5th Birthday Time!

We celebrated Domenique's 5th birthday yesterday with a girl's trip to the nail salon, dinner, cake, and of course presents!

Domenique enjoying her manicure!

Emerson loving it!

Emerson helping Domenique read her birthday cards.

Happy 5th Domenique!

Love,

The Grady's

Seeing old friends...

Our good friends, the Butier's, were in S. CA this past weekend for their vacation. We had the opportunity to catch up with them in San Diego for the day on Sunday. We meet at their hotel and then made our way over to Coronado for a day at the beach. The weather was amazing, clear as can be.

The kids had a great time playing in the sand and just hanging out with each other. Bummer I didn't get a picture of Mason! Next time:)

Lots of love,

The Grady's

It's that time of year again...

for swimming!!! Emerson, Brennan, Joseph, and Domenique horsing around in the pool.

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Dancing Queen

It is so busy in the Grady household as the school year winds down. It seems like everything is happening all at once!

Emerson had her first dance recital this past weekend at Xavier High School. It was quite a production, with performances ranging from the preschool dancers up to the high school dance team. She was totally in her element, dancing and watching others dance.

Her dance was performed to Staying Alive, right along with the Music from Movies theme. If her enthusiasm for this recital tells us anything...looks like we are in for many more years of dance recitals ahead.

Emerson with her friend Taylor

Dancing Queen

Look at her go!!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Ten on Tuesday

10. I am annoyed. The firewall at work won’t allow me to update the blog. Hence the reason there are few updates these days, my computer time at home is limited and now I can’t update from work. Darn tech people!

9. Total space cadet lately…Brennan had his 4-year checkup yesterday. Guess which mom forgot to take him?

8. I have been to Target three times this week…I think they put something in the air conditioning there that brainwashes people to keep coming back. At least that is what I am telling Jeff.

7. Is it summer yet? Only 22 days left of work.

6. Emerson’s speech teacher told me that almost 80% of her patients are in for the long haul of speech therapy. But Emerson falls in that 20%, we will actually be graduating soon!

5. I can’t believe we have been over 100 degrees everyday this week…not sure I am ready for the heat quite yet. Although the pool has been super nice to swim in.

4. My poor brother had to have emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer last week. All while training with the National Guard to head over to Iraq. Good grief!

3. My good friend Alayna had a beautiful, baby girl last week. I just love new babies! She was only 6 lbs. 10 ounces…my babies only weighed that much while they were still in the womb! LOL!

2. Mother’s Day was so nice. Brunch in the morning, shopping at Old Navy and then a pedicure. What more could I ask for?

1. I think I am addicted to the news. I read this http://www.drudgereport.com/ and this http://www.desertsun.com/ all day, everyday.

Happy Birthday, Brennan!

Dear Brennan,

Adding another candle to your cake this year...four already! Where does the time go? I went to visit a good friend who had a baby today at the hospital. As I walked down the halls so many memories came flooding back to me. And wouldn't you know it, she was in the same room I laid in exactly 4 years ago today! Your birthday is always a day for celebration and this one is no different. Four years ago you entered our lives, changing us forever. I have come to realize that not only were you put here for a reason, but you were placed into our lives to give us strength. Strength we didn't know we had, until we had you.

You have grown up so much in the past year. You started preschool, began really articulating your thoughts, and have really developed this great personality. You know all your letters and are beginning to put all the sounds with them. You have begun to write your name and even stay inside the lines when you are coloring. But trust me, you can still be very stubborn and you certainly know how to wrap mommy and daddy around your little finger.

You are certainly all boy. You love playing in the dirt with your cars, running around like a crazy person inside the house, and playing with swords, dinosaurs, bats, and trucks. You still haven't given up your blanket and elephant, but mommy hasn't tried to hard either. Someday you will be ready to not have that security right there with you.

I am thankful everyday for you and all you bring to my life. I am so lucky to be your mommy, to care for you and love you everyday. You make me laugh, you make me smile, and you make me want to scream at times, but the love I have for you is certainly unmeasurable.

Happy birthday my little boy!

