36...37...38!

Today is Clinton's 38th birthday. We spent yesterday together and going out and doing things together since he had the day off and had to work today. We didn't do anything majorly exciting, but we did go shopping and get him some new clothes. This year he asked for a plain cheesecake so that's what he got.

Happy birthday my love!

Heart Baby

As many know, my sister Laura is pregnant with their 4th child, 3rd boy.This little boy is special as he has a congenital heart defect, he is our heart baby. To tell some about it, let me back up to December 21st.
My sister went to to a maternal fetal specialist and received some life shattering news. Her little boy was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which means the left side of his heart has not developed the way it should, and if not treated within the first days of life, he will die. This will require 3 open heart surgeries to fix.
Now fast forward to January 1st, when they found out an entire new diagnosis. I'll share my sisters explanation;
"He has what is called, Severe Coarctation of the Aorta with aortic arch hypoplasia. So, his aorta is too narrow, which is a problem, because it is the main blood vessel carrying oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle of the heart to all of the organs of the body. The doctor feels that once the aorta is fixed, the left side of his heart will be strengthened in time. There are also some other abnormalities. The mitral valve and aortic valve are mildly smaller than normal, but he can see that there is blood flowing through them that seems enough. There is also a small hole between the left ventricle and right ventricle in the lower ventricular septum of the heart. Dr. Cnota feels that the heart muscle will heal the hole on it's own."

 Needless to say we all feel better even though it will still be a challenge and things will be rough with the unknowns. So today we had a baby shower for them since they have special needs and items that will help lighten their load when he arrives. I must say they were blessed beyond compare. I am grateful for everyone who pitched in from all over the country even if they could not be there.
I am so excited to meet this little guy to watch him thrive and grow and overcome all that he is given.

Myself, Grandma Beaver, Mom, Laura, and Amy
(We missed you Heather)

Such an overflow of love, and this doesn't include the stroller someone order for her!

Most everyone who came to the baby shower.
Some had to leave before we got a group picture.

Valentine Flowers

Clint had Valentine flowers delivered today for me so I could enjoy them leading up to Sunday (Valentine's Day). When Gavin saw them he went running and brought me some fake roses and insisted I put them in a vase next to Daddy's. It was too cute I had to capture his excitement. I love all 5 of my boys, and I'm lucky to have them as my Valentines.
(Please ignore the fact he is in his underwear, we're still working on potty training)

Snow Helper

It snowed just a little last night and Gavin was so excited because that meant he finally got to use his new snow shovel. He picked the shovel out about 2 weeks ago at the store as his "treat/toy" and had been wanting to use it but had no reason to until today. I think he's a cute little snow helper.

Till We Meet Again

This week our family laid to rest one of my best friends, my Grandma Ethel Burnett. She was my Dad's step-mother, but the only Grandma I ever knew since his mother died years before I was born. Ethel loved and treated us as if we were blood related (the way it should be). She and I were so much alike she told me often "even though we aren't blood related, somehow you are just like me". We were alike in so many ways even down to our career, we both worked in prisons.
Grandma Ethel was someone I could tell everything to and know she had my back or words of wisdom for me. She taught me to sew, and made many of my sisters and my clothes when we were little. The last thing she ever sewed I am grateful to have as it was part of my Halloween costume 2 years ago (she was 92 when she made it!). It went without say that I was her favorite granddaughter, and I don't say this to make anyone feel less loved or anything, but there was just a special bond between us. Words cannot begin to explain how full of love my heart is for this wonderful lady. She played a large role in making me who I am today. I am grateful to know that this life is not the end and even though I do not know or understand all, I know without a doubt I will see her again.

Here's what I wrote on my Facebook earlier this week. Some of it is repeated from what I have already shared, but I want to post this for myself so I can always remember my first thoughts and reaction. Ethel passed away on January 3, 2016.

"I've started to write this post several times today and have not been able to bring myself to do so. Last night my dear friend and grandma Ethel returned to live with Heavenly Father.

