Auntie Becky...

Connor kept saying what I thought was "blankie" but it's in the washer right now..I've not switched it over yet from all the washing I did in the middle of the night so I kept telling him that it needed to go in the dryer..but he took my hand and lead me over to the mantle pointed up and was saying again what I thought was "blankie" until I saw the picture..of my Brother and his wife BECKY..so I said "you want Becky?" and he nodded..so I handed him the picture...and now he's sitting on the couch..holding the picture..saying "Becky..Becky..Becky" soooo sweet!!

What am I doing??

Having another baby?? Emma threw up again tonight..anyone heard of this evil little bug that goes away for 24 hours..makes the kids act normal, eat normal, appear to be over it, then comes back for one last little hoorah 48 hours after the initial episode??

Connor's turn now..so if you think about it as this time next year..I'd have a FOURTH that'd have to go through it..

We've ALL had our flu shots this year too..WHAT GIVES?? I could cry..it's 4am..I'm waiting on the dryer..so I can move onto another round of laundry..which I'd normally leave until I was rested in the morning..but it smells..and I can't stand THAT smell..ugh..

Please pray that this particular little bug decides to not hit me..Allen is going to be gone for a week..and now that it's hit all the kids..I need to be able to keep up..which on my best day NOW is hard..let alone fighting something..

Catching up with the Bowman's..

Here is a slide show of recent pictures taken in 2009...I've been a slacker at posting..my apologies..I'll try to be better..some pictures included are from a Superbowl party at Lori's, playdate at Lori's, Valentine's Party at Lori's (see a theme yet), and Lori watching the kids here..I'm not sure I'd have any pictures of the kiddos if it weren't for her..THANK YOU LORI!! ;o)

Emma..

...her turn was last night..hopefully it's out of her system..and doesnt come back to haunt me again..now just to watch Connor..I think we'll lay low for the rest of the week..keep ourselves away from other little babes that could get sick..it was a long night..and lots of laundry..it'll be a long day..good thing the coffee is brewing..

..side note..I'm totally craving some homemade strawberry jam..is it that time of year again or is Hayley just playing some terrible tricks on me??

Friends..

..I have several that fully fit the definition of friend..and I have a few of those that go beyond friendship and have become family..I'm so thankful for the people I have in my life..the good the bad and the ugly (those no make up days) they love me no matter what..no matter how many favours I ask them to do..no matter how much drama I bring into their lives..they love me..my kids..and the craziness that has become my life..they lift me up and get me through it..put their own lives on hold to do so..thank you to all my friends..you know who you are..THANK YOU!!

Craving..

A juicy bacon burger from Outback with a loaded baked potato as a side dish...is it too early??

A Nightmare...

First I just want to say I appreciate all the phone calls, emails, and Facebook comments in support of what has been a living nightmare the last two days.

I will recount the course of yesterday in a mass email only in order to give all of you, my loved ones, an idea of what has happened, and to avoid an emotional phone call, chat with individuals.

Yesterday I had a play date at my house. We were putting shoes on the kids to take them to Chick-Fillet for lunch when my friend and I heard screams...it was a beautiful day..all windows were open. We looked outside but didn't see any commotion at that time. Connor, decided to take off out the front door and ran towards the street..after I chased him down..I looked over to the commotion on the neighbors lawn..and saw the wife/mother from two doors down..laying on the front yard and another neighbor on the phone..distraught..obviously on the phone with 911. I quickly ushered everyone back into my house..and was locking doors, windows..when the police began arriving at such a high speed that I didn't think they'd be able to stop..they ran out of their vehicles with guns drawn...and then ran towards the neighbors home...within probably 15 minutes they had taped off 5 houses (mine included) with police tape..we were not allowed to leave our home..and Allen and AJ (who was at school) were not allowed to enter the crime scene until much later into the night...I watched them work on the wife/mother and take her away in an ambulance..and turned on the news..on the news they were confirming one person was dead...and that they had arrested the husband/dad behind our house...I immediately felt sick to my stomach..because after watching them work on the wife/mother..I figured she had not passed...and knew..I'd not seen the children come out of the home...my friend and I were interviewed by two very kind detectives. I asked..knowing I wouldn't get a direct answer...what happened..all he told me was he couldn't tell me anything..I'd have to watch the news..but that it was bad..I knew..at that point..it was a child dead...Allen rushed home..to be interviewed by the same detective..and still not allowed past the crime scene line..he was then harassed by a bunch of reporters..where one told him some of the horrific details..he went and picked up AJ from school early and took him to the nearby military base and waited it out...at one point they were letting my neighbors home..so I told him to come home..but they were still not allowing people in and out of the "sealed" crime scene of the original 5 homes taped off...Allen and AJ were eventually escorted on foot to the house at about 8pm...

Below are the details..please be aware..they are shocking..

