Basketball

Well Zachary and Collin's basketbal season has officially begun. The boys have made some major improvements since last year. Luckily the excitement of having the ball has been replaced with teamwork. It was so hilarious last year to watch all the kids flock to wherever the ball was with no interest in gaurding the other team or passing to someone on your team that may have a better shot than you ;)

Saturday, Zachary made 3 baskets (Go Zach!) and Collin was a great team player. Zach did a wonderful job at getting under the basket and rebounding, while Collin paid attention to who has the best shot for a basket. Collin got the ball numerous times and I was very impressed at how easily he passed the ball to his teammates so that a point could be made. I'll have to admit that neither of them are the most coordinated when it comes to dribbling though but hopefully practice will help, they definitely don't have the genes to help them in that area ;)

Brother teamwork, Zach making the shot, Collin
under the basket, ready to help!

Caleb and his buddy Gage entertaining themselves with 'straw' swords~ LOL

Caleb turned 5

Although Caleb will have a party later on, we still let the kids open their present from us on their birthday.

Wake up Birthday Boy!

I was pretty sure Caleb would like this because he loves to pretend with swords and costumes, but i got the assurance I needed when we went to the Christian bookstore last month; I was looking at Bibles and before I knew it he had the box open and the whole costume out of the box!

Look mom, a sword!

Caleb wearing the Armor of God, what better way to teach an energetic, costume wearing, pretend playing, boy about God!

Talking to dad on the phone and eating his breakfast donuts, daddy was out of town ;(

He told everyone all day it was his birthday, it was really funny. I took him to lunch and as we were in line he proceded to tell the lady in front of us it was his birthday. She asked him how old he was and chatted with him for a bit but she missed one little thing, to wish him a happy birthday. Don't worry, Caleb let her know "tell me happy birthday" says Caleb!

Little Blessings

Today was kind of a rougj day for me, my cousin got bad news about her cancer. Ashton could tell I was upset and swept the kitchen floor for me- the way to my heart LOL! At dinner his prayer was beautiful for my cousin and her son- he was concerned about where he would live. The best blessing was during ourfamily devotion. We prayed about how we could help others during the Christmas season. After I talked to them about the Kokomo Rescue Mission and how we could help them feed the homeless. The boys get 2 dollars a week allowance so I threw out the idea that they could give this weeks allowance and we would match what they gave. The boys were all very open to the idea. What grabbed my heart was that Ash went and got a $5 bill out of his wallet, he wanted to give more! That's a lot of money to a 9 yr old, I thought I was going to cry. Then Zach went and got a dollar he had found on the bus and Colline went and cleaned out all the pennies in his piggy bank. In those moments where you think you're not getting through, God blesses you with these moments that prove its all shining through!

First day of snow

Zach came inside and asked for a box of raisins and a carrot, so of course I had to go outside and see what he was doing.


The first snowman of the year. I can't believe how beautiful the snow was and it was great for snow balls and snowmen!

Zach and the cutest snowman I've seen!

Lilly loved the snow! Kipper the wuss stayed inside ;)

Zach tried to take her sledding but she jumped off.

Our backyard is very odd. Extremely small and it has a hill in the middle of it.
Awful in the summer because we can't put a play set out there, but in the winter
the boys have a blast sledding down it!

WEEE!

Zach and Lilly had a blast, it was sad that the other brothers weren't home to enjoy it will us! We had a snowball fight and Zach, being a good sport, took a couple to the head- LOL! That's what he gets for being sneaky and saying he wanted a hug when he really just wanted a close range shot at me!

Trimming the tree

I'd really like to have a real tree one year. I remember when I was younger we would go and pick out our own tree on a farm and then cut it down. It was a lot of fun! It's an experience I'd like to share with my boys, but for right now a fake will have to do ;)

All the boys have their own box of ornaments that they have been given over the years. It is a VERY big deal to keep them all separate and to individually hang them up on their own, granted that means my tree is not gorgeous in most eyes. To me, it is the beautiful tree ever!

Caleb ready to put up his ornaments.

