Trick or Treat!

Tonight, I am sitting here with the windows open, feeling the breeze flow through the house. I am stunned that it is already November, especially because I can hear the crickets chirping in the dark. Fall is here, but you wouldn't know it the way the weather has been. We have only had a couple of nights where we have dipped down to a freeze, and this past week has been in the 70's.

It has been a really busy month. We started October with a mission minded weekend at church. We learned about the missions in our church and the surrounding area. The next week began our cottage prayer meetings where we prayed for our church to come into a time of revival. Soon after, our revival began and we were...okay I must mention what Logan is doing right now...He is scream-laughing because he is watching the Simpson's. It is really funny. Anyway, the revival was inspiring and I was sorry I had to miss part of it so that I could hold my parent teacher conferences. They went very smoothly, by the way. The next weekend, Grandma, Jason's mom, came to visit. She helped with Logan and we even went shopping! We had a great weekend, even if I did get sick Sunday, just before the work week was to begin.

This week was Halloween and we took Logan trick-or-treating. We had a great time playing 1-2-3 Weee! down the street. He made the cutest spider. He also is picking up every word we say, even "vegetable"! Luckily, he did say Treet Treet for trick-or-treat, and even wanted to exchange the candy instead of taking it. He is such a giver! Last night, we went to the Smith's Halloween Party. We had a good time hanging out before Logan pooped out. I hate having to bail on stuff, but Logan is a much happier camper if we keep him on his schedule. We didn't sleep through the night for most of October and the doctor said that it was because we weren't putting him to bed early enough. So now it is schedule, schedule, schedule.

Even though he has been unhappy at night, he has been really fun during the day. He now has molars and incisors for biting, so we also have introduced time-out. One day he packed everything into his Halloween pumpkin and said, "Bye, Bye Daddy!" and headed for the door. He is also giving great kisses and loves to help with dinner. Yesterday, he walked down the stairs by himself (oops) and met Daddy at the door. He also chased a lady bug until it flew into his face, then he laughed until he squealed. We have so many lady bugs in the house, he is now armed with a fly swatter. He spent at least a half hour squishing the bugs in the window yesterday. Also, He has picked up the ability to blow bubbles into the bath water and eat off of a spoon. Pretty much everything that is on the 18 month checklist has been completed and he is in the 50 percentile for other children his age. Oh, the other day, Logan brought his shoes out of his room and said, "Daddy shoes." So, Jason put his shoes on him. Then he walked over and said, "Daddy coat," and Jason put his coat on him. Then he said, "Want play basketball outside." We just sat there amazed. How could we say no? I just can't believe how big he is.

I am attaching some pictures of Logan and some of the Obama Rally at Mizzou. This doesn't mean I am supporting Obama, I just think it is a great moment in history. He could be president in a few days and I think it is great that Jennice (our Jr. High social studies teacher) and family got to attend. Enjoy, and don't forget to leave us a note in the comments updating us on your end! Love to all! Crystal

Our Praise Team

Since I was a little girl, I have loved to sing. I used to sing on my parent's coffee table, and then I moved on to performances in the living room. In high school, I tried out for every solo and choir I could, and in college I joined one of the best choirs at SMSU. None of that compares to what I am doing now, singing my praises to our Lord, God. God has blessed our church with a group of people that truly have a heart for Him. I love my church and this praise team, but most of all, I love Jesus and how he has come in and changed my life. Here is a picture of us all together while we were on our first road gig. May God bless your life.

Logan also enjoyed it, I think...is that a fake smile?

Long time, no blog!

The family and I have had a crazy beginning to our school year. Things simply have been in chaos at school and at home. First, let me fill you in on my school year. We have a new principal, and along with that have come new responsibilities. I am now the writer of our school newsletter, our Friday classroom letters, and the computer teacher. I also have lots of curriculum to write for the district, and I teach the lowest group for intervention time. Luckily, I am finally getting control of my school day.