The father felt that he was saving his 5 year old sons soul..by brutally stabbing him. Conflicting news reports are that he in fact decapitated his son, these details are unclear at this point. The mother had serious lacerations on her hands, obviously while attempting to save her son. She was taken to the local hospital and had emergency surgery on her hands.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/mobile/Neighbors_shocked_VB_man_accused_of_killing_son_2009_09_10

Please beware if you watch the video attached to the below news story..it is disturbing..and I found quite difficult to watch.
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_021009_vb_fatal_stabbing_.17bc749.html

The paternal Grandfather of young Joshua..is quite good friends with Allen. They are in the same Masonic lodge. Allen has spoken with him today..and while obviously still in shock Allen felt he was dealing well considering. I have flowers and a teddy bear to lay at the home..unfortunately..I'm just waiting for a private moment to take them over there..right now there are too many reporters around. I have not been home most of the morning. I spent it in Chesapeake at a dear friends..trying to get my mind away from it all. I had an enjoyable morning..and loved hearing my babies playing so happily..but had moments where I still found myself thinking of that poor boy two doors down being attacked..while we were enjoying a beautiful warm sunny day.

As for Allen and I..we are ready to move..we have not fully enjoyed the neighborhood..and especially the schools in the area. This is really just icing on the cake for us. Unfortunately with the markets the way they are..we are doubtful we will be able to sell..we are looking at all of our options and are considering renting this home..and then renting another home in a better area. We will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again for all the phone calls, emails, and comments. I love all of you for your support, and hope you all can understand that while I wish I could speak with each of you individually...at this point it makes me more emotional to talk about it..an email seemed the easier way to let everyone know what has happened (as some of you are very far away), and how we are doing. Please pray for Joshua..and his family..they need strength for what is going to be an extremely difficult journey ahead of them.

Love,
Christy, Allen & Kids

Baby Mama...

...is on the phone with AJ right now..I'm thinking evil thoughts..so I need to blog..she is such poison to AJ..gives AJ a hard time because all he wants to talk about is his video games..and movies..well DUH..that's all you ever had him do when he was with you..so of course he's going to ASSUME that that's all you want to hear about...

...he tells her about school..and that he struggled with his math homework..so then she says.."I never did well in math either..don't worry though..I did ok with it in college..so will you" WHAT WHAT WHAT?! You are going to tell a kid in grade 2 to wait to worry about math until college?? Honey..I just sat with your kid for 40 minutes while he "counted" 21 dots on a page over and over again because he couldn't even count the right number of them...he came up with 85 at one point..

...she asked if he's talked to his Grandma lately..nope he hasn't..nor has he talked to you lately..she says its because no one answers the phone here..typically I don't answer the phone for you "baby mama" when Allen isn't here..because I want to have to say NOTHING to you..that and..I can't recall the last time you actually called..maybe last month..when you called 24 times in one day..apparently that's making an effort on your part because you haven't bothered since.. (we weren't home for those of you reading and thinking I should have answered after the 13th call..but to her we should sit around and wait for her once a month effort at being a mother)...

ugh..so many people are pissing me off today..is it hormonal or what??

Diversity...

OK..I just read an article on CNN about how this guy is pissed that Obama's choices for office are not "diverse" enough. In his opinion there are not enough "Blacks or Hispanics" in the House.

I haven't paid a huge amount of attention to who Obama chose, lost most of my interest when he won..but that's politically driven..and has nothing to do with the fact that he is Black so no hate mail please.. I know Allen is impressed with the fact that for the most part his choices have been pretty middle of the road party wise..but seriously?? We're going to pick apart the choices based on race now??

Should someone not get a job because they are BETTER for the job??
Is it Obama's fault that he didn't feel a Hispanic was the perfect candidate??

I'm sorry..perhaps this is racist of me..or prejudice..but am I so wrong in thinking that just because you are Black..shouldn't mean you get chosen over the other guy/girl who might be better suited for the job??

This Country certainly does still suffer from Racism..and frankly..it goes ALL ways nowadays..hatred is not aimed at only one race..but we really need TOP NOTCH leaders..we should absolutely NOT be looking at their race as a reason for them to "get the job" it should be performance, achievements and experience.

This all is "in my humble opinion" only..what do I know?? I just know that this angered me. The article is quoted in saying "just because we have a Black President now does not mean we should stop diversity there it should be everywhere". Sure OK..it SHOULD be..but when your choices are what you have..I would much more appreciate the person be chosen for the above mentioned reasons than race. If the better person is Black..great..pick them..if they are white..great..pick them..but please don't overlook someone who is going to be better for the job because your choices might not appear "diverse" enough in doing so.

OK..I've vented..really it just seems all so backasswards to me..lets be more "diverse" but lets do what we've hated happening all along and judge people based on their race..and only choose people because it'll be more "diverse" looking. HUH?!