Monday, October 26, 2009

The "Carnival"

At the end of September we headed to a nearby park that has lots of things for the kids to enjoy. There are a few playgrounds, a merry-go-round, a train, and a few more rides. When we pulled into the parking lot Gabriel proceeded to tell us that we weren't going to the park, we were going to a carnival! Too cute.
A not so great picture of Kiera and her Daddy
Gabriel taking a break from the heat

Kiera and Abby - yes, it was very hot that day, but Kiera wasn't sweating that bad, I poured water on her head to help keep her cool. Also, Kiera would not let us help her on this ride. She threw an absolute fit if I didn't walk away when she was bucked in and ready to go. I was a nervous wreck, but she did awesome!

Gabriel on the waverunner

Going for a train ride (Makayla was a bit upset-it was the last stop before leaving to go home for naps!)

Gabriel and Addisen on the Ferris Wheel. I think they all rode a total of 3 or 4 times. They simply loved it.

Gabriel with Abby. He had to take a ride with each of his friends. We think he is keeping his options open that way. Hehe!!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Good Luck and a P.S.

My little (well younger) brother began a new chapter of his life a few weeks ago. He decided that he wasn't ready for college and although he had a stable job, it wasn't getting him anywhere. He decided to join the Army. I took it really hard. It is hard to describe, but when my older brother joined the Army I felt like he was older and ready! My younger brother is old enough and was hopefully ready, but he is my "little" brother. I have always felt like he needed to be taken care of. He has always had a few health issues (he has asthma and he was born without a soft spot, which required surgery on his head when he was just weeks old) and I just still see him as needed someone to look after him. Well, it wasn't my decision (obviously), so Edward told me I just had to support him 100%. Of course I do, and we miss him dearly. He has been gone since the 22nd of September. He has written my parents numerous times. He has been pretty sick (they wouldn't let him take his breathing machine), but he says he is doing okay. He really misses everyone so much. Please keep Nick in your prayers as he still has about 6 weeks to go until he graduates boot camp on Dec. 4th.
Here are a few pictures from before he left:

Kiera and her Uncle Nick

Brittany, Me, Nick and Keri

Nick with some of his nieces and nephews (Tylar, Connor, Kioni, Miaha, Kiera, and Gabriel)


P.S.

A few weeks ago I came home from a run and Gabriel had my camera. I was sitting down when Parris came over for some much needed attention. Gabriel snapped this picture. I am pretty sure it is the last one we have of her. I wish I would have looked at it before and noticed my eyes were shut. I may have just had him take another. We miss you, Parris!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Auntie's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Leia!
Yes, I am aware that Auntie's birthday was over a month ago, but I am almost caught up (not really). My goal is to do a post every other day until I get caught up. Wish me luck with that!

So, Leia's birthday was a lot of fun. She had a "Hand and Foot" tournament, we ate lots of food, and we watched the ASU game! It was a great day, and I am pretty sure she enjoyed it as well. :)
Edward and Leia took the kids on a walk the morning of her birthday
Kiera giving birthday kisses before going down for a nap (Kiera, not Leia)
Getting ready for the first round of cards (Edward and I were randomly picked as partners, and we won!!)
Edward insisted on getting Leia a Snuggie for her birthday. I thought he was being silly....
...nope, he was right. She loved it!
Leia loving her gifts
The one from her hubby. She got tickets to the Patriots game when she went back to visit Laura!

Leia blowing out her candle (I made her cupcake for her birthday)

Leia with the kids (Abby, McKenna, Tommy, Kiera, Addisen and Gabriel)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

We are so sorry to say...

Parris at our baby shower in CA when we were pregnant with Gabriel.

Our Parris has passed away. She is/was such a great dog. She loved us and we loved her. Yesterday, at about 5:00 in the evening, Parris got out of Edward's mom's house in California where we were visiting for the week. She saw a dog across the busy street that Susan lives on and went for it. She was hit immediately by a car going about 35-40 mph. She was alert, but not moving at all. As quickly as we could we got her to an animal hospital. The whole way we just kept talking to her and trying to keep her calm. She just kept looking at us with her sad eyes trying to figure out what was going on. They told us she didn't look good, but they would do what they could to stabilize her right away. She was immediately given morphine for her pain. When the doctor brought us back in to talk to us he began telling us about her condition. Her back legs were damaged very badly and her lungs were so badly bruised that they would soon fail. As he started talking to us, the technician came in and told him that she was starting to go. Her heart had stopped. The doctor told him to start CPR, and we told him no. We knew she wasn't going to make it, and we didn't want her in any more pain. We lost her at about 6:30 Thursday, October 14, 2009. She was 7 1/2 years old.

Please continue to pray for Gabriel especially. He saw her get hit, and took it pretty badly. When we got home that night he asked if she was all better. We told him she had to stay with the doctors, but that they would take good care of her. He didn't say anything all day until we were aout 10 minutes from home tonight. He asked if she was going to be home. We told him that she was still with the doctors in CA. He then asked if the policeman got the lady. We didn't even realize that he saw who hit her until then. Ed had taken the kids in so quickly we didn't know he saw more than just her getting hit. He was very sad in the car and kept telling us that he wanted to go see her. It is going to be very hard for him. He loved her as much as we did.

Parris was our first baby. I remember the day Edward and I went to the humane society just to "look" at dogs. I don't remember why we went, but we saw our Parris (her name then was Charlie) and we just couldn't say good bye. She was just about a year old. Somehow we ended up taking her home with us (to a house full of 4 other adults and 2 dogs). We were crazy to do it, but we fell in love with her immediately. She was ours.

Parris loved chasing birds, jumping the fence to roam the neighborhood, jump on everyone that came to the door, and bark at anything she was unsure about (including all night thunderstorms). She slept with us each and every night (even though Gabriel has been asking her to sleep with him). Parris loved visiting Susan in CA, and would typically whine the last 20 minutes every trip because she knew we were close. She just loved Susan's big backyard full of birds to chase and grass to sniff. She ate any food we left out including half a pizza just a week ago. She had the softest ears and such a sweet spirit about her. We will forever miss her.

If you have a story about Parris to share, please do so in the comments. We would love to hear them.

Thursday, October 01, 2009

A Conversation with Gabriel

Gabriel:
Mommy! Mommy, where are you?
Me:
(no response, but thinking if I don't say anything he won't find me)
Gabriel:
Mommy! Mommy! (rattles the door handle) Mommy, are you in there? Mommy, are you in the bathroom?
Me:
Yes, Gabriel.
Gabriel:
I can't open the door. It's locked. (more rattling)
Me:
I know, honey.
Gabriel:
You unlock it, Mommy?
Me:
In a minute, Gabriel.
Gabriel:
But I want in. Why did you lock it? I can't come in cause you locked it.
Me:
Exactly, Gabriel.
Gabriel:
What? Are you done yet, Mommy? (As he is now sticking his hands under the door)
Me:
Yes, Gabriel. (I open the door)
Gabriel:
Phew, Mommy. That was close.
Me:
Sure, honey (laughing out loud).