Fall Fun

I would like to first apologize for the enormous amount of photos in this post. It's what happens when you don't post for awhile. You do big posts in order to play catch-up. Regardless here are some of the fun things we did this fall.


Baked Halloween Cookies

Went up to Chicago and visited Brookfield Zoo and Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm (a place we enjoyed when we lived up there).

I loved this little guy and wanted to bring him home with us!

Two Kangaroos kissing at Goebberts.

We fed some animals.

Got up close and personal with some giraffe and even fed them carrots. Still at Goebbert's Pumpkin farm.

Rode a pony.

Measured our height.

Hung out with some celebrities like Shaggy.

Bumped into Dora the Explorer.

Saw some dinosaurs.

Dressed-up for Halloween.

Enjoyed Halloween treats that Aunt Kristin mailed.

Carved pumpkins...with Daddy's help.

We have definitely had some fun this past fall! Hope you did too!

Hmmm...

It's hard to believe that 2010 is just around the corner. Are we really almost a decade into the 2000's? I guess the answer is yes. The cliche, time flies, is now inserted. I know this time of year people are often reminiscing and reflecting on their lives and counting their blessings. I am no stranger to this. After my recent medical dramas I have spent A LOT of time counting my blessings.

With everything that went on leading up to my surgery my doctor could have come in that morning and said they would have to cut my legs off to fix me and I would have agreed. I was so frustrated and spent by that time that I just wanted it to be over. Unfortunately my doctor had been out of town and although the on call doctors were very nice, they didn't want to make any long-term decisions for me. While it was frustrating I understood. I love my doctor, we click really well and I trust him. With the other doctors I quietly questioned things but followed instructions, after all I didn't go to medical school. They just wanted to keep me stable until my doctor could be there.

We always knew we wanted 2 children and only 2 children. It's not to say that if something unexpected happened we wouldn't welcome another child, but if we had any say we wanted 2. We have been very blessed with 2 healthy children. I really never had any problems getting pregnant or maintaining the pregnancy. My pregnancies came with joy and minimal complications. I was very lucky. Seeing others going through infertility issues, and low progesterone, and many things that I never had to deal with I would almost feel guilty at how easy those things came for us.

Through recent events I have thought and thought about what if the above didn't happen? Brad's mom was 34 when she had Brad as the same age as my mom when she had my brother. Not an option for us. It's as if I grieved over something that never happened. I'm done having children and have been for 2 years. While things were happening I went through huge feelings of relief because children wasn't an issue. We knew we were done, that didn't have to play in our decisions, and for that I'm so thankful. But still after all was said and done and I came to terms with all that happened I went through a huge "what if" period.

It's so funny that when you become a parent you are filled with this intense love for your children and husband. More than anyone could ever know unless they are in that situation. You become a mother bear with constant watch and the protecting of your children a top priority. With this it was all magnified. Such a crazy thing. While my physical healing is almost complete I know my emotional and mental healing will continue to take some time. I'm Ok with that.

Each day becomes a little easier and as routines re-establish I know it will get better. Thank you God for my sweet family. I know all things happen for a reason and I know I'm blessed beyond anything I deserve. I'm thankful for the guardians above that I feel have aided in my protection.

God is good!

Ainsley Isabella

Happy 1/2 birthday Ainsley Isabella! I can't believe you are 2 1/2. In less than a year you will be 3, out of diapers completely and in pre-school. How is that even possible??? You have been such a blessing to our family. I couldn't pick a better final piece to our family's puzzle. You amaze me every day and there are so many things that I love about you.


* I love your laugh! Everything with you is about fun a laughing. When you laugh you laugh with everything you have!


* I love that you are a rough-houser. I know I don't always show my appreciation for this particular characteristic of yours but I love it all the same. You are a dare devil and when you want to take a risk you take it. This is something I hope you always hold on to!


* I love your little voice. While it assists you in getting out of trouble many a times, it also suits your small frame. Although it might be small it can certainly be mighty!

* I love that you love to snuggle. You are a cuddler and it's an activity that I cherish!

* I love seeing new things through you. Experiencing you at this age was different than Kaylee as with you, probably because with you at 2 I don't have a newborn. So it's as if this is a whole new age to me. You are always so excited by the new things and I love the enthusiasm you show.

*I love that you are always wanting to help. Doesn't matter the chore, generally you ask to help. I also enjoy when you don't you respond by saying "No stank you".

*I love that you are very relaxed and easy going. You are happy to be with others and you are content to go off and do your own thing. You have always been pretty happy go lucky, very go with the flow. I admire this about you as well.

