Kids say the darndest things....

Mason started sitting up like really sitting up, it's so awesome! Gracie has started saying 'no' and meaning it, the other day she refused to take a nap and was out of her bed so I went in to put her back in bed and say goodnight, I opened the door and said "Gracie it's time for night night, get back in bed please" and she mater a factly said "Nauo" (no). It was the cutest thing! In fact I had to turn around so she wouldn't see me smile, I couldn't keep a straight face after that. What a little turd! She has continued saying no and it's not as cute anymore. Last night I asked her if she was tired and she said "nigh nigh" at first I thought it sounded like no but asked her again and she ran to her bedroom, too cute! I've totally given up my debit card and now I am only carrying one credit card for emergencies (I figured I would be less likely to cheat with the credit card). I haven't spent money in a few days and it feels great!

I am amazing!

I went to the store today to pick up a prescription and had to wait 25 minutes and I didn't buy anything! I was so proud I had to tell someone. Normally I would have bought a few things, but I'm trying to change and it has to start somewhere! So today is the first day of the rest of my non-shopaholic life!

Ohhh and I took some great pictures of Mason:

SO It's been a while...

It has been so long since my last post, so much has gone on hopefully I can get it all without a meltdown from one of the kiddos! I haven't posted for so long because I have been busy, but that's really just an excuse...I've written posts a few times and then just deleted them. I have been so angry and knew that I was coming across that way and I don't think it's fair. We are so so blessed I can't believe how well Mason is doing I honestly was so scared we wouldn't even make it to this point. I know we are SO lucky, their are so many other parents out there that wish they could hold their child just one more time. So I got the negativity out and deleted it!

Now that that is out...on to better things! I am starting to read Total Money Make over by Dave Ramsey. We don't have a ton of debt, we are just aren't great at saving money and I am trying to achieve NO debt whatsoever. Obviously a house is a debt that we will have to carry for a long time but other than that our goal in nothing NO DEBT! We were near this and then were told to qualify for a home we need to kick it into high gear and up our limits on many cards and get a loan to higher our score. So we've done that and are in the ballpark to buy a home (just waiting until our lease is up). But we can't afford  the home we want if we have so many payments. My goal is to get it all paid off by September (which with Dave Ramsey's plan shouldn't be a huge feat.) Anyway I will be posting monthly goals and how it is all going. Hopefully this will help me post more and I won't feel like the focus needs to be on Mason's heart just on our family. so her it goes :

May 2010 Goals

1. Stick to the envelope system.
2. Sale 4Runner, shell and any other large items found around the house that are no longer in use.
3. Pay off Credit Cards (then not charge more than $100 on them- this must be done to keep credit score on this rise)
4. When we think 'there is nothing in the house to eat' FIND SOMETHING
5. Do not buy ANY toys! 
6. Finish reading Total Money Make Over 
7. Get to the gym at least 3 days per week
8. Cancel Cable .... Maybe?

I'll let you know how it goes, It's going to be so hard not to buy anything for the kids! and the gym 3 days a week OMG but we pay for it so I might as well go! and I think I'm about to sale the shell so almost one thing down. ;)

And now I'll try to somewhat update about the last few Months:
January: Ben started racing his motorcycle, it's pretty cool cause he actually gets a chance to ride now! We went to a race in Mesquite the last weekend in January, Ben finished and had a blast.
February: We celebrated the 3 month Milestone with Maso. Ben and I took our first mini vacation without the kids and went to a race in St. George. I was so glad that we didn't bring the kids because it was so cold! We hurried home to pick the kiddos up at the Fishers (Thanks again for watching them guys)Valentine's day was great Ben had to work so I thought it would just be another day but on the way to work Ben decided not to buy a pack of cigarettes and has never bought another one! I am so proud and it's such an amazing gift. The kids were sick but my mom came over and brought bubbles which was the ONLY thing that made Grace smile all day.
March: Mason's card appointment went okay I always feel like they give me very vague information. The lower portion of his Aorta is getting smaller (I believe this is called Aortic Stenosis) and may require another surgery. He's having a hard time swallowing and is not able to eat solids yet. They wanted us to go for a swallow study to see if there was any damage, I decided to wait a few months since it isn't affecting his growth and he is now swallowing much better so he will probably not be having this test done. We had a wonderful St. Patrick's day. My dad made corn beef and cabbage it was awesome. Gracie also got her first 4wheeler, can you say spoiled!? She's just learning to push the petal to make it go. It is so adorable! There were 2 races this month Knolls, which was freezing! my mom watched Mason and we took Grace It's a good thing we rode in the Van because that is where Grace and I stayed it was snowing and just much much to cold! The next race was in Jericho it was a little warmer I brought both kids and it was a TON of work by myself. Ben did great both races and he is totally LOVING being able to ride!
April: We missed the first race of the month because we went to Moab, it was such a great trip the first night we stayed in a KOA cabin but they didn't allow fires and to me that is what camping is all about so the next night we stayed at a hotel and it was so nice. We took the kiddos swimming Mason for his first time they had a blast! Ben is currently on his way home from a race in Delta I hope he had a great time!
Well, that's the gist of what has been going on here it is in pictures:

