Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Pictures...

The week so far in pictures....

KaeLee showing off her (only) teeth!  Poor girl is going to be passed up in number of teeth by her sister pretty soon!

We went to the park again on Sunday afternoon

Daddy was with us this time!

Don't let the brightness fool you....... it was pretty chilly!

I can wear my ring again!  It's been nearly 2 1/2 years since I have worn it last......!  Isn't it pretty!?!?!  I nearly forgot how beautiful it is!

Oh, and no, unfortunately it is NOT because I am back to 'pre-KaeLee' weight, it is only because I finally gave up on getting there and went and got it re-sized.  A sad day it was.  But now I feel SO much better being out in public with two kids! haha

Hannah is ready to leave for her photoshoot at Sears...

I wish she was this happy during the photoshoot!  She wasn't mad, but it took a lot of snapshots to get a smile like this!

Hannah is so proud of herself that she can feed herself now.... or so she thinks.  She gets so excited that the food flings off the spoon before it reaches her mouth!  Oh, how I don't look forward to this stage, knowing how much I hate a big mess!!  Good thing our new house had hardwoods in the dining room!  Definitely a stress relief for mama!

Hannah's new hang out spot..... underneath the entry table

KaeLee has successfully set up all her dollies (and Sid) and has got them all eating.... what a good little mommy!

What a share-er she is!  They love that they get to play with the mommy's old cell phone since I got a new blackberry! 




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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

150 Days of Praise

Thanks to Kelly, today I have began a journey of 150 days of praise with another (well, several) amazing woman!

This journey involves reading a psalm a day for the next 150 days and letting God speak to you through it.  I am super excited about this and would love it if you wanted to do this along with me. 

In other news:
  • Hannah got her pictures taken today and did great.  They turned out SO cute and I can't wait to get them back!  I was under the impression that they had next day pick up, but I won't get them back until the 11th.  Quite disappointing, but worth the wait, I believe!
  • KaeLee has perfected the art of tantrum-throwing.  I told my mom this last night but she didn't believe me.  Today, she realized I was not lying when she witnessed one (a small one) first hand when she did NOT want to put her coat on and leave the studio.  Welcome, year two. :)
  • I stopped to get a coffee on the way home from having pictures taken (well deserved after KaeLee's little performance!) and we pulled up to the window and KaeLee started saying "I want coffee! I want coffee!" haha.  I didn't think I got coffee THAT often...... but it was pretty funny.
  • Hannah has found a new favorite hangout place.  Underneath the entry table.  She thought it was SO cool hanging out there today with her water cup, balls, and other random toys. 
  • After 2 years, my wedding ring is back on my finger!  YAY!!  I forgot how shiny it is and how big it is! :)  I am definitely glad to have it back. Now all the little old ladies who oooh and awwwweee over the girls in the grocery store can rest in peace knowing that those pretty little babies were NOT born out of wedlock.... haha!
That's all for now.  I have more pictures to post soon.... :) Happy Tuesday!

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"For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
   but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."
Psalm 1:6 

Monday, February 21, 2011

What I Should Have Done....

I am now regretting not keeping a daily journal on everything about KaeLee.  Not that I would have ever done this or had time to do this, but today I wish I had that journal! 

Hannah has entered the stage of "If you think you are going to feed me, think again!  I am a big girl and can eat finger foods!"  Yes, she will not allow me to feed her.  She prefers foods she can just pick up and eat herself.  I remember this stage with KaeLee and I remember making lists of foods I could give her that she would be able to eat with no teeth, and still be able to pick up.  It was a tough list to come up with and I am pretty sure I spent hours online trying to find things to feed that child.  A variety, anyway.  And items of substance.  Urgh.  I just wish I would've written it all down with KaeLee. 

You would think, "oh, it's only been a year since KaeLee went through this....surely I would remember"!!!!  Yeah, I could only wish!

So if you are a new mommy, planning on having more (even if they are only a year apart....!) I would advise you to take good notes on the first child and you will save yourself a LOT of time! 


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Sunday, February 20, 2011

God DOES have a sense of humor

He sure likes to remind me that no matter how much of a control freak I try to be when it comes to "planning", he gets the last word in.  Funny, God.  He keeps me on my toes, that's for sure. 

So.........

as of now (nothing is permanent, I've come to accept...) we are going to move on March 6th and 7th.  Why, you may ask?  Well, the answer is quite an exciting one!

