Let's Jump!

It's always nice to have good things happen when you least expect it. A few weeks ago, we offered to help put up our friends' new trampoline set. All of our kids enjoy hanging out together, so they played while us grown-ups got to work. Our first goal was to dismantle their old trampoline. It's always been a wish of ours to get one for our family, especially with our very own gymnast :)

When they offered us theirs to take, we were beyond excited! It needs a few more springs and some TLC here and there, but there's nothing that'll hold this momma back from getting crafty to benefit my kids. We had a good time putting up their new one, which really was nice... it's great for all four of their energetic boys! A trip to our place and an hour later, we were up and running... or should I say bouncing?! We adjusted the location of the springs we have, tightened the mat and it looked great!

Our goal is to get it back to 100% with a few things here and there. I'm sure a nice browsing of Pinterest will help :)

Here's a montage of Kaylie, Makenzie & Dannen enjoying their newest toy...

Welcome Sunshine's Kittens!

Sunshine is the new momma to three beautiful kittens!!! The night before her kittens were born, I slept in the bathtub with her... she kept whining all day, every time I'd leave her. (We began keeping her in the prepared bathroom a week prior so she'd get used to her area and being without Shadow, Abby and Boots.) Sunshine wanted physical attention, constantly wanting me to pet her, laying right next to me, purring like crazy. I felt her kittens moving around a lot the whole night prior and day of delivery.

Dannen and I ate lunch in the bathroom with her so she could relax. When Dannen went down for his nap around 2pm, I noticed she kept going in and out of the littler box constantly. Her *plug* came out around 2:15, which brought on her labor. I text our girls' friend who rides the bus with them, asking her to tell Kaylie and Makenzie to walk up the hill from getting off the bus, so I could stay with Sunshine. (They were beyond excited to walk, especially knowing what was to come!) The three of us camped out in the bathroom, watching as Sunshine started to contract and attempt to get comfortable in the bathtub. Right before she gave birth, Sunshine screached SOOOOOOOOO loud, about a dozen times, causing all of us to freak out, scaring my girls to close their ears and cry :( It truly was scary, but I begged them to not run out of the bathroom... It was the most amazing experience EVER...

 Oreo was born at 4:15pm... absolutely amazing...

 Sunshine quickly began breaking her from the birth sac and get him breathing... the first time he made noises was something we'll never forget!

Kaylie and Makenzie had to go to church for hand chimes and choir practice, so William got home just in time to get them to church. I heard Dannen stirring in his room when Sunshine started contracting again...  

Mittens was born quickly and quietly at 5:00pm... Dannen came in the bathroom about 5 minutes after she arrived. He was smiling from ear to ear!

 She looks just like her mommy!!! Both Oreo and Mittens took to nursing very quickly!

 We could hear the kittens sucking to drink from Sunshine

 Loved seeing the little kisses... 

 Oreo and Mittens stayed very close to Sunshine

Sunshine made sure both kittens were comfortable and took a little nap... Dannen got bored and left to play.

Cocoa was born at 6:09pm... Sunshine was very quick to push her out, but made me nervous when he was still connected while she moved around a lot. Thankfully, she cleaned him up just in time for Dannen to walk back in.

 Lots of little noises quickly filled the bathtub...

 They are SOOOO tiny!

 Over the following two days, the kittens began scooting along the blanket looking for Sunshine whenever she jumped out to eat/drink/use the litter box. She seemed to wait until I came into the bathroom to leave them... kind of like knowing she had a good babysitter to watch over them :)

 Momma cat loves her kittens

 Love them so much!

 Sunshine pulls them in close and cuddles after they drink :)

 Little Cocoa has the sweetest little meowing noise!

 One of my favorite pics... bonding at it's best... 

 SO thankful God blessed us with these wonderful little kittens. Though this pregnancy wasn't exactly what we planned, with four cats already, it's truly the most amazing experience EVER! They are so full of life, yet so very tiny... 

 Congrats to brother/sister cats Shadow & Sunshine... the proud new parents to Oreo, Mittens & Cocoa... we love you so much!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet cats Abby & Boots!!! I remember when our friend posted on Facebook of their birth... right away we knew in our hearts they would be a part of our family. (Heaven hugs to my baby Chewy, their brother, whom we had to send to Heaven just 10 weeks after his birth.)

Abby, sporting her pretty polka-dot collar...

 Abby and her cute polka-dot collar...

