Ok, so here's the deal. My computer is going "to the shop" tomorrow for repairs and I have to delete everything off of it. Ugh. So I have a lot of catching up to do and I am going to cram it all into one post. With a lot of pictures. A. Lot. I'm going to work from the present back because that's how the pictures loaded.
Yesterday Katy Jane had a surgery to repair an epigastric hernia. It was scheduled for 2 days after getting back in town from a long trip. That wasn't ideal but I'm glad we have it behind us. Nana came along to help me. I'm so thankful she did.
We had some precious friends stop by to help ease our anxiety and keep Katy Jane preoccupied. I'm so blessed to have such amazing, thoughtful friends. They bought me coffee and magazines. Saints they are!
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| Piper, Katy Jane, Ben, Blair |
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| Ben, Tara, Piper |
The same surgeon who did Jude's surgery for his neuroblastoma did Katy Jane's surgery. We have the utmost respect for Dr. Nirgiotis. We love him for what he did for our Jude so I was thankful he was able to do Katy Jane's surgery. He prayed with us before her surgery just like he did before Jude's. What a blessing! I was really at ease going into this because I knew what capable, good hands she was in. And to know the Lord was guiding him was more than a momma could ask for.
Dr. Nirgiotis came in to tell us the surgery went well. A few minutes later Katy Jane was brought in and my little princess was acting like a crazed, wild little animal. It was heartbreaking and scary. I've been through the anesthesia process a million times with Jude and I'm used to how he wakes up from it. But it was nothing like this! Needless to say, Katy Jane does not tolerate anesthesia well at all.
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| On the way home |
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| Owie! |
I was glad to get her home and comfortable. After a little resting and food she was back to her sweet self. In fact, after a couple hours of R & R she was ready to get back to her chores.
She didn't need tylenol or anything for pain. I was so impressed. I ended up giving her some before bedtime just in case. She slept for a good 14 hours last night and woke up cheerful and ready to play this morning. She's a champ! It's like nothing ever happened. So proud of my sweet girl.
2 surgeries for 2 of our kids in less than 6 months. I'm ready for a medical break.
While Mom and I were at the hospital with Katy Jane, Dad took the boys to the skate park for the first time to ride their scooters. They had the best time! What a fun Papa!
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We just got back from our vacation. Sunday after church we drove to Fort Worth for a visit with my sister Carrie and her sweet family before flying out. We love going to visit them. She is one of the most hospitable people in the world. Obviously James feels right at home.
Well clearly we all do. Katy Jane loves chilling with Morgan.
I love how close Brad is to my sweet family. We are so blessed. Carrie always calls Brad "the little brother she never had."
I think the boys think Maddie is their own jungle gym.
They have chickens that are the cutest things I've ever seen. They just cluck right up to the door to look in and see whats happening in the kitchen. I love it! We were fascinated.
Katy Jane loves playing with Madison's hair.
And then got a free mani and pedi in return. Sweet cousins!
I brushed the kids teeth and sent them to say goodnight to Aunt Carrie and Uncle Andy. James whirled around and ran head first into that column in the picture above where KJ is doing Maddie's hair. He knocked himself right down to the ground. It was a bad one. We are always so thankful Uncle Andy is actually Dr. Andy. It's nice to have a doc in the family. Brad had the honor of waking James up every 90 minutes throughout the night. And then we had to be up at 3 to get ready for our flight out. Nice.
The kids were so excited to get to fly on a plane for the first time. I was apprehensive about flying with 3 children. I travelled a lot when I worked before having children and I always dreaded to see the mom schlepping on board with her kids and bag of toys. I figured I was about to get a good, big dose of my comeuppance because I sure was that mom now. But the Lord was merciful and the children travelled beautifully. Lots of suggestions from friends with experience really helped.
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| Ready to board! |
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| Waiting for our plane |
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| Going.... |
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| Going.... |
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| Gone! |
After a glorious little nap Katy Jane was up and ready to play. Thankfully I had packed plenty of distractions.
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| Suction cup princess book |
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| Stickers |
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| Window clings |
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| Lots of new aps |
And she loved having her own big girl drink.
My favorite part of our trip was the huge farmers market we went to. Brad specifically wanted to take me to this market because he knew I'd love all the fresh produce and amazing variety of incredible foods, pastries, meats, cheeses and more. I've never seen anything like it.
The thing about travelling with three small kids is that it doesn't take us long to get homesick for our sweet peaceful life back at home. One night the boys both crawled up in my lap and asked me to sing to them.
Bouncing from bed to bed in the hotel is always a favorite.
Starbucks, lots and lots of Starbucks.
Time to head home. I like to travel and see new places, but I will tell you this much...there is no place on earth as great as Texas.
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| Texas, here we come! |
My sweet Mommy had our house all fluffed up and welcoming for us when we got home. Complete with a fresh bouquet of flowers by our bed! She's the best!
Home, sweet home. There's no place like it.
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Odds and ends that I never posted:
One day the boys came running in from playing outside yelling about a carrot on the house. Jude said, "Mommy! Thews a cawwot. On ouw howse!" So I ran outside and sure enough...there was this huge orange caterpillar on the side of the house. We brought him inside and watched over the next few days as he changed into his chrysalis. Unfortunately it never went any further than that. But it was fun and fascinating while it lasted.
