Costume Parade

My gorgeous boys (:

A grumpy Indy

He was actually walking backward to school!

The boys school had a costume parade today.

Ivan, although he has been wearing the Indiana Jones costume for weeks, went as a pirate. I drew some facial hair on him and he washed it off. He told me, "Mom, that made me look HIDEOUS!" Not even sure where he learned that from!

Connor went as Indy instead and threw a HUGE fit. Connor's life is never fair and his complaints were just silly. Once he got to school and got some compliments from his friends, he did much better. For a calm, quiet kid he sure can put up a fuss!

Ethan went as Harry Potter. He sure has grown in a year. It was small on him last year but today I noticed how short the arms on his cloak were. I guess he will have to get something new next year.

Harmony wore the poodle skirt that she got in Girl Scouts last year. She made a very cute 50's girl! I didn't get any pictures of her 'cause we were a touch late getting to school today!

This week's update

(This is for Grandpa Kennedy! Ethan has the same "talent" that you have! He can touch his tongue to his nose!)
( I caught Ivan red handed getting into Ben's lego's in the garage!)

(One of Mason's favorite toys...Astro's dishes)

(They are sitting at the piano at the church. Harmony has been teaching Ethan some songs)

(Connor got an infection in his foot from something at the campout. He got to spend a morning in the ER!)

(Right before his baptism)

I am suffering from a cold that is just wearing me out. So I wanted to update while I am still somewhat coherent! Nyquil has been making me feel loopy!

Harmony is, as always, a very busy girl. From Girl Scouts to Achievement Days to piano to school things. Balance all that with sleepovers, friends, playing at the park and well...she is busy. She is loving piano and I never have to bug her about practicing. She is constantly playing and is writing a song. She also has decided to enter a short story contest in American Girl magazine. Her creativity just amazes me!

Ethan continues to do well in school. We are amazed at some of the ideas, questions and answers that he comes up with. He is such a big helper with Mason and loves to get him to smile. He has been testing his limits lately and has been trying to get out of going to church. I am not sure where this is coming from, but I hope it is a phase that he gets out of soon.

Connor has had such a busy past few weeks! He had a big luau for his birthday party, a scout campout with Ben and Ethan and than was baptized. He was so cute on the day of his baptism as he showed me his clean hands and said, "look how clean I am!" Later he had a dirty face and I told him he needed to wash it. He looked at me shocked and said, " I thought you don't have to take baths after you get baptized." So sweet.

Ivan also had a busy time with his pirate party. Ivan is really doing well in school right now. His behavior folder is full of green bears (the best you can get) and he is so proud of it. His autism diagnosis needs to be reevaluated. However, we are kind of getting the run around. There is no one on island who can diagnosis him, the one who originally did will not be traveling here, and because we are moving so soon, they won't send us to Tripler. Right now he is on a waiting list and "they will call us". We are frustrated but are getting help from the school and his teachers.

Mason is now the big 8 months! He "combat crawls" everywhere! You can always tell how clean or dirty our floors are by Mason's shirts. He has a tooth that is just dying to break through. Although he drools a lot, his mood has been pretty good. He had therapists come to the house and evaluate him a couple of days after he turned 8 months. They are coming back on Friday and will tell us the result of that evaluation. If he is or isn't "bad enough" to recieve therapies. We are anxiously awaiting Friday and the news it will bring with it.

Ben and I are always busy...and tired! We are getting ready for our move and even have our pack out scheduled!! I can't believe our time on Guam is coming to an end. We are really excited for what comes next!

Wordless Wednesday

Summertime and the living is easy...

Newness

(This picture has nothing to do with anything on this post. I just didn't want to leave it picture-less!)

The only thing we can count on is change right? Or is it death and taxes?

So where should I begin?

This summer, with hospital visits, Mason's birth, Ben being out of town... our church attendance has been less than stellar. And when you miss one week (or 2 or 3...)you miss out on a lot! We found out on Sunday that our branch is splitting. We will now be members of a brand new branch! Part of the new Dededo branch. So that means a new building, a new primary, a new sunbeam teacher for Ivan to get used too (so not looking forward to that) new people...This next Sunday will mark our last Sunday in the Barrigada branch.

I took the kids to new student orientation. A new school. Their school is kind of like a college campus. I am guaranteed to get lost a couple of hundred times. So we have a new school,new routines, new teachers, new bus routes, new school supplies.

