It's time!! I've not packed an article of clothing or anything else for that matter. I'm still asking myself what happened to Sunday and Monday! Ricky is working during the day today so we can get up early in the morning and start our VACATION!
We've been buying organic chicken for over a year now. It's great and the quality is amazing but the only thing is you have to buy it in bulk. Well, we ran out a couple months ago and it's been horrible because I hate buying meat from the grocery stores. There is something about it even the organic! Anyway, I ordered 120 pounds of chicken back a couple months ago before we had our vacation planned and guess what? We have to pick it up today! Ricky is stopping by on his way home from work since it's near his job. So the night before vacation Ricky and I will be putting up 120 pounds of chicken. Yay!
The kids are soooo excited! Madi says she is going to tell Shamu, "Hi Shamu, I love you!" Brody is walking around saying Shamu and Gracie squeals when anyone mentions Shamu, Elmo, Sesame Street, or vacation.
I hope the next several days go by so S L O W so we can enjoy these moments.
Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels. We will be going about 4 hours from home. I'll update and post pictures when we return!
KP
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us but those who win battles we know nothing about.
I was sad for a few days with the anniversary date of my dad's death but I'm back!
We've had such a busy week and once again it was Monday, Tuesday, Friday. Brody got bit at school on Monday. First time that has happened but honestly what can I do about, nothing. The poor school has to watch 5 hours worth of tape though because the teachers are not sure what kid bit him. Luckily mine aren't bitters. They have a three strike your out policy.
Tuesday was Gracie's Day. The five of us loaded up that morning and headed to the medical center. It was on the same campus where they were born. Let me tell you, it was a horrible feeling driving through those gates for both Ricky and I. Our surgeon requested Gracie's surgery be first but the staff had called other kids back so they had to go get us, hurry through all the pre surgery paperwork, and then it was our turn. I handed her to a nurse and they carried her back. She didn't cry. I was so thankful of that. About 30 minutes later she was done. I went back and when I got to her room she was crying but only because she was so pissed off! Oh my goodness was she mad! I got her dressed and they went through the discharge paperwork. Gracie stayed furious at us until Ricky got her a happy meal AND cupcake. She was back to smiling once she was eating. She is so funny when she gets mad at us. It's rare when it happens but when it does, look out world! They did a spinal block for pain management so she was not able to walk until late that night. She was up and walking like nothing ever happened. She even walked out to the driveway to say hi to the neighbors.
Wednesday we planned to have everything go back to normal so therapy was coming. Of course we all slept too late and therapy had to wait a couple minutes while I finished getting all of us dressed. I hate when that happens. Gracie was in some pain so I said no therapy for her and gave her some pain medication. That was the last time she needed any medication and has been back to normal since. Anyway, Brody and Madi had therapy and we all took a nap. Well at least a little one. The kids wouldn't cooperate and Ricky had to leave early for a dentist appointment. After fighting with them all to go to sleep (I was exhausted) I gave up and got them all up. We went to two parks to spend the afternoon in the sun. They fed the fish and turtles some bread. There were two really huge catfish coming to the surface and splashing. They thought that was really fun. Once we got home Madi started saying "I'm sleepy momma" she laid on the couch and covered herself up but of course I wouldn't let her sleep because I was making dinner. I kept talking to her and she would repeat how sleepy she was. Finally I didn't get any response and walked into the living room to find her sound asleep. I woke her up to eat dinner which is always fun waking the dragon.
We over slept yesterday morning too. See the pattern? We are exhausted! It was school and they are never late to school. It's my big thing to not be late to things but I couldn't change the fact we got up at 9:15 and school started at 9:30. They had a great day at school. A firetruck and firemen visited and they made the sweetest little fire trucks with painting their feet red and stamping it on paper. Madi passed out again yesterday afternoon but this time she unfolded her nap mat and laid it on the floor. I let her sleep this time.
Today was therapy again and luckily we got up on time. They did really well. I was going to take the girls to get their hair cut but they were exhausted after therapy so I canceled the appointment and laid them down for a nap.
I think we need to catch a few ZZZZ's this weekend. Luckily Ricky is off work! A couple of days away from vacation!! Can't wait!
KP
We've had such a busy week and once again it was Monday, Tuesday, Friday. Brody got bit at school on Monday. First time that has happened but honestly what can I do about, nothing. The poor school has to watch 5 hours worth of tape though because the teachers are not sure what kid bit him. Luckily mine aren't bitters. They have a three strike your out policy.
