Pneumonia and Funerals...Not Fun!

This last week has been miserable to say the least! It started last Sunday when we found out that Mary's (my step-mom) mother, Dorothy, passed away. They lived in Iowa so I planned on making the trip with my dad and Max out to Iowa for the funeral services on Thursday and staying most of the weekend there. However, what I didn't realize was that I was going to get sick. I began feeling poorly on Monday, but suffered through work and everything else that I had going on for the week all the while just not feeling well. I took McKenna to school Thursday morning and left with my dad as soon as I returned home in the morning for our trek to Iowa. I decided to attempt a call to the doctor to see if he would call a prescription out to Iowa to hopefully help with the misery. He did call this prescription in, but it didn't help. I returned on Saturday evening and went to Redi-Med today. They did a chest x-ray and determined that there were spots on my lungs and I had the start of pneumonia. This explains why I have been feeling so exhausted and hurting in the chest area. So, I began three different antibiotics and an inhaler today. I have done nothing but sleep and take medicine today which is just what the doctor ordered! I hope to go back to school on Tuesday depending on how I am feeling.
Despite feeling poor, I manage to drag myself to the viewing and funeral. Such a sad event! Dorothy's humor and spunk will certainly be missed! We love and will miss you, Dorothy!
On a happy note, Doug got his 200th career girls victory on Friday evening! This is a great accomplishment. I, unfortunately, missed it as I was in Iowa. He is now only 10 games away from 300 wins with both boy and girls. Hopefully, he can get 10 more wins this year!

Snow Day = Miserable Day for McKenna

The unexpected snow created an unexpected day off for McKenna and I today. However, as much as I only wanted that delay, the day off was much needed for McKenna. For the past few weeks she has had a nasty cough, so we started the ever dreaded breathing treatments stopping them about a week ago as she seemed much better. Much to my dismay, I have noticed the cough has been back for the past couple of days and much deeper than prior. To top it off, this morning she got her first ever bloody nose from all the coughing and dry air. It was everywhere and lasted for about an hour and half. Uhgg! So today has been back to breathing treatments every 3-4 hours. I made her afternoon much better by taking her to the orthodontist where they put a spring in her top braces in order to make room for a tooth. Now her mouth is really sore... Therefore, this snow day has not been a pleasant one for her. The only good news is she found out that she no longer has to wear her facemask at night. YEAH!!! We are certainly hoping for a better day tomorrow.

McKenna looking dreadful doing a breathing treatment

Playing Catch Up!!!

My camera has been found...no thanks to myself. I really need to work on cleaning out my pockets when I am finished wearing a coat/vest. Lesson may have been learned now...good thing I didn't wash it. As promised you will find some new pictures below, but in order to clarify my post from yesterday I thought I would elaborate on a few happenings in our lives.

Starting with McKenna... After much deliberation and plenty of tears shed, Doug and I made the decision to withdraw McKenna from Lakewood Park. This decision proved nothing short of one of the hardest things I have ever decided in the way of McKenna. Many factors weighed into our decision, but in the end we decided that she would attend McKenney Harrison Elementary in the same district that I teach within. My fears were relieved after her first day of school as she LOVED her new school. She has a tremendously talented teacher and she is forever trying to mimic her. The growth that I we have seen academically helps ease our minds knowing that we made the right decision. She just received her report card from the 1st trimester and got all A's. I am more than proud of her, but what is more rewarding is that she is so proud of herself!

As a family, we have been so blessed to meet a few families whom we have gotten to spend a great deal of time with through softball. This has been a great thing as McKenna will be playing for the Krush Softball team next summer with some of their daughters and I will be helping coach as well. These girls have become extremely close friends and they love spending any free time together. We, as adults, have enjoyed going to Friday night home football games and tailgating afterwards. Below are pictures of some of her friends from softball.

Allison had a pretty decent first semester of school and golf at IPFW. She seems to really have adjusted well to college life and her grades are great as usual. She is looking forward to spring arriving so she can get back to the golf course. Doug is jealous due to all of the nice gear she gets being a Division I athlete. I will say it is pretty sweet! Her and Chase are still dating and making the little bit of distance work as he is attending Manchester College playing soccer.

Dane is in his junior year of college and for lack of a better word is "done". He is getting down in the dumps with his classes as he feels like he already knows how to do everything he is suppose to be learning making college boring. However, his grades are good and he continues to attend much to our delight despite his lack luster attitude towards it. He and Brittany, too, are still together. There is a lot of traveling back and forth to Indianapolis to visit each other.

