Monday, July 28, 2008

A Day at the Lake House.




Gregg's mom Judy owns a "cabin" on Lake Louise. The "cabin" is a small house with a beautiful view of the lake. We enjoyed playing cards, swimming, frog hunting, and relaxing. It is not far from our house but its nice to "feel" like your getting away.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Just too cute!

Emma is just too cute! She is sporting her new Jammies and her new found love of Hot Chocolate from Starbucks. Just like her Mommy.

Visiting Grandma

Ok so we went and visited Grandma "Oma". This picture doesn't show her very well, but she was more concerned about the babies smiling then getting herself in the pictures. Hopefully Ill get some better pics.

A Photograher is Born.

Madison bought her first camera today. It is digital and has a screen, just like mommy and daddy's. She was clicking pics all day today. She also had a program on the computer for her to put disney stuff on the photo. She is thrilled! Ill post some of her pics on a later blogg.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Baca!


My dad's birthday was July 14th. We spent Saturday July 12th with him at Everson Days. Emma got to be in the parade with my mom and Jayden. They were advertising her Preschool. It was a glorious day. We then went to the park to check out all the booths. We BBQ at my parents house.


My dad cherishes his grandkids and his kids. He is always there to talk to. I enjoy our lunch dates. For the first two years of Madison's life my dad made it a point to see her EVERY day. He is always willing to stop by and read the grandkids a story or snuggle them when they are sick. He will just stop by to push Emma "higher" on the swing and let us know what he heard on the radio that day. He loves to hear what you think, and likes to talk about world events. He had unconditional love for everyone in his family. He has supported me and my brother through thick and thin. He has taken on the role of mentor, father figure, and grandpa to those who do not have one or have lost one. He is raising his grandson. He works hard but ALWAYS is willing to chat or tell you his latest joke. No matter what he will come when you call. He loves Jesus and loves to serve.


My dad is an amazing person everyone should get to know him!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Happy Birthday Grandma Pinkie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!
You would think with as much fun as we had that we would be drinking something, but NOPE this is just who we are. One nutty family. I know you wanted to use this as your christmas card photo but I need to keep the memory.
You've been a great support and a loving Grandma to my girls.
Here is to MANY more years of laughs and love.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Memories and Moments......

This time of year always brings me mixed emotions. Gregg and I have spent more time in the hospital during this time of the year, then watching fireworks. Our first year of dating Gregg ended up in the hospital with severe dehydration (too much softball in the sun). Year two (first year of marriage) I had liver issues and a miscarriage. Year three (second year of marriage) I was hospitalized for a week (in Seattle) and then our precious Madison came. She was 1 pound 6 oz and 27 weeks gestation. There were three years of oxygen, confinement to our house to ensure our precious child did not get sick, 4-5 appointments a week (Dr, OT, PT, Speech, Play Therapy), Gregg changing jobs three times, and I was working full-time. It was a blur of learning, tears, blessings, friends, family, and joy. Year six, ah some breathing room, ( I thought). Little Emma came along after a week of hospitalization (around my birthday). She came in at 2 pounds 6 ounces. Again we faced hospitalization in Seattle and another child on the road of prematurity. This time Emma was much stronger and the road was much easier. I say "easier" as it did not hold as many life threatening events and two less months of hospitalization for Emma.
So this time of year makes me think and ponder what is in store for my life, what have I learned, what am I learning, and what do I need to learn. What have I learned? What it truly means to have a mother's love (still reminded and learning), to really appreciate the moms I have in my life, miracles still happen today, you can still feel Gods arms around you when you are in the pit, I am actually a very calm person in a crisis, to thank God every time I hear a baby cry (I did not get to hear Madison for over three months), love the small moments, to verbally ask for help, and that Gregg is the husband God gave me. The big one is don't dwell on the small stuff. I remind myself of the day that we had to choose to take Madison off life support and what was important that day to me. I then look at the situation I am facing....is it worth the time to dwell on it?, does it matter?, learn the lesson and move on, God gives you what you can handle (you can handle alot with God), and forgive and forget (really truly forget). Oh and sometimes the trials in your life are not for you to learn something sometimes God is teaching others around you.
So as I ponder all of this every year around this time I thank God that I have the family and friends that he has given me. Also to my mom who has made it a point to make a special "birthday" day for me of shopping or pampering the past few years and to Sasha who always plans something out of the ordinary and fantabulous for me. Some people may say...."hey, your 34, birthdays are not that big of a deal"..... But these people have ensured that it is a big deal and have blessed me.

