This picture describes a 7 month old Kinsley pretty well.
His mind is always working.
If it's not one brother getting her into trouble, it's another. I thought we might have a calm, sweet, easy going baby girl, but I have a feeling she's going to be the sneakiest one yet!
I admittedly Photoshopped out the background on this picture just because it's such a great picture of Kendrick Willard :) He's just the sweetest :)
Okay, I know - enough, enough! I just had taken a lot of pictures of him at the beginning of the month for his 4.5 year update.
I call this one "when eczema meets Molloscum" ::sigh:: (MOST of it is eczema, btw - just those 6 larger spots are the molloscum)
Part of the reason we can't keep chips in the house.
If the time comes that we need to place Mark in a nursing home, my hope is that it will be in the one half a mile from our house that we walk by to get to the park. This would be the path. I really do hope that we don't reach that point and have to go there, but the reality is that this disease will eventually put him there if something else doesn't take him before then :(
Always a very full lap at this house. The chair is beginning to show some pretty serious signs of wear and tear as a result lol
Meet my new, adorable little niece Grace! Isnt' she just beautiful? My little sister Amanda and her husband Michael welcomed her on March 5th, their 4th baby. We got to meet her just yesterday :)
So, so many good words of wisdom this month in my devotions.
Seriously, guys. Mike is so wonderful here. I took in our minivan to get the tires balanced and rotated, as they sounded just awful on the way home from our wedding weekend in Des Moines, and come to find out that we needed to replace all our tires, as they were down to the rebar: Bad, bad bad, bad, bad! Mike was very helpful explaining my choices, helped me make the right one, and then helped me move the carseats from the van to the Tahoe, at which time I was horrified to find that the van was a hot mess of wrappers and crumbs and cereal bits - so embarrassing. I told him it might be a couple days before I was able to get back to pick it up, as we had to go to Mayo the next day, and he was SO compassionate and understanding and told me he'd let me know when it was ready, and not to worry, that he'd take care of it. Well, I went back to pick it up two days later, and not only was the van in great condition as far as the tires, wiper blades, and overall checkup, he also vacuumed out all the mess in the van for me.
It's that kind of service that will keep me coming back to them for all our issues. Thanks, Mike!
Waiting for Mark's PET scan proved entertaining somewhat. I think both Mark's Dad and I were relieved when they finally called him back. Mark is a chatty bugger when he feels particularly rude.
It makes for some interesting conversations.
I cannot handle these bunny butts! they had them in the gift shop at Mayo, and I just had to have them.
Oh, how I love this man of mine :) Totally in his element here at HuHot!
Kinsley went through this streak of waking up for her 3am nursing session and not going back to sleep. It was cruel and unusual for a while. She'd keep me up until my alarm went off at 5am and then go back to sleep. I didn't mind the cuddles :)
Our date nights lately have been either to Bergen, Duffy's or River City. I keep trying to convince him to try the new Mexican restaurant, but he really doesn't ever want to go there. I don't know why -
it's delicious!
Here we go! As much as I want this kid to stay little forever, I am really enjoying the non-tantrummy part of two for this guy right now. He is so fun when he's not throwing a tantrum! I've been busy with kiddo updates this month, so if you're wanting to read more about what Ryan has been up to,
click here!
These two are at such fun ages right now. I was pretty terrified with them being so close in age,
but it's proving fun so far!
Cashel is such a sweet big brother. He sure does love his baby sister!
Love her so much!!
A big chunk of my heart right there!
Ya can't get on the floor for 30 seconds with this guy in the room without this happening lol
Ryan's favorite guy and his favorite current book :)
For all that has been going wrong, we see so many glimpses of Mark the way he always has been. When he's around his kids in small doses, he is super Dad still. He LOVED the pool at our hotel in Des Moines, and his OCD kicked in big time in having Ryan jump off the side of the pool into his arms. I think they did this little routine about 50 times in a row, and every single time, Ryan and Mark would both giggle and smile, and it just made my heart happy :)
He really, really, really does adore his family :)
My boys ;)
One thing that has been pretty evident with this decline of Mark's brain has been that he's going to be completely blunt about who he likes and who he doesn't like. If you've jilted him, you're going to know about it, and if you're his favorite person in the world, you're going to also know about it. This guy, my brother in law Michael, is one of Mark's absolute favorite people. He talks about Michael at least every day, and repeatedly will tell me, "I really, really like Michael. He's a good guy." I think we all agree on that one for sure! Michael is always so quick to help someone out, and he stood by my sister and our family for all these years as my sister was caretaker for my Mama as she slowly declined and then passed from Parkinson's this past October. There have been a LOT of sacrifices that Amanda and Michael have made over especially the past five years, as Mom's Parkinson's got really bad, and it absolutely did not go unnoticed. When everything with Mark came to light, he and Amanda have thrown out all kinds of hair-brained, impulsive ideas as to how they can help: Being willing to sacrifice days off to just drive up on a moment's notice. We have a LOT of really great people in our families, so Michael isn't the only one, but I have to say that if Mark had a man-crush, it'd be on Michael lol But if you asked him if he did, he'd look at you like you had 3 heads and say, "Amy, I'm married to YOU. And I don't like guys like that." lol
This is as close to a "Barney" cake as I could get on short notice. Very thankful that Cashel also wanted a dinosaur cake for his January birthday this year lol
I'm not really sure what the occasion was, but Cashel was ready!
