YES! I'm alive & my Kids Photo Shoot

Yes I am Alive! Okay... So I've been out for a while.. There has been so much going on and my health hasn't been all that great! I've had some stressers for the past couple months, but with lots of tests, scans, ultra-sounds and biopsies... things are looking up. 3 out of 4 of my biopsies came back okay.. and the one that didn't, isn't something they are too terribly worried about. They just have to watch me. They think it still might have to do with my Endometriosis... even though I had my Hysterectomy.. it had spread to my other organs and was growing them together and making some organs not work very good. I thought the problem would be mostly solved, but it looks like that might not be the case. I may have to have another Laporoscopy, so we'll see how that all pans out. I just have one more organ to take care of! ha! ha! There is something wrong with my Liver. The whole organ is darkened and my levels are very high. I go back in a few more weeks for some more tests, but hopefully things will have gotten better. They aren't quite sure what's the matter with it, they just know it's not working properly. Which was a shock for me because I didn't even know that organ was one of the ones not working right! :)So needless to say I haven't been feeling very well and I get really tired, but I've lost 20 pounds! Yeah! ha! ha! So maybe something good will come from all of this! :)

Between going to baseball games after baseball games and chasing my crazy little daughter ALL OVER... my life has been nuts. Preston made the Jr. High Baseball team again this year and is the starting catcher. We are very excited about this because the normal catcher is a 9th grader and we didn't think he'd be catching much. We figured he'd play 1st or something this year and catch next year... but he's started Catcher every game and plays the whole game unless they are killing the other team... then the coaches put in the other kids who don't play as much so they can get some good playing time too. He's doing very well this year! We are so proud of him! They only have 2 games left before the Play Offs and he has over a 600 batting average! Which is excellent! He had a school game on Monday and was behind the plate catching.. there was a wild ball and it hit the plate and bounced up and nailed him right in the throat! He went down! I was freaking out because he couldn't breathe! Mom's don't go on the field.. so I was watching not knowing what was going on while everyone was surrounding him! He just kept gasping for air and I was panicked! But once they got him breathing and his bearings back.. the tough little bugger got up, put his helmet on and said, "Let's Play Some Ball!" and he finished the game. Not much gets that kid down! Then last night we are playing another tough game and he's behind the plate.. a great hit was hit out to the outfield, the guy on second rounded third and was headed home... Preston is down ready for the throw and the tag at home... the ball comes, he gets the tag and the kid doesn't slide and plows him over! Totally over! It was one of his buddies too, so we know it wasn't him trying to be mean.. he just didn't slide.. I thought he just got the wind knocked out of him.. maybe stepped on because they were looking at his ribs... and he was holding his arm. Once again I'm thinking, "Seriously? Two days in a row?" ha! ha! But the kid was out! Yeah! ha! ha! It was the third out and the inning was done! He gets up and he's still holding his arm.. he can't hardly move his fingers.. I thought Oh no! It's broke! He came out and he got checked, the bones weren't broke, but they thought maybe it was a hairline fracture or something. So they had us take him to get it X-rayed and it looks okay! No Break! Yeah! But, they said he has a deep bruise, maybe a pull or tear in the muscle in his forearm! He's out for about a week! Maybe more, Maybe less!! He's got 5 more games left this week! Yikes! So he won't be playing for a few days for sure! He wants to make sure it's healed for next week and the play offs.. so he's not taking any chances. He even has to wear a sling.. so he's not too happy! Poor Kid! He's such a trooper! I love that boy! But they won the game last night so we were happy! They other team was undefeated! So it made our play off standings even better! He's also playing comp ball too.. and loving it! He's on a great team with great coaches and teammates! It's going to be a great year! I'm so excited!

As far as Avery... where do I start?? She's out of control! ha! ha! She is such a Ham! She never seems to amaze me and keeps us cracking up constantly! The things that come out of her mouth are hilarious! I don't know where she gets some of the stuff she does! She is getting so big and it's so sad.. even though we are enjoying every second of her.. time is just going by so fast! She still loves to help me do whatever it is I'm doing.. cleaning, crafts, laundry.. everything! She is VERY independent! She's still talking up a storm, saying Hi to everyone she sees and Loves to be outside! She would live outside if we'd let her! We have to bribe her to come in with "Barney"... we are about SICK of Barney! ha! ha! She loves going to her Bubba's baseball games and sits and cheers him on! It's quite funny! Between singing and dancing.. she's always putting on a show for us! She LOVES Dancing and singing.. and what makes Nick most proud... she has a new fishing pole and she is obsessed with it! She can cast it clear across the room! She's two and knows what to do! Can you say.. father who wants his little girl to be a champion?? ha! ha! I'll sit in the recliner.. put the foot rest up and she'll climb up with me... stand out on the edge of the foot rest and say, "My Boat Mommy!" Then she will cast and reel in, cast and reel in over and over! She'll seriously do it for 45 minutes to an hour! It's crazy! So needless to say.. Nick is on cloud nine! You should see her little face! She's already so serious about it! It's amazing! We just sit and watch her and laugh! She even loves to watch fishing on TV with Nick.. she'll cast and reel in the whole show or tournament that he's watching! It's crazy! I think we are going to have a little Bass Master Classic girl on our hands! ha! ha!