Maddy turns 7!





The birthdays parties continue for July. July 6th we went to Jump Around Fun Zone in Bellingham. Basically it has four huge bouncy house things, party rooms, and games. It was a total blast. Madison had 18 guests! Usually birthdays are over the holiday weekend so noone is able to come but EVERYONE came. It was so wonderful to have ALL my sisters and thier families here, my parents (who have never experienced a party like this before), Dennis and Sayra (Gregg's Dad and stepmom), Judy (Gregg's mom), and Gregg and Kristina (Gregg's sister and Bro in law). To have so much family is such a blessing. The kids played in the bouncy houses for an hour and half. They were tired and sweaty but loved it! Adults could only go in if they accompanied someone three or under so Emma suddenly had some adult friends. Madison chose to have a Pink Poodle in Paris Party, which is cute because she kept calling it her Pluto party. Madison was so excited to play and see all her Kindergaten friends and her cousins. She loved her party hats. She is such a joy because she gets excited about the little things. She also loves to give and loved handing out her party gifts to her guests. She personally designed her own birthday cake and helped me organize the party. I see a little Martha Stewart in our midst. All week she has been telling Gregg and I "Um, I'm seven now so I don't need to hold your hand", "Um, seven year olds order their own food". She has come so far. She is a fighter, a caretaker, snuggly, concerned about others, crafter, accepting of others with differences, and a joy. I stand amazed at what God has instore for her life. She truely is God's child, Gregg and I just have the amazing oportunity to raise her.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

My Birthday!!!!






I had a fabulous birthday. My friends met us at the horse races. It was amazing we were so close and got to see the horses (I think Sasha was expecting a Pretty Women moment LOL). We then headed out to Bahama Breeze for dinner. We got free tickets to the Mariners and a bunch of us headed out to see them play. I was entertained by the fact that Ichiro was in front of us and they kept having to clear the walkway because people kept taking pictures of his back ..... so we took one of his back too. My hubby got on TV trying to dive for a homerun ball. Overall it was a fun day, as I look back on it it was more of guys day but oh well it was fun.

Happy 4th of July





We celebrated the 4th of July with the Broduers, thier neighbors, and my parents. Gregg put on a fireworks show for all of us. (go honey) It was fun to eat hotdogs, hangout, and watch the kids play.

Papa Tony Turns 50......


Papa Tony turned 50 on July 3. We celebrated by going to a Japanese Restraunt who cooked our food in front of us. It was fun and much need celebration after being in the hospital the night before and all day that day.

Grandma Rees

On July 2 I recieved a call from my sisters, in Mt Vernon, letting me I better get down there Grandma was in the hospital and not expected to make it through the night. I rushed down expecting to say my goodbyes and support the family. I have not been a continues part of this family, and really have only started to get to know everyone again over the past year. Grandma is originally from Germany. She is a German/Jew. Living in Germany during Hitler, a single mom way back then, and then marrying a US soldier (who was not really a knight in shinning armor). She has raised nine kids (lost one to brain cancer) and fought cancer. She is a fighter. I have been blessed to get to know her later on in her life. She has been diagnosed with a second brain tumor. She got to go home a week later. She will need alot of support over the next few months. I was lucky enough to also spend time and teach my neices how to play UNO while in the hospital waiting room.




Madison kept telling us what cards she had, Izz had to draw alot of cards, and Liv is just so stinkin cute.