At home, we all have been sick at least once. Jason, Logan, and I each passed along the stomach flu from Logan's first day at the sitter. After we could eat solid food again, Logan began teething. He broke his I teeth through, and I proceeded to catch strep throat. He continued to have a green runny nose for almost two weeks when he developed a cough. So, we broke down and took him to see Dr. Austin. Logan had to have a breathing treatment at the office and then they sent us across to the hospital for a chest X-Ray. If I didn't know any better, you would have thought he was being tortured, but he calmed down when they put the shiny sticker on his shirt. It was a little bone that said, "I had an X-Ray" with a smiley face. After this crazy ordeal, we went to have McDonald's before praise team practice. Unfortunately, we didn't make it far. Logan was in his car seat and began to fuss a bit. I thought he wanted a french fry, but instead he coughed and then began to choke. I ripped him from his car seat and he began to throw up. I then called the pediatrician's hot line and they told me to take him to the ER. So three hours later, we found out he had choked on the broken up mucus from the breathing treatment. He was diagnosed with Bronchitis and send home to take three breathing treatments a day and some steroids for the rest of the week. After all that, he is still teething. He now has his first molar!

As you can see, we have been really busy! I haven't even mentioned that my mom took a big spill in the bathroom, and had to spend a few days recovering in the hospital. Also, we didn't have insurance for Logan (we found out afterward that it hadn't gone into effect yet.) Jason has worked 50+ hour weeks as well. To top things off, my school computer was infected with a crazy virus and I haven't been able to have a computer at home in the same room as Logan. That makes it really hard to blog! So overall, we have just been sick and tired!

So this past weekend, we sent Logan to be with the Cook's so that Jason and I could go on a date. We went to see the movie, Fireproof, which was AMAZING! We also spent a bit wandering around the mall and Target. We ended our date having a great dinner at Madison's, also thanks to the Cook's! Watch out Sisk's and Knoll's, this date thing may catch on!!

After this refreshing weekend, we thought we were headed for a smooth week, but Logan decided not to sleep Sunday night, so we are all tired all over again! Then yesterday, Nicole Mullen, a friend of ours from church, delivered her baby 8 weeks early. Ethan was born and weighs in at 4lbs, 14 ounces. He is bigger than Logan was, but they still need a lot of prayer for the recovery of both mom and baby. Also, pray for Tony, Nicole's husband, as he has to take care of the both of them.

Okay, so now you are all caught up on the Duryea's! Sorry it took us so long to update you!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANDY!

First day of School!

All of our students came back today. We are actually blogging in class right now. Cassidy says she is my new favorite student, but Baylie laughes. I am showing them this as a part of the computer class. The first day is almost over!

Better Than Words Alone

I hear the Logan crying, so enjoy the new pics!

Logan is 15 months old!

We just arrived home from Logan's 15 month appointment. He is doing everything a "normal" kid his age is doing and is in the 25th percentile for both height and weight. No more preemie here! He weighs in at 23 pounds and is 30.25 inches tall! The boy's head circumference is in the 50th percentile! Yippy! I am completely amazed at how my little guy has caught up with the rest of his peers. After two shots and a few tears, we went out into the storm and shared McNuggets and fries. Luckily, the worst of the storm passed over us as we were inside the doctor's office. It has been storming here since 3:45 this morning, but it looks like the skies are finally clearing.

We took our first trip to the pool last week. Logan "rowed" in his boat while Jayden played in the water and Zeke threw all the toys into the pool. It was a perfect day! Stacey and I have decided that the rest of the summer should be spent at the pool, so we planned to go today and it rained. Maybe it will warm up enough by Thursday for us to go again. Thank you Clardy's for letting us get outside on these hot days!
These days, Logan can't go anywhere without his ball. We went to Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and had the best time with this playground ball. He picked it out of the bin and chased it down the aisle. After getting back into the cart, Logan would throw the ball to other customers, drop it and watch it bounce, or put it in someone else's basket. It was a blast. Now he is obsessed with a different ball, Daddy's basketball. Every time we are in the garage, we have to go out and shoot some hoops. He also knows where the gym is at the church and says ball each time he comes close to it. Without reserve, he will run into the gym with the big kids and steal balls from the other children. He has no idea that he is the littlest one there. He is becoming such an independent little man!

Logan also is really enjoying his sand box. The colored sand looks so funny on his legs. Jason called him smurf man yesterday. He likes it so much that this morning, as I was on the deck taking care of the flowers that were left out during the storm, Logan snuck out into the rain and pulled the lid off the sandbox and was trying to get into it. He wasn't at all affected by the heavy wind and rain. I guess the fear of weather is learned.
New this month: Logan can drink from a straw, say ball, throw a ball, take a diaper to the trash, take off his shirt and shoes, bring you something familiar (juice, block, ball, shoe), and put things away.

