The Guinto's MEMORABLE Memorial weekend.  Here's a bit of what we did...

Friday

Friday night started off with a MUCH NEEDED date night for Dom and I.  So we splurged just a bit and had a fabulous night on the town.  It was our first time leaving Zoe with a sitter and she did great.  Thank you Halee for being kind enough to hang with our munchkins for an evening!


Saturday

Saturday was a fun filled day of friends, bbqing, slip n' sliding, and UFC.

Sunday

 

Dom woke up and went for a bike ride Sunday and we spent

church  listening to Reggae up on Mt. Charleston with some more wonderful friends.  It was a gorgeous day and a nice break from the norm.  

 

Dancing Queens!

 The girls had a blast and every one watching did too.

 

Riding in style.

Monday

 

 

Monday we hung out at home, just the 4 (or 6) of us.  More bbqing, lounging by the pool, swimming, bubbles, yard work, some Bob Seiger and Summer Shandy.  What a fabulous weekend.  Even Dom was able to relax...that's saying something =o) 

 

Preparation for Memorial Day

 

It is 

the VETERAN
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

 It is
the VETERAN
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is
the VETERAN
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is
the VETERAN
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is
he VETERAN
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is
the VETERAN
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is 

the VETERAN 

who salutes the Flag

It is  

the VETERAN
who serves under the Flag

"Bravery never goes out of fashion."

 ~William Makepeace Thackeray

Potty Training 201...

If in fact your child needs a bit of inspiration and motivation, let them go with their friends.  It's always better with friends.

Kayd Update

The biopsy results from Kady's Endoscopy are finally in.  According to pathology at Cincinnati Children's Hospital she has tested negative for Eosinophilic Esophagitus.  SO...that being said, this is good news and at the same time beyond frustrating news.  For me at least.  It means we are right back to square one where we started a year and a half ago with no clue as to what the problem is...UGH!  Kady's G.I. doctor didn't really no what else to say other than he was going to conference call and consult with all the other doctors we have been working with.  I guess we wait to see what they say.  The medicine we started for her to treat the diarrhea specifically didn't work in the least.  Potty training is yet again put on hold.

I'm EXTREMELY discouraged!

Zoe meets Great Grandma Murray 
and Great Uncle Kenny...

To say the least...my kid rocked it!!!  We did a ton of driving and of course flying and she slept and smiled the whole time.  It was beyond fantastic for me to be able to introduce her to my Grandmother before she's no longer with us.  Everyone in the nursing home lit up when I walked in with Zoe every time.  There's just something about new life that keeps us young.  My Uncle was also the most gracious host, as usual!  I didn't expect anything less and really enjoyed the 1 on 1 time.  It was a great trip.

The Awakening


A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out…ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening. You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon.

You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance. You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.

You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.

You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always take it personally.

You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

Taking a little trip!!

The youngest munchkin and I are headed OUT OF TOWN this weekend and I'm looking forward to it.  It comes at a bit of a bad time in our crazy, hectic life, but the break is much needed. 

First stop, Sacramento California.  A quick lunch with an old, dear friend and then we're off to Redding, Ca just 2hrs north.  Zoe monster and I will be staying with my Uncle and visiting my VERY ill grandmother for what most likely will be my last time...This makes me very sad and weighs heavy on my heart.  Although I'm not looking forward to seeing her in her current state I am thankful she'll get to meet Zoe.  I wish so much that Dom and Kady could be with us however life just won't allow it right now.

Second stop, Ashland Oregon.  A dear friend of mine is getting MARRIED (said with much excitement)!  My Uncle will be my date and being that Ashland is also only a 2hr drive north of Redding we'll be doing a day trip up and back.  It's a good thing Zoe likes riding in the car.  I hope she doesn't choose this weekend to decide otherwise.

ON the agenda for Kady and Dom...
Well, looks like they'll be taking a little day trip of their own with our friend Tom to watch the Amgen Tour of California either in Big Bear on Friday or LA on Saturday.  Kadence also is a good travel partner so I'm sure they'll have fun.  As long as Dad packs enough Welch's fruit gummies and lollipop's that is.

A day at the park....

We try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. We LOVE the outdoors!