My cousin, Trish, who lives in SanFrancisco, had her baby yesterday!  YAY!!  Mckinley Grace.  I LOVE the name! (she wouldn't tell me until yesterday!)  She called me on Friday because she received the box of clothes and other odds and ends that I sent her.  We don't talk often enough on the phone.  We talked for nearly an hour and one thing I had asked her was what day SHE wanted baby to arrive and she said (of course) "ANY day! Well, except tonight because it's pretty nasty outside which means traffic would be bad and it would take forever to get the hospital."  So we said our goodbyes and hung up, promising to keep me updated on baby! 

Saturday morning, I checked my phone and saw that just 5 minutes ago, Trish had called me.  Darn it!  I missed it!  I also saw that I had a text from my mom saying that she was in the hospital dilated to a 4-5.  So I called her but no answer (not that I would have expected her to answer in the middle of contracting!) I left a message and she called me back a few minutes later.  Blaming me.  Yes, she blamed me for going into labor Friday night.  haha

You see, Trish and I talked the night that my water broke with KaeLee and we joked about her causing it since she had called me and we were talking about all the "nervousness" that birth brings.  This is what we were talking about Friday with her too.  haha.  So it's pretty funny how it worked out. 

It ended up that Trish had to have a c-section.  I am not sure of the details yet, but I know that she was able to kiss the baby before they took her to recovery.  So this is good since it means she was not put under, which means it was not an emergency c-section.  That put my heart at ease.  However, she was already hooked up to the epidural IV, so I guess it still could have been emergency.... hmmm.... okay, now I'm not at so much ease!

I know Trish was really nervous about the c-section possibility, but knew it was a possibility since she has been having pretty high blood pressure.  So I hope she is doing well.  My aunt and uncle left early Saturday morning to drive down there.  They hit traffic in Bend, Oregon that set them back an hour and a half at least, and my Aunt was pretty upset.  They were in Northern California when they got the call from Joseph (Trish's husband) about the birth.  I am not sure how much longer they had to go. 

Anyway, so all this leads up to why we are moving on the 6th and 7th..... because my mom and I have been planning to go down there for a bit to visit her and baby a few weeks after birth.  So we are thinking either the weekend of March 12th or 19th.  Which pushes our move back so that if we go on the 11th, we will have a couple days to get the majority of things unpacked and if we go on the 18th, we will be pretty much completely unpacked. 

So the first couple of weeks in March will be completely stressful with planning a birthday party (for 70 possible guests and a full dinner), packing, moving, unpacking, planning a trip to SF........

So, just an update.  I need to go hop in the shower now.  Shawn's grandparents are coming over in a couple hours..... I hope I get to post a picture of little miss Mckinley soon!  Have a great Sunday everyone!


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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Plan C.... or D... or E...?

I've lost track of what "plan number" we are on!  But it's written on the calender now, so it'd better not change!  haha. 

We are having the party here in good ole Moxee on the 5th.  Our last hurrah before saying goodbye to this house and this town......

We are moving the 11th and 12th. 

And KaeLee went pee in the big potty last night for the first time!  YAY KaeLee!  It's about time!  Hopefully this is a positive foreshadowing for what will happen in the next couple weeks.  She initiated all by herself yesterday and asked to sit on the potty a couple of times before bath time.  All she did was fart a few times.  Then, when she was in the tub, she kept saying "potty potty potty", but I have become skeptical of this, since she h as been doing this a lot lately while in the tub.  But I gave in and let her sit on the toilet.  And she WENT!  Whoo-Hoo! 

Anyway, I am headed off to town here in a minute to run some errands and drop off mom's book.  Here is a link to the book if anyone wants to see how cool it is! 
shawnandnikkicox.shutterfly.com

Talk to y'all soon!  I really need to get these invites out, but unfortunately, they probably won't get mailed until Thursday..... which would have been fine with the party on the 12th, but now it's on the 5th, so it's not too much notice..... oops.  Out of my control though.  Have a great Saturday



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Friday, February 18, 2011

A (cold) day at the park!

So we are not moving till mid-March at least.  Not sure why.  Apparently the house is empty and cleaned, but the owner is in Illinois and said mid-March.  Whatever.  I am just happy to know where Hannah's birthday party will be.  It will be here.  So I can now finish the invites. 

Hannah gets her one year pictures taken Tuesday morning.  Hopefully she will cooperate well.  We are trying Sears out for pictures.  I am hoping they do a good job! 

