Blue Bonnet Babies

Our Blue Bonnet Babies...  What little cuties! We tried to get some pictures with them all together, but that was like pulling teeth. The best pictures were of them individually. This was the beginning of a fun day. 

At the Lake House

 

Cora found a new love... Doesn't she look like a little old pro? Actually, after watching her try and drive the little Jeep, I have decided it is a good thing that a right to drive is years away! Her cousin David is an amazing driver however. He is her same age but his eye, hand... well, driving coordination is awesome! WOW! We were all impressed. He was so cute trying to give Cora tips, but most of all just being patient with her, he just made it enjoyable. What a great kid... He is a great person to have your kids around... He knows how to share REALLY well. Cora was in heaven, and we were so happy at how well they played together. David doesn't live here, and when they come into town it seems like we get only a moment with them. We miss them and were so happy that we had such a great afternoon with David and Max.

  

What a beautiful moment... Love and happiness all combined into one.

 

Little Max was following his brother and Cora... I thought it was a great shot, tramping through the jungle...

 

For some reason, Isaiah was really clingy this day. He just wanted to watch from a far. He is a cautious child, and his mind is always thinking. I always enjoy his clingy days... I love to snuggle with him. He will come in and say, "Cuddle me Mommy". 

Elijah was watching the 3 older kids feed the duck... He decided that he needed some of that food. Here he is steeling the duck food. Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks.

I know it is impossible to see, but there was a momma and 7 ducklings swimming by. The kids were so excited. Even Isaiah wanted part of the action.

Still looking at the little ducks... The kids loved an excuse to climb on the pilings. 

These two were like busy bees, they were at one side of the property, and then next thing you knew they were all the way across the way. It was fun to watch their energy and excitement.

I just liked these pictures... Something about them just remind me of childhood days of innocence. 

 

Max... Elijah and Max are pretty close in age... They are both just so cute and stocky... I love holding them and feeling their squishy legs and cheeks. Thanks for spending time with us... We sure love you and miss you!

She is One in a Million

(Some of the discription of the events have been taken from my sister-in-law Kimberly... as well as the picture - thanks!)

On Monday two weeks ago we almost lost my Mom … Mom-mom. She suffered from an aortic dissection. Luckily she was waiting for a family member at the surgery center. A nurse noticed she was having trouble and called Shauna to take her home. Shauna took her to JP to have him evaluate her symptoms. He took her to the ER and through some major blessings, the right doctors happened to be involved in diagnosing her situation. They life flighted her to a cardiac center in Fort Worth. Before leaving, JP gave her blessing and she was told she would live to see another day. Before going into surgery, JP gave her another blessing and this time he was inspired to tell her that her mission was not yet accomplished and she would be healed. As a Doctor himself this was a real test of faith because of the very small margin of survival. The Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgeon said this surgery is the most difficult and riskiest that he performs. It is more difficult than heart and lung transplants. Dave my brother-in-law drew me a diagram of the surgery so that I could have a visual understanding of exactly what happened, and what they were going to do to try and save my mom. I have since researched this myself on the Web and have discovered that Mom is a one in a million survivor. I read information from The Cleveland Clinic, The Mayo Clinic, The American Heart Assoc., and The National Institute of Health. In review, 24 per million in the USA get this a year, and less the 1 survive. The hospital said they see about 3-4 a year in the region. Mom had all odds against her, and she lives. She truly is a miracle.

The other thing we have been told is that this is a dominate trait passed on through our genes. This is not something that any of us knew before. Even with all the doctors in the family. This surgeon wanted us to all be aware of this dominate trait. He explained that each child has a 50/50 chance of carrying the gene and having this occur. My mothers father died from this, but no one knew it was because of a genetic problem, we always thought it was a complication from an accident that he had.

After Mom went into surgery, 6 of the 7 children and spouses were there together for the long 7 hour wait. Howard arrived by plane the next morning--as quickly as could be arranged. The surgery went as perfectly as could be imagined. She was on bypass for 3 hours and then circulatory arrest for 19 minutes. They had to cool her body, blood, and brain to 18 degrees before they could put her into circulatory arrest. The surgeon said it was a perfect surgery. He said my mother was in great shape and that helped her surgery run perfectly. Around midnight she came out of surgery and we were able to go in and see her an hour later.

It was nice to sit with all the siblings (in-laws included). We talked a lot, shared stories, smiled. I sat there looking at this marvelous family. So accomplished, so in unison, and so loving. Each child biological or not are part of the oneness we have. What a legacy, a miraculous family, with miraculous events… I know of no other family that causes me such pause, a wonder of awe. The friendship among us is a gift that few in the world ever get to experience. I looked at each one and thought it is so pure and glorious, the legacy of Mom and Dad… But Mom… I am so thankful you are still here to be a mother and a grandmother; there is nothing more beautiful to me than you.

Dragon Slayers...

Our little bugs were climbing the walls literally. As I stood below them to catch them if they fell, Daddy said, "turn around Mommy, every one smile." Click! A perfect shot. It was fun to watch the kids imagine they were climbing a castle wall trying to capture a dragon (lizard). Children in their unique admiring way make you pause and remember to explore and dream…

SAY CHEESE!!!!

Cora finds the camera a facinating object. Here are her first photos without any help from Mom or Dad! You have a real talent sweetie!
Self Portrait
Mommy Daddy

Can you fly? We can! just look at Jason, Isaiah, and Cora!

This is such a fun age... Elijah's eyes are always wide open, seeking, focusing, and trying to understand and say new words and meanings. He loves to repeat what you say. But he loves the word noooooo (see the video in the at the end of the Easter section, titled "NO"). He says it in such a cute way you just want to gobble him up. This little boy wants to be held 24/7. I don't see him growing out of the baby stage any time soon. He wants to be the youngest, "Hold jyooo" he loves to say. One of his favorite words is "essss" for yes. When ever he says no, and we want him to say Yes, we look at him and say, "Say Yes"... "ESSSSS", he says and then giggles. Ah... don't you just want to pinch his cheeks? He thinks it is so funny when you play with his cheeks. He is all about attention! Except for when he's not. OH BOY, he will throw his whole body away from you, and who ever is holding him must hold on to him for dear life, or he will pop right out of your arms and get hurt. - He loves to throw his food as soon as he is finished eating. All of a sudden wham! There goes the rest of dinner and out comes the cleaning supplies. Thank goodness for tile floors! The joys we all go through as parents. But don't we just love them anyway?! I feel really blessed that he has been our only food thrower - neither of the other two ever threw their food. They just said all done, or would shake their head and hold their lips tight together. So to experience true parenthood... we have our Elijah. Cute and messy!

Bekah Boo this one is for you!

Cousins... The smiles never end. Bekah loves to come over and be a buddy to our little ones. WE LOVE IT! She makes them feel so special. Thanks Bekah!

Ready, Set, GO!

Slip sliding away!!! We have four awesome slides in our back yard, this week Isaiah has fallen in love with the yellow two story tube slide. Our little Isaiah has "No Fear". It is kind of funny that our "cautious" child has found a little dare-devil inside. He runs and dives or jumps right into the center of the slide and laughs the whole way down, crash, bang, smash... And he loves it! What a cute kid!