Good News and Bon Voyage!

Well, we took our little Lucas to the pediatric cardiologist today, and good news was in store for us. The doctor determined that Lucas has an innocent heart murmur. There is nothing structurally wrong with his heart. Whew!!! What a relieft!

And we leave for our family vacation to Disneyworld tomorrow! Actually in about 12 hours! We are going to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday. Happy Birthday Mommy (even though it's not actually until August 15). I am sure a world of excitement, fun, and chaos awaits us in Florida and we just can't wait!!!!!!

What's Next?????

Well, I think that someone upstairs is trying very hard to see just how much stress my family can handle before cracking. I took Lucas and Thomas to the doctor today to follow up on some ear infections that they had last week. During the last visit, the doctor thought Lucas might have a slight heart murmur. Today's visit confirmed the murmur and the doctor actually thinks that there is no way it can be an innocent heart murmur--that there is something structurally wrong. The doctor's suspicions are:

Ventricular septal defect (VSD):This is the most common type of congenital heart disease. In the case of VSD, the wall between the two largest chambers of the heart (the ventricles) does not finish forming.

OR

Atrial septal defect (ASD): The wall between the two entry chambers of the heart (the atria) does not finish forming.

Of course, this is the pediatrician's opinion and we haven't seen the pediatric cardiologist yet. We are getting a referral to see one, and we will know more at that time. Until then, we'll cross our fingers and pray our hearts off that his little heart is okay.

On a happier note, Kevin was asking me all kinds of questions about Lucas and we got to talking about all kinds of things. A couple of his responses were just too cute.

Brandi: "What is the meaning of life Kevin?"
Kevin: "Well, I all I know is that God, the sun and the rain makes things come to life, I don't know about the meaning of it."

Brandi: "What is love Kevin?"
Kevin: "You and Dad and my brothers. Plus a big hug and kiss."

Kevin: "Who is God?"
Brandi: "Who do you think he is?"
Kevin: "I think he is in my heart."

Children are such a blessing!

Our Friendly Visits

This week we were fortunate enough to have a couple of visitors. On Friday night, we got to have the Seidl's up. Kevin just had to sit next to his Great Grandma Jan. Then on Saturday, Ryan's girlfriend's sister brought her son (Brody) up to visit the boys. My boys were a little too loud for the poor guy, but luckily, Brody found a friend in the quiet little Lucas. Mema and Papa (Paul's parents) also came by Saturday night to see the boys after their trip to Las Vegas. They had a great time, and Marianne won $800!

On Monday, the beautiful McKenzie (and Cortney) graced our presence. Kevin poked her a couple of times, so naturally, Thomas followed his lead. However, he poked her over and over again. Poor McKenzie just stared at him, probably thinking: "Wait until I'm old enough to poke you back!" Finally, Papa and Grandma Slade and Linda came over today and we all had a blast. We went to McDonald's and played outside for hours. The boys had a wonderful time, and I think the grown-ups did too! Of course, Grandma Traci, Ryan, and Brittani were also some of the fun visitors as well.

Here are a couple of pictures of our fun times:

Lucas, Kevin, Baby Kenzie, and Thomas

Brody, Lucas, Kevin, and Thomas

Thomas, eating a twinkie.


Brittani and Kevin playing with his tools.

Grandma and the twins, swinging away.

The two Tom's.

The Joy of Motherhood

A fellow wonderful mother forwarded this to me in an email and it is just oh so true:

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys

or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or notmy plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on.

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mindand my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at nightwatching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just becauseI didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt..I never knew that something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of

having my heart outside my body...I didn't know how special it could feel

to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,the joy,the love,the heartache,the wonder
mentor the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

before I was a Mom ..

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY JESSICA!!!!!!

Happy 21st birthday to my wonderful sister-in-law, Jessica Krupp. I hope she has a wonderful day! And she is leaving on Friday for Las Vegas with her parents, friends, and other relatives....Vegas won't know what hit 'em!

Jessica has become a beautiful, charismatic, hilarious, honest person whom I consider myself very blessed to have as a sister-in-law. And I know that if my boys could type, they would write:

Aunt Jessica,
We love you so very much! You are a wonderful Aunt and you light up our world everytime you are around. We are so lucky to have you in our lives and hope that you have the BEST birthday ever! XOXO. Love, Kevin, Lucas, and Thomas

And Paul says Happy Birthday and that he loves you very much!





Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Jessica, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Update

I went to my oncologist yesterday and just thought I would update everyone. I had numerous tests done--a thyroid ultrasound, a chest xray, and bloodwork galore--and everything look really good! My doctor thinks that the radioactive iodine and surgeries were successful at this point. However, the true test is still yet to come. In July I have to get more testing done (thyrogen), and possibly another radioactive iodine treatment/scan. I am hoping to avoid doing that again, but obviously I want to do what is necessary.

At this point, we are pretty optimistic. My energy levels are increasing and I am finally starting to shed a pound here and there. Good thing too because those kiddos of mine are running me ragged!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!!

Happy Easter to everyone! I hope everyone's Easter was as wonderful as ours was. We enjoyed a great Easter Saturday at the Zeornes' and then celebrated the holiday with Easter breakfast with my family and Paul's family. The kids were great and so enjoyable. And it is always wonderful remembering the sacrifices that Jesus made on our behalf.

Thomas and Grandma

The ladies and their love bugs...Kelly and Isaac, Linda and Thomas, Brittani and Lucas, and Traci and McKenzie

My boys and the Easter bunny

Beautiful, sweet, little McKenzie


Kevin hunting eggs (this was at an egg hunt in Woodland...needless to say, they didn't hide the eggs very hard--or at all for that matter)

Lucas loves his cake!

Auntie Jessica, Kevin, and me in our cool Cars hat

The Smith Family...just wait until next year, that dress on McKenzie will be covered in egg dye

Brittani and Cortney

The Easter Bunny came to town (Thomas on the left, Kevin in the middle, Lucas on right)

Dye those eggs boys

Linda and Isaac

Thomas and Lucas, dying their eggs (or spilling the dye...whatever works)

Isaac, Lucas, and Thomas....playing hard

Isaac and Kevin, getting ready for some egg coloring action

Grandma, Grandpa, and Ryan

Kevin, playing Pretty, Pretty Princess, but we call it Handsome, Handsome King that way Paul can stomach the idea of his participation a little better

Lucas and Isaac, hunting for eggs (or sitting there eating the contents of eggs)