 HAHAHA, caught you drinking from the decorative bowl!

 Daddy & Boots in a deep conversation... what's FUNNY about this is she NEVER gets close to William unless it's for a few second pet here of there... Wonder what she was thinking??? I know William almost had a heart attack and begged for no one to make a sound lol

 Birthday treats for our girls...

 "Queen" Boots... always perched up high, relaxing, taking it all in... she's amazing!

 Abby is our sneaky, fun-lover, always appreciative of attention and interaction, but on her own terms:)

Thankful for our wonderful cats... you make our lives so much happier!

Pregnant Kitty

January 14th thru January 16th... those are the dates of which our little cats Shadow and Sunshine became parents-in-the-making. Though it was SOOOO very not planned or hoped for, we know there's always a reason! Here are some photos from the past 9 weeks...

Sunshine is by far a "Mommy's girl" 

 Napping with Mommy

Getting comfy everywhere!

 Such a sweetheart...

 Wrapped up in a blanket...

Lovin' on each other :)

Sunshine loved resting on Kaylie's bed...

Belly pic... getting bigger!

 Always time to nap when pregnant... 

 Such a calm Mommy Cat...

 Visit to the vet showed at least (3) kittens... she had some *poop* in the way, so the vet wasn't 100% sure that there was or wasn't another hiding behind lol This was THE COOLEST thing ever! Makenzie and Dannen joined me... we got to see the x-ray and see the kittens on the ultrasound machine. Their little hearts were beating so strong :) Both kiddos were so quite and sat with eyes wide open... amazed was an understatement!

Feeling her little kittens moving inside is truly a blessing... to know there are live animals growing inside of her is something words can't explain. She lays so still, letting me rub her belly and back, resting my hand on her, feeling them move... it's like she's smiling when I sit with her... I feel so "close" to my sweet Sunshine... This is the closest to being pregnant myself I can ever get... to which I am thankful for everyday...

 I love all my cats with all my heart, but the bond we share is awesome... She's my little love...

Video of Sunshine's belly... look toward the back half, in between the two dark spots...

  

After church today, Kaylie, Makenzie, Dannen and I made Sunshine a "birthing box"... We took our friends trampoline box and jazzed it up a bit lol The little flap down door will allow her easy access in and out. Once the kittens are mobile and trying to climb, we can flip it up, making it harder for them to even try to climb out, keeping them safe until ready to be out and about on their own.

 With Sunshine's due date between March 18-20th (the average gestation for cats if 63 days), I'm BEYOND nervous and ANXIOUS. I just pray that I'll be home and available to help if needed and that she delivers safely. This whole process has been a fantastic bonding experience with me and Kaylie... something much needed and perfectly timed. I know having (4) cats is crazy already, but God only gives you what you can handle... bring it on! This Mommy has love to share with my hubby, all three kids, four cats, and kittens to come!!! :)

Undefeated Party

With a winning season, we were beyond excited to celebrate with the Lady Jayhawks players and family. It was so much fun watching them learn to play the game together and getting to know new friends. Sunshine and upper 60's made for a beautiful party...

 We had a potluck dinner, where everyone brought yummy food to share... we had two different pasta salads, chips, hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies, chocolate cobbler, ice cream, cupcakes... perfect!

 These absolutely delicious cupcakes were so adorable!

 It was a bummer not having one of the girls with us, but a delight sharing the time together :)

 The parents chipped in and got each player and coach a personalized undefeated trophy, with real basketballs on them!

 GREAT bunch of kids!

 Team photo and Kaylie & William's trophies... soooo cool!

Can't wait until next season! 

Something Better to Come...

#3... That's what we're going with... 

Good-bye movie theatre... good-bye stress... good-bye unethical company... good-bye time-away-from-family stealers... good-bye wishful lawsuit...

The better MAN won today... no job is worth your morals!

We'll definitely miss the free movies, but will always remember the good times within those "broken" walls...

Praying this newest and biggest change will open the door to something better :)

Basketball 2013

We made it through Basketball season!!! Whew... seriously, that seemed like the longest two months lol I coached Dannen's team the Hawkeyes, while William coached both Kaylie's team the Lady Jayhawks and Makenzie's team the Lady Huskies (Kaylie played on both due to shortage of players).

Being coaches meant no pics :( We did get cd's full of pics in a montage, so once I figure out how to dismantle them, I'll share!

