Good Morning, Sunshine

I caught a glimpse of sunshine coming over my beloved mountain peaks this morning.

I thanked God for the view I get to have every day.

Then, I sang "I Feel My Savior's Love" out loud the rest of my way to work.

 

Change of Plans

A couple of months ago, I helped Kaydon fill out the loads of paperwork to try to get Lenny and Gael to the United States.

It's quite a process.

It's A LOT.

We completed it and sent it off.

Then, Kaydon and Lenny decided that for now the best thing for them is for Kaydon to move to the Dominican Republic.

Kaydon plans to finish up his online schooling while there.

They will get married there.

Begin their family there.

And then move back in a couple of years.

I am not as sad as I thought I would be.

I know that this is what he wants.

This is what he's been working toward.

They don't want to have to wait any longer to be together and to start their family.

This is the best route for them and I'm so happy for him.

So, after the weddings...

Off to the DR he goes.

 

Purple

I went purpleish this last go around with my hair.

Purpleish with reddish with pinkish.

Mostly purple.

 

Up & Up

I am going to make it!

I'm going to live.

You guys!

There were several times over the last two weeks when I actually thought I'd die.

I thought about writing my grandbabies letters.

I thought about making sure my kids all knew, like really knew, how much I love them.

It was terrifying.

But, I'm walking on the treadmill again.

VERY slowly, but walking.

For an hour.

I started lifting again yesterday.

Less reps, but lifting.

I didn't wet or poop my pants the last two days!!!

I am on the up & up!

 

54 Years of Burke!!

Today, we celebrate the man who makes our family's world go 'round.

Burke,

You are magical.

The most present dad & papa I've ever come across.

You are supportive, loving, funny, and matter-of-fact.

You are logical.

Realistic.

Goofy.

Kind.

You are so unselfish.

Hard-working.

Our kids and grand babies are the actual luckiest there is!

We love you endlessly.

All but Jackson and Isis came to celebrate you yesterday.

They are sick.

Poor girlies!

These two boys fight over who gets closer to Papa.

They are obsessed with you.

We all are!

Cheers to another year of the best guy there is!

 

Home & Rolls

Last night, Ryker chose Texas Roadhouse for his birthday dinner.

Of course, he did!

We always choose Roadhouse.

It's the rolls!

I've been working from home since Wednesday.

The doctor added more medication to my already long list.

This pneumonia has absolutely shut me down.

Feeling like I'm drowning in my own body is not the funnest thing I've ever experienced.

I am so grateful to be set up at home.

 

Ryker is 12!

Our caboose is 12.

I'm a bit emotional about this one.

He's our baby and I've held onto that pretty tight!

He has sprouted up in the last month, or so, and is almost as tall as me now.

Ryker is our game-loving, joke-telling, sports-playing, best-cuddler EVER caboose.

He is funny and sensitive; kind and stubborn.

Ryker loves his friends and his nieces and nephews.

Ryk loves mac and cheese, cookie dough shakes, Sprite, and french toast.

Ryker, we love you endlessly.

 

Track & PR

I made it for a few hours at work yesterday.

The hardest part for me isn't the cough so much (although disgusting and constant and I pee my pants at least five times a day)... it's not being able to get enough oxygen. I am exhausted all the time. I can't get enough air. It feels like an actual elephant is sitting uponst my chest. I just want to take a deep breath!

Anywho...

Ryker and I drove down the street to watch Cooper's race yesterday.

We just went to the one race, then left.

I couldn't do anymore than that.

But our boy got a PR... 11.68 in the 100m.

I love this picture of Coop and three of his teammates.

Two of his teammates also attend his speed and agility Tuesday and Thursday nights.

I love watching them root each other on and get better every week!

 

Pneumoniaing

I finally went to the doctor yesterday.

I've been sick for a week.

It's pneumonia.

Two nebulizers.

Six steroids a day.

An airway-opener.

Cough syrup.

Rest.

 

Sunshiney Joy

Braxton dropped Hudson off yesterday morning so he could go take advantage of nicer weather and hit some golf balls. 

That's his therapy and I'm a big proponent of therapy!

Hudson looked like a little golfer!

SO CUTE.

He and Papa grabbed their coffee & juice and headed outside.

Uncle Porter was working on the Cruze again.

Hudson is obsessed with whatever Uncle Porter is doing because it includes tools and fixing and all the funnest things!

Then Papa got him on the little bike that Mr. Watkins gave us for him.

Hendrix and Aria showed up and joined in the fun.

Balls and bikes and tools, Oh My!

SO MUCH fun!

Hudson gets an absolute kick out of Uncles and Papa playing catch with balls.

He laughs so hard that he snorts.

Uncle Kaydon came out for a minute, too!

These  boys are so fun.

They are going to be TROUBLE as they get older!

Papa started up the Harley for the first time this year.

Aria was all about it, so long as it didn't move!

While Gigi enjoyed the sunshine, Aria Jane snuggled up!