Texas, part 2

Again, this post is later than I intended it to be. I had planned on getting it done last week, but obviously, it didn't get done. It is a little long, but I figured I had just better get it done. I hope you enjoy!

These were all taken at the Water Gardens in down town Ft. Worth. We used to enjoy coming here when we lived in Texas and always make it a point to visit when we come back. Good times.

These 2 pictures were taken at one of the two BBQ/B-day parties that we went to while in Texas. This one consisted of a lot of visiting and a fun water party for the kids. We had a great time and ate WAY too much. Ethan definitely has a blue tint in this picture. He must have been a little cold.

Before the BBQ, we went horseback riding at Katrina's parent's house. The kids were really looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint. They wore their cowboy hats that they got from the "Big Texan".

Before we started riding horses, the kids were being shown this rat snake. Gavin was a little too close and got a "kiss" from this good sized snake. Gavin was taken back but didn't cry. Poor kid. He just couldn't catch a break this trip. If you notice, (as if you couldn't miss it) the green band-aid is covering the stitches that he had to get just a couple of days earlier. I guess he was playing tag with the older kids and tripped and fell into a ceramic dolphin. The dolphin shattered and it's fin opened up his forehead down to the bone. It just so happens that I was out with some friends and missed the whole thing. Tim and his sister, Rachel, took him to the ER. You just can't call it a vacation without stitches and a snake bite. Right?

We also spent one day at Six Flags. Rachel was kind enough to watch Gavin and Ethan and we brought Ashley and Katie with us to join in on the fun. The weather was great and after all of the high school/field trip kids left, we pretty much walked onto every ride. As you can see, the kids loved the water ride. I always sit out on this one. I don't enjoy the feeling of damp Levi's all day. Also, Spencer went on a couple of rides that he "swore" he would never go on. He finally tried them and found out that he really liked them. There were still a couple of rides he refused to go on. But that's OK. There is always next year.

In the past, we usually go to the Ft. Worth Zoo. However, this year, we decided to go with some cousins to a place called Fossil Rim. Basically, you slowly drive and look at all of the animals. Along the way, you have a bag of food that you get to feed the animals. There are zebras, giraffes, ostrich, and a bunch of exotic deer/animals. It takes a couple of hours to drive through and the kids really enjoyed feeding the animals out of their hands. We stopped in the middle of the drive for a picnic, petting zoo, and souvenirs. It was a lot of money, but well worth the experience and the memories.

Here are just a couple of more pictures from the Stockyards. I love the one where it looks like the Cowboy is patting Gavin on the head. Also, isn't Emily a pretty girl when she isn't covered with dirt and/or snakes?

Gavin has such a fun personality. He is usually the center of all the fun and likes being the life of the party. He is such a fun kid.

Well, that is the last of the "Texas" post. Until, next time. Love you all!

----Allison

Family Vacation in Texas

Yes, I realize that we have been back for over a week now, but really, it takes a while to get back into the swing of things. As soon as we returned home, Tim hit the ground running and I only had a couple of days to get things in order before I had to do my 2 weekend shifts. I am still behind but I am not complaining. We had a wonderful time and it was well worth the drive (and speeding ticket). Anyway, we were all very excited to go and visit our family and to do some fun things along the way. I will have to break this up into 2 posts because we did so many fun things and I took way too many pictures. (These pictures are a little out of order, but you will get the idea).

We spent a lot of time just visiting and catching up. The kids were often found with their cousins and the adults passed time talking and playing cards. One day Tim and his brother Matt took all of the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese while "The Girls" went and got pampered. I didn't get any pictures of it, but Betty treated herself, my 2 sisters-in-law, and I to our first facials. They were heavenly. A few of us even got henna tattoos on our feet by the Indian woman in the salon. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.

We also did a lot of eating on this trip. Ethan surprised us by finding an appetite. He was eating everything and loving it! He didn't even throw up ONCE on this trip. I don't have an official weight but I am sure that he gained some. Even if he didn't, it was fun seeing him enjoy his food.

Spencer found a girlfriend while in Texas. Isn't she cute!

We spent a day in the Stockyards with cousins Sarah and Ashley. We did a lot of shopping, eating ice cream, finding our way through the wood maze, and taking pictures, of course.

