy 40 coupons. I won the first auction for $11.95 including shipping and the second auction for $9.99 including shipping. So, my coupons cost .59 cents and .50 cents each.

A 60 load bottle of Gain costs $4.18 at Wal-Mart.

So, after the coupon I spend $1.18. When you factor in the cost of the coupon I am spending $1.68-$1.77, which is still less than half price.

An 80 count box of dryer sheets costs $3.26 at Wal-Mart.

So, after the coupon I spend .26 cents for a box. When you factor in the cost of the coupon I am spending $.76-.85 cents per box.

This is a great deal! I have purchased mostly liquid since I use it daily. But, I have bought about 6 boxes of the dryer sheets. You can only use 4 of the coupons at once. So, I just pick up 4 bottles each time I am there. I only have 8 coupons left to use. When I am done I will have about a 2 year supply of fabric softener!

This would have been an awesome deal if I could have gotten the coupons cheaper. But, this is a HOT coupon, so they were going fast on eBay. And, I would have spent even more if I bought 40 Sunday newspapers.

I am hoping to find some more bargains like this and stock up while they are cheap!

Cheap Wipes At Amazon!

You have to be an Amazon Mom member to get this deal. The membership is free and it is easy to sign up!

Scenario:

* Go to Amazon Coupons and click on the pampers wipe coupon.

* Then search for wipes. Or, you can click on this link.

* Amazon Mom members can save an extra 10% on wipes through March 6th. Coupon code MOMWIPES

* Then sign up for subscribe and save to save 30%.

Reminder- As soon as your subscribe and save order ships you can cancel the subscription by logging into your account and clicking on "manage subscriptions".

I got a 4 pack of Pampers Sensitive Thick Care wipes for $12.87!

Amazon Sale Price $21.46 (Regularly $35.56)

30% Subscribe and Save- $6.44

10% MOMWIPES Promotion- $2.15

Free 2-Day shipping!

Total $12.87

I didn't get to use the .50 cent Pampers coupon because it wasn't available when I ordered! But, I still got a great deal! These wipes are normally .5 cents each and I got them for less than .2 cents each!

Also, I got a coupon out of a magazine today. It is good for 20% off of an Amazon Mom Diaper order. You can stack this with the Subscribe and Save Discount and Amazon Coupons (if available)

Just enter the following code at checkout:

YJR4-DCTRG4-M4AKQM.

Expires 3/31/2011

It's That Time Of The Year!

The girls and I are registered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure! We are planning on attending even though I will be 7 months pregnant and pushing a double stroller! I asked them if they wanted to participate this year and they both said yes! They make me so proud!

We would love your support. If you would like to donate please donate to Kinnison and Kimber.

To donate to Kinnison and Kimber click on the following link:

http://ozark.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/FYV_OzarkAffiliate?fr_id=2150&pg=pfind

Enter Kinnison Hamilton or Kimber Hamilton. We are on the NWA Playgroup Team.

Thank You!

Must Be Doing Something Right.

Every day I question my ability to parent Kinnison and Kimber. I pray for the wisdom, ability and patience to teach them what they need to know to grow to be responsible adults. More than anything I pray for their safety. Sometimes I get very frustrated. And, 99.99% of the time I am not frustrated with them. I am frustrated with myself. Every decision I make and every thing I do directly affects them. It scares me to death. And, I know I have a lot of room to grow. I doubt myself often.

Then they do something amazing. Something thoughtful. Something kind. They amaze me.

Kinnison will help her sister or Kimber will say, "I love you sis." They hug each other, play with each other and take care of each other. They are kind, smart, compassionate, and sweet. Multiple times a day Kinnison & Kimber say, "Mommy...I love you!"

I know that I make mistakes every day. But, I have two of the most amazing children. I am so lucky that God chose me to be their momma.

They are beautiful inside and out. I must be doing something right!