We are getting into the time of year for Nick's fishing to get started again! He has a few Tournaments coming up and the Western Divisionals in a couple weeks! He's very excited for that!

Hope all is well with everyone! I will try to post sooner than this last time! I think I've gotten out of my rut hopefully! ha! ha! I'm trying at least! Now that summer is finally about here.. I don't have much choice!

My Baby is 2!

I can't believe my baby's 2! She is such a handful, yet our little angel! We love her so much! She is so smart and doing so well in many things. She still loves singing her ABC's... counting to 13... Barney Songs.. and any we make up! Dancing is her new favorite thing... wearing her fun Tu-Tu's... dressing up with her crown and dress up shoes! Even though she gets into EVERYTHING.. and we have to watch her like a hawk... she still is so sweet and loving. Always saying please and thank you.. and giving lots of hugs and kisses! She is our little Princess and we all love her so much!

We are in for it!

Boy am I in for it! Can I tell you all the stories I've heard about the terrible two's? I never had to experience it with Preston. Honestly, he never went through them! He was such an easy and good child.. those of you who know him can attest! I thought all of you who told me your horror stories were just being wimps, that 2 year old's aren't as bad as you all made them out to be! ha! ha! UNTIL NOW! Avery has been two what? All of a week? Well, now I know.. you were all being honest with me! :) If this is what 2 year olds do.... I'M IN FOR IT!

This is Avery... putting on lotion! She LOVES lotion, which is fine... unless she sneaks the Brand New Tube of BUTT CREAM! Yep! But cream! I guess her face is going to be awfully soft! ha! ha! No rashes on that cute face! Heaven Help Me! ha! ha! At least it wasn't the bottle of Nick's Wart remover this time... and the second time... Yep! Two bottles of wart remover were all over her New Cute Clothes, our bed, pillows and her! She thought she was painting her nails! Just shoot me now! ha! ha! But how can you not love her? Look at that cute little INNOCENT face! These photos are even with a lot of it already wiped off! I blame it all on Nick! Preston was a fabulous child.. Never caused me any grief! It's Nick's blood in this child that is paying him back for all the trouble he caused his mother! ha! ha! So why do I have to experience his paybacks? ha! ha! I think it's going to be an eventful couple of years! Wouldn't you say????

Avery turns 2.. and a Trip to Lava!

Wow! What a whirl wind this past little while has been! At the beginning of the month, Nick’s Mom came to visit for Avery’s Birthday and will be here all month! We are so excited! We love it when she visits and hate to see her go! We really wished they would move here… HINT! HINT! Ha! Ha! Avery and I went to pick her up and as you can tell Avery was very excited to see her Grandma Monie! She ran to her yelling, “Grandma! Grandma!” It was very cute! So she jumped up on her lap and gave her a big hug! She loves her so much!
Preston is still playing basketball, so it was fun to have his Grandma here to watch! Avery is a crack up because she will follow him up and down the court yelling, “Hi Bubba!” Preston acts a little embarrassed… but we know he just eats it up! He loves his little sister and she thinks he walks on water!