Tuesday was Gracie's Day. The five of us loaded up that morning and headed to the medical center. It was on the same campus where they were born. Let me tell you, it was a horrible feeling driving through those gates for both Ricky and I. Our surgeon requested Gracie's surgery be first but the staff had called other kids back so they had to go get us, hurry through all the pre surgery paperwork, and then it was our turn. I handed her to a nurse and they carried her back. She didn't cry. I was so thankful of that. About 30 minutes later she was done. I went back and when I got to her room she was crying but only because she was so pissed off! Oh my goodness was she mad! I got her dressed and they went through the discharge paperwork. Gracie stayed furious at us until Ricky got her a happy meal AND cupcake. She was back to smiling once she was eating. She is so funny when she gets mad at us. It's rare when it happens but when it does, look out world! They did a spinal block for pain management so she was not able to walk until late that night. She was up and walking like nothing ever happened. She even walked out to the driveway to say hi to the neighbors.
Wednesday we planned to have everything go back to normal so therapy was coming. Of course we all slept too late and therapy had to wait a couple minutes while I finished getting all of us dressed. I hate when that happens. Gracie was in some pain so I said no therapy for her and gave her some pain medication. That was the last time she needed any medication and has been back to normal since. Anyway, Brody and Madi had therapy and we all took a nap. Well at least a little one. The kids wouldn't cooperate and Ricky had to leave early for a dentist appointment. After fighting with them all to go to sleep (I was exhausted) I gave up and got them all up. We went to two parks to spend the afternoon in the sun. They fed the fish and turtles some bread. There were two really huge catfish coming to the surface and splashing. They thought that was really fun. Once we got home Madi started saying "I'm sleepy momma" she laid on the couch and covered herself up but of course I wouldn't let her sleep because I was making dinner. I kept talking to her and she would repeat how sleepy she was. Finally I didn't get any response and walked into the living room to find her sound asleep. I woke her up to eat dinner which is always fun waking the dragon.
We over slept yesterday morning too. See the pattern? We are exhausted! It was school and they are never late to school. It's my big thing to not be late to things but I couldn't change the fact we got up at 9:15 and school started at 9:30. They had a great day at school. A firetruck and firemen visited and they made the sweetest little fire trucks with painting their feet red and stamping it on paper. Madi passed out again yesterday afternoon but this time she unfolded her nap mat and laid it on the floor. I let her sleep this time.
Today was therapy again and luckily we got up on time. They did really well. I was going to take the girls to get their hair cut but they were exhausted after therapy so I canceled the appointment and laid them down for a nap.
I think we need to catch a few ZZZZ's this weekend. Luckily Ricky is off work! A couple of days away from vacation!! Can't wait!
KP
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.
I think of you and I'm not afraid.
Your favorite records make me feel better,
'Cause you sing along with every song.
I know you didn't mean to give them to me.
But you went away,
How dare you?
I miss you.
They say I'll be okay,But I'm not going to ever get over you.
It really sinks in, you know,
When I see it in stone
...................................................................................................................................................................
I know they say you can't go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma'am, I know you don't know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine
Up those stairs in that little back bedroomIs where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From "Better Homes and Garden" magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
And nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
You leave home, you move on
And you do the best you can
I got lost in this whole world
And forgot who I am
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could walk around, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
Your favorite records make me feel better,
'Cause you sing along with every song.
I know you didn't mean to give them to me.
But you went away,
How dare you?
I miss you.
They say I'll be okay,But I'm not going to ever get over you.
It really sinks in, you know,
When I see it in stone
...................................................................................................................................................................
I know they say you can't go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma'am, I know you don't know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine
Up those stairs in that little back bedroomIs where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
And I bet you didn't know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From "Better Homes and Garden" magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
And nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
You leave home, you move on
And you do the best you can
I got lost in this whole world
And forgot who I am
I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it's like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could walk around, I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God took you home. If tears could build a stairway, and heartaches make a lane, we'd walk our way to heaven, and bring you back again. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, in our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill.
Nine years ago today and we still miss you so very much. A child's love for their father never ends. I love you dad and I take comfort knowing you are with us.
You picked a beautiful day to enter heaven. Happy Spring!
KP
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Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Gracie's day: surgery, a happy meal, and a cupcake!