Ashton admiring every single one ;)

Collin looking for his basketball ornament.

Zach found some candy from last year!

My tree may not be the most symmetrical and it might lean to one side because there are no ornaments on the other but to four very special boys, they look at that tree with pride because they 'did it all by themselves!'

Good idea I thought I'd share

I have always wanted to start celebrating Advent with the boys. I think it's a good idea to focus on Christ for a full month before Christmas- I don't want the boys to only think of presents when they think of Christmas.
A friend of mine told me about a tradition she heard someone share. Instead of doing an Advent calendar they did a link. You make paper links and write things on them like 'give someone a hug'. Everynight they tear alink off and the kids have to do what it says the next day. On Christmas eve they put all the links and wrap it, as their present to Jesus. I thought that was awesome! What a way to show the kids how to please Jesus and what Christmas is all about!
The other night we sat down as a family and came up with what we'd write on our links and then put them together. I also bought a book called 'a family advent'. It has a devotion for evening, activities for 3 days a week, and fun facts. It is really a nice tool to use. The activities are very community service based, getting the kids to think of others and helping out. I am really excited to start this tradition with my family!

Black Friday

Well this year I decided to fight the crowds and try to get some deals. My mom and sis in law trudge it every year, so this morning I got up at 3 and we met at Kohls at 4.
Surprisingly when the alarm went off this am I wasn't too tired- I was pretty excited to get the boys presents. God really blessed us- because Andy traveled so much he got overtime and then he started taking tech support calls on the side. We were pretty unsure of how Christmas was going to pan out this year. I know that its not about the presents but I atleast wanted to get the boys their stocking stuffers and one thing they really wanted- thank you Jesus for providing!
Well, Ash ahs been dying for a 'real' Ipod, so we got him one with Andy's Marriot points- another perk to his traveling! We got caleb this Power Ranger mask/head that changes your voice-lol! Plus he has worn his spider man outfit so much it now has a back flap and holes in the mask, so he got a new spiderman. Everytime the Rip Stick (kinda like a skateboard but shaped different) comes on the TV, Collin thinks for sure he can do the tricks like the actors ;) We'll see on Christmas morning I guess, that's what he got. Luckily it comes with a DVD. Zach has been wanting a new bike forever! But they are pretty expensive- especially when you have 4 boys to buy for. Well Wal-Mart had a Razor bike on sale for 50 bucks!
I didn't think the day could get any better! I got all the boys what they wanted and at doorbusting prices! On top of that, they all got pj bottoms, a movie, ds game (cept Caleb, he got a gum making kit), board game, belt/wallet combo, toy figures, socks, and undies. I'd say they made out pretty good!
I was even able to get the presents for everyone else- cousins and such! WOO-HOO! I don't think I have ever been done shopping this early. Only thing left is taking the boys to buy for eachother, they'll draw a brother out and only buy for one, then for us.
Oh yea, the best thing yet- I found me a coat that was discounted from $200 to 50!
Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dear Aylah's Birthday Party!

Oh my, has a year flown by! I remember the night Mike and Shana told me the wonderful news, I was sitting in my living room when I knock came to the door. To my curiosity, they handed me a card, as I read it I realized their wonderful news- a baby was on the way! YIPPEE!

Then the nine months dragged on as beautiful Shana glowed with excitment and Aylah looked as if she'd burst from her belly! I'll have to say that Shana was one the prettiest pregnant woman I have ever seen, not just her cute little belly, but the constant smile on her face that beamed with pride that only a mother could understand.

Finally the day arrived, when little Aylah entered the world and I am so glad that I was a part of the whole process (not the birth of course, but the news, the pregnancy, and then the baby!). I am still very saddened that I have not been as big a part of Aylah and Shana's life since because of my move and marriage, but I hope that Shana still knows how much I love and miss her (if you didn't, now you do!)