I recalled a funny memory this morning as Kady and I stepped out of the shower.  She looked at me and said "Bobby."  I have no idea where it came from or what she was saying.  But suddenly I remembered...When Kadence was younger and just learning how to talk, her word of choice was "Bobby."  I think she began saying "Bobby" before she learned how to say "Mommy or Daddy."  It became a joke with the entire family..."Who's Bobby? Where's Bobby?"  Because we had no clue where she got that from, what she was referring or what it meant, we decided to create Bobby the Bear.  Dominic went out and picked up this cheap little Bear and wrote with a Sharpie the name "Bobby"  on it.  Now no one had to wonder who the mysterious "Bobby" was and NO, Mommy did NOT have a friend named "Bobby!" Haha! 

Bobby the Bear's been sitting on Kady's shelf since she was a year but I had completely forgot about him.  Anyways, it made me giggle this morning as I recalled all of the funny "Bobby" jokes and laughs we had.  Kady has always been able to make us laugh and smile.  She's more comical everyday.  I can't remember what life was like before her.  I decided to take pictures of Bobby and write about him for this memory is one I wish not to forget.

I've learned over the years to let people be and make their own mistakes unless it is something reckless or directly effects myself or my family.  This leads me into my 2nd soapbox for the month.  I'm apologizing in advance for ranting and raving.  It's something I don't often like to do.

So...

yesterday on my way to the boxing gym driving down Tropicana one of the more busy streets in Vegas, I spot a beat up black and white minivan going about 15 miles per hour slower than the speed limit and traffic. Of course it drew my attention so I watched.  Mind you I had the girls in the car with me because Dom was meeting us at the gym for a hand off.  As I watched this car drive down the road it became clear she was totally out of it.  Maybe on drugs but most likely DRUNK out of her mind.  She swerved from lane to lane and cars who needed to pass waited until she was in a lane then sped by.  I also did the same making sure she didn't end up in my lane behind me in case she didn't stop.  I wasn't looking to be sore the next day from being rear ended.  As I passed, I noticed she wasn't distracted driving by texting or talking on the phone....she had to have been DRUNK.    We pulled up to a stop light and I watched in my rear view mirror as she skidded to a stop nearly rear ending the SUV in the lane next to me.  It was at that point I noticed the young girl sitting in the passenger seat.  My blood was boiling.  So many questions flooded my mind...


What in GOD's name makes her think she's okay to be driving?
Why is she so drunk at 11 a.m on a weekday?
Why is this child not in school?

Mind you, I live in Vegas and see more crazy sh*t than I care too.  I've also seen plenty of drunk drivers in my near 10yrs of living here.  Very few this bad.  It was just a matter of time until someone got hurt.

At that point, I got on the phone and dialed the non emergency #311 to report her.  The light then turned green and as I watched in my rear view mirror while on the phone with police (yes I know not probably the safest thing for me to do)  I heard a loud bang sound and watched her drive up on the curb blowing out her tire.  Long story short...the police got her.  THANK GOD she didn't kill anyone in the process.

And again...
today as my husband and I were driving on our way to take the girls to a parade, there was an SUV with a child of about the age of 5 give or take.  He was sitting in the back seat between two car seats clearly not belted in because he was leaning too far forward over the front seat to be.  Apparently these parents haven't lived in Vegas long enough to see the devastation that occurs on the freeways here....IDIOTS!!!!

My rant...
I never could understand how some parents would choose to put themselves before there kids.  When you have some other being DEPENDING on you it leaves no room to be selfish.  They depend on you to make the right choice, the smart choice.  Parenting is a privilege.  A privilege that a lot of people take for granted or don't take seriously.  Maybe not seriously enough.  I'm not talking about  mistakes.  All of us as parents make them.  I'm talking more about the choice.   Like the choice to drink and drive with your kids in the car?  And at what point does it make it okay if you were to do so?  After one drink or two?  Maybe four?  How about NEVER!!!!!!   How about we slam 4 drinks and get in the car with our kids not buckled!!!   I know people that unless they adopt will never have the ability to parent themselves yet so many who do take one of GOD'S greatest gifts for granted.  It just makes me sick.

Every night at the Guinto's is a

 Fancy kind of night!

I began collecting this series of Fancy Nancy books for Kadence this past Christmas.  So far we have only 2 books in our collection.  Being that they are Kady's two favorite books  and we read them every night, sometimes twice, we are ready for a new Fancy Nancy book and will most likely not wait for another holiday or birthday to buy one.  There's nothing better than spending time reading with your children.

My soapbox for the day....volunteering.

The majority of people who know me, know that I'm passionate about volunteering and doing charitable work.  It's what makes me/people feel good.  Knowing that you helped some one or thing for nothing.  My husband ownes a company that would not survive without the help of volunteers.  But are they in fact volunteers?  I'd arguably say NO!


