Funny sayings

Real quick I wanted to write a few funny things Beckham said this week so I can capture it before I forget.

Mom, I think we need to have a new rule - we should be able to eat in time out because it helps me think about what I've done. (this was said after I sent him to time out)

B: Mom, how old are you going to be on your birthday?
Me: 34
B: that's old. probably old enough for wrinkles are you going to get wrinkles on your birthday and is your hair going to turn white?

Where does he come up with this?

Ainsley's story - Spring Break 2009

So I missed the deadline I set for myself regarding Ainsley's story. Here is the short version with a few pictures of her in the hospital.

Some of you may know the miracle that we experienced this past Spring Break. For those that don’t here is the recap (a very short version of all events that took place). As you read the story you will see the many places God intervened and saved sweet Ainsley’s life. Easter morning Ainsley woke up with a fever and said her foot hurt. When I couldn't get her fever down I took her to the ER. We were released so I headed back to my parents (we were there for spring break). I didn't even get out of the parking lot and she got sick again so I took her back to the ER. This time after many hours of observation they admitted us. Once admitted the attending pediatric Doctor didn't feel comfortable with her there. It wasn't a children’s hospital and if anything went wrong they wouldn't be able to help. So he transferred us to Children’s hospital in Greenville. Not even 5 min after we arrived at Children’s Ainsley crashed. Her body had turned septic and was starting to shut down. Thankfully we were 2 doors down from the Pediatric ICU. Words can’t express how a parent feels when they hear the nurse say, “I can’t find her pulse” and you see your child whisked away with 10-12 nurses and doctors around her. Thankfully they were able to get her vitals back and stable. Turns out she had a blood infection that turned her body toxic. Ainsley spent 6 days in ICU and had every test imaginable run on her. After that she was released to the pediatric floor for a few more days. Ainsley was like a case on the show House. She was the case of the day every day. All the doctors and residents were trying to figure it out. They never did figure out how she got it. The hospital staff and doctors at Greenville Children’s were amazing! Especially her infectious disease doctor. The Lord was so good to us during this whole ordeal and it made us realize how precious life is and how we need to cherish every moment we have with our kids. Thank you to all that prayed for us, supported us and helped out during this difficult time. A few weeks later you would have never known she was sick. It’s amazing how fast the body heals and how fast kids bounce back. Until this year I never thought I would think the kids arguing would be music to my ears but it is now.

A picture of her foot where it all started. In the morning her foot only had a few red dots by Easter night her foot looked like this.

Heart breaking picture that floods back a lot of memories of the event. So sad looking.

Once we got out of ICU and she was feeling a little better we were able to take a ride in the chariot wheelchair.

Words can't express how great it was to see her smile and back to (somewhat) normal. The Lord is good.

Playing Catch Up - Random Stories

So, I'm not the greatest at remembering or being motivated to blog. Seems like life happens and blogging always falls to the bottom (if not off) my list of things to do. My dad reminded me that I still haven't blogged about Ainsley's miracle from the spring. At first I didn't write it because I wasn't ready to process it all. It still brings up a lot of emotion but it needs to be told. So, I'm giving myself a due date - by the end of the year I will post a blog about Ainsley's Miracle story.

Onto what's gone on since Halloween:

Monte and I were able to go to Austin to celebrate his 40th birthday. We had so much fun!! Austin is a great city full of great food and even better music. The weekend was spent hitting all our favorite food joints plus a few new ones. Only in Austin can you get a gourmet lunch from a trailer one day and eat at a gas station the next!! Both meals were delicious. We heard some of our favorite artists play. The best was hearing Robert Earl Keen play on Monte's birthday in Gruene Texas. We are so thankful mom was willing to watch the kids so we could get away for an extended weekend.

Thanksgiving was spent at my parents lake house. We love going there because it is so beautiful and peaceful. Amy, David and Katie were there along with Amy and David's new little boy, Matthew. He is so cute! It was fun hanging out with the fam but as always time flies and before we knew it the weekend was over. The highlight for the kids was helping Grammy Keeks decorate the Christmas tree. They got to do it twice because there was a mishap with the tree and it fell over (on top of Ainsley - but she's tough).