VBS and Explosives

Argh! We be putting on the Pirates Who don't do anything VBS up at the HMS Steadfast (Union Hill Baptist Church). After a great weekend of food, fireworks, and family, we have set course to lead our area youth on the path to God.

Thursday, I met Nanny and Papa at the Lake of the Ozarks where Logan, Nanny, and I did a little shopping at the Children's Place, thanks to Aunt Cassie. They were having an outrageous sale and Logan picked out a shirt that he wouldn't let go of. We ended up with 6 shirts and a pair of shoes for $13! Amazing! I also found a great pair of kicks on clearance at the Adidas store. Afterward, we had a great lunch and Logan tore up a plate of happy face potatoes. We then headed back to the JC to meet Papa at the campsite. We spent the evening at a picnic in Holts Summit. The day came to a close with a screaming Logan and beautiful fireworks. We had a front row view, but Logan didn't like feeling the fireworks. We finally got him calmed down after we were home with snuggle bear and a bottle.

The next day, we had a great breakfast at Perkins with bonus muffins! Our Independence Day celebration had begun. We took Logan back to house for his nap while we prepared for our guests to arrive by taking a nap ourselves! After a good rest, we partied the night away with a great game of Horse, Home Run Derby, and a Rib eating contest! THANKS JERRY! Logan got a great scrape on his head when he dove out of a chair, which ruined Mommy's day, but he is a trooper. He really wasn't hurt badly. Daddy decided when it was dark that Logan had had enough fireworks for one year, so Nanny, Papa, and I took the truck up the hill to watch the celebration at the Capital. It was a really nice show, and I think Nanny really enjoyed it.

Saturday, we spent a quiet day relaxing at the campground. After a fantastic bacon cheeseburger and another bump on Logan's head (this time he split Mommy's lip) Logan got to take a nap on the kitchen table. Honestly, we are not cruel parents, it converts to a bed. Jason, Nanny, and I took Logan to the park and drive around the lake. It was a really relaxing day and Logan had a great time stealing the french fries from my plate at both lunch and dinner.

Today was Sunday and we spend most of it at church. Nanny and Papa babysat for us while we practiced and perfected the "show". Then VBS, although a little later than planned, went great. We had 52 in attendance. Hopefully we can double that tomorrow as the holiday will be officially over. It sure has been a great weekend! I am really looking forward the week, dressing up as pirates. Look for pictures to be posted soon and more updates on the visit from Nanny and Papa!

Gearing Up

It is only one week until Nanny and Papa come to visit! I don't want to wish for the summer to go any quicker, but I just can't wait to see them. Logan has changed so much since his birthday and it will be so fun to spend some time at the lake with the family. Today we got out of the house after some serious playing through the morning hours. We drove to the "clean" Wal-Mart and shopped for new sippy cups. Then we met up with my Rolla-Now-Lebanon friend, Cassie at TGIFridays. Lunch was delicious and Logan was the best behaved kid in town. He is now crashed out in his crib and feel like doing the same, except not in the crib. I did get to spend way too much on gas and get a "squishy" so all and all, it was a great trip. I even found clearance shoes. Shopping and Girl talk, what a great combination. The 4th is a week away and I can't wait to celebrate the freedom we have. God Bless America!

Women of Faith!

Logan and I have spent this week playing outside, taking walks with the Sisk boys, and mostly being totally attached. Last Friday, I spent two days in St. Louis with a group of women from the church. After shopping at The Mills for the newest Sisk, baby girl, Violet Grace, we checked into the Sheriton in Downtown. We had a great dinner and then went to the first session of Women of Faith. For those of you who don't know ( I surely didn't) Women of Faith is a conference that travels around the country spreading the joy of Christ through music, drama, and comedy. After spending Friday night enjoying the music of Nicole C. Mullen and, my favorite, Natalie Grant, we went back to the hotel and spent the rest of the night soaking our feet and spending some much needed "girl" time charging up for when we returned home. Saturday, was another great day of emotional roller coaster riding. The conference was absolutely fantastic! After ending too soon, we went to Illinois twice trying to get home. So much for the GPS! We did get to see the engorged Mississippi River covering the parking garage and steps of the Arch. Finally, we got back to our families just in time for Father's Day. As I crept into see Logan, I stopped at the door to listen to him breathe, but he was really breathing hard and was drawing his legs in. Terrified, I scooped him up and he promptly vomited all over me. Welcome home, Mommy! We spent another hour calming him back down and cleaning him up. He got up early the next day and refused to eat or let us touch his mouth. The poor little guy is getting tooth #8. He spent all of Father's Day curled up with me or Jason. Early Monday morning, he woke up around 1:30 with no fever! He then asked me for juice, so I took him to the kitchen and he ate for the first time since Saturday night. He has been really clingy all week, and the little tooth still hasn't broken all the way through. We have spent a lot of time together this week. I wish he would eat at good as before, but I have been assured that he won't starve.


