Birthday Girls!

When I look at Isabelle I'm amazed at how far she's come. It seems like just yesterday she was 3 lbs and fighting to live. She's held onto her strong will, skinny legs, and dimples and now has grown into a beautiful, smart, witty, sweet, loving young lady.

When Isabelle was born on March 31, 2000 at 7:16 p.m. her APGAR was a 1, she was limp, blue, and not breathing. It was the scariest moment of my life (Kevin's too, for sure, he had two sick girls in his life to worry about). I quickly touched the top of her tiny head and she was rushed first to a table in the room where the doctors and nurses from the NICU resuscitated her and then she was quickly taken to the NICU which was her first home for 17 days (a blink in NICU time). When Isabelle was about 2 hours old the neonatologist came to my room. She sat down, put her hand on my knee and said, "if she lives through the night....." After that I heard nothing but "waaa wa wa waaa wa waaa" (like the adults in peanuts cartoons). I met her 24 hours later when my kidneys and liver were working again and I was moved from the ICU to the postpartum floor. Very quickly Isabelle proved that she was a fighter. She was off the vent in a mere 11 hours, breathing on her own with only a little help from oxygen through her nose for another couple days. She came home from the hospital on April 17, 2000 weighing 3 lbs, 14 oz. It was a couple weeks earlier then the docs had expected her to come home. She was little, but strong! That has not changed!

I often like to say that March 31, 2000 was not the best birthday I ever had (myself critically ill and with a sick baby), but the best birthday gift I've ever received. What a blessing this little birthday gift has been year after year. Isabelle and I love sharing our special day together. Nine years ago I couldn't see beyond that tiny, sick baby in the NICU. Now today, I wish I could go back (not to the NICU but to her early days) to hold her tiny little self in my arms. I'm not exactly sure what happened to the past nine years, but I am so so proud of the girl she has become. I feel so lucky that God has given me this child. There's never been a better birthday gift!

New Roller Blades!

We went to dinner at Red Robin and had a great time. Dinner is free when it's your birthday.

Hey! Where did my balloon go?!?!


YUM! Ice Cream!


We had a great birthday celebration!

After cake Kevin and the kids danced while Kevin played a little bowl drum.

Speed Racers!

We had a few beautiful days here so we were able to enjoy playing outside.
Jack had grown out of his bike (and everything else), therefore, both boys got promoted. Jack and Kevin went out to pick out his new 20" bike. Patrick inherited Jack's old bike. We lowered the seat and put the training wheels back on.

I was skeptical that Patrick would be able to ride the big bike. Last fall he was still struggling with peddling. His small trike has a back to the seat which gives him some help and support to peddle. He proved me wrong, hopped on that bike and headed down the driveway! We are so proud of him. He's come such a long long way in so many different areas. Even better, Patrick is proud of himself.

Go Jack Go!

Today was a fun day for Jack! He had his first Pinewood Derby with the Boy Scouts. Jack and Kevin built his racing truck together; Jack decided on the design and Kevin carefully monitored the use of tool. It turned out great! Jack was very pleased with his truck. It was the only truck there!


There were several dens to make up our entire pack in attendance. It was neat to see the different cars and styles other kids came up with. Personally, I think Jack's was the coolest, and I'm not even biased! The boys sat directly in front of the track when it was their car racing. Below you'll see Jack watching, holding back his excitement as he watched his truck take 1st place in the first heat!

It was so exciting! Jack won 1st place for his den and took 4th place overall for the pack. He was thrilled with the day! In this quick video you can see Jack's truck win. At the end you'll see Jack's hand shoot into the air. Unfortunately, a little girl's head got in the way, but you'll get the point.

New Bathroom!

It has been a very busy week over here. We finished our master bathroom and I'm thrilled with it! Kevin took a week off work to do the project. It wasn't exactly a relaxing vacation for him, but hopefully worth all his hard work! I'm very impressed with his handy work; he did an amazing job! We're thankful that Kevin's dad, Pete, was able to come over and help with the plumbing. It's very exciting to no longer have 1989 shiny brass fixtures! It's also nice that we were able to find a smaller vanity (Euro style) and get rid of the bulky cabinet that surrounded our toilet. This tiny room seems a bit bigger.