CDH Awareness Day

March 31st has been declared Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Day in 30 states. I would imagine that most of you have never heard of this birth defect. I hadn't heard about it either, until a good friend of mine received this diagnosis for the baby she was expecting. However, CDH is statistically more common than many other defects and diseases that receive regular attention from the medical community and society in general. It is also one of the least researched!

Here is a link to my friend's blog, where Cadenne Hope's journey with CDH is explained in detail.
http://kariabi.blogspot.com/search/label/Cadenne

This little baby girl is a true miracle, showing how truly wonderous God's blessings can be. It's truly inspiring and awesome to read of Cadenne's short time on this earth ... and the pictures will blow you away, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful smile :)

Feel free to visit this page: http://breathofhopeinc.com/ to find out more. The bee displayed on that page has become sort of a symbol of the awareness campaign. If everyone tells ONE person, think about how many more people will have at least HEARD of CDH by next year at this time!

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Easter 2008

We attended church at First Baptist in Wollaston, Rev. Mike gave a wonderful sermon as always! The girls were dressed in their sweater sets that Auntie Vivian gave them for Christmas, along with spiffy new cowboy boots as a tribute to Clyde.

They had a wonderful time at church ... from the "time with the children" sermon to playing in the nursery, and of course the egg hunt on the lawn outdoors afterward!

We then went to visit Uncle Mark at the cemetary, and then to Auntie Nancy's house for Easter dinner. Another wonderful Easter celebration :)

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Maybe this is my lucky year??

Ok, so you know the e-mail ... "enter to win the grand prize!" ... well, I got one from Southwest Airlines ... the "Permission to Play sweepstakes" ... grand prize is a trip for your immediate family to the grand opening of the new water park 'Aquatica' built by SeaWorld. Write a 150-word essay on why your family deserves to have fun!

Now, I know we're busy, but I guess we're actually one of the four busiest families in America ... because WE WON!!!!!! Oh, my GOSH! We are going to Orlando, courtesy of Southwest Airlines and Busch Entertainment!!! I think we're all still in shock! Here's what we're getting ...

6 round trip airline tickets on Southwest Airlines
2 hotel rooms for 5 nights
6 2-day passes to SeaWorld
6 2-day passes to Aquatica
6 meal vouchers
6 "Dine With Shamu" tickets
and a family prize pack!!!

Holy Smokes!! I priced out the airfare alone, for the six of us it would cost about $2000 to fly to Orlando on those days ... and that's with special internet-only fares! EEEEEK! Everyone is stoked ... Katie has a 'ring calendar' and rips off one ring each night ... then she tells me how many "sleeps" until we leave!

One really awesome thing is that the boys are able to go with us :) We had been so wanting to take the whole family on a trip before the boys graduate, but with recent events we weren't going to be able to afford it. Now we are doing it!!! Oh, my GOSH!! I'll update as I get more details :)

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Princess Walls

For her birthday, we gave Katelyn some princess stickers for the bedroom wall. Today we did a good spring cleaning in the girls' room & then put up the stickers. The girls are thrilled over the result ... hopefully it will inspire them to keep their room a bit cleaner (ya right)!







For anyone who hasn't seen the window seat/shelving wall that Shawn built in their room, here is a picture of that as well ...

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I can crochet!

I learned to crochet many years ago, but never really loved it. For some reason I recently decided to re-learn the skill ... and now I *love* it! I started simple, made the girls each a scarf, and then a hat (they have to share it as I used the remainder of the yarn from both their scarves LOL).

The scarves are the same pattern (it's called "snugly scarf"), but I used different color variegated yarn. Here they are ...

I haven't taken a picture of the hat yet.

My next project is a 'prayer shawl' using a really pretty bluish gray yarn I bought today.

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Katie's Very First MOVIE!

Daddy decided it was time to introduce Katie to the wonderful world of the MOVIES! He took Katie to see 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' at the Cameo Theater in Weymouth. They had a great time, Katie was very well behaved (which led Daddy to promise to take her to another movie very soon), and she was entranced! She alternated between getting comfortable (read as draping herself across the seats & Daddy to view the movie), sitting w/ her eyes glued to the screen, and dancing in the space in front of her seat ... especially during the "Wow, Chicka Wow Wow!" portion!!

