Children's Museum of Phoenix

Last week I went to the library and I was lucky enough to get a culture pass to Children's Museum of Phoenix. Can I just say how awesome this place is? I want to go back. We were there for over three hours and if it weren't for sleepy children we would have stayed all day long! It is a great place for children and although it seems expensive ($9 a person) it is well worth the price! (Can you tell we had fun?)
Here are some pictures of the fun we had!

I am a Heart Mother

Lately I have been thinking about each day we spent in the hospital with Kyson last year. It was exactly one year ago today that he went back to the OR to get his chest closed. They had left it open to allow quick access to his heart in case of emergency and to allow some swelling to go down. As I have thought about that day and each day we spent in the hospital, I was reminded of a poem I originally read on a fellow heart mother's blog, The Simmons Family. I fell in love with it and I thought I would share it those of you who have not read it.

I am a Heart Mother
One day my world came crashing down,
I'll never be the same...
They told me that my child was sick..
I thought, am I to blame?
I don't think I can handle this...
I'm really not that strong..
It seemed my heart was breaking..
As, I'd loved him for so long.
I will not give up on this child..
despite your best "advice"..
I will give my child a chance..
No matter what the price..
And I will learn all that I need..
to help my child to thrive...
I'll even use that feeding tube..
My child will survive!
And he'll needs lots of therapy?
And he just can't gain weight?
Alright God I can do this..
I will not curse our fate.
The feeding pump beeps,( at 3:00 a.m.)
It serves as my reminder..
How many parents would welcome that sound?
Tomorrow Lord, I will be kinder.
Another angel earns their wings..
and I run to my sleeping child's bed..
I watch him then, for quite awhile..
(I bend down and kiss his head)
Then I cry for the parent's whose lives have been broken..
And I look to You wondering why?
Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways..
No matter how I try.
And yet, I trust You hold his life..
(and guide us through each day)
My mind says savor each moment he's here...
But my heart whispers,"Please let him stay".
From... pacing the surgical waiting room...
to sitting by his hospital bed...
From... wishing for a good nights sleep..
to learning every med..
From... wondering will he be alright?
to watching him reach out his hands..
with every smile, my heart just melts..
(despite life's harsh demands)
For all who see that faded line..
I look to them and smile..
You see my child is loved so much..
I would face any trial...
That same scar I trace with my finger..
(It's the door to his beautiful heart)
You must have known how much I'd love him..
(Just as You loved him right from the start)
A heart mom is always a heart mom..
(wise beyond all of her years)
And for those who have angels in heaven..
Our hearts share in all of your tears..
On Mother's Day I will remember..
You chose me for him(and no other)
And I will embrace that beautiful day..
When I became a "heart mother".
By Stephanie Husted

I have been keeping up with a lot of "heart baby" blogs lately. It is inspiring because each of these babies has an amazing story to tell. If I'm ever having a bad day I can read one of these blogs and I feel an immense amount of gratitude for Kyson and the progress he has made. For example the blog I mentioned previously is about Owen and he is currently waiting for a heart transplant. Then there's Jack who recently had his Fontan (the same surgery Kyson will have in a couple years). There's also Ethan who has had his Norwood and will have his Glenn within the next few weeks. Grant also has a very inspiring story and I was so happy to hear that his parents were finally able to take him home. There are many more I could mention and like I said they each have a fascinating story to share.

The day our lives changed

May 15, 2008.
Wake up and get ready to go take Kyson to two month check-up at Pediatrician.

At doctor's office find out that Kyson's oxygen levels are so low he's in critical condition.

Doctor calls 911 and we are rushed to Banner Desert Hospital by ambulance.

After some extensive tests, find out Kyson has a Congenital Heart Defect (HLHS, DORV) and will need immediate surgery.

Kyson taken by helicopter to Phoenix Children's Hospital.


Mommy and Daddy follow behind in our car to the hospital.

Meet all of Kyson's new doctors and speak with his heart surgeon.


Spend the next few hours speaking with Kyson's nurse and letting everything sink in.

Find a small room at the hospital to sleep in and prepare ourselves for Kyson's first surgery bright and early the next morning...

