My Mother's Day!

At Mother's Day Out this year, the girls both did an interview about Mommy for Mother's Day. I thought their answers were precious, so I wanted to share a few.

How tall is your mom? Reese: "Big!" Reagan: "About up to here." (raised hands about 4ft)

What does your mom do when you're not around? Reese: "Be with Daddy." Reagan: "She never tells me, because I'm not around. Maybe she tries doing cartwheels."

What is your mom's favorite food? Reese: "Burritos!" Reagan: "I don't know , because she likes everything."

What is your mom really good at? Reese: "My bag." ?? Who knows? Reagan:"Washing our clothes, and making stuff, like our beds and stuff."

What is your mom not very good at? Reese: "Nothing!" Reagan: "Hula hooping."

How do you know your mom loves you? Reese: "She gives me a kiss!" Reagan: "She says I love you every single day. And we play together."

The girls also made sweet little flower handprints. They're attached to clothespins and magnets, so they hold artwork on the fridge.

I also got a pedicure and Jason and the girls washed my car. Jason even bathed the girls that night. I felt so pampered!! I love my wonderful hubby and my precious kiddos!!

Blogger drives me nuts!! I edit these posts forever trying to get rid of all this funky spacing, but it just keeps reappearing. Anyone know the secret?

Nana

In February, my mother was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma (aka breast cancer). It was pretty scary for all of us. We took a last minute trip home to be there for her during her surgery. Jason had to go off to San Diego for his Academy conference, but the kiddos and I stayed for a week. Holly and her crew came down too. Even Danielle was able to get a leave and come back from Taipei. Mom had a mastectomy and they thought that would be all she would need. However, in April (yes, another rough spot to the month) she found out she would need chemo after all. She gets her port put in on Thursday and starts chemo Friday. She's quite the trooper though. Mom, we are so proud of how you have handled all of this! We love you so much and will continue to pray you through it!

Please keep my mom (aka Joanna, aka Nana) in your prayers.

Here are some fun pictures from our trip in February.
GramMary meeting her newest great-grandson! Gammy & Blakers Aunt Kathy meeting BlakeSweet smiles for Gammy
The kids chasing bubbles Pushing her sister on the swing Unky B & Blake

Sweet cousins! Reagan lovin' on Evan!

Reese loved the trains at Gammy's house!
So exciting to see DeeDee again!!!All the Ramsey kiddos on Aunt DeeDee Reading with DeeDee
Dancing with Cooper Chillin' with Uncle Stan The five Harrell Grandkids - Blake, Reese, Reagan, Payton, & CooperThe girls! Uncle Stan reading to Reagan & Payton Good snuggles from DeeDee Pops & Blakers Nana & Blakers Sweet hugs for Nana!

Tornado - April 15th

About 2am on April 15th, we awoke to some loud noises. It was roaring and it felt like our house was shaking. The rain was pouring outside, and our power was gone. A few minutes later, the sirens started blaring. We looked out the back windows, but didn't check out front. When we did wake up and look out front, this is the first thing we saw.

A huge tree across the street had fallen and got pretty close to hitting Graeme's car (he had borrowed Jason's pickup).

The kids and I got dressed and went outside to see everything. Everyone in the neighborhood was out visiting (since no one had any power) and checking out the damage. This is the house across the street from us - with a tree on top of it. The tree fell from the backyard, so it is completely on the house.

This is the cul de sac across from us. To give you an idea of the size -if you look over on the right, you can see a teenage girl walking around the tree. This tree crushed a minivan. It's actually hidden under all those branches too.

This tree fell from the front of his house and has branches touching the ground in his living room. With all the repairs, they estimate it will be about 3 months before this house is livable again.

This is the only way out of our neighborhood. It is blocked by two huge fallen trees.

Reagan & Reese climbing on the trees blocking the road.

This is Markham Street. It's blocked by trees. And, check out all the downed power lines!!

The girls on the trees again. Check out how the roots just ripped out the ground around the tree.

Reese climbing the trees some more.

Another tree down in a neighbor's yard. Reagan, KeShuanna and Reese were climbing it too.

This is the tree in front of our house again. It's right behind our driveway. I wouldn't be able to get out if I wanted to. Not that I could go anywhere with the way out blocked anyway.

Lots of fallen branches in our backyard

Another HUGE fallen tree in our neighbors' backyard. The one landed on Wowo & Poppy's deck and the corner of their master bedroom. I saw the crack in their ceiling just over their bed. So scary!!

It hit not only their house, but the house next to them too - in their master bedroom as well.

And, with all these obstacles, Jason still managed to make it to work on time! The Goldings called to check on us when they saw on the news that it may have been near us. Which was good since we had no power, thus no alarm. Then, when Jason discovered he couldn't get out onto Markham, he walked to Burlington Coat Factory. Graeme picked him up there and dropped him off at the hospital.

Then, Graeme came to the rescue again. About 6pm, he hiked into our neighborhood and helped the kiddos and I hike out. He carried 2 car seats and a pack-n-play while I pushed the double stroller loaded down with baby, bags, Blake's suction machine, and a few toys. Whew. . . Then, the Goldings let us crash at their place for the next 4 nights while we waited to get cleared roads and power.

Since Markham was blocked too, the tree services couldn't get to us, so Graeme (and Jason until he got called in) got out with chain saws and started cutting up the trees to clear the roads. Other neighbors and friends & family of neighbors came out to join them. It was pretty neat to see people coming together like that!

Thank God for wonderful friends! We love you Graeme and Wendy!!

April

April was a rough month around here.

It started off with Blake being admitted back into Children's Hospital. We spent the 1st-5th back at ACH. He was on oxygen and had an IV, but no ventilator or time in PICU this time. Soon after being discharged our pediatrician prescribed a steroid inhaler. Blake has to use it twice a day until he's 6 months old, then we'll reevaluate. He still sounds pretty junky - snotty and wheezy - all the time, but hopefully that will pass soon.
Early morning (2am) on the 15th, a tornado whipped down our street. It uprooted enormous trees that crashed into houses, crushed vehicles, and blocked streets. We even had two huge trees blocking the only way out of our neighborhood. It looked like a warzone. We were out of power for 4 days, and had no phone or internet for over a week. A post will be coming soon with all of the pictures.

On April 22nd, our beautiful Tessabelle passed away. She was 12 1/2. The vet said it was a heart attack. She has been Jason's baby since he was in college. We buried her in the backyard and had a very sweet little service for her. Reagan cried and cried. She said, "This is the saddest day ever in my whole life."

We're praying for a much better month of May.