A new little miracle named Myah

What a fabulous day. I became an aunt again today to a beautiful baby girl. She was 5 days overdue which means that we have been just waiting for that phone call for 5 days too long. Little Myah was born at about 1 p.m. today and weighed 7 lb. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. And look at all of that dark hair. We have been, more her parents than anyone, waiting for her for about 9 years. She truly is a miracle. I am so proud of my brother Chris and his wife Andrea. They have been so strong and have watched everyone else welcome little ones while just waiting for their turn. Well, it's their turn and I can't think of anyone more deserving of it. My only heartbreak is that I can't be there to hold her and hug them. They will be here in July to bless her, so hugs will have to be postponed for now. Congratulations and all my love to Chris, Andrea and McKenzi. Enjoy the moment!!!

Live wElle 2009

The kids and I with Lynette.
Braxton giving his all.

The 3 of us after it was all done.

We had a great Saturday morning. It was the annual Live wElle 5K & Kids Fun Run. The Hullinger's are our neighbors and friends. They started the race in memory of their little girl, Elle, and it is a fabulous and fun event. I've ran the last two years and was excited to do it again. Dylan decided that he wanted to try to run the 5K also, so I signed him up not knowing how well it would go. We went on a few practice runs to get ready and he did pretty good. Braxton wanted to run also, but he just did the kids run, which was 1/2 mile. My aunt Lynette also flew in early for Danny's wedding to run with us. We all got up early and headed to the neighborhood park to run. It went so well. Dylan did so great. I told him that if I went ahead of him that he just needed to follow the crowd and I would finish and come back for him. Well, Lynette stayed with him. I finished and started back thinking that he would be quite a ways back. He was just around the corner with Lynette. I was so surprised. We got about 50 yards away from the finish and he bolted. He made it in about 34 minutes. Yeah, Dylan. I was so proud of him. His first 5K and he did great. The kids run was after. Braxton ran his little heart out. He was in the 5-8 age bracket, him being the youngest. He did so well. Next year Nati can do it and just maybe Jason will join us. It was a fun and special event. Sad to say that I don't know my exact time because I was so anxious to get back to Dylan that I only glanced at the clock - somewhere at the 30 minute mark. Next year will be better, let's hope. The Hullinger family has been an inspiration to a lot of people and I appreciate the example they are to me.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

A lot can happen in 5 months. You can go from totally content with life having not a lot of worries or what at the time are worries - to over night having your world turned upside down. My world turned upside down in January. It's amazing how one little phone call can do that. We were told that day that if action wasn't taken quickly and aggressively that my mom wouldn't be here in six months. Now five months, six chemo treatments, days and days and days of her being sick, countless sleepless nights, many cute hats, & a lot less hair later she's pretty much done. She had her last treatment yesterday. It's been a heck of a week. She got the flu on Sunday and wasn't sure if they would let her do the treatment this week or not. She basically convinced herself to get better so that she could go get the chemo and get sick from it. How sad is it that you want chemo? If she couldn't have done it this week, it would have been next week - therefore making her sick for Danny's wedding the following week. Prayers were answered and she walked out of that room for the last time. The doctor, whom we really liked, asked if I had any questions after she was done being checked. My response was "I really like you, but I don't want to ever see you again." He said "I get that a lot." I have learned a lot over the last several months. The most important being - don't take loved ones for granted. I love my husband and my kids more than anything. I have always appreciated my parents. I have always gotten along with my brothers. But the thought of one of them not being here has been a huge eye opener for me. I now talk to my brothers much more often and the daily conversations with my parents are always ended with "I love you." I know it sounds a little sappy now but you just don't know how your life can change. My mom is my hero. I think she surprised even herself by making it through. She is so amazing, strong and faithful. She has gotten everything done for the wedding, made a baby quilt for a grandbaby coming any day now, and kept working when she can. And my dad... well, he puts Edward to shame. He has taken such good care of her. We still have surgery to get through. Probably the first week in June. And radiation after but there is a light at the end of the tunnel (which was uphill, covered in 5 feet of snow, and blocked by brick wall after brick wall). I thank all of my friends and family for being there for me, making me smile and helping get my mom through this. I have had so many kind acts done for me and I will always remember them. My cute husband has let me cry more than I probably should have & taken time off work so that I could go be with mom, and my kids are always concerned and give me hugs when I need them. I am so blessed. Love you mom - You did it!!!

Let the Games Begin

It's that time of year when the sun comes out, the yards need weeding, the kids are antsy and yes....it's time for baseball. Baseball with the Carter's is intense. They are a baseball-playing family that have passed the love of the game to the next generation. OK so I don't know that they love the game so much yet, but we are hopeful. Dylan has been playing since he was 4 and now Braxton is up to bat with the big boys also. Jason is coaching Dylan's team along with a good friend, Mike. Braxton is lucky enough to be coached by his Uncle Dustin. So he gets to play with two cousins - Carter and Grace. The opening day parade was this last Saturday. I got the sign made and kids ready. It was fun. We got a lot more candy than I ever remember getting in previous years, so bonus for going. Braxton's first game was right after. I know I said it with soccer season, but I have to say it again. I love the first year that they play a sport. The complete lack of knowledge, where to go, do I drop the bat, why am I not out, looking everywhere else but at the ball, stomping on bugs - you name it, it happened. I love t-ball!! Dylan's games start next week, so it's on to the scorchers - beating the heat with the concession stand which is where we eat dinner most nights during the season. What's wrong with a hot dog and a bag of chips 3 nights a week? I see nothing wrong with that. Good times ahead!!!
My little slugger up to bat for the first time! History in the making!!

Dylan riding in the back of Jason's truck. Nice sign made by yours truly.

Braxton's team riding on Uncle Dustin's trailer.

The first field trip is always the best

Natalie went on her very first field trip today. The anticipation was almost too much for a 3 year old. She started talking about the "bus" last night. Even going to bed it was mentioned several times. I had to remind her that the bus would come after she went to sleep. She did eventually relent and go to sleep. Then it started back up this morning. So she got on the bus, no hesitation involved, and headed to school. I had planned on going with her but needed to leave early so I drove my car and just followed the bus. I tried to get her to ride with me but she was adamant about riding the bus with the other kids. Their first stop for the day was to the petting farm by Westside Elementary. She loved it and was not shy at all. She walked right up to the goats and the exotic cows. The turkeys were just wandering around and she was totally fearless. It's amazing how much they grow up in a short amount of time. She didn't want to hold my hand. She was her own person and wanted to explore all by herself. Then we headed, me by myself in my car, to the Springlake Trout Pond. They each got their own real fishing pole and were able to catch a fish all by themselves. It was a memorable experience for Natalie. She loved holding the pole but when the fish had to be reeled in she backed away. She backed away even more when the fish was pulled out of the water. Her teacher got her to touch it for about a half a second. Lucky for us, we got to bring said fish home with us. YEAH for me! She had to show Jason. It was so fun to watch her seeing things and doing things for the first time. And I'm sure that her dad is thrilled that she caught her first fish at the age of 3.