Love,

Mommy

Party Time

We had a little pool party to celebrate Brennan's 4th birthday. The kids had a great time swimming, eating pizza, and watching Brennan open his presents. He was so cute, thanking each person after he opened their present. We now have a room full of "boy" toys: Batman cars, Star Wars gun, trucks, cars, and even a skateboard!

Horsing around in the pool with Joseph

Loving his new skateboard!

FOUR candles!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on Tuesday

1. We went to Stagecoach Festival (www.stagecoachfestival.com) this past weekend and had an amazing time! Between the people watching (yes, guys and girls in speedos, lol), enjoying really good music, and hanging out with friends we had a great time. We saw Reba McEntire and Brad Paisley FRONT ROW on Saturday night and Kid Rock and Kenny Chesney Sunday night. All great performances, very impressed by Kid Rock which was surprising to me since I wasn’t a big fan before. He puts on an amazing show!

2. Emerson is sick:(She is coughing and I took her temperature yesterday afternoon and it was 103.1. OUCH! I am not sure she has ever had a fever, poor baby!

3. My baby’s birthday is next week….FOUR! Wow.

4. We are state testing at work this week. I love and hate this time of year. Love that it means we are almost done (32 days to be exact!), but hate the pressure of testing.

5. On that same note…I am SO excited for summer to be here. Not excited about struggling to entertain the kiddos each day, but excited to be racing around so darn much.


6. We got a new coffee pot for Christmas and I wasn’t convinced that I would love it. Boy was I wrong! www.keurig.com

7. There are so many things I would like to do this summer…too bad we don’t have a money tree growing in our backyard!


8. This is so random…one of my biggest pet peeves at work is the sound of the automatic pencil sharpener. Especially when kids continue to sharpen a pencil that is already sharp…so annoying!

9. I am reading “Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher” aloud to my students. Such a great book! Never read it when I was a kid, but a good adventure book for 8-10 year olds.


10. Brennan starts every sentence lately with "Moooommmmmyyy" or "Daaaaaadddddyyyy"...we tell him a million times that we are right here and he doesn't need to call our names, just tell us what he wants too. But nonetheless we hear "Mommy" or "Daddy"!!!!!

Lots of love,
The Grady's

Delinquent Blogger

I haven't been the best blogger as of late. Things are so hectic and crazy. So, in an attempt to catch you up, here's a random list of stuff going on.

Easter- We had a wonderful relaxing day that started with a crazy Easter Egg hunt at my parent’s clubhouse. The kids loved finding as many eggs as they could get their hands on. We followed the hunt with a yummy brunch where we stuffed ourselves with everything from crab to egg’s Benedict…kid’s included! The rest of the day was spent laying by the pool enjoying the beautiful weather.

Spring Break- I always love Spring Break, since it comes at a time when I am essentially “done” with work. This year was no different. Last week I was definitely at a breaking point at work…I needed to not be around my students anymore. But I certainly did not have a quiet break. We were VERY busy.

San Diego- We celebrated Joseph’s birthday in San Diego , Tuesday through Thursday. We spent some time at the beach and a whole day at Legoland. The kids had a blast!
Saturday Jeff’s dad and Kathy flew in for a visit. We had a whirlwind trip through the LA Zoo, Santa Monica Pier, 3rd Street Promenade, and finally CA Adventure.

Yes, that was two theme parks, a zoo, and two beaches all in one week….can you see why I am tired? I need a vacation from my vacation!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Today I get to wish my best friend a big, happy birthday! I am so lucky to have him in my life. I can remember one of the first times we met, he has this gleam in his eyes that just drew me in. He does that to so many people, anyone that meets him loves to be around him. The mayor, as he is often called, can carry on a conversation with just about anyone about anything. I have known him for over 15 years now and I count my blessings everyday that he is in my life.
Jeff, I hope you have a wonderful birthday, you certainly deserve it! Thank you for being such an amazing husband, daddy, and friend. We love you!

Who would have known...

