Heart Day

Today is another milestone for Kamalee.  One we like to celebrate, like a second birthday.  FIVE years ago, Kamalee had her open heart surgery.  Each year, we like to to celebrate her success and hope for yet another year of no heart concerns.  This year was no different. 

Five years ago, is kind of like a fog for me.  I was a new mom, with a six month old.  One that they told me had Down syndrome.  Oh, and two holes in her heart.  Psshh...piece of cake.   (So her heart doctor liked to tell me :)  Turns out, he ended of being my most favorite doctors.  And we have had our share of those.

But the day is kind of foggy.  For those that know me, you know I am emotional.  And I can cry at about anything.  But God had me in his hands that day.  More importantly, he had Kamalee.  Our surgeon was wonderful.  And I think I blocked reality out.  Because I didn't shed a tear until the strenuous and long week was done...and we were safely back home.

And five years later, we have a spunky and NON-loss of energy 5.5 year old!

Her Lunch!

Badge for school

Supper...her favorite, burger and fries!

 Pineapple hearts

  

Thumbs up to brownies

 Jayse loved 'em too!

iRUN4

Remember the organization I touched on in my last post?  

Well...we have our first 5K complete.

Thank you so much to Jeni and her daughter, Tyler.  

Today, they ran their first 5k (color run) for Kamalee.  Tyler had asked Kamalee what her favorite color and animal were.  To which she announced, "purple" and "elephant".  The elephant doesn't surprise me but I was most certain she would have chosen pink. :)

Tyler carried an elephant on the whole 3.1 mile run.  She got nice and colorful along with the other two.

I have been telling Justin about all this and he replies "cool, it is kind of like a modern day pen pal".  And it is.  It is pretty exciting checking out the new posts everyday.  And Kamalee is starting to recognize our new friends.  Because she had a therapist, in the past, named Jenny, she says Jeni pretty well.  Her version anyway.  And she is trying hard to say Tyler, too!

Check out the before and after pictures they sent...

 

If you want more info on the organization.... Check out the website here

iLOVE4

The past 2 weeks have been busy here, again.

Two weekends ago...

I led Justin on a scavenger hunt.  Which ended up with some friends showing up for a guys' weekend to celebrate the big three-oh birthday.  He won't actually turn 30 until April, but with busy weekends and to make it a real surprise, we did it now.  After throwing Randy's bash last year, I was instructed to "no party".  So, I settled to planning a "weekend" of guys.  Just some food and poker.  

I think they had fun.  The kids and I spent the night with Donna to let them enjoy weird boy humor.  Asking for pictures would have been too much.  I did want to hang his trail cam and get some randoms, without anyone knowing, but I wasn't sure where to look in the mess of unpacked boxes, still in the garage.  I guess I will just envision what craziness my house might have endured.

This weekend...

we had visitors!  

My sister and her kids, cousin and her daughter and my parents came to MN.  We hit some great deals at the outlets.  Went to Skyzone (sorry no pics).  And played at the house.

The were supposed to go home Monday, but decided to stay around another night when snow started coming down.  

Popcorn!

 Happy boy!

Jayse loved baby!

Playing in our 'snow storm'.

The other day, I signed Kamalee up for a new organization that was suggested to us.  It is called I Run 4.  (http://www.whoirun4.com/)  Runners are paired with individuals with disabilities and run for them.  Today...Kamalee was paired!  Her runner is Jeni.  You may hear us talk about her in the future.  We are so excited to have her run for Kamalee and to get to know her family.

Happy Sweet 16 to my firstborn niece, today, Chelsey!  We love you.  

 

Chels and Kam 2012

Small Accomplishments

Moments when my kids play together, understand each other and help each other are huge.  They are always noticed and praise worthy.  As most parents know, siblings don't always get along.  But for my kids, playing together doesn't come easy.  Honestly, for Kamalee, playing/interacting with other kids for long periods doesn't come easy at all.  Either she doesn't understand what they want, they don't understand what she wants or she becomes frustrated quickly because one of the 2 previous statements has happened.  This either results in some pushing and shoving or Kamalee going off into her own space and play land.