Kaylie's team ended the season UNDEFEATED!!! Though it's not about winning and losing, more so teamwork, knowing God is with us, and sharing experiences together, it sure was a great victory. We're hosting a Lady Jayhawks party here this upcoming weekend, where each player is getting a trophy (a few parents went in together to have them made!). 

Makenzie's team did such a great job! Laurel and Kaylie were our front-runners on offense, but Makenzie was by far THE DEFENSIVE player of the season. Her height played a *tiny* roll lol She was always full of smiles :) Team pic after the last game, minus one player...

 Dannen's team was hilarious to coach... we had some strong offensive/defensive players as well as lots of wandering/watching the cheerleaders & other players/visiting with Moms & Dad's on the sideline lol Dannen was obviously the tallest on the team! He hasn't quite learned his strength and the ability to use his size (which I guess is a good thing for now lol), but he had more determination and sportsmanship than we could have asked for :) Here's a team pic after the last game...

We're very thankful for the opportunity to had our kids a part of a great organization... such a blessing!

Bring on soccer...

Good-Bye Great Aunt Margie

It was a sad day when I heard of my Great Aunt Margie's passing... I had been in contact almost daily with my cousin, her grandaughter, Alexandria. My Aunt had Pancreas surgery exactly two years prior to the day she went to Heaven. Through many rough weeks, she finally found comfort :(

I've always had a strong connection to her. Thankfully through Facebook, my relationship with her daughter Linda and granddaughter Alexandria has grown immensely! I knew in my heart that I was going to be there for the funeral. 

I decided to bring my girls since they remember meeting her this past Summer, themselves finding comfort and happiness in her presence. With much blessings, the morning we left, our tax return showed up in our account, nearly two weeks prior to it's planned arrival... thankful beyond words!

I was honored to stay with my cousins' Karen & Jerry and their kids Isaac & Lizzie... so happy to spend time with them!!! I think we played 100 hands of Uno over the 3 days staying lol

Karen & Jerry are Makenzie's Godparents... meaning Isaac & Lizzie are her "God siblings" lol

They enjoyed cooking together...

 And reading together...

 The day of my Aunt's viewing, we saw SOOO many family members, half of which I honestly wasn't sure who was who... I really wished my Dad was alive to have been with me, holding my hand, introducing me to our fantastic family :) My girls met everyone with smiles and great manners... asking tons of questions about why we were there, if Great Aunt Margie was in the casket, how were so many people related, what happened and what was to happen, etc. It was more than meaningful... it was a spiritual connection I will ALWAYS be thankful for sharing with them. I finally met my cousin Alexandria... the texts, pics, and messages were great, but finally seeing her was truly a blessing :) I didn't want to stop hugging my cousin Linda, sad for her loss, yet so glad she knew her mom was comforted now. I was also very thankful to spend time talking and visiting with my Uncle John, who just this past December had MAJOR heart surgery. We prayed many days/nights for his comfort. My girls even knew who he was, telling him of their prayers!
Afterward, we enjoyed dinner with my cousin Rachel and her kids Kailyn & Gibson. It was so much fun watching our kids interact as we once did at their age! :) All the kids did great and made for a very nice dinner.

The following morning was the funeral... filled with MANY family members, lots of tears, TONS of questions from my girls, and so much love. The service was beautiful, just as Great Aunt Margie would have liked. I participated in my very first processional, once again filled with many questions from Kaylie and Makenzie. 

The cemetery was an amazing experience for me... My Uncle Willie showed me where my Great grandparents are buried (Grandma's parents) and pointed across the cemetery where my other Great grandparents are buried (Grandpa's parents). So many family members I've always wondered about, all in one place... I felt a connection that day, and knew this was meant to be. It was beyond freezing, so both girls were cold and whiny :( They wanted to ask more questions, but were anxious to get warm. We joined family at a beautiful lunch. Kaylie & Makenzie enjoyed talking with my Uncle Willie, Uncle John, Aunt DeeDee, and Aunt Mary. We had coffee together, along with a yummy buffet... perfect lunch before our 8 hour trip home!

This picture means so much to me... happiness, family... Thank you God for this opportunity...

 Though it was sad to be saying "good-bye" to my ABSOLUTELY wonderful Great Aunt, it was one of the best experiences being able to be with family. Sharing the time with my girls was priceless... We're only given one life... a short one at that. I plan to make more memories and share as much as I can with those I love!