We weren't exactly sure what Ivan would be doing this year. We are not sure if he is still labeled as "mild autistic" or just developmentally delayed. But because of his age, he is able to attend pre-k full time! Not just a couple of days like last year!He will still be getting services as needed. He will have an aid who is in his class full time. We are excited that he will be attending school 5 days a week! Ivan does not do well with change but I know he is going to love being at school more.

Ben is almost done with turn over and will finally be up closer to us! He spent last week down on the Navy base. This week he is back and forth. I can't wait for his commute time to go from 45 minutes to 5!

As I put the kids into their new school, it really hit me. We only have 9 months left on Guam!! (The kids and I are leaving earlier than Ben). And then we will be on to more new-ness.

Looking forward to all the changes and what life will bring us next!

Biding my time...

(Ivan played in the pool for like 3 hours that day! No kidding. The kid is part fish!)

(Right before she got in trouble for giving Ethan wedgies and had to get out!)

(soaking up the sun)

(Where I spend the majority of my time these days)

Well I am finally taking a minute to sit down and update my blog. There has been a lot going on but if you have been following me on facebook...well you are pretty much caught up. But lets see what I can do...

This week I have tried to relax and take it easy. I am so grateful to my Mom because I have been able to lay down a lot. :) My doctor even let me know that she was spoiling me!

I have non-stress tests every Tuesday and Friday. These are supposed to be one hour long appts but have turned into 2-4 hours! It is taking it's toll and I am ready to be done with them.

After being in the hospital all last weekend, I had to go back on Tuesday. I was checked again and was having a lot of regular contractions while on the monitor. The dr. decided to have me admitted to the Mother Baby Unit and given a shot of medicine to stop the contractions. This did work and they resided for awhile.

Wednesday and Thursday I did a little more activity and was rewarded with some soreness and contractions.

Friday I went to a different dr. ( oh how I love military hospitals) and he was completely different than my other one. Personality wise. Very laid back and easy going. I wish I would have had him the whole time! He did an ultrasound and said three things that filled me with relief...1) Mason has really chunky legs! Why is that good? Because it means that he weighs enough! 2) Mason was "breathing". In the womb, they don't really breathe, but they do mimic it. Why is this good? It means his lungs have developed. 3) I have lots of amniotic fluid. Why is this good? Apparently with gestational diabetes babies that can be a problem. So even though my blood sugars weren't perfect...he is looking fabulous. So bring on labor...right?

Well...yesterday Mom and I took the kids to eat and play. Then I was home for a little bit and Ben and I went to Home Depot. Walking around made me so tired, that I opted to sit in the car while he ran into K-Mart. I felt sore and was having contractions so took it nice and easy for the evening.

Until 8:30 when contractions started full force. At first they were coming every 12 minutes. Then got down to 8..then 7. Ben was at a Hail and Farewell and I had to call him home! We made the decision to go to the hospital.

We got there and I got an IV of fluids, put on a monitor...you know all that good stuff! They checked my cervix and I am now between a 3-4. I am 60% effaced. However, because I am only 35 weeks they won't do anything to "help" the labor. In fact, they keep giving me drugs to stop it! We ended up coming home at about 2:30. Tired and still no baby!

So where does that leave us? I have keep taking my perscription. Ben has round 4 of his tests for his architects license on Tuesday. I am trying to wait until then so he can go take it. No promises though. The doctors have said that I can stop the perscription at 36 weeks which would be next Saturday. However...I am going to stop on Wed. I know I am not following doctors orders. But I really don't believe that 2 days will make a huge difference! All of these appts., perscriptions, going in and out of the hospital is taking it's toll. Physically and emotionally. I am done with this pregnancy, what can I say?

I know everyone has probably fallen asleep by now but that is what we have been doing around here. The kids have cabin fever as they have been stuck at the house. We did get them a pool the other day and they had a blast playing in it. So that is what the pictures are from. They are at each other's throats and I know are just getting sick of each other. I am going to "research" some summer boredom busters because they are driving us crazy! Hey, does anyone have a child who wants to have a pen pal? They could write some letters, that would be something fun.

