Well I guess you could say I have been taking a bit of a break from blogging lately..... Holy cow its been over 2 months since I last posted and man oh man has a lot happened!! So lets do a catch up hopefully followed by some pictures!!

Clint is still working like a crazy man and most of the time loving it! When he isn't there he is here but still there, he is in need of some serious Blackberry addiction counseling! He got in a little deer hunting in Nov. I believe he got a buck and for the first time ever he decided to let someone else process it which I believe is a wise idea! When he isn't working or checking his phone he can be found helping the kids with homework or working on various projects he has started around the house.

Mallory is breezing through 5th grade only hit a few hurtles along the way. She continues with her straight A's, Got on the principles Honor Roll last 9 weeks and enjoys math and art. She is the best babysitter and can be found watching her younger brothers a few times a month while Mom and Dad catch some alone time :) She really enjoyed her volleyball season and is looking forward to her spring season! She just had her first band concert last week and has worked really hard at mastering her Trombone! When she first started playing back in Sept. I thought Oh my word but now she plays actual songs and they sound good! So proud of her! When she isn't studying or practicing her trombone she can be found listening to her Ipod or watching her favorite TV shows and once in a while reading a book for fun and not cause she has to...

Mason is getting along well this year in 4th grade. He likes his teacher lots. Seems to be learning quit a bit. There has been a few nights when we have had to put homework off til Clint gets home just cause this dumb mom can't figure out 4th grade math :( I swear I need to go to school with them to learn whats going on! He continues to have his same good friends, they get along really well and have a lot of the same interests! We are thankful for that! He celebrated his 10th birthday with a sleepover and some laser tag! A good time was had by all! He is looking forward to baseball season and is thinking maybe he might want to play football. We will see! He is such a good kid but he has shown some attitude lately that I am not to happy about! He is patiently waiting his bday present til Spring/Summer a Puppy now if we can just get dad on board 100% we will be doing good!

Carter is loving 2nd Grade and his amazing teacher! He also had a wonderful student teacher this year til Nov. and he loved her as well!! He continues to amaze us and his teachers with his incredible Math skills! He catches on so easy and the things he can do in his head are crazy! He struggles with his reading as far as comprehension but we are seeing wonderful improvements! He finished his football season with 0 wins :( but he did a wonderful job at QB and later in the season as a running back. It took a few games for him to tackle but once he did it he was hooked! Clint and I enjoyed watching him! I thought I would hate watching him get tackled and he got creamed a lot but watching him have fun, and make awesome plays was Amazing! Looking forward to next season! I will probably be "that" football mom but hey if you don't like it don't look or listen!! He continues to be the crazy one of the family always jumping around and acting like he has ants in his pants, he is the one all people are drawn to especially little girls oh dear please help me! Although he still says "mommy is my only girlfriend"!! Hope to keep it that way for oh about 10 years!! :) yesterday he asked me to call him "yes sir" to which I replied "um No but you can call me yes mam" so he says "then call me Mr.Meade" to which I reply "um no that's your dad" to which he says " then what can you call me?" and I say "Carter" end of conversation? Seriously!

Cavin is kicking butt in Kindergarten!! His teacher is phenomenal!! He has learned so much already and it's only Dec.! He can add simple problems, write sentences and is starting to spell words!! He loves going to school! He has really came out of his shell this year, no more shy guy! I have actually witnessed him walking up to a little boy he didn't know and asking him to play! Amazing! Never thought I would see the day!! I hated not putting him in all day kindergarten til about mid Sept. then it finally hit me this is my last year with him 1/2 day this is Maxton's last year with him 1/2 day.. So enjoy it! Cuddle, read and have picnics under the kitchen table, bake cookies and cuddle some more because folks something happens to your kid when they enter all day school, they loose something and so do you..

