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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hard Day

So yesterday was a hard day for me.  I had to take my daughter to get a renal sonogram and a dye test to see how her kidneys are doing.  She has had some major issues going on and they wanted to be sure nothing is wrong with her kidneys since we have a family history of kidney disease and stones.  

I let her pick out what she wanted to wear and she was so incredibly cute!  She picked a pink shirt that said "nature lover" and a blue jean skirt, with a princess baseball cap and her new adidas jacket that's purple and blue!  What a cutie!  I almost cried just seeing what she picked and how cute she was (yep emotional already).  
So we get to the Dr.'s office and thank goodness my mom had come for support and to watch Kaden while we were in the exam rooms.  The sonogram goes fine - just like a regular sono when you have a baby or something.  She watched Rattatooie (sp?) while the lady moved the sono tool around on her little belly and took pictures.  NO BIG DEAL!
Then...it was time for the dye test.  She was really brave at first doing everything the nurses told her to do without a wimper.  Until...they started putting the catheter in.  That's when the crying and screaming started.  I had to hold her little arms down while they put that in.  I guess it was so hard because you spend so much time telling your kids that people aren't allowed to touch you down there, etc. etc. and then you have to kind of un-explain this when your child has a procedure like this and try to make it make sense to them, reassuring them that it's only ok because you are there, it's the dr., etc.  
So, I sat there, holding her little arms down, watching her scream and cry, shaking because it was so painful for her little body and there was nothing I could do, except try to hold back my own tears and pray it would be over quickly.  That feeling of looking into your child's eyes and seeing the pain and not being able to do anything about it...it's such a hopeless feeling.   
Then it was over and the tears were dried and we left.  The nurses gave her all kinds of prizes that included Hannah Montana stickers, a little Ty Teddy Bear, and snacks of teddy grahams and apple juice.  
So...we get in the car and I'm strapping her in to her car seat and trying again not to lose it because I just need to let it out, when she says this (holding her new Ty Teddy Bear), "Maybe my bear cried when I was crying."  So that's it, I can't hold it back anymore, the tears start flowing, my mom asks me what she says and I can't talk, she sees me crying and she starts crying, etc. etc.  
So, here's the many reasons for the tears:  I cried cause I felt helpless, I cried cause my baby didn't understand why this hurt so bad and why I was letting them do this to her, I cried because of that look in her eyes, I cried because she was shaking while trying to endure the pain, I cried because she was screaming so loud it hurt my ears, I cried because I would much rather be the one in pain than have to sit and watch her go through this, and then...

I cried because I was thankful.  It sounds weird, but I started thinking about all these mothers who have children who are very ill, or even terminally ill, and I just can't imagine what they go through.  I honestly don't know how they can do what they do over and over again.  So I cried for them...just thinking how hard this was, and this is minor compared to what some people are going through, and at least I get to take my child home when its over, and I cried because I just pray that they have God in their lives.  

God is the only thing that can get you through something like this.  I can't imagine not having a hope, a trust, that God is watching over us and will never give us more than we can handle.  I REALLY don't know how people go through things like this if they are not Christians.  I was reminded of this book I'm reading called "My Sister's Keeper".  There's a movie out about it right now, which I haven't seen yet, not sure I want to now, but I just can't imagine.  

I praise my God that he is there when I need him, I praise him for my precious children that are so brave and that I love so much, I praise him that when I am weak - he is strong!!!!  I praise him for my friends and family that are always there to support me no matter what.  And I praise him most of all because "He knows the plans he has for me (and my kids), plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a future and a hope!"  Jer. 29:11  Thank you so much Lord for that hope!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Here's the latest...


Curt and I just started this...it's kicking our tails, I'll let you know how it goes!  Best workout I've done in a LONG time!

We enjoyed breakfast out on our patio today:)  It was a beautiful morning!  Aren't they the cutest things??
How cute are they sharing a chair?  
Funny story...after we went out on the patio, we came back in and whatdya know, but the patio door was stuck, there was nothing I could do to close it, it wouldn't make a budge, so...it stayed open for about 3 hours until Curtis finally got home from the gym and closed it.  In the meantime, by the 2nd, and somewhat hot inside our aptmt. now hour, I finally figured out the fact that I could probably call the aptmt. office and they'd probably come fix it if I asked.  So about 5 min. after Curt got home the maintenance man showed up and put it back on track!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Here's What We've Been Up To...

We finally got moved into our apartment!  We aren't 100% settled but we're in!  It's very nice and the kids are loving it!  The love the stairs and the cable TV (which we've lived without a few months prior to moving in here)!  The following are some pics of what we've been up to!

Enjoying the lovely apartment pool!
Happy little swimmer
This is how we've spent a few hours of each day since we've been here:)
My mom, baby Kai, and Jae came to visit and swim today!
sweetest baby girl in the world

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Goodbye Old Friend!

So we move out of our first home Friday and I guess I'm a little sad!  Actually, it's bittersweet cause I'm sad and HAPPY!!!  There have been so many wonderful memories made here.  This was the first home we ever owned.  We brought Kaden here when he was 1 year old.  This is the house Kinsley came home from the hospital to.  We've celebrated Kaden's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th birthdays here, and Kinsley's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th birthdays here.  Not to mention all the other parties, get togethers, anniversarys, etc.  It was a good house - we loved it and we will miss it!