A few weeks ago a group of us started our annual March Madness pool online. I always joke that I pick my teams based on the name of the school, what their school colors are, etc. But honestly I go through the teams one at a time and make the best guess I can.
Well, tonight it became official...I WON! Yep, I took North Carolina to the final four, finals, and finally onto win the title.
Just had to rub it in a little...the boys aren't going to live this down anytime soon.
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Bren's Appointment with Heart Doc

Like Kim wrote last night, we always dread the visit to the heart dr. It brings back bad memories. My joke to Kim after I left the office with Bren this morning "Well, we have to put up with Brennan for another year." I am glad I can make a joke about it.
His blood flow through his bicuspid valve is great, small amount of leakage which is normal for his condition (just means his heart works a little bit more than a normal 3 year old). His major issue, the aortic valve has grown normally. The Dr. always checks to make sure this valve has not constricted to effect blood flow.
So when I get home tonight I am pushing Brennan in the pool and telling myself he is normal.
I told Bren before his EKG "You know how you put stickers on me, now its your turn." He laughed.
Thanks to everyone for your support.
A special thank you to Whitnee for being there with me today. I needed the support. You are a sister to me.
Love Jeff

Side note - we had dinner with Luis Risco from Spain/London and his family last night. Who would every have thought Luis would finally find a girlfriend or someone that would marry him? It's great to have him here in town enjoying the 88 degree heat,,,,its going to be a hot summer. Have a safe trip back to London.
Luis, never try to leave suspicious packages and fake ids at my house. I called Homeland Security. They will deport you if you do not leave by Sunday.

That time of year...

Tomorrow morning is the morning I look forward to and dread all at the same time. Tomorrow morning Brennan has his checkup with Dr. Hashmi, his cardiologist. I get all anxious and worried before these appointments, anticipating what they will find. But at the same time, it is a huge relief when he gives us the good news we have been so lucky to receive each appointment thus far.
I will update tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Lots of the love,
The Grady's

10 on Thursday

1. Did you feel the cold air? Didn't you know that hell froze over? I joined Facebook this week. What am I thinking???
2. 30 parent teacher conferences in one day. 7:45 am-5:15pm...I was on fire. I am not sure those parents know what hit them!
3. Explain to me how you cannot be bothered to attend your child's parent teacher conference. Explain to me how you let your child go into a classroom everyday for more than 6 hours and you have never once even attempted to meet their teacher. Explain that.
4. We have a very busy couple of weeks ahead...somehow our social calendar just exploded!
5. The kid's school annual fundraising Gala is this Saturday, just bought a dress today. Talk about waiting until the last minute.
6. I would love some ice cream right now...which is why I never buy it and have it in the house.
7. Is it 9pm yet? I want to watch Grey's and actually stay awake through the whole thing.
8. I am having the hardest time with lunches lately. Can I tell you how much I hate coming up with different things for the kids to eat? I hate it! I feel like I pack the same things all the time.
9. We are hosting "Fish Friday" tomorrow..amazing how many different types of fish we have had in the past few weeks. It is actually a little fun trying to come up with something different for all of us to eat.
10. I am so thankful that tomorrow is Friday! This has been a long week and I am done with it.

Happy "early" Birthday, Jeff!

I love surprises...I like getting them, but more than that I love making surprises happen. Jeff's birthday isn't for a couple of weeks but in my mind that gave me the perfect opportunity to surprise him with a little weekend away.

The Black's, Romano's, and Jeff and I headed out to Newport Beach Friday night to begin our celebration. Dinner at Roy's in Newport, then a fun night back at our hotel. Saturday morning after sleeping in (yes, past 7am!!!) we headed down to the bay for an amazing breakfast, walk on the beach, and then shopping at Fashion Island. Saturday night we headed out for dinner and a night on the town. In my mind, it was the perfect weekend. And thankfully Jeff completely agreed.

Thank you so much to Tad and Tif, Whit and Joe...without all of you this weekend wouldn't have been possible. We love you all!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Visit with the Hargreaves

This past weekend we had a great visit with Andrew, Connie, Hayden, and Austin. It was really great to see them and be able to hang out. We had a casual visit with some BBQ, games, and a trip to the street fair. Hayden got a taste of having 4 other kids around to share toys and play games. Austin was completely spoiled by all of us, not hard to do since he is so darn cute!

Our turn to visit AZ next, looking forward to seeing them again very soon.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

In case you were wondering...