*You are always ready for an adventure, whether it's a 4-wheel ride, playing outside, going for a walk, doing a craft project, etc. Whatever the activity you are ready to participate.

*I love how you love your big sister. I also enjoy that you are the one that picks on her much of the time. She needs someone to ruffle her feathers now and again, and I love that you like to do that.

*I love that 97% of the time you call me "Mama".

*You are a sweet, sweet girl. Your heart is big and your soul is soft and free. I look forward to watching you continue to grow and develop. I just ask that you stop doing this so fast! If you could slow it down a little your Mama would sure appreciate that!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of you.

You were born May 1, 2007 and weighed in at 6lbs 13oz and you were 19 inches long. I have all of your newborn photos on the computer downstairs and for some reason they are in a program that I can't seem to figure how to transfer to the laptop. So I'm starting with a photo from your 9 mos. photos. While your sister's looks changed a lot in the first couple years. You have pretty much stayed consistent. I love your beautiful brown eyes!

This is you the summer you turned 1. Again with those sweet, sweet eyes! This is from the same summer as above. This is one of my favorite photos of all time. You and your great-grandma Duffy. I think the photo says it all. No caption needed!

Again from the same summer. This photo shows just how happy and care-free you are!

This is another favorite activity of yours. Sitting in things that aren't meant to be sat in. Doesn't matter the size of the box in correlation to you. If it has an opening you'll try to sit in it. This was from last winter.This is a favorite for 2 reasons. One because of the way you are sitting. The other is because of the onesie you are wearing outside of your pj's. This was from last winter, you were around 19 mos. You were always taking your clothes off after I would put you to bed. Luckily I still have to check on you every night before I go to bed so I could re-dress you. This, however, made it so you couldn't get your clothes off! Not so fashionable but practical.This was this past Easter. You are 23 mos. here. You love flowers and to smell them. Thankfully it was nice and we were able to get out and smell some flowers.This was taken May 1, 2009, the day you turned 2. Although we had a joint princess party for you and Kaylee you still got your own cakes on your birthday. You love Elmo so it was a perfect cake to make for my sweet Baby A. From the look on your face I think you liked it too! Such a big girl in your big girl room! You were so excited and proud of your big girl bed that "Daddy built you", you still make comments about it even now.
An example of how you love to help. You helped to make some brownies by mixing, and washing the bowl by sampling and washing in the sink.

This past summer you started to enjoy fishing with Daddy at Mee-Maw and Paw-Paw's pond. You aren't big on holding the worms or the fish so Kaylee helps with that. You hamming it up on your rocking horse. You usually ride on him every night. Sometimes before I put you to bed and sometimes after I have left your room I can hear you on the horsey. You definitely have a lot to tell him!

This was taken early this past fall. One of the many dress-up times that go on in our house. You were quite proud of the ensemble you had picked out to wear and really wanted me to take your picture, and as usual you then asked to see it. I was glad I did because it turned out quite cute!

This is a more recent photo from the Schelle Christmas over Thanksgiving. Again so happy and a photo that just makes me smile!

Kaylee McKenna

Well since I'm somewhat behind in birthday posts we'll go for 1/2 birthday posts! Happy 1/2 birthday Kaylee McKenna! You are 4 1/2 years old. I can't even believe it!! You are 1/2 way to Kindergarten. I know that you are more than ready but your mom on the other hand will spend the next several months dragging her feet as much as she can. I still vividly remember the day I found out I was pregnant with you, the day I had you and even those first few months. I can think of an age and picture you at that age. I have enjoyed every minute of you, yes, even the challenging ones. You truly are my mini-me and for some of that I apologize, but for all of it I'm grateful! Here are some of the things I admire about you:

*Your incredible memory. I'm also thankful for this as you help me to remember things I soon forget.

*I love your passion for learning. You continue to amaze me daily with your vocabulary, your new found love of spelling as many things as you can and your ability to begin to read to me.

*Along with the above I love that you enjoy watching medical shows and other educational shows just because you want to know about everything.

*I love that through my recent medical issues you were such a grown-up girl and took care of Ainsley and that when I thanked you for it you rubbed my head and said "No problem, little buddy".

*The expressiveness in your face when you tell me things.

*Your love of infomercials, not the hour long ones, but the 1 minute commercials. I also love that you repeat them to me as an explanation as to why we should buy whatever they are selling.

*I love to hear you walk around singing, at the top of your lungs. Some times the song is familiar and some times it's a Kaylee original.

*I envy your willingness and enjoyment of looking for bugs and not hesitating to pick them up.

*Your willingness to always help others who need it.