Anyway, I am closing this novel of a post. I will keep you updated on Mason's big debut!

completely DERAILED

My spring break plan of getting lots done that is! I started out with such high hopes. But with all 4 kiddo's being sick, and Ben waking up this morning saying, " The kids got me sick", well life is not all fun and games here at the Turner home! Ah well such is life right?

Last Saturday was spent out at the ball park! Baseball will be a major part of our lives for the next month or so! This game was held down by the beach at an area called Polaris Point. This is where we also went camping and have 4th of July.

The boys played their best and oh my heck it was hot out there! We had a nice breeze but imagine standing out there in dark blue shirts, long black pants and with the sun in your face! Harmony and Ivan had a hard time holding umbrella's and playing DS's (life is rough) so they camped out in a little spot under the stairs.

Afterwards there was a nice big bbq and the kids got to play in the water. What a way to end a game right?! It was a long, hot day but the kids enjoyed it!

Monday was spent cleaning house. I mean, what kid doesn't love to clean on Spring Break? :) Mean Mom!

However, yesterday they were driving me crazy and I knew we had to get out of the house! Ben suggested I take them to see Monsters VS Aliens in 3D. I was laughing so hard at the kids. Harmony was constantly ducking to get out of the way of things! Ivan kept taking his glasses off, so I would tell him to put them on. He would always reply, " I already put them on!" He did finally leave them on though. Ivan is hit or miss at the movies. He LOVED Bolt and sat glued to the screen, but Tale of Desperaux did not capture his attention and I spent my time trying to get him to stay in one row. But luckily, he sat and watched the whole thing without one problem!

Tonight we are headed out on date night!! Yay! Besides Home Depot (aren't we romantic?) I am not sure what else we are going to do. We are unsure of where to go for dinner because Ben said, " I can't taste anything anyway!".

Then tomorrow we are swapping with friends so they can have a date night. Harmony leaves to go on her camping trip in the evening. She is so excited for it. I need to get her to pack this afternoon.

So there you have our Spring Break up until now! As I have been sitting here, Mason has been kicking a lot. It is so fun to finally feel him in there! :)

Holiday lights, parties & rice krispie houses

We had a totally relaxing week, last week. It was amazing. We did get out and do a few things though. Being sick all the time, has made me kind of feel like a hermit. So it was nice to get out!

Friday night Connor was supposed to have a "Go See It" with his Cub scout den. However, they moved it to Saturday. So because of our Branch Christmas party, he wouldn't be able to go. We could go as a family though and he could still get credit.

After dinner at the kids favorite place, Naps ( they seriously love it there), we headed down to the Hilton. They have a huge train set up and a nice tree and decorations. The kids loved watching the train. Ivan had his eye set on one train and raced around trying to keep up with that one specific train! This little trip prompted lots of comments and questions about, whether or not we would ever see snow again.

Saturday evening was our Christmas party for church. I had not been feeling well all day, and actually planned to skip it. But when Ben said he wouldn't take pictures of the kids with Santa, I went anyway. The kids were very cute singing their songs. Well Connor never sings, but at least he doesn't cause any problems either!:) Santa unfortunatley, could not attend this year. (The rumor was the costume couldn't be found)and so my whole reason for going was a mute point. Oh well. We had a nice time chatting with friends and eating good food!

Yesterday I told the kids if they would just let me take a nap ( this was after about 5 requests) I would let them make Rice Krispie houses. We found a little kit at the commissary and I thought it sounded a lot easier than gingerbread houses! So they had a good time making those. The box said it only made one house, but we got 3 with some leftover.

Tonight is the Rain Gutter Regatta for the boys. After that we will just be doing a lot of baking, wrapping, watching Christmas movies, and just enjoying each other and the season!

How many days left?

(Ivan's gingerbread house, "just like Ethan's mommy!")
( He did a good job, didn't he?)
(munching popcorn and watching the Muppets Christmas movie. Nice face from Harm!)
( Can you believe that made it home on the bus? In one piece?)
It seems like the closer it gets to Christmas, the wilder my kids get. You would think that with the threat of Santa handing out coal instead of gifts, might calm them down but, it hasn't yet. It's been a nice quiet week here with the majority of events and activities canceled. However the kids have been busy. I realize lately I have mostly been talking about "our little raspberry" so here is what the other munchkins are up too...

