Updates with LOTS of pictures

Well I don't even know where to begin....
First of all, sorry it has been so long since my last post.  Things have been crazy busy.
This is going to be a long post with tons of pictures so get ready.

Back in August I went out to see my sister in Fort Collins, CO.  I have never been out West before, as any vacation I choose to go on is South and has a beach.  To my surprise, I loved it!  Fort Collins is absolutely beautiful.  They are very dog friendly and people ride bikes there like its going out of style!!  They even have a bike library, where you can rent bikes, locks, and helmets from various bike libraries.  Then you can return them at other locations.  It is something Evansville could use since we are voted one of the fattest cities.  Here are some pictures.

 My sister had a program that officially recognized her as being accepted into the Veterinarian Program.

 The university was doing research on climates that flowers grow in so they had flowers everywhere.  It was absolutely beautiful.

Couldn't leave CO without going to the Rockies.
I can't wait to go back. Brandon asked me a few days ago where we wanted to do Spring Break and I told him CO.  As much as I want to take my kids out there, I think we are going to wait until the Summer (less snow).

My cousin Elizabeth got married this summer.  Aunt Sue sent me a picture from the wedding that is hilarious.  It truly shows our kids personalities.  Joanna - completely backwards, she does everything different than any of my other kids; Kenlee - goofy kid; Katelyn - ticked at the world; Alexis - not really wanting to go along but will do it if the has to.  Enjoy.

Daddy took the girls out for their first fishing experience.  They also got to go backyard camping with daddy.  Nothing like camping in the backyard with an electric blanket, and iPad, and Netflix.  Perfect.  

Halloween 2011 was the first attempt of mine to ever make costumes.  They had a great time going around and getting candy.  

Katelyn had a Daisy Girl Scout sock hop so I again tried to make our outfits.  As I was making them, Kenlee said she wanted one so I had to make her one as well.  We all had a great time.

Did I mention that I am the Daisy troop leader!!!

Joanna is walking everywhere!!  We have been released from all of the doctors in Cincinnati except for Orthopedics.  We go back up there in the next few months to have a spine specialist take a look at her. We are also being followed by the upper and lower body docs as well.  She has such a personality.  Loves to make people laugh and still has a smile all the time.  She loves life that's for sure.

Katelyn is doing very well in school.  Got our first report card and it said she was a joy to have in class.  Kenlee is a big helper at school according to her teacher.  I just wish this was the case at home.  

Thanks for taking the time to read about our family.  More updates to come.

You are Invited....Fundraiser for the Hendrick's Family

As most of you know, Miss Ellie went to be with Jesus on August 28.  Brandy, April's cousin and I, started planning this fundraiser for Matt and April a few months ago.  Although Miss Ellie is no longer with us, we know that this family still has expenses they are working through since being relocated for the last 5 months and having their daughter in the NICU for 3 months of that.

Ladies, are you ready to have a Day Out?!  Men, want to surprise your lady with something they will love?  Christmas is coming....want to get a head start on that shopping?

Join us for an awesome event that not only will benefit you but also help a wonderful family who has been faced with losing both of their children in the past two years.  

WHEN:  Saturday, October 15, 2011

TIME:    1:00pm- 5:00pm

WHERE: Bethlehem United Church of Christ (6400 Oak Hill Rd), Welcome Center (new addition on North side of building)

We will have the following companies there with products you can purchase and take home with you that day.  You will also have the opportunity to place orders and have your items delivered to you.  All company's have agreed to donate a % of their sales during our event ONLY, to the Hendrick's family!!!

Mary Kay

Custom Cards

Premier Jewelry

"Initials" Handbags

Scentsy Candles

Custom Hairbows and Tutus

Tastefully Simple

Pampered Chef

Tupperware

We will have a variety of h'ordeuvres and hot apple cider as well as much more.  Please join us as we support this wonderful family. 