For some, this may be difficult to understand.  For others, you know exactly what I mean.

Kamalee loves kids.  But frustration sets in quickly when there is a communication barrier.  

(She gets that from me.  It sets in rather quickly with me too.)

So the next few moments in our life, are rejoicing and wonderful.  They are simple, non-praiseworthy moments...in most households.  For us, we strive for these moments.  And can't wait to share the simplicity of our everyday hard work!

Rosies

(A simple game, played together, with no instruction or help!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acy5oLDGh3I&list=FL_whdFty0gLV5KwCZtPrcAQ

Curtains

(Our Super Bowl entertainment...at least something was fun to watch!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GgAcdxL7DI&list=FL_whdFty0gLV5KwCZtPrcAQ

Clean up

(An unasked task and completed by two!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu8wlCq00yE&list=FL_whdFty0gLV5KwCZtPrcAQ

Kamalee has been working hard to play with Jayse, in a nice manner.  This is a difficult and emerging task.  She is also working hard on letters, writing and making words.  Hopefully we can show a progress video of that soon.  

We go for Kindergarten registration tomorrow.  We have been in "school" for almost 3 years now so this has been a long time coming.  But it still feels too soon!  It truly does pass by too quickly.  I have been hearing that song "You're Gonna Miss This" lately.  It really is a great reminder to cherish the moment you are in.  

We tend to wish our moments away.... 

"I can't wait for no more diapers."  "If only she could walk."  "I just wish she could do [it] herself."

And then...they can and they do.  And all of a sudden they are 6 and you can barely remember the moments when you watched her sleep as a baby, the moment she took that first step and all the nights you had to be up changing, feeding and consoling.  

Remember, (and just throwing some ideas out there) the next time you are screaming because you found poop all over the floor or there is crayon all over your couch or your brand new toilet paper holder is broken....you're gonna miss this.

#throwbackTUESday?

Cleaning up my phone.  Who knew how many photos and a whole LOT of crap fun stuff was on there?!

Over 1800 images and videos.  So, I won't share them all.  But here are some fun ones.

Christmas 2013 and Christmas Jammies

She had to get 3 shots and do blood draw.  SO not fun.  But she was a trooper and even gave a thumbs up to show dad her bandage.  But not quite ready for a smile.  :)

Good news...all blood work came back good!!!!

 

T&A Surgery last may...

 

barely pregnant...if that's possible.

About 12 weeks

 

 Little bigger....

Bigger yet...

 and HUGE pregnant...37 (or more) weeks

and he is finally here!

 

Some Throw backs!

Halloween 2012 - Milkman and Housewife

Milkman got me pregnant! :)

 

 

 RSV

 

 

 Storybook land

 

Hair cut!

 

Enjoying warm weather...boy I miss that!

 

 

Grandma Lorraine...Miss her too!

 

 Prom

 

 

 bumps and bruises :/

 

 

 

 

Princess Rocker

 

Who wears it better? :)

I have been busy with ideas/projects lately.  I stay busy all day, everyday with new things I want to do to my house.  I think the checkbook says I need to slow down though. :)  So I guess I am trying to pace myself now.  Working on cleaning and organizing in the next couple weeks.  Then, as a reward, I get to create some more!

It is finally starting to feel like a home in here.  Now if I could only find all of my decor and get started with what I have.  I can't even remember what I am missing, until I find another box with stuff.  With curtains on (almost) every window.  It fills in the open-ness and makes each room.  And...the kids love them.  Peek-a-boo behind the curtains has kept them entertained for hours in the past weeks.

 My handmade curtain...and curtain rod!

What Kamalee does when nobody is looking....it seems to be a recurrence!  :)

 I used to hate fridge locks...they look so tacky.  Now they are my best friend! :)  If you think they are ugly and wouldn't use in your house...let me send you Kami for a day!