Gracie's surgery was a success! They repaired one big hernia on her right and a small one on her left. She is amazing and like everything else, takes it in stride.
We hope this is her last surgery.
KP
We hope this is her last surgery.
KP
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Tuesday is Gracie's Day!
We are making Tuesday Gracie's Day since she will be undergoing her FIFTH surgery! Please keep her in your thoughts in prayers. She should be heading to the O.R around 10:30am.
I'll update as soon as possible. For immediate updates find me on Facebook.
KP
I'll update as soon as possible. For immediate updates find me on Facebook.
KP
Friday, March 15, 2013
Forgive and forget. That's what they say. It's good advice but it's not very practical. When someone hurts us, we want to hurt them back. When someone wrongs us, we want to be right. Without forgiveness old scores never settle. Old wounds never heal, and the most we can hope for is that someday we'll be lucky enough to forget.
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things to give. A quote often comes into my mind, "Forgive them even if they are not sorry". Really, really hard for me. Can anyone else relate?
Gracie is having another surgery next week. This is suppose to be one of the easiest surgeries she has ever had. I am so thankful we are having Dr. Bloss do the surgery. He is the surgeon that did all three of their heart surgeries their first week of life. I was a little nervous about having this hernia repair surgery but he said, "I've done 25 THOUSAND of these, this is a piece of cake, and the easiest thing she has been through. I'll treat her like she is mine!" LOVE that man because he does treat them like they are his. He said those exact words to me 32 months ago when my little one pound babies were going into the O.R. He said the surgery will take about 30 minutes and she will not have to be intubated which is a HUGE plus.
We are doing this surgery so soon because the hernia can incarcerate at any time and I would rather have a planned surgery than an emergency surgery any day and also we are days away from going out of town and we for sure don't want to be in a foreign to us hospital!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep Gracie in your prayers. It hurts my heart every time we go to the doctor because she gets really nervous and shuts down. She is just terrified at this point and rightfully so. I wish I could trade places with her and it be me going through all of the test, procedures, and surgeries but I know God has an amazing plan for her and there is a reason for every single thing she has been through. I wish yall knew her the way Ricky and I do. She is truly and unbelievably amazing child. I'm not just saying that because she is mine either. She really is. There is something about her- her soul, who she is that is different than anyone I've ever known in my life. And that God given smile....
I'll update soon. We have her big appointment at Shriner's Hospital on Monday. It's going to be a really crazy week.
In other news, our family was blessed in a BIG way. A really BIG, BIG, BIG way. Our wonderful PT and I have been talking for a while now about how speech therapy really wasn't working out for us. The current speech therapist wants to focus only on the kids repeating words and is a little delusional about how "well" they are doing. Anyway, the PT's mom is a retired Oral Motor Speech Therapist. Today's therapist really aren't Oral Motor trained and Brody and Gracie really need that type of therapy to help with feeding issue and drinking. If you don't eat and drink the right way you will have speech problems. They are tied together so for the current therapist to miss this first step doesn't really help the kids. Anyway, her mom has decided to VOLUNTEER her time to all three of the kids once a week. This is a huge blessing. She came out today and was amazing. She did a lot of testing on the kids by doing things I would have never thought you could measure by. She used these biting sticks to measure not only the strength of their bite but also to see if their face is symmetrical. We have a game plan and I'm so thankful. We will still continue to see the other therapist and we hope to get a new therapist in the summer but will keep out new God send for as long as she will see the kids.
Things just work out and I am so thankful!!
KP
Gracie is having another surgery next week. This is suppose to be one of the easiest surgeries she has ever had. I am so thankful we are having Dr. Bloss do the surgery. He is the surgeon that did all three of their heart surgeries their first week of life. I was a little nervous about having this hernia repair surgery but he said, "I've done 25 THOUSAND of these, this is a piece of cake, and the easiest thing she has been through. I'll treat her like she is mine!" LOVE that man because he does treat them like they are his. He said those exact words to me 32 months ago when my little one pound babies were going into the O.R. He said the surgery will take about 30 minutes and she will not have to be intubated which is a HUGE plus.