Doug has started yet another year at South Side and continues to coach at Northrop. The driving back and forth between schools wears on him, but he makes it work despite his frustration with it at times.

We celebrated our 5th anniversary at the end of September! While we didn't do anything special, life has been good for the two of us, and we just enjoyed each others company at home on that day. I am still enjoying my job even though our plates, as teachers, continue to fill up with all of the requirements being put on us by the state and federal government. As you can see, life continues to roll right on by and now you are caught up. I will do my best to stay on top of this from here on out.

McKenna and Kayrsa (softball friend) at the Buffalo Farm in Fremont

McKenna's first day of school in 3rd grade

Emma (Doug's niece) and McKenna at a Purdue Football game we attended
Halloween...Thing 1 (this is what she was dying to be)

Reece, McKenna, and Lexy getting ready for Trick or Treat (softball friends)

Life in the Fast Lane!!

Wow!! Has it really been since August since I posted? I apologize... Many things have been happening in our household since then. McKenna has started a new school (which she loves), Doug, again, has started basketball, Allison has had her first season as a Division I golfer for IPFW, Dane has started his junior year at IPFW, and I, well, am still in my same position working on becoming a black belt Ninja in the Common Core Standards adopted by the state of Indiana. I have taken many pictures, but at this current time am unable to find my camera; therefore, I promise to get pictures posted soon with more updates to follow! So until then, life will continue in the fast lane...

Vacation is Over! :-(

Unfortunately, we made it home from a wonderful vacation in Myrtle Beach! It was a long drive home, as is any drive home from a beautiful place that you have just visited, but we did make it much to our dismay. Our final two days on the beach were nothing less than spectacular! We couldn't have asked for better weather (except for the first three days when it rained). McKenna was a trooper the whole trip and such a good girl! She surprised Doug and I continuously with the ocean. She just loved it! She has a great tan going on and even thinks her thighs up near her bathing suit are "black" when she bends down. It is pretty funny! So our first friends vacation was a complete success. We are even talking about going back next year. Thanks Mike, Nikki, and Madelyn for the invite! Big thanks to my Mom and Harry for allowing us to use their car and cartop carrier. Below are some more pictures from the trip...I will add more in later posts. For now it is back to the "real world".

Practicing their synchronized swimming!

Eating the Italian Ice they had to have...they waited for two days to get this on the beach!
One of the only pictures of Doug and I (since I take all the pictures)

Cute girls posing on the beach!

A classic McKenna look...

Finally the Sun!!!

After four and a half days of rain, we finally caught a break with the sun in the afternoon! The sunscreen was not even applied as we all were hoping for some sun as we are on "vacation". Last evening Doug, McKenna, and I went down to Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina (about 40-45 minutes from where we are staying) to visit my Uncle Terry and Aunt Dana who live down here. We had such a great time visiting. They took us to dinner at a nice place right on the beach where we were able to sit outside and enjoy the weather and food. We then headed to the Marshwalk which is a bunch of restuarants/bars right on the marsh. There is a long boardwalk which you can enjoy a stroll, get a beer, and enjoy the live music. It was a really cool place...one that Doug and I would like to go back to sometime. Here are some pictures from the day...

Madelyn and McKenna in their matching suits

Gettting out of the sun to enjoy some lunch under the tent
Uncle Terry, Aunt Dana, and McKenna

On the boardwalk with a shark!

Myrtle Beach-Days 1-4

We are finally on summer vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with friends of ours. We started our trek on Friday evening in my mom's Expedition and drove straight through the evening to get here. The weather on Saturday was gorgeous despite the fact we were unable to get into our condo until 4:30 making the beach a little unaccessible for the day. Sunday, the girls (Madelyn and McKenna) spent a majority of the day in the ocean with the boogie boards that we purchased for them. I can't believe that McKenna was so fearless despite never really being in the ocean prior. The last two days the weather has been extremely poor...rainy and overcast. Hopefully tomorrow brings sunny skies! Here are a few pictures from the first four days.

Madelyn and McKenna getting comfy for the long trip!

The girls on the boogie boards...
Daily adventures from the boys...sitting in the ocean with a beer (or two or three, etc.)

Playing in the sand! They like to bury feet!

Watching Wipe Out on TV as they weren't feeling good...can you tell??

