Way Back When-esday: Memories

"A strange thing is memory, and hope; one looks backward, and the other forward; one is of today, the other of tomorrow. Memory is history recorded in our brain, memory is a painter, it paints pictures of the past and of the day."

~Anna Mary Robertson Moses

January 29, 2006
Boo and Grandad with their great grandson, Dakota

This weekend holds memories...Friday is the anniversary of Grandad's passing. He is truly missed. But the memories we hold in our hearts and the tangible ones in pictures will get us through until we see him again in Heaven.

I realize Dakota was young when Grandad passed. Dakota had just celebrated his 3rd birthday. Dakota was standing behind me while I was loading these pictures and he asked me who that man was. It saddens me to think that he doesn't remember such a special person as Grandad. So...it's up to myself, Jed, and the rest of the family to help Dakota remember his Grandad.

Living in a Bubble

Reading books and playing...waiting on the Dr.

Too bad...my kids can't really live in a bubble. It would be fantastic for cold and flu season. Well, anyways, My kids are considered well....well enough for their dental surgery on Thursday. Dakota is completely over his sickness. Lily is over it, too...but has a bit of residual in her chest. (that is what the dr said). The Dr wants me to beat on her chest to help break up the leftover junk in her chest...also, to let her blow bubbles in her drinks with a straw. It will help break up that stuff, too.

Dakota and Lily with Dr. Waldrop

Yesterday's visit to the Dr was bittersweet for us. It is the last time that we will see the kids' Dr. She is moving away. Dr. Waldrop was the kids' pediatrician since they were born. She was there with us for Dakota and his colic and gazillion ear infections. And with Lily through her hospitalization for Failure To Thrive, RSV, and Ventricular Septal Defect. Needless to say, we saw a lot of the Dr during Lily's first few months. We even asked about just getting a room at her office.
Now, on to find another good Doctor.

Makes My Monday: Fever free Family

...so...I was sitting here trying to think of what to post...I need to post something. It has been since Thursday and nothing. The kids have been sick....wonderful walking pneumonia. Dakota is back to his usual self...The antibiotics seemed to work wonders for him. For Lily though...she is a bit behind. She couldn't keep her antibiotics down the first night...but she is now done with her antibiotics...and fever free!! woohoo! (that's a Monday maker)

Yesterday, we went and voted...early voting. I didn't know that they had voting on Sunday..but that's fine. I wanted to do the early voting anyway..and get it out of the way. Dakota asked on the way there..."Where are we going?" and I said, "To Vote." And he says, "What?" I reply with.."To Vote. We are telling them who we want to tell us what to do." (the first thing that came to my mind..lol) Then Grandma says that he might use that on us one day..when we tell him something to do...he will be "wait, let's vote on that."

Jed and I (thanks to Grandma) got an evening out with friends. We went bowling with 2 other couples...had lots of fun. I found out I am out of shape when it comes to bowling. But still had a good time.

And here are some pictures of the up times since Thursday with the kids...This was after Kota was fever free and before the fever happened with Miss Lily.

Linking up with Cheryl at Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday

Fevers and coughing

Sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, fever, best-sleep-you-got-with-a-cold-medicine...Yes, sickness has hit again...but we aren't sleeping like we have NyQuil in our systems. The kids have the sniffling, coughing, fever, and ear aches.

Dakota's coughing started last weekend...and we thought he was getting better, but he has had watery eyes, and a runny nose this week. And then Wednesday, he started crying about the "monkeys in his ears"....which is a sure sign of an ear infection. (Kota had really bad ear infections during the first year of his life...resulting in tubes)

Well, I took the kids to the Dr today...and both are now being treated for walking pneumonia. The Dr said that Dakota's ear infection was one associated with walking pneumonia. And Lily is just a few days behind on all the symptoms that Dakota had. I am hoping that hers don't result in an ear infection as well. So, both kids are sick...and both are on antibiotics.

Lilyann resting today

Dakota resting with his monkey

I am hoping that both kids will be 100% better after this round of antibiotics. It is a 3 day dose...and Monday they have a follow up appointment. If they are all better, the Dr will sign off on their pre-op physicals. The physical is to make sure that the kids are in good health for their dental surgery on Thursday the 25Th.

I am praying that the kids' health improves...and also looking for bubbles...maybe then, I can keep the kiddos healthy and sick free?!?

Makes My Monday: FaMiLy

~Jed and I~

What Makes my Monday??

