June 30, 2009

Both Grandmas are convinced it's a headful of hair!.......ADORABLE

We are off to see the kids tomorrow! Mark and I and oh yes, the dog are headed out to see the kids. First stop will be Chris, Jill and Baby K. Now that Jill and I know that the color for fall is pink we will have a great time shopping in San Marcos on girls day while the guys take off on their sight seeing day. Not sure what they have have planned for their remainder of our weekend together but it really doesn't matter since our main focus is time with them. We will leave from there to head to Caitlin and Dustin's to see them and their new place. Caitlin is going to gain strength and is working to gain more endurance which is great. I know there is a hockey game to see along with an Air Force Museum and the mountains along with time getting see their surroundings. Maggie has never travelled so our adventure with her could be interesting but fun. Would love to spend more time in both places but summer is a tough time for Mark to be gone long especially this year as far behind as he is with all this rain and the school year is for me especially after last year and wanting to conserve what few days I have for this upcoming year. Things always have a way of working out and regardless we will be getting to see the kids and that is what is most important.

June 19, 2009

Day 150 - Wow, What happened to last week? I would have sworn I posted. I didn't feel well at all but that is no excuse. My leg gave me fits so I avoided doing much so that I didn't have to be on it. Chris and Jill keep me posted on pregnancy and baby. He called the other night. He can faintly feel the baby's kicks. He says Jill is convinced it is quite the kicker. I told him it is definately his child since the word kicking can still give me flashbacks of his internal kicking abilities. Caitlin and Dustin are busy in Tucson. Dustin is playing with a hockey group down there and Caitlin is working at getting back into shape, her dancing, music and schoolwork. When I do get a chance to talk to her they are always so busy which is a good thing. Had an early father's day dinner with dad last night and had a wonderful dinner with him. Dinner was wonderful and loved visiting with him. We visited about his travels and our upcoming plans. Other than the wonderful wet weather not much else is going on. Hopefully I will get back to posting more regularly. If you are someone who checks this I apologize for my forgetfulness.

June 8, 2009

Jill and Baby K at 18 weeks

Day 139 - Feel like it is halfway time. Jill is almost to the halfway point with baby K and doing well. I enjoy visiting with Christopher and getting his updates. Caitlin is just past the halfway point with this term of her college classes. My right leg is starting to feel somewhat tolerable about half of the time (for whatever reason it decided to have severe cramping starting Saturday morning and would not let up until today and if I don't try to be on it for more than a very short bit it is somewhat tolerable about half of the time). Caitlin flew home to Tucson on Friday. It was a long day for her making it exceptionally hard since she was also anxious to get home. Her friend, Amy, came with us to see her off and she was very patient and understanding of Caitlin's anxiousness to get back to Tucson. Her flight was delayed several hours getting into Tucson but from what little I heard from her I think she was very glad to be back. It continues to rain in just enough spurts to really frustrate Mark but eventually the rain will stop and we will start complaining about needing rain. Ahhh, it is beginning to hint at a normal life I think. Small blessings.

June 2, 2009

Caitlin's shirt that she wore to her doctor's appointment says "A Patched Heart is A Happy Heart...Thanks Dr. Lammoglia & Heartland Hospital"




Day 133 - We have had a wonderful 24 hours! Caitlin flew in yesterday afternoon and we met grandpa in Platte City for a delightful lunch. He told us about his trip floating down the Grand Canyon that he had just gotten back from. Today we headed back to Heartland Hospital and the cardio surgeon for Caitlin's one month post check and her heart check went great! Had a great visit with the doctor and his staff and got a great report as well. Followed that with a fantastic lunch with Ashtyn, Courtney and baby Cayden, then back to the hospital to see Joanie and Angel. Also got to Allison and her boys. From there we drove home and collapsed for a bit. Caitlin and Mark drove down to his folk in hopes of seeing them and delivering Caitlin's Father's Day gift to Grandpa Bill but missed them (they plan to try again) but did get to see all of Mike's girls at their house and deliver much overdue birthday wishes. Whew, it has been a great day but I for one am ready for bed! Anxious for tomorrow, a day of girly pampering then looking at wedding pictures together. We decided looking at them together rested would be a lot more fun.

May 26, 2009 Puppy & Wedding Pix

Day 126 - School is officially over for the kids. Work day tomorrow but they left with big smiles and excitement for summer. We had our daschund spayed and her "do claws" removed. She looks so sad but she bounced back quickly. Wedding pictures are now on line for anyone interested at http://flashesphotography.morephotos.com/mp_client/pictures.asp with a password of love. Caitlin is gaining strength each day and seems to be enjoying her new climate, life with Dustin and classes. She is so happy to have Dustin home and they are always off on one adventure or another. Chris and Jill are keeping busy in Austin with friends and pet sitting. They also had a great weekend. It sounds like Jill is also feeling better. My dad is rafting down the Grand Canyon this week. A trip he has taken a time or two in previous years but he loves it and each trip is a new adventure. I am anxious to hear his stories from his trip. Mark is dealing with the frustrations of the farm and rain but that seems to happen more springs than not.

May 20, 2009

Jill at 3 1/2 months. .............. I love her glow!

Day 120 - I always felt like growing up I had a very strong, intuitive connection to my mother and wanted the same thing for Caitlin and I. You watch them grow, guide them, love them and then let them go and hope for the best. Today for me wasn't a great day and for whatever strange reason my daughter must have felt that. I check my gmail once a day and as I was checking it today I discover Caitlin had forwarded me a song about parents and their children and butterflies. I click on the website and as I am watching "Butterfly Fly Away" Caitlin picks up the phone to call and say, "check your email." Intuitive connection, my hopes just rose. Caitlin seems to be doing so well and gaining each day. Her instruments arrived this week and for the first time in what seemed like forever (high school at least) she could play nonstop without getting winded or dizzy. She was so excited. Christopher is keeping me posted on Jill's pregnancy and it is so heartwarming to hear his excitement and I am thrilled he is sharing that excitement with me. According to Christopher Baby K is the size of an apple excluding its legs and will shy away from light if there were to place a flashlight on Jill's tummy. He forwarded a picture of her and she looks beautiful and happy. What started as a yuck day my children have helped turn around. The song Caitlin sent me is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yLwmRK24Qc

May 14, 2009

Day 114 - Pictures are posted at flashesphotography.com! The pictures truly show the miracle of what happened this winter and spring and the strength of everybody involved and the power of prayer. Teri did an outstanding job and right now speaking for myself I am overwhelmed looking at all the totally amazing pictures. I look at them, absorb them, go back and look at them again only to see pictures I don't remember seeing the first time. Feels like watching a movie again or rereading a book but better. I can't even express how wonderful it is to see the pictures - it is very much like it was to see Chris and Jill's pictures the first time. It is so fun and certainly helps when I get overwhelmed going through all the paperwork from this spring. Life is good! Caitlin and Dustin are going roller blading tonight. Jill is feeling better and fixing Chris supper (I do believe he is looking forward to it). I told him to enjoy it by fall he will be back to all the cooking again. Amazing how fast life can change.