WOW...that's all I have to say. Just kidding. I have too much to say and I guess that's why I've said nothing at all. So much happens in one day that I:
1) can't seem to find the time to sit and write it all out.
2) can't seem to stay awake if I have a quiet stretch of 20 minutes.
3) feel guilty that I am taking time for myself (when I know there are clothes in the dryer that need to be folded, dishes that need to come out of the dishwasher, or another diaper that needs to be changed) - I have issues, I know. I am slowly getting better at being able to let things go.
4)hate to be interrupted when I'm blogging. It's hard enough to put two clear thoughts together, let alone to have to remember the clear thoughts a half hour later b/c Levi stole a train from Ayden, which led to Ayden having a hissy fit, which upset Toby, who needed a bottle, which then needed to go into the sink so that I don't find it a week later. Oh and then they need a snack b/c they are "famished," as Ayden would say, and then I have to get out the vacuum out b/c Toby spilled Levi's crackers all over the floor and, "Momma, can you put Thomas and the Magical Railway Movie on?"
Where was I again?????
It is quite comical and I am very thankful that I can laugh at the situation, myself, and them, when they are not looking! Jenn, my sister, came over yesterday and we were sitting in the living room with Zeke while Ayden (Bubba), Levi, Mia, and Toby were all playing in the playroom. We were talking about the fact that it is the best gig in the world being a parent. That was just before I had to spank Levi for something (which is by far the worst part for me). But overall, it's the best!

So, since St. Patty's day....let me go get my calendar, for inside the covers of that book is my brain.
Actually before St. Patty's day, on the 11th, my dad had orthoscopic surgery done on both of his knees. He is still out of work on disability and is still having quite a bit of pain - please pray that the pain subsides on its own or that they figure out what is causing the pain.

In April, we registered Ayden for Pre-K. He starts school in the fall. We have had to give him a point in time to look forward to b/c he is that excited. So whenever you ask him about school, he says, "after Toby's birthday, I will go to school." Toby's birthday (and Mia's) is September 2nd. As far as he is concerned it can't get here fast enough. I don't share that sentiment. I am just going to miss him during the day. He will be going full day, five days a week. I wish I could send him just in the mornings or three days a week or something like that, but it's all or nothing. So there, it's out of my control. He is going to absolutely love it!

In May...well May was a BIG month! A big thing for me was that I finally got the rest of my kitchen cabinets and counter top in, and boy has it made a difference. I am now in the process of sanding and painting them, as well as repainting the whole kitchen and trim. Little by little...

Shawn and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 11th. A lot has happened in 7 years and I am so blessed to have shared that time with my best friend. I love you, babe!

That night (at like 3 in the morning) I got a call from my sister that she and Nate were heading to the hospital! Zeke was on the way! He was born on 5/12 at 9:52am. He was 8lbs., 5oz. and was 21 inches long - bigger than any of my boys and was right on time - I think they say that only 10% of babies are born on their due dates! He is such a wonderful addition to the family and we just love him to pieces! It's so weird to me that Toby isn't really the baby anymore.

Speaking of Toby, he and Levi had been sick in the middle of the month with snotty noses, slight fevers, etc. We just figured that they were both teething - Levi with his 2-year molars and Toby hadn't gotten any of his teeth yet, so it was time! Well a few days went on and Levi seemed pretty ok, but Toby was getting worse and worse. I took him to Urgent Care on Saturday, the 23rd, b/c he just wouldn't eat and would literally try to talk to you (make sounds/moan at you) and pass out in the middle of it. Kinda scary. Well when the doctor saw him, she said that she wanted him to open his mouth and there be a scary monster in his throat looking back at her, but there was nothing. She was scared about meningitis (b/c of the way that his neck seemed to be so stiff). She sent us straight to the ER in Atlantic City (b/c that's where all the pediatric specialists are) and let them know we were coming. They took us in and immediately began testing for RSV, flu, and a bunch of other things. They kept monitoring him into the night and finally gave him an IV b/c he was getting very dehydrated. Shawn stayed home with Ayden and Levi so they would have a normal night and my parents came over to the hospital to sit me Toby and me. They never admitted him and discharged us at about 4am. He was a very sick little boy when we went in there, but by the time the fluids got into his system, he was perking up and playing a little, so I felt really good about going home. I was so impressed with the pediatrician we had - I have never seen a doctor so thorough and the nursing staff was very good as well. If you live in South Jersey and your kids get sick, take them to Atlanticare in AC. It is worth the hassle of traffic/parking/etc.

Shawn's dad was scheduled for spinal surgery on the 28th and we were cleared to be able to travel with Toby, as long as he kept getting better throughout the week. So, on Wednesday night after dinner, we drove out to Columbus so we could be there for the surgery. The surgery went well and he is slowly but surely recooping. While we were out there, we met up with the Whitley's and had dinner. Anthony preached for the church where I grew up and I babysat for them all the time. After I went to college, they moved to Ohio and the only time that I have seen them since then is at my wedding. So it was very nice to see them and catch up. And now that I know how close they live to my inlaws, we can visit more often when we go out there. Also while we were there, Toby started officially crawling, popped his first tooth, and decided that he didn't want to nurse anymore. I nursed Ayden until he was 14 months and Levi stopped at 9 months b/c I was pregnant with Toby. It was a very sad day for me! But now that he not nursing, he is very cuddly and just really loves to snuggle! The day we got home - the 31st - he pulled up on our coffee table. He is a mover and a groover and I'm pretty sure he will be walking in the next couple of weeks.

June has been a busy month as well. Levi turned two this month on the 17th. How can this be? We had a birthday party for him on the 13th, because we were leaving on the 14th after church for vacation and wouldn't be in town for his real birthday...I'll get to that in a minute. In our house these days everything is Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends. He wanted a Spencer (the train) cake, so that's what I attempted. It turned out ok. We had a really nice time, Levi got a lot of nice trains and stuff (thanks everyone!) and we were thankful that Shawn was able to be around for it!!! YEAH!
We were all packed and ready to head out to Lancaster, PA after church the next morning. This was BIG for us b/c it was our first vacation since our honeymoon that we weren't visiting family. So, of course what we planned was to go ride on Thomas in Strasburg. We stayed at the Willow Valley resort and breakfast and dinner was included, as well as indoor waterslides, etc. We were so excited! Monday we rode Thomas and the Strasburg Railroad and did all things THOMAS! Tuesday we went to Dutch Wonderland, and Wednesday we went to a farmers market, did a little shopping, and took our time getting home. What I haven't told you is that when we got there, Levi got sick and then so did Toby. They came down with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. Ayden did have a fever, but wasn't affected like the little guys. Poor Levi and Toby were just absolutely miserable, but even through it all, really were troopers. They all had happy moments and we made the best out of the situation. But the most important things was that our family was together through it all - just the 5 of us! We don't get to spend very much time together, so it really was special and overall we had a lot of fun with meltdowns and lots of naps in between! Good memories! We are ready to go back already!

Two days after we got back, my parents left with a team of 31 others for France. They are working to make renovations to a Christian camp a few hours out of Marseilles. We miss them, but know they are doing good things there. They come home tomorrow.

So I guess that catches you up. I am not going to try and post pictures with this blog entry...it will never get posted. So I will post pictures seperately later. Hope you are well and God is blessing you richly! Lots of love from us Bates'!