Today, I am doing laundry...laundry from the snow weekend, and from Dakota's being sick.

recap of our snowdays

We all LOVED the snow...it was just what we all needed...to change up every day life. After the 1st day, Kota started getting a cough..and by Friday evening, he was throwing up. Lots of Sprite and Gatorade for Kota man. Saturday, he seemed a bit better. We went to Boo's house for Dinner on Saturday evening...Yummy Spaghetti. Lily was quite the talker that night...I should have videotaped that evening.

Sunday was a Sunday for us...Sunday School, church, and then lunch. Grandma came over and brought the necessary items for Strawberry shortcake. That is one dish that I have not had in a really long time. My mom used to have that for dessert after Sunday dinner...and it's been awhile since I have had Sunday dinner with my mom. (only 5 more months..and I will be having Sunday dinner with my parents!! woohoo!!)

But to get back to what makes my Monday...no, it's not laundry...it's Family.

Playing along with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday

Only in East Texas

I am still in shock! I can't believe that the weather man was actually right. They have told us time and time again that we would get snow..and we get a few flakes...and it's done.

Well, we had quite the Winter Wonderland at our house. Check this out!

Daddy and Kota having a snowball fight last night...the snow was still coming down.

And this lovely picture WAS supposed to be Lily and I in the snow...but Kota threw a snowball in my face just as Jed snapped the picture. Our Snow day Kodak Moment!

our front yard...this morning (2-12-10)

our street

our backyard...quite the Winter Wonderland!!

Lily finally picked up some snow...she wasn't too fond of it yesterday..and still not really fond of it today.

Kota making a snow angel today

We got about 6 inches of snow. The most we have had in a LONG time...according to the weather man...it's been 10 years since we've had a snow just like this one.

Our East Texas Snow Day

It's been awhile since our last snow day here in East Texas....The last time it REALLY snowed (that I remember) was February 14, 2004...the Valentine's Day before Jed and I got married. That was the day that I made my first snow angel.

It has sputtered some snow here and there since then...one more time I remember is March 7, 2008. It snowed...and stuck for just a short while...enough to show up in pictures.

Kota in the backyard running to his swingset~~2008

Kota and Lily...their 1st snow day..March 7, 2008

Well, today....February 11, 2010....It has snowed again!! and it's still snowing. The kids and I went outside and played in the snow...Now, that Kota is older...He knows what to do with accumulated snow...he throws it!!

Kota jumping on the snow on the trampoline

Kota man ATTACKS!!!

Lily was a recipient

WBW: Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital Heart Defects effect about 35, 000 babies each year.
What is a congenital heart defect? CHD’s are structural problems with the heart present at birth. They result when a mishap occurs during heart development soon after conception and often before the mother is aware she is pregnant. Defects range in severity from simple to problems, such as “holes” between chambers of the heart, to very severe malformations, such as complete absence of one or more chambers or valves.

Lily's congenital heart defect was a Ventricular Septal Defect. A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a defect in the septum between the right and left ventricle. The septum is a wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides. Septal defects are sometimes called a “hole” in the heart. It’s the most common congenital heart defect in the newborn; it’s less common in older children and adults because some VSDs close on their own.

The above is a diagram of a heart with a VSD

~February 24, 2008~
Lily's hospital stay for Failure to Thrive

~March 4th, 2008~
Lily is home with her NG tube

Lily's did not close on it's own. It was effecting her growth and development. Due to her VSD, Lilyann was put on an NG tube (nasogastric). This tube was inserted through her nose, past her throat and down into her stomach. It was the only way at the time that Lilyann would receive the nutrition that she needed to survive. It took all of her energy to just stay awake throughout the day. Her VSD was medium to large; and it effected her breathing. Her body was working overtime to keep up. She was burning calories faster than she could take them in. Lily had to have open heart surgery to repair her VSD.
The above is a diagram of a heart with the VSD repaired


Lilyann is now heart healthy. But sharing her story is helping to spread awareness. You can spread awareness, too. Donate to a cause that supports CHD families and research.

• Little Hearts
• Saving Little Hearts
  
• Chloe Duyck Memorial Fund

Lilyann~February 2010

Linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday

The Puzzle man

A picture of my super duper puzzle put-ter together!!

Here's Dakota with the 2 puzzles he put together yesterday....during our rainy day.

He was so proud!

National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week

February 7th-14th is ♥Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week♥.

Amazing Little Hearts
~our CHD support group~

Congenital Heart Defect Facts:

• One in every 85 babies will be born with a congenital heart defect.
• According to the March of Dimes, congenital heart defects are the #1 birth defect.
• In the US alone, over 25,000 babies are born each year with a congenital heart defect.
• At least one-half million children in the US have some form of cardiac problem.
• There are approximately one million people alive with congenital heart defects today.
• For every dollar provided by the national medical funding arm of the American government, the National Institute of Health, only one penny is provided for pediatric research and only a portion of that penny goes to support research on heart defects.
• According to the March of Dimes, in most cases scientists do not know what causes hearts to be developed abnormally.
• There are 35 known congenital heart defects.