Questions??  Jessica 812-204-5266 or Brandy 499-4241     

Katelyn's First Day of School

Yesterday Katelyn started Kindergarten at Oak Hill Elementary.  Oak Hill has always been a Middle School up until this year - it is now a K - 6 grade school.  She has been so excited about starting and absolutely couldn't wait to ride the bus.  When we were told where the bus stop was, it made more sense for me to take her to school.  I wasn't able to see the stop so I was going to have to load the kids up in the car anyways to drop her off and pick her up there.  After talking to some people, I decided to contact the school transportation division and see if there was anyway she could be picked up closer to our house.  Let's just say her pick up and drop off location was moved to in front of our house!  I'm not sure how this happened but I am so thankful.  This little act alone made our school year!!  When she came home I asked her how her day at school was and she said it was perfect.  Here are some pictures of our little school girl.

If you're wondering, I was fine.  How could I not be excited for her when she was so excited.

 We made our bus driver, "Kenny" some cookies.

I think she was a little nervous but she got over it!

Birthday Party for Katelyn and Kenlee

Katelyn turned 5 on July 7, and Kenlee turns 3 on July 14.  We had their birthday party this past Saturday.  I know I won't be able to do this next year because Katelyn will want to start inviting her friends from school but this year they both agreed on the same theme so it was a go.  Here are some pictures from the party.

Special People

I never thought I would ever be interested in running.  Don't get me wrong, I do NOT enjoy it but I do like the thought of getting exercise and a little time to myself!  For those of you who don't know, I am signed up to do the Half Marathon in October so when I heard about the Colon Cancer 5K Race in June, it was a good distance for me to be at by that time.  My good friend Tabitha is a colon cancer survivor and this race was to honor her strength and courage during her fight over this disease.  Please keep her in your prayers, she is going in for a scan tomorrow morning to confirm that her cancer is still gone.

After the race I went to spend some money at Keegan's Rummage Sale.  His blog is attached to ours so please check out his story.  He is fighting for his life - one way is by going to NYC for a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a new study to beat his disease.  This is going to be very expensive but as a parent, it doesn't matter what you have to go through, you will fight for your children no matter what.  Please consider helping his family out at purchasing some BBQ.  When we were going through our own trial last year, our friends put a similar fundraiser together and it helped our family out so much.  You can purchase the BBQ at www.bbqbenefit.com, it will be ready for pick up on July 16.  If you are out of town or don't eat pig, please go to the website to make a donation.  Thank you in advance for your generous hearts.

I had the privilege last week to go see Ellie again in Cincinnati.  She has stolen my heart from the moment she was born.  Her parents and I only met a few months ago but have grown so close.  She had to have surgery this week.  April has posted the most beautiful pictures of Ellie on their blog.  We have it linked to our blog - go meet her.

When I got into town I met April and Matt at my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati in June - Dewey's Pizza.  I only like it during the month of June because they have a specialty taco pizza that is SO good.  The waitress told me that it was a good thing I came in when I did because as of Sunday the taco pizza was no more until next year.  I decided to go in and get a table and had been sitting there for about 10 minutes when the table next to me got up to leave.  I looked up to see one of Rebecca's nurses that I haven't seen since June 10 of last year.  (I loved when we had her.  I remember talking to her about making a scrapbook for Rebecca and she gave me some websites that I could create them on.  She even brought in one of her own scrapbooks so I could see the quality of them.)  She was eating with another nurse that we haven't seen since June 10.  (If my memory serves me correctly, she was our night nurse our first night in the CICU.  She was so patient with us.  As you can imagine we were very inquisitiveness and scared - not a good combination.  I also remember one time, I thought Rebecca's bed warmer warmed her a little too much.  She happened to be our nurse that night and I kept asking her questions about why her head was so hot and warm and if she needed to do something to fix it, if she was too hot - she loved me that night.)

I remember it so clearly... we were walking out of the unit to leave with our sweet Rebecca and both of them came over from the other wing of the unit to tell us goodbye.  That is the kind of people who were caring for Rebecca.  When they tell us that Rebecca holds a special place in their hearts it's true, they really loved her.  We have been up to the CICU many times since we left there with Rebecca but we are never there during night shift hours.  I have wanted to see our night nurses so bad - I love how our God works.