We are doing this surgery so soon because the hernia can incarcerate at any time and I would rather have a planned surgery than an emergency surgery any day and also we are days away from going out of town and we for sure don't want to be in a foreign to us hospital!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep Gracie in your prayers. It hurts my heart every time we go to the doctor because she gets really nervous and shuts down. She is just terrified at this point and rightfully so. I wish I could trade places with her and it be me going through all of the test, procedures, and surgeries but I know God has an amazing plan for her and there is a reason for every single thing she has been through. I wish yall knew her the way Ricky and I do. She is truly and unbelievably amazing child. I'm not just saying that because she is mine either. She really is. There is something about her- her soul, who she is that is different than anyone I've ever known in my life. And that God given smile....
I'll update soon. We have her big appointment at Shriner's Hospital on Monday. It's going to be a really crazy week.
In other news, our family was blessed in a BIG way. A really BIG, BIG, BIG way. Our wonderful PT and I have been talking for a while now about how speech therapy really wasn't working out for us. The current speech therapist wants to focus only on the kids repeating words and is a little delusional about how "well" they are doing. Anyway, the PT's mom is a retired Oral Motor Speech Therapist. Today's therapist really aren't Oral Motor trained and Brody and Gracie really need that type of therapy to help with feeding issue and drinking. If you don't eat and drink the right way you will have speech problems. They are tied together so for the current therapist to miss this first step doesn't really help the kids. Anyway, her mom has decided to VOLUNTEER her time to all three of the kids once a week. This is a huge blessing. She came out today and was amazing. She did a lot of testing on the kids by doing things I would have never thought you could measure by. She used these biting sticks to measure not only the strength of their bite but also to see if their face is symmetrical. We have a game plan and I'm so thankful. We will still continue to see the other therapist and we hope to get a new therapist in the summer but will keep out new God send for as long as she will see the kids.
Things just work out and I am so thankful!!
KP
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Let your faith be bigger than your fear
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| Madi is saying "CHEESE" This was taken 2/20/13 |
We do have the big appointment Monday with the upper extremities Orthopedic. It's been a little crazy to get the required records for that appointment. Texas Children's record department thinks they are going to charge me $1.49 per page for Gracie's medical records. It would literally be over $600 for her records. Records by the way they don't give you when they see your child or do any procedures. After all the money our family and insurance has paid to them, you'd think they wouldn't charge us for our own records. They literally get over a hundred thousand dollars from us each year. It's sickening!
We sold one of the girls' cribs on Sunday. Very bitter sweet.
I am very proud of Ricky. We've been talking for some time about him finishing his degree but he never took action. He found out recently that his company will reimburse him for his tuition and half the price of the books he will need. Basically he will be finishing his degree for nearly free. That is a huge blessing! Anyway, he has finally decided to finish his degree so he can be an Engineer! I am so happy and excited and proud of him! He is naturally smart. He can figure numbers in his head quickly and accurately where as I'm trying to get the calculator out and figure it, he's already got the number.. annoying :) Anyway, this will be great for his career future and our future as a family. We've gone back and forth so many times about him leaving his position where he is now for positions that would make a lot more money but they all require traveling at length and we know that isn't best for our family. We'll both be the first in our families to have degrees which is also awesome because it breaks that cycle too.
I'll start school back this summer as well. After working full time, going to school full time, and dealing with all the medical stuff with the kids last fall, I was near a mental break down. I was so unhealthy. I'm really excited to start back with Ricky because there are 4 classes we can for sure take together. That will be nice because we can study together and also will only have to buy one book and just share it. I have 8 more classes until I have my Associates Degree but I'm going to transfer to a 4 year university and finish my Bachelors. I might go for my MBA (Masters) after that but it depends on what is best for our family when that time comes. Not killing myself and overloading myself by only taking 2 classes each semester plus a mini each of those semesters will have me ready to transfer at the end of this fall. I could do more classes and transfer sooner but I'm really not in a hurry. I have several more years until I can go back to work and I really don't want to finish my degree until I'm ready to go back since some companies I'm interested in only recruit from colleges. That means the companies recruit you graduating year with offer letters. I am so excited to have a plan on paper with goals that are achievable and beneficial for our family. We are really trying to lead by example!
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| this was 1 year ago. so crazy to see how much they've changed! |
Monday, March 11, 2013
I'll be happy and I don't care what people say of me. I'll just be happy, I'll just be real, I'll just be myself. Just me. Nothing more.
Our busy couple weeks has arrived. Gracie and Madi are at the table eating breakfast, Brody is still in his room, I'm typing a quick update before we have to get ready and leave, and Ricky is sleeping.
