Ouch :(

I was doing some landscaping this past month in our front and back yards when my shoulder started to ache. Then I took Jake to his annual eye exam that he vehemently didn't want to do. He slammed and I mean slammed his head into my shoulder in the doctor's office. I went to urgent care an hour after that because of the pain. My point is: I separated my shoulder and collar bone where they join. It is very painful too. This was the last week of March and today I went to the Orthopedic Surgeon to see if he could help me with this pain. One cortisone shot later and I'm doing better. But for those who have wondered where I have been or where their birthday cards and gifts are; I will try to catch up this week. Thanks for all the prayers and help from my friends and family. I love you guys. Now let's pray that the shots will help and I don't have to have surgery!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Mikey was having so much fun with these bunny ears that I had to share this picture on our blog. We had a good Easter weekend. No one threw up this year. (A couple years ago everyone was sick and we went to Julie Holladay's for dinner. Zoey ended up throwing up her dinner on the kitchen floor 15 minutes into the evening. Later Gary joined in that night. It trickled down from there. Lots of fun for me.) I made a ham and Easter potatoes and corn. I bought the fluffy rolls that go so well with the leftovers. The kids enjoyed dinner this year. We set the table very nice with 2 center pieces of purple flowers. Zoey said that the table looked like we were attending a wedding. What a compliment. Emily told everyone they should use their best manners too. Jake and Preston didn't get the memo. Jake came to the table butt naked and Preston used his fork as an airplane. Oh well:) The family was together and the kids were behaved all day. Even at church they were awesome. We reflected on Christ's Resurrection and the girls really understood that this year. We are truly blessed and hope everyone else was able to enjoy their Easter weekend as well.

Reid Park Zoo

We recently went to the Tucson Reid Park Zoo during our Rodeo Days Vacation February 20 &21. (For those who don't live west of the Mississippi River, these days are for all the kids that belong to the 4H clubs and rodeo.) I love the Flamingo Birds there and so do the kids. This is our favorite part of the Zoo. We can really get close to the birds and they are friendly most of the time. There is a spitting frog statue that Preston loves to play at. Of course he gets so wet; but that's half the fun. The girls like to watch the ducks dive for food. Sometimes they get really close and you can almost touch them. We'll have to take you there when you visit Grandma and Grandpa Affleck. It will be lots of fun. Can't wait to see you soon.

Hello Friends and Family,

I have started this blog to help keep in touch with everyone and let you guys know what's going on with us these days.

This is a good picture to start with cuz I love my girlz. If you know me well, you know how important my family is to me. I have five kids now; so don't expect me blogging everyday like some friends I know!

For now this is what is going on. I separated my collar bone and shoulder yesturday. It was painful but not bad. Labor is definately worse:) I am in a sling for a week. Can you say impossible with kids? I have a friend's daughter coming over and helping with kids and chores. Many thanks to Lexi. Other than that I am good.

Gary is working hard at Raytheon. He's there alot lately and we get to see him on weekends only. The kids really miss seeing him at night. We are thankful for his employment. The economy is worrying Gary. So the security of a job helps ease his mind. He is starting to really get into gardening. He has grown lettuce and 1 squash. Trying brocholli now. I got him a drip system for the garden for his birthday last year and he finally put it together this weekend. We both enjoy the cool weather right now, so we're outside more.

The girls are getting bigger each day. Zoey is in first grade and Emily in Kindergarden. They love school. Emily has been tested for the GATE program. We are so proud of her. We find out the results this month. Preston is doing well in his Developementaly Delayed Preschool. He was diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) last August. His speech has grown leaps and bounds and is cognitive reasoning is coming along. Jake is...well, Jake. 2 and a real handful. Love him one minute, try not to choke him the next. But he loves his mama:) Michael is getting bigger and you wouldn't even know he was 5 weeks early!

So, that's us in a nut shell. I'll post some pics of the kids and a recent zoo trip we took.

Love,

Marti