Mailbox full of love

For the past two weeks our mailbox and front porch have been filled with gifts, cards, and well wishes.  My father-in-law started a card chain from Florida and we have received cards from all over.  Each day I would bring up the latest batch of cards and show and read them to Madeline; and each day it would put a smile on her face.  Often times she would respond to me by telling me the cards were to help me be brave.  In her 4 year old way she understood what the cards and well wishes meant.  As her mother I found comfort in them as well.  Looking at her hospital room wall filled with cards let me know that there were hundreds of people who didn't know me or Madeline but cared and loved us the same.  With the cards, prayers, and well wishes I knew I could go on as long as it took, and I know that it gave the same encouragement to Madeline to keep on enduring.  Thanks to our friends from all over for your kindness and for thinking of our family.  Our plans our to take all the cards and create a scrapbook so that years from now Madeline can look back at all the people that thought of her and sent her butterfly kisses to cheer her up and help make her recovery a little easier.

Madeline went in on June 2nd for her last heart surgery.  The surgery was a success and in the words of the doctor it was uneventful.  Recovery went well too and 10 days later we were home.  The neat thing for me to see when I saw Madeline for the first time were here fingers and toes.  It may seem weird, but Madeline has always had purple fingers and toes due to circulation and lack of oxygen.  Now that Madeline is 92% oxygen she is pinker and her toes and fingers are now pink.  We are so happy to be able to put this behind us and to know that we will not have anymore heart surgeries.  Madeline is recovering well at home and is pretty much back to her normal self.  I enjoyed the time I had to spend with Madeline in the hospital, and in the evenings when we were together as a family.  We even had a celebration party for Madeline to celebrate her last heart surgery and the fact that she was so brave.  

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Spencer in the Month of May

Spencer's big event for the month of May was his birthday.  On Mother's Day Spencer turned two, and he didn't even know it.  We kept things simple, went and got his pictures taken and 

he didn't cry-wouldn't smile for the picture lady but would smile for me, but the big thing is he didn't cry that is progress.  Afterwards we took him to the toy store to pick out a gift.  He was more interested in the singing and dancing Elmo that Mommy was not going to buy so while he was playing Mommy went and picked out a gift with a more reasonable price tag that does not require batteries.  Afterwards all the kids played on the bikes at the toy store.  We had outdoor plans, but mother nature got in the way, but Spencer was content with what we did.

On his actual birthday we had cake.  I put individual cakes in ice cream bowls and baked them in the bowls and when they were cooked they came out like individual pies.  The kids were able to decorate their own cake and then enjoy it, and the best part was I didn't have any cake leftover to try to finish up.  Spencer sure enjoyed his cake unlike last year when he didn't want anything to do with his cake.  While we were singing Happy Birthday to Spencer he was screaming because he could see his cake and he wanted it, but Mommy and Daddy were keeping it from him for a silly birthday song.

That was about Spencer's month.  He was a good sport tagging along to all of Madeline's doctors appointments that she had, as well as tagging along to all of Anthony's events.  He behaved himself quite well and sat through the awards ceremonies without making a peep-believe me I am shocked!!!

Update on Madeline

On May 1st Madeline had her scheduled heart cath.  We weren't surprised when the doctor said that the numbers were okay to move ahead with her heart surgery.  I was able to schedule her heart surgery right away for the June 2nd.  I wanted her to be able to finish the rest of the year out and have it soon enough that by the time her birthday rolls around on June 23rd that she would hopefully being feeling well enough to enjoy her day.  During her routine recovery stay at the hospital Madeline developed a fever of 102 range.  Well the doctors and nurses were scrambling to figure out where the fever was coming from.  To be safe Madeline stayed an extra night.  They were able to determine that the fever had nothing to do with her heart cath.  While taking Madeline to the restroom, I noticed that her urine smelled bad like it usually does when she has an Urinary Tract Infection.  I told the nurse practitioner and she was tested for an UTI and the results came back just as I had predicted.  After a few days of being on antibiotics Madeline's fever disappeared and she was just fine.  Madeline does have an unique talent of developing fevers for no apparent reason.  Meaning there are no outside indicators of what is causing her fever.  She gets sluggish during the spike of her fever, we give her medicine, the fever goes away and Madeline is just fine and dandy until the fever comes back.  The fever will last for three days and she usually repeats this pattern about once month Only Madeline can pull off a mystery like this.

Next in Madeline's eventful month of May was field day.  Madeline's class did not participate in the schools field day, but her teachers did have some fun outdoor games and activities for the kids' to play with in a separate area.  I was able to go and watch and help out with Madeline's field day experience.

Madeline was award her second gator great award at school this year, making three total since she started attending school.  I was able to go with Madeline to her gator great breakfast award ceremony and enjoy a cinnamon roll and milk with her.  Way to go Madeline!

At the end of the month Madeline was able to go to "The Purple People" party.  It wasn't because she drank some purple juice and turned people, but instead she completed the reading bingo black out game at school.  The librarian put together a bingo sheet for each color of the rainbow with different subjects/ideas for the kids to find books on and read about.  The object was to fill out each bingo sheet (Bingo blackout), the kids would receive a charm for that color and those that completed them all were invited to an specially party just for them held at a huge play place for kids (that have money) to got to after school.  Madeline sure had fun with her dad playing on and enjoying all the activities they had there.  Good job Madeline!

Update on Anthony

On May 4, Anthony had is first grade music program at school.  The boys were to dress like weeds and the girls were to dress like flowers.  Anthony went as a dandelion weed.

On May 8, Anthony participated in his field day.  Daddy was able to take off from work and watch and participate with Anthony in his field day, Anthony was pretty excited to spend the time with his daddy.

On May 21, Anthony graduate from being a Tiger Scout to a Wolf Scout.  He was pretty excited to be getting his awards.  We joined late in the season and so Anthony had a matter of a few weeks to get his bobcat and tiger award.  Anthony charged in at full speed and we accomplished all his requirements, and now he is ready to get started working on his wolf- sounds like we will have some fun summer activities.

On May 22, Anthony had is award ceremony for first grade.  Each child read what they liked most about first grade and along with that each child was awards at T.Q. (Top Quality child) award where the teacher listed why that specific child was considered a Top Quality child. Anthony's teacher wrote that Anthony has a thirst for learning everything around him and has knowledge beyond his years.  Anthony also was awards for having straight A's all year long! Way to go Anthony, Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you!

On May 23, Anthony had is first piano recital.  He played three songs.  "How Firm a Foundation" and "Christ the Lord is risen Today" from the simplify hymnal and a duet with his daddy for "When the Saints go Marching in."  Anthony definitely rocked the house.  Good job

Anthony!!

I am a Weed

Mother Nature's version of a weed

Mine version of a dandelion weed

For Anthony's first grade play at school, the girls were to be dressed as flowers and the boys as weeds.  I scratched my head for a minute and then looked out my window to look at my weeds and saw a lovely dandelion weed and that is what we made.  I think it is a pretty good rendition of a weed.  I didn't want to spend the money to find green pants or make green pants when he had brown ones, so the pants represent the roots or the dirt.  We are looking forward to seeing Anthony in action.

Take me out to the Ballpark!

Anthony's den participated in Scout night with the Texas Rangers.  The plan was for Anthony and Grant to go to the Rangers game, but after Madeline's heart cath she developed a fever while she was in the hospital (it turned out to be an UTI) and so they kept her one more night in the hospital.  This left Grant with Spencer and Anthony and so being the brave father that he is, Grant took both kids to the baseball game.  Well the weather wasn't exactly behaving and the parade was canceled due to rain.  Prior to the game all the scouts were allowed to go out onto the field and play around and enjoy themselves.  

Grant bought a big bucket of popcorn as a way to help entertain Spencer and it work!  Because of the rain there were not many people that came to the game, which made it easier for Grant taking a two year old to a baseball game.  

Anthony enjoyed himself, Spencer behaved and watched the game and ate his popcorn, Grant survived taking two kids to a baseball game and cubscout service project that morning, and Madeline and mom had a quiet weekend away from the boys.  All-in-all everything went great!

How Firm A Foundation

My Little Tiger

We recently signed Anthony up for Cub Scouts.  Anthony is excited to be a cub scout and so far has enjoyed a trip to Cabellas, Texas Rangers Game, and a canned food service project.  In a matter of three weeks (that is all we had until the end of the pack's calendar year) Anthony has finished requirements for his Bobcat and Tiger.  At the end of this month he will receive his awards.  