Yesterday was glorious because I slept most of the day and when I was awake we were lounging. Ricky got the paper from the driveway that morning and the kids always go through it as well. This time Madi was hung up on a Minnie Mouse scooter. She has been wanting one for several weeks now but this Minnie one was on her mind for hours. She was telling Ricky, "scooter daddy" and when she'd get tried of saying that she'd say, "scooter Ricky Ann". It's hilarious because now she call Gracie by her first and middle name which is Gracie Ann. I can only imagine what she thinks she is saying. Anyway, the two of them loaded up and headed to Toys R Us to get the scooter. Of course Ricky going shopping anywhere is an event that takes forever (worse than a woman any day) so when they finally arrived back Gracie and Brody were napping. I thought we'd made a mistake by getting it because she fell a couple of times before she got the hang of it but now she is pretty much a scooter girl. We mainly got it because it will help with her balance which is a main reason she is in physical therapy. Anyway, I think the kids and I were asleep for the night by 5:30- 6:00 last night. Glorious I tell you!
Gracie and I are headed off to the Orthopedic in Sugarland. It's a drive let me tell you but I hope it's the last visit over her leg. We shall see!
It's spring break this week and if I've never mentioned how much I dislike spring break... I hate spring break. We won't be doing anything that involves crowds of people with children that are not being watch by their parents. Too many bad weekend experiences at places like the Children's Museum with kids not being watched at all and running down my kids. I don't do well in those situations. Plus we are so busy this week that any free days would be great at home playing outside on the swing or maybe the park.
Update soon.
Krista
Yesterday was glorious because I slept most of the day and when I was awake we were lounging. Ricky got the paper from the driveway that morning and the kids always go through it as well. This time Madi was hung up on a Minnie Mouse scooter. She has been wanting one for several weeks now but this Minnie one was on her mind for hours. She was telling Ricky, "scooter daddy" and when she'd get tried of saying that she'd say, "scooter Ricky Ann". It's hilarious because now she call Gracie by her first and middle name which is Gracie Ann. I can only imagine what she thinks she is saying. Anyway, the two of them loaded up and headed to Toys R Us to get the scooter. Of course Ricky going shopping anywhere is an event that takes forever (worse than a woman any day) so when they finally arrived back Gracie and Brody were napping. I thought we'd made a mistake by getting it because she fell a couple of times before she got the hang of it but now she is pretty much a scooter girl. We mainly got it because it will help with her balance which is a main reason she is in physical therapy. Anyway, I think the kids and I were asleep for the night by 5:30- 6:00 last night. Glorious I tell you!
Gracie and I are headed off to the Orthopedic in Sugarland. It's a drive let me tell you but I hope it's the last visit over her leg. We shall see!
It's spring break this week and if I've never mentioned how much I dislike spring break... I hate spring break. We won't be doing anything that involves crowds of people with children that are not being watch by their parents. Too many bad weekend experiences at places like the Children's Museum with kids not being watched at all and running down my kids. I don't do well in those situations. Plus we are so busy this week that any free days would be great at home playing outside on the swing or maybe the park.
Update soon.
Krista
Friday, March 8, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
He and I- When words run dry, he does not try, nor do I. We are on par. He just is, I just am and we just are. Lang Leav
I have been working since 2011 to get the kids into a developmental and behavioral program through Texas Children's. I called this past December to find out where they were on the wait list to be told they didn't have our paper work from 2011 and we'd have to go on a new wait that was 18-24 months long. Well, I filled out all the paper work and made sure they had it, chewed them out, and let it die down. At the end of February I called to speak with someone of authority. Turns out they were making an exception for me since there was a mix up but someone was suppose to call me back that day with a date and time for our appointment. Of course I never got a call so I gave them a couple extra days and called them today. I had to get somewhat crazy on them but in the end we have an appointment!!! It isn't until July but we do have an appointment and I am so happy!! I have to take each child to their own appointment which is kind of a pain because we usually set the appointments together but I think it will work out because the appointment will be at least 2 hours long. They will be doing a lot of testing and evaluations and I will only be bringing one kiddo at a time so there are no distractions. This will kind of tell us what we are dealing with long term and what things we need to have going to help them thrive or what can be adjusted with what we are already doing to make it even better. So big appointments made today.
