General Conference

In the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we have General Conference twice a year where we have the opportunity to listen our apostles and prophet speak to us. This weekend has been such a weekend filled with amazing talks and spiritual upliftment. I had a few favorite talks that I wanted to share highlights from.

Saturday morning Kent F Richards spoke. He was a surgeon. He talked about a 13 yr old girl who underwent a 14 hour surgery for a tumor on her spinal cord. As she was waking in the ICU she started talking about all of the people that were in the room who were her deceased family members. She talked for about an hour about them and then fell asleep. When she woke she told her father, "Daddy, all of the children in the ICU have angels watching over them."

Of course I couldn't hold back the tears as I listened to this talk. I know without a doubt there were angels watching over Kyson in his previous two surgeries. It brings me great comfort to know that on Thursday when I have to hand him over to the nurse to take him away for surgery there will be angels with him when I can't be.

If you would like to watch this amazing talk click HERE.

Another absolute favorite was Richard G Scott's talk. He talked about family relationships. I loved the stories he told about his deceased wife and son. His son had a heart defect and when he would cry really hard his heart would race. This would cause him to throw up. One night he heard his son crying and went to take care of him. He said he held him very close as he changed him and changed his bedding. His son died just two months later and he will never forget that special night with him. He talked about how even though it was very difficult to lose his son there was comfort in knowing he had made covenants in the temple that would allow them to be together forever. I too am grateful for the covenants I have made that give me the peace and comfort of knowing that I will be with my family even after this life as long as I am worthy.

This talk was filled with so much wisdom...it was amazing. Click HERE to watch it.

I loved listening to conference. There were so many other talks that I loved but these two resonated with me as we approach Kyson's surgery. I am grateful for the spiritual upliftment that I received. If you get a minute, listen to them...you won't be disappointed!

The waiting game

For those who didn't hear already Kyson's surgery got postponed again!

New surgery date:

THURSDAY APRIL 7TH!!!

Don't mark your calendars in pen this time.

Maybe I should also stop counting down. It's depressing when it's not going down but up.

Oh well...12 days left!

Spring Break

Originally for Jared's spring break we were going to have Kyson's surgery but when that got postponed I started planning some fun things to do as a family. Honestly I didn't care too much what we did as long as we were happy and doing it together! Here's what we came up with...

~spent time hanging out with friends.
~took Kyson in for his 3D echo. Really cool technology!
~went on a date to eat at Texas Roadhouse with some friends. (Thanks Velika for volunteering to watch our boys...your the best!)
~got a new camera. Whooohooo!!!!!!
~went to the Children's Museum of Phoenix
There are seriously so many fun things to do at this place. My boys love it!



~went to the train park in Scottsdale with Jared's brother and their family.
We all rode the train and our boys loved it of course!


They also loved playing at the park.

~just enjoyed the nice weather by playing with the boys outside our house.

~practiced with my camera a few times...

~Kyson learned how to pedal a big boy bike and he loved it!

~drove up to Show Low to visit with my family.
~Jared went fishing a couple of times. I went with him once because he wanted me to take a picture if he caught a fish. (Don't you know, it's all about the picture so you can show off:) Of course my allergies went crazy and I was miserable out there so we didn't stay long. Plus it was windy. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE wind? Well...I do! Springtime in Show Low should be called Windytime...

Wow! Isn't that an awesome fish? I think that's a pretty awesome picture of that fish:)

~celebrated my Mom's 50th birthday. We wanted it to be a special day so we got together as close to 50 people as we could to either drop off a flower with a note or email a note so I could attach it to a flower. She definitely ended up with a lot of flowers! My goal was to let her know how much she is loved by so many people!
This picture only contains one of vases of flowers...there were two more:)

~had a huge family birthday party for all of the March birthdays. That included Kyson.