Playin' at the Lake

Madelyn ended up spending the night with McKenna last evening; therefore, we decided to let the fun in the sun continue by heading to the lake for the day today. Nikki came over at about 9 A.M. and the four of us headed up to L.L.L. My Dad ended up meeting us up there, which meant we had the ability to use the boat and the girls got to go tubing. It was sooo hot, but it was a perfect day. A majority of the day was spent in the water with minnos nibbling at our feet and legs as we sat in the water chairs. It was quiet there, and we didn't have any crazy, strange people to contend with...just our crazy girls! I think that we are all burnt and tired from such a fun-filled weekend. Pretty sure it will take us a couple days to recover from all the sun. Thanks, Dad for taking us in the boat. Love you!

Madelyn and McKenna eating Oreos

My Dad and McKenna...love this picture!
McKenna "pretending" to be asleep

Just climbing back in the boat after jumping in...

Tubing...look, "No Hands"

Fun in the Sun!!!

This weekend was filled with way too much sunshine and fun, which is just what the doctor ordered. On Saturday, we met up with Nikki and Madelyn for a day in the sun. We started by heading to the splash pad. However, we only needed to be there for a short time before we decided it might be better to head to the pool as it was a public splash pad. (Needless to say, there were some questionable people hanging out at the splash pad. This must be what happens when it is 90 degrees outside and everyone is looking for some heat relief. LOL) Sooooo, off to the pool at Dupont Lakes to use the pool while Nikki's brother-in-law was out of town. The girls thought the pool was great, but the mothers didn't think so. The water smelled awful and the people were again crazy and strange. We did stick it out for the afternoon though! Thanks, Curtis, for letting us use the key! What better way to end the day than by going to Yo Yo's...the absolute hottest place in Fort Wayne! Here are some pictures from the day on Saturday!

Madelyn and McKenna eating a little lunch at the Splash Pad

The bucket coming down on their heads
Climbing the wall...she is quick at this activity

Loving the hair for one final pose

Yo Yo's Yogart!! Yum!!!!!!!!!

My "Little" All-Star

Next weekend we will begin our first traveling experience with (I can only assume) the many sporting events that McKenna will seemingly partake in. We will be traveling to Fishers, IN, for our first tournament next weekend as she has made the Leo-Grabill All-Star 8 & Under Softball team. I am helping coach this team as I did during the regular season, so we have been practicing about 4 times a week as we prepare the girls for many games in a day. Last evening we got her uniform so tonight she decided she needed to try it on and that I needed to take pictures of her in it. She definitely is little, but she is cute! (Take away the fact she hasn't had a bath tonight so her hair is a little bit of a mess! LOL!!!)

A close up with the visor

Throwing herself a pop-fly!!
The whole uniform...check out the socks that go about to her hips. LOL

#47 after our neighbor, Morgan, whom she adores

Blogging Hiatus...Sorry!

Well, unfortunately blogging has taken a backseat in the Curtis household due to summer jobs and many other obligations. I was officially on a blogging hiatus. However, summer has officially started for Doug and I today as our Parks and Recreation jobs have ended! My friend, Shannon, saw me on Fourth of July and said she was tired of seeing "Happy Easter"; therefore, those of you reading are getting the update. Many pictures have been taken between Easter and now; however, I am only putting a few up at this time as some are outdated. The kids are all great. Dane has been taking summer school while continuing to work for his graphic design company. Allison graduated from DeKalb High School in June. She has played in a couple of golf tournaments and won the tournament at Fort Wayne Country Club for the 3rd time in a row. She is currently getting prepared to move into IPFW housing to begin her freshman year at IPFW. McKenna finished 2nd grade with all A's. She has been playing coaches pitch softball since the spring. She made the All-Star team and will be traveling to a few tournaments in July. She definitely is a fierce "little" competitor. We are looking forward to traveling with her, although, I am unsure if I am ready for this traveling activity to start being that she is only 8 years old. As for Doug and I, we are just going to relax. I am going to get caught up on some reading that I have been wanting to do. Doug plans on playing lots of golf now...I think I will enjoy the sun instead. More pictures to follow in a few days. Enjoy what is posted!
With Love,
Megan

Fourth of July fireworks at Riverside Gardens in Leo

Mrs. Weaver and McKenna at her 2nd grade awards ceremony

Makenzie and McKenna at their Living Wax Museum
Doug and I out with Casey and friends at the Neon Armidillo for .25 beers

