Hi There!

So it has been over a year since I was here. So much has happened and I am sorry I have not kept you apprised of it all.
So a very quick summary:
The kids are now 9,4 and 2. We had a huge birthday blow out for all three at one time. 45 people in my house! It was wonderful to have so many friends and family here to celebrate our children's births! It is nice to see the love!
I have returned to the workforce. I am an Insurance Agent for USAA. It has its ups and downs but I am helping keep our family afloat which is the most important. We are able to keep the kids out of daycare, which saves a lot of $. Drew is off Mondays and Fridays, I am off Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. Anna and Devin are with my Mother in Law on Tuesday and with Mom on Saturday. I sometimes work Wed and take Saturday off to things with the kids and when i do Leona keeps them on Wed. We couldn't do it without our family! I thank God for them everyday. He blessed us with a wonderful, loving, and supportive family.
Drew is still at Bjorn's.
Dad deployed back to Afghanistan in Oct 2009, he will be returning by Nov 2,2010. We are very excited for his return!
That pretty much sums it up there was stuff in the middle but these are the biggies!
I plan on being more regular, keep your fingers crossed for me. :)

Dora

Today Devin is Three!

Happy Birthday Devin! My baby boy is three years old today May 11, 2009. How quickly the time has flown by but at the same time it is hard to believe how much has happened in three years since his birth. He talks so much and has very vocal opinions about what he wants to eat, what he won't eat, what he wants to wear or not wear. He is coming into his own. How exciting and terrifying all at the same time. But this marks the beginning of the birthday whirlwind for us. Devin's today (11th), Mom's tomorrow (12th), mine the next day (13th), two very good friends on the 26th Matt who will be 27 and Madison who will be 5, then Clara's fiance Josh on June second, Dylan's the 5th, my mother in law on the 9th, Drew's on the 12th, then Anna on the 23rd. Not to be forgotten are my in laws anniversary on June 6th and Father's day in June. Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it. Well not a lot of time but I need to get back to updating this blog time to refocus. Oh, I am calling to follow up on an interview tomorrow so if you have a chance throw a prayer out for me. Thanks!

Love
Dora

Some great pictures of Devin and Anna

Pictures of the other two so they don't feel left out with all the pictures of Dylan at the tournament.

Anna is such a girl. She already loves the phone!

Devin had just woken up from a nap super grumpy.

Then he realized I was taking pictures and hammed it up.

"I so seepy, Mommy."

Good Morning sunshine!

Chilling in the car seat. No he did not go in public dressed like that. Those were his pj's.

Dora

4 Doctor Visits in 2 Weeks

Well we have been to the pediatrician 4 time on 2 weeks. Once was for a well baby check for Anna. She weighs 15 pounds 4 ounces and is 27 inches long she is still a little under weight but she is putting it on at least and her development is great.

Devin went twice to the doctor during week one for really dry scaly skin on his back. I was worried it was eczema, but the doctor said it was just dry patch so we need to put Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion and use dove body was. We were already using scent and dye free detergent because of my skin so we will go from there. We are hoping it doesn't turn to eczema and poor baby seems to have inherited my sensitive skin.

Devin's second trip was after a few days after Anna's well baby appointment. He had stuff coming out of his left ear. Turns out it was puss. YUCK! Turns out he has pharyngitis and an upper respiratory infection. He is doing much better already. He had to get a prescription for an antibiotic which is his first time. We almost made to age 3 without antibiotics, we were hoping it would be longer, but what can you do. When they need them they need them.

Then the fourth trip was for Anna the night of Dylan's trip. We ended up in the E.R. because she had a 105 degree fever. They looked her over said she was OK. There has been a virus going around down here that causes high fever and vomiting she had gotten sick once. They sent us home at about 3am with orders to to give her Motrin or Tylenol. So yeah no antibiotics! She is doing much better. No fever but she does have a little cough but it is going away.

So hopefully we will not be seeing the doctor for another 3 months when Anna has her next well baby check! Talk to you later!

Love,
Dora

Karate Tournament

I have not gotten video off the video camera to the computer yet, but Leona assures it can be done and when she is yucky germ free she will come over and show me how so I can share Dylan's performances with you.

In the mean time here are some pictures that I took.

This is Dylan in his Hakama uniform. He wears this for his for his sword form. He does the form to music and without music.

Dylan and his classmates Mykayla and Wesley waiting to do their musical forms. Wesley does a form with a BO staff and Mykayla does an open hand form with lots of tumbling. Dylan took third with both of his sword forms.

Dylan waiting to get his trophy in traditional forms. He took third but there were eleven kids in his division so he beat seven other kids so we are really proud of him. I wish I had a picture but I did not see it until it was ending but Devin crashed a trophy ceremony like this one in another ring. He lined up with the competitors, stood at attention and bowed with them. He want to do Karate so bad, they are going to test him in June to see if he is ready.

Dylan receiving his trophy from the judges for his traditional form.

Dylan all geared up after his fights waiting to get his first place trophy! Here he is clapping for his teammate Joseph.

Dylan with his first place trophy. He was so sweaty!

Dylan hanging out at Luby's with some of his teammates after the tournament. Luby's had kids plates for $2 all day on Saturday, it doesn't get any better!

Dylan at Luby's. His friends Trey, in the black shirt, Wesley, in the blue, and Trinity or Julia in the back (I can't tell in the picture which one because they are twins, in person I can tell).

All the kids did great, our school got a lot of first place trophies!

Dora

Update...Sorry so Late

Well things have been really crazy here. I was Matron of Honor for a friend and helped her with last minute details a couple of days before the wedding so the kids and I moved to my parents temporarily since the wedding was in Castroville and that way Mom and Dad could give me a hand with the kids.
Then this past weekend we went to Waco for a karate tournament for Dylan. I will post pictures tomorrow. He did really great 3 third places and first place in sparring.
Drew is fervently searching for a new job as things at his current employer are not going well. Being paid commission in these economic times is not ideal. We are taking it one day at a time. We hope and pray that Drew finds a job that provides enough money so that I do not have to go back to work so we aren't paying $1200-$1500 a month in daycare. He has some leads and is working with a headhunter to expedite the process.
Have to get homework done and then run to karate practice.
I'll get some pictures and maybe a video up tomorrow (if i can get it from the video camera to the computer that is).


Love,
Dora

Prayers Please.

Well I may be going back to work. Drew's job is commission and with the economy the way it is people just aren't buying TVs, Home Theatre equipment, Speakers, etc. The last two months have been very hard. But the Lord provides and we are doing OK. The important thing is that Drew still has a job. Some of our friends have lost theirs.
So anyway I may be returning to the work force so that we can keep our heads above water.
I wish I could say more but I am not in the mood. Sorry.

I hope everyone is doing well and our prayers are with you all. It is not an easy time for anyone.

God Bless,

Dora