Yesterday the girls and I took a walk to the park for a bit.  Not too long at all since it LOOKED a lot warmer than it actually was.  We all had red noses by the time we got back home.  But the girls had fun.  The bark was pretty tough for Hannah to walk on, and she still has yet to master walking in shoes (but getting better!) so she stayed in the stroller or I carried her most of the time.  I can't wait for nice weather so we can make more trips there!  Both of the girls got to swing for a while and KaeLee was so proud of herself for being able to use the "big girl" swing!  She was so cute! 



Hannah's still not sure what to think about swinging

KaeLee loved it!

Both the girls swinging!

No plans for today.  Maybe we will go for a walk..... it LOOKS really nice out again!  haha..... we'll at least walk down to the mailbox. :)

Tomorrow we are going to Konner's basketball game and KaeLee won't stop talking about it.  haha.  She loves to go.  And Sunday, Grandma Loretta and Grandpa Ernie are coming over.  Shawn and his grandpa are going to go check out the sportsman show and grandma Loretta gets the pleasure of my company while they're there...... hehehe.  It should be fun.  The girls are very entertaining though, so we should have no problems in that department! 

And tomorrow morning I get to give mom her birthday gift finally!  It turned out pretty darn good I think!

That's it for now.  Not much.  I'm enjoying these long naps the girls are taking though!  It allows me to get some work done on the invites, do some party planning and search for a gift for little miss Hannah!  We are still undecided on what we are going to get her.  It's fun looking around though and searching! :)  If it's one thing I love, it's shoppinig for the girls! :)

Have a great weekend everyone!


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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Belated Valentine's Day!

"May you be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-to know the LOVE of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God," Eph. 3:18-19


Well, Happy Belated Valentine's Day!  The last few days around here have been nothing but FABULOUS!  (well, I'm sure I could find something to whine about if I wanted..... haha)

We have had a few showing in the last week of our house!  Exciting, but slightly annoying, since I have to clean and be all neat and tidy and whatever.  Yesterday, I got the call just after I put the girls down for their nap.  She wanted to show the house at 3:30.  Yikes.  I looked down at the card table I had pulled out and it was covered!  I had been trying to design and start making Hannah's birthday invitations so that I won't have to worry about it in the middle of our move.  I'd rather get them done now and just have to fill in the blanks about the details of the party.  (since we still have no idea when we get to move in! And Hannah's birthday being on the 9th, it's a toss up still of whether we will have the party here or there.  Argh.  Being the planner that I am, it's killing me! 

Anyway, back to my story......

SO the table was covered in paper, scraps of paper, scrapbooking supplies, embellishments, ribbon, paper flowers..... you name it.  Oh, and I was also starting the girls' Valentine's day surprise, so add to all that 100 little hearts, valentines crafts, spools of yarn, rolls of paper..... to sum it all up, it was a MESS!  haha.  I decided to just finish with my plan and they would just have to deal with a decorated dining room!  It was Valentine's Day, afterall! :)

So they came and looked at the house, valentine's day decor and all, and our realtor has not called us back yet, so I don't know how it went. 

Backing up to the weekend......

Saturday was not too eventful, we just hung out at home, I got to go into town and run a few errands, child free.  The best part was that I didn't have to put the girls down for a nap.  It was a nice break from motherly duties, rather than just going to town during their nap time. 

Sunday, we had another showing in the morning.  So we took the girls for a drive while they were here.  We went and got gas, dropped something off at my dad's house and then stopped to get coffees.  They were still here (!) when we got back, so we drove around the neighborhood a bit, checking out all the wind damage from the day before.  We saw lots of basketball hoops that had blown over, some broken, we saw at least one other BBQ grill that flipped over (yes!  Ours flipped over and it threw the propane tank out!)  That wind was crazy!  That night and the next morning, facebook was filled with status describing what broke and how their fence was now in the pool..... and all sorts of crazy stuff! There was a huge fire in White Swan that caused them to evacuate the entire town.  21 homes, I think, were burnt to the ground.  Sad.  One included my mom's cousin.  Shawn knows him through his work, as well.  How devastating to lose your entire home, your belonging, your memories, and in his case, his business, since he ran a business out of his home. 