14-16% born with CHD have Ventricular Septal Defects--> Lilyann's Defect
Below are pictures of Lily ... then and now.

Lilyann is a CHD Survivor

then.... and now

My Little Cookie monster

Makes My Monday: Pile of Leaves

Lilyann...early Saturday morning...and this look was even after a few donuts!

Lily...standing behind the pile of leaves...it was a BIG one!

Kota jumping in the pile of leaves...he had so much fun!!

This past weekend while it was snowing on the east coast....Here in Texas, we had beautiful weather...sometimes a bit overcast...but nonetheless, it was nice. Saturday morning...was a planned day to rake the yard and take down the Christmas lights. Yes! we still have a Christmas lights up...and we finally took them down the weekend before Valentine's Day....but hey! at least they are down.

I never realized how much raking can use all the different muscles in your body. By evening time, I was one sore momma. Ouch! Kota had fun jumping in the pile of leaves...Lily, not so much.

Our Saturday was a quiet one....we were home bodies this weekend.

Donuts, yard work, Movies, grilling out, and then a quick visit at Grandma's..where Dakota practiced his puzzle skills. He has really become a great puzzle putter together.

Makes My Monday....remembering the time spent with Family.

Visit Cheryl at Twinfatuation for more Makes My Monday posts.

quiet times

I popped out my blog playlist...listening to the relaxing music.

I am on Jed's laptop...a bit different than my massive desktop. Lily is napping. Dakota is watching Tom and Jerry cartoons. All is calm and quiet.

You can hear the rain drizzling off the house and the dryer running...not to mention, the relaxing piano music...and faint sounds of cartoons from the living room.

I am doing a system restore on the desktop. I "thought" that I needed to upgrade my browser Firefox...no! I didn't. It loaded and made the computer run oh-so-much slower...and loaded about 4 more toolbars...definitely confusing.

So, the picture above is one of the few pictures that Jed has on his laptop. It a picture of our family. Taken last year....when we to West Texas.

A post of thoughts from the last few days

It's Wednesday...but no way back when for me....this week.

Monday night, Jed took all of the pictures off our computer and put them on a portable hard drive. The computer runs oh-so-much faster!! I love it.


Today, started out early. The kids crawling into bed with me to watch cartoons.

Lily finally slept more than 3 hours....which let me sleep a bit longer. THANK GOD!

I have been so exhausted lately....and that doesn't help when the kids want to bicker. I don't know how my mom did it with 8 kids. I am losing my mind with just 2.

But hey! that's life...and I know myself and my siblings used to bicker...no wonder Mom always said, " Y'all are getting on my last nerve."

I am hoping that this too shall pass. That the kids will start sleeping better and cut back on the bickering.

One highlight to the last few days...was last night. My favorite TV show, LOST, is back on. It is the Final Season, but hey! that means they have to answer all the questions that has us all "LOST".

I did get a few pictures of the kids outside yesterday afternoon. It was a nice afternoon...and I let the kids take full advantage of getting out of my hair.

Dakota....the infamous stump picture

Lilyann...finally smiling

Makes My Monday: Kiddos and Coffee

Kota man

Miss Lilyann

My kiddos and Coffee...Make My Monday.

Today is definitely a pajama day. I just want to crawl back under the covers and sleep the day away. But the kids...no, they won't allow that.

Lily seems to be back to normal...after her being sick over the weekend. Her and Kota are playing the Scooby Doo plug n play right now. Well, she is watching Kota play.

This weekend was a calm one (minus the sick part). Jed and I met up with a friend and went fishing....the only things we caught Saturday morning were fishing lines, stumps, and fishing poles. It was a freezing 31 degrees while we were out fishing...and I could have sworn that I saw snow flurries while out there.

Me...I was freezing cold!!!

After our fishing trip, Jed and Kota went with Grandma to the RV, Boat, and Camping Show. Lily and I stayed home and napped.



Sunday consisted of Lily and myself at home from church. Lily had been running a fever after throwing up and didn't sleep but a few winks on Saturday night, so I opted to keep her home. I thought for sure...she would take a morning nap...but no! she was up and going. She followed me all over the house while I did laundry, folded clothes, and worked on getting lunch ready for when the guys got home from church. And even after all of that, she was still wide awake.

Lily finally crashed last night around 6 pm....which made for an early Monday morning today.

I am already on cup #2 of coffee. Hopefully, the caffeine will kick in soon.

Linking up with Cheryl at Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday.