Riley dying her eggs!
Waiting so patiently for the red to dissolve.
Ty and his two look-a-likes.
Emmersyn LOVES her brother!
Riley found LOTS of eggs!
Yes, that's chocolate dripping down her dress.
1 year ago
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Easter 2012
This year we spent Easter at home and didn't travel anywhere. Instead we had a get together at our house, after church, with a bunch of friends (Newton's, Koons' and Kammin's. They also happen to be neighbors!). After our get together we had an Easter egg hunt for the kids and we dyed easter eggs as well. The kids really enjoyed the egg hunt. Everytime Emmersyn would find an egg, she'd plop down on her bottom, open the egg and eat the candy. I kept trying to get her to put it in a bag, but it was hopeless.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Update
I realize my last post was over a month ago, and I promise I have good reason for slacking. I promised a certain few people that I'd try to update asap. The past 6 weeks have been interesting. I have been fairly sick with #4 but mostly extremely exhausted. When I say exhausted I mean Ty has been coming home for lunch from 11:30-12:30 and I nap then. The older kids nap from 1-3 and I nap then. Then Ty comes home from work at 5:15 and I literally go to bed the second he walks in the door and wake up the next morning STILL exhausted. I've never experienced such exhaustion (but I'm thankful that I haven't been nearly as sick with this one as I have been with the other three)!
Things are looking good I'm 12 weeks now and had my first prenatal visit last week. Baby looks good and we got to see him/her on the ultrasound which is always fun! Riley is SO excited to have another baby. She (of course) wants a sister, and has come up with many interesting names if it's a girl. However, if it's a boy she wants to name him Thomas (or Tom would be fine, too, according to her! Sorry, Riley, that will not be the name we choose.)
To be honest we really haven't done much the past 6 weeks because I just haven't had the energy to do anything. I've barely gotten my camera out to take pictures, but the kids are doing great. Ty is great, except that I wish his hair would grow quicker so he can cut it sooner!!! I try not to complain too much about it because he's growing it out for a great cause-Locks of Love-but it's driving me nuts :)!
My mom came to visit (of course, no pictures) last weekend for a day and a half and we're planning on going back to Michigan to spend time with Ty's family next weekend. My dad is doing great. He's just finished his 4th week of radiation in Chicago and is still feeling great, although a little fatigue and is losing his hair. He's had friends/coworkers/people from church offer to take him to Chicago EVERY single appointment that he's had. What a blessing it has been for him (he can't drive because of the surgery)! He is speaking really well but will continue with therapy more once radiation is over.
That's all for now. I'll try to update more often, it's just hard to find the time!
Things are looking good I'm 12 weeks now and had my first prenatal visit last week. Baby looks good and we got to see him/her on the ultrasound which is always fun! Riley is SO excited to have another baby. She (of course) wants a sister, and has come up with many interesting names if it's a girl. However, if it's a boy she wants to name him Thomas (or Tom would be fine, too, according to her! Sorry, Riley, that will not be the name we choose.)
Baby #4 at 11 weeks 1 day
Just after breakfast, still in jammies!
My mom came to visit (of course, no pictures) last weekend for a day and a half and we're planning on going back to Michigan to spend time with Ty's family next weekend. My dad is doing great. He's just finished his 4th week of radiation in Chicago and is still feeling great, although a little fatigue and is losing his hair. He's had friends/coworkers/people from church offer to take him to Chicago EVERY single appointment that he's had. What a blessing it has been for him (he can't drive because of the surgery)! He is speaking really well but will continue with therapy more once radiation is over.
That's all for now. I'll try to update more often, it's just hard to find the time!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Sisters!
Riley is such an amazing big sister, she really is. She's loving, kind and plays so nicely with Lincoln (and Emmersyn!). Riley and Lincoln hardly argue and Riley really loves taking care of Emmersyn. Lately they, she and Emmersyn, have been inseparable. Riley loves pushing Emmersyn in the stroller, reading her books, and anytime they are watching the tv, Emmersyn has to be sitting on her lap. Riley loves to help Emmersyn down the stairs (we call it booty-bouncing down the steps), even though Emmersyn is very capable. She helps her get dressed, get her shoes on, gets her sippys and sneaks her treats! I love watching them grow and play so well together, I am so grateful for the big sister Riley is!
E had fallen and gotten hurt. Riley ran right over there, set her on her lap, patted her back and kept saying "Oh, Emmersyn, it's okay...it's okay...."
Those were all the books they had gone through. My kids LOVE to read and Riley probably read to E for 30 minutes!
E had fallen and gotten hurt. Riley ran right over there, set her on her lap, patted her back and kept saying "Oh, Emmersyn, it's okay...it's okay...."
Those were all the books they had gone through. My kids LOVE to read and Riley probably read to E for 30 minutes!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Prayer Request Update
Because I feel my life is so busy right now and I just don't have 5 minutes to sit down and blog I'm stealing this (again!) from my sister's blog. Here's an update on my dad, more details than what I posted on Facebook:
My dad had brain surgery one week ago to remove his tumor. Good news is surgery was successful in that the surgeon feels he was able to remove the tumor(s). Not so good news is that the there were actually 3 tumors and the main one was much deeper than originally thought. That was all to mean that recovery would be more difficult and boy is that an understatement. My dad was having difficulty speaking (he comprehended but was having problem finding the words to speak) and also difficulty moving his right hand. The doctors were not concerned and said this would continue to improve. He would improve one day and then the next day have a set back. My dad had some significant swelling of his face/head and this caused a huge set back in his speach...to the point where he was unable to even say his name. Again he seemed to get a little better and then the next day got worse again. Jamie (my step-mom) called on Wed and told me that my dad was not doing well. He had just been taken down for a CT scan. About an hour later she called back and said they found a blood clot on the brain and that he was being taken down for emergency surgery. After a few very chaotic/scary/stressful hours for all of us, Corey, myself, Adelyn (who has RSV so had to stay in the lobby), Shelby, and Kolby were on our way down to Chicago to be with my dad. We arrived just as my dad was being taken to his recovery room. It was very difficult to see my dad like that....he was still very swollen and didn't look like himself and was unable to speak more than a word or two. I could tell by the look (and tears) in his eyes he was happy we were there. We stayed the night and the next day started to see some small improvements. By the time we left he was saying a few words and was even up moving around. Last night they found an infection at the incision site and so they changed around some of his antibiotics. Today my dad called and I was thrilled at how well he sounded. He even answered by saying something to effect of hi honey how are you. You have no idea how good that was to hear and what an improvement that was just from a day or two ago. They plan to keep him until tomorrow and then discharge him for therapy. Origianally it was going to be inpatient but b/c he is doing so well it may be outpatient.
It has been a roller coaster of emotions. Thankfully through the ups and downs God is constant and has remained our rock. Thank you for your prayers...they were needed and will continue to be needed.
My dad had brain surgery one week ago to remove his tumor. Good news is surgery was successful in that the surgeon feels he was able to remove the tumor(s). Not so good news is that the there were actually 3 tumors and the main one was much deeper than originally thought. That was all to mean that recovery would be more difficult and boy is that an understatement. My dad was having difficulty speaking (he comprehended but was having problem finding the words to speak) and also difficulty moving his right hand. The doctors were not concerned and said this would continue to improve. He would improve one day and then the next day have a set back. My dad had some significant swelling of his face/head and this caused a huge set back in his speach...to the point where he was unable to even say his name. Again he seemed to get a little better and then the next day got worse again. Jamie (my step-mom) called on Wed and told me that my dad was not doing well. He had just been taken down for a CT scan. About an hour later she called back and said they found a blood clot on the brain and that he was being taken down for emergency surgery. After a few very chaotic/scary/stressful hours for all of us, Corey, myself, Adelyn (who has RSV so had to stay in the lobby), Shelby, and Kolby were on our way down to Chicago to be with my dad. We arrived just as my dad was being taken to his recovery room. It was very difficult to see my dad like that....he was still very swollen and didn't look like himself and was unable to speak more than a word or two. I could tell by the look (and tears) in his eyes he was happy we were there. We stayed the night and the next day started to see some small improvements. By the time we left he was saying a few words and was even up moving around. Last night they found an infection at the incision site and so they changed around some of his antibiotics. Today my dad called and I was thrilled at how well he sounded. He even answered by saying something to effect of hi honey how are you. You have no idea how good that was to hear and what an improvement that was just from a day or two ago. They plan to keep him until tomorrow and then discharge him for therapy. Origianally it was going to be inpatient but b/c he is doing so well it may be outpatient.
It has been a roller coaster of emotions. Thankfully through the ups and downs God is constant and has remained our rock. Thank you for your prayers...they were needed and will continue to be needed.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Goodbye, Jonah!
At the beginning of the year Riley started asking to get a fish. I was hesitant, even though it was JUST a fish, because I just don't like "pets". I always say I have too many kids to take care of something else. Anyhow, Ty caved and got the kids a Beta (who R and L named Jonah) and I'm pretty sure I never fed the thing because I would always forget. To make a long story short, this past weekend we went back to Michigan to visit with my Dad and I completely forgot about Jonah! We got home on Sunday and as I was putting our things on the counter my eye caught a glimpse of a fish who had sunk to the bottom of the fish bowl. Oh no! I had completely forgotten about Jonah. He had been starved to death!
I wasn't sure if Riley would ask about him so I motioned to Ty to "take care" of the fish when he got in the house. But before Ty could finish unpacking the car, Riley hopped on the counter to check on Jonah. I got nervous about how she'd react to seeing her dead fish. She looked at the fish bowl, confused, and blurted out "Um...mom...what's wrong with Jonah?!" I told her that he had died over the weekend. She looked at me with concern and said "Well, at least he died with his eyes open!" and started giggling. What an optimistic child I have (she must have gotten that trait from her Daddy!). She wasn't upset at all until she accidently walked in on Ty flushing him down the toliet! Oh geez, she about lost it when she saw Daddy flushing "her best friend". She was devestated and said in a frustrated voice, "How is Jonah suppose to get to heaven when you flush him down the toliet...". Ha, we laughed and assured her that Jonah was in Heaven!
Just a funny story I had to post before I forgot about it!
I wasn't sure if Riley would ask about him so I motioned to Ty to "take care" of the fish when he got in the house. But before Ty could finish unpacking the car, Riley hopped on the counter to check on Jonah. I got nervous about how she'd react to seeing her dead fish. She looked at the fish bowl, confused, and blurted out "Um...mom...what's wrong with Jonah?!" I told her that he had died over the weekend. She looked at me with concern and said "Well, at least he died with his eyes open!" and started giggling. What an optimistic child I have (she must have gotten that trait from her Daddy!). She wasn't upset at all until she accidently walked in on Ty flushing him down the toliet! Oh geez, she about lost it when she saw Daddy flushing "her best friend". She was devestated and said in a frustrated voice, "How is Jonah suppose to get to heaven when you flush him down the toliet...". Ha, we laughed and assured her that Jonah was in Heaven!
Just a funny story I had to post before I forgot about it!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Prayer Request
Taken from mysister's blog, because she said it so well:
Some of you may remember that a little over a year ago (Sept 2010) my dad had brain surgery to remove a brain tumor that was found after he was having some cognitive symptoms. Well, this past week my dad was working out on the treadmill at home and he fell and got a concussion. He was taken to the local hospital where they were running some tests to see why he fell (they were thinking maybe it was his heart or a seizure but all the tests came back negative). They also did an MRI of his brain. Well, they said that the MRI looked abnormal so he was sent back to Northwestern (where he went for his initial surgery and is still followed by his neurosurgeon) to get the MRI read. Anyways, Thursday evening when he was driving home from his appointment he called and told me that his brain tumor has grown back. It is more aggressive this time as his MRI in July was clean and it is big enough to necessitate another brain surgery and probably radiation as well. It was a total shock to me (well, all of us). We knew that it could come back but I guess b/c my dad was doing so well and back to his old self I just didn't think it would (or atleast not this early). It's been hard news to take. He is scheduled for surgery on 2/24. We know God is in control and marvel at how God healed him before and know He can do it again. I have already seen God's hand at work....I mean I don't think it was an accident that he fell and needed to go to the hospital and have an MRI. It would have been months before his next routine MRI and the tumor would have been that much bigger. God is in control even though we don't always understand. I would appreciate your prayers for my dad--for healing and for peace for all of us as we trust God and that through this trial we would be able to be a testimony for Him!!!!
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