Unexpected Snow

In case you all haven't seen the map that shows how much snow different parts of Iowa have gotten, there's one place in particular that got hit by a bullseye - us!!  Yep, we were supposed to get a 'dusting' and then it turns out we got just a little more.  You know, like 14.5 inches!!  It's been crazy.  Tuesday they got out of school and there was no school today and we have a two hour late start set for Thursday.

I had this hair-brained idea to bring a little snow inside for the kids to play with.  They actually really liked it and it wouldn't have been too big of a mess until...we all started having a snowball fight. :)

 It was just water, so I didn't get too worked up about it. 

 Then Brody thought it would be fun to make a sno cone so he poured strawberry syrup on the top.  It was actually kind of good and I'm pretty sure the snow was clean - haha!

 I decided I deserved some 'me' time during naptime, so while the twins and Aaron slept, Jenna and Brody watched 'Tangled' and I read a book.  For over an hour.  And drank hot chocolate while the snow fell.  It was glorious. 

 So, speaking of Blake (below), if you remember Aaron and him were supposed to go to Iowa City Tuesday.  I'm so glad that they didn't go.  I shudder to think how bad things would have been on the way home.  We rescheduled the appointment for tomorrow (Thursday).  Fingers crossed that this snow stops and they can make it. 

 It really was a pretty snow...

 Aaron and the kids made a snow fort outside.  They thought that was pretty cool.

 Aaron shoveled twice on Tuesday and again Wednesday morning.  Let's just say he had a good workout, that snow was heavy!

Brody is all about hockey.  Specifically...Minnesota Gopher hockey.  So, we ended up playing "hockey" in our living room with a plastic bowling ball, plastic golf clubs and a baseball bat.

 

 We always have drama...

 I'm thinking another good birthday gift idea may be a plastic hockey set. 

 This kid has goalie mentality.  And, really good hand-eye coordination. 

 More drama...  :)

 

Brody and I had a pretty intense game going.  He's a little competitive.  I have no idea where he gets that from...ha!  Anyway, he did really awesome and beat me.  He's number one.  The mom is number two.

 Alright, fingers crossed for school in session and safe travels to Iowa City tomorrow. 

I better go, I'm missing the season premiere of "Duck Dynasty." :)

Who needs a trampoline?!

On Saturday afternoon I was putting dishes in the dishwasher and somebody (Jenna!) left the door to the upstairs open, which could only mean that a certain Blake and Bowen climbed the stairs just as fast as they could.  A few minutes later I went to check on them and found this:

Jenna and Blake were having a blast.  And so was Miss-I-cheese-it-up-for-the-camera-Jenna. :)

 I adore this girl.  She is sassiness and fun personified.  Look at that smile!

 Bowen...

 Yes, I was reminded of the book, "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." We read that a lot at our house.  Except in our case it was four monkeys.  And thankfully nobody got hurt. :)

 Don't let that sweet face fool you.  Blake is so stinkin' ornery these days!

 Sibling love.

 Brody.  Being Brody.

 Bowen.  Airborne.

Jenna mentioned that we (Aaron and I) should really consider getting all four of the kids a trampoline for their birthdays.  "You know mom, because they are all so close together it would be a really good gift!''  We'll have to see... ;)

Bad News. Good News.

Aaron and I went last Saturday to Ames to get our blood drawn to see if our blood types are even compatible with Blake's.  Blake is blood type A, so he is needing blood type A or O for a possible donor.

We didn't hear anything on Monday from Ames or Iowa City, so due to the fact that I was beyond antsy and a nervous freakin' wreck, I just called the lab in Ames and asked for the results.  I am: AB+.  Aaron is: O+. 

The bad news is:  I am not compatible.  The good news is: Aaron is.  *Sigh*  So...yeah.  As you can imagine, I am devastated.  Like really, really sad. I wanted to be Blaker's donor. I know 99% of you reading this cannot imagine what we are going through (and I hope you never do).  But, just imagine for a moment that you had the opportunity to pass along the gift of LIFE.  To your CHILD.  You would want that, wouldn't you?  Of course you would.  To find out that will not be happening is a very hard pill for this mama to swallow.