~took a family picture. My brother Jason had his eagle court of honor and it just so happened that all of my family would be there. We decided to attempt a family picture. I have to say I'm impressed with how it turned out. Seeing as how I put the camera on a tripod, got every posed, set the timer, and ran and got in the picture I can't believe everyone is looking. Even all four grandkids are looking at the camera. Kyson doesn't look too thrilled but he at least he is standing still looking at the camera!

~attended Jason's eagle court of honor.

Of course spring break ended and we are back in the thick of things with school and everything else. The countdown in on (10 days) until surgery. I won't try to explain the rollercoaster of emotions I have been having about this. Lets just say I'll be happy in about eight weeks when it's over and he's feeling better! I do want to say thank you to everyone who is prepared to help us in any way possible. So many are taking work off and rearranging their schedules to be there with us and do whatever they can for us. It is appreciated more then words can say.

Kyson turns THREE!

Happy Happy Birthday to my Kyson!!!

Yesterday morning I walked downstairs just as Kyson was coming out of his bedroom. As he walked around the corner I said, "Kyson it's your birthday!" and gave him a big hug. He proceeded to run around yelling, "It's my Happy Birthday...Daddy, it's my Happy Birthday!" over and over again. He's been anticipating it for a while:)

I asked Kyson what he would like for his birthday breakfast and he decided he wanted pancakes. He helped me shape the pancakes for everyone. A happy face and a heart for him, a car and a heart for Caleb and hearts and circles for Mom and Dad. When they were all done we sat down to eat and put some candles in Kyson's pancakes to sing him Happy Birthday.


After breakfast the boys played for a while and then we got ready to go to the "barn park" (aka Tumbleweed park) with some friends. All of the kids had a great time riding scooters, bikes, and running around on the playground. Kyson loves the park. His favorite part is definitely the playground. He will play for hours all by himself just climbing around and going down the slides.

He seems to love going head first, because he flies like a rocket and shouts, "to infinity and beyond!" (Yes he is still in love with Buzz!)


I let the boys play for as long as possible before we needed to get home for visits from grandparents. Kyson was so worn out he fell asleep on the way home. I was glad because he needed a nap but I didn't want to force him on his birthday.

After some visits from grandparents we went to dinner at Red Robin. I wanted to take him somewhere they would sing to him because he just LOVES all the attention! He also thought the ice cream sundae they brought him was so awesome!


Every time throughout the day when someone would sing happy birthday to Kyson he would join in and sing too until the very end when they would say, "Happy Birthday to Kyson..." and he would just get the biggest smile on his face! He would then say, "You sing happy birthday to ME?" He loved it!

Once dinner was over I had to go to softball so Jared took the boys to Crispy Cream Donuts to get Kyson's free dozen and then to Great Grandpa Gunnell's house for a quick visit. It was a day full of fun and I hope Kyson enjoyed every minute of it! When I got home from playing softball Jared already had the boys in bed asleep so I snuck in there to say good night to them. I sat down by Kyson's bed and just held his hand as he slept and my mind just kept racing and thinking. I'm so grateful for each and every day I get to spend with him. He makes me a better Mother. He is definitely a challenge for me in so many ways but I love him for it. I also couldn't help but cry as I thought about what he has to endure in just 17 short days. I try not to think about it too much but as I sat there and held his little hand I couldn't help it. I'm just grateful that on his birthday he was able to smile and laugh and just be a little boy turning three years old! He is a very special little boy and he definitely holds a piece of my heart!

Monthly update

How has February already come and gone? I can't believe it! I guess that means it's time for another Gunnell update:)

Jared-
He finally finished his third quarter of PA school. Yay!!! We have the next week together with no studying! I love it. Only two more quarters to go and then rotations! It's flying by and I'm glad...it's stressful!
Even though Jared is so overwhelmed by school and everything that brings he is such a great husband and father. The weekend after Valentine's day he completely surprised me with a night away together. So thoughtful of him!