Front View - Love our huge tree!
Another front view

Curtis's bathroom, he painted the walls and cabinets in here!
Kaden's room, this room has been painted several times and had lots of different decor, it went back to neutral for the staging of the house!

Kinsley's room - I made this painting for her before she was born, and Jae and I made this duvet cover!
Back patio - Jae helped me with this!  Fun!
Backyard - again, I love the tree!  Had lots of parties out here!  Watched my little babies turn into toddlers and pre-kers out here! 
Little kitchen, I won't miss you too bad, sorry, you're just so small, but lots of fun dinner parties cooked here!
Entertainment center and facing front of house, would like to get rid of the entertainment center, we'll see, LOVE our archways in this house!
Fireplace and alcove, Curt painted this painting, pics of our family on the wall, this table came from our church, I want to repaint it someday!
Another view of table and pics - love them!
Dining room - so many fun dinners here, repainted and Curt and John textured the walls in here!  Bought a light fixture from West Elm, Jae helped me make curtains!
Another view, I painted that painting in here:)  From our old apartment!
Another living room view
Living room, my dad painted this painting, first couch Curt and I bought ourselves!
Living/dining/kitchen
Entryway - love our art niche here!  Curt painted this painting!
My big closet - what sold the house in the first place:)
My wonderful garden tub - many a bubble bath taken here:)
Little bathroom, I won't miss you too much either!  But the bathtimes with my babies were fun!
Our bedroom
Another pic of our bedroom
And the laundry room - messy, but wanted to show just for fun!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Kaden's Army Party

Kaden had his army party today at Double Dave's pizza.  We had a wonderful time and he was so excited his friends from school were there!  It was a great day full of family, friends and fun!  

Party guest - Cindy (looking a lot like Steph here), Kinsley, Mom (Grammy)
Rick and Dad (Grandaddy)
Aunt Jae and Kai
Stephanie, David, Colton, Kayden, and Stephanie's mom
Rachel, Kaden, Carsten, and Delaney

Here we are singing him "Happy Birthday", he's about to blow out his candles!
Party Favors (the little mermaid bath book was for Kai)
Army cake - so yummy!
The adorable birthday boy!
The decor:)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Happy 6th birthday Kaden!

Here's a picture of my little man on the day he was born, it's a scan so forgive me for all the extra space and for the fact that it's upside down, I'll get it right one of these days.  Isn't he adorable?

Man, where has the time gone?  My little man is 6 years old today!  It's hard to believe!  He is the sweetest, most precious little boy ever!  Kaden, we love you so much!  Here are some things you are "in" to these days!  
1.  Superheros - Spiderman, Batman, Superman
2.  Star Wars - you have seen every episode and know all the characters and moments in the movie by memory!
3.  Speed Racer - you were watching this this morning because his car is number 6, like you!
4.  Army men - you love to line them up for "battles" against the other super heros!
5.  Indiana Jones - you like to act like him:)
6.  Bible stories - David and Goliath and when Jesus dies on the cross
You are such a smart little boy already reading and writing stories.  You have an awesome imagination and you love to create scenes of movies, and pretend you are the actor in a movie!  You also draw elaborate pictures of movies, etc.  You are so sweet and still let us give you tons of hugs and kisses, and you still like for us to read to you before bed time!  You and Kinsley are getting along so well these days and you love to teach her things and play games with her!  You are a blessing in our lives and such a gift from God!!!  Love you baby boy, happy birthday!!!







Tuesday, July 7, 2009

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Well, I finally got my camera back and the battery died before I was able to take too many pictures of our fun July 4th weekend.  Wouldn't you know it, such is life!  Here are the two pics I snapped before it died on me!  We had a wonderful weekend in Oklahoma with Curtis's side of the family.  We enjoyed being together, swimming, eating, seeing a few fireworks, playing with our cousins, and having an impromptu birthday party for Corbin and Kaden.  It was all a blast and we can't wait to see everyone again soon!!! 

Here's the family at City Bites for lunch!  Love these guys!!!

Here's Corbin and Kaden's patriotic birthday cake!  So fun!!!

This is One Amazing Man!!!!

Curtis, this blog is dedicated to you!  You got a little jipped this last Father's Day - we were out of town and did not give you a proper celebration!  I just want you to know that I could not ask for a better father for my kids than you.  God knew what he was doing when he gave me you and I am so thankful!  Really, I don't exaggerate when I say that you are the BEST father in the world!!!  There are so many reasons:
1.  You love our kids unconditionally -  there's nothing they can do that will EVER make you love them any less!
2.  You love to "be" with them -  whether its drawing star wars or transformer pictures for Kaden or helping Kinsley find a good hiding spot for Hide-and-go-seek!
3.  You are so good with them -  they LOVE to be with you and enjoy days when you get to take them to get surprises or just to play on the playground at McDonalds!
4.  You are such a good influence - you teach them the importance of knowing God and how much God loves them everyday.
5.  You stand up for them - it's so comforting to them I'm sure, to know that their father has their back no matter what - that you are there if they need you!  
6.  You love them tons - I see it in your eyes and in theirs - their eyes sparkle when you are around!  
7.  You are gentle - picking Kaden up when he falls, calming him when he gets upset, hugging Kinsley when she gets hurt, it's so sweet to watch you with them.
8.  You are fun - playfights before bed, sprinklers, surprises at the store, etc.
9. You are loving - you aren't afraid to give hugs and kisses - they don't even know how much they will appreciate this one day!  It's adorable!
10.  You are all we could ever want and more - we LOVE you!!!!