Growing up she was the only Grandma on my dad's side I knew, as his mother passed away before I was born. She would sew us girls clothes often, we spent summers with her and grandpa just us kids, and I even took some road trips with her. She was one of my best friends!! She loved all of us girls as we were her only grandchildren and she spoiled us rotten (I was her favorite).

I loved talking to her. Last week when I talked to her, she told me she hoped she would make it through the holidays so she wouldn't reunion them for us. She's made comments like this in years past, but this time when I got off the phone I told Clint, I really felt it was the last time I'd speak with her. I called her several times since then, but she was to ill to talk, but I wanted her to know that I still cared and was thinking about her. Our last conversation was a good one as she had me laughing more than ever even with her sickness. Words cannot express how glad I am to have that as our last real memory.

I am grateful for all she has done for myself and our family over the years. I know she isn't in pain anymore and is reunited with 3 of her own 4 children, my grandfather, LeRoy (her husband who passed away before she married my grandpa), and other family members. I love you Grandma, I'll see you again someday! Give Grandpa hugs and kisses for me."

One upside to Grandma Ethel passing is that my sister Heather came and spent some time with us. She flew into Indy and stayed and drove with us to the funeral. We live in Indiana and my grandma lived in Charleston, West Virginia which is about a 5 1/2 hour drive. Gavin enjoyed having her with us even if it was just for a few days, and so did I.

Lunch Break on the drive there
Heather and Gavin

Me and my love Clint

My sisters and I saying our last goodbye until we meet her again
Heather, Amy, Laura, and Me

My dad Bill, and his step-brother Bill
Grandma always laughed that she had 2 sons both named William, and they both went my Bill

Brotherly love saying farewell to their loved mother

With my grandfather having passed away 3 years ago everything he had went to my father since he was an only child (from his mother and father, not step). This meant his childhood house was his and the Lord knows how to bless even in the time of heartbreak. While we were there for the funeral we all sad our last goodbye not only to her but to my grandparents house and my father had just sold it. We all have many memories in that house and it was harder than I thought to say goodbye to. I know the memeories are with me and will always be but knowing I have no real connection to go back to Charleston weighs heavy on my heart. Now don't get me wrong we do have a few "distant" cousins that still live there, but not having any grandparents there anymore seems odd as both sets of my grandparents had lived there.

Heather's initials and hand/foot prints on the front pouch from when they built it. She was only about 18 months old or so at the time.

Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam

There are certain "mile makers" in life and today Gavin reached one of those. The Sunday School classes for children  3-12 years old in our church is called Primary and then the children are put into classes based on their age. Since Gavin turned 3 last year this means today he went into Primary for the first time, and his class is known as the Sunbeams! It's an exciting time for the 3 year old's to move up from nursery to the "big kid" program. Gavin LOVED being in there with the twins and even got to help with music time! He's getting so big, where has the time gone to?!

Looking good for Sunbeams!

Helping with music time

Sitting with his class (he's actually sitting still for once!)

Family Time

Family has always been important to me and our family life is mixed up and crazy like some families are. Being blended has it's ups and downs but at the end of the day I love all our boys and Clinton and don't know where I would be without them. this past weekend was full of those ups and downs and I am grateful that Saturday we spent some quality time together, even more so since that evening things were crazy and things are going to change in order to protect our family.

Cody, Carson, Cole
Clinton, Me, & Gavin

John Deere Farmer

Today I took Gavin to spend some of his birthday money and he picked out some fun gifts. I was headed to Wal-Mart and he quickly corrected me and said "No mommy, we need the tractor store peease! (please)" So we went to Tractor Supply instead and he got some good deals. He ended up getting a truck set and a new John Deere Hat. When he put on his hat he looked up at me with a big grin and said "I'm a real John Deere Farmer now!"

John Deere Birthday Boy

Gavin had a blast on his birthday, this was the first year he had a birthday party with friends. He picked a John Deere theme for the party. We had around 40 people show up and him being the social butterfly he is, he was in heaven! Here's a little fun from the day.

I can't believe our baby boy is 3 already!!

The missionaries came and "crashed" the party

I'd say he made out pretty good for his birthday. This is all his gifts minus the tractor.

He LOVES his big gift from us, his own tractor!!