Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Happy Birthday Kristen

9 years ago today a miraculous event occurred in our life. The little girl we had been waiting to meet for nine months was finally born and placed into our arms. She was so sweet and precious and we were all absolutely enamored with her. Even the nurses were immediately taken by her. She was the only little girl in the nursery that day and they really spoiled her. They brushed her hair into one little curl on the top of her head and placed a tiny little bow in it. It was so cute, I left it there for a few days.

I am holding here only a few moments after she was born.



Here are the three men in her life, both of her grandpas and her daddy, doting on her already.



Here she is the day we brought her home from the hospital, bow and all.

Country Cool

Kristen insisted on wearing her new American Girl western outfit to church Sunday morning. She and Emily make the most beautiful cowgirls, don't you think?



Reliving A Good Memory Part 2

Day two of Kristen's weekend long birthday celebration meant a trip to her grandparent's for dinner and birthday cake. She decided that she wanted an ice cream cake. I made an easy ice cream cake by layering ice cream sandwiches, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, hot fudge sauce and pecans. It was a little bit messy, but oh so delicious! I let the girls decorate it with candy hearts, sprinkles and pastel m&m's.

With our hands full of dishes bearing birthday cake, potato salad and rolls we made the short trip across the street to John and Janie's. We were greeted by the smell of delicious grilled ribs. John had worked his magic once again and dinner was perfect. This is one birthday tradition that I hope Kristen keeps alive.



Friday, March 27, 2009

Reliving A Good Memory Part 1

Kristen enjoyed her 8th birthday celebration so much that she wanted to relive it all for her 9th, right down to the tiniest detail. Just like last year, Kali came to stay a few days with us, starting with Thursday night.

I bought them both cute and comfy pajamas which they put on after a long soak in a bubble bath. I braided their hair so that it would be wavy the next day, kissed them goodnight and put them to bed. I'm sure their dreams were filled with all things pink and girly in anticipation of what the next day held for them.


Sunday, March 22, 2009

Trent's Trip To the ER

Tyler has been to the ER twice, once when a liquid-filled toy burst in his eye and once when he tore open his arm climbing a barbed wire fence. We were lucky the first time. The toy was non toxic and other than giving us all a good scare, no harm was done. The hospital didn't even charge us for that visit. The second time required stitches and a Tetanus shot.

A little more than a year ago, Kristen made her ER trip when she broke her arm. After meeting with the Orthopedic Surgeon, it was decided that she would need to be sedated while he set the bone, with the possibility of surgery. Once in the operating room, the Dr. decided that she did indeed need a metal plate to stabilize the bone in her arm.

Maybe Trent felt left out or maybe it was just his turn. I don't know, but I sure hope we never have to see the inside of an ER again. I don't know how my parents raised 5 kids, all of whom played sports, ran around town, played on the Railroad tracks, climbed and played in the train cars, jumped on trampolines, and did all manner of things, without one serious injury. Not one! I told mom today that her grandchildren are making up for it. lol

The kids love to play on the hammock. I know that sometimes they swing on it and play in it in ways that were never intended. Yesterday they were playing outside and swinging in hammock when Trent fell out. He landed, stomach down, catching himself with his hands. Apparently, his left arm took the brunt of the fall.

He came in the house and laid down on his bed. I wasn't even aware that he had been hurt for a while. He finally decided that the pain wasn't going away anytime soon, and came and found me. He was crying, sobbing. I'm not the type to panic and Trent is very dramatic, so we took the wait and see approach. His arm wasn't swollen, it didn't look or feel strange, he could wiggle his fingers and make a fist. But, he was in pain and he was scared.

I felt sick. I was cold, clammy, nauseated, dizzy. It was an uncontrollable reaction that took sensible me completely by surprise. I don't know why it affected me that way, I guess after the experience with Kristen, I knew how bad it could be. That and the fact that Trent was so upset and in so much pain.

I gave Trent some pain medication, put his arm on ice and laid him in his bed. He dozed off after a little bit and I went and took a nap myself. I felt better when I woke up and it seemed that I was thinking straight again. His arm still wasn't swollen and he wasn't in any pain. So, we decided we would wait and see how he felt in the morning.

He woke up crying at about 3:15 a.m. I gave him more medicine, more ice and we both went back to sleep. Kristen and Tyler went to Sunday School with their grandparents and Justin and I took Trent to the ER.

I warned him how much waiting would be involved. Waiting to be admitted, waiting on the nurse, then waiting on the Xray, then waiting on the Dr, then waiting on the nurse again. All in all it wasn't too bad. We were there for right at two hours.

The Dr. showed us the Xray and said that he has a Torus fracture, also known as a buckle fracture. It is common in children and usually in the forearm. His arm is in a splint that he has to wear for a few days before they put a cast on.

He's not in any pain now and for that I'm thankful. I've also had time to reflect and think about how fortunate I am that I've only dealt with broken bones and cuts. Things that don't really have long term affects and aren't life threatening. I have a lot to be thankful for. What if Trent had fallen on his neck or head? As aggravating as it is to deal with a broken arm, I'll take it and without complaint.

Here's a picture of the little invalid, looking rather proud of himself. 




Saturday, March 14, 2009

Something To Blog About

I know I've neglected this blog terribly, it's just so hard to find the time to sit down and post. It's not everyday that I have something to brag about, so I've made the time today.

I'm a guest designer for The Daily Scrapper this month and am featured in the current issue. There is a two page interview with a samples of my digital layouts. I feel so honored to be working with these talented ladies this month, and to have the opportunity to share in their fabulous work.

Here's a little tease for you. Be sure and click the link below to read the entire interview, from there you can navigate the rest of the newspaper.  Which I highly recommend, if you have the time.