Then Sunday afternoon, Shawn and I celebrated our Valentine's Day and dropped the girls off at my mom's and enjoyed a movie and dinner.  Something we haven't done in FORever!  It was nice.  Although I was quickly reminded of why going to the movies is not all that it's cracked up to be.  And I had remind Shawn of proper date etiquette that you do not play a game on your new blackberry when you are on a date with your wife! (it was before the movie startred)  His response: "We're on a date?" I could only roll my eyes.  (He's not going to like that I put that on here.... haha) We went and saw Just Go With It.  The movie with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.  I love both of them!  It was a great movie and quite funny! HOWEVER, I got the pleasure of sitting next to a group of what seemed like really nice, pleasant ladies.  The lady immediately next to me (it got pretty packed in there!) did not chomp on popcorn in my ear or slurp her drink.  The people behind us and all throughout the theatre took care of those pet peeves, however! haha.  I thought, "Yes! I got a good one to sit by!"  Then the movie started.....

EVERY song that came on during the movie, this lady would sing (loudly) along with it, clapping her hands and tapping (more like stomping) her feet to the beat.  Oh man.  Shawn looked at me and said "are you singing?"  Really, Shawn?  You think I would go to a movie theatre and sing along?!  haha.  She talked a lot to her girlfriends, laugh hysterically and over-the-top, clapping her hands at the same time.  Good heavens.  All I could think was "WOW".  Either this lady had a few drinks before the movie, or she just has a very loud personality!  I think it was the latter!

So I was put at ease with the thought that I originally was having: "Poor me, hardly ever gets to go to a movie at the THEATRE!"  Now I think: WHO CARES!!  I would rather watch a movie at home, in my recliner, with all you can eat, free, snacks, popcorn, junk food and pop!  With the ability to pause if I have to pee, rewind if I didn't hear something, and skip the previews and lame ads before the movie starts!  Oh, and save gas money, the cost to get in, the annoying teenagers on their phones, and be able to start the movie at whatever time is most convenient for us without the worry of it selling out!  haha. 

We went to dinner at the 2nd Street Grill.  The food was actually really good (other than the salad, but I'm a rather picky person and don't enjoy eating stems and leaves as my entire salad...... I'm a plain ole iceberg/romaine lettuce eater.)  The only thing that bothered me was that there was a table set up for 16 people next to us.  The couple slowly arrived throughout our entire time there.  The strange thing was that it seemed like no one knew each other.  They were all shaking hands and introducing themselves and their partner.  They were talking about simple things, like what they did for a living (no, I wasn't eavesdropping....... haha).  I could NOT figure it out for the life of me, how they were all connected.  I wanted so badly to ask them.  I left with no answers. :(  haha.  Other than those downsides, we had a great evening and enjoyed the break from the girls.  They, of course, had a blast at grandma and grandpa's house and didn't want to go home! 

Yesterday, Valentine's Day, I attempted to surprise the girls (and Shawn) by decorating the dining room with placemats, name tags, centerpiece, and wall decor.  I thought it looked mighty good, myself, and was pretty proud of myself for putting it together in just a few hours!  (during the girls' nap) That was, until I woke up this morning and read Chelsea's blog!  She sure is creative and she did the same sort of thing for her girls, but it just looked so much better.  More of what I had in my mind anyway.  Though, mine was last minute, so I had to make everything, since I could not run to the store during nap time. 

This is what my table/decor looked like:





And this is Chelsea's table! 


There are a thousand things I would love to do for my girls on this special day and can't wait for them to get older!  But after reading Chelsea's blog about Valentine's Day, she shared about her girls making TONS of valentines (there must have been at least a hundred!) and they took them to the nursing home and spent time visiting with all the residents!  Her pictures of it were SO sweet!  This would be a great idea of sharing love on Valentine's day! 

After nap, we all had lunch, and then since we had to get out of the house for the showing, we ran into Safeway to pick out some flowers (KaeLee loved to smell all the flowers and brought her baby along to smell them all too.... it was SUPER cute!) and then we stopped by my mom's work to drop them off and let her show her grandgirls off.  On the way there, KaeLee said "going to see Grandma!" and I said yup.  Then she said "and grandpa?" I said, no, not today.  Then she said "How about Konner?"  haha.  It was so cute.  She's really starting to talk in sentences now and it is just adorable.  Shawn's new favorite phrase of hers is "Oh man!" It is pretty cute.  Mine is after I sneeze.  She always says "Bless you mama!"  Even if I am downstairs and she is upstairs.  She runs to the balcony and shouts it out to me.  haha.  too cute. 