I've yet to get a good picture of this, and don't really want to go all paparazzi and bring my DSLR to church, but this is my favorite part of each week's service :)
I am SO EXCITED for this spring! I finally have two to fit in the double stroller again without busting it up, and the big two are actually ::gasp:: listening! We may have fun adventures yet!
The "bucket" :( Poor little man :(
We sold our Tahoe, but I'm having a harder time legit listing the car. The Tahoe we've been meaning to sell for years, so it was all pure joy that we got rid of it. The car? The car signifies to me that Mark cannot drive. I mean, he's not (I've got the keys hidden), but actually selling it means he couldn't even if he had them. But...if you happen to be in the market for a 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ, let me know.
These, however: I had ZERO qualms about listing (and selling) them! Hallelujah for extra space in the garage! After spring clean up this year, it's going to feel so big and airy!
I will never tire of watching my babies sleep :)
My happy place! I just wish Daddy wanted to join us still :(
This is what Minnesota REALLY looks like in the spring...wet, wet, wet! So thankful for our investment in these Bogs. They're great in the winter AND in the spring.
When you're past the contagious period, but technically can't go back to daycare, and Mama needs to use her day off wisely...you go get the tires balanced, rotated, aligned, and patched, and you get Mama and Daddy all to yourself!
This summer is gonna be epic!
St. Patrick's Day
When you're a Mama to 4 little kiddos and Daddy has an incurable rare degenerative brain disorder, naps are no longer confined to comfy, cozy indoor spaces.
Being a part of a few Dementia support groups, I'm trying to capture his passion as much as I can right now, because one day, I realize it will be gone. The passion he has is mostly for food right now, but he gets EXCITED about food! Still, this is the passion he used to have just in general, and so it warms my heart, even if it's all for the wrong thing.
Decisions, decisions, decisions...
We were so thrilled that it is finally starting to clear up out at Wolf Lake...and then we got like 10 inches the next day.
Free cone day!
We saw this clip on Reading Rainbow about this guy who does a ridiculous display with dominoes. Cashel decided he was going to try, and was crashing and burning like crazy. He then ran around the house stomping and raging and getting all bent out of shape. I finally had a heart to heart with him about how he needs to just be calm and quiet and patient, and after a little more spazzing out, he finally tried it and it worked! He was so excited!!
So thankful for small surprises like this to brighten rough days.
The faces we make trying to get the babies to smile for a picture lol
Love this kid so much!
I totally get it, Kinsley - this EB is totally freaky!
Kendrick has always had a sorta hate/hate relationship with this EB as well. This particular year, Kendrick decided that he was going to dress up as the red power ranger so that he could scare the EB.
He still refused to come anywhere even remotely near him lol
Also a typical Minnesota "Spring" ::sigh::
This kid has been snuggling up with me more and more frequently. I'm loving it!
A few things about this picture that seems very ordinary: 1) That's our favorite photographer there in the snow. She plopped down, and my kids buried her. 2) Mark really does have SOME of his senses about him. He went right on over there to help get her up without anyone prompting him to. 3) The pictures we've seen so far are on point! I can't wait to see the rest! 4) I was stunned that Mark made it about 45 minutes out there for pictures! I was expecting more like 10 minutes!
I swear I really am asking for help when I need it! This particular day, the boys were getting a little out of hand, and I asked my good friend Jill if she'd mind if they came down to play with her son Hudson for a while. She sent me snaps of all the fun they were having. I love that lady so much!
Being a toddler Mama means dilly bars never end up really where they're supposed to go.
I need to find a better way to handle egg dying. I think next year I'll try the shaving cream method. The boys ended up with colored hands for a few days, and we ruined two towels sopping up all the spilled dye.
This hasn't happened in about 4 months now. I was at my wits end at bedtime this particular night, so I told the big boys to take books up and have Daddy read to them. I knew it wouldn't happen, so I was just trying to get them to kill some time trying while I got the little ones asleep, but to my surprise, he DID read with them this particular night. Of course, I had to document it!
They had a little carnival type Easter thing at the BARC center. This was the highlight - human hungry hippos.
'Cause, you know, we ended up 2 for 2 on creepy Easter Bunnies this year. Even Cashel was pretty terrified of this one.