By definition, to volunteer means to offer (oneself or one's services) for an undertaking by choice and without request or obligation.  NOTE:  without request or obligation!  SO, since when did society decide volunteers should be paid?  I must not have received that memo and quite frankly it makes me angry that people, groups and organizations now days request/expect to be paid for their voluntary services.  It's one thing for a football team or an organization to raise money for their needs, however fund-raising should be done in addition to volunteering not in conjunction with.  Year after year, I see my husband's company fork out thousands of dollars to "volunteers" who help them work their races.  Why bother calling them volunteers when indeed that's NOT what they are doing.  They aren't "volunteering" their time or services, they're getting PAID.  As stated above, that IS NOT The definition of volunteer.  Without pay, they wouldn't "volunteer" leaving my husband business no choice but to pay.   How does that work?

Where will the world be in 20yrs if we continue to expect a dollar for every little thing we do?  I help an old lady across the street to turn and say "that will cost you $2."  Really?!  What will happen to these wonderful entities that help the homeless or our batter women and children and crack babies if they are expected to pay people for their services?  I get that the world is not a perfect place and I'm not sure I want it to be.  All I'm saying is we shouldn't label one's services as volunteering if in fact they are getting paid for it.

Happy Mother's Day

A Newborn's Conversation with God.

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take careof you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.

And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angle will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even when it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name..."

God said, "you will simply call her, Mom."

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."  ~Jewish Proverb

Happy Mother's Day!

Beautiful Mom....

Before I was a mom, I never learned the words to a lullaby.  I never thought about immunizations.  I had never been puked on, pooped on, drooled on, chewed on, or peed on.  I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.  I slept all night.  I never looked into teary eyes and cried.  I never got gloriously happy over a simple little grin.  I never sat up for hours watching someone sleep.  I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.  I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.  I never knew that I could love someone so much before ever meeting them.  Before I was a mom...I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside of my body.  ~unkown

Happy Mother's Day

to all the Beautiful Mom's!!

I follow this young lady's blog for reasons of inspiration, hope, joy, sorrow and a darn good read.  She is a powerful writer and gifted at expressing her feelings and my heart goes out to her.  Even with a nephew who lived and died with Cystic Fibrosis, I can't even imagine what Sarah and Connor have been through and continue to go through daily.  7 months of hell for my family and 7yrs for them.  Every bit of her fight for her sons life is brutal, ugly and simply a part of life....HER life!  This latest post of hers is too powerful NOT to read.  I hope it empowers you as well...

http://notsobrightandshiny.blogspot.com/2010/05/steps-of-determination-and-love.html

just click the link above

I find myself more and more pondering the thought of moving home, back to Spokane, Washington where I grew up.  I left eleven years ago and vowed to never move back.  Not because I didn't like it there or the people, but because I grew up there and like most young adults felt the need to flock the nest and explore the world.  I'd been there, done that.  There are many places I would still like to see, live.  Yet my thoughts continue to return home.  I think the fact that I now have two babies has a lot to do with it.  Things would be much simpler having family near by.  My girls would grow up side by side with their cousins as my siblings begin and continue to have more children.  Slumber parties with grandma would mean an evening alone for the hubby and I.  The choice of who's family to visit this year would no longer exist.  We'd never have to wonder if were spending the holidays alone.  I long to get back to my hobbies...snow skiing in the winter, water skiing in the summer, fly fishing with my dad on the weekends, having lunch with my mom on any random weekday.  The list is endless.  How divine to live somewhere where you know your neighbors and people actually wave as they walk by.  That's something that doesn't exist here in Las Vegas.

This October, I'll have lived in Las Vegas for ten years.  Whoa!  That's about eight years longer than I ever expected.  Being here so long has allowed us to establish roots.  We have many friends here that have become  family.  How hard it will be to leave them wherever we decide to relocate, whenever that may be.  I'm fond of the location of the  this city. 5hrs to Pheonix or San Diego, 4hrs to LA, 7hrs to Salt Lake.  Believe it or not there is a lot of outdoor activities surrounding Las Vegas which we love.  The sun shines almost all year round, although the wind I could do with out and the 112* temps in mid July.  I'll miss the convenience of 24hrs.  Not so much the strip, but that steak you can get any time of day.  Let's face it, we'll never be able to come back to Vegas and experience it for what it is.  Not that I'm complaining about that.

These are a few of the thoughts that cross my mind everyday.  These thoughts make me miss family even more yet appreciate the time I do get to spend with them when they are here.  Hopefully one day it will be clear as to what our next step is.  What I do know for sure, is that we won't be here forever.

