WOW...

So much to update on! My birthday was last month and it was amazing! There were great dinners and many surprises. I will have to update that soon. That will be another post in itself, once I get all the pictures uploaded.

But today it is onto another topic that has struck the Crawford household.

On Tuesday morning I woke up feeling great, the only weird thing I noticed was when I was brushing my teeth, the left side of my tounge felt weird. It was nothing to alarming so I just blew it off and went about my day.

As Tuesday progressed, the left side of my head began hurting very badly. It was like a migrain head ache, but only on the left side. I had so much to do at school that I just popped some advil and went about my day. But, my tounge was still bothering me and now the left side of the inside of my mouth was numb. I thought maybe I was allergic to something and sent Dr. Jane (a very close friend and amazing doctor) a text. She told me to let her know if any other symptoms occured.

Wednesday morning at 5:00AM my alarm goes off for bootcamp. I could not get out of bed. My headache on the left side was so bad - so I stayed in bed until it was time to get ready for school. When I went to the bathroom that is why I starting freaking out. My left eye was not blinking correctly and when I tried to brush my teeth, the left side of my mouth would not form to spit. Then I tried to smile - and that is when I LOST it. Tears flowing everywhere. My smile was only on the right.

I called Andrew into the room and showed him what was going on. He didn't even know what to say, but "Call Jane." I left her a message and tried to continue getting ready for school.

To make a long story short, the nurse at school sent me home before the 8:30am bell even rang. I was a mess. Anytime someone would stop me in the hall I would loose it. I was just really scared.

I got into the doctor at 9:15am and my best friend Christy went with me so I would not have to be alone. Turns out I have Bells Palsy. Work has been very stressful latley and it obvioulsy caused my immune system to be shot. She said it is virual and they began treating aggresivly with steroids so hopefully it will not get worse before better.

I am thankful that I caught it early and so thankful for all my sweet family and friends who helped me through and checked on me throughout the day yesterday. It was deffinitly a crazy rollercoaster ride. I am very happy that it is nothing 'serious.'

I'll keep you posted on the changes of my face!!! Stay tuned for some more up-beat posts soon! :)

It's over... but not for long!

So boot camp was great! The month is over! It definitely challenged me and pushed me harder than I normally push my self when I work out. WE SURVIVED! But not only did I survive, but I signed up for another month. I am addicted. Truly 100% addicted and want to tell everyone about my experince. Here are the reasons I fell in love with working out this way, especially with TEXAS BOOTCAMP.

1. It is in the morning so I do not miss time with Wyatt - he is still sleeping.

2. My workout is done before my day starts and it makes me feel great throughout the day.

3. I eat so much better, because in my head I think - " I don't want to ruin that great workout I had this morning!"

4. It has been amazing time with sweet friends. We laugh a lot and push each other to try harder than we think we can.

5. Our trainer is wonderful!

6. We work every part of our body!

7. The workouts are never the same, so we don't get bored.

8. I have seen results!

9. I don't have to re-shower later in the day. I hate getting ready more than once a day!

10. Texas Bootcamp is a Christian Company. At the end of each work out they read us a bible story with a short lesson/devotional. Talk about great way to start my day - healthy body and healthy soul! :)

You should seriously think about Boot Camp! I know 5:30AM is early, but it has worked wonders for me. I NEVER, EVER imagined I would be a person to wake up and go work out. I actually turned my nose up at people who did and I thought they were truly crazy! I had every excuse in the book - including a really good one... "I have had 3 major knee surgeries and there are just things I can't do anymore." Not ONE time did I have to stop a workout because of my knee. And I could not be more excited to see my body being able to workout like I used too! They have workouts 6 days a week - and you can attend any session (morning or night). I am so excited I found something I love. Working out is no longer a frustration for me! We have a week off next week and I plan to run/work out to keep my body going until the next month starts! Whoo Hoo for feeling great!

Beautiful Spring Day with Wyatt

This morning we woke up to a BEAUTIFUL DAY! I could not even excercise the thought of staying in doors. While Wyatt was eating breakfast I took a morning run and then came home to show him the surprise I bought him yesterday, Sidewalk Chalk!