McKenna, Kaleb, Maddie, and Chase riding the four wheeler

Maddie and McKenna posing

Doug and I with Maddie at fireworks

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter to all! Doug and I spent this Easter weekend in Valporaiso visiting Doug's parents, his sister's family, and his Grandma Curtis (who is 96)! We had a wonderful weekend celebrating the fact that Jesus has RISEN, but sure missed the kiddos, who unfortuately, were not with us. We did, however, take our two dogs. What a mistake! I believe that they are worse than having children. It seems that whenever they are in new territory they decide to break in the place by pooping, peeing, and puking all over. One of the two "gems" decided to have a major blowout in the middle of the night without us knowing. Needless to say, Doug woke up with his entire leg covered in poop. So after we attended church, we had the honor of gagging as we cleaned up the bedding outside on the deck so his mom could take the comforter to the dry cleaner tomorrow. Sorry, Dot! It has made for a great story with laughs, but I think we will not travel again with them anytime soon. :-) The Easter Bunny did visit our house while we were gone, therefore, McKenna still got to hunt for more eggs and find her basket. I snapped a couple pictures from the weekend. Have a great week! God Bless!

Oliver playing cards with us last night! (Maybe taking a little nap too!)

Doug's Grandma (We hope we have several years left with her!)
McKenna opening her stuff from the Easter Bunny!

Tooth Trouble!!!!

I really was unaware of what today was going to bring! It only took until about 8:30 in the morning for me to figure out how the day was going to unfold. McKenna had an orthodontist appointment first thing in the morning in order to get her expander taken out, fitted for another one, and then return in the afternoon to get the new one put in. I failed to remember how traumatic going to Dr. Thompson's office was not only for McKenna, but for myself, as well. It only took about fifteen minutes at Dr. Thompson's for the days planned activities to change. Needless to say, McKenna DID NOT take well to getting the expander taken out. The crying began prior to even sitting in the chair...nobody had even touched her or talked to her at this point. She had herself so worked up that after the painful event of getting the expander out, she vomited all over. NEAT!!! Again, a lovely start to the day. The fear and pain in her eyes and screams was agonizing for me as her mother, but I have to keep reminding myself and her that it is painful to be beautiful. :-) Finally, after digging in her mouth to get the excess glue off of her teeth, Dr. Thompson decided that we needed to wait until the big sore in her mouth heals before doing impressions and putting a new expander in her mouth. My immediate thought, "Please, just get it done today." However, after looking at her, wanting to comfort her, and feeling mortified that my child was scaring every other patient in that office, I was more than happy to walk out of the office for the day knowing I wouldn't have to return for at least three weeks. I always feel sorry for the nurses that get McKenna as I know she is soooo scared and will cry. After we left that office and I was able to console her, I took her to get a Gatorade and then took her to school. (See, it is the little things that make a difference! Plus it only cost me $1.29!) The only positive that came out of today was...McKenna gets to chew gum for 3 weeks. She is so excited as she hasn't had any since September! Gum is her favorite...she has almost chewed a half of a pack today. These are the days that make me thank God for having her in my life...we will always have something to reminisce about as she grows up! Love you with all my heart, McKenna!

Kieran (our neighbor) and McKenna playing after school

Blowing bubbles!!! Thank goodness for gum!!!

Level 3 swim lessons...she has improved so much and loves them! (She is in the far lane.)
Dane with his new do...looks just like Doug with it so short! Scary!!

Weekend Fun!!!

Friday evening was spent with my grandparents, Mom and Harry, and our kids at Don Hall's GasHouse celebrating my Mom's birthday. We also were able to spend some time with my great Aunt Dawn who was visiting from Las Vegas. I haven't seen her in several years, so it was great to catch up with her Friday, as well. Happy Birthday, Mom! On Saturday afternoon, we had a little bit of a mishap with our plans. We were suppose to go bowling at Georgetown at 4:00 with the group we will be going on vacation with. Upon our arrival, we were told that there was a tournament all day and there was no open bowl until 8:30 P.M. The problem was we had called earlier and they told us there was open bowl all day! Soooo...we had two disappointed children. Therefore, we went to the Acme Bar for dinner and drinks to "kill" time (only like 3 hours of time). We eventually ended up at Crazy Pins to bowl...making the girls very happy. Below are pictures from our day.

Madelyn and McKenna posing

Doug and Allison taking time for a picture! Chase (with his black eye from soccer) Allison, and McKenna

The girls resetting things on the machine

Since the icre cream machine was broken, cotton candy seemed like the next best choice. :-) We are anxiously awaiting July to get here to head to Mrytle Beach for vacation. We look forward to having a fun time with our friends.