Updates on the girls:
Hannah is teething away and it is causing her to wake up several times a night (*sigh*).  It's most frustrating because, with KaeLee, at 7 months, we could just lay her in her crib to fall asleep and she would be good till morning.  With Hannah, we usually get to just lay her down, but she falls asleep right after her bottle while rocking her otherwise.  And then we are up with her a good 6 times (at least) at night.  She is either scratching and has pulled the socks off of her hands, she has lost her pacifier, or she loses her blankets and gets cold.  Her because her teeth hurt.  That one we can't really do a lot about at night.  We have tried the orajel, but I really don't think she likes it a whole lot.  I don't know what else to do for her.  I should try giving her tylenol right before bed, I guess.  During the day, she has her hands in her mouth (when she doesn't have a toy or a teether) and she has been biting her hand and then gets upset.  It's a trying time for all of us.  :)

She is starting to walk SO good!  Like she's a pro or something!  She is working on mastering walking with shoes, now, and doing pretty well at it!  She is still a shoe fanatic and likes to take her shoes off every time we get in the car.  And if you leave the laundry room door open the slightest bit, she will be on a dead run to get at all the shoes in there!  haha.  She is trying to talk and says a few words like uh-oh and dada.  I swear she says other things, but then I can't get her to say them again.  She is just still her happy self! 

KaeLee is growing fast!  As I said, she is starting to talk in complete sentences which is SO cute to listen to!  She is still a little bully to Hannah, but we are trying to work on her pushing.  It's so irritating because she knows she pushes her, she tells us she does, but she's happy and smiling and proud of herself that she pushed her.  URGH.  And she loves to hug and kiss Hannah, so I think she looks forward to that part after her time out when she has to go say she's sorry to her.  She jumps up and down after she says sorry to me and says "Hannah! Hannah!"  I say, "yes.  Go say you're sorry to Hannah!".  So she runs over there, gives her a great big hug, saying sorry hannah, sorry hannah, I love you.  And kisses her.  And she's just beaming the whole time.  It's frustrating.  We feel like we are doing everything we know how to to get her to stop, but it's not working!  There are definitely times that I want to call Supernanny!!  She could whip her into shape! Not much else going on with KaeLee.  She's big into talking on the phone lately.  It's cute to listen to. 

Oh yeah, and I have come to the conclusion that I do NOT have just TWO children.  I have gaining a third! (and I don't mean Shawn....haha)  I feed KaeLee and Hannah and then KaeLee goes to get her baby, puts her in the chair and buckles her and wants me to put the tray on, put a bib on her, help feed her, get her a napkin, help her down, help change her diaper, rock her to sleep, sing to her..... Ahhhhhhh!!!!  It's exhausting!  If we DID have a third child, I am confident that it would be a piece of cake, since I feel like I have 3 already anyway!  haha.

Well, that's it for my update!  A short one, I know (HA!)  Not much planned for this week (nothing, to be exact!).  Just hoping that someone puts an offer in on the house!  Anyway, enjoy the few pictures.  I should have taken a lot more pictures yesterday, but didn't.  Shawn's mom sent the girls the most adorable little outfit in the mail and we will most definitely have to get the girls' pictures taken in them!  I can't wait, actually.


KaeLee coloring with one of her new birthday gifts.  What a smile!

Hannah playing with her favorites..... CARS!

She's a happy one with the cars!

Playing together with the cars!

Hannah found her way into my basket of clean towels!  I'm sure she was nice and warm and cozy!

This was the only way Shawn and I were able to enjoy the superbowl.....!  Haha.  We didn't actually have it enclosed (Hannah's headed out the gate in this pic) but we thought about it!  Just having something new to play in distracted them for a little while anyway!  They chose this day to be the most clingy and loud, of course! 

Hannah loves to roll around in my favorite blanket to cuddle with..... apparently she has made it her favorite too.  She is nothing but giggles when she rolls around in it.  It's nothing but cute! :)  And you can get a glimpse of her top two front teeth! They are coming in good.  She still just has the three.

I love this pose.  It reminds me of a "tiger pose" haha.  It looks like I was telling her to be a lion and roar at the camera.  Hahaha.  This one makes me laugh.

Hannah and I snuck out to go get the mail while KaeLee was still napping.  She loves it when she gets to ride in the single stroller without KaeLee next her!  She was looking so much older to me this particular day and I had to take a picture to capture the memory. :) She's growing up so fast!  She almost looks like a little toddler when wears her jeans! 

So this is what Hannah does to me most of the day.  I cannot stand in one spot, especially when I am in the kitchen trying to cook dinner.  Otherwise, she will attach herself to my leg and I can not go anywhere!  It's cute sometimes, but quite frustrating at other times.  Don't let her fool you---- she is NOT attention deprived!  She is just a HUGE mama's girl and doesn't want to be anywhere else!  See, she's not upset or crying in the least bit, she's just happy to be next to me.  Which makes it that much harder to get upset at her.  But she's so heavy, that I can't just hold her all the time......

