Saying Good-Bye

I have several posts to catch up, but need to start with this one. My grandpa, who was 97, passed away on January 9th. He lived a wonderfully long and great life. He's an example to all of us. Up until a couple of years ago he still walked a mile or two a day (around his car in the garage if it was cold out) and sat in his recliner and lifted weights (jars of rice). I have so many great memories of he and my grandma -too many to list. What it does make me realize again is that my kids will never have any memories of my dad, who passed away in 2002. Don't get me wrong, the girls are spoiled rotten by their two grandpas they have now, Papa and Grandpa Pat, and love every minute they get to spend with them, building lasting memories. But I just wish my dad could have met my two amazing little girls. He would have loved them and they would have adored him. He was amazing and I miss him every single day.



While it was a sad time, we did get to see some family whom we haven't see for years. The girls got to meet their second cousin Xander, a total cutie, and the girls had a great time playing with him and their cousins Kiya, Kyle and Sydney . Mom took us out for dinner one night and then Kolene had us all over the next night for dinner, and it was great to see all of the "big" kids and the littles enjoying the get-together and spending time with extended family.

Xander, Kyle, AnLi and Carli

Naughty or Nice?

This is fun to do!!

AnLi's video

Carli's video

Santa & Singing

This week has been filled with seeing Santa and Christmas programs. First, a trip to the mall to do the whole mandatory Santa picture. They took their lists, told him they've been good and posed for the pictures. AnLi wants princesses and Carli wants a Dora doll. I'm pretty sure Santa will fulfill their wishes.

During one of the snow days from school, we trekked out to the mall. I told them they could pick out their dresses. I had visions of black velvet and red/green plaid. Who knew they'd have hot pink Christmas dresses? Pink, glimmery and a blingy belt loop - there was no turning back. I tried my hardest to talk them into something else, but AnLi found both of their sizes and that was that. They really do look super cute and it fits their personalities.

The mall Santa

Daddy brought home a gingerbread house kit. They had a blast, but next time I think I'll let him do it with the girls. :) What a huge mess!


Carli had her program Monday afternoon. When it was her turn, AnLi and I snuck into the aisle to get pictures. We were about 15 rows back. First Carli spotted AnLi and just stopped singing and pointed. Then she saw me and in a very loud, booming voice she said "There's my MOMMY! Miss Faith, there's my mommy. Miss Faith, there's my mommy! MISS FAITH, THERE'S MY MOMMY!!!" Each time she got louder and louder and the whole crowd was busting up. Super cute and I loved it!

Thursday night was AnLi's program and she lived up to her drama queen name. She pranced and posed all along the stage. Several, several people commented on it after the program. It's on video (which I don't know how to post) but we didn't get a picture of her poses. Afterwards she wanted to know if she looked like a rock star. Yes, you were a star, honey!!!

After the program they had a reception with cookies and punch and a surprise visit by Santa.
Here they are, waiting in line for the jolly man.









Have a great weekend!!!

Busy Weekend

We had a fun-filled, busy three days last weekend. Friday we started off by going to The Pr*ncess and the Frog. I think we've been watching previews for a year now! So, we HAD to go on opening day. It was a really cute movie. At least I won't be hearing, How many more days till Tiana? It's been replaced with, How many more days till Alvin?

We did the mandatory Christmas cookies. We'll have to make more for Santa, though.






This is what we are greeted with every day for either bedtime or nap -
"Phuuuleeez can we sleep together? I PROMISE we'll sleep! Phuuuuleeez? I'll miss my sissy!!! We want to snuggle. I'll be scared." Just about any excuse they can come up with.


We usually agree to a half hour together and then they have to go to their own beds. Sometimes they read books and go right to sleep, but the majority of the time we just hear lots of giggling and footsteps running around.
"Oh, thank you!!!"


Then it was Kiya's 3rd birthday party at PlayDaze.
Carli and Kiya just giggling and laughing.


Mesmerized by the Dora cake


Hillary and Carli coming down one of the giant slides.
This place has it ALL! The ball pit, a mini rock wall, a rope course thingy, a huge climbing structure layers upon layers, tons of games, ride-on toys, bumper cars, a mini roller coaster and roller skating. The girls always have a blast here, even though I think it's just one big germ factory. :)


Then it was AnLi's first time to roller skate. Carli needed to sit this part out. She was in seventh heaven with snacks and pop, sitting with the other wounded warrior Hillary.
Hayley and I trying to keep AnLi upright.

Even Ko laced up the skates!!!
(okay, girls, you owe me! I'm sure Ko is going to kill me for posting this!!!)

AnLi started to get the hang of it after a while, but I think the adults were having more fun reliving our youth (well, my youth 30 years ago; for my nieces it wasn't that long ago).
Heili and I just chatting, dragging AnLi around.

The big wall of novice skaters didn't work out so well.
Me, AnLi, Hayley, Kiya & Brian

The littles were ready to hang up their skates, but the adults weren't ready to quit. We all skated and skated. I'd stop every time around at the girls and they'd say, "Go, Mommy! Go fast! Go, go, go!!"
We decided we should just roller skate every day for exercise. It was so much fun and relaxing and you really got a pretty decent workout. :)

And we finished it off with one more go-round on the roller coaster - and they screamed the ENTIRE time.

Thanks for the party! We all had a blast.

Snow Bunnies

We had our first big snow - BLIZZARD - here in the midwest. The girls couldn't wait to get outside! The 8 inches of snow was just tempting them, but the 8 to 10 degree temps were keeping them in...at least for a while. We did let them go out, but we could only let them out for a few minutes. They had a blast, jumping and running around and didn't want to end the fun.


