1st Birthday

Last year, for the boys' 1st birthday we had planned to fly home to Seattle to visit the 3 sets of grandparents. We also planned to have a huge birthday party with all 3 sides of the family. Cousins Jodi and Darin were very gracious and offered to open up their home for our large group (we were expecting about 75 people) while the Nanas and I spent countless hours trying to organize and plan everything. Unfortunately, the boys got a bad cold and double ear infections the week we were supposed to leave. We were praying things would clear up in time for our trip but it only worsened. Two days before leaving Bryce spiked a high fever and had difficutly breathing. We decided it was best that Jimmy take him to the ER because of course it was in the evening, Drew was asleep and I was sick. After lots of tests and bloodwork Bryce was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to the hopsital.The next day Drew and I went to see Bryce and bring necessities for he and Jimmy. Within just a few minutes, Drew spiked a high fever as well. I stayed with Bryce while Jimmy took Drew across the street to our Pediatrician's office. Surprise, surprise. Drew was diagnosed with pneumonia as well!His case was not as severe as Bryce's so he gave us the option to admit him with Bryce or to treat him at home. It was a hard decision because I didn't want to leave Bryce but I knew if would be better for Drew to be at home. The doc advised us to stay away from the hospital as much as possible because of the horrible viruses that many patients had...not very comforting to hear! So, needless to say, the trip and party were cancelled. Brcye was in the hospital for 4 days. Jimmy was awesome and stayed the nights with him while I stayed at home with Drew. Our friend Kristina went to the hospital in the mornings to "tag-team" Jimmy so he could come home and shower and get a meal before going back. It was a very scary time and a horrible experience. Both boys were so miserably sick...it hurt me just to look at them! I hope we never have to experience that again! Thankfully, they recovered well and my mom was able to fly down to be with us to have a little birthday celebration!
Thankfully, the boys weren't too interested in eating their cake!

Bryce and Drew will turn 2 this Friday and we'll have a party for them on Saturday. Hopefully this year will be healthy and fairly uneventful!

He is risen!

We had a wonderful day today celebrating our risen King. We went to church, the boys opened their Easter baskets, colored and decorated eggs and had an Easter egg hunt! It was so much fun! Although these "commercialized traditions" are fun and memorable, we always want to remember and teach our boys why we celebrate Easter.

This is the perfect reminder...At the ninth hour, as Jesus hung on the cross he cried out in a loud voice ,"My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) And when Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit." (Matthew 27:50) Three days later, Mary Magdalene and Mary went to look at the tomb where Jesus had been buried. The angel said to the women "Don't be afraid, for I know that you are looking Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. He has risen from the dead." (Mark 28:5 -7)
Remembering our first Easter with our babies - Easter 2006

The boys were just 2 weeks old. We were so thankful to have our babies home safe and sound AND to have the help of Nana Miner!

Easter 2008

We colored eggs for the 1st time

And decorated them with stickers

Bryce had fun making a picture with his Easter stickersBryce and Drew's 1st Easter Egg Hunt!

Another boy named Bryce

The other day I walked into our bedroom and saw Jimmy sitting at our computer desk. I thought he was paying bills but as I looked closer he was praying and had tears on his face. He had just opened the mail and read about a 6 year old boy named Bryce. We have been proud supporters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for many years and each month we receive a statement in the mail along with a picture of a child and his/her story. We are touched every time we receive info from them but this particular story hit close to home, with the boy named Bryce. Bryce Norwood - 6 years old
"Prior to his fight with cancer, Bryce was like any other little boy. He loved to fish, play baseball and ride his four-wheeler. Painting was one of his favorite hobbies, and he loved to eat pizza and drink orange soda. But, just days before starting pre-school, Bryce began experiencing severe stomach pain. Two visits to the pediatrician later, scans were ordered of Bryce's abdomen. The scans revealed a tumor in Bryce's left kidney. He and his family immediately turned to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. At St. Jude, Bryce underwent surgery that removed his kidney along with 13 lymph nodes. He received radiation and chemotherapy in the months following the operation. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in June 2007. Bryce began a new treatment plan, but the cancer proved to be a formidable foe. Bryce lost his battle with cancer this year on Valentine's Day."
I cannot imagine watching my little Bryce or Drew fight for their lives. It must be absolutely devastating for parents to see their children suffer. Please pray for Bryce's family and if you are looking for a good charity to support, please consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital http://www.stjude.org/. Thank you!

Their Favorite Things: Part 2

Here's more of my silly and sweet boys' favorite things!

Wrestling with each other - lovingly, of course!

Chasing each other around the house with their dump trucks

Playing at the park

Eating Mexican food - they LOVE to dip their chips in queso and then salsa. Hmmm...I wonder where they learned that yummy from! Playing "ring around the rosie"
Falling down is the funnest part, of course!

Putting puzzles together

Playing with their laptops

Their Favorite Things: Part 1

It's so sweet and fun to see life through toddlers' eyes. Everything is so fun an exciting for them and entertaining for us! Here's some of Bryce and Drew's favorite things to do right now.

Wearing swim goggles in the bathtub. It's a great way to keep water out of their eyes when washing their hair!

Wearing hats...
Hats of any kind!
Eating dried papaya, together, in the laundry basket!
Wearin' their shades
Dumping out their storage tubs in their closet, hauling them out to the living room, lining them up in row and walking on them. Although it creates more work for me to cleanup, it keeps them occupied for quite awhile and is a great opportunity for them to practice their colors , number counting and good for balance. They came up with this idea all on their own...I thought it was pretty creative!

Snuggling with Mommy
Riding on the John Deere with Daddy
Playing in their Hummer suitcases

It's a crazy life but I LOVE IT!