Andrea-
Jared signed me up to play softball with his PA class. They put together a team and agreed to let me play with them. I love it! Playing sports is such a great outlet for me.
Ethan's Run was such a great experience for me. I loved actually feeling like I was in shape (best shape I have ever been in)! I've been trying to continue to run but I don't have as much motivation anymore so it's harder. I'm determined to keep going though!
I have also been loving and learning as much as I can about photography. It is something I have found that I really enjoy! I just ordered a new camera and I am so excited to get it. In fact I don't think I have ever been so excited to recieve a package in the mail! Yahoooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Caleb-

He's growing up and is learning so much. He definitely has inherited my love of sports! He always asks me to play soccer, or baseball, or catch the football, or frisbee...you name it, he enjoys it! The other day Jared asked him what he was going to be when he grew up and he replied, "A wrestler like Uncle Jason!" We had just been to my brother's wrestling tournament so I'm sure that's why he said that but it made me laugh.

He's definitely saying some of the funniest things lately. Every day when he wakes up he gets a snack and today he chose a fruit leather. After he ate the fruit leather he saw some dark chocolate covered almonds I was eating and asked if he could please try one. As he's eating it he says, "yep...it's good!" (Of course it's good, silly! It's almonds and chocolate!) At this time I was getting some dinner ready and when I opened a cupboard a small piece of candycane fell out. I asked if he wanted it and he looks at me with big eyes and says, "THREE TREATS? SERIOUSLY? I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN HANDLE THIS! MOM, YOUR THE BEST!" (If only you could hear it in his voice it's even better:) Thanks Caleb...you're the best too!

Kyson-

Surgery is coming up quickly! Originally it was going to be this Monday...crazy! In some ways I'm glad because now we have this week to relax and do some things we can enjoy as a family. It's still always in the back of my mind and I look forward to getting it overwith! March 31st here we come!
Kyson has also been learning and growing a ton. I'm really curious to see if he's going to be left handed or right handed. When he writes or eats he is constantly switching back and forth and I can't tell which hand he is more dominate in. Time will tell.
When we go to the store, Kyson loves the attention of everyone around us. He is always saying hi to people and talking to everyone and it cracks me up. The other day as we were leaving Sprouts he shouts at the top of his lungs..."To infinity and beyond!" Let's just say we got everyone's attention and they were all laughing at him and he just soaked it all in.

Both kiddos-
And just for fun I had to add this picture. Kyson was sitting on the couch playing the Leapster and Caleb went and sat by him, put his arm around him and helped him figure out the game he was playing. So sweet...wish we had more moments like this one!


All of us-
I think we finally got rid of the sickness in our house and I'm very hopeful it will stay away especially until Kyson's surgery. When Kyson was sick with strep and scarlett fever he looked so awful. He whole body was covered in a horrible rash. Just look at his poor face:(
This picture doesn't even do it justice. His eyes were so puffy and there were red dots covering his face and body.

This next week we have a lot of fun things planned and I am excited to do each and every one of them together as a family. There is just something so wonderful about laughing and having a great time together without the stress that school brings on all of us and especially Jared. Here's to a wonderful Spring Break!