Thoughout the past year I have thought of this day so many times. I have marveled at how everything panned out. Why didn't my OBGYN see something was wrong with his heart in the ultrasound he did? How did Kyson make it two months without a single doctor discovering his condition? (From the time he was born until his two month check-up I can think of at least four different doctors who saw Kyson and listened to his heart and that doesn't even count nurses) How did I not recognize some of the signs given to me? For example he always had a different tone to his skin. He seemed to breathe just a little harder than normal. He was NOT happy... Even now as I type these things I wonder why. It has haunted me to think about how much he was suffering inside without us really knowing. There is one thing I have no doubt about though. The Lord had his hand in everything that happened. I have felt that so strongly so many times I do not doubt it. For some reason Kyson was supposed to wait until this dreadful day to be discovered. Why didn't he ever turn blue or stop breathing on me at home? It is an absolute miracle considering how old he was yet I know the Lord was protecting him and waiting for the right place and the right time. What a blessing it is to have that knowledge.

Kyson has taught me so much this past year. I am honored to be his mother. In this past year we have gone from this:


to this:

Pretty amazing if you ask me!

Jared is gone for the weekend on a fishing trip so my amazing friend Velika has offered to watch my kids tonight so I can go out and do something fun with my sister Jamie. It was Jamie's birthday Wednesday so we are going to celebrate! Thank you for being so thoughtful Velika. I have appreciated all of your kind acts of service more than you know!

Our garden

I have been wanting to plant a garden for a long time. Finally in March I convinced Jared to help me do it. I wasn't expecting much...it was our first try here in the desert. I will admit that my expectations have been surpassed. It is doing great! It's getting hot and I'm worried the heat will kill everything but I am enjoying it while it lasts.

Here is our tomato plant. It is huge and taking over the world!!! I'm looking forward to having home grown tomatoes. Now if they would just turn red I would be happy! Every day I go outside and stare at the tomatoes hoping for just a little hint of red. I'm not being very patient!

Here is our squash. It too is quite large. It makes me wish I had more room to plant my garden.

And last of all is our green beans. They seem to be doing well although the heat is starting to get to them.

There is one plant you can't see and that is my jalapeno plant. The tomato plant has totally engulfed it but it's doing it's best to grow. I'm actually surprised it is doing as well as it is. That might be the first thing we harvest. What should I do with a jalapeno?

Moments I treasure

Caleb loves to blow bubbles.

Kyson loves to play in the rocks.

and I love watching my boys laugh and giggle together.

No more ASU!!!

Just thought I would add this. I found it to reflect Arizona State University to a T!

Daily Show - Obama does not get his degree because...



Last night Jared took his last final. He is officially done with ASU!!! I just wanted to give a huge shout out to him and tell him THANK YOU. It has been a long road of juggling his job, school, family, and everything in between. We've still got a lot ahead of us but this is a major milestone. As most of you have probably read on our blog previously HERE, or HERE we've had a lot of issues dealing with ASU and couldn't be happier to move on. I'm not sure what it will be like having a husband around all the time without having any homework to do!

Jared is currently in the process of applying to PA school. That will be a hard road but until then we will enjoy our time together!

On the mend...I hope!

After a couple of weeks of sick kiddos I just want to say that I am so grateful to be seeing smiles on their faces again! Poor Kyson has had it rough (hasn't he always?). First he had the pukies a couple weeks ago. Then he started teething and ended up with ANOTHER ear infection. The amoxicillin he was taking for his ear infection led to a yeast infection and a HORRIBLE diaper rash. I've never seen a bum so fried! We've been to the doctor three times, had five prescriptions, and called and talked to the nurses many times but I think he is finally on the mend.
Here is a classic picture of Kyson. I think he is a pro at smiling through his tears!

His smile is just too cute!


I told Caleb to go give Kyson a hug and smile for me. Here's the smile I got...Classic!

I laughed and showed Caleb how to smile with his teeth and here's what I got this time. Pretty darn cute if you ask me!


*Two weeks from today was the day we found out about Kyson's heart condition last year. I can honestly say that a day doesn't go by that I don't think about it. I am so grateful to have him in my life. I am willing to deal with the puke, ear infections, and yeast infections because it means I still get to hold him and love him every day and I wouldn't trade that for anything!