Happy Birthday Mason!

Warning- long :o)

Each day I take for granted the wonderful gift God gave us. First we were blessed by God with Ayden, then came Mason where we had a definite God wink and reminder of His Grace!

Two years ago (well by the time I am writing this, it is two years and a week and a half) Mason entered our life! We never could of imagined or prepared ourselves for the challenges that came from after his birthday! He was born at 8:30am and we were blessed with a second beautiful son! Many of you know the story that followed. Over the next six months we witnessed a true miracle. On normal days it is easy to forget the miracles and gifts that our children are. Birthdays and wonderful moments are days where I wander back in time and thank God!

On Mason's birthday this year, I took moments to remember the time of his birth and his strength to preservere. I remember how nothing in the world mattered but my son and my family! I thought about my feelings of shock, fear, anticipation, hope, and victory. I thought about the moments where I didn't think I could move one second further, and how much I depended on and appreciated my friends and family. I thought about how strong my husband was and how he was our glue going between me and Mason and Ayden. My sister for being "mommy" to my little guy at home. I specifically remembered feelings of denial where I couldn't face what was happening and how my mother and mother-in-law watched over my son, when I could not step foot in his room. On his birthday this year, I had a strong feeling of appreciation for the early mornings and late nights they spent with their hands cradling my son when I just could not face what was happening. They were there before and after each and every procedure, no matter what the time. It was good to connect with these feelings, still very real, and have so much peace and thankfulness (I have used the word thankful very much but there is not a word that works better than this) for our crazy daily life. It is so exciting to tell people that wonder, Mason has no lasting effects from his extensive brain bleeds and overcomes the world with 3/4 of a normal brain!


Happy Birthday Mason!


They stil have these moments, but are the best of friends!


Shortly after birth and difficult memories to swallow


Getting stronger!

On Mason's real birthday this year, we woke up and had presents in the morning. He got his Birthday Boy t-shirt which he loved. That evening we had his favorite- pizza and cupcakes. Our wonderful neighbors came and celebrated and enjoyed pupcakes (not a typo, what the boys call cupcakes) with us. Mason refused to touch the pupcakes, as he doesn't like to get his hands dirty. He attempted to lean over and eat it, and then swiftly asked for a fork! It was a fun day!











On Saturday we had a pool party at Jojo's house! Family and friends joined us in the fun! My wonderful cousin came with her four kiddos under 5! I am still in awe! It was a crazy but wonderful time! Happy 2nd Birthday Mason!

Oma Camp 2008

I couldn't help myself with the photos, I love them all. Background on Oma Camp! I grew up pretty far away from both of my grandparents. When I reached college age it was pretty much understood, my parents were not going anywhere. Glenn's family was so amazing when I met him. Big, loving and all within 30 miles. They have wonderful moments and are all so close.

About a year or so ago, I was reading the infamous Parenting Magazine, and came across a family that did grandkid camp each summer, because they lived far from their grandchildren and all the grandchildren lived far from eachother. It sounded like a special time, so I decided to start that tradition.

This summer was the first year for the boys, and as oppossed to a week, for fear of my mother never being the same, we did four days. My mom took the boys down to Galveston to her beach house and they had a blast, and did it all! They are two very lucky little guys to have an Oma that loves to do all the same kind of things that my little guys do! Oma packed the car with all kinds of toys, and things they loved! Aunnie, Lala and her son, all stopped by Galveston to spend some time with them.

And what do you suppose Glenn and I did with four weekdays to ourselves? Painted most of our house, walls, ceilings, the whole kabob! Instead of relaxing, on day 1 we taped the house for three hours, day 2 we painted the entire first coat with the help of 5 friends, day 3 we painted the entire second coat and the playroom, and by the morning of day 4 the whole house was put back together like we never moved a thing! We did all the work after work each night till 1am! We love the outcome!

Our boys called me Oma for a few days, and kept wondering where she was! I know this special time is going to a great memory!

Trip to Alabama!

So this is a bit delayed~ but better late than never.

My little family was in desperate need of a vacation. On a Tuesday night we checked the flights on Continental Specials, the absolute best airline specials, and found a flight to Mobile, Alabama for that weekend. I called our fantastic friend Courtney, who I visit at least twice per year, but never with the whole fam! We were on our way.

Saturday we drove to the airport. Everyone had a bit of a cold through out the week, so I decided to medicate for the flight with some decongestant to help with little ears. I gave the boys the new triaminic strips, right when Glenn went to get us water down the terminal. Within seconds of giving Mason the strip, which he gagged on, he projectile VOMITTED right in the airport. The two men sitting nearby were mortified, and I quickly got in gear, cleaning the floor ten times better than it started. He really did a projectille, and missed his clothes, and got a bit on the tip of his shoes. I thought, that could of been worse, since I did not have a change of clothes and no more decongestant for you. We were ready to keep moving. Sure enough we get settled on the plane, and were ready to pull away from the terminal, and he VOMITTED in the AISLE! This time it got all over his beloved blanky. Nice, nice, nice. Of course, we were delayed on take off, as the cleaning crew came in and sprayed some nasty smelling bleach spray. Then they took a small manual vaccumm...seriously that was not clean! Glenn and I were on pins and needles the entire flight, jumping every time Mason picked up his head off my chest.

We made it to Mobile, rented our car, and drove to the beach. Got everyone into bed and settled in. The next morning, I woke to my own personal dispair! I brought our tummy flu into Courtney's home with her husband, and her precious daughter, Emma! Luckily it passed quicker than Mason, we spent the day in bed together and woke up on day #3 ready to go.

Throughout the trip we went boating, tubing and Glenn went wakeboarding with Dolphins in the bay! He had a blast! Courtney and Lance are the best hostesses and are the best cooks ever! Ayden, Mason and Emma played every minute and it was wonderful as always to visit together as families! Emma loved to hug on the boys! Lance has to watch out!

Enjoy the photos~ and a Happy Second Birthday to Mason today! Post to follow after his grand party on Saturday.