New discoveries this week: Baby Violet, saying and signing please, carrying toys while walking (especially the ones that are way too big for him to carry), and the buttons on the answering machine. I will leave you with a couple of photos from the last week of school and one from this week!

V A C A T I O N !

School is finally out! It has taken me a week to recover and uncover my house!

Jason and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on Friday, the 30th. Great Grandma came to visit and watched Logan so that we could go on a date, lunch and a movie, which was such a great time! Twyla was so lucky to catch Logan taking steps on his own! He also was playing in his new pool that will eventually go outside.

Today, Logan took every toy out and scattered them around the living room. Then we went for a walk and ran home when it began to lightning. It was sunny when we started, but the weather changes very quickly this time of year. While I was pretending not to look at Logan, he walked from the coffee table to his exersaucer. I think he has performance anxiety, as he doesn't like to walk if he is being watched.

Jason started a new job last week for a local company, Doug's Chem-Dry. He is working with Craig Blair, a friend from church. So far he is really enjoying the new environment and being out of the house.

Now that my summer has begun, I will try to be more faithful with keeping the blog updated. My goal is to blog as often as Bridget! I love her blog; it is updated almost daily! I am also trying to learn to play a song on the piano, get to the library for a Nicolas Sparks book, continue to organize all of Logan's clothes, get to the gym, and try to spend as much time away from the TIVO as possible, of course, while keeping caught up on my soap vice! This combined with waiting oh so impatiently for Stacey to have the new baby, I have filled my summer fast! Now I am counting down until Nanny and Grandpa visit and my 10 year high school reunion. Keep checking, I will continue to keep the blog updated with the mundane details of life with the Duryea's! Right below this is a place for comments, it is like an answering machine for blogs! Love to all!

Our Big Guy

Time is short right at this moment, because I must give Logan a bath, but I wanted to give you a video update from today! Enjoy!

P.S. However, Logan still cannot clap.

Springbreak!

It has been too long since I have actually gotten to Blog! My students are in the middle of their MAP tests, which is our state assessment. Hopefully they will do great again this year. It did worry me a bit when they didn't remember what external and internal meant, but I can't get discouraged now! I don't want to jinks anything, but the school did make an executive decision on my position for next year. Fortunately, I get to move into the building! Unfortunately, I will be the only English teacher in the Jr. High. Jason likes to think of it as a promotion, but I am saddened to leave Mathematics once again. It is very frustrating to be told of what a shortage there is in Math teaching jobs and then not be able to hold onto one. I am trying not to let it get to me!



As you may know, it is spring once again! Logan is growing like the weeds in the yard! He and Daddy have had a blast this past month running together back and forth in the living room. Soon, Logan will be running on his own! He is still working on standing alone without holding on, but he can do laps around the furniture. The newest favorite thing is to twist the knobs and push the buttons on the stereo system. It clicks, which is oh so fun for us. We are trying to teach him some more sign language so that he won't whine as much, but so far he only does "more". Two weeks ago, we took a trip to Springfield to visit some friends from college. It was so different to be going to the park and staying in for dinner. During college, it was all about the mall and eating out when people came to visit.Although very fun, the trip really made me see how much I have grown up.



Can you believe that Logan will be one year old in a few weeks? I am just blown away! We are going to have family in for the party. I will try and attach a picture of the theme! Logan even has a shirt to match! Jason and I have been running around the house trying to get the house in suitable condition. With all the flooding in the area, we have had to clean up water in the basement, plus steam clean the carpets, and now we are going to have to repaint a section of the family room from some of the damage. Also, Jason is still waiting on a tile cutter to finish off the master bath, and I have been putting together photo albums for the big day! After the school garage sale this weekend, I hope to finish all of the painting, so that I just have to clean next week! I am so excited about his first birthday, and this year I get to spend the entire day with my son! Speaking of him, enjoy our family photos!