Maxton where to start? He hated school til mid sept. wasn't really participating in class, was shy and quiet and kept to himself! And then Miss Sarah worked her magic and out of the box came Maxton! He still doesn't warm right up but by the end of class he is singing and dancing along with his friends! He is so happy to show me his papers and tell me about recess! He has mastered writing part of his name and while the letters aren't in order they are still on the paper!! Right before Halloween his Vascular Malformation flared up on his elbow and on the top of his hand it freaked Clint and I out as the bumps have never came on so fast and gotten so large. So off to the Dr. we went for what I would say was a very disappointing visit. We did get sono's, plain films and labs. Which all indicated his type of Vascular Malformation is called a Lymphatic Malformation although the dr. gave us no info so all I know is from my own research. We are scheduled to see a team of Dr.'s on Jan.23rd.. Along time away it seems. In the meantime he is taking aspirin daily and got a new pressure garment (black with Batman) which he doesn't mind wearing! This time his garment has fingers in it so learning to write and color is a bit tricky, but he is doing ok. Then a few weeks ago appeared this HUGE nodule on his forearm. The biggest one yet started off around dime size and is now walnut size? Blue/purple in color. But the Dr. assures us it's ok to continue on with the aspirin and pressure garment. The thing about the last 3 bumps is they are painful to him he won't let you touch them even. We are looking forward to seeing the Vascular Team in January. Til then Maxton will keep us on our toes! Crazy Kid he is! My parents say he is this families Dennis The Menace but the twins are giving him a run for his money for that title!

Twiners!! They are BIG BIG BIG!! they jabber all the time! Love Mommy! Miss Daddy when he isn't here! Love all their siblings who treat them like gold! well at least most of the time! Would spend whole days reading books with mommy or getting into EVERYTHING they aren't suppose to. They both love Cars. Maccoy loves Spiderman and Batman. Cayne is more of a tools boy and keys loves keys! If mine go missing I can usually ask Cayne where he put them.. To bad it doesn't work for my ring that is still missing (heartbroken about this). They aren't potty trained not even close which is a big Fail on my part... What am I waiting on? All the others were done by 2 years and 4mths max... They are 2 and a half.. YIKES.. We took down their baby cribs ( I cried) and they got bunk beds but turned out they only want to sleep together so out went one of the beds and they sleep very cozy in 1 twin bed! They still love their blankies carry them everywhere.. Love to watch movies especially Cars and Grinch. They drive me crazy some days as one will get into something in one room and while i clean up that the other is getting into something somewhere else.. It's the Crazy House!!

Me well I am still here and thats about all I can say.. I am busy busy busy hence the lack of blog updates. Trying to keep the house in order has me a bit depressed. Clint working so many hours has become the normal so I don't tend to get mad about that anymore. He is providing for his family (right! wink wink). I try to get organized at least once a week and then give up about once a week! I am doing good keeping my head above water most days!! I wouldn't change this life for anything it's a Crazy life but it's mine and I love it!! I got to witness the birth of my friends baby and it was amazing but got me thinking "why did I ever think this was fun" ? I have a bond with baby Hudson that is very special!!

Clint and I celebrated our 17 year first date anniversary! I can't believe it has been 17 years since that Christmas dance? Who knew that those two crazy immature teenagers would still be together with a beautiful family still acting like crazy teenagers some days(if you don't believe this you should ask the guys clint works with cause the xmas party over the weekend got kinda crazy) the pictures won't be shared (wink wink)??

In other news Clint's brother and his wife welcomed their 4th baby in Oct. a little Boy who they named Steele. My brother and sister in law bought a new house and will welcome a new baby into their family this month! My parents sold their house and will be moving in Jan. Guess thats about it!

Going to try to get some pictures up soon!! And I hope it's not 2 months til my next update but if it is MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Almost forget Maccoy's appt. With Dr.Kaine last week went as expected. He is stable. Although some of his numbers are up. It just shows us that there is some Right side heart enlargement which Dr.K said is normal for TET repairs. He said of course the valve will need replaced we don't know when but he has high hopes for Maccoy to make it to teenage years. Next year we will continue to talk about doing all the following Holter Monitor cardiac MRI and in school age years exercise stress test. He has No restrictions right now (seeing as he is only 2) but in years to come there will be which we already know about. He gave us some warning signs and things to notify him of. Over all it was a ok appt. Still leaves me a bit breathless to think about but I am dealing. It's Life... See Dr. Kaine in Aug 2012! And hopefully not before :)

We are fighting a bug here.. whats new? It's been hanging around for about a month and just keeps going from kid to kid and back. I am sure to end up at the dr. soon with somebody just not sure who yet?? Between sick kids, football, volleyball, homework and everyday bologna we are down right crazy busy here! And mama is feeling it! When I hit the pillow at 10pm. I am usually out like a light in 5 secs!