*That you play with everyone regardless of who else is, or isn't, playing with them.

*While it's a battle at times I do get a kick out of your thoughtfulness to what you are going to wear.

*I so enjoy watching you continue to grow and change. You have a flare for the dramatic, High-maintenance Barbie, and a sensitive soul. I hope you continue to follow your own drum and your willingness to explore everything from arts, to dance to sports. I know you will find your niche and you will be unstoppable. I could never be prouder of you!!! Thanks for being my first-born!

Lastly, some of my favorite photos:

Kaylee McKenna

Born May 17, 2005
Here we are getting ready to go home.

5 months old, lovin her veggies!

9 Mos. old, love the eyes!

18 mos. old, just hanging out.

This was taken this year in Florida. We were at the zoo on a boat ride. Again with those eyes!

Playing outside this past spring. Love the hat, more proof of being my mini-me.

Princess Kaylee at her 4th Birthday party. Can you guess what the theme was?

The first day of the Montessori school year 2009.

Who would have thought?

Who would have thought that all it would take is a little blood loss, a little surgery and a little time off work to get me to catch up on my blog?HAHA! Well I must seize the opportunity as I'm hoping this type of opportunity, the whole medical part, doesn't come a long again. Enjoy the updates and have a great Thanksgiving!

St. Jude 2009

I have to admit that I'm so behind in my posting I had to double-check that I had not already blogged about this yet. So almost 2 1/2 mos. late here it is.


This year Brad and I participated in the St. Jude Bloomington to Peoria run. The difference this year from previous is that I ran. Yes, you read correctly I ran. I started "training" around the end of May. I would walk 1/2 mile and run 1/2, then built up run/walk 1 1/2 miles, 2 times a week. Finally one day as I was heading out I thought eventually you are going to have to start off running, so I did and ran a mile, and after many run/walk distances I was running 2 miles at a time pretty comfortably. I was O.K. with this because I knew that many of the run legs were 1.0 to 1.5 miles.


I'd hoped that once I began doing this on a regular basis I would really start to like running. I've heard many say that in the beginning it's hard but once you get used to it you start enjoying it. I can honestly say that didn't happen. There were a few times when I wasn't able to stick with my normal routine and felt guilty about that, but I can't say I was excited when it was time to go run again. However, St. Jude is a powerful and very motivating force and that organization is really what pushed me.


Race day came and I was excited. I thought maybe I would be nervous but I really wasn't. The weather was perfect for running, especially since it was the first Saturday in August. It was over-cast, and sprinkled a little that day, and unseasonably cool. I thought it was great! It is such an amazing experience and I highly recommend anyone try it. In fact next year some of us are thinking about starting another team. The more the merrier, right? So if you are interested keep it in mind. It's always the first Saturday in August. The great thing is you don't have to be an avid runner. There are so many people who only run this one day and some don't even train before. Obviously they are a little more sore over the next few days, but it can be done.


I was pretty proud of myself I did 10 miles over all, Brad did 22. I did 2 legs that were 2.1 miles, and the rest were 1.0 to 1.5 miles. Towards the end of the day my left hip joint and knee were hurting but that's what happens as you age and overuse your body in a way it's not use to.


I didn't get as many photos as last year, since I was running, but my mom took a few once we got to Peoria and were running into the civic center. I do want to say THANK YOU to everyone who donated, whether to our online account or by sending a check. The Bloomington-Normal teams raised a total of $210,000. We are up from last year which is amazing considering the economy this past year. It just goes to show how worthy of an organization this is. I think of it as one of the best places available that I hope I never have to use. For every person who donated you had a part in that grand total and you had a big part in assisting these families! We hope we can count on you again next year! The great thing about St. Jude is no amount is too small every little bit goes to a child to assist in the fight of their life! So again I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!


Here we are getting ready to run around the block and into the parking lot across from the Civic Center. They make us spread out here because a lot of teams arrive at the same time so it helps avoid a traffic jam.

Here we are getting closer to the corner that we turn onto to run into the parking lot. There are always a lot of people gathered, from all over, to cheer on all the teams.

My mom took these. After the teams come into the parking lot we all go to the baseball stadium, or Civic Center, and use the locker rooms to shower and get dressed in our matching shirts. Every town has a different shirt with a different color. Ours were red this year. As the teams run into the Civic Center through the people they are announced and their total amount raised is announced.

This is our team. I think Brad and I were in the middle of the pack somewhere. I would like to note that in this photo, the young girl who is in the middle, of the 2 women in front, is a cancer survivor. She and her dad ran last year as well. An inspiring story with thanks to St. Jude for their service!