The first month of 2008!

What a fast start to a new year we have had! This year seems to be flying by. Logan will be 10 months on the 18th, and it is amazing how fast he is learning. He has learned to jabber, saying more than one syllable together, which is really funny. Bob seems to be his favorite word, other than Dada. We keep wondering who Bob is, but either way, it is mighty cute! He is starting to figure out that there is more to the house than the living room. He is pulling up on everything, and is so into his bedtime routine that he crawls and giggles to get us to follow him into the bathroom at bath time. The pediatrician told us to not let him eat in the night, so after a few really long nights, he slept from eight to eight! Also our Parents as Teachers "Teacher" told us to try teaching him to say "Bye Bye" and wave, clap his hands, and pinch his food. He can give us five, but not clap yet! It is so amazing that when we say, "Bye Bye, Logan!" He waves his whole arm and says, "Buh!" Just a year ago, my belly was growing and I was looking forward to ultrasounds and showers. Now, he is here and learning to stand, walk, and talk! How fast time goes.

School is going really well. Many staff changes are taking place, making everyone a little uneasy, yet excited about the year to come. A new principal has been hired, replacing Mr. Swiney, who is retiring. A few of our staff will be changing positions. I just hope that this next year I can move into a classroom that is closer to the building. I had finally settled into the belief that I would be in the back forty forever and was coming to terms with it, when in my evaluation, the assistant superintendent wrote, "There is a pole in the center of your room, and it is very crowded as well." How should I respond to that? I can see it on a pink slip...couldn't design a classroom space!

We have a house guest, who moved in this month. It is Jason's best friend, Josh. He makes very good Caribbean jerk chicken pasta! So it is me and the boys. Luckily, he brought his pug, Taylor, therefore I am not the only girl in the house! He is looking for a job in the area and we are so happy to have an old friend rejoin our lives.

The latest on our house is that are finally finishing the master bathroom. We painted it this weekend and Jason is taking the next few days to tile the floor. It is crimson and gold, to match our bedroom suit. I can't wait to be able to have two working showers! I owe Melissa again for offering her roller expertise. It is good to know that if education ever fails, Missy and I could have a painting service!

It is ten o'clock, so I should wrap this up and go hunker down for another long, winter night. Oh no! They just said winter storm on the weather forecast. The weather outside is frightful...

Going mobile...

The past month has flown by. Logan pulled himself up to standing on the "Giraffe Sit and Stand ball roundy round thingy of Awesomeness" (quote from Mr. Duryea) Christmas morning. We were so proud. He then fell down like a plank of wood. He also has his first two teeth, which he bit me with yesterday. I have a bruise on my shoulder!



Santa was very good to all of us. Logan received an array of new, noisy toys. He has been following around the train from Nanny and Grandpa and staring at himself in the mirror of the exercaucer from Grandma and Grandpa. He also got his first video game, a roll around drum, tons of clothing, and a ball that rolls itself around! We have had so much fun playing. Jason got many movies and tools. He also got one of the best gifts, a night out with the boys where they got to see a movie and play Guitar Hero. I got new shoes, a label maker, school supplies, and some unmentionables. We were so blessed to be able to spend our Christmas at home and to begin a new family tradition. After gifts and blueberry pancakes we packed up and headed for the border. We spent the rest of the week bouncing between our families and squeezing in some shopping and some much needed naps. We returned home just in time to spend New Year's Eve with our church family playing games and snacking until we rang in the New Year. Happy 2008! By the way, I am not smarter than a fifth grader!



Logan also learned how to splash in the bath last night. He was reaching for his light up duck, when he hit the water and it splashed. From then on he was kicking and smacking the water, plus laughing up a storm. Right now, Jason is chasing him all over the house. His toys are everywhere. If we could only get him to sleep through the night! He already is eating everything in site, but really likes the meaty stuff more than the fruit.

One last thing, my mom is staying with my new niece due to an unexpected stroke which left her able to do most things, just not be alone. So please pray that God makes the road to recovery a smooth one, and that she find the inner strength to keep fighting. Keep building that bridge, Odie!

Well, my grades are in, my project is complete, and now it is time to relax and watch the rest of Harry Potter before I am up with the kiddo all night. Blessings to you and yours for a happy and healthy new year!