We also took a fun trip down to Cabela's and Avery LOVED it! She was running all over looking at all the animals, and we couldn't get her out of the fish tank.. everything was, "Daddy's Fish!" Pretty funny! For Avery’s Birthday we told Ramona that we were going up to Rex’s in Lava for the weekend to celebrate. She knew Nick’s sister Kathy, and great family friend Tami were coming into town too.. so we thought it would be fun to go up there where we could all hang out.. all at the same house… little did she know we also had some other things up our sleeves!  Me? Never! Ha! Ha! Nick’s Niece and I, Lalena thought it would be great to have all the family that could also come in for the weekend because Ramona was also turning 80 on the 17th and we wanted to do something special for her! We didn’t know if we could do it.. but we kept it a secret for 2 whole months.. that was so hard for me as most of you know! Ha! Ha! I get so excited about stuff like this and usually give it up.. but not this time! So Lalena and her Daughter Mary Jane, Nick’s brother George and also his Nephew, Niles and his family were also able to come and visit.. Rex came home from Mexico.. and Nick’s other Brother.. Uncle Bub and Nephew Seneca and his girlfriend Mandy came up with us! It was so fun… until we all got sick with the flu! Little Mary Jane got the flu Thursday night when she got to our house and boy, did it spread like WILDFIRE! So needless to say, little Avery had the flu on her Birthday.. but it didn’t stop her much! She'd get sick... and then get up and start singing her Barney songs and clapping! Yep, She was a trooper! I can tell you this… after a week of cleaning up throw up and having the flu myself.. I need another vacation! Having the flu is Over Rated!

Needless to say, we had a great time visiting with everyone and miss them already! We were able to relax, watch movies and just enjoy each other’s company! I’m so glad they were all able to come and can’t wait until the next time! Avery and I went for a little walk to get some photos for her birthday! There was so much snow, and not too many places to go.. hope you enjoy! I can’t believe my Baby is already 2 Years Old!

When we got home Monday.. we had another birthday party for her with my family and Ramona and Uncle Bub came too… it was pretty fun! Thanks to everyone for making her birthday special! We love our families so much! I know I say this often.. but we are both very blessed to have such great families! So Happy Birthday Avery and Happy 80th Birthday Mom! We love you!

I took Avery out again the other day by our house and tried to take some cute photos for her birthday.. she wouldn’t smile much… note to self.. don’t try and have a photo session during nap time! Ha! Ha! I think they still turned out cute! She’s getting so big!

The rest of the photos are coming soon! There are so many to sift through.. but they are worth waiting for! ha! ha! At least I think so! I'll get them on here monday.. they are on my other computer!

Finally Done! Yeah!

Okay! So the decorating and putting the rooms back together is FINALLY DONE! I am so glad! Here are the photos of the kids rooms! Enjoy! I hope you like it! You'll have to let me know what you think! There is a cute little funny below the slide show.... Our little Avery just keeps us cracking up!

On an end note... Last night Nick and I were watching the Bachelor.. WAY TOO INTENTLY! ha! ha! Anyway.. we heard some papers wrestling around and we looked over and there was little Miss Avery.. in her favorite spot.. the laundry basket.. where she watches Barney.. or just sits and plays with toys, reads books.. you name it... anyway... this is what she was doing! Can I tell you... Nick was a very proud father at this moment! He said this is a moment when she is just like her father! Okay! What ever! ha! ha! He thinks she's going to be this little Miss Fisher Woman when she grows up... who knows.. maybe she will! She LOVES to fish and gets so excited with Fishies... as she calls them! Pretty cute though huh? She was very intent with this paper.. and talking to all the fishies that were in it! We got a good chuckle out of it and thought those who know our family so well would too! Like father like daughter I guess!

Here's a Sneak Peek!

Okay! So the building and painting is FINALLY DONE! Yeah! I can't even tell you just how big of a project this turned out to be! After 4 coats of Brown, 5 coats of Red, 3 coats of White and two falls off the ladder.. it's finally over! I am so excited! Yeah! I fell of the ladder twice.. once with a whole thing of paint in my hand.. I'll tell you what.. this project was a trial for me! I've been getting really bad migraine's and getting very dizzy and blacking out... and even passed out twice.. any way... I got really dizzy and blacked out while on the ladder and fell off... I'm okay! No worries.. the second one I really tweaked my back though... so I've been a little sore.. thank goodness Nick and I are going to sit in the Hot Tub tonight! Yeah! I'm going to sit and soak! :) I let Preston pick out his color so he would feel involved and seeing how he's a teenager now.. I thought it was important that he got something he liked... and in Avery's room.. I went with the Red... I was a little nervous because I am not a very BOLD person and I thought it might be too bold for me.. plus a few of you said you didn't think it would look good... I do have to tell you I am so glad I went with the Red... I LOVE it! I think it looks so good! I'm very excited how it all turned out! I couldn't have done this remodel with out my Dad helping me build the shelves and putting them together.. that took ALL Day.. and my Mom coming to help me put a coat on them as well! Thanks Mom and Dad! I love you guys so much and don't know what I would do without you! I will post more photos when I get the shelves totally decorated and the rooms put back together too! I just wanted to show a sneak peek for all of you who keeping wanting to see photos! So here you go!