His mind is always working.
If it's not one brother getting her into trouble, it's another. I thought we might have a calm, sweet, easy going baby girl, but I have a feeling she's going to be the sneakiest one yet!
I admittedly Photoshopped out the background on this picture just because it's such a great picture of Kendrick Willard :) He's just the sweetest :)
Okay, I know - enough, enough! I just had taken a lot of pictures of him at the beginning of the month for his 4.5 year update.
I call this one "when eczema meets Molloscum" ::sigh:: (MOST of it is eczema, btw - just those 6 larger spots are the molloscum)
Part of the reason we can't keep chips in the house.
If the time comes that we need to place Mark in a nursing home, my hope is that it will be in the one half a mile from our house that we walk by to get to the park. This would be the path. I really do hope that we don't reach that point and have to go there, but the reality is that this disease will eventually put him there if something else doesn't take him before then :(
Always a very full lap at this house. The chair is beginning to show some pretty serious signs of wear and tear as a result lol
Meet my new, adorable little niece Grace! Isnt' she just beautiful? My little sister Amanda and her husband Michael welcomed her on March 5th, their 4th baby. We got to meet her just yesterday :)
So, so many good words of wisdom this month in my devotions.
Seriously, guys. Mike is so wonderful here. I took in our minivan to get the tires balanced and rotated, as they sounded just awful on the way home from our wedding weekend in Des Moines, and come to find out that we needed to replace all our tires, as they were down to the rebar: Bad, bad bad, bad, bad! Mike was very helpful explaining my choices, helped me make the right one, and then helped me move the carseats from the van to the Tahoe, at which time I was horrified to find that the van was a hot mess of wrappers and crumbs and cereal bits - so embarrassing. I told him it might be a couple days before I was able to get back to pick it up, as we had to go to Mayo the next day, and he was SO compassionate and understanding and told me he'd let me know when it was ready, and not to worry, that he'd take care of it. Well, I went back to pick it up two days later, and not only was the van in great condition as far as the tires, wiper blades, and overall checkup, he also vacuumed out all the mess in the van for me.
It's that kind of service that will keep me coming back to them for all our issues. Thanks, Mike!
Waiting for Mark's PET scan proved entertaining somewhat. I think both Mark's Dad and I were relieved when they finally called him back. Mark is a chatty bugger when he feels particularly rude.
It makes for some interesting conversations.
I cannot handle these bunny butts! they had them in the gift shop at Mayo, and I just had to have them.
Oh, how I love this man of mine :) Totally in his element here at HuHot!
Kinsley went through this streak of waking up for her 3am nursing session and not going back to sleep. It was cruel and unusual for a while. She'd keep me up until my alarm went off at 5am and then go back to sleep. I didn't mind the cuddles :)
Our date nights lately have been either to Bergen, Duffy's or River City. I keep trying to convince him to try the new Mexican restaurant, but he really doesn't ever want to go there. I don't know why -
it's delicious!
Here we go! As much as I want this kid to stay little forever, I am really enjoying the non-tantrummy part of two for this guy right now. He is so fun when he's not throwing a tantrum! I've been busy with kiddo updates this month, so if you're wanting to read more about what Ryan has been up to,
click here!
These two are at such fun ages right now. I was pretty terrified with them being so close in age,
but it's proving fun so far!
Cashel is such a sweet big brother. He sure does love his baby sister!
Love her so much!!
A big chunk of my heart right there!
Ya can't get on the floor for 30 seconds with this guy in the room without this happening lol
Ryan's favorite guy and his favorite current book :)
For all that has been going wrong, we see so many glimpses of Mark the way he always has been. When he's around his kids in small doses, he is super Dad still. He LOVED the pool at our hotel in Des Moines, and his OCD kicked in big time in having Ryan jump off the side of the pool into his arms. I think they did this little routine about 50 times in a row, and every single time, Ryan and Mark would both giggle and smile, and it just made my heart happy :)
He really, really, really does adore his family :)
My boys ;)
One thing that has been pretty evident with this decline of Mark's brain has been that he's going to be completely blunt about who he likes and who he doesn't like. If you've jilted him, you're going to know about it, and if you're his favorite person in the world, you're going to also know about it. This guy, my brother in law Michael, is one of Mark's absolute favorite people. He talks about Michael at least every day, and repeatedly will tell me, "I really, really like Michael. He's a good guy." I think we all agree on that one for sure! Michael is always so quick to help someone out, and he stood by my sister and our family for all these years as my sister was caretaker for my Mama as she slowly declined and then passed from Parkinson's this past October. There have been a LOT of sacrifices that Amanda and Michael have made over especially the past five years, as Mom's Parkinson's got really bad, and it absolutely did not go unnoticed. When everything with Mark came to light, he and Amanda have thrown out all kinds of hair-brained, impulsive ideas as to how they can help: Being willing to sacrifice days off to just drive up on a moment's notice. We have a LOT of really great people in our families, so Michael isn't the only one, but I have to say that if Mark had a man-crush, it'd be on Michael lol But if you asked him if he did, he'd look at you like you had 3 heads and say, "Amy, I'm married to YOU. And I don't like guys like that." lol
This is as close to a "Barney" cake as I could get on short notice. Very thankful that Cashel also wanted a dinosaur cake for his January birthday this year lol
I'm not really sure what the occasion was, but Cashel was ready!