I have a few friends who have been so incredibly supportive in reassuring me that this is all part of God's plan.  I know that.  Obviously, God feels like it is more important for me to be able to take care of everybody when transplant time rolls around.  I can accept that.  It's an important job. :)

So, Aaron will be taking Blake down on Tuesday for his nephrology appointment and will also get some more blood drawn.  They will mix Aaron's blood and Blake's blood and see if Blake's blood rejects Aaron.  Please pray that it does not.  This is just the next step in the process.  We'll keep you posted...

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Still here...

Oh hey strangers.  No worries.  The Burdorfs are still here.  We've just been busy!  If I don't blog for 14 straight days, that generally means we've got a bunch of stuff going on.  I feel like Aaron and I haven't been home on the same night in forever. Wrestling, basketball, board meetings, reffing, crazy newspaper deadlines, etc.  We are sitting together tonight and it's so nice.

I have just a bunch of random photos I have taken the past two weeks or month or so.  I told you I was behind.  I'll try to catch you up. :)  Our Star Student. Brody...so proud!

 My loves.  Goofier by the day. 

 The twins love books.  Seriously love.  I love that they love them.  It's such a great start for them.

 

Jenna lost her first top tooth!  She was so excited!

 Our neighbor, Jon, let Aaron run his tractor so he could clean out our driveway.  He's the best!

 Reading books in the cupboard?  Yes please.  Please ignore their much-needed haircut hair.  Oy.

 A snow day equaled bowling in the kitchen.  The twins were so cute. 

 More reading!  See a theme here?!  It's also that time at school where we keep track of reading minutes in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. 

 When did she get so grown up?  I think her hair, which she requests to me as her, 'messy bun,' makes her look like a teenager.  She is going to be seven in less than a month.  I'm having trouble comprehending this. 

 We have a serious problem at our house these days with nakedness.  Aaron was gone reffing this night and the kids just kept getting more and more naked!  Bowen is the worst.  He has been taking off his diapers too.  He loves to do that in his crib pre-nap.  UGH.  You can imagine the surprises I find when he does this!!!

 Doesn't everybody eat a cheese quesadilla in their diaper and socks?  No?  Okay... LOL

 I, for one, cannot wait to give these pom-poms back to Aunt Mandy when she finds out she's having a girl at their 20 week ultrasound! hahaha! 

 Bowen.  This kid.  I just love him to pieces.  He helped me make chocolate pudding for the kids' after school snack one day.  Needless to say, there wasn't much left when the kiddos got home. 

 Valentine's Day box.  Bee Mine!  We think it turned out pretty well.  Aaron, Jenna, Brody and I all pitched in and did a little something on it.

 Basketball.  Lots of basketball.  Aaron is done reffing and even though our West Marshall girls lost, Colo-NESCO made it to state, so we have that coverage next week.  I'm so excited for those girls!

 

 Aaron has been my wrestling guy at the paper.  He took this cool shot at district wrestling and also spent the day at team duals. 

 I think these two look alike.  What about you?

 

So when Aaron was at team duals, I tried to be a really nice mom and take the kids to the school park before naps.  Yeah...bad idea.  Blake tripped and fell in the mud.  While I was trying to corral that kid into the van I lost track of Bowen for about three seconds.  Wouldn't you know he was on his knees eating mud.  So I had two that looked like this:

 I love how much Brody loves to help.  Do anything.  Anything at all that you are doing.  "Mom, can I vacuum the living room?" Umm...YES!!!  He will make someone a very good husband someday. :)

 I'm hoping our busy time is winding down.  I could go for some down time, but with March comes the barrage of Burdorf Birthdays!  There's always something isn't there?  I'll try my best to get some more frequent posts up.

I will leave you with my baby dolls and the card we sent out to family for Valentine's Day.  Pretty good for whipping it together the Sunday before!