I have not totally dropped off the face of the planet. But I am buried at work and exhausted when I do get home. It is the lovely time of the school year when I have many things left to grade, report card grades to calculate, parent conferences to schedule, oh and actually still teach.
When I come up for air again I will definitely be back on track.
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Thoughts on Thursday

1. I have been really bad about blogging lately, I guess I was just burned out a bit. Maybe nothing felt exciting enough to share. Working hard to be around more often again.

2. Our light went out in our refrigerator about two weeks ago. It wasn't the bulb but some circuit board. Anyway, you never know how much you really need that light until the darn thing is gone. Jeff fixed it last night and it is heaven!

3. My little girl is growing up too fast. We caught her cleaning up her room and then her brother's before school the other day. She said it was nice to come home to a clean room. My goodness!

4. Where has the time gone...is it really March already???

5. I have been really watching what I eat lately, portions, content, etc. I am down to a weight I haven't seen since I got married...wow. Only problem, half my closet of clothes don't fit.

6. I wish I could put away my teacher frustrations when I get home. My poor kids are getting the short end of my patience lately. Makes me sad.

7. What happened to this little guy?

When did he get all grown up too? He will be 4 soon!!!

8. I have become a texting addict...Jeff had to switch my cell plan to include unlimited texting.

9. How is it that I did a big grocery shopping last Saturday and we are already low on so many things?!?

10. It is Lenten season for Catholics. I went to mass last Wednesday, Ash Wednesday and listened to the priest talk about all the things that people give up. I decided this year instead of giving something up, I would do something instead. I have promised to find more patience in my classroom with my students each day. I have also vowed to do a Random Act of Kindness each day. Both of which have been very fulfilling so far.

Brennan's update

Jeff took Brennan to his regularly scheduled ear checkup on Monday. They first saw the doctor and he did his exam. He could see a bit of fluid on both ear drums, although he wasn't sure if it was causing a problem. The tube in his right ear is still in place (18 months later!), but said that it looked like it was just about ready to fall out. After discussing things with Jeff he suggested that Brennan have another hearing test to see if the fluid was causing any problems at all.
So they headed over to the hearing institute. After the normal tests, we had some great news! Not only has the right ear maintained the same good levels, but the left ear has completely regained all of it's hearing capacity, to put him within the normal levels. YIPPEE! So unless something major changes and he develops some horrible ear infections, then he is good to go!
One more hurdle crossed...
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn!

We had a great two day celebration for Kaitlyn's 6th birthday. It all started Friday morning when Tif and I told the girls that we were taking them to school, instead of their normal routine. We told them it was a "free dress day" and that we had to run an errand first. About 20 minutes down the freeway, Kaitlyn started to panic a bit and says "Mommy, I think we are going to be late for school". This is when we decided to spill the beans! We told her Mickey Mouse wanted to help celebrate with her, so we were heading to his house. She said..."Seriously?!? We are going to Disneyland!?!?". We spent the entire day enjoying all the rides.

Saturday the celebrations continued with a fun birthday party at Tad and Tif's house. Kaitlyn had a ball playing with her friends and enjoying the day.

Happy Birthday!!!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

What happens in Vegas...

You are all familiar with this phrase....but I think it is important to share a few details of a trip that was filled with some amazing adventures!

We took a trip to Vegas this past weekend to help celebrate our good friend Joseph's birthday. Normally the drive to Vegas is about 4 hours. But, Joseph decided to surprise all of us with a quicker mode of transportation! Can you even believe it?!?

Tiffany our co-pilot

40 minutes in the air certainly beats almost 4 hours in the car!

We stayed at the MGM Signature Suites, which I highly reccommend. The rooms are beautiful with lots of living space. The next two days were spent eating, drinking, gambling (a bit), people watching, and laughing unitl we cried many different times.

We can't wait to head back for another trip soon!

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Do you ever wonder?

I guess this only applies to other bloggers...but do you ever wonder who is reading your blog? Are they people you know? Or are they people that bounce here from other blogs, like I do all the time to blogs of people I don't really know. I certainly wonder who is out there...
post a comment! I would love to know who is out there:)
Lots of love,
The Grady's

Close to my heart

I never thought I would be one of those people that had a cause that they felt strongly about. In fact, I never could completely understand some people's dedication to raising money for a cause or in some cases their complete devotion to a particular cause. About 4 years ago, I began reading a blog about a sweet family that lost their 9 month old daughter to leukemia. It was then I began to understand that mom's commitment to helping other families to deal with all the heartache she had just endured.

