CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Stories of Cherubs - Christian Kime

CHERUBS - Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH): Stories of Cherubs - Christian Kime

Life changes

Continuing on with my blog slackerness (is that a word?)...our daughter will be 2 in less that 2 weeks. I plan on having a small Care Bear themed birthday party for her. I am excited!

There have been a few happenings in our world. I recently went back to work after a lovely (almost) 2 year break. Initially it took some getting used to. I now have 2 kids to tend to, the house, the job, etc. I think we are adjusting. One thing I have been doing alot of lately is thinking. I don't feel as if I am really "doing" anything with my life. I feel as if I am now just coasting. I find myself looking for direction and purpose. I guess, as I approach my 30th birthday, it has me evaluating my life so far. Am I the best parent I can be? Am I the best person I can be? What have I accomplished? Am I where I envisioned myself 12 years ago? I work with high school kids. I listen to them talk. I get to see their passion for life and things. They have goals and aspirations. I did too! What happened? I dreamed and did. I wanted to live my life to the fullest and have fun. I accomplished my earlier goals and then just never made new ones. Guess I got to "busy" with life's routines. So....time to make some changes. Can't keep coasting, so I need to make new goals. My first goal is to be the best mother I can be (more quality time, less yelling, teaching them more). My second goal is to be healthy (more exercise and healthier eating). Next, make more effort to LIVE my life and not just coast. I don't want to be the "boring" chick that thinks she is still young. Trying so desperately to cling on to what she was and not who she wants to be. I don't want all my best times to have already happened, I want to make even better memories!

Blog Slacker

Last year 4th of July




This year 4th of July

I LOVE to read other people's blogs. I admire how creative they are. Most people are so dedicated. They blog every day or multiple times a week. Me, on the other hand, once or twice a year. So, here is my semi-annual blog.


This is my wonderful family on vacation!


The kids loved playing at the inflatable playland.







Twins for the day - father and daughter heading to the parts store.

Over the past six months not a lot has happened. Crazy Man finished up his first year in preschool. Monkey Girl is trying to keep up with big brother. School starts in about a month. I am hoping to get back to my morning walks on the nature trail. I don't know how well that will go with Monkey Girl now that she is very curious and very mobile. (Oh and did I mention, VERY opinionated) I have a strange feeling that I will be VERY lucky to make it one lap before crying and climbing out of the stroller happens.

I am getting ready for bed thinking how lucky I am. If you had asked me 10 years ago how I saw myself in the future, I would have probably told you I would be doing something in the field of Biology. I would not have children till in my 30's. I might be in a steady relationship, but not married. How different everything turned out to be! I am very happy with how things have turned out. I am married to a wonderful man who is my best friend. We have been together for 6 years now - married for 4. We have 2 beautiful children. I am currently fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom and spend valuable time with my family. Life is not always perfect, but I would not change a thing! I love how things have turned out!

And she's off....

Catherine is now walking. She took her first steps last week and has been going ever since. She now has 6 teeth!! (They keep coming in 2 at a time) She has added a few more words to her vocabulary. She says Sheshan (Christian), Sissy, doe (dog), hi, done, eat, and shoe. Only a few more weeks left until she turns 1!!!!!

This is a picture of her trying on her Christmas dress. She didn't stay still for long.

Christian won some awards for his artwork that was entered in the Covington County Fair. This is him with his art.

Dog Free to Good Home!!

Let me just start by saying I love Bruiser very much! If I had more money or a bigger house, than keeping him would NOT be a problem. I just can no longer deal with his phobia. He is absolutely terrified of thunder! Currently he is an outside dog, but was raised the first 2 years of his life as an inside dog. From what I have heard from others, he must have been nearly struck or struck by lightening in order for him to be this terrified. He has places to go to get away from the weather outside, but insists on making his "own" safe place.

This photo was taken today. Bruiser is 5 yrs old.

He is wonderful with kids....just a little big. 93 pounds to be exact

A little background info on him - Bruiser was born February 23, 2004. We adopted him from the PetLand store in Pensacola, FL when he was 3 1/2 months old. ( $485 -What an expensive dog! ) He was an inside dog and was crate trained for when I would have to go to work (He was a puppy afterall and puppies like to chew!!). He has been walked with a leash, so that is not an unfamiliar thing for him. He LOVES to go for rides. He is a big baby and always has to have a pacifier in his mouth. He still thinks he can be a lap dog. He is not super lickey or bouncey. He just paces alot. Like I mentioned, he is 5 yrs old and 93 pounds as of July 6th. He has very recently had all his vaccinations and has always been up to date on vaccinations. He has a clean bill of health. He is non-neutured. He has papers, but I never paid the money to register him since we didn't plan on breeding him. He LOVES people and LOVES LOTS of attention. The only reason he was made to be an outside dog was because our house we live in is too small for a 3yr old, an 8 month old, 2 adults and this big dog. He doesn't bark a lot and doesn't dig a lot. The only time he will dig is to get to some cool dirt to lay in and he tends to like the same spot once he gets it dug. He was a wonderful inside dog and housebroken. He has already gotten past his "puppy" stage. He doesn't mess with shoes or the kid's toys. He has had some basic obedience training and thrives as long as you are dealing one on one with him. He has "sisters", so he gets along well with other dogs. Both of his "sisters" are medium to large size. He tolerates small dogs well because my mom has a pomeranian and they get along. I think Bruiser thinks that her dog is actually a cat. LOL. He also does well with cats. He lets the cats lay on him from time to time. He has no problems with bathtime, nail clippings, or ear cleanings. He is a wonderful dog that just needs a home where he can be kept indoors most of the time, especially when storms are around. If you or anyone you know might be interested please leave a comment or email me at devilyoda@yahoo.com. Thanks!

A few happenings

Two Sundays ago we FINALLY made it to church for the first time. The kids behaved (of course my mom was with me to help). I have been putting off going because it is just me to wrangle a very wild 3 year old and a baby. I enjoyed the service and hope to make it back soon. I had every intention of going back for Wednesday night service, but things were just too crazy. We

got a call on Monday from family to tell us my Aunt Sarah had stage 4 liver cancer and was not doing well. This was the first we had heard of this. She was admitted to the hospital on Monday and never made it out. My mom, my Aunt Carol, the kids, and me all drove through the night on Thursday and made it to see Aunt Sarah Friday morning. She passed away around 2pm Friday afternoon (July 31st). We stayed until Saturday evening visiting with family and then drove through the night (I drove) so my mom could be back to work Sunday morning. I was SOOO tired that I slept through most of Sunday (as much as the kids would allow). Of course, we got home to my siding ripped off the front of the house. Thank you my ever so wonderful giant scared lab!!! He is TERRIFIED of thunder! I should have had him boarded, but didn't have time when we got the news about my Aunt. So, now I have an even more trashy looking house since they don't make that siding and Bruiser decided to eat half of the siding. *sigh* If anyone wants a FREE chocolate lab just let me know!!! (5yrs old, recent shots, pure breed, non-neutered) Since there was not much I could do as far as siding repairs we just played video games. Then I got adventurous and decided we would do our grocery shopping. Of course, I should have known better because both kids had meltdowns in Wal-Mart. LOVE IT!!! Jason should be home very soon!!! Just a few more days and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!! We have our 4 yr anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks. Hopefuly everything will work out so we can at least have dinner - kid free.