Here's also a little update of the things besides remodeling... that we've been up to. Avery can count to 13 all by herself! Sing her ABC's ALL the way through... All by herself... and is trying to show us all that she is the boss of the house.. that doesn't fly well with me as most of you know! ha! ha! The other night.. I called Preston to dinner... she goes to the stairs and says, "Peston... come eat Now! Mom Said!" Okay.. she's not even two yet! Then she wanted me to come here and I was right in the middle of something... so I told her I would be there in one minute... she furthers to say.. "Come here NOW!" and points her finger to her side! Oh Yes She Did! I about died.. she usually isn't so bossy... it's all just started here in the last few weeks... I'm besides myself because Preston was so mellow... and how many of you have called me the Nazi Mom???? Okay! I'm thinking Avery is going to give me a run for my money and get in trouble more that I can even imagine... She can be so sweet... and usually is.. she loves to say Please and Thank You. Yet I think she's still going to have a rude awakening! ha! ha! She is talking so much and I can believe the funny things that come out of her mouth.. she is still a little cleaner.. sometimes.. TOO MUCH! She loves to clean which normally is great.. but not in a NON childproof home! She keeps us all rolling.. has the cutest expressions and still is the apple of our eye...

Preston has been very busy still playing basketball and baseball.. a normal night for us is going from basketball to baseball... He's still doing very well in school and loving the thought that he's going to be in 9th grade next year! His basketball team is doing very well... and he loves being on a team with his close friends and winning... He's growing into a great young man. I am so proud of him! I am just having a really hard time he's growing up so fast... between the deep voice and finally being taller than I am... really has hit home!

These photos of Avery are after she's been helping me with the remodel... I think I got all the paint off her! :) I can't believe she is going to be two years old here in another couple weeks! It makes me want to cry! We are very excited for Grandma Ramona to come in town from South Dakota... she's also going to be celebrating her 80th birthday while she's here... I'll have more photos of that. We are having most of Nick's family fly in for the weekend of Valentines and Avery's Birthday to surprise her. She has NO idea! She just thinks she's coming for Avery's birthday! Little does she know! ha! ha! I'm so excited for everyone to come! It's going to be so much fun!

A Tribute to My Brother Shayne

So today is another Anniversary mark of when my Brother was killed in the Air Med Helicopter crash.. does it ever get any easier? It seems that no matter just how much time goes by.. you still miss them SO MUCH! Life goes on and you learn to cope and live.. but the pain never goes away... there are still so many reminders and still so many times the crash gets put on the News.. or in the paper... which seem to bring that horrible night all back. As most of you know, my Brother was my Hero! The one person I wanted to be like when I grew up! He was an AMAZING man and I only wish I could be like him! Those of you who knew him, know that there just aren't too many men like Shayne Carnahan!

I know that there are several of our friends and loved ones who have also gone through a tragedy and lost those you've loved... some recent and some in the past.. So many of you know what a heartache it is! Thanks to our family and friends, we are able to get through it! Many of you also lived through the Tragedy with my Brother... those of you who are family know what a horrible loss it was and many of our friends were also there for me and my family.. we wouldn't have been able to make it through with out all of you! Still to this day, your memories, your love and your support are what help keep our spirits up! I know I say this a lot, but I truly mean it! I am so lucky to have such great family and friends. I have the best family EVER! Including Nick's Family! I honestly couldn't ask for any better.. on either side! I love you all so very much! I have so many friends who have been in my life since I was very young... who have been there for me through all the good and bad in my life.. there are also several wonderful friends who have been in my life more recently who I also wouldn't have been able to make it through the trials in my life without. So it looks like I am a lucky girl! Thanks for being such great people! We truly are very grateful you are all in our lives! You are what makes it possible to carry the trials life brings and you are what helps get us through! We love you!

We know where he is and what he is doing. He's in a WONDERFUL place, it's those of us who are left behind that are suffering.. I'm just grateful to know what kind of person he was and the way he lived his life. I just miss him so much and I can't wait for the day that I can hug him and pay him back for all the little tricks he played on me while we were growing up! Little does he know.. I have several things up my sleeve! :)

The song, "Angels Among Us" is one that is very special to our family. KBULL 93 Dedicated this song to the Air Med Crew when they were killed... now, every year we dedicated it because Shayne will always be an Angel Among Us! Also, "The Dance" by Garth Brooks is also very important because that's how Shayne's life was. He was grateful to have the time he did with his family and friends. Shayne lived his life helping not only those in need, but everyone around him.. he died doing on of the things he loved the most... Saving Lives! To A Great Man! I LOVE YOU More than you will ever know!