I truly understood that desire after the birth of Brennan. I don't think you can really feel that pull, that intense desire to make a difference, until you are faced with the harsh reality of what cause you are fighting for. That cause for me is raising awareness for congenital heart defects.

February 7-14, 2009 has been designated Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week. An estimated one in every 100 children born in the United States each year have a malformed heart, making it the MOST common birth defect.

To be honest, before I had Brennan, I had never really heard of heart defects in newborn babies. Two days before I delivered him, he was diagnosed with a heart defect that we were told would take his life. After two open heart surgeries and about a week spent in the hospital we brought him home for good. Without research, amazing doctors and surgeons, I am not sure that we would have the same end result.

I cherish everyday we have with him, because I know what the alternative could have been. I know there are many other families that have lived in our shoes, and many more that will. I can only hope that as research and technology advance, so will early detection of the defects and the procedures used to repair them.

Please take an opportunity this week, to find out more information about these defects, tell someone you know about this important week and what it means, ask a question to learn more.

"A mended heart is a special heart."

Lots of love,

The Grady's

10 on Tuesday

1. Work sucks right now. I feel like I have so much material to cover and just not enough time in the days. My students aren't exactly the best behaved either. Ugh.

2. Watching Biggest Loser, amazing how these people lose more than 10 pounds in a week. Who does that???

3. Conversation the other night with Brennan.

Me: Brennan, you need to sit down and eat your dinner

Bren: Mommy, I WILL.

Me: Brennan, I am not going to ask again, sit down and take a few more bites.

Bren: Ugh....Mommy you are, you are making you crazy!

LOL! I guess I must tell him that often, nice.

4. Why do they make bowling shoes in the most obnoxious colors? 5. I think I am one of the last people not on Facebook. But honestly I just can't imagine managing that on top of emails, blog, etc.

6. Praying for some colder, rainy weather later this week. February and 80 degree weather just don't work for me.

7. My knee is seriously messed up right now. It is really starting to make me mad, I can't do any kind of exercise, nothing. Had an x-ray, no visible bone issues, going back to the Dr. tomorrow. Need something figured out.

8. Emerson had her first mini dance recital last week at school. Jeff was able to go and watch, since it was during the school day. He was so amazed at how natural she was performing. She totally ate it up.

9. Why do more stores not carry Tall sizes? I mean honestly, I am not a giant. But basics at just about any store are not long enough for me. That is so annoying.

10. Jimmy Buffett just released 7 west coast tour dates, the most I have ever seen. Can. Not. Wait.

Lots of love,

The Grady's

Birthday fun!

I love birthdays! I love helping others celebrate their birthdays, I love surprising people on their birthdays, and even better I love my birthday. This year certainly did not disappoint. Jeff told me about a week ago that he had some plans for me for the day, little did I know all he had in store for me.

My morning started with an amazing massage at one of the local resort hotels. My mom picked me up at home and Tiffany, her mom, and my friend Whitnee all joined us for some pampering a the spa. The spa was wonderful, complete with private pool, sauna, steam room, and very attentive service. After our treatments we took in some lunch by the pool.

After lunch the 2nd part of my surprise was to discover that Jeff had gotten a two hotel rooms at the Hyatt for all of us for the night. He had spent the day there with the kids playing in the pool and sliding down the water slide. The thought it was the greatest thing ever! They couldn't stop talking about it.

My mom took the kids home and Jeff, me, Tad, Tif, Whitnee, and Joseph spent the afternoon lounging around the pool. We had a mellow dinner, and my final surprise was to be joined by my parents, our great friends Cindy and Steph, and Pam and Craig. We danced the night away at the local piano bar.

I really do love surprises even though I am a total control freak, and not knowing what was going to happen next was a little frustrating. Tiffany got a kick out watching me not be in control, laughing all the way through. But even though I was sure what was around the next corner, it was the greatest to feel completely taken care of.

Thank you sweetie, for putting so much time and thought into making my birthday so special, I love you.

Love,

The Grady's