Got a Fever of 103.9

After not sleeping for 2 nights, walking around looking and feeling like the living dead, I can honestly say that I am delicately balancing on the brink of exhaustion-induced psychosis. To be blunt, my emotions are shot and I am pretty much a mess.

With this in mind, today when I checked Markie's temperature and the digital readout STARTED at 103 degrees - that was all I needed to set me off in full-tilt-freak out mode. With a thermometer reading 103.9 degrees in one hand and the phone to my doctor in the other - the poor receptionist had to deal with my wrath. I am convinced that when you start a conversation to your doctor's office with "I AM FREAKING OUT!" it is a very effective method to get the care that you need. This theory was tested and proven today as the response was for me to bring him right in - which I did. The diagnosis was that he is suffering from a common virus that will most likely show up in both of my other kids before the week is out. Now that sure is something to look forward to! I can hardly wait!

Hot Blooded...

Check it and see - Got a fever of a 103... Well, almost 103 anyways. 102.4 to be exact! Markie has been on a feverish roller coaster all day and it looks like it might be the trend well into the night. Bummer for me!

On a much cooler and WAY more exciting note, my sweet niece Elena turned 8 today! Happy Birthday Little E!


We all love you like crazy angel girl and can't wait to see you in a month and a half!

Golfing, Birthdays and a Bunch of Full Bellies

After the return of 5 tired but happy campers - we headed off into a bunch of directions! The Marks (Mark Jr. and Mark III) scooted off to their golf tournament while Tanner, Madison and I - with Riley in tow - headed over to the Knowles house for an incredible lunch. We gorged ourselves on a homemade Stromboli and tomato soup. After a quick trip down the street to drop off Tanner at a birthday party - I headed back to resume my spot at the Knowles dining room table where we chatted and drank ridiculous amounts of sweet tea.

To top off the fabulous lunch, I concocted a new brownie recipe that consisted of chocolate chip brownies covered with a flattened layer of chocolate chip cookie dough and then baked. It was quite delicious - even if I do say so myself!

A fun conclusion to a fun weekend!

On My Own...

What to do with all of this time - I just don't know! My very brave hubby took our three kids and Madison's friend Riley camping for the night. Since oil and water go together as well as camping and I do - I have the next 18 hours to myself! I can't remember the last time that I didn't have anything to do! I am so fired up! So, in no particular order, here is what I am thinking my evening will look like:

• Get caught up on Ace of Cakes
• Take a Bubble Bath
• Finish the book I am currently reading
• Eat a well balanced meal (cookie dough balanced on a spoon)
• Watch a chick flick (probably The Holiday)
• Sleep like an X in the middle of my bed!

Pretty much lots of lounging, absolutely NO cleaning and some well deserved time to just chill-ax!

VOLCANO ERUPTS!!!

The walls were shakin', the earth was quakin', my mind was achin' and we weren't fakin' as a volcano erupted right here in Redding, CA. With lava and poisonous gases spewing everywhere, the unbearable heat and ash surrounding us, it was by the grace of God alone that we lived through it!

OK - so we weren't really in THAT much danger. I tend to have a way with embellishing things! It was quite an eruption though! After making the volcano from scratch (*note to reader, inhaling powdered plaster is never a good idea), and painting it over the course of 2 days, it's destiny to erupt was fulfilled and my work as a volcano maker/painter/erupter was done!

Lullaby and Goodnight...

After running around like wild animals and acting like untamed beasts - it was all too clear that these little ones were well overdue for a nap. Getting them to settle down enough to actually get some rest was another story! After exhausting all other options, it became apparent that lulling these creatures to sleep with the sweet melody of Tanner's voice was the only choice. After rounds of Rock-A-By-Baby, a very interesting version of The Star Spangled Banner and Josh Grobin's You Raise Me Up, these sweet little beings finally settled into a restful slumber!

Happy Apple Day!!!

'Twas 3 months before Christmas and hidden all around
Were apples for the kindergarten class to be found
There were red ones, green ones and some fujis too
Ready to be studied by this under six crew
With marshmallow and peanut butter apple smiles
And apple tree paintings in their own unique styles
Apple Jacks to be strung by the children with care
And then eaten quickly so they wouldn't have to share
There was juice and dancing and lots of apple-y fun
And a couple happy moms that Apple Day was done!