We played outside for over an hour - coloring on the sidewalk. Here are the things we colored; dinosaurs (t-rex), baseballs, soccer balls, footballs and wrote all our names several times! Then we decided we wanted to have a little family outing. We headed to Corner Bakery - definitely one of my favorite places to eat in the whole world!! We sat on the porch and enjoyed the weather even more! Wyatt scarfed down a grilled cheese and a cup of fruit while Andrew and I had our favorite salads! We then decided to take Wyatt to try out Putt Putt for the first time. We play "golf" all the time outside in our driveway so we thought this would be a great idea. He was given a little golf set at his birthday and I normally stand at one end of the driveway; him at the other and we just hit it back and forth. Needless to say I was wondering how he would handle putting the ball in the hole! Here are some pictures below! He loved it! Daddy teaching him how to hold to club.

YEAH! He got it in!

He looks like a pro!

He is such a big boy - and doesn't he look soo cute in his new boat shoes?! :)

Daddy and Wyatt taking a break!

Me and my sweet little buddy!

Wyatt had a small meltdown at the 18th hole. He was not very happy that the ball was "gone." He kept getting on his stomach and looking into the hole asking where it went? It only got worse when we had to return the golf club. He just did not understand why anyone would give him a ball and club and then take them back! :)

This is how Wyatt plays Putt Putt - I think I like his method!!! :)

Boot Camp Week 1

Boot Camp Week 1 was great! Sunday night I did not sleep AT ALL. I kept waking up thinking I was going to sleep past my alarm clock or that I could get there and not be able to do anything asked of me. Little did I know, none of those things were going to happen. It turned out to be wonderful! I will be honest, Monday after the workout I began thinking - "Is this really worth the money?" It wasn't 'that hard.' But Wednesday morning was a completely new boot camp. Monday they were just warming me up. I already feel better about myself and have been eating soo much better this week. This weekend we went of a camp out with our seniors from church and I definitely did not eat well... but I look forward to getting back into my healthy eating habits from last week and working out hard. I have been sore and there are times; like 5:00am when I doubt what I am doing. But it is all worth it! It also helps that Jill, Christy and Ashley are there waiting for me every morning. We have had great bonding time and laugh soo much! I honestly think I am addicted! Looks like I will probably be signing up for another boot camp this summer!!! Looking forward to Week 2! I will keep you posted!

Miss You!

So there are about a million more pictures where these came from. Basically we lived 3 years inseparable from one another. I think there was a time period, that we saw each other everyday and if we didn't for some strange reason, we talked on the phone about 5 times that specific day. We new everything about one another - the good and bad.

So I miss you Lyns! There are days when I wish Denmark was only 20 minutes away so I could meet you for coffee, have a slumber party and stay up all night, drive down the road with the windows down dancing/ rapping to whatever song was on the radio, eat without any thought of what we were eating, go shopping and buy the exact same clothes in a different shade of grey, hear someone use our name in the same sentence- "Oh Jodi and Lyns," because they knew we were a pair and pray together.

I love you best friend! I pray for you daily and can't wait until one day we are living life together again with our little families. God is doing amazing things in you and Martin's life and I love being a part of it- even from across the ocean!

Miss you TONS!

*I mean really - we could be sisters, look at those pictures above!* :)

Zoo Time!

Wyatt and the monkeys!
We took the kids on the train that goes over the zoo. You get to see animals you can't see while walking. Wyatt kept saying, "OOO look at those leaves!" He cracks me up!

Ellie and Wyatt would not sit on the gorilla statue. It kind of freaked them out! So we opted for a picture on te bench!

They loved their cool sunglasses!
Yesterday morning - Jill and I woke up early and took the kids to the zoo. Going to the zoo is probably one of my most favorite things to do with Wyatt. Wyatt loves to be outside and loves animals, so it is the perfect combination!

The Dallas Zoo has added a bunch of new animals and the new African Safari section is so great for kids. They can see Lions, Cheetahs, Elephants, Gorillas and Giraffes all up close. I mean face to face! You can eat lunch right next to the lions - they are literally on the other side of the glass. And you can feed the giraffs. They take a huge piece of leaf out of your hand! Such a great experince for them! We have been several times and will keep going back. Everytime we go they have added more!

When Andrew can get the day off - or on a really pretty Saturday, we are going to try to hit up the Ft. Worth Zoo!

