He's three!!!

Caleb turned three on Sunday and were partying all weekend long! We went up to Show Low for the weekend and enjoyed some cooler weather. Saturday we loaded up the car to go have a picnic at the park and this is what we saw while we were driving...


Obviously not the greatest weather for a picnic. In fact it started hailing on us and we thought it was going to dent our car! Needless to say we turned around and went back to my parents house for a "picnic" at their house.
Caleb loved opening presents and singing Happy Birthday to blow out the candles on the cake.


Ha, ha. When I asked Caleb to look at me and smile this is what I got (no he's not blinking).



On Sunday we went up to visit Grandma and Grandpa Gunnell at their cabin in Pinetop. We had a great time going to church and eating lunch/dinner with them. That night we went to another birthday party to celebrate all of the July birthdays on my Mom's side of the family. Caleb got to open a lot more presents. He was very excited about each one yet he was feeling quite shy with all of the people watching him. (When we got home the next morning he kept bringing me all of his news toys and showing me how cool they were. He just kept running from one to another to another so exited, it made me laugh:) We also had cake and ice cream (again!) and then we left to head home to the heat of the valley again.
All day Monday he got new visitors coming to bring him a present. He was starting to get quite excited when the door bell would ring! That night we went swimming with some friends and had a great time!

I'm so grateful for my sweet Caleb. He is my little helper around the house and he is a good big brother. Although he is a little rough with Kyson sometimes, he loves to play with him. I can't believe it was only three years ago that I became a mother, but I LOVE it! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Congenital Heart Disease

A while back I found the blog to a man named Paul Cardall who has been living with CHD (Congenital Heart Disease) his entire life. He has quite an amazing story and I feel inspired by his life. He is currently waiting for a heart transplant. He put together this video that contains pictures of over 100 children and adults living with CHD. There are three pictures of Kyson in it around the 6 minute mark.


On Paul Cardall's blog he explains the need to raise awareness of CHD. He says,
"'Congenital Heart Defects are very different from “regular” adult heart problems. Experts recommend that those with complex conditions should receive regular care at programs that specialize in adult congenital heart care. But most complex heart defect survivors are currently cared for at centers with no special training in congenital heart problems,' according to ACHA (Adult Congenital Heart Association).

Those of us with CHD are living longer but there is a national shortage of ACHD programs. Many of you have children with CHD. As they grow older they'll need special care to keep them going as long as possible. Ultimately, we are all in God's hands. But until then we should fight to live and enjoy this beautiful world. He wants that for each of us."

Paul then goes on the explain a bill that is going through Congress to try and get federal funding for ACHA. To read what Paul said on his blog about this bill and to find out what you can do to help click HERE.

I am planning on writing an email to our lawmakers here in Mesa and asking them to sign on as a sponsor to this legislation (he explains how to do this on his blog if you click the link above) and hope that others will too. This is something that could make a big impact in Kyson's life as he grows up living with CHD especially as he gets older and into his adult years. Please take a few minutes and email your lawmakers also. Thank you!

Thoughts...

I have been thinking lately about how grateful I am for this thing called a blog! Five years ago I'd never heard the word "blog" and now I love it! I have debated many times whether or not I should go private, but I just can't decide! More than anything I am grateful for the chance blogging has given me to connect with other "heart mother's" and I don't want to lose that. I love reading other family's stories and everything they have gone through. I also am grateful for the constant updates we recieve on how things are going. For example, there is a baby named Ethan, who is struggling right now and everyday I am so anxious to see how he is doing. I am so amazed by him and the strength of his parents while going through such a tough time.

While reading about Ethan and other heart babies lately I have felt a deep sense of graditude for my sweet Kyson. He is doing so well. I am in awe of his Spirit. He has this ability to make everyone around him happy. You can't help but smile when you see him. Whenever we go to the store he makes everyone we walk past smile. He waves and points at everyone until they wave back and then he gets so excited and gives them a huge smile. It is quite contagious! I really do think he has made many people's day a little brighter just by saying hi to him. It is a gift he has.

I've often wondered what Kyson's journey through life will be like. No matter what I know he has a mission to fulfill and there is a reason he is here. I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for him in the future but right now I am deeply grateful to have him in my life.

Here's another picture of my boys that I love. I am so blessed.


Just look at that smile! My heart just melts when I see it, and I am the lucky mother who gets to see it hundreds of times a day!!!

Happy birthday to Jared, to me, and our country!!!

We had a very fun-filled week! It all began last Tuesday, June 30th, when Jared got one year older and I would definitely say one year wiser. We began the day with buttermilk pancakes and singing Happy Birthday.

Then the kids and I went to Jared's work so we could have lunch together. When Jared got home from work we got a babysitter and headed out on a DATE!!! We had dinner at The Melting Pot and just enjoyed being together without any kids. I've decided we need to do that more often!

When we went to bed that night the fun was not over because the next morning we woke up to ME becoming one year older and I'd like to think wiser. Jared made me a yummy breakfast and then headed off to work. Caleb was quite sick that morning so we just laid around in our pajamas and watched movies and snuggled. I received many phone calls, and texts, and a couple people stopped by to say Happy Birthday. Thank you to everyone who thought of me that day. It meant a lot to me! When Jared got home from work we had dinner and then headed out to see Wicked at Gammage. It was a great show and although we didn't have the greatest seats we had a great time!

The next day we still weren't done celebrating because we loaded up the car and headed to Show Low for some camping and to celebrate the 4th of July! We had a lot of fun camping as the weather was perfect and we enjoyed spending time with family. While we were there Kyson got quite sick but I didn't mind too much since he turned into a little snuggle bug. I was very grateful when he began to act like himself again. He got to spend a lot of time in his pack-n-play and he was quite content.


While camping it's quite a tradition to have a pinata for the kids. Caleb got to help put the candy in the pinata so he knew exactly what he was trying to do!

Here is the line of cousins waiting for their turn.

I love the looks on their faces when they are trying to hit it!


Finally after all of the younger kids had a turn the older kids sent candy flying everywhere. Caleb tried to pick us as much as he could carry and was very sad when pieces kept falling out of his hands. I got a cup for him to put it all in and he was a happy camper! (yes, dirty face and all!)


After all of our fun camping we loaded up Saturday and went to my parents house to get cleaned up. That evening we had a Pearce family home evening and saw many more cousins! So much fun!

When we woke up Sunday morning we STILL weren't done celebrating. We went up to Jared's parent's cabin and spent a little time with his side of the family. His Mom made us an amazing dinner to celebrate our birthdays. She also made one of the best carrot cakes I have ever tasted. It was so yummy!

Finally around 4:30 that afternoon, the partying was over and we loaded up the car for the long drive home to the heat of the desert. It was a great week and we had a lot of fun celebrating our birthdays.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA!!

Today is Andreas birthday! She is now 27 years old. All I can say is that she is the kindest, most honest woman I have ever met. She definitely keeps me in line and I appreciate that so much. I am lucky to have her in my life and our children are especially lucky to have her as their mother.

Happy Birthday Andrea! I love you very much.