Monday, August 31, 2009
sunkissed smiles
School has started, apple harvest is in full-swing, the late evenings we once played out in are now dark, and these three are enjoying the last bit of summer before fall is officially here.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
1st Day of Kindergarten
Today was Jace's first day of Kindergarten. I can't believe I just typed that, he has literally grown up over night. He was so serious about it all and intently waited for his name to be called at the orientation this morning. But as he left my side to go stand with his class, my heart sank. My baby is growing up faster than I'd like. And I have to share him now.
I think Jace realized what a big milestone today was. He's been so ready for school and this new adventure called Kindergarten. How could I not share in his excitement too?!? I am grateful we get to come along for the ride :)
I used to teach 3rd grade at the school he's now attending, I took my leave of absence and later resignation when I was pregnant with Jace. Memories flooded back as I walked through Red Rock's front doors, holding my own child's hand for his first day of Kindergarten. It's a great place to be back to, only now as Jace's mom; not as Mrs. Allred, 3rd grade teacher, anymore. "My kids" (the students I once taught) are now Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors at RHS. Again, time flies.
After the parent's meeting, we were able to go back to the classroom to check on our child...mine was loving it. Here is Jacers with his sweet Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stewart (aka Aunt J). It does make it a bit easier knowing he has his aunt for his teacher! I just know he's going to have an awesome year in Room 111.
And so I drove back home alone, in tears, until I saw these two faces...
Thank God I still have these cuties at home!!!!!
I think Jace realized what a big milestone today was. He's been so ready for school and this new adventure called Kindergarten. How could I not share in his excitement too?!? I am grateful we get to come along for the ride :)
I used to teach 3rd grade at the school he's now attending, I took my leave of absence and later resignation when I was pregnant with Jace. Memories flooded back as I walked through Red Rock's front doors, holding my own child's hand for his first day of Kindergarten. It's a great place to be back to, only now as Jace's mom; not as Mrs. Allred, 3rd grade teacher, anymore. "My kids" (the students I once taught) are now Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors at RHS. Again, time flies.
After the parent's meeting, we were able to go back to the classroom to check on our child...mine was loving it. Here is Jacers with his sweet Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stewart (aka Aunt J). It does make it a bit easier knowing he has his aunt for his teacher! I just know he's going to have an awesome year in Room 111.
And so I drove back home alone, in tears, until I saw these two faces...
Thank God I still have these cuties at home!!!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
fun at the fair
We took a trip to the fair last Friday...the kids and I had a really great time. We missed it last year due to our hibernation from public, so it was so fun to take them and to see Maddie's reaction. She loved the poultry barn the best. Every "oooooh" and "eeee" she screeched to the animals was so precious. The boys favorite was the carnival so I broke down and bought that spendy "all you can ride" pass. I loved watching their excitement...reminded me of my own when I was little. Grant County Fair has been a big part of my life, since from 9-17 years old, I showed livestock in 4-H and FFA at the fair and loved it. Great memories!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Jace's birthday bash
Our 6 year old!!! His baseball party was a hit! Although it was very HOT, we all had lots of fun and it was a great time for these soon-to-be Kindergartners!
The line-up for the kid's party was...Cade, Jett, Braydon, Jace, Derek, Luke, Gunnar & Colin. We missed you Dayne! These guys were great sports in the 102 degree heat and played all of the games Bryan and I had for them.
Taking a swing at the huge baseball pinata! It was a pain to make but was well worth it...only a few dents and after about 30 hits from these guys, it finally tore open. They got lots of practice swings in on this thing!
Baseball bobble head Jace...
His family party & BBQ at the pond that evening...this is my dad, Ba, jumping off of the rope swing. Look! His first attempt off of the TOP platform! Those of you from Royal are impressed, aren't ya!?!
Happy 6th Birthday to the world's best goodnight hug & kisser, monkey bar crawler, helper of Maddie, entertainer of Caden, 4-wheeler drivin', homerun hitter, lego builder, seafood eatin' boy around! We love you Jace and are so very proud of you!
The line-up for the kid's party was...Cade, Jett, Braydon, Jace, Derek, Luke, Gunnar & Colin. We missed you Dayne! These guys were great sports in the 102 degree heat and played all of the games Bryan and I had for them.
Taking a swing at the huge baseball pinata! It was a pain to make but was well worth it...only a few dents and after about 30 hits from these guys, it finally tore open. They got lots of practice swings in on this thing!
Baseball bobble head Jace...
His family party & BBQ at the pond that evening...this is my dad, Ba, jumping off of the rope swing. Look! His first attempt off of the TOP platform! Those of you from Royal are impressed, aren't ya!?!Allred & Stewart Cousin's: Randi, Maddie, Tripp, Cade, Jace, Braydon, Jett, Kylie, Jillian, Jadyn, Wyatt, Savanna
His cool baseball cake made by my good friend, Alisha. He loved it!
Da boy's...Cade, Jett, Boo & Jace. These boys were fun to watch off of the rope swing too. Of course, I didn't get a picture of it!
With Jace going off to Kindergarten in less than a week, we also had a date with just him last week. We enjoyed dinner and the movie, GI Joe. It was really nice to have just Jacers to visit with and focus on, and he surely soaked up all of mom and dad's attention! Still can't believe my baby is going to school!!!
His cool baseball cake made by my good friend, Alisha. He loved it!
Da boy's...Cade, Jett, Boo & Jace. These boys were fun to watch off of the rope swing too. Of course, I didn't get a picture of it!