On Valentine's Day, reading their new books with their new heart shaped sunglasses! :) I love KaeLee's face here.  She cracks me up.

Hannah has not learned how to keep her glasses on.  She is just a HUGE giver and wants to share everything! What a sweetheart!





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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Where has the time gone?

I can NOT believe how quickly 2011 is going already!  Our little Hannah will be ONE in just 27 days! 

We will begin our whole new life in less than 3 weeks!  WHAT?!?!  That certainly has not hit me yet.  It's hard to believe that the life we know it here in Moxee will come to an end.  I don't believe it, really. 

I have decided though, that I LOVE not working.  I just need to find a few different things to keep me busy.  I have contemplated becoming a funeral director.  My husband and my parents look at me like I am crazy and say how morbid that is.  I say, why not?  I believe I may be built for that sort of thing.  I feel like maybe I have written about this before?  Hmm..... now I can't remember?  I would also love to work for some non-profit organization.  I always wanted to work at Children's Village here in Yakima (since I was about 12 and did a job shadow there).  I would love to get back into volunteering.  I think I am getting ahead of myself though, because volunteering is very high on my list as soon as the girls get into school!  Right now, I can't exactly travel or "go" places to volunteer so much, since it is not the easiest thing to haul around to kids.  And working around nap schedules sometimes can be quite the task! 

I also have decided that I need to do something for myself.  Whether that means having a "girls night" a couple times a month (oh wait, you need to have friends for that! haha) or joining some sort of class or something that meets once a week or something.  I have thought about maybe kickboxing?  Hmm..... I don't know.  I just need to do something to keep me busy.  (an activity that does not include whining children, poopy diapers or making meals or cleaning up after meals) The last month or so, I have been keeping busy with projects, house hunting, researching different things, planning parties, making birthday gifts, attending funerals..... and I have LOVED being busy!  It reminds me of the "old" me (I am talking about pre-kids me, I think.  Maybe pre-college, when I didn't have to spend all my free time studying?)  I just feel like I would enjoy my children A LOT more if I could have at least one thing I do WITHOUT them.  haha

Anyway, not really much of a point to this blog, just getting some thoughts out. 

Changes are upon us.  I am just trying to make the best of them.  Oh and Menopause, the musical is coming to the Capitol Theatre next month.  I am definitely going.  Perhaps bring my mother. 

Have a great weekend everyone.  Well, it's almost here, right?  I keep thinking today is Friday.  Ugh.  My head is so full of random thoughts today that I cannot even think straight.  See ya

(again, I apologize for the random blog..... I did not even re-read this before hitting "publish post", so I'm sure I didn't even finish certain thoughts.... and I highly doubt it makes any sense, let alone "flow" nicely.  haha.)


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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

On a Lighter Note...

On the lighter side of things, here is a video of Hannah in the jumper.  It was taken about 3 weeks ago, but I am just now remembering to post it.  I thought it was super cute.  She had lots of energy, as she normally does.  The second video is of KaeLee talking on the phone with Grandma.  I had just gotten off the phone with my brother Kory, and KaeLee was following me around saying "I wanna talk! I wanna talk! I wanna talk!"  So I told her she could call Grandma.  haha.  So I dialed and handed her the phone.  I think my dad answered, but pretty soon, my mom and Konner had all grabbed another phone and they were all talking to her.  It was pretty cute.  She talks to people on the phone pretty often, and I always say I need to get that on video.  I finally did!  Part of it anyway.  It's even funnier when she is walking around the house on the phone.  SHe is very expressive with her hand motions and has a lot to say!  haha.  Enjoy!








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Grandma Betty Bechard

1:30am on Saturday morning, February 5th, Grandma Bechard passed away. 

It's a blessing, really.  She has been fighting cancer for so long now and the last year or so has been the hardest on her.  And the family.  It's a weight lifted off the family, knowing that she is finally safe in the arms of Jesus, free of pain, free of suffering and filled with pure JOY.  I obviously can't speak from experience, but I imagine no greater feeling than that of running into the arms of JESUS!  The joy and the love of the Lord is flooding her right now as she has danced into eternity!