Guinto Girls...

 

Potty Training 102...

If in fact your child WANTS to wear underwear, let them wear it however they wish.  Who cares as long as they're interested right?

Kady Update

Yesterday was Kady's 2nd endoscopy.  All went well. We won't have any results for at least a week.  Depending on the Pathology reports here, the biopsies may or may not be sent out to Cincinnati Childrens hospital for a 2nd opinion.  Because she wasn't able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, I was sure to schedule her first thing in the morning. 

This is how our day went...

We had a 7:30am check in time for a 9:00am procedure.  The anesthesiologist gave her some medicine before hand to relax her.  She looked, talked and acted like she was drunk.  Stumbling all over, slurring her words, eyes kept drooping and she had trouble holding her head up.  I tried so hard to get  a good video but couldn't.  Once she was nice and loopy, they wheeled her back.  This time they let me go back with her until she was put to sleep.  I was happy to do so and now wish I kind of hadn't. Not that I expected to see anything weird or traumatic, which I didn't, it was still REALLY weird and bizarre watching her get put under.  I held her hand as she looked up at me all drug eyed and drunk with a half smirk on her face.  They put the mask over her mouth and she cried and cried until she fell fast asleep and her limp, little hand slipped out of mine.  I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead and walked out of the room as they were prepping to put in her IV.  Honestly, I felt a bit light headed but didn't realize I looked like I was until the nurse and doctor asked me repeatedly if I was okay, if I wanted to sit.  Like I said...it was weird.  I can't really explain it.  It was just unnatural.  The actual procedure took only 10 minutes and everything went well. 

Now...

Recovery....

If ever there was a time I wanted to kill someone, it was yesterday after her procedure in the recovery room.  Again, nothing out of the ordinary happened.  I expected Kadence to be really out of it, confused, crying, snuggly, the whole bit as she woke up.  That's what happened last year.  Why I didn't prepare myself for something different, I don't know.  When the nurse called us back, she only let one of us back, she said Kady was yelling for Mommy.  So I went. When I got back there,she of course was half asleep, eyes closed, flailing all over the bed.  They were trying to get her blood pressure when she flailed over and hit her head on the metal side bar of the bed.  Fine, whatever.  That didn't phase me.  I just wanted to pick her up, so I did.  They weren't able to get her blood pressure anyways with as much screaming and crying that was going on.  For a half an hour straight, with all my strength, trying NOT to yank out any wires, IV's etc., I held her in my lap.  She screamed the entire time "take it out" as she continually tried to pull out her IV.  It got to the point that I asked the nurse to take it out.  She said, "not until she drinks some water."  Well, Kady wouldn't drink any water.  Kady had NO CLUE what was going on except "Ow, it hurts!!! Take it out!!!"  I knew that if they would take the dumb IV out she would calm down a bit and I would probably be able to get her to drink something.  The nurse insisted she couldn't and for another 15 minutes I exhaustively held her down as she cried for "Daddy." I told the recovery room nurse that if she wasn't taking it out or giving her something to calm her down, then she needed to take over and hold Kady.  I called Dom and told him to get back there to help me out not giving two sh*ts what anyone thought about us both being back there at that point and I began to get mad....VERY MAD!!  Yelling, red-faced, mad!!!!!  It was seconds before I was taking that IV out myself.  My thought was, if it's just precautionary at this point, get RID OF IT.  For pete sakes I was in a hospital, if something were to go wrong.  The anesthesiologist really wanted to keep it in just in case she started vomiting.  Again my thoughts, if she does and it's bad enough she needs an IV, then we'll put another one in.  I was pissed and of course Dom missed all the action by about a minute.  I was in total protective Mama mode.  I can laugh about it now. During this whole time the nurse was acting like we were idiots.  Talking to us as if we didn't understand what was going on and repeating the same thing over and over like we didn't hear her and respond to her the first five times.  At one point she tried to hand me Kady's water bottle as I struggled from dropping her on the floor.  I couldn't help but to look up at her like she had three heads and say "Really? I can't hold her and grab that too."  Needless to say, I WAS RIGHT. ((grin))  Kadence DID calm down a bit and DID begin drinking water.  We didn't end up staying in the recovery room as long as we probably should have.  Neither Dom or I really cared at that point.  We wanted to get home.  I'm not sure they wanted us to be there any longer anyways. LoL.


and now....

....We wait.

The many faces of Kadence

Happy

Mad

Scared

Sad

Excited

Funny Face

 This is the outfit she wears and wand she holds when she refers to herself as the Queen...of Fire!