Spring Break as been fun soo far! Can't wait for the rest of the week!

Oh I LOVE HER...

Today, Christy came over to bring me lunch and I started thinking about how much I love her as a friend. If you have not ever had a best friend, let me know and I will find you one! There is nothing like a true best friend who really knows you emotionally and spiritually inside and out. Girls need love from other girls! I look back at ALL of my best friends (because I have soo many) and see how God has strategically placed them at times in my life when I needed them the most. Each one of my best friends are so different, but all love the Lord and me whole-heartedly. Sweet girls I would not trade in for the world; Christine, Kari, Rebecca, Lynsey, Deighton, Cobb, Ashley - all are girls that I love so much and need in completely different ways. I love that God has given me sweet girls to help me through stages of my life.

But today, meet Christy! I did not think I was looking for a new friend at the time I met her. I would have never imagined that God was about to Rock my World through this friendship. I had no idea He was about to grow me, mold me and shape me into a new person - teaching me to love in a new way, and forming a friendship that is so in-tune with God.

I met Christy at church, through Ashlee Cobb (who I love dearly). Cobb came to me 2 years ago in November to ask me to talk with her friend Christy. See, Christy had lost her Dad and her friends were not sure how to "help" her, or even how to love on her. If you have never lost a parent you don't know what it feels like - and that is totally understandable, but it is hard to even speak to people who don't know the anger, fear, suffering, and sadness you are experiencing. So I loved that Cobb reached out to me.

I called Christy and we met for dinner - and it was a dinner that lasted a very long time. That dinner turned in to several more. I was able to walk her through the grief and show her that what she was feeling was okay. BUT, God was teaching me through all this. He showed me that there were sooo many things in my life that went back to my mom's death that I had not dealt with. Things that I kept inside because I was supposed to be "okay." I didn't have anyone from the outside to walk me through when I lost Mom. I wanted to be okay for my family, and I didn't turn to anyone. So as it turned out - 3 years after Mom died, I began the last stage of grief acceptance! WOW.

I remember thinking, "God what is your plan in all this?" But now I see. He wanted me to trust Him again. To rely on Him again. To learn to communicate my feelings. To learn to not have to be "strong." To learn to not have to fix everything.To be open to suffering and to learn to love myself in a new way so that I could be a Wife and Mom like she was!

I feel like Christy and I have known each other for years. I needed her these last two years and I thought I was the one who was needed. :) Oh was I wrong. I have gained a best friend, one that I won't ever let go! So Christy - You are stuck with the Crawfords! We are honest with one another, hold one another accountable and laugh TONS together. If you put us in the same room, things get a little crazy. We just think the same in sometimes the craziest of ways - and many times we get weird stares!

When we hang out - it is for hours! I don't think we can hang out for an hour and be "filled." Our time together last a really long time. So today when she showed up to bring me lunch, I knew my after noon was going to be amazing.

She is a a part of our family! Wyatt adores her! I mean adores! And Andrew loves her like a sister. She can be in our home any time and there is never any awkward time.

So I just wanted to introduce you to one of the most selfless friends I have had. Someone who can love me even when my heart is dark and angry. Someone who can step up to the plate and tell me I am wrong. Someone who loves the Lord so much she is okay with having hard conversations. Someone who loves my family. Someone who I can be completely inappropriate with and not feel judged!

We love you Christy! Thank you for loving me so much!

These Pictures about Sum who we are! :)

FUNNIES!!!

Tonight I went and put a t-shirt on. The t-shirt that I happened to put on was The 'Antler' & 'Claw' shirt from the Ranger's Last Season. Wyatt is in love with the Rangers - and Josh Hamilton to be exact.

When I walked in the room he said, "Nice Shirt Mom.... Nice Shirt!" :)

Whenever we watch any sporting event; football, basketball or hockey

- Wyatt asks, "Where's Josh?!!"

The last several months have been hard without baseball, he asks to watch it regularly! Glad it is about to start again.

We have learned that Wyatt picks up on our mannerisms and saying more than we know. Whenever he does something a crazy 2 year old does without thinking, Andrew will say,

"Wyatt, Come on Buddy."

Tonight Wyatt threw a ball at Andrew, but he wasn't paying attention. He wanted his Daddy to catch it.

-Wyatt yelled, "COME ONNN... COME onnn!"