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| Of course, we affectionately named him "Carrot" |
Oh how I love these boys!
My sweet little brown-eyed girl.
Homeschool fun! Making letters in shaving cream. Or maybe just mostly playing in it.
We were blessed to have my sister and her family visit a few times this summer. My boys LOVE their cousins!
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| Gummy mustaches |
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| A very intense game of jenga |
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| My favorite picture of the summer! Grant jumping over an unaware Jude. |
Brock did our science project with us one day.
Katy joins in for as much as her 2 year old attention span will allow.
Popsicle break!
My kids love the Pike girls. Jude says definitively that he will marry Piper. (Far right). Or "Pipuw" as he calls her.
My precious friend, Blair's surprise birthday party. Love this girl!
I love the relationship the boys have with their baby sister. It is so sweet!
Jude working hard on his letters.
My sweet girl.
Bubba kisses. It's a good distraction when he's trying to do his school work.
Jude's all in!
If you have balloons, of course you have to stick them in your shirt to look pregnant. I attribute this to all my pregnant friends the kids are around right now. I love it!
Table and sheet hammocks. A fave around here.
Katy Jane has to get her morning fix. Like mother, like daughter.
Yep...that's how I roll too.
We had a sweet friend, artist and also my hairdresser (she's so multi talented!) paint a piece of art for our living room. We LOVE it! Celia Louise, you are one talented girl!
We had some precious friends stop by to help ease our anxiety and keep Katy Jane preoccupied. I'm so blessed to have such amazing, thoughtful friends. They bought me coffee and magazines. Saints they are!
The same surgeon who did Jude's surgery for his neuroblastoma did Katy Jane's surgery. We have the utmost respect for Dr. Nirgiotis. We love him for what he did for our Jude so I was thankful he was able to do Katy Jane's surgery. He prayed with us before her surgery just like he did before Jude's. What a blessing! I was really at ease going into this because I knew what capable, good hands she was in. And to know the Lord was guiding him was more than a momma could ask for.
She didn't need tylenol or anything for pain. I was so impressed. I ended up giving her some before bedtime just in case. She slept for a good 14 hours last night and woke up cheerful and ready to play this morning. She's a champ! It's like nothing ever happened. So proud of my sweet girl. 
Well clearly we all do. Katy Jane loves chilling with Morgan.
I love how close Brad is to my sweet family. We are so blessed. Carrie always calls Brad "the little brother she never had."
I think the boys think Maddie is their own jungle gym.
They have chickens that are the cutest things I've ever seen. They just cluck right up to the door to look in and see whats happening in the kitchen. I love it! We were fascinated.
Katy Jane loves playing with Madison's hair.
And then got a free mani and pedi in return. Sweet cousins!
I brushed the kids teeth and sent them to say goodnight to Aunt Carrie and Uncle Andy. James whirled around and ran head first into that column in the picture above where KJ is doing Maddie's hair. He knocked himself right down to the ground. It was a bad one. We are always so thankful Uncle Andy is actually Dr. Andy. It's nice to have a doc in the family. Brad had the honor of waking James up every 90 minutes throughout the night. And then we had to be up at 3 to get ready for our flight out. Nice.
The kids were so excited to get to fly on a plane for the first time. I was apprehensive about flying with 3 children. I travelled a lot when I worked before having children and I always dreaded to see the mom schlepping on board with her kids and bag of toys. I figured I was about to get a good, big dose of my comeuppance because I sure was that mom now. But the Lord was merciful and the children travelled beautifully. Lots of suggestions from friends with experience really helped.
My favorite part of our trip was the huge farmers market we went to. Brad specifically wanted to take me to this market because he knew I'd love all the fresh produce and amazing variety of incredible foods, pastries, meats, cheeses and more. I've never seen anything like it.
Bouncing from bed to bed in the hotel is always a favorite.
Time to head home. I like to travel and see new places, but I will tell you this much...there is no place on earth as great as Texas. 
Home, sweet home. There's no place like it. 
Oh how I love these boys! 
My sweet little brown-eyed girl. 
Homeschool fun! Making letters in shaving cream. Or maybe just mostly playing in it. 
We were blessed to have my sister and her family visit a few times this summer. My boys LOVE their cousins! 
Katy joins in for as much as her 2 year old attention span will allow.
Popsicle break! 
My kids love the Pike girls. Jude says definitively that he will marry Piper. (Far right). Or "Pipuw" as he calls her. 
My precious friend, Blair's surprise birthday party. Love this girl!
I love the relationship the boys have with their baby sister. It is so sweet! 
Jude working hard on his letters.
My sweet girl. 
Bubba kisses. It's a good distraction when he's trying to do his school work. 
Jude's all in! 
If you have balloons, of course you have to stick them in your shirt to look pregnant. I attribute this to all my pregnant friends the kids are around right now. I love it! 
Table and sheet hammocks. A fave around here. 
Katy Jane has to get her morning fix. Like mother, like daughter. 
Yep...that's how I roll too.
We had a sweet friend, artist and also my hairdresser (she's so multi talented!) paint a piece of art for our living room. We LOVE it! Celia Louise, you are one talented girl! 
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