Now, a year later, and I feel such joy and excitement for the Saywer family. Aylah couldn't be more blessed than to have Shana and Mike as her parents. I look forward to the years ahead and watching her bloom in to the woman God designed her to be under the loving guidance of her parents. Mike and Shana, you have done a great job with Aylah and I know that with your love, support, and guidance she will be a big blessing to those around her and to furthering God's Kingdom!

Here are some pics from her party, although I was late and missed the cake ;( I had a family Thanksgiving to attend.

She just could not keep the balloon from floating away!

Aylah and I

Shana, Aylah, Zach, and I

I miss my sis!

Well my sister came to visit last week, I know I am late in posting. What can I say, life has been crazy!! She got in to town on Wednesday, but I didn't get to see her until Thursday. At first I was really upset that I wasn't going to be able to see her much because she was only here a short while and had a bunch of people to see, but once she got here I was just glad she came!

My sis and my boys!
This was the first time she met Ashton, Collin, and Caleb.
Caleb was so sure he had met her before ;) It was so cute too because
when I told Zach we were going to see her, he ran upstairs and changed his clothes!
I sure wish she'd move back, I always pictured us raising our kids together ;(

My boys and I, whole lotta crazy, whole lotta love!

Laura and I, everyone always thought I was the older one, HEHE

Well thats my pics for today.
P.S. note to Shana and Carrie, your pictures and blogs are making me have baby fever! Your babies are at such a joyous stage, relish it while you can!!

my boys

They are as different as night and day!

There's Caleb, the creative drama boy. He is all or nothing, there is no off switch with him. When he's happy he's ecstatic and when he's upset you had better clear the room ;)

dressed like a power ranger,
playing with his power rangers,
and watching power rangers LOL

Then there is Zach. He is very observant. He likes to take it all in before he makes a decision. His big thing right now is taking EVERYTHING apart. I am very excited about this new hobby of his as long as he's taking apart his own stuff. Its really neat to see his mind working when he gets in to it. His goal is to invent something-lol! He has a tub full of parts and he tries to make new things out of the old parts. Always thought he'd be an engineer...hmmm

Zach's 2008/2009 school picture

Collin and Zach are total opposites but luckily get along very well for the most part. Collin is our sports man! Any thing he can do to be active, he's in! The awesome thing is that he puts all of his energy in to it, he's doesn't back and let it happen- he makes it happen! The funny thing about Collin right now is that he still craves cuddling and loving but is in that phase where they put on a front like they don't. He's my M&M, hard on the outside but nothing but sweetness on the inside!

Collin's 2008/2009 school picture

The oldest is Ashton. He is the sweetest child you will ever meet. He can sense your emotions right away and will try almost anything to make you feel better. He is so protective and caring of his brothers. I hope everyday that more of the 'real' Ashton will be present and not get overshadowed by his disabilities. The great thing for Ash right now is that he has made a new friend in the neighborhood and they get along great! It has really helped his self-esteem. That, and the horseback riding of course!

Ashton's 2008/2009 school picture

And thats all my handsome boys!

What I did yesterday

I have been trying to find a way for the boys to have a play room. At first I took over a section of the den downstairs but it got a little crowded. We have a nice size house but we fill it up to the brim for sure! So yesterday I finally set out the task to design a play room for the boys. I'd rather them share a room to sleep and have a seperate room to play together in then to have their own rooms. Ashton still has his own room, but I moved him to the smallest one. Collin, Caleb, and Zach all bunk together, which they were all excited about. They are just sleeping in there, whats the big deal right? Now they have a nice room to play in, take friends, and get out of my hair (lol) without making a mess in each others room and fighting over who's gonna clean it up! Mainly it took all the junk from downstairs so our living room and den can once again be what they were intended for. I am very excited! Its all organized put away.

These are the sides that held up Zach's loft bed. He wanted
his bed on the floor instead and these work perfect for storage!

We got the pc desk and table at a garage sell this summer for
10 bucks!

The table and shelf came from my apartment and were
taking residence in the den, so glad to have them out!

Overall I love the way it looks. It may not all match but oh well! Boy am I paying for it today though! All that dust I blew around swapping everyones rooms is about to kill me!

Kids cannot live on doughnuts alone!