December has been a blur. The only thing Ainsley wants for Christmas is a real baby reindeer and Beckham just wants a robot to clean his room. Why can't my kids have normal lists like dolls and cars? Ainsley refuses to budge on her reindeer - that's all she wants (so it makes it hard to fulfill her list). I tried to tell her that Santa needs all his reindeer. her response "not the baby ones." My reply, "he needs the baby ones to train to take over when the current ones get too old to carry the sleigh." Beckham chimes in by saying, "well then have him bring an old reindeer." The conversation went on and on about weather, food and many other excuses I came up with all of which were shot down by Beckham. After a while Beckham looked at Ainsley and said, "maybe you should have a back up list." Another story from a few months ago was when were were in the car and Ainsley said, "Jesus forgives me if I do something wrong so it doesn't matter." Beckham immediately responded "but Santa doesn't". I was cracking up. This month has been full of hilarious conversations with the kids - too many to post.

I don't have time to post pictures right now but want to post this before I get too busy. Hopefully I'll add pictures in a day or two.

Happy Halloween

The kids enjoyed trick or treating this year (when do they not?). This year Beckham was Captain America and Ainlsey was a Tiger. The rain didn't keep us away. Luckily it stopped raining when I took them. Unfortunately for Monte it started raining when it was his turn. A good time was had by all and now we have enough sugar to last us a long time.

For a year Beckham has been begging us to do Karate but we could never fit it into our schedules. This fall we found a wonderful karate (taekwondo) place. They are class schedule is flexible and the instructors are great. We sign Beckham up in hopes that it would help his self confidence and his muscle planning skills. After a two weeks we already noticed a difference. He is loving it and is learning so much. The teach self discipline, respect, confidence, leadership, the actual karate skills, and self defense. A few weeks ago Beckham earned his orange belt. he was so proud of himself and we were proud of him. Monte and I were shocked at graduation when Beckham raised his hand to answer a question in front of everyone (40+ kids and 60+ adults). He stood up and in a loud voice answered the question! That proves how much confidence he has gained in a karate because earlier that month his school teacher had made the comment "I just want him to talk to me." We are proud of our little orange belt and know that he is going to continue to work hard and earn his yellow belt soon.

So it's been awhile

I haven't blogged since Beckham's birthday so I don't even know where to begin. The summer came and went and now the air is getting cool and the leaves are starting to fall. A lot has happened since May. we had an eventful summer. Monte and I celebrated out 10th anniversary and went to the Dominican Republic. My mom and dad watched the kids which was such a blessing. It was nice to spend a whole week together with no responsibilities. Monte went to India for 3 weeks for work. We spent lots of time at the lake and pool this summer. Beckham learned how to swim and loves his new water wing free freedom. While Monte was in India the kids and I went to the school bus races again. Always a highlight for the kids (well, Beckham more than Ainsley). Beckham started kindergarten and is loving it. Ainsley is in the 4 year old class at our church preschool. She goes 5 days a week so she thinks she is a big girl. A lot more has gone on but I don't think I could put it all. I just waned to post an update to ease myself back into the blog world.

Happy Birthday Baba

Well, the last time I wrote on my blog it was Ainsley's birthday seems fitting that my next post would be about Beckham's birthday. A ton has gone on in our family (most of you know about the scare we had with Ainsley) but that is for a different blog entry. This one is for Beckham.

Happy Birthday to our kind hearted boy. 6 years ago today the Lord blessed us with a rather large (10# 13 oz) baby boy. Beckham is such a special kid that bring such life and joy to our family. He is a bright young boy that is always thinking and figuring stuff out. You can always see the wheels in his head turning. Not only is he smart but he is one of the most compassionate kids I know. He is always asking about others and is eager to share and comfort his friends. This past year he has also developed quite the sense of humor and is already taking after his dad with quick witted come backs. He is so much fun to be around and you never know what you'll end up talking about. The kid has an extensive imagination. He is definitely a special part of our family and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful son. It will be fun to see how Beckham develops and who he grows up to be.

**Pictures to come tomorrow once I down load the ones from his party. I also promise to blog about Ainsley's story in the next few weeks.