Bittersweet Anniversaries

Today marks 3 years from the time they wheeled my newborn down to surgery. They saved my son's life and gave him a chance at being a happy normal little guy. I am SO thrilled that they did, but I always mourn the 'normal' that was robbed from him. For his 3rd birthday we gave him his first medical ID, which he hated and promptly destroyed. How he hates those pacer checks, he usually has to be placated with his favorite show and a sucker so that he'll stop sobbing and we can get a clear read. Of course, I would willingly do anything to keep my little guy here. So am I grateful for Dec 10? Yes, yes I am. Here's a pic of him fresh out of surgery-

My local heart mom group did a fundraiser at a high school. As a thank you for the money raised, they're doing a video of heart kiddos. They asked for kids to say certain phrases that they'll splice together. I have to share the ones I took of Parker. I swear they are more of a blooper reel than anything else! But it was good for a giggle and it makes me so proud of my little guy!

 

Recent Happenings...

Here's what's been happening lately in our little world. 

Colby got a Hello Kitty ring from school, and adores it. He needs to pose during our sock "speed-dating" matching attempts.

Thanksgiving was spent at my dad's house. I love getting yearly pictures with the uncles!

Mike slaving over a hot stove while the rest of us just try to sneak in and steal pieces of turkey deliciousness. It works for our family :)

Boys getting excited to watch a movie.

Uncle Nate is the best!

Isn't my dad dreamy?

Look, another uncle picture! Who would've thunk?

A buddy of my bro's, Shane.

And his adorable daughter!

Dano, my bro's girlfriend. Always good to talk to :)

 Colby got up on the roof with Dad to help him put up Christmas lights. My heart stopped beating for maybe that entire 15 minutes. Luckily he made it down alive, via the ladder :)

Today Colby discovered a loose tooth. We are very happy about this, he has been bummed for at least a year and a half that he doesn't have any loose teeth. Upon closer discovery, his permanent tooth is coming up quick!

Parker made a cheerio necklace today. He was thrilled! I was thrilled too, he sat quietly for half an hour stringing them on, and then he actually ate the cereal! Usually each morning he takes 2 bites and then doesn't touch it again. Grant said he would make him a cereal necklace every morning if that meant he would actually eat it!

 Ok, is he so cute, or what??? This little boy turns 3 in 6 days! Awww my baby is being replaced with a big, naughty, joyous, energetic, talkative 3 yr old :(

Random Halloween Pics

It has been over a week since grandmas have pestered me about updating this blog, which might be a record! So here's some random pics from Halloween :)

Colby's teacher Mr Dodge! I figure he'll want to see that someday <3

Colby seemed absolutely shocked that we were at his school watching the parade. These crack me up because I can almost hear him saying "MOM, what are you doing here?!?! And Parker?!"

 Still a cute kid!

In the backyard with the fall leaves. Colby insisted that he be Dr Gru. And he had to have the nose! Nobody sells Gru noses so we had to get crafty with a witch nose.

After I picked Colby up from school, I asked how people liked his costume. He flatly said "people laughed at me." As I started getting choked up and trying to make him feel better he said "No mom! I like that they laughed! I'm so funny!" Yes, dude, you are.

They are quite the pair!

Parker is a cute little minion, he makes me smile so much!

These Days...

This boy loves to be upside down. Always. Yesterday he just mastered drinking upside down. He's such a silly boy.

Random pics

Look! A blog post! Random pics! I actually just cleaned off a memory card and thought, I should do something with these!

Parker and his beloved blankie and his 'pretty sure' (pediasure). He may be looking sad, but he's not. Any time he drinks anything he swishes it between his teeth. Its half gross and half just plain weird.

Parker did the whole potty training thing this summer. Potty training is easier with mom's kindle.

He loves Jake and the Neverland Pirates. (show). He would wear Jake jammies every night if we let him.

This smile and giggle get me through the days. Sometimes he is the happiest child. :)

Colby started kindergarten! That should probably warrant his own post. Sorry Colbs. If I didn't do one for preschool graduation then you are pretty much out of luck for the 1st day too.

This is his "Mom I'm humoring you, but can we be done and just GO already?" face.

His adorable backpack. Santa brought it for Christmas. He chose to save it for the first day of kindergarten :)

Waiting in line for his teacher to call them inside. I post this mostly so that when Colby goes through school with these people, he can laugh at that boy and say he has a pic of him picking his nose. :)

So happy. So brave. He didn't need me. *sniff*

Admiring the grandeur of his new school.

The happiest I saw him all day is when Grandma Smith came out to wish him luck. He was positively beaming!

And there they go! For the record, I didn't cry. I really really wanted to, though.

The school cheered on all the new kinders <3

Parker enjoying his first Colby-less morning.

Awesome pic of Parker. Obviously he didn't care much if I was following him

Our 24th of July

I've been playing around with videos more, they're so much fun to have! This is our evening of fireworks with the Jex fam. It was totally last minute and very laid back, but it was still a lot of fun!

Tonight...

Tonight, while at the Church, someone asked "oh, do you blog?" I had to clarify... "well, I HAVE a blog." Totally not the same thing. I keep getting subtle hints from my mother-in-law (oh, I wish I could see more pictures of my beautiful grandsons!) and not-so-subtle hints from my own mother (Did you know that it has been 17 days since you have posted anything? I may die lonely and miserable and then wouldn't you feel awful for not updating your blog as my dying last wish!)

So uhm, here's my update?

Grant got a new job a couple of weeks ago, he doesn't start for 2 more weeks though! Its in the same company... the same building... the same floor... different department though. He will sit 50 feet away from his current desk and making $2 more an hour doing it! I am very glad for this move, make things a lot less tight around here. We may actually go on dates now! *Snort*

Colby starts kindergarten in T minus 56 days. Not that I'm counting down or anything! He graduated preschool (erm, did I never post pics of that? whoops!) and then graduated his other preschool ( I didn't even take my camera to that lol). He recently got a bunkbed, which he thinks is the most awesome thing in the world. (also no pics of that... I'm on a roll!) He is very responsible with his new bed, he treats it almost with reverence. And here's a pic of graduating preschool, in case I never actually post all the pics of the real thing.

Parker is now 2.5. He is so stinkin cute. I wish I could capture his adorableness and stick it in a bottle. Dani, the little girl I babysit is potty training, so just for kicks one day I put Parker in underwear. Imagine my surprise when he did GREAT. I did not want to start this yet, but he's doing so good that I guess he's ready. One of my favorite quotes lately, while sitting on the potty, he asked me "Jesus go pee in the potty?" "Uhm, yep, I'm pretty sure..." "Jesus go pee in potty! Jesus get stickers?!" He has definitely earned his fair share of stickers for going potty. :)

Me? Busy busy as usual. Lots of photo shoots, not very much time left for myself. I love it, I do, its just very draining! I recently got released from my calling, which was RS Activities Coordinator, aka Cruise Director (ahem). At first I was very bummed, I really enjoyed it! But I just got called into Young Women's, as the Laurel Advisor. I am so excited! I miss YW, you can't beat the discussions and spiritual moments for sure. I am thrilled for the next couple of years as I settle into this calling!

Tons of things to blog: camping trips, 4th of July festivities, etc I may or may not get to it :)

Amy

Happy 4th of July!

This is one of those traditions that I just love. Photography plus my cute kids? Awesome! So without further ado, our yearly firework pics!

COLBY

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

PARKER

 2011

2012

 2013