Kady talk continued....

i love that "nuk" is "milk."

i love that "tooth" is pronounced "toop."


i love that she refers to "penguins" as "pipins"

i love it when she calls her sister "Zoe monster"

i love how she says "tundle" instead of  "tunnel."

 i love that "Xylophone" is "Xyleephone."  Not shabby for a 2yr old.

i love that  "Dr. Cheek" really is "Dr. Sheik."  Apparently we visit her G.I. Dr. too often.

i love how she says "poo-yea" for "put it away."  Sounds like a fancy French word huh?!

i love reading books to her and everytime we go to turn the page she says "nudder one page."

i love that  "butterfly" and "flower" are "blahfly and fower."  It's cool to add and delete letters as you wish.

i love how she plays "hine-um seek" which really  is "hide and seek."  She hides in the same spot every time.

i love that every time we go to the park (regardless of what park ) she says "lellow shlide" meaning "yellow slide  and remembers to go "feet first" like I taught her giggling as she says it.


i love to hear her say every day with a hug  "mommy/daddy, i glad you here!"

Picture of the Day

I could stare into those eyes all day, every day

A bit of sad news came our way this morning, for me at least.

There is a sweet young boy named Robbie.  He turns two in just a couple weeks.  Robbie is referred to as Baby R by my family and I.  Baby R was my nephew Ethans roomate during his NICU stay at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane.  Baby R was born early, somewhere around the 25 week mark and that was the cause of his stay in the NICU.  Throughout his time there, my brother Kip and Tia became good friends with baby R's parents.  They are a quiet and caring couple.  Lived just outside of Spokane.  The Ronald McDonald house downtown put them up every time Robbie was re-admitted.  They were kind enough to attend Ethan's funeral, continue to keep in touch with Kip and Tia and have spent time hanging out with my family at my parents house for Bbq's.   Needless to say the 3 of them have been in my thoughts and prayers daily since the first time I met them almost 2yrs ago. 

Today we were informed that Baby R has yet again been admitted to Sacred Heart Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. He is VERY ill.  He has been put on an Oscillator (a much stronger version of a ventilator) and has become Septic (blood infection).  He also has European RSV.  I couldn't tell you what European RSV is.  All in all....NOT GOOD!!

My wish today is, if you find yourself reading this post, you pray for sweet baby R and his family.  I do believe in little miracles and I'd really like for baby R to be one.

Left: Ethan,  Right:  Robbie 

Fall of 2009

"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him." ~Pablo Casals

Potty Training 101....

If in fact your child feels as if they are going to fall in the toilet...let them sit backwards.

GREAT STRIDES walk for Cystic Fibrosis 2010

Another year, another great event, another awesome turnout, another BIG thanks to all our friends and family who donated, walked and supported Team Ethan!!

Team Ethan

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." ~Lao Tzu

A typical phone conversation with Kadence these days goes a little something like this....

"Hi Daddy.  Hi Mommy.  Hi Daddy.  Hi Zoe.  Hi purse.  Hi duck.  Hi sheep.  Hi color.  Hi Dora.  Hi boots.  Hi Daddy.  What doing?  Pick up poopie?  Oh! Okay. See you.  Bye bye."

Whatever she sees, she says hi to.  And this can go on forever.  Our little comedian.  Love her <3

Zoe's Story

It is amazing to say the least what a difference 4 weeks now 7 weeks has done for Zoe and her severe acid reflux.  I have been nursing now for 3 weeks with no problem.  Something they thought I wouldn't be able to do.  She still takes her meds 3 times a day and refluxes but has had only one vomiting episode. Yippee!!!  She weighed in at a healthy 9.6lbs today and doctor said she looks great.  She wakes up only once a night, has been for weeks now.  I'm thankful to have been blessed with good sleepers.  Zoe's Cystic Fibrosis testing came back negative.  Yippee again!!!  I was sure it would as she's shown no signs.  The CF test they ran would not tell us if she carries the CF gene however, so that will be something we will look in to in the future.  We'll worry about that when we have too.  For now, hopefully her health continues on the upswing as she grows and gets stronger.

Thank you God for little miracles....he knows our plate is already  full with Kady's health issues.

"A real friend knows when to listen. When to stop listening. When to talk. When to stop talking. When to pour wine. When to stop pouring and just hand over the bottle."

