BAILEY ROSE'S SURGERY!

Today was a very long day and I am so thankful it is over! Bailey Rose went into surgery at about 1:20pm today and had the left ear drum repair with a skin graph from the back of her ear. She was very nervous but, Daddy gave her a blessing the night before so she was feeling much more sure about the whole ordeal. She was in surgery for 2 hours. That is a little longer then any mom wants but, my dad was with me so that I wasn't alone and it really helped me. Thanks dad for driving us and keeping me company. It took us 7 hours from the time we arrived to the time we left from recovery. She did really well and the Dr. said he feels like she has a real good chance of the surgery being at least 90-95% successful. We will not know for about two months and it takes a total of 4 months for complete healing. We will do it all over again in the spring on the right ear and then we should have whole ears again. That means no more ear plugs for swimming or showering. YEAH!!!

ARRIVNG AT HER SURGICAL DESTINATION!


IN HER GOWN AND READY WITH BLANKIE IN HAND!


WATCHING TV WHILE WAITING!


LEFT EAR HAS BEEN MARKED FOR SURGERY!


SURGICAL CAP ON AND WE ARE ALMOST READY!


SHE IS READY TO LEAVE FOR THE OPERATING ROOM!


ALL DONE!


OPEN YOUR EYES PRETTY GIRL!


TRYING TO COME AROUND BUT SLEEP IS WINNING!


FINALLY READY FOR HOME WITH A NEW FURRY FRIEND IN HAND!


HOME AND IN PJ'S AND SOUND ASLEEP!


She did so good! I am so proud of her! She was starving not having eaten since last night and had grand ideas for what she wanted after the surgery. Instead she feel asleep with a nibbled cheese stick in her hand. Good thing Thanksgiving is tomorrow and she can have all the turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy her little heart desires. I LOVE you sweet baby girl of mine!

THESE ARE MY PEOPLE & THIS IS WHERE I COME FROM

I cannot help but be so thankful for my family. My parents are two of the most giving people I know and they did a great job at raising five kids. They are always so supportive and so there us. When I think of my parents and what they mean to me in my life I feel overcome with emotion because, I love them so much! Even being married and having children of my own I hold on tight to the things they taught me so that my children will have some of the same upbringing I did. In my mind my parents did everything right by us children! I love you Dad and Mom!


Today is also my mom's birthday - Happy Birthday Mom!


I am also so grateful for my brothers and sisters! These guys are my BEST friends! I love that fact that even though we are all grown with lives of our own we make it a point to stay in touch. To know what is happening in each others lives and to always let each other know that we love them. We had so much fun growing up together and when I look back on those memories I can't help but smile and laugh at what a fun we had. Between phone calls and family reunions or just dinners or birthday gatherings for our children we continue to create these wonderful memories. I love you Rand, Shanna, Debra and Chad. I am thankful you are my brothers and my sisters. You are the greatest gift!




I am grateful for a wonderful husband who I love very much and for all the support he gives me and the hard work he puts in to support our family. I think he is a wonderful dad and my sweet kiddos love him to pieces. Thank you Kev for all you do for us and for being my eternal partner!



Now these two kids are my life! Words cannot express how I feel about them. They are the reason I get up everyday and forge forward in life. They inspire me and amaze me and can make me laugh and cry! They are the best part of me and I feel honored and humble to be their mom. I would give my life for them and wish I could do all the hard things in their lives so that they will never feel fear, pain or sorrow. Even though I cannot do that I want them to know how much I love them and how thankful I am that they are a part of my life. I love you Keaton and Bailey Rose! I hope you will always know that I am here for you!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER-HALLOWEEN 2010!

I am so behind in blogging! I know it is November already but, I have not had the time to post pictures from Halloween yet so I figure better late then never. It was a good Halloween. Saturday night we went to our church's Trunk-or-Treat and the kids scored big on the candy! It was enjoyable to see all the little ones dressed up and having such a good time. Kevan was able to visit with friends and enjoyed that since he doesn't get to come to church due to having to work Sundays. On Sunday we all went to grandpa & grandma Smith's house for a dinner which was a Taco bar, SO yummy! Then we all went out and sat on the driveway and enjoyed passing candy out to the kids that were out trick or treating. We enjoyed a portable fire pit that my sister Shanna and her husband Brian brought over and as always we enjoyed each other's company. The cousins dressed up in their costumes and had lots of fun being together.

KEATON WAS WALUIGI!




BAILEY ROSE WAS AN ANGEL!



HALOWEEN 2010



THE CANDY LOOT!

A HAPPY DADDY AFTER IMPOSING HIS "DADDY TAX!"


THE COUSINS AT GRANDPA & GRANDMA SMITH'S


MY SISTER SHANNA & BRIAN AS AN AMISH COUPLE!

KEVAN & I AS OURSELVES!

MY SISTER DEB AS HERSELF BUT, FESTIVE!

MY LITTLE BRO. CHAD & JOLENE AS MICHAEL JACKSON AND A PEASANT WOMAN!

CHAD IN ALL HIS GLORY IMPERSONATING HIS IDOL!

HANGING OUT WITH FAMILY!