Running Club/ Little Souls Marathon

After months of before school running club ( in the snow and wind) Lincoln has completed running a total of a marathon. Josh and I both enjoyed taking turns doing running club with Lincoln. We loved  watching Lincoln develop a love for running and to see his determination to get better and faster every time he ran. He's sad running club is over and can't wait for next year.

Celebrated running a total of a marathon by running 2K at the Little Souls Kids Marathon!

Lincoln's 7 Birthday Party!

Lincoln had a great friends party! I wanted to keep things simple, cheap and fun. I think we nailed it! We had a outdoors backyard water party. The weather cooperated. Lincoln had a blast!

From left to right: Huxley, Lincoln, Ryder, Noah and Gavin.

We did a water balloon piñata. Where we hung large water balloons from our tree and the boys had a blast trying to break them.

Dinosaur dig!

Birthday boy

Water balloon fun on the trampoline

Dino Cupcakes!

A home made letter from Lincoln's find Huxley.

Dino Dig treat bags

May 2017

I love when the days get warmer and longer, as we spend so much time out side. Here's some of our spring adventures.

Lincoln and Lacey are so good at including Oliver.

Oliver wants to explore so bad. It's so hard as a mom to see him have this desire to explore but with his physical limitations he can't quite yet.

We love our park adventures! 

Oliver enjoying priesthood class with dad.

Lincoln's 7

Another year has passed and we have grown to love you even more, which we did not think was possible.  Your blue eyes, blonde hair and all your hugs and kisses have given us a reason to smile. You mean the world to us and we just want you to know that we love you very much.  You’ve become such a remarkable boy who makes us so proud every day. Happy 7th Birthday, Lincoln! Hope you enjoy your special day. Love you!!

Gardening 2017

We ran into Lowe's one evening and Lincoln mentioned how he'd really like to have a garden. Even with just carrots.  Just a small garden. I saw his puppy dog face and figured why not.  The kids would enjoy a garden. We have two flower beds at the back of the house that use to have these huge over grown bushes in them. Last year we took them out as I didn't like how they were hanging over the flower bed by two feet and killing the grass. After we took the bushes out last year we never got around with doing anything in the flower beds. Josh thought this would be the perfect place for a small garden. We planted peas, carrots and strawberries! The kids had so much fun playing in the dirt while they planted the seeds.

Oliver loves when we try to include him. Of coarse he had to try eating the dirt, but after one mouthful, he learned his lesson.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow - Audrey Hepburn

Elizabeth Hall Wetlands

I love exploring! That's one thing I loved about the our Caribbean adventure, is we didn't have a lot of money so I would go explore with the kids to keep busy and have fun. I want to make it a priority again. Plus the kids love it as I get to spend time with them and give them my attention. Win, win for everyone! I love making memories with my kids.

Josh is almost done school for the summer, which we are all excited for. He has four days left to study for his final exam. So i'm trying to keep busy with the kids. After church we laid Oliver down for a nap, Josh studied and I took Lincoln and Lacey out to explore with Aunty Sara and nana-moto. We went to Elizabeth Hall Wetlands. Which is located in the coulees near Par Three ( Bridge Valley) golf coarse. Uncle Logan found some turtles a few weeks earlier so we wanted to go check them out.

It was so cute seeing the turtles sitting on the logs and enjoying the sun. Lincoln wanted to take one home. He sure has a love for animals.

Lincoln loves to explore. Thats another reason I want to explore more. He could just hike and wonder forever. We walked around the whole pond, which took us two hours.

It was fun having Aunty Sara and nana-moot join us.

I love these two and all the time I get to spend with them.

Mini Mix Dance 2017

Lacey loved dance! She was in a 3-4 year old mini mix dance class. Which cover ballet, tap and hip-hop. She really enjoyed the variety and trying all three dance styles. Urban Beat dance studio is a open for plan, so the parents are able to watch each dance class. This was one of the reason I choose this dance studio. Lacey loved being able to look over and make sure we were still there. She looked forward to each Saturday morning. Saturday were a bit busy for a bit with dace and basket ball going on at the same time. I loved it though, as it was a morning I could focus just on my kids.

 Lincoln and Oliver loved watching Lacey dance each week too.

 Lacey has a love for dance class. Dancing in front of people?... took a little more convincing. She put a lot of hard work into practicing each week. Today at recital practice she had extreme stage fright. There were lots of tears and there was no way this girl was going on stage to practice. After a pep talk with dad and saying a prayer. Lacey was able to put on her brave face on even though she was nervous and went out on stage. She did an amazing job! So proud of her!

Park Adventures

Last summer we went to a new park each week and we are going to keep this going again this year as we had so much fun with it last year. Plus all three kiddos love parks so it's a perfect activity for our family. 

Oliver loves parks too! Only hard thing is kids his age would normally be crawling or walking so they could explore the park. Well Oliver can't! So we help him by carrying him around the park. Which he absolutely loves!! He especially loves the swing and slide. When we get to the bottom of the slide he will say, 'again'. Let's just say it's so much fun seeing him enjoy the park like the other kids. It's just a lot of working hauling a 24 lb. boy up and down the park. But it is so worth it!

Mother's Day 2017

I've learned a lot as a mom. I've gone through more things then I ever really thought I would as a mother. Being a mom has strengthened me as a person. It has taught me so much gratitude. I feel incredibly blessed to be a mom to my three children.

I hope that my kids growing up know that even though I am a work in progress. I worked so hard to be the best mom I could be for them. I make mistakes daily and I keep trying to do my best. I love them with every single inch of my being. And I know that motherhood is merely a dream for some and full of heartache for others. Whatever your story, you are thought of today. Happy mothers day to all the amazing mothers in my life!

Super Hero Fun Run 2017

We had lots of fun at the Lakeview Superhero Fun Run! Lincoln has been in running club at Lakeview for the last few months, so he has really built up his endurance. Lincoln was pumped for the run this year, since he can run 2K without stopping. Lacey ran/speed walked and did awesome. I love how Lincoln and Lacey know that they can do hard things.

We had awesome support from family this year, with Nana Harker, Aunty Sara and Nana Yamamoto, doing the fun run with us. 

Lincoln got 4th place in her age category.

Puddle Jumping

We took advantage of these spring rainy days we have been having.

'Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in the rain.'

I love hearing Lincoln and Lacey giggle as they are having a good time together.

I'm Fine OR I'm Good

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve uttered the words “We’re fine” since I was pregnant with Oliver. With a son with Spina Bifida, working a full-time job doing my day home, a husband pursuing his education and a mom to two other child, I’m often asked (out of kindness and curiosity), “How are you? How do you manage everything?” Almost instantaneously my answer is,  “I’m fine/ good!” 

Because the reality is, I don’t think I’ve been “fine” for a long time now. How could I be? How can I be fine when I have no warning when my child may next surgery will be.  How can I be fine when my 14 month-old has had two surgeries, countless procedures and scans, and numerous specialist appointments?

But the thing is, as hard as all of this can be, in many ways, I am fine. Despite the fear, the exhaustion, and the never-ending what-ifs, our lives are filled with unimaginable love and laughter; the ability to revel in each beautiful moment that we have been given. I'm grateful of the joy that each day can bring. Every milestone is celebrated with so much joy. Every time those little arms squeeze my neck, that moment is the only one that matters. 

So what do I want you to know? There is no way I can possibly be fine. And yet, I am. I know that this is Heavenly Fathers plan for our family. I have faith things are they way they are, for a reason and everything will be okay. 

AFO's

To be honest I had a mix of emotions when it came time for Oliver to get AFO's (Ankle Foot Orthotics). I was excited that Oliver was getting braces that would help his feet. He's feet curl down wards, so with wearing AFO's it will help stretch out his feet to prevent a need for surgeries in the future. The need for less surgeries is always better. I also felt nervous for Oliver to have AFO's too. As it's a physical appearance that makes him different then others. These nerves have already gone away. I know we are all different. Some people need to wear glasses, others need AFO's. The benefits of wearing AFO's out way, being physically different. I've also gotten use to talking about them. Especially with having a Day Home. Our Day Home friends at first asked often about the AFO's. It's cute to see how our Day Home friends know what these braces are at such a young age. Oliver is suppose to where them full time which is 6 hours a day. We try to do 3 hours in the morning, then have a break during his nap, then wearing them again for 3 more hours.  Oliver doesn't seem to mind them at all. Might have something to do with the little feeling he has in his legs and feet.

Oliver showing off his shiny new AFOs.

April 2017

 Here's a little bit of what we have been up to lately in  crazy busy life!

Lacey and Lincoln love playing with boxes. It's cute to watch them play together and see where their imagination will take them.

Lacey loves to bake! She's getting to the age where she wants to do it all by her self. Soon I'll be able to get her to bake fore me.

Oliver helping daddy with the Laundry. Yes you read that right, 'helping daddy'. With me being a stay at home mom with three little ones and having a day home, working 50 hours a week. There are days when I don't get the house chores done. I have an amazing husband who will then come home from classes and studying all day to helping me. 

Three clean kiddos ready for bed.

Oliver got a Zip Zac! Can't wait to see him figure it out.

My little tummy sleeper! This month has been pretty rough for him. He's teething like crazy with four teeth popping through and he has had two colds. It's hard to not worry about a shunt malfunction since a lot of the symptoms are the same. We want our happy little boy back!

When Lincoln comes home from school is is so ready for some down time and just play and be a kids.

When Oliver gets tired this is how he rests his head on the couch.

My happy little man enjoying some tummy time.

Lacey's all ready for crazy hair day!

711 Bring your own cup day! Kids thought of the cups to bring and had a fun time fillin em up!