The first night we arrived, Betty had arranged a birthday party for Ethan, Emily, and their cousin Tyson. As you can see, Ethan really enjoyed his Sponge Bob cake.

Emily was in heaven once she learned that there were snakes in the backyard. She would sneak around for hours looking under rocks. She actually found several baby snakes while we were there. These little things don't bother me, but I am very glad she didn't find their mama!

On our drive down to Texas, we stayed in Amarillo. The kids had remembered going to The Big Texan on a previous trip and wanted to go again. We didn't spare any expense and even let them get the "souvenir" boot drinks. But after the bill came, I think Tim and I decided that next time, we won't be stopping in Amarillo.

This pretty glass ball was mysteriously broken a few days after we arrived. I am not sure, but I think I may know who couldn't keep their hands off of it.

Now, as you can see in the above pictures that I am married to a very handsome man. However, EVERY TIME I would try to take a picture of him and I together, THIS is what I would get. I even told him that these were going on the blog and to give me a good one. Do you think it worked? Obviously, not.

Assuming I can get all my work done, in the next day or so, there will be more to come from Texas!

---Allison

All About Emily

Miss Emily recently turned 8. She was very excited because this was the first year that she got to have a friend birthday party. The party she chose was very unique and as you can see in the pictures, there were no princesses to be found. Instead of pink dresses and frills she instead invited lizards, snakes, scorpions, and tarantulas. It definitely fit her spunky personality and the kids all had a blast.

Also, with turning 8, Emily chose to be baptized. She was very excited to receive her own set of scriptures. Emily is definitely one of a kind and I love her with all of my heart.

A Letter for Ethan

Dear Ethan,

I can't believe that 2 years have already gone by. I have to admit, when I first found out I was pregnant, not only was I surprised, but I was scared. I didn't have enough faith in myself to believe I could raise another child. I was quickly humbled when I realized that both you and the Lord had enough faith in me to send me this great blessing.

I went to bed last night thinking back to when I went into labor. I remember the excitement, the anticipation. I stayed up all night enduring labor pains and anxiously waited for your arrival. I didn't want an epidural or pain medications, and because of this you came on your own schedule and didn't want to wait for the doctor to come. Luckily my nurse was very competent and did a good job in helping me deliver you. When they finally handed you to me, all I could do was cry. I remember being so excited to see you and to finally meet the little guy who came, against the odds, to join our family. You looked so healthy and strong. I instantly realized how blessed I had just become. We had no idea that anything was wrong.

When I woke up this morning, I took a few minutes to just watch you sleep. I was thinking, "in just a few minutes you will have been born". It's hard for me to put my feelings about your birth day into words. It was quite simply one of the most blessed and devastating days of my life. My heart was both lifted and broken on that day.

It was not long after you were born, you and I were finally alone in my room. I was very tired and so we took a nap together with you lying on my chest. It may sound silly, but that nap has haunted me. I cried about it for months. You see, after we got news of your diagnosis, things happened so fast. You were intubated, and then life flighted to PCMC.

We were never alone after that. There were always people around. I couldn't comfort you. I couldn't hold you anymore and I didn't know if I would ever get to hold you again. My heart ached to wonder if you even knew that I was your mother. I couldn't stand that I threw away the only moment of "normal" that we would ever share together. I sat at your bedside and wished over and over again, that I didn't take that nap. I wished I had taken the time to just hold you. To feel your warmth. To smell you. To memorize your small features. To etch your soul into mine. To simply appreciate and love everything that you were. I felt that I had wasted precious time that I would never get back.

As hard as it was, it was a lesson I needed to learn. Ever since then, I've tried to live without regrets. You've taught me to live in the moment and to appreciate all of those little things that sometimes go unnoticed.

At the time, my mommy heart was shattered. I wasn't sure if I would ever get the chance to raise you. I felt so cheated. I didn't understand why God didn't just leave well enough alone. Why didn't He just let me be happy with my other 3 children. Why would He go out of his way to send you to me only to take you away? It seemed so cruel.

Since then, I've come to a conclusion. He didn't take you away, because I think, God knows how much I need you. He knows I am too weak to do this without you. He knows that you have too much to teach me, and that takes time. So far, He has blessed our family with 2 wonderful and amazing years with you. He has blessed you with good heath, a strong spirit, a wonderful medical team, and a family who loves you and would do anything in our power to make you happy and healthy.