Harmony came to me bright and early Tuesday morning, saying she was throwing up. I honestly love this age when they just come tell you, not because you have to clean it up, but just for your info! She stayed home all day Tuesday and barely got out of bed, with a fever all day. Wednesday was the day of the 4th/5th grade choir concert that she had been practicing for. She insisted that she was fine and wanted to go to school. I told her ok. I sent the kids out to get in the car, while I grabbed something. I come out to find Harmony on her knees in the grass. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going to throw up. I sent her back to her room. She was so bummed about missing the concert. She does feel a lot better now though!

Ethan has been kind of a stink lately. I swear my kids take turns with who is going to act up in which week. Although the boys would have a tie this week. Yesterday Ethan decided to give Harmony's scooter away, to a girl in the neighborhood. I told him to go and get it back. He comes back in with, "well she said she would give it back if I gave her a popsicle." Hmmm, it was funny because when I went out there, she dropped the scooter and ran! She wasn't so tough after all.

Connor has been driving me nuts. He has been refusing to get up and get ready for school. It is literally 5 minutes before the bus comes and I am putting his shoes on, getting his lunch bag in his backpack and pushing him out the door. Ben was tired of it the other day, so he picked Connor up and got him out of bed. He told him to get his uniform on, and then Ben headed for the shower. And what did Connor do? Got right back into bed. He is really testing his limits right now. He has been sent to bed early almost every night this week!

Ivan has been pretty good lately. Apparently it is not his turn in the rotation yet. He is actually getting really excited about Santa and it is so cute. His teacher gave him a gift and he had to hold it until he could put it under the tree. Suprisingly enough, he didn't even try to open it!

Well I have a ton to do but there is just a little glimpse of what we have been up too!

Halloween x 4

Unlike some of my friends, I don't really get into Halloween. I just don't. I don't really see the point of the holiday. And costumes...well I only like "cute" ones. And it seems they are all the gorey ones. Plus they are not cheap and they wear them for like an hour. Ok I know bah humbug...or whatever you say at Halloween.

This year, the Girl Scout Halloween party was a little early this year. However I still put off getting costumes. So I finally went in and everything was 30% off! Nice. Now of course things were picked over but I still managed to find some cute costumes. They were $7 each. Not bad!

We are really going to get our money's worth this year because we have 3 Halloween parties and the actual Halloween night. So 4 uses! I am pretty happy with that. Of course Ben and I go as the same thing every year, a Mom and a Dad.

Last night we went to the GS party. The kids had fun running around like crazy. Harmony was very bummed that she didn't win an award for costumes but what are you going to do right? I thought they looked cute and that's all that matters. :) So now we are 1 party down 3 more to go...btw this doesn't include anything having to do with school/class parties!

girl scouts +cub scouts= one busy family

( I know this is not the best picture, but I was driving! This huge caribou was in the middle of the highway when we were driving to GS)
Once again...it has been another loooong weekend for the Turner fam. I could've sworn we were trying to take a step back and not have so much on our plates. Hmmm, looks like we might have failed on that front. And I have Cub Scouts again in 2 days! Yikes.

Anyway...here is the rundown...Friday we went swimming. Until Mom and Connor were freezing to death. ( Yes on Guam). We ignored please for McD's and went straight home. We put the kids to bed and Ben and I watched The Office. :) I love, love,LOVE that show!

Saturday morning, Harmony and I were up at the crack of dawn to go to the Girl Scout yard sale. We accidentally woke the boys up and so they came with us. Last year Connor found a huge box of Legos for $5. Not so much luck for the boys this time. However, Harmony found a ginormous bag of Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop for $5. She was in heaven. We came home and made a nice huge breakfast and cleaned. Then we watched conference. Ben took Harm and Connor to the airport in the evening, and Ethan and I cuddled and watched Prisoner of Azkaban.

Sunday more conference. And of course Ben enjoyed watching the Ducks win.

Monday Harmony had an all day Girl Scout day. Connor had a Cub Scout puppet show up at a Japanese school. So we dropped Harm and her friend off at GS and then went to the puppet show. It was really cute. All of the pictures looked like anime. They did a great job and the boys loved it. After that we came home and I cleaned out the fridge. Very exciting stuff. Ben took Ethan to the beach later and they both went out snorkeling. Ethan loved it and wants to go today.

And there you have it. Our muy exciting weekend!