I ask for prayers for my family right now as they begin this road of the unknown and this upcoming year of "firsts".  The first Easter without her.  The first mothers day, birthdays, family get-togethers, vacations, Christmas, Thanksgiving, all the other holidays and special events.  Each Tuesday night, as that was the night my aunt and step mom would go to grandmas.  It's a tough year ahead of them.  Each passing year will bring a little less pain, but the first year is the hardest.  I ask for prayers that the Lord will allow them to find JOY and HOPE and TOGETHERNESS.  Let this loss not tear the family apart, but bring them closer.  Let this loss not create bitterness, but sweetness.  Let this family laugh as they remember what a special lady she was. 

I have been blessed to have 4 grandmas.  I have been not-so-blessed to now have lost 3 of them.  I have been down this road before.  The loss is never less of a loss.  Just different.  I'm not worried about myself.  I have a blessed gift from God in being able to deal with death with a smile.  I've never been one to cry at funerals or cry over death.  My heart fills with JOY.  Some people have told me that that is morbid.  I really have to be careful when I am around those who have just lost a loved one.  Even if it is someone who I have lost also.  It is easy for me to smile and laugh and enjoy the moment.  Of course there are internal moments of sorrow, but they are quickly overcome with joy when I think about the reality of the situation.  I try to be respectful to those mourning, but I cannot produce tears on purpose.  I cry at irrational things, not what everyone else cries about.  I will, however, cry if I see others crying.  I don't cry for the same reason they are crying, I cry because my heart aches for them.  I am a good empathizer. 

But I do want people to know that just because I don't cry, doesn't mean I have a heart made of stone.  It's just the opposite.  I have a heart of HOPE.  It's not a goodbye.  It's a goodbye for now.  Perhaps this act will change if it's my own child or my husband, but I'm not so sure.  I remember back to when Hannah fell down the stairs and my mom asked me if I cried.  I didn't.  I was shaking beyond belief, but I didn't cry.  She didn't believe me.  I don't expect her to.  I don't expect anyone to believe me when I talk about me not crying.   It's not normal.  I know that.  But like I said, it's a GIFT. 

Anyway, sorry for all the babble.  Again, I just ask that prayers go out to my family right now.  Especially for my Grandpa.  I'm curious to see how he handles it.  At the funeral today he was very smiley and seemed his happy self.  But I know he's already lonely.  Watching two other grandpas go through this grief has been interesting.  Both of them have completely changed.  And not necessarily for the better.  One used to be a HUGE family man and now does nearly nothing with the family.  He has a new wife and spends time with her and her family.  Perhaps his own family his a constant reminder of his late wife.  I don't know.  The other grandpa withdrew and hardly ever leaves the house.  The family is not the same anymore.  Which is why I ask for so many specific prayers for this side of my family.  Thank you in advance.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

This was her obituary taken from the Yakima Herald Newspaper:


YAKIMA - The Lord called Betty Jean (Ream) Bechard home on Saturday, February 5, 2011. A loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Sister, Betty lost her courageous eight-year battle with cancer. She fought this merciless and ravaging disease the same way she fought all challenges in life: with unfathomable strength, love and perseverance. Even during this battle, she continued to assist and comfort others in any way possible as well as nurturing her love of crocheting, Yakima Bears and Seattle Mariners baseball. Her jovial personality, home-made crafts and fresh baked goods will be missed by family and friends alike! Prior to her passing, she was honored by the Holy Redeemer Church Holy Name Society for her many years of dedication and service to the parish and its parishioners. It went on to say "your strength and ongoing trials are an inspiration to us all." Betty dedicated her life to three principles: family, faith and friends. She loved and guided her children; she loved the Lord unwaveringly; and she selflessly served anyone in need. She was loved by all.

Betty is survived by: her loving husband of 60 years, Marvin Bechard; her children Dennis, Darrell (Vickie), Pam Beaudry (Mike), David (Anna), Brenda Young (David) and Michelle Gonzales (Jeff); her brother Jerry Ream (Dianne); 17 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Special thanks to Dr. Brady and Associates for their superb care and friendships. A very special thanks to Sheila of Memorial Hospice, a true professional and friend who made herself feel like a member of our family. Donations in Betty's name may be made to Memorial Hospice.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church with a Vigil starting at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 9th also at the church. Private inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.



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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Grandma is Gone

Grandma is gone.  Not quite worded right since, really, she's been "gone" for a little while now.  Not herself, anyway, is what I mean. 

Grandma Bechard passed away a little after 1:00am Saturday morning.  More about this later, I just wanted to ask for prayers for our family.  The funeral is tomorrow. 