Thank you to everyone who was praying for our family this month.  June 10 was full of different emotions.  I felt so blessed though to be able to sit with her at her grave during the hours that were so tough a year before...we got to talk and listen to songs together.  My mom stopped by and gave me the most beautiful and precious letter that I will cherish my entire life.  It was a letter written to me and Brandon from Rebecca.  Here is a picture that I took at 6:15pm.

 

I am re-reading a book that describes what someone goes through after losing a child.  My sister-in-law lent me this book right after Rebecca passed away and the similarities in it to our situation was unbelievable.  It has touched my heart in so many ways and if anyone has lost a child, knows someone who has lost a child, or just wants to know what emotions a mother goes through after losing a child, I would encourage you to read this book.  She writes, "People constantly ask how it is that I am not angry with the Lord.  My honest answer is that I have been angry, and I have been disappointed.  What I have not been, and what I refuse to be, is disbelieving."  Angie Smith, I Will Carry You.

One year ago....

It started as a normal day.  I had been able to share another sleepover with you the night before in the hospital bed they brought in for us to share.  I loved being able to sleep next to you.  I remember, we had a nurse whom we had not had before that night.  She and I were talking about the song, "Temporary Home" and how much we liked it.  It had just started playing on the Christian radio station that we had on in your room at all time, now that you were in a private room. 

Joanna had reached the time when she was able to start taking a bottle.  I headed over to UC to document this wonderful moment for her.  It was so hard to leave Children's, where I was worried and scared about you, and head over to UC where I was excited and joyful that Joanna was progressing.

I got back over to Children's and laid with you.  That was my spot.  If I was there I was laying in bed with you, watching your every move and studying your every feature.  You were so beautiful.  You were going to get through this, I didn't care what the doctors said.  One of the doctors wanted to talk to us yet again, so I reluctantly left your side and went to have a conference.  I knew what they were going to tell us - the same thing two other doctors told us when they said they wanted to talk to us.  They wanted us to stop care and let you go.  It was starting to tick me off.  Why wouldn't they just leave us alone.  

Daddy and I left the meeting more emotionally drained than before we went in there, if that was possible.  I went right back to your side.  Daddy tried talking to me about my thoughts on what they were asking us to do.  I would not stop care on you.  You were my child, whom I loved with all my heart.  If God wanted you, he was going to have to take you.  This was the first time in this entire process that your daddy and I were not in agreement.  He loved you so much but he knew you were slipping away.  I was praying for God to tell me what I was supposed to do.  

Then my sign - your song "Our God" came on.  You were going to be ok.  There was nothing that could change my mind.  About 30 minutes later "Temporary Home" came on.  God was talking to me through a song as he did so many times during our journey.  In an instant, I knew you were slipping away from me and that it would only be a matter of time before you were gone forever.  It was a pain that I had never felt before.  I decided that instead of letting you lay there by yourself and pass away that I wanted to be holding you and loving you as you slipped away.    

You were telling my heart, to let yours go.  

How could I tell the doctors to turn off the machines?  I am your mom, I'm supposed to love you and fight for you.  It was unacceptable.  I had said all along that I was never ever going to make that decision.  If I let you go, what was that saying, that I didn't love you?  You were a twin - that means there is two of you, not one.  Would Joanna ever forgive me?  Would she feel an emptiness?  

After praying for God to help me understand why things were coming to this crossroads, I came to the decision that I needed to let you go.  It was the hardest decision I have ever made in my life.  

