Boys Night Out...

The boys had a really fun first day of Summer. After visiting the Museum of Transport on Thursday, dad took them and big brother for a Boys Night Out!!! They all got to go bowling. What a good time they had. Mom thinks they need to do that at least once a week, it allowed me to get the floors mopped without little feet trampling on them!-How nice.....Anyway, they had a very good time up till the point when dad tried to give big brother instruction.-Mark doesn't like to be "taught" he thinks he is pretty expert on most things...

Here was Mark having a good time.-Obviously before the "instruction" began....

My boys.....Hangin' out waiting for a ball...

Isn't this the coolest thing? The boys no longer have to put the ball on the ground and push....

All the boys watching to see if Caleb is going to get a strike!!!-Maybe someday big guy!!

Fun At The Museum Of Transport

Today was the triplets first day of Summer Vacation. Mark and Mackenzie have until the middle of next week. I wanted to be able to take them somewhere special for their first day off. So at 8:30 this morning we packed up and headed over to the Museum of Transport. I haven't been there since Mark was about two, and since then, they have added "Creation Station", which is a hands on educational place to "play". They charge 1.50 for the kids to play for 1 hour. I really lucked out, and we had the whole place to ourselves! The boys had a blast. The above photo is to remember what they looked like after completing their first year of preschool. You would think Caleb would be a little happier; maybe he knows Summer school is right around the corner for him.....

Now there is the smile I know and LOVE.....(Doesn't Connor look so proud of his "little" brother?)

One of the many trains we got to see today. The boys even got to ring the bell on one of the large locomotives..They thought that was the coolest!!!

Here is Corey and Connor playing with the farm in the Creation Station....

Caleb really enjoyed the train table and spent most of his time here...

I got to watch a puppet show that Corey put on....

Connor was in Choo Choo HEAVEN.....

This is a photo of half of the room. They had a variety of stations set up for the kids to play at. Towards the back was a lady the does crafts with the children.FUN!!!!

This was also a BIG hit! The boys got to sail on their very own Pirate Ship!! How cool is that?!?!?!

A pirate has to make sure his hat is just right....

Ahoy Matey's time to sail away with Caleb....

AAAAAARRRRRR Pirate Captain Connor will take you for the ride of your life....We also got to take the shuttle to ride the "little" train around the track two times, and a ride on a real trolley!! The boys really had a great time. It was a GREAT way to start the Summer, and I hope that my plan for a "weekly fieldtrip" proves to be as enjoyable as today was!!!!

Caleb's Rash...

Poor Caleb has had such a rough time recovering from his tonsil and adnoid removal surgery. On May 7th he had the procedure and exactly 8 days later, he broke out in this awful rash. So ironic, because when Mark had the same surgery in 2nd Grade, exactly 8 days later he broke out in a rash!!!! They do not tell you that after this surgery to be watching for a rash, but so weird how both of my boys developed one. Mark's was slightly different though, covering nearly his whole body, also accompanied by fever and irritability. We think now that he may have had a case of Roseola. Caleb's rash is due to a reaction to the meds and thankfully has not spread anymore over the last couple days. I do have to limit his time outside though, because it makes him very itchy. I am hoping that he will recover quickly, because we are leaving for a short trip on June 2nd to Holiday World. Yep, we're going to see the big guy!!! If you want us to put in a good word for you and tell Santa that you have been very GOOD this year, just drop us a line!!!!

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Last night Mark, along with his fifth grade class, had a Graduation Recognition Ceremony for completing the D.A.R.E. program through school. This is the first year the principal held the award ceremony in the evening. He wanted the parents to be able to participate in the recognition of these outstanding students. I was very pleased with the ceremony. The Chief of Police led us in prayer, and even quoted some scripture verses in his presentation. I am proud of all the children for partaking in this program and hope as they grow, they can remember what they have learned.

This is Mark receiving his award.-I cropped the photo on Picnik.com, but I am not sure why the black is around the photo...

When we got home, I told him I wanted a picture of him with his certificate. He was very proud of it and hung it on his bedroom wall right away!!

Then we got dad in for a shot...

You can't leave out little sis....

Corey was so proud to hold his certificate, although I'm sure he has no clue what it even is!!!

Connor absolutely refused to smile, because he was upset about something.-Not even sure what anymore...Caleb unfortunately wasn't in any photos. As soon as we got home he went inside to crash on the couch. He has had an awful time recovering from his tonsil and adnoid removal; which explains why I have had NO time to keep up with my blogging. Friday he broke out in a rash and yesterday he was spitting up blood. A trip to the doctor revealed a drug reaction causing the rash and blood from the scabs falling off. Tomorrow I will post photos of the rash.

On a lighter note, I want to say that I am very proud of you Mark for completing the D.A.R.E. Program, and I hope that as you grow, you will remember and put into practice the things that you have learned!!!

Update on Caleb Recovering From Surgery...

