Aunt Rie

Aunt Rie "Carrie" is our most favorite person! She looks and talks like our mom but spoils us rotten! Aunt Rie graduated from Nursing School this May. She worked so very hard to accomplish this and we are more proud of her than she knows. During the exciting week of the graduation events Rie endured some excruciating back pain. We didn't know this for sure at the time, but she was suffering from a herniated disc. Her pain was so intense she could hardly walk across the stage at graduation, but she did it! She is strong and held her head high. Later that weekend she was admitted into the hospital for her pain and underwent a painfully, awful procedure. While this procedure was as Rie explains "the most awful, torture" she has ever experienced, it brought us some answers. She had a herniated disc that was bulging so deeply that it was sending shooting pain into nerves which made her legs numb. Her neurosurgeon arranged for surgery the following day. After the operation her doctor told us that was an enormous herniation and likely the largest he'd ever seen. No wonder the poor girl was in so much pain! That's the difference between Carrie and I. Given we were in the same situation, you ask me "What is your pain?" I would answer a 10! Carrie would answer a 3 or 4. When the nurses would ask Carrie "What is your pain?" She replied a 10. We all felt so terrible for her because you know she was truly suffering. After her surgery, she felt immediate relief from the bulging disc and nerve pain, however she now had surgical pain as they shaved off her bone and left her with a large incision. After a week or so, Rie was back on her feet applying for jobs and studying for boards. She is inspiring to all of us and has clearly proven her strength and hard work. Talk about a bittersweet weekend! Things are only looking up from here. Rie will be the most compassionate, attentive and caring nurse. Congratulations to you, Carrie!

I was obviously very proud.

My Aunt is a Nurse!



It's a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

This year to celebrate Cole's big #3, we had a Mickey Mouse birthday party. Cole had an awesome time complete with pizza, cake and pinata. Also Mickey Mouse made an appearence! Yes, Mickey himself (AKA Bobby) came to the door with Candy looking for the birthday boy.

Cole #3!

My BABY turned 3. I can't believe how fast time goes by. It truly makes me sad seeing how big and grown up Cole is these days. The picture below has some sentimental meaning to us.

Coco,

The day I was induced,  (Thursday May 7th at 4PM) Daddy and I had a picnic lunch at this very spot. We ate Little King sandwiches (I might have had 2) and talked about how excited we were to meet you. A little scared too. We didn't know that you were a boy which made the anticipation of your arrival all the more fun. We couldn't wait to get to the hospital to get the party going. You didn't want to come out...We waited a long 24 hours until about 6PM on Friday, May 8th Dr. Basset suggested we have a C-Section. You were stubborn! (Your personality hasn't changed by the way.) Shaking like a leaf on the operating table I waited anxiously for you...Your dad and I were so overjoyed when we heard it was a boy and saw your precious face. Daddy couldn't wait to take you out to the waiting area to reveal you to everyone. He made the walk down the hallway and everyone screamed out of excitement. Lots of tears! Best day of our lives. We love ya, more than anything. Happy 3rd birthday to our sweet and sour pride and joy!