Although I will be forever grateful for the time we've had, I have to admit, it still scares me when I think about how long we might really have. Please don't misunderstand, I KNOW that families are forever. I KNOW that you will always be mine. But that's not enough. Not yet. I need to see you grow, to ride a bike, and learn to read. I need to hold you on your birthdays, your good days, and your bad days. I want to comfort you when a girl first breaks your already broken heart. I want to see your school programs and see you play with your friends. I need to kiss your skinned knees. I want to teach you to drive and to see you graduate.

I guess what it comes down to is, I want to be your mother for a very long time.

Ethan, you continue to make me a better person. I needed you when I didn't even know it. I am grateful everyday that the Lord sent you to me. My broken mommy heart heals everyday with the joy that you bring to it.

I hope you will always know, and feel, how very deeply you are loved. One cannot measure the amount of pure joy you bring into my life.

On your birthday, my humble and simple prayer, is that we are able to celebrate many, many, many more........together.

Happy birthday baby!

Love,
Mom

Emily's Birthday Dinner

We decided that we would let Emily choose where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. She had never been to the Texas Roadhouse and wanted to try it out. When the servers came with the saddle for her to sit on, Emily tried to put on an embarrassed face (as see above). But if any of you know Emily, not only was she NOT embarrassed, she was absolutely LOVIN' the attention (as seen below).

Kids Will Be Kids

Gavin decided that while I was trying to get a nap in before I had to work yesterday, that the new spring fashion includes the mustache.

Then, while I was at work for only a few minutes, I received a phone call from Tim which started with, "Guess where I'm at right now"? This of course never follows with good news and this time was no exception. The answer was "Insta Care".

This is what he does when you ask him if he has and owie. Even right now, he is sitting on my lap, pointing at his picture, and saying "Ow"? "Ow"?

For as active as he is now, surprisingly these are his first "accidental" stitches. Of course, he already has many scars from is past surgeries, so really, what's one more?

---Allison

Have You Been Worried?

Well, no need to worry. Everything is going really well. The kids started back to school last week from being off track. We did a couple of fun things while they were out of school. We went bowling once and also spent an afternoon at the zoo. The problem is, the weather is still cold and Ethan still can't go out due to RSV season. It really limits what we are able to do. Anyway, we are really looking forward to some warmer weather. I realize that it has been WAY too long since my last post, so to try and make up for it, I've posted some cute pictures. Enjoy!

Now, please don't look too closely at my mess. The point is just to show you that Ethan is following in Gavin's footsteps and is becoming a little monkey. He is climbing everywhere now and getting into lots of trouble. Just last week, he tried to climb the corner shelf in our sitting room and pulled it over on top of himself. The potted plant on the shelf shattered and dirt was everywhere. Ethan was screaming and hopefully scared himself enough that he won't try that again.

Ethan and Annie love to wrestle and play together. This was just taken this morning. Annie and Ethan are good little friends. Although Ethan still isn't really talking yet, I think "Annie" is the clearest word that he currently says.

He is such a cute little guy. He really has a special place in our family.

Spencer and Gavin had a family birthday party on Sunday. It was right in between each of their birthdays. They both had fun but I had a hard time getting a cute picture of Gavin. He had been waiting ALL day for his guests to arrive and could not wait for them all to get here so he could open his presents. Each time I tried to get a cute picture he was either too busy opening presents to look at the camera or simply just not interested in having his picture taken.

Spencer turned 12 this year. Instead of presents, he just asked for money. Every time he would open a card, the words "Oh yeah!" would come out of his mouth. He is trying to save up for an XBox and I think he will be almost halfway there after this.

The weather has been cold and snowy, but there have been a couple mild days in the mix. On one of these days Tim took the kids to a park to play to get them out of the house while I rested for work.

So, there you have it. A cold day at the park. I really will try and do better at keeping this blog updated. I've been feeling guilty about not blogging or taking as many pictures lately, so this will be a good goal for myself.

On a side note, my niece, Addison is having her open heart surgery to correct her AV canal defect tomorrow. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

---Allison