Random Pics of the kids

Caden starts fall soccer

Caden started his fall soccer season on Saturday and loved it.  He is on the Eagles and has a fantastic team of kids and a great coach.  He also loves that fact that his Dad is the assistant coach.  We had so much fun watching the game on Saturday.  GO EAGLES!!!!

Bun Bun's Birthday

Since Caden was a baby he has been attached to this little brown bunny.  He named the rabbit Bun Bun and a few days ago he decided that it was Bun Bun's birthday.  He talked about it all day long and I guess I didn't realize how important it was to him until the next day came and Caden came to me with tears in his eyes and said, "We didn't celebrate Bun Bun's birthday.  He didn't have decorations or candles."  So we put up decorations and when Ryan came home we had Chocolate Brownies and Carrots for Bun Bun's birthday.  Caden loved it.  We all did.

Caden on two wheels

Caden decided that he was ready to try riding his bike without his training wheels.  He was a go getter.  Once we took them off he was out there every time he could to try and ride.  Within a week he was riding like a pro on two wheels.  He loves to be out on his bike and is looking forward to picking out a new one for his birthday in a few months.  We love you Caden.  Way to work hard for what you want.

                                              Chloe trying to catch her brother on his bike.

Collinsville Rodeo

We took the kids to Collinsville for the try state Rodeo with our wonderful friends the Smedley's.  We are grateful to have them as friends and neighbors.  It was the first time the kids had been to a rodeo and they loved it.  Ryan and Caden even got to get in the arena to try and catch a flag off of four baby calf's.  One of the calf's ran ride past Caden.  He was so excited he did a cute little run in place and then chased after it.  What a great way to spend time with the family.

                                         Ainsley, Ava, Bryan, Rhyan, Meili and Jenny Smedley

                                                                   Bonnie and Clyde!!!

Chloe's Surgery

On August 15, 2011 I went to change Chloe's diaper and found a plum size lump in her lower abdomen. I quickly called for Trevor, who was installing our new washer and dryer, to come and take a look. It seemed like this came at a point in our lives when we thought it couldn't get any worse.  We called one of our dear friends, Christy, to come and stay with the boys and headed to St. Johns ER. There we were told that it was probably a blocked hernia and that we needed to go to St. Francis children's hospital. After having Bryan Smedley help give Chloe a blessing we headed into the ER where we were immediately taken back to see the nurse and doctor. It wasn't 15 minutes before we saw another doctor who told us that it was her ovary that we were feeling along with the hernia. The Pediatric surgeon arrived only minutes after that and confirmed that it was her ovary and a hernia. Because of issues with the insurance company we weren't able to take her to surgery that night but the doctor assured us that she would be OK but it needed to be done as soon as possible. We headed home to work out things out with the insurance company and take care of the family. Come to find out we should have been allowed to go back to surgery that night but I guess things work out for a reason. We ended up taking Chloe in for surgery on Thursday morning, August 18, 2011 at 4:30 AM. She was a real trooper. When the nurse came and got her to go back to surgery Chloe gently put one arm around her and the other one in her mouth. Just before she entered the O.R. she stretched up and we could see her sweet little eyes over the shoulder of the nurse. It's an image that will forever be etched into my mind. The surgery went well. They found that she had a double hernia and were able to fix everything.  Her ovary should be fine and have no problem down the road. Seeing her after was probably the hardest part for me because she just wasn't her happy self. They told us this would happen because of the anesthetic and the foreign atmosphere. When I took her from the nurse she wiggled and cried and couldn't seem to get comfortable but once she did she fell asleep, sucking her thumb and then I just rocked her and rocked her. I was so grateful for the medical staff and for how well they took care of our little girl. I was once again reminded of how precious life is and how each one of our children is a miracle from heaven. I am also so grateful for the people who came to our aid. I wish I could express how dear you are. I am so grateful for those of you who took the time to make sure we were doing OK. This was one of the hardest things that Trevor and I have gone through and it was the small and simple acts of kindness that meant so much. 

                  

Headed home from from the hospital.

Ryan's First Day of Second Grade

I can't believe that my sweet little Ryan has already started second grade. He is such a great kid. On his first day of school this year Trevor and I were at the hospital with Chloe so we weren't able to see him get on the bus. We are so grateful for Sydney who came to our house at 4:30 AM to take care of the boys and get Ryan off to school.   We did make it home in time to give him a big huge when he got off the bus.  Even the bus driver had to stop and ask us how Chloe's surgery went and if she was doing OK.  He is a great big brother.  We love you Ryan.

     
                                          

                  This picture just breaks my heart.  He did so well being strong for his little brothers.

 This is a picture of Ryan with the two sweet girls, Alex and Gabi, who live across the street.  They have become are bus stop buddies.  The boys love to see them in the morning and to race them up and down the street.