Carli is doing sooooo good!! You would never know that the week before she could barley take five steps. She's so strong and brave! We're so proud of her.
They thought sliding down the slide into the big snow pile was hilarious.



Snow angels!



Shake, shake, shake!

Rosy-cheeked and ready for their hot cocoa




Trying to walk through the huge snowbank






We are NOW ready to get back to routine. I said that last week, but with snow days and a doctor's appointment, the girls were only able to go to school Friday this week. It was the first time since November 20th they've been in school. Now they will each have a week and then be off for Christmas break. I wish I could have a Christmas break. :)

Carli's Home!!!

Carli got to come home Thursday. She got up, got bathed and walked a tad bit, very gingerly. The doctor told her if she kept walking, she could go home. She understood that and just wanted to walk! She was going slowly down the floor hallway and about 10 or 12 doctors and residents were in the hall. They made a bridge for her and were cheering her on. She sped up and grinned from ear to ear as she went under their bridge. It was so cute. Then we turned the corner and the therapy dogs were on the floor. She basically ran over to them. The nurse was walking with us said, Okay, I'll get the discharge papers ready. :)

After we got home she took a nap and woke up in a lot of pain. All that walking caught up to her. AnLi got home shortly after that and they were soooo happy to be back together again. AnLi thought she needed to help Carli do everything, and she also wouldn't let her be more than a foot from her at all times! They sat in the recliner and colored together, they needed to sit on the same side of the table for dinner and they slept together. Throughout the night they would tell each other how much they missed one another.

Friday Carli was doing really, really well and we were able to hold off on the pain meds for a longer period of time. She thinks she can do the things she used to do. She's resilient and bouncing back much quicker than I ever, ever expected.

The girls have been playing doctor/nurse/patient a lot! Either with each other, with me or with their stuffed animals. On Friday Brian and I were discussing our schedules because we both needed to do a few errands. AnLi overheard us and said "No one is leaving! We are a family again." Everyone is very happy to be home and getting back to routine.

These are pictures from AnLi's bowling excursion:

This picture was from a couple weeks ago.

The princesses and their papa.

I'm very thankful our girls are happy and healthy, and my heart goes out to those families who are in hospitals for weeks or months with children with life-threatening illesses. I couldn't even imagine! We are truly blessed beyond belief!!!

Carli Update 2

Yesterday, after getting some good meds and sleeping most of the day, she got up and was able to take a few steps with the nurse's assistance and then sat up in the chair for dinner. Yay!!! She was back to being my happy-go-lucky little girl with a ferocious giggle...except when the nurses needed to check vitals or administer meds. Lots of screaming.

Yesterday during one of the happy times she said, "I not mad at you. I love you." Ahhh... Then about 30 minutes later I needed to hold her arm so they could get her blood pressure and I got the "I no like you!!!" Soon this will all be over. The CNA painted her toenails and did her hair last night, so she was feeling like a princess. Princess Belle, that would be, as we've watched that movie ad nauseam.

AnLi, on the other hand, is living it up with Nana and Papa. They went bowling yesterday and I guess she did pretty good - including a strike! She was pretty excited about it, but she only talked to me for about 15 seconds. She just wanted to talk to Carli. :)

Thanks again for everything!!! We are hoping to come home tonight or tomorrow.

Update on Carli

As most know, Monday Carli had surgery to have a spinal cord untethering and also get new ear tubes. The surgery went as planned. They said it was really tight and had created a little scoliosis from the first MRIs in April, so it's a really good thing we did this when we did. She has to be on her side or tummy for three days. She can't get up AT ALL!

She's just generally uncomfortable. And finding things to keep a 4-year-old occupied while only on her side is a little challenging. Nights are the worst. She just doesn't sleep well because she's got a lot of pain and just can't get comfortable. I know she's very confused as to why this is happening. The first day she would cry off and on "You don't love me", yesterday it was "Mommy's mean!" I'm not scoring any brownie points with my usually sweet girl. She doesn't want anyone to touch her anymore. She's just downright sick of the nurses poking and prodding her. Today will be day three. We'll probably read a million books and watch "Beauty and the Beast" for the 80th time. :) I'm thinking we'll get to come home Thursday...hopefully! And then it will be limited activity for a while. The poor thing has just been through so many tests and poking and prodding in the last 18 months. This is the FINAL thing, and it was a big one.

We had explained to the girls that Carli was going to the hospital, AnLi would be going to Nana and Papa's because she's not allowed at the hospital, and that after a few days we would all be together as a family again. So, over the weekend they had lots of conversations about this between the two of them. On Sunday night I had to wash Carli with an antiseptic wash. AnLi started asking questions. So, as best I could, in 5-year-old language, I tried to explain what they would be doing to Carli. AnLi started wailing, then Carli started, and so those two, in my arms, nose to nose, sat and cried and cried. It was so sad to see.

On Monday AnLi was very anxious about the surgery and Carli kept saying "I miss my sissy." Right after the surgery, we called AnLi to tell her everything was good and Carli was fine. She wanted to talk to Carli. Those two talked on the phone for a good 15 minutes. It brought tears to my eyes to think about how strong a bond they have for each other. They talked again later that night and then also yesterday. When I call to talk to AnLi, she says, "Hi, Mom. Can I talk to Carli?" We are all anxious to get home and get our family back in one spot. Carli will have a rough couple of weeks, I'm sure, but she'll have Nurse AnLi to help her out. :)

Thanks for all of the well wishes and prayers for Carli and our family. We are always amazed at the outpouring of support for our family.