While Daddy and Katie were at the movies, Mackenzie and I took Gramma to the doctor for a check-up and then out to lunch at Good Days Restaurant. Kenzie had a great time, and was so well-behaved that she managed to talk Mommy into buying her a flying pig stuffed animal. It's adorable, and she was soooooo in love with it. Yeah, I'm a sap!

After getting home, both girls played outside for an hour or two ... it was cold, but they so love playing in the yard!

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File under "you might be a redneck if ..."

you give your daughter a sled ride using your LAWN TRACTOR!!!

Yes, that is Shawn towing Katelyn on her purple sled ... behind his lawn tractor. <sigh> Some kids just never grow up!

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I'm working from home now!

As most of you know, we've closed the retail portion of the appliance business & now are just focusing on appliance repair. Bruce has moved the shop & parts to his house and I moved the office to my house. We renovated the back room to incorporate my office ... basically I got a new work surface, file cabinets, and shelving. It's a bit tight, but it's coming along!

I now do the bookkeeping and answer the phones from the comfort of my own home. No more rushing about in the morning to get to work ... I'm already here! I can get Katie dressed & ready for school while answering calls & setting up the day's schedule with Bruce ... all in my PJ's & slippers, LOL! Both girls are loving that I'm home all the time, even if I do shush them alot so I can hear customers when they call.

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Columbus Day weekend

We traveled to northern New Hampshire and took the girls to both StoryLand and Santa's Village! The weather was absolutely great, we couldn't have asked for better ... it was hot & sunny almost all day Saturday, then rained a bit late Saturday afternoon, but by then we were done at the park anyway! Sunday was cooler, but still sunny and gorgeous. The girls had a great time and were very well-behaved. We went with our friends Jim & Dee and their two daughters, Anna & Jessica. Can't wait to go back again next year!!! Pictures are in my photobucket account ... here are a couple of slideshows!

Soccer has begun!

Katie now plays on her very first soccer team at the town Y!! She's so excited that she is playing soccer, just like her big brothers :) Her games are on Saturday mornings and practices are on Thursday afternoons.

Her team name (chosen by the majority of the team) is the "T-Rex's" ... Katie isn't thrilled with the name, she'd rather have the name be "Green Light" (yes, they wear green t-shirts LOL) ... but she's adjusting.

It's so cute to watch them try to understand the fundamentals of the game. Her coach is really nice, and is dedicated to instilling a love of playing in all the kids ... did I mention he's a brave man to be coaching 4 year olds??

Preschool

Katie started preschool on Sept. 17th!! She is loving it :)

Her teachers are Miss Toni and Miss Karen; she goes Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 9 to 1, packs a lunch and eats it at school. They play outside some days, do lots of learning activities inside, and will have "Fitness Fridays" in the main gym and will get to swim in the Y pool once a month!!






First picture is on the way to school on the first day;









second picture is Katie standing in front of her new cubby at school;











third picture is her playing legos with a new friend :)

I've lost 20 pounds!

Ok, so color me boastful ... but I'm proud of myself for *finally* losing weight :) I've been doing Weight Watchers with my best friend, and we're both doing great! I've lost a total of 20 pounds in just over 3 months ... and {ahem} just a few more to go ;) Seriously, I'm hoping that by this time next year, I'll be a whole new me ... well, still me, but alot LESS of me!!

Katelyn Hope is FOUR!!!

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Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

We had Katie's party on March 11th, and she had a great time. Lots of wonderful presents and we enjoyed having both families at our house :)

Can't believe she's FOUR ... my baby is growing up!

Mackenzie's evaluation

Three people from the early intervention came to the house on Thursday. They sat at the table with Mackenzie and had her do certain activities (puzzles, pegs, sorting, drawing, etc.) and she did really well. Too well, I'm afraid. Because she's so far ahead in everything except her speech, she doesn't qualify for services right now. The occupational therapist gave me some exercises to do with her to help strengthen her mouth, lips, and tongue, and hopefully those will help.

I have seen great advances in Kenzie's speech in the past couple of weeks, so hopefully she's just catching up at her own speed in the speech department. She can now say "Katie," which she hadn't been able to master previously.