We could only laugh!

Last but not least, his vocabulary is growing like crazy! He was watching a commercial on Nick Jr. and they showed something slimy.

- Wyatt said, "Mom that is disgusting!!!"

So crazy my two year old is using that word!

Lots of blogging this week - it's because the only part of my that doesn't feel awful is my fingers, and I am not good at sitting still. So enjoy the reads!

Listen up Moms!

Hey Moms, or Soon-to-be-Moms!

If you are looking for a good Bible for you child, this one is amazing! I have read Wyatt a Bible story every night since the day he was born. The Aylor Family introduced Andrew and I to this Bible last year and we got it for Wyatt. Not only does Wyatt love the story, but he is learning the lessons that are supposed to be taught when reading the Bible. It is not just written as a story, but written to guide little hearts to Jesus.

My favorite part of this Bible is how at the end of each story; stories from the Old and New Testament - there is a connection that points you back to our Saviour. It shows the importance of Jesus and what is better than that? Wyatt loves reading his Bible and my favorite thing to hear him say at the end of his prayer each night is, "Thank you Jesus, I love you Jesus!"

The Lord is already molding his little heart and I know that reading this Bible to him is teaching him to be open to God's word!

Boot Camp.... YIKES

I actually cannot believe I did it, but I signed up for a boot camp! Ashley and I have been telling each other that we were going to "get in shape." We started running periodically and realized quickly that we needed much help! So, we bit the bullet and signed up for a month long Texas Boot Camp. You should check out the website, it is pretty hard-core and I am very nervous!

I used to be a very athletic person. I played soccer growing up, could run for miles and was able to participate in any sport with ease. I took pride in my body and it just came natural to me. Then I had a baby and lost track of how long it had been since I worked out, and let me just tell you I am pretty awfully out of shape.

So here I go. I start on March 21st along with my sister Jill and two of my best friends Christy and Ashely. We will be working out at 5:30AM every morning. CRAZY right? I am not a morning person, but will have to become one because with a two year old at home, this is the only time I can work out without missing sweet time with him (as a working mom!)

So if you see me after this starts and I am walking funny, don't make fun. If you see me standing all the time, just know it is because I will be unable to sit because I hurt so badly, so dont bother asking if I would like a chair. AND, if you see me standing at the bottom of a set of stairs like I might cry, just ignore me... I will eventually make it up to the top! :)

I am going to blog through the month and let you know how things are going. Does anyone want to give me some insight on boot camp? Anything I should know before going in? If you have done one, what did you think?

Here goes nothing!!!

Hoping all this illness is gone so I can work out 100% in just a little over a week!

Dreaming

Right now I am laying in bed with sweats on and the blankets pulled up as far as they can go. The flu has zapped my body and I am basically incapable of doing anything but sleeping, blowing my nose and using my fingers to type. The rest of my body hurst too bad to function. But I am dreaming; dreaming about next week. Next week is Spring Break and that means the start of LAKE SEASON. Definiftly one of my favorite times of year.

I will say that I am angry that I have the flu, I hate being sick and feeling so dreadfully awful. This last month has been hard for our little family. Andrew came down with the flu during the snow week in Februrary, which then turned into a scary week of severe pnemounia. Talk about ill, my husband was miserable. I have never seen him hurt so badly. I did everything I could to sooth him for two weeks, but the only thing that worked for him was sleep.

Then, literally the day Andrew was feeling well enough to get out, Wyatt came down with a fever. Turns out he had Strep Throat and an ear infection. Now, two weeks later I have the flu. Our family does not get ill this easily, so to have it all come at once was not easy! So you can only imagine that I am dreaming of being on that boat in the picture above. We look so happy, free from illness, free from stress, free from snot, and so very tan!

So next week I pray that the sun is shining and our family is free from illness. I will not be completley happy until we are at the lake, relaxing, eating yummy food, sleeping in late, sitting on the patio, and spending lots of quality time with family!

You know you are blessed when...