I've yet to get a good picture of this, and don't really want to go all paparazzi and bring my DSLR to church, but this is my favorite part of each week's service :)
I am SO EXCITED for this spring! I finally have two to fit in the double stroller again without busting it up, and the big two are actually ::gasp:: listening! We may have fun adventures yet!
The "bucket" :( Poor little man :(
We sold our Tahoe, but I'm having a harder time legit listing the car. The Tahoe we've been meaning to sell for years, so it was all pure joy that we got rid of it. The car? The car signifies to me that Mark cannot drive. I mean, he's not (I've got the keys hidden), but actually selling it means he couldn't even if he had them. But...if you happen to be in the market for a 2012 Chevy Impala LTZ, let me know.
These, however: I had ZERO qualms about listing (and selling) them! Hallelujah for extra space in the garage! After spring clean up this year, it's going to feel so big and airy!
I will never tire of watching my babies sleep :)
My happy place! I just wish Daddy wanted to join us still :(
This is what Minnesota REALLY looks like in the spring...wet, wet, wet! So thankful for our investment in these Bogs. They're great in the winter AND in the spring.
When you're past the contagious period, but technically can't go back to daycare, and Mama needs to use her day off wisely...you go get the tires balanced, rotated, aligned, and patched, and you get Mama and Daddy all to yourself!
This summer is gonna be epic!
St. Patrick's Day
When you're a Mama to 4 little kiddos and Daddy has an incurable rare degenerative brain disorder, naps are no longer confined to comfy, cozy indoor spaces.
Being a part of a few Dementia support groups, I'm trying to capture his passion as much as I can right now, because one day, I realize it will be gone. The passion he has is mostly for food right now, but he gets EXCITED about food! Still, this is the passion he used to have just in general, and so it warms my heart, even if it's all for the wrong thing.
Decisions, decisions, decisions...
We were so thrilled that it is finally starting to clear up out at Wolf Lake...and then we got like 10 inches the next day.
Free cone day!
We saw this clip on Reading Rainbow about this guy who does a ridiculous display with dominoes. Cashel decided he was going to try, and was crashing and burning like crazy. He then ran around the house stomping and raging and getting all bent out of shape. I finally had a heart to heart with him about how he needs to just be calm and quiet and patient, and after a little more spazzing out, he finally tried it and it worked! He was so excited!!
So thankful for small surprises like this to brighten rough days.
The faces we make trying to get the babies to smile for a picture lol
Love this kid so much!
I totally get it, Kinsley - this EB is totally freaky!
Kendrick has always had a sorta hate/hate relationship with this EB as well. This particular year, Kendrick decided that he was going to dress up as the red power ranger so that he could scare the EB.
He still refused to come anywhere even remotely near him lol
Also a typical Minnesota "Spring" ::sigh::
This kid has been snuggling up with me more and more frequently. I'm loving it!
A few things about this picture that seems very ordinary: 1) That's our favorite photographer there in the snow. She plopped down, and my kids buried her. 2) Mark really does have SOME of his senses about him. He went right on over there to help get her up without anyone prompting him to. 3) The pictures we've seen so far are on point! I can't wait to see the rest! 4) I was stunned that Mark made it about 45 minutes out there for pictures! I was expecting more like 10 minutes!
I swear I really am asking for help when I need it! This particular day, the boys were getting a little out of hand, and I asked my good friend Jill if she'd mind if they came down to play with her son Hudson for a while. She sent me snaps of all the fun they were having. I love that lady so much!
Being a toddler Mama means dilly bars never end up really where they're supposed to go.
I need to find a better way to handle egg dying. I think next year I'll try the shaving cream method. The boys ended up with colored hands for a few days, and we ruined two towels sopping up all the spilled dye.
This hasn't happened in about 4 months now. I was at my wits end at bedtime this particular night, so I told the big boys to take books up and have Daddy read to them. I knew it wouldn't happen, so I was just trying to get them to kill some time trying while I got the little ones asleep, but to my surprise, he DID read with them this particular night. Of course, I had to document it!
They had a little carnival type Easter thing at the BARC center. This was the highlight - human hungry hippos.
'Cause, you know, we ended up 2 for 2 on creepy Easter Bunnies this year. Even Cashel was pretty terrified of this one.
