Mr Fredrickson.....

Thatcher is obsessed with balloons. We have started referring to him as Mr. Fredrickson.

He carries them around the house.

He seperates them into colors and shares them with guests- for a minute.

He watches his "show" with them like a friend.

He eats with them.

He even asks to take them in the car when we pick up Sawyer from school with them.

"Just one mom, in the truck?"

But look at this face! The joy it brings. I have never seen a kid like balloons as much as he does.

I am sure his fascination may have started with one of his favorite movies, "Up".

Or, I guess he could have gotten used to them at the hospital.

Whatever the reason, he loves them, and I love watching him play with them.

Thatchers Cardiology Visit 2010

St Patricks Day!

After we delivered our treats, we went to the PICU to see some of our favorite nurses.

The one standing next to me was both of our PICU nurses at one time.

AND- her name is Pamela Anderson.

Hee hee.

Then we took the boys to my house and went out to dinner to celebrate.

We are so grateful.

And I am so glad that I have Brytt and her fantastic family.

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Paying it forward....

Two years ago today.....Thatcher and Teagan spent their first St Patricks Day like this.

Brytt and I and the Ryan's spent it stressed out beyond all measure.

This year, they are doing REMARKABLY well.

So, Brytt and I decided that we would go to the hospital and take treats to the families in the PICU waiting room. It turned out to be much more emotional than I had anticipated. As Brytt was trying to explain to the mom and dad in the PICU waiting room, she got pretty choked up and I stepped in. The family was still pretty shocked and I don't think it really registered what we were telling them, however, Brytt made a darling basket for them with every green treat in the tri-state area (it was so cute). And we took our picture with them. Don't worry, I told her I would be blogging about this and she approved the picture. Funny.

Teag wasn't feeling very Hollywood today.

I DO want to point out something VERY important.

Their son...was just diagnosed with his heart defect.

This is their first heart surgery.

He is a very active boy.

He is 11.

Think about that for a minute. Their child went 11 years undiagnosed.

Thank God for medical doctors and tests that are more and more advanced each year.

God Bless to this family and many others.

Dakota is "Wild and Crazy" like that....

We took Dakota to Panda Express for orange chicken for his borthday.

He is such a simple and loving kid.

We had to convince him to go out to ice cream with us.

When we arrived at Baskin Robbins, he picked a flavor I have never seen him get before.

I asked him why he changed and he said that this particular kind of ice cream describes him better.

Ha ha...I laughed so hard. What a fantastic kid.

Happy Birthday bud. You da best.

My First Born Son....

Happy 15th Birthday bud...

I miss this little baby....

I miss this little pumpkin...

I miss this little Indian...

I miss this little Cowboy...

I miss this little Toddler...

I want this little boy to live here, for always....

BUT....I LOVE this young man. I think he is amazing. I am so blessed to have you in my life. So lucky that you are so wise and confident and happy. You make excellent choices in friends, get wonderful grades, and are a star athlete. You are the triple threat my man....and as much as I miss the little boy whos cheeks I wanted to kiss 24/7, I am happy to call you my first born.

Happy 15th Birthday.

MmmmwwwaaahhhH!