This weekend was supposed to be filled with girl time. Andrew went out of town to go skiing with the boys and I had the weekend all planned out! I was looking forward to some sweet time with my girlfriends. I definitely got sweet girl time, but it was nothing that I would have ever expected. The flu overcame me. Here is the story of my weekend. Deighton and I

You know you are blessed when...Ashley and Deighton agree to eat pizza at your house because you started feeling bad while shopping during the day.
We were supposed to look all pretty and go out to eat Friday night, without babies (which is a big deal). Instead, the girls offered to go home, order a pizza and have wine while I laid on the couch and had sweet conversation with them for hours. Those are best friends.

Jasmine and I

You know you are blessed when.... your childhood "sister" spent all day on her 30th Birthday Saturday, shopping with you at Canton, only to get home to a friend running 103 and could not move (me).

Jasmine then spent an hour on the couch with me while my other friends ran around getting me medicine. She talked to me to keep my mind off feeling horrible, and was the sister I always knew her to be.

Jill (my sister) and I

You know you are blessed when.... your sister shows up at your house with Jasmine, after they were supposed to be having a girls night out for Jasmine's birthday, to give Wyatt a bath, and put him to sleep. Then to get a hold of the doctor, find out her sister (me) has the flu and to sit at a pharmacy for over an hour late at night waiting on my perscription.

Sh is my best friend and best sisters a girl could have. I love her more than words.

Ashley and I

You know you are blessed when... you were supposed to be spending the entire weekend with your best friend, being free and having fun, to spend two nights doing whatever our little hearts desire, to only end up taking care of a two year old, driving to the store to get your friend medicine, driving to the dealership to pick up your friend's car, staying the night 3 nights in a row, and waking up with Wyatt at 6AM in the morning so that your friend can rest.

I love living day to day seeing this sweet friend! She truly is amazing.

Christy and I

You know you are blessed when... your sweet friend shows up Sunday morning to relieve Ashley from Wyatt duty. Then, to take him to the playground, feed him lunch, buy and bring me lunch, buy and bring me Gatorade, put Wyatt down for a nap, take Wyatt to eat dinner, give Wyatt a bath and put him to bed.

Seriously, this friend has the most giving heart. Couldn't make it some days without her.

I realized this weekend that I struggle with people "doing" things for me. Especially things that I consider to be my tasks. I kept apologizing to these girls for ruining their weekend. They were so gracious to love me soo much. Each one of them is an example of what God calls us to be for our friends; selfless. They exuded God's love to me this weekend, and who am I to say "don't give it to me." I love each one of them dearly and am incredible blessed to be filled and surrounded with people in my life who would drop their priorities to take care of me. Thank you girls for a blessed weekend, I know Andrew is thankful for you being here for me. I truly enjoyed the quality time with each one of you, even if I was looking awful, coughing, and laying in bed the whole time. God has taught me to thank him daily for the people in my life and know that I am not in any situation alone.

My Valentines...

Valentines... well I normally am not a mushy person; but today I am so very happy to have a Holiday were I just get to love on my boys! The last two weeks have been absolutely crazy! First of all, the snow! I mean come on Texas weather, I do not remember the last time we were stuck in a house for a week because it was 16 degrees outside. The time with Wyatt was wonderful, but the fact that it brought the Flu and Pneumonia into my home was not so wonderful.

Andrew got the flu the week of the blizzard which then turned into Pneumonia because he went to work every day in that icy weather. I have never seen my husband so sick. I was scared for several days because he could not even function. Needless to say, he lost a lot of weight and I was basically a single mom for 2 weeks. I took Wyatt to several basketball games, and to eat out of the house in the evenings to just get him out of the house so Andrew could rest. Finally, Andrew woke up yesterday and looked somewhat like himself. He was able to go to church and actually hang out with us!

BUT, illness has struck our house again. Wyatt began running fever yesterday, YES.... the day Andrew started looking better. I mean COME ON, REALLY?!! I took him to the doctor and he as Strep and an ear infection. As soon as I got home from the doctor I began cleaning our house! I want all these germs to LEAVE my house for a very long time. I am just praying that I am not the next one to go down.

I will say though, it has brought a little joy to be at home today with Wyatt. Just to be the one to snuggle with him and love him when he needs his Mommy the most.

So Happy Valentines to my boys! I love them both very much and would do anything for the both of them! I love my little family more than words can express, and even the Flu, Pneumonia, an ear infection and Strep can't take the LOVE away from my heart for these two guys!!!

Happy Valentines Day Andrew and Wyatt!!!