Truman Lake

We have been waiting to take the kids down to Truman Lake for a while now and we finally made it this past weekend.  My husband (Jason) loves to explore new areas and so does the rest of us.  Plus going to Truman Lake was a little history since it was named after one of our presidents (Harry S Truman).  The girls have learned alot about him in school since we used to live in Independence MO and that is where he is from.  We are planning a camping trip this summer for this kids and I can't wait.  When I was a kid we went to the lake every weekend with our neighbors and I loved it.  I can't wait to experience it with my kids. Here are a few pics from our day trip to the lake. 

One more video of Jalinn Walking

I thought I had them all uploaded but guess not.  Hope you enjoy!!

Jalinn Walking

About 2 weeks ago Jalinn's PT gave us a walker for her to use.  She has one of the toy walkers but doesnt walk with it at all.  We finally firgured out it is because she doesnt feel safe with it.  As of 2 weeks ago Jalinn would not even walk with help by us holding her hands or arms.  My little girl is strong and it will do it her way.  She is now using the walker like crazy and she is so much happier when she can get places other than crawling.  It is so cute to see those little legs move.  She is also now walking with us.  I have looked forward to this day for so long.  It is such a great feeling!!!  Here are some video's of her walking.

Easter Fun

On the Saturday before we went up to my sister's house to spend the day with her and Brycen.  We went and seen the Easter Bunny and colored eggs.  I was a little shocked the Jalinn didn't freak out about the huge bunny.  She did great.  We had a great time as always hanging out with my sister.  She is my best friend!!!  Love ya sis!!!

On Easter morning Kaylie thought that being up at 6:45am was awesome to go through her Easter basket.  She was the only one awake.  So we let her go through it and I went back to bed after that.  Around 7:30am everyone else started to wake up.  Of course the kids all had candy for breakfast and Jalinn loved the Peeps.  She was crawling after everyones and taking them from each of their baskets. 

This year for Easter was our first time at our new church for Easter and I loved it.  Everyone their makes you feel so welcome.  It was a great service!! After church we left to head over to Grandma Rough's house.  We are so lucky that she is still with us and my kids get to spend time and have memories with their Great Grandma Rough.  They love going over there.  Each year after lunch my cousin Bill and Joe hide the eggs for the kids to find.  They have so much fun finding the eggs.  Also each year since we were little my grandparents would hide a silver egg and there would be money in it.  You never knew how much it just came down to how much money Grandpa had at the time.  When Grandpa passed away in 2006, we always make sure Grandma still hides the egg.  It is our way of knowing that Grandpa is still with us.  My girls have really got into looking for the egg but it seems that every year I find the egg and this year was so different.  I found the egg!!!  I believe it is Grandpa's way of saying "love you bunches".  I miss that man so much!!!  He was a wonderful Grandpa...I only wish he could have meet Hunter, Brycen and Jalinn.  He would be so proud of them.  But I know he is watching over us.  Love you Bunches Grandpa!!! 

Here are a some pictures from Easter.  Hope you enjoy!!

Brycen....the cutest nephew EVER!!

She does love the Peeps!!!

Me and the Silver Egg

My wonderful family!!!

Dad, Me, Monica and Mom...love you all!!!

Easter - Egg Coloring

This year the kids got to color eggs but this year they colored "Monster Eggs".  Hunter that it was so cool, he didn't understand why he could not play with them after we colored them.  This was also Jalinn's first year coloring eggs and she wanted to eat them.   

Making Dinner for the Families at the Ronald McDonald House

On Sunday, April 9th our families made a taco/burrito dinner for the families that are staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their little ones are being cared for at Children's Mercy Hospital.  Here in Kansas City there are 3 houses for the families to stay at.  I will tell you from experience that it is a wonderful place to stay.  We decided to give back when we stayed at the Ronald McDonald house in Wisconsin for Jalinn's surgery.  They did so much for us and we thought we needed to give back. My family that helped out with this was my girls, Teresa, Hannah, Monica, Aunt Connie, Grandma, Mom and Dad.  I can't thank them all enough for helping out.  It was such a rewarding experience. We had so much fun too.  The girls loved it too!!!  The families keep saying thank you to us and I feel that we didn't do much but I do know that it means alot not to have to worry about feeding our family when you have a child going through such a difficult time.  I would ask everyone if you ever want to give back in your community please consider the Ronald McDonald House.  Also, please keep these families in your prayers they need all that we can give them. 

Here are a few pics:

Taylor, Teresa and Hannah making the bean dip

Dad washing dishes as always

Kaylie and Monica making cookies

Mom

The girls with the therapy dog that comes once a week

WHY????

Today is one of those days I ask WHY????  Why my baby girl??  Why us and my family??  What did we do??  I am having a hard today and I am not sure why.  It just hurts so much to see Jalinn go through all she has already under the age of 2.  I know she is strong but why does my baby have to be so strong.  I know that we are luckly to have her and what she has brought to our lives but still it hurts.  I look at her all the time and wonder why us, why were we chose to be her parents.  Don't get me wrong I would not change a thing but I do wonder "WHY".  I am so grateful to everyone in the POLP and LP community that I have meet in person and over Facebook.  If it was not or you all and my family I don't know how I would have gotten through the last year and half.  It has been hard but also a enjoy to see Jalinn grow stronger and do as well is she has done.