Mackenzie's 2-year pediatrician appointment

Today we took Mackenzie for her 2-year check-up at Dr. Rappo's office. She's doing great, weighing 24 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 34 1/2 inches tall (4 ounces heavier & 1 1/2 inches taller than Katie at the same age) ! Dr. Rappo is pleased with her progress. She had blood drawn to check her iron and lead levels, and got a flu shot (big sister got one, too, and did really well, such a big girl!).

We discussed Kenzie's delayed speech, and Dr. Rappo agreed that she should get a "speech, language, and hearing assessment" for speech delays. I've already called the school and left a message, hopefully will hear back and get the ball rolling on that tomorrow. We'll keep everyone updated :)

A side note ... today was the 1-year anniversary of my Dad's passing. We stopped at the cemetary on the way home from the doctor's office. Katie & Kenzie were eating lollipops and watching a video, but Katie looked out the window and said, "Hey, this is where Grampa lives! I love you, Grampa!" then proceeded to blow him a kiss and said, "I blew him a kiss up to the sky so he'd get it! I miss Grampa." Awwww, how sweet is that?

Mackenzie is TWO!!

Hard to believe, but Mackenzie Louise has turned TWO! Seems like just yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital :) We had a party for her on the 6th and she had so much fun ... she's finally figured out opening presents, and loves ripping the paper!








Mackenzie is loving little Eva Marie, here she is keeping Eva occupied during her "tummy time!"
















This last shot is Mackenzie playing on the back deck, it's her favorite spot to be! Her play food and pots & pans are her favorite toys and she would stay outside and play tea party forever if we let her :)

What a wonderful Christmas!

I hope we've gotten some 'new readers' on our blog, since I put the URL into our Christmas letter this year! If you're new, welcome ... and please leave us some comments to let us know you're reading :)

Christmas was absolutely wonderful. We had my family over on Saturday the 23rd, and we did a "Yankee Swap" exchange. That was lots of fun. Of course the kids still got presents from everyone, but that is as it should be. I think the big hit of the day was the TMX Elmo doll that Auntie Vivian and Uncle Bruce gave to the girls ... Kenzie acts out all his moves, and it's hysterical! I took a short video clip and will be posting it as soon as I can get it uploaded. The girls also love the TJ Bearytales that Paul, Kristy, Eva, Holly, & Dave gave them ... they've listened to his stories several times.

We had a relaxing Christmas Eve ... gave the boys their birthday gifts and just enjoyed being together as a family. We went to Christmas Eve service at First Baptist in Wollaston, where Katie decided that she needed to have a full-blown case of bronchitis :( Seems every year one child has to be sick for Christmas. On Christmas morning we all opened our gifts ... Shawn surprised me with a gorgeous diamond bracelet, I had no clue! He also got me a Sony e-book reader, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE. I've already downloaded a bunch of books and have been reading it at every spare moment. The boys seemed to like all their gifts, and the girls were overwhelmed as usual. Later on Christmas Day we had Shawn's family with us. Our poor little living room has had more company over the past week than I think it's seen in the 3 1/2 years we've been there, LOL! It was great to have everyone together, though :)

Next up will be Mackenzie's birthday party on January 6th ... she'll be turning TWO on the 4th, can you imagine?? I have no idea what to get her for a gift ... she got more presents than any 2-year old could use for Christmas! Ah, well, I'm sure we'll manage to find something for her.

Merry Christmas!!

A Tribute to My Family

It was a bit strange to be "in" the parade instead of watching it this year! The Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater made my entire family Grand Marshals of the parade and dedicated it to my dad. They hired a closed trolley for us to ride in, and in the trolley were: my Mom; my brother Bruce, his wife Vivian, their son Paul, his wife Kristy & 6-week old baby girl Eva Marie, their daughter Holly & her new hubby Dave Corbett (fresh and fully tanned from their honeymoon in Aruba); my brother Wayne, his wife Diane, Diane's dad Buzz, their daughter Heather, her hubby Garrett & 7 month old baby Jackson, & their son Jason; myself, my hubby Shawn, and our children James, Jacob, Katie, and Mackenzie. Yup, it was a full trolley :)

Holly and Dave's Wedding (11/18/06)

Holly was a radiant and beautiful bride (as we all knew she would be), Dave was very dashing in his tux (and even sent his bride flowers that morning, awwwww), and Katie made a very cute flower girl. There are tons of pictures in my photobucket account (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0803/JoColes/Holly%20Wedding/)!