It was time...they placed you in my arms for the last time.  The whole time I was questioning if we were doing the right thing.  I felt a peace but it was quickly followed by regret.  They took your breathing tube out and the tape off your face.  You were so beautiful.  This was the first time I had seen your precious face.  You looked so much like Kenlee.  Everyone left the room except Daddy, he sat beside us.  I couldn't help but touch your face over and over.  There were no monitors, no beeps.  You were so peaceful.  As the sun was setting, I remember the light filling the room.  I knew you were gone at that exact second.  After only about 10 minutes, the nurse came in and told us you were gone, but I already knew that.  As your mother, I knew the moment you met God.  I kept telling you over and over how sorry I was.  Even though I knew we were doing what God wanted us to do, I wanted you to know how sorry I was for letting you go.  I felt so guilty.  My heart was broken, it will never be whole again.  Time stood still.      

My Sweet Rebecca, I love you.

Some say time heals - that is not true.  Time will never make my loss any less painful.  

Rebecca's foot print and hand print are etched into her stone - so precious.

   

Updates...

I know it has been awhile since a post but this summer has been CRAZY!!  We are going all the time - swimming at Aunt Sue's pool, going to Boonville Water Park, the Zoo, and bunches more.

Here is our life in review since our last post.

1.  Katelyn graduated Pre-K and is on to Kindergarten.  She will go to Oak Hill Elementary School next year and the thing she is so excited about is riding the bus.  Katelyn and Kenlee had a graduation program at their school where they sang songs and had a slide presentation.

2.  We took a trip to Wayne City to visit grandparents.  I am hoping to do that a lot more this summer.  I bought 50 quarts of strawberries while we were up there to make strawberry jam and bagged strawberries for the Barnards famous "Strawberries and Chocolate Chip Cookies".

3.  After 8 months of practicing, Katelyn had her dance recital this weekend.  She did a tap and tumble routine.  She did such a good job out there.  Kenlee couldn't wait until the recital was done so she could play dress up with the outfits.  Katelyn and Kenlee will be taking dance lessons beginning in September. 

4.  Thank you all so much for your continued prayers for Ellie.  She has been doing great and continues to get healthy.  Ellie is doing so good that April gets to hold her today.  I'm sure she will be posting pictures on her blog later tonight so be sure to check it out.

5.  The girls are looking forward to spending time with their cousin Deacon who is in town this week.  They ask to go play with him all the time and we have to have a talk about how far away he lives from us.

Thats all for now.

Ellie needs prayer NOW

Ellie is not doing good. She has been switched to another vent but really needs prayer now. Please pray for her healing.

Ellie, doing much better

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Ellie.  Instead of me updating you through my blog on her progress, I want to invite each of you to click on Ellie's Blog to the right of our blog as her parents are blogging.  They also have pictures of her posted, absolutely beautiful.  

Ellie is Here

Please, with all your heart, pray for Ellie.  She is very sick and needs everyone praying for her.  Her family is mentally, physically, and emotionally drained at this point and they need your prayers.

Tomorrow is the Day!

Ellie is gong to make her entrance into the world tomorrow.  She is currently head down so they are going to begin the induction process and she should be here tomorrow am or early afternoon if everything goes as planned.  

Thank you all of your prayers.  This family has become very special to us.

Ellie is coming!

Hey all, just wanted to let you know hat April is in the hospital. She was out eating with family and started feeling different. She went in and they are going to keep her. Please pray for April, Matt, and Ellie. I'll keep you updated!

Praying for Keegan

Our family was wearing green on Monday for Keegan.  I explained to my girls why were were praying for him and why we were wearing green.  Today I went to Katelyn's class and I heard her in the hallway telling one of her friends that we were praying for Keegan because he had to have surgery.

Praying that everything went well yesterday.

Fun times at school

Last week the girls had a field trip to the zoo and a school picnic.  Their last day of school is May 19th.  I can't believe Katelyn starts Kindergarten in August.  Time goes so fast.  

We bought season passes for Katelyn, Kenlee, and myself to Holiday World.  They love going there, oh who am I kidding, I love going there too.  We can't wait to start using them.  I think the last time we bought season passes we went 14 times that season (and that is when I was working full time)!!

Here are some pictures of the girls at their school activities this week.