Ricky had training at work today and tomorrow so he is working days. The kids woke up and were searching the house looking for him and calling out for him. When he didn't appear with "Daddy" they started yelling "Ricky". By the end of the afternoon Madi was looking out the door waiting for him to pull up. When she grew tired of that, I had to open the door and she sat on the step waiting for him. Oh my goodness at the cheers when he got here.
Our house is so calm. It's amazing. Everything is cleaned, the house is styled, and in it's place. It's so nice to be here. The kids are doing so much better too. It really got my attention at how important a stable home is to a child when we were doing all the renovations. I know for our kids they thrive on a routine and order. So I don't know if it's the calmness of our house or if I really want Ricky to start working days again because it's better to have dinner as a family but today I really want Ricky to be home every night. The kids are going to be so busy this coming fall and will rarely be home during the day so it would be wonderful if Ricky went back to a regular schedule. Plus, he is aging LOL really though he is! It's so hard because he only sleeps 4 to 5 hours a day and I worry so much about him driving home in the wee hours of the morning. I don't know I just hope the best works out for our family.
With him working tomorrow and the kids going to school, it will be the first time in almost 3 years I won't have a to do list or someone to take care of. I'm pretty excited! Ricky said I won't know what to do with myself and will probably just sit in the parking lot. He is right about not knowing what to do but if I can't figure it out, I'll take a nice nap!
We took next week off with therapies because it's spring break. Little did I know months ago that instead of a resting week we'd have a crazy busy week. Monday Gracie has her last appointment with the Orthopedic that did her leg surgery. Couldn't be more proud of her and the progress she has made since the surgery. Thursday we have an appointment with the Pediatric Surgeon for Gracie's Hernia surgery. I hear it can be done as an outpatient but I hope we can wait until after vacation to have it repaired. Friday we are having a really awesome person come do a speech evaluation. I'm super excited about that and will share more details after the visit. So not as busy but still going next week. We finally got into Shriner's Hospital for the upper extremities Orthopedic for Gracie. That appointment is bright and early the following Monday. She will have to miss school but it was the only appointment they had as she is a work in and all the contracture specialist will be there as well to meet her. Oh and that Thursday the kids have to go to the elementary school and have the school nurse to an evaluation on them so they can be tested for PPCD. I think it's so stupid a school nurse is going to evaluate them. She is no where qualified to make any assessments of their health. Moving on... That was suppose to be a rundown of just next week and ended up being the next two.. it's how I roll people! And why not just throw in the following week is vacation :)
I'll update again soon.
KP
Ricky had training at work today and tomorrow so he is working days. The kids woke up and were searching the house looking for him and calling out for him. When he didn't appear with "Daddy" they started yelling "Ricky". By the end of the afternoon Madi was looking out the door waiting for him to pull up. When she grew tired of that, I had to open the door and she sat on the step waiting for him. Oh my goodness at the cheers when he got here.
Our house is so calm. It's amazing. Everything is cleaned, the house is styled, and in it's place. It's so nice to be here. The kids are doing so much better too. It really got my attention at how important a stable home is to a child when we were doing all the renovations. I know for our kids they thrive on a routine and order. So I don't know if it's the calmness of our house or if I really want Ricky to start working days again because it's better to have dinner as a family but today I really want Ricky to be home every night. The kids are going to be so busy this coming fall and will rarely be home during the day so it would be wonderful if Ricky went back to a regular schedule. Plus, he is aging LOL really though he is! It's so hard because he only sleeps 4 to 5 hours a day and I worry so much about him driving home in the wee hours of the morning. I don't know I just hope the best works out for our family.
With him working tomorrow and the kids going to school, it will be the first time in almost 3 years I won't have a to do list or someone to take care of. I'm pretty excited! Ricky said I won't know what to do with myself and will probably just sit in the parking lot. He is right about not knowing what to do but if I can't figure it out, I'll take a nice nap!
We took next week off with therapies because it's spring break. Little did I know months ago that instead of a resting week we'd have a crazy busy week. Monday Gracie has her last appointment with the Orthopedic that did her leg surgery. Couldn't be more proud of her and the progress she has made since the surgery. Thursday we have an appointment with the Pediatric Surgeon for Gracie's Hernia surgery. I hear it can be done as an outpatient but I hope we can wait until after vacation to have it repaired. Friday we are having a really awesome person come do a speech evaluation. I'm super excited about that and will share more details after the visit. So not as busy but still going next week. We finally got into Shriner's Hospital for the upper extremities Orthopedic for Gracie. That appointment is bright and early the following Monday. She will have to miss school but it was the only appointment they had as she is a work in and all the contracture specialist will be there as well to meet her. Oh and that Thursday the kids have to go to the elementary school and have the school nurse to an evaluation on them so they can be tested for PPCD. I think it's so stupid a school nurse is going to evaluate them. She is no where qualified to make any assessments of their health. Moving on... That was suppose to be a rundown of just next week and ended up being the next two.. it's how I roll people! And why not just throw in the following week is vacation :)
I'll update again soon.
