I'm so bad at this stuff!

I know I said I would be good at this blog thing but as you all can tell - I'm not.  I'm sorry yet again for not having posted anything since Christmas.  Life gets to going and time just gets away from me.  So I felt it was time to share what's been going on in our lives...

Missing Teeth - Katelyn has loss 2 teeth so far.  This is a picture of the missing first tooth.  She pulled it out herself (because mom doesn't do teeth) and then she started screaming!  The 2nd tooth, she twisted until it came out. There wasn't as much screaming as the first one.

Girl Scout Cookie Time!! - This was our first year selling girl scout cookies and boy was it a lot of work.  Thanks to the help of my sister Kerry, my mom, and my dad - Katelyn sold over 230 boxes of cookies.  As a troop we set up cookie booths at local stores to sell more.  She had a great time and was able to get her own tent and flashlight as her prize for selling so many cookies.

Sewing Projects - I have been loving my new sewing/embroidery machine.  Here are a few items I've made.

Rebecca and Joanna's birthday - March 28
Joanna loves Yo Gabba Gabba so that is the theme we went with this year.  Yes, I made the dress she is wearing.  That is her favorite character Brobbie, but we pronounce it "Robbie"!  She had a great time and we are so thankful for all of the family members that were able to come.  It is so great to celebrate this life that doctors said would not be here!!

The day wouldn't be complete without going to see our other little girl on her special day.  We let off 2 balloons this year and enjoyed our time there.  It's hard to explain the emotions I go through on their birthday.  I remember that day like it was yesterday.  How I was rolled away from my husband without time to say goodbye and not knowing if I would ever see him again; seeing my girls for the first time; thinking after I was out of surgery and in recovery that I was going to die because I kept forgetting to breath and the O2 monitors kept going off (come to find out I had a little touch of pneumonia); and their birthday night having the doctors come into our room and telling us that Joanna's vent settings were maxed out and they only had one thing left to try.  Nobody was sure it would work but we needed to give consent for them to give our daughter a poisonous gas that could cause her to have brain bleeds but may help her breathe.  Then going to her bedside and giving her a name that night because I couldn't let my daughter die without a name.
All of these memories come flooding back on top of the grief I feel for my little girl who should be celebrating her birthday with us but isn't, and the joy that I feel for being able to raise Joanna.

Katelyn's sports!! - She keeps us busy that's for sure.  I always give the girls an option to sign up for things but once they start they can't quit until the season is over.  Then if they decide that wasn't for them that's fine and we know not to sign up for that again.  She loved cheerleading so I can safely say she was most likely going to do that one again.  

Spring Break - Brandon and I have decided that we are going to take our kids to every state before their 18.  So why not start BIG!  We took them to California this year.  I can say that this is the first vacation that I actually wanted to come back home before it was over.  Don't get me wrong, we had a great time but it was too much to take three kids across the county.  And to make matters worse, we were flying out on Friday evening and Kenlee wakes up Thursday night/Friday morning puking!!  Flights went well for the most part, and nobody else got sick and Kenlee didn't puke again.  We went to Muir Woods, Disney a couple days, drove around LA, spent a few days in San Diego and traveled around a rainy San Franscisco.  Here are some pictures from the trip.

Easter - Joanna had a blast at Easter this year.  It was so fun to watch her!  I also made Alexis's dress in the picture below - so easy, can't wait to make one for me!!

Daddy/Daughter Girl Scout Prom - Katelyn asked her Daddy to go to the prom with her.  They went out for supper beforehand and then danced the night away.  They had a great time.  I still remember when I went to the Girl Scout Prom with my dad!  She will never forget this night with her Daddy.

Ok so I'm not going to promise anything but I will try and update more often than I do now.  Thanks for reading!!

Christmas 2011

To start the season off, Kenlee had a Christmas program.  Does my kid look like a giant?

Bryan, Ashley, Deacon, and Finley came in town for Christmas.  We had a special guest show up this year again!  The kids thought that was the best thing ever.  Katelyn is really into Santa this year.  On the way home she was so sure that she heard the reindeer bells!!

Katelyn has been into weddings and people getting married lately.  Aunt Brandi won the best present award.  She didn't want to take this off and asked if she could wear it the next day to church.

 So I made the girls outfits and hair accessories this year for Christmas.  I loved loved loved making them.

My sister came in after Christmas to spend a few days with us from Fort Collins, CO.  It was great having her here.  I think we probably stressed her out a bit but we had a great time.

My family is crazy!!

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.