Rules of Friendship
Rule 1: Friends don't have to be exactly the same. Friends have similarities but they also have their differences. The key to opening up the world of friendship is not only to expand on similarities but to accept each others faults. Because you can't ever judge your friend.  A true friend would stick up for you no matter what the consequences are.
Rule 2: Friends have to argue! No one likes to but it is necessary to be healthy. Cause if you agree on everything, either the government has expanded cloning subjects or someone isn't being true and is trying a little too hard.
Rule 3: You have to be comfortable together or else you just aren't going to click. If you feel edgy around the person then something isn't quite right.   Nothing ever sounds stupid, funny, or unbelievable to a true friend, and you never feel stupid saying whatever it is.  Friends can sing at the top of their lungs and not worry about singing the wrong words or being out of tune.  You can do something or nothing with a best friend and still have the best time.
Rule 4: Friends love unconditionally. They have thier little angry moments but what's done is done and all is forgive and forget. Why let something that happened in the past ruin what happiness you could have in the future?  A true friendship has many memories, both good and bad, but all important. Your heart is forever touched by a true friend, no matter how things end up.
Rule 5: Believe in love at first sight because there is the equivalent in friendship. Some people think that you have to know someone really well to become good friends. Trust me, it's not true. If the first time you really spend time together you talk for 25 hours straight until 4:30 in the morning about some topic you thought no one else in the world understood, that's real love at first sight.

Steps on How to Be a Good Friend
Step 1: I suggest that if you want to be a good friend you become friends with someone you actually like. This automatically eliminates all teachers, politicians and people who get rid of school holidays.
Step 2: Once you have found someone you have things in common with, you should expand on this and get to know your friend better. Perhaps inviting her to your next BBQ or even talking to her now and then could help.
Step 3: If you mutually decide you have some things in common, good - you have found yourself a nice new friend. If you don't have anything in common, don't worry and keep searching - there are plenty of other fish in the sea!  Remember that everyone is a friend until they prove otherwise.
Step 4: Now yes, this friend will require quite a large proportion of your time, because naturally both parties need to be enthusiastic for a friendship to blossom. This means that you will need to support your friend in all their chosen paths, but be prepared to advise them against treading through dangerous waters.
Step 5: A friendship which is built upon mutual trust, respect, support and (my favorite) the acceptance of differences and the right to be an individual will foster other benefits such as loads of fun times where you party together or just hang out and share secrets (now don't deny it - these are the benefits that you were just itching to hear about!!)
Step 6: Well, now that you've found a friend, you should work on keeping them (that is if you want to be a good friend and not just a friend fling). My best word of advice would be to continue with the above steps, make your friend feel loved and wanted and show you do care about them. If they're down and feel like they have no one in the world, prove them wrong by rocking up to their house with a bunch of sunflowers and a bottle of wine (or cordial, depending on how old you and your friend are) and talk through their concerns with them. If you're not the flower type, take them out for a big night on the town for a sure fire way to lift their spirits!

Just remember, friends are forever. But only if you keep it that way. Don't diss your buds, love them instead. And when they drive you nuts, love them that much more for being just a little bit different and maybe just a little bit quirky!

Easter Eggstravaganza

This year Kadence was finally old enough to really enjoy Easter.  As she gets older, I look more and more forward to holidays.  It's moments like these that should make anyone want to have children.  I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Friday we spent the afternoon dying Easter eggs.  Somehow I  was more excited about dying Easter eggs than Kadence.  We managed to have a ton of fun regardless and it's always great to be doing things together as a family.  Thankfully there are no hazards to report just one stained table cloth and 10 stained fingers.

This is how Zoe decided to spend her time as we dyed Easter eggs.  As if the girl needed more beauty rest.  I do admire her choice in eye masks.

We discovered these handy window decorations stuck to many different surfaces.  They moved around the house day to day from the fridge to the fireplace to the windows and the slider door.

"The Goods"

 

Saturday we attempted to go meet the Easter Bunny at Springs Preserve.  It was so packed we ended up at the mall across the street.  Kady was pretty excited to "see" the Easter bunny.  Knowing she'd be scared to death to actually "meet" him, we opted just to wave and skip waiting in the long line there also.  Maybe next year.

Sunday was fairly routine.  Dom woke up early to pick up coffee and Einstein bagels.  He even surprised me with an Easter basket. We attended Easter service, came home for lunch and naps, hid Easter Eggs and hunted them down....twice.  It's quite possible Dominic and I enjoyed watching Kady find "another one. Egg!" more than she did.

The Hunt...

...and now it's time for an Easter glass of vino!

"The resurrection gives our life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what our circumstances."  ~Robert Flatt