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Saturday, February 5, 2011

KaeLee's Birthday Party!

Well, I finally get to write about KaeLee's birthday party.  Though it is after 11:00 at night and not all the pictures are uploading!  Argh.  It's quite frustrating!  Anyway, there is not a lot to say about it so I will mainly let the pictures tell the story. 

I do have to apologize to pretty much everyone who came.  I don't feel like I got to talk to everyone enough, and perhaps some not at all.  There were so many people and I don't think I made it around to everyone.  So my apologies go out to you.  This was one of the reasons I wanted a SMALL party for her.  But the word "small" doesn't exsist in our family.  We figured out that even if we only invited our immediate family (KaeLee's grandparents and aunts and uncles) we would have a total of 31.  Not exactly a small party.  So, of course we decided to just add to the number and invite all the great-grandparents and a couple of other random people.  Imagine once KaeLee invites her friends!  I didn't invite them this year, but feel a bit guilty about it..... I just figured she's only two and would more than likely not remember her friends being there..... although it would have only been a lot more entertainment for us adults!

Anyway, the party went well and I am SO glad I decided to just stick with cake and ice cream!!  Much easier! 

We got a call today from someone who wants to show our house tomorrow.  We are praying that they just make us a great offer we can't refuse.  A cash offer would be even more amazing!  haha.  We are definitely trying to be positive about it and are staying hopeful.  There's that word again.  Hope.  I told you it would be a year of hope!  I secretly like having to show our house so often.  It means that our house stays clean!  It's quite amazing actually!  I am forced to have a clean house.  And that doesn't just mean I can shove everything into a closet or the spare room, because people looking at the house will look in every room.  They don't leave anything out (or at least I don't when I go house hunting!).  I actually have to put everything in a "place".  Well, except for the laundry that sits folded on the couch.  Twice now, I have left it for the last thing to do (I hate putting laundry away!) and then I ran out of time, so I threw it in the van..... haha.  Works for me.  Which reminds me! I have two loads of laundry waiting to be folded tonight.  Oops.  Maybe I will just leave them in the dryer?  Will they open the dryer and look in there?  Hope not.  haha.  I'm afraid the clothes are there to stay for now.

Alright, well enough of the boringness.... I will let you get on with the pictures!  Enjoy!  And thank you to all who came to the party!  KaeLee sure had a blast!! 



The girls love when I get an order of diapers delivered!  And, yes, I order my diapers online!  Diapers.com is a great site and has free shipping, so why not?!?  They are cheaper than in the store and I don't have to pay for gas to go get them and I avoid all impulse buys while at the store!  And! The girls get a new big box to play in!  AND!  I get another "moving" box to pack with!  It's really a win-win for everyone! 



The beautiful birthday girl!

KaeLee opening birthday gifts

KaeLee and some of her "crowd" behind her

Grandma Sharon is hard at work trying to undo one of the toys!  It's amazing the work they make the parents do and the LONG wait that the kids have before they get to play with it! 

Some more of the guests
 And yet more....

KaeLee and her Sid the Science Kid cake!

She LOVES being sung to!  She walked around the house for days singing the Happy Birthday song!  haha.  She's so stinkin cute!

She did it!  She blew out her candles!  YAY KaeLee!  She was so proud of herself!

Playing with one of her new toys!

And with another new toy!  She loves her little tea party set!  We have been having tea parties all week, the three of us! :)

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!  Here comes Hannah!!  hahaha

Happy Birthday KaeLee!

 Our family. 

My dad and brothers.  Konner, Kory, Dad, Tim

Shawn and I dishing up cake and ice cream 

Mom's 50th Brithday!  The air was filled with smoke for quite some time after this one!  hahaha

 Our family minus Kory.  He was here for mom's birthday weekend but had to go back to school Sunday. 

KaeLee with her Great Grandpa Heilman

Hannah enjoys KaeLee's new birthday gift too.  It's so funny!  She giggles the whole time she's like this and it's super tough to get her to let go of the ball.  She's hilarious!

Well, there ya have it.  I was able to upload the rest of the pictures this morning.  Now I need to finish cleaning the house for our showing today.  Have a great weekend everyone! And go..... Packers?  No Seahawks means I'm not super enthusiastic about the game.... but I don't want to root for a team that has beat us in the past at Superbowl!  So Go Packers it is!  :)
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P.S.  I have a couple of videos of Hannah that I have been wanting to upload.... they are actually long overdue, but I still want to  post them!  So hopefully I will remember for the next post!