Surrounded by love and filled with graditude

Yesterday was just one of those days. It started off with taking Kyson to see his pediatrician because he broke out in a rash all over his body. I was surprised to find out that Kyson has scarlett fever, which is a symptom of Strep. I felt really bad because I promised both boys there wouldn't be any pokes at this doctor visit. Caleb is terrified of going to the doctor (even if it's not for him) and I have to convince him that everything is going to be ok. Well, I had to break my promise because Kyson's doctor wanted to draw some blood to make sure Kyson was ok...especially with surgery coming up. When Caleb realized Kyson was going to be poked he started SCREAMING which caused Kyson to scream and it was a little crazy. Gratefully the doctor came and got Caleb and distracted him for a bit with a new book, stickers, and a sucker :) so we could get the blood necessary. Then I had to ask the doctor to check Caleb also since I know Strep is very contagious. Caleb was just not happy with me. When we left the office both boys had two stickers, a brand new book, a sucker, a prescription!, and tear stains on their cheeks.
As we were driving home I started to realize that I was definitely not feeling good either. I was getting a fever and the chills and my throat was bothering me. I knew I must have the same thing as my boys so I decided to stop at an Urgent care for myself to just get a prescription. It was going to be at least an hour and a half...great! While I sat there trying to fill out the paper work for myself my boys just fought with one another and screamed while everyone in the waiting room stared at us. I decided to leave and come back in an hour. Jared called at that time and could tell that I was flustered so he came home to help me. He had to miss a class :( but I was so grateful for his help. As soon as I got home to give the boys to Jared, Kyson's surgeon's office called to tell me that Dr. Pearl was going to be having knee surgery and would be out for the next month. That was just bad timing! I was almost crying on the phone and had to tell the lady I would call back later. I left our boys with Jared and went to the Urgent care to get my prescription. I didn't get home until about three hours later! Ugh!
After such a long day of not feeling good and being frustrated and feeling sorry for myself I was so humbled by all those that showered us with kindness and love. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and brought us a treat, called to ask if there was anything they could do, or sent us a message to say they were thinking of us. We are completely surrounded by friends and family that love us and are willing to help us out in any way they can and I feel so blessed.
I called the surgeon's office back today and we rescheduled Kyson's surgery for March 31st, a Thursday. I have to be honest and say I'm disappointed it won't be the 7th because I was mentally prepared for that day and now I just get to stress about it longer. I think about it constantly and would like to put it behind us. It's going to be in the middle of the hardest quarter Jared has in PA school so I'm worried about him also. BUT... I know we will make it through it. There are so many people willing to help out (as I was reminded yesterday) and I am completely filled with graditude because of that. We are so incredibly blessed and there is so much to be grateful for!

My first 10k at Ethan's Run

Today was the day I have been looking forward to for months. It was the day I kept getting myself out of bed early and kicking myself in gear to get my daily run or other exercise in. It was the day I would finally prove to myself that I would be able to accomplish the goal I had set back in about October. Today was the day I ran my first 10k at Ethan's Run in honor of my Kyson!

Last night I decided it would be good to drive the course of the race so I would know what I was up against. I'm so glad I did because driving the course helped me mentally prepare for it all. This race is all hills so you are either going uphill or downhill the whole way. That was tough for me because around my house (where I've been running) it is completely flat!

Before the race I had Jared take a picture of me and my motivation...Kyson:)


Overall I felt like my race went great. I was slightly disappointed with my finishing time but I realize that since I never trained with hills it was ok. Most importantly I accomplished my goal of running the entire way so I was happy about that! Now that I have my first race behind me, it'll give me something to improve on for next time:) I really hope to do this race again! One thing that I know will help me next time is to have a watch or something to help keep track of my pace with each mile. Today I had no clue how fast I was going until I got my time at the end!

While I was running the race Jared took our boys to play on the bounce houses and have the pancake breakfast that was available.
Kyson found Clifford:)

...and bubbles!

Caleb just loved the bounce houses!


Just after I finished the race...


One of my favorite parts of this race is being able to meet in person all of the "Heart Moms" and "Heart Kids" that I have never met in person. It was also great to say hi to so many that I have met before. We ran into Liz Dennison and she had a surprise for Kyson...a Jakey Blankie!!! Thank you so very much! (By the way I have a link on my sidebar to Liz's blog. She is accepting donations to make Jakey Blankies to send to heart babies in the hospital. I think it's such an amazing way to honor her son and I'm sure that every family that recieves one of these blankets is so grateful for it!!! Make a donation if you can!)

Once we got home from the race I realized that I had never taken a picture of the shirt I wore while running...

I took this picture of Kyson and had it printed on a shirt as a constant reminder to myself of why I was running. I kept thinking about all that Kyson has to endure in just three short weeks and knew that the pain I was feeling at the time was NOTHING in comparison. Oh how I wish I could protect him and never have to watch him go through so much. Of course that's not possible and so I will do my best to learn as much as I can from this trial and from Kyson so I can be the kind of the mother he deserves.