I feel like I have been so out of touch with everything and everyone since last Thursday when Caleb had his tonsils and adnoids removed. Out of all five of our children, we have had the most visits to the hospital with this little guy. When he was 2 he got a hold of tylenol and overdosed on a medication that was supposedly in a "child-proof" container. Than 6 mos. ago, he got tubes in his ears. That pretty much went off without a hitch. Getting his tonsils and adnoids removed however has really brought him down. They did the surgery on Thurs. Mark and I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 A.M. They gave him his "cocktail" at about 7 a.m. He was so funny.... When daddy was holding him, he continually needed to be reassured it was daddy.-I think he was seeing doubles. By the time I was holding him, he developed a "fascination" with my nose. He would point to my nose and say "EEEWWWW". Than, "That's caca" (our term for sick, yucky, etc.) He wouldn't let up for a good 10min. I was starting to get a little paranoid.L.O.L. Than, we were informed the Doctor was running late and that they would maybe have to give him another "cocktail". I was not to keen on the idea of him receiving more drugs, but they assured me he would be fine. Fortunately, he didn't need a second dose, and the surgery went well. The recovery however has been very draining. I am very blessed that Mark could take off work and be home to help with him. Caleb has required a lot of care and Mark has pretty much done most of it while I have tended to the other four kids. I will tell you when you see your child in such pain, and you can't do much for him, it gives you a whole new perspective of what parents go through that have terminally ill children. I have a new compassion for them and I have thanked the Lord that he has given my family and I good health. Today was Caleb's first day without daddy. He has really struggled with this. He told me he needed to go to work. I said you have to be a daddy to go to work. His response, "No I Caleb, and I GO TO WORK..." Poor baby. His post-op visit is Wed. I hope he will be able to return to school on Thurs. I'll post more later.

Bubble Blowin' In Daddy's Pick-up Truck....

Yesterday was absoulutely GORGEOUS outside, so bye bye naps, hello BUBBLES!!!

Connor caught a BIG one....

Silly silly boy Caleb....

Connor trying to blow the PERFECT bubble... Why is it when children turn 4, they suddenly look so grown up?!?!?!

"Look at that one go mom....."

Nothin' better than blowin' bubbles in the back of the pick-up truck.....

Good one Caleb!!!!

Another day of precious moments, precious memories made with my little boys.....I'm actually looking forward to this Summer with them. Let the good times roll......

My Child You Never Knew....

April is THE month for Birthdays in this home. Yesterday marked the 12th year that I delivered Adriana Nicole; our first born, the child you never knew..... Last week I pulled out the only memories I have from my first born. A little sleeper she never got to wear, photos, sympathy cards and the baby book that we received from the funeral home. I wanted to "reconnect" with my little girl that I never really got to know. In the midst of going through everything, I pulled out the envelope that holds the letter I wrote for her while she was still in my womb.-This was written before we knew she was "sick" with Trisomy 13. It reads like this....
Darling sweet baby of mine, you have been growing within me for a total of three months now.-It has been the most wonderful three months of my whole life! Daddy and I waited a very long time for you. One whole year went past when we decided to seek the help of the doctors. After another long and tiresome three months of being at the doctor, while having been poked and prodded with needles, and doing many uncomfortable things every week, you were finally conceived.-Oct. 7, 1996 to be exact on the date.(This is grandma's birthday, what a gift!) I'll never forget when the nurse called me at work to tell me the good news. I was truly amazed and so grateful to God for answering our long cried out prayer. From the moment I found out you were growing within me, all of the hurt, pain, confusion, and frustration all left me. All I could think of was in nine short months we'd being meeting our precious little angel sent from above for the first time! You were truly wanted my dear sweet baby, and daddy and I will love you so very much until the day we go home to be with the Lord!

Little did I know when I wrote this note, that she would be going "home" much sooner than I ever imagined....At 19 weeks we found out that Adriana had Trisomy 13 which is a genetic disorder. The doctors strongly encouraged us to abort her, by we knew that was definantly NOT an option. They said to prepare ourselves for her to pass at any time.-These "type" of babies rarely survive in the womb for long. Days weeks and even months passed, and I thought sure God was going to allow us some time with our baby girl. I began gathering books from the library so Mark and I could educate ourselves on how to care for a Trisomy 13 baby. Then at 32 weeks, I delivered her stillborn. 2lb. 2oz. with a head of jet black hair. Her tiny feet were the most perfect thing on her precious little body. Ten tiny little toes. As is common with Trisomy babies, she had an extra pinky on her left hand. Her ears were perfectly formed, yet set low on her head.-Also very common. The most striking thing was she didn't have a nose. I know this is very difficult to imagine, but even this didn't come to a surprise to me. I remember very clearly when I showed mom her ultrasound profile at just 19 weeks I said, "Look mom, it doesn't look like she has a nose.." Mom's reply, " That's silly Kelly, every baby has a nose..." Yet my little angel didn't. When the doctor presented her to me, I simply said, "Huh, she doesn't have a nose..." I think God was preparing me for this back in the beginning. After delivering her, the hospital let us spend as much time with her as we needed. They dressed her and brought her to me in a little moses basket. Family was there and a few very dear friends. I got some photos, but oh how I wish I would have taken more... I have nothing to remember those precious little tiny feet by. I didn't allow my friend to take photos of me with her, which now I surely regret. The hardest thing for me was to hand her back over to the nurses and to go up to my room empty handed. Even harder leaving the hospital with empty arms..... Adriana was not "perfect" by the world' s standards but to me she was BEAUTIFUL. My heart still aches for what never was with her. God has surely blessed me with an abundance of children, but I still feel an emptiness and like our family just isn't complete... As I was thinking about her yesterday, I began to wonder if they celebrate Birthdays in heaven? I began to think about once again what she may look like. I don't know why, but I envision her with hair down to the middle of her back the color of her daddy's with soft waves. Her eyes are also the color of her daddy's. I do know that she is fully restored now, with no imperfections. I do know that when I go "home" that she will be at heavens gate waiting for me along with some very special loved ones that have already passed on...