Happy 6th Birthday to the world's best goodnight hug & kisser, monkey bar crawler, helper of Maddie, entertainer of Caden, 4-wheeler drivin', homerun hitter, lego builder, seafood eatin' boy around! We love you Jace and are so very proud of you!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Heart to Heart Picnic
On Sunday, our family of 5 attended the Heart to Heart Support Group picnic in Bellevue at Samena Swim Club. It was encouraging to see so many heart kids running around and thriving! There were 18 families that came and enjoyed swimming, playing, chatting and of course, eating. I love meeting new heart families...we never run out of things to visit about. Having a child born with CHD instantly bonds us together and I'm grateful to have met so many wonderful heart families along the way. It was great time to catch up with "old" friends as well as meet some new! Maddie's got some great lil' buds too :)
Maddie following her buddy Luke up the playset! Such a big girl now!
Enjoying the delicious picnic under the "funbrella"
Most of the heart families are represented in the picture...minus 2 families
Our "oldest and bestest" heart friends: Jesse & Luke, Susie & Teagan and Mimi & Mia. Check out Mia's smile...it's permanent on that sweet face!
Maddie and Teags were happy to see each other! 
Sweet Mirabel and her darling mommy Cristy.
Jace loved the monkey bars and picking blackberries in the park with Cade and Gavin (Teagan's big brother). Fun was had by all!
Maddie following her buddy Luke up the playset! Such a big girl now! Enjoying the delicious picnic under the "funbrella" Most of the heart families are represented in the picture...minus 2 familiesOur "oldest and bestest" heart friends: Jesse & Luke, Susie & Teagan and Mimi & Mia. Check out Mia's smile...it's permanent on that sweet face! Maddie and Teags were happy to see each other! 
Sweet Mirabel and her darling mommy Cristy.
Jace loved the monkey bars and picking blackberries in the park with Cade and Gavin (Teagan's big brother). Fun was had by all!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Reflecting
August 13, 2008
A year ago today, I wrote these words...
"These past months have really flown by and I've caught myself dreaming more about what Maddie's future holds for her. I used to not let myself even go there, it was too difficult to think about the "what if's" and uncertainties of the surgeries and procedures she had to go through in order to get here. She's doing so well that it feels good to talk about our future and all that we have to look forward to! A huge weight has been lifted now that she's 2/3 of the way there with her heart repair and since the next surgery won't be for a while (we cross our fingers), we can get on with LIFE again. What a wonderful feeling!"
Yes, I can officially say we've gotten on with life! Time is flying by!!! Having 3 kids all under the age of 5 and all on the move now, has been a little crazy and so fun.
Maddie's heart is only "occasionally" thought about now (ok, still on a daily basis but not on a minute to minute basis like before). I'm not consumed by her broken heart and this is a BIG improvement. Instead of dwelling on what she'll "miss out" on in life like I used to, I've chosen to focus on all of the positives of her...and not just her heart. She's an amazing little thing and will have much to offer this world by being Maddie, not the girl with the 1/2 heart.
Yes, a year of dreaming about Maddie's future has been so healing. I've moved on from the heartbreak and anguish of having a baby with a complex heart to knowing and loving a beautiful, graceful little soul full of so much strength and a wisdom beyond her years. God knew what he was doing when he gave Maddie this heart.
This 17 month baby girl is a blessing and has a strength we can learn from each and every day. On a minute to minute basis.
August 13, 2009
A year ago today, I wrote these words...
"These past months have really flown by and I've caught myself dreaming more about what Maddie's future holds for her. I used to not let myself even go there, it was too difficult to think about the "what if's" and uncertainties of the surgeries and procedures she had to go through in order to get here. She's doing so well that it feels good to talk about our future and all that we have to look forward to! A huge weight has been lifted now that she's 2/3 of the way there with her heart repair and since the next surgery won't be for a while (we cross our fingers), we can get on with LIFE again. What a wonderful feeling!"
Yes, I can officially say we've gotten on with life! Time is flying by!!! Having 3 kids all under the age of 5 and all on the move now, has been a little crazy and so fun.
Maddie's heart is only "occasionally" thought about now (ok, still on a daily basis but not on a minute to minute basis like before). I'm not consumed by her broken heart and this is a BIG improvement. Instead of dwelling on what she'll "miss out" on in life like I used to, I've chosen to focus on all of the positives of her...and not just her heart. She's an amazing little thing and will have much to offer this world by being Maddie, not the girl with the 1/2 heart.
Yes, a year of dreaming about Maddie's future has been so healing. I've moved on from the heartbreak and anguish of having a baby with a complex heart to knowing and loving a beautiful, graceful little soul full of so much strength and a wisdom beyond her years. God knew what he was doing when he gave Maddie this heart.
This 17 month baby girl is a blessing and has a strength we can learn from each and every day. On a minute to minute basis.
August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Cowboy Cade
Here's our little cowboy riding "Sparky Boy" (aka Special) at Nany and Ba's yesterday. Cade loves to ride and spend time on the ranch. I'm crossing my fingers that he'll be my little cowboy and want to rope when he's older just like his momma did.
little Wrangler butts drive me nuts
his only complaint was Sparky Boy was too slow
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Look who's walking!
Maddie is officially walking!!! She's been taking steps without help for the last couple months but still preferred crawling and would even shake her head NO if we mentioned the word, w-a-l-k. I was starting to wonder if she ever planned on walking. But now that she's taken off with it, she's quite proud of herself. When the words "so big" or "big girl" are uttered, she quickly raises her arms up high and wears a big smile. She's not the only one.
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