Easter Clothes

I had a goal to make Easter outfits for the whole family this year.  Never having made more than pajamas this was a good challenge for me, but knowing me when I have my mind made up I go for it and don't stop until I have reached my goal.  Because it took me three tries for my skirt (need to take a picture of it) and three tries for Madeline's dress (long story don't wish to share), I ran out of time in making ties for the boys' and Grant; but found matching ties that worked just fine. Madeline looked simply adorable, like a true princess that she is.  I have to admit I was proud of myself when I put the dress on and it fit!  Thanks to my friend Jeanette for helping me and teaching me and letting me use her serger (when I am out of debt there will be a nice serger like hers will be sitting in my house).

Spencer does not like to have his picture taken.  He sees the camera he screams.

Easter Week

This year I wanted to have Easter be more meaningful to the children as well as have the spirit of Easter with us all week long.  So for each night this past week we took a picture from the gospel art kit and talked about the days leading up to the resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.  Each night we had a treat and activity that went along with the picture we talked about.  I got my ideas from Sugardoodle.net.  On Easter Sunday we ended our week long celebration with showing a picture of the empty tomb.  The best part was we each took turns bearing our testimony of the Savior.  As a mother I enjoyed hearing my children bear their testimony of the Savior.  It was a great way to end a very special week.  I think this will be a tradition for our family.  

On Monday we talked about and discussed the picture of when the Savior entered Jerusalem.  As part of our activity we made a "Love one Another" board and hung it up on the wall.  For the rest of the week we could write messages of love and appreciation to one another.  On Sunday (today) we read the various notes.  The spirit was so strong in our house as I read the notes out loud.  You could feel the love and appreciation our children have for us and we have for them.  I will never forget their smiles on their face as I read notes about each one of them.  We then had an Easter egg hunt that described the meaning of Easter using each letter in the word "EASTER."  A great way to describe Easter to Madeline.  I can e-mail anyone my week long activities if interested.

On Tuesday we talked about the Savior washing the Apostles feet and service.  I used ice cream to demonstrate service.  I showed the kids a big scoop of ice and a little scoop of ice cream and asked which one they would like the big one or the little one.  Of course the answer was the big one.  Well do we want to serve a little bit or a whole lot, and then of course we all got to enjoy a bowl of ice cream.

On Wednesday we talked about the atonement.  I got a heart and laminated it.  We talked about mistakes that we could make and for every mistake we talked about we put a black mark on our heart.  Using a washcloth I showed the kids how the atonement is like the washcloth and when we repent our Savior wipes our bad choices away and our hearts our clean again.  We then enjoyed sugar cookies in the form of heart shapes.

On Thursday we talked about we talked about the betrayl of Jesus.  We then discussed what it means to be a friend and we played a friendship matching game.

On Friday we talked about the crucifixion.  I had Grant talk to the kids about what the crucifixion and resurrection mean to him in regards to his father's death.

On Saturday we talked about the tomb and we made Easter cookies (which you can find on Sugardoodle.net)

On Sunday we talked about the resurrection and made resurrection cookies (which you can also find on Sugardoodle.net under e topics for Easter).

Anthony summed it up perfectly when he said this was the best Easter and the best day ever!

A Camping We Go!!

The kids and Grant had Good Friday off so after school on Thursday we headed out for Lake Ray Roberts State Park in Denton for two nights of camping.  The weather was great and the company was perfect.  We enjoyed fishing together, biking together, hiking, cooking smores, and playing along side a man made beach throwing rocks in the water.  It was a lot of fun and a great break from everything.

April Fools

April fools in our house started off with breakfast.  Before Anthony came to the table I put a few drops of food coloring at the bottom of his cereal bowl, covered the food coloring with cereal so he could not see the food coloring, and then pour milk in.  Everything looked normal, but as he started to eat his milk starts changing colors, he had a confused look on his face trying to figure out how his milk went from white to green.  He thought it was pretty funny.  Spencer could care less what color his milk was, he was just happy to be eating.

Need a drink?  This was by far the best April fool's joke.  I made jello ahead of time and put it in drink cups with a straw.  At dinner time I put out their cups with what they thought was a drink.  Spencer was having fun being able to have a cup without a lid.  Anthony seeing a messy situation was trying to get the cup away from Spencer and Spencer was holding on to his prize possession.  Madeline started to take a stab at her drink, but to her dismay she could not get her drink to come up.  Meanwhile Spencer is trying with all his might to get his drink out of his straw.  Anthony skeptically looking on gives it a go and with a confused look on his face on why he cannot drink either.  It was classic.  The kids then got a real drink and enjoyed their Jell-O as a treat.  Meanwhile Spencer never gave up trying to get his "drink" to come up his straw.  

Got Sushi Anyone?