Last night was Kid Blitz at my mom's church. It is a very neat family game thing, Hard to describe. http://www.kidzblitz.com/ check out their site for a better description. Anyways, the kids had a blast, especially since grandma was picked to be the green team coach!


Its a great time and the kids learn valuable rules to live by WHILE they have fun. Most of the activities are created to make faith more concrete and understandable for little minds so that they will stick in their minds!

Collin, Caleb, Grandma Susie, Zach, and Ashton

Andy couldn't get over how much toilet paper they wasted, he's a big recycler, but I figure hey, whats a little wasted TP if it gets a little child to Jesus!

Update on Endoscopy

Well the procedure went very well and Zach was very good through the whole thing, the nurses all thought that he was very brave! They even asked to use him in their book to help other children that have to go under anesthesia. How cute!
During the endoscopy the doctors noticed that his esophagus was extremely swollen and had furrows along with clusters of cells at the top. This is typical when you have EE (eosinophilic esophagitis) or in english, allergy esophagus. It will take a couple weeks to get the biopsy results but the doc was pretty sure that this is what he has. It actually makes a lot of sense because the 2 conditions that cause the symptoms Zach was having is GERD (reflux) and EE. One of the ways to determine which it is, is to treat them for reflux and if the meds work than great, if not then EE. He's been on reflux meds for 7 months now with no major change. I am just glad to know whats going on so we can try and make it better. From what the doc told us so far, he'll have to do allergy testing to try and narrow down what food he's allergic to, cut it out, and then possibly treat with steroids.

Here are some more pics of my brave boy at the hospital!

being silly

Doesn't look the least bit nervous, my brave boy!

Waving goodbye, I hate this part!

So glad he is safe and back in my arms!!!

Taking a ride in the wheel chair, lets get out of here!

At Riley

Well we are here at Riley for Zach's endoscopy and bravo (ph sensor). We had to be here at 730 this morning. They took him back about 930. I think I was more nervous than him! He was so brave about the whole thing. You could tell my his huge grin and giggle that he was a little nervous when he left the room. Me on the other hand was pretty distressed to see him leave the room and know tha I couldn't go with him! We are at Riley though so I know he's in good hands plus the risks are very minimal of anything happeneing with they scope him. The doc did feel the need to come and inform of them this am, I know he's obligated but not what I needed to here! Keep you posted!

Mrs. Melissa Starrett
http://starrettx6.blogspot.com

Such a blessing!

I love my church. I cannot imagine not having the relationships and support that I find their. This week that feeling is on another level. Through God I am positive, my paths have crossed with a wonderful woman! After many passings by at the coffee bar we got to talking, turned out she lives in the same housing addition as me~ small world! Anyways, she is the head instructor and program coordinator at Agape therapeutic horseback rinding in Cicero. I have heard a lot about the benefits of that particular therapy for autism, but knew we probably couldn't afford it. Turns out they offer scholarships. Well last Saturday we went for a visit to Agape and was informed that Ashton was going to be able to attend the class for 6 weeks free! What a blessing this time will be for him. The hope is that we will be able to come up with the money for him to continue as well, but I know that in just the 6 weeks God will do some work in him. It is a christian organization, HORSE actually stands for Honering Our Risen Savior Everyday. Awesome!


Tonight was Ash's first lesson and he was so excited. He did so well and the other boys enjoyed walking around outside and petting all of the animals on the facility. Please pray that this will be exactly what Ashton needs.

Lilly went trick or treating too!

Halloween

Last night, the night before halloween, we dressed the boys up and made the family round. Some of them were not going to be in town tonight so our family and my sister-in-law's family got together and went to grandparents houses and a couple of the aunts in the area. It was a lot of fun, plus we won't have to do as much running tonight ;) Here are the pics of the boys, quite an interesting aray of characters!

Collin the Storm Trooper

Caleb the Power Ranger

Zach the Cool Ghoul

and Ashton the Rapper

The whole gang including Mallory as 'gabriella' and her brother
Alex as a baseball player