When both babies are sick...

Mason and Grace both have the flu, I feel so terrible for them both. Gracie she threw up during her nap yesterday, it was the first time she has actually had this happen and it scared her to death. She woke up screaming and I ran to her bedroom, the poor thing was shaking and crying so hard. I wasn't sure what to do since this was my first experience but I just took her in my arms and held her- for hours. The poor thing would not leave my side. My little Mason has been just screaming at night he will not take a pacifier or a bottle, he just lays there and screams, I can rock him, sing to him, anything and he just screams. Last night he was laying next to me and all the sudden he stops screaming and out comes the throw up! Poor thing has done it a few more times too. Luckily he likes the swing and has been content this morning.
Last night was probably the worst night since having Mason home, I didn't get to sleep until well after 2AM. When I finally got Mason to sleep Grace decided it was her turn and just kept screaming finally I got her to bed with a sippy of water and Harley sleeping in her bed with her. I'm not so sure that he was pleased but I needed some sleep. This morning when Ben left at 6AM Gracie was cuddled next to Harley, the door and a pile of throw up. I was so heartbroken I didn't wake up to help her! She took a shower this morning and has been good to go carrying her blankie through the house in her baby stroller.
I'm just praying that they both will get better soon we have a trip to Vegas planned this weekend and I really want to go! I know it's selfish!

Happy New Year!

The Holidays are finally over, and I have to say I am a little relieved. I felt pulled in so many directions this holiday season it was really hard to just enjoy it. I wasn't sure what to do, stay home with Mason to keep him healthy - or - join the family for the festivities. We ended up going to a few family functions and reluctantely keeping Mason to ourselves and going through a few bottles of hand sanitizer :) I do apologize to everyone who wanted to hold him and shower him with kisses, and Thank you so much for understanding! We thankfully kept him healthy thus far! Poor Gracie on the other hand has ended up with an eye infection and a cold :( I feel so bad for the little bugger. Saturday before Christmas we had the Gallagher Christmas party, Ben was working so I braved it with both kids alone, of course the perfect husband that he is he ended up coming for his lunch break. Grace had a blast playing with all the kids. Santa came and brought a cute little people tractor, it is so cute! Christmas Eve we had the Mcbride's over to meet Mason and open a few gifts, Gracie got a stroller and dolly from her GG and Papa, she didn't care to much for the dolly but LOVES the stroller, she even tries to ride in it-too cute! Mommy and Daddy got some so comfy new sheets, Thanks Grandma!! We had so much fun Christmas morning watching Grace open all of our gifts, she enjoyed tearing up all the paper. Daddy mad her a toy box, he really put his heart and soul into I can't wait until she is older and I can tell her how hard he worked to make it perfect for her!  Next up was the Crawford party ... Thanks to Jennifer this happens every year and it is so wonderful to see all the family! And last night we finally got to go out just Ben and I it was so awesome! I love our babies but once in a while I like to have Daddy all to myself! Grace and Mason spent a few hours with Grandma J and Grandpa (Thank you both so much)

And now to a WONDERFUL 2010- This year is going to be awesome I can just feel it! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season and I wish you the BEST this new year!
Here are some pics through the last few weeks...