KP
Monday, March 4, 2013
Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. C.S. Lewis
Three sick Littles, one sick Daddy, and one Mommy who is trying not to get sick but thinks it's happening anyway. Darn it!! While we were in the ER at TCH I could feel the millions of germs. Yuck, and now the kids are sick and we are too.
I scheduled Gracie an appointment with our favorite Pediatric Surgeon that did their heart surgeries. It will be fantastic if he can do the hernia repair. I hope we can put off surgeries until April so she can enjoy our upcoming vacation.
In other news, wives tales are so weird to me. Gracie has a triple "cow lick" and people will often comment on how feisty she is or will be. And to be fair, all of our kids have been licked by a cow but now three times!
I guess the kids love our new windows as much as I do. It's like a new toy or something because they all want to sit in the windows. Um, you never did that before. Don't be weird kids.
Pedi bound this afternoon. Madi is so sick she is actually sleeping right now which is RARE these days. Brody and Gracie are at my feet while I type this kissing each other and trying on hats. So random!
KP
I scheduled Gracie an appointment with our favorite Pediatric Surgeon that did their heart surgeries. It will be fantastic if he can do the hernia repair. I hope we can put off surgeries until April so she can enjoy our upcoming vacation.
In other news, wives tales are so weird to me. Gracie has a triple "cow lick" and people will often comment on how feisty she is or will be. And to be fair, all of our kids have been licked by a cow but now three times!
I guess the kids love our new windows as much as I do. It's like a new toy or something because they all want to sit in the windows. Um, you never did that before. Don't be weird kids.
Pedi bound this afternoon. Madi is so sick she is actually sleeping right now which is RARE these days. Brody and Gracie are at my feet while I type this kissing each other and trying on hats. So random!
KP
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Still blessed with miracles
Well we had an unbelievable turn of events last night. Around 6 Gracie started acting exhausted and a little off which was weird because we all took a very long nap during the day. I told Ricky to lay her down so he started getting her ready for bed and when he went to change her diaper there was a huge bulging mass and she was in severe pain. We freaked out because it was so odd and we'd never seen anything like it before. Off to the emergency room we went. Doctor looks at her and says it's an "incarcerated hernia". What? He said she has to go to Texas Children's for emergency surgery. An ambulance shows up and her and I go to TCH. Ricky follows behind with Brody and Madi. Gracie falls asleep on the ride which helps because she was in so much pain. Meanwhile Ricky and I cannot believe this is happening. We had such a great day napping, playing, and just living. All of a sudden our Gracie is going for emergency surgery. We get to TCH and the surgeon is waiting on us. He comes in to examine her and guess what?? Not a single sign of the hernia. The huge mass has disappeared and Ricky and I are looking like what in the world is going on. So the doctor said it unexplainable went back in or where it was suppose to go and since that happened there is no need for surgery then but we will have to have surgery to fix the problem as an outpatient. Thank you Lord. By that time she was acting like our Gracie with her smile and happy personality.
Seriously, this stuff only happens to us. So $100 ER copay, ride in an ambulance, and another ER visit, we were home around midnight. I have to follow up with a surgeon tomorrow because if this happens again it can cut off blood flow to one or more organs which would cause the organs to die so it is important we get it taken care of. I hope the surgeon that did their heart surgeries when they were a week old can do this surgery. We just loved him because he loved our babies so much.
Today we are having fun at the house. As I type this they are outside playing like nothing ever happened. The surgeon said that these type of things happen in preemies things just appear sometimes out of the blue.
Prayer is powerful. I believe in and know that God has His hands in our lives and continues to bless us with miracles. When doctors are puzzled that things mysteriously fix themselves it's God. Wow!
KP
Seriously, this stuff only happens to us. So $100 ER copay, ride in an ambulance, and another ER visit, we were home around midnight. I have to follow up with a surgeon tomorrow because if this happens again it can cut off blood flow to one or more organs which would cause the organs to die so it is important we get it taken care of. I hope the surgeon that did their heart surgeries when they were a week old can do this surgery. We just loved him because he loved our babies so much.
Today we are having fun at the house. As I type this they are outside playing like nothing ever happened. The surgeon said that these type of things happen in preemies things just appear sometimes out of the blue.
Prayer is powerful. I believe in and know that God has His hands in our lives and continues to bless us with miracles. When doctors are puzzled that things mysteriously fix themselves it's God. Wow!
KP
Friday, March 1, 2013
"You're gonna be there for 50 years and you don't even know whether she can cook or not? What kind of thinkin' is that? Well, we'll just live off love. Not really. You'll starve to death. Phil Roberston
First of all..... If you aren't watching Duck Dynasty you can't be friends with us. Just kidding but seriously, this yuppie girl LOVES Wednesday nights!! Not only is the show just hilarious but at the end of every show they are gathered around the table saying grace and eating dinner together. Find it and watch it people!!!!
Our windows are finally all in. Our house feels brand new! Who knew windows and counter tops could make such a big change? Should have done it years ago! Anyway, we've totally changed the house around. I got my old desk back and am so happy about that. You can tell it's been through hell but I'm very grateful to have it. I've decided to move one of the antiques into our living room. I'm done with going out buying new stuff that is expensive and doesn't hold up. I am lucky enough to have some very high quality things that I'm now like, why am I not using this? I hope it works out the way I see it in my head :)
Now that we have zero construction going on in the house, I'm trying to hold myself back from bringing the painters in. Really I can't until my brother's crew comes in and does the woodwork I want done because I don't want painters in here twice. We are going on vacation first.
Vacation... I'm super excited about it! Hotels are booked and I ordered our tickets to Sea World today. I am super duper excited for the kids because we are going to Sea World before the park opens to have breakfast with the Sesame Street gang! They are going to flip out when they see Elmo and Cookie Monster!! I can't wait!!!!
We finally have our appointment to see the Endocrinologist but it isn't until April. I met with the owner of the speech company Thursday to go over so evaluations she did. She went to see how the kids are eating while at school and she was a little shocked at the amount of food my kids eat vs. their peers. First off, please tell me who the hell sends their kids to school with just a yogurt and grapes for lunch? The speech lady said your kids had a big thing of pasta, yogurt, fruit, and water. She said they didn't play at all and ate the entire 45 minutes kind of robotic while their peers kept being told to finish their small lunches. She said the thing that stood out to her was our kids were consuming so much more food but are so much smaller than their peers. Which is what I've been saying for almost two years now. But I was floored when she told me that the kids around them were literally eating that little of food. Seriously, yogurt and grapes?? Moving on from that, our kids are such good eaters but they aren't growing so I'm so excited to meet with the Endocrinologist.
We are still waiting to see if we will be able to get into Shriner's Hospital for the upper extremities Orthopedic. I hope to hear from the next week. We do have her last appointment in two weeks with her Orthopedic that did her leg surgery. We are so pleased with the results. It was one heck of a surgery and I hate she had to go through it but it has benefited her so much. She can walk without any problems, and she can "run" and keep up with her sissy and bubby. We are so proud of her!
Ricky is off this weekend. He really wants to take the kids to the Rodeo but I'm not sure. Everyone and their third cousin will be there because it's the weekend. He might kill me if I plan any chores though so we are better off just being away from the house for the weekend ;)
I had to take the kiddos grocery shopping tonight and they were so well behaved. I didn't have a single problem out of them and it was a big shopping trip too. We got home and Madi said "Mommy, I'm hungry. I want dinner" smart little cookie but that started the other two with their "hungry mommy" and I couldn't unload and put up the groceries fast enough and make their dinner. Sometimes and some days I need to be cloned.
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| this isn't my photo but this is literally Madi every. single. time. |
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| I can relate!! |
KP
With a lot of success comes a lot of negativity
Listen as your day unfoldes
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
Herald what your mother said
Readin' the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
You can't stop it, if you try to
This time it's danger staring you in the face
Remember listen as your day unfoldes
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
You gotta be You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
Herald what your mother said
Readin' the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
Time asks no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
You can't stop it, if you try to
This time it's danger staring you in the face
Remember listen as your day unfoldes
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
You gotta be You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
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