Last week brought carter his 3rd loss :( bummer! He almost had a touchdown and as you can imagine this mama was screaming her lungs out but he was stopped a few yards from the end zone and sadly they still didn't make a touchdown even being that close. Hoping this weeks game is better!! He is still playing the QB position, and now even getting in on some defense where he is proving that he can tackle as evidence from my little video!!

Mallory is loving volleyball! She is really good at it too!! I am loving this team because the coach is great with the girls and because we know known of the girls so there isn't a competition as to who is better etc.. they go out they have fun and mallory has made some good new friends!! They have played some great matches! Out of 6 matches they have won 4! Mallory has had some great returns! We are uber proud of her!!

Last Wed. Mallory's aunt called said she won Taylor Swift tickets on the radio and wondered if Mallory and I would want them! Of course we jumped at the chance! So I took my lovely daughter to her first concert and we had a great time! Taylor Swift puts on a Amazing show! I really love her and her music! It was fun we rode to the concert with friends and that was fun to see the girls getting all excited!

The twins continue to get bigger daily. I haven't cut their hair yet and am having people confuse them for girls so I am sure it's about time but it's heartbreaking... so I am waiting! They climb out of their cribs so it's time for big boy beds.. yikes... In almost 11 Years we have NEVER been without a crib in our house (tears)... Cayne likes to sleep with Maccoy and he bed hops so we find them in the same crib a lot which is super cute. When asked "whats your name" they both say "name caynie" although Maccoy answers to his name he still thinks he is cayne and cayne thinks maccoys name is cayne? it's so weird? they can count to 5, love to read books, love love love lawn mowers or anything that looks or sounds like a lawn mower. we are working on potty training but I have to admit potty training twins is a bit more difficult than a single child. I remember years ago potty training multiple daycare kids and I still feel like this is more difficult? Maybe cause they just aren't quit ready? Or because I am not quit ready! I am finding all this stuff that I am doing for the last time makes me sad yet excited? I don't want the years to go so fast but I am anxious to see what each one of these kids turns into? weird huh?

Anyway that is the happenings around the M house with the gaggle. I am sure I left out a ton but the twins are up and not feeling well so I must run!!

Look at My little Boys...

Well BABY... We have made it several months with No calls or trips to the Cardiologist.. WOW! Amazing!! to think of where we have come from to where we are going it simply takes my breath away. Tomorrow we see Dr.Kaine it's been almost a year! Everyday I am reminded when I change your clothes and see your "zipper" scar that you have been through a hard battle and will continue to fight all your life. But the days right before a big appointment one that in my head I expect nothing but good news but in my heart fear the worst, I get very nervous and cry at the drop of a hat. You of course being the sweet baby you are give me a hug and kiss and cuddle on my lap and if I am lucky enough Cayne joins you! Neither of you like to see mommy sad. I don't know what I expect from the appointment really? Just more of the same numbers stable your growing, we already know that a valve replacement is in the future it's the darn not knowing when that is enough to send this mama over the edge sometimes of course these appt.s can turn from easy to oh my and I have seen it happen so it's never a easy thing to walk into that office and wait to hear the results of the echo We will both have to be brave! and of course daddy will be there to help us out!! Basically the question I ask myself daily is "how will I know or will I know, will I miss the signs?" ugggggg. Being a parent is the hardest job ever but adding a stress like this makes it a million times worse and to think sweetheart your CHD isn't as bad as others.. So lucky but yet so not?? Your a trooper, my hero! Praying for good news tomorrow.. Love you to the moon and back Maccoy Truston!! So proud of you son so so proud!

Busy Busy Busy.. that's what it is here. School,Homework,Practice.. Repeat.. Add in lots of laundry, dishes and cooking and picking up and that pretty much somes up my days. I am a Football Mom and loving it!! And watching Mallory play volleyball is really exciting as well! The girls got skill!! She loves the game!! Fall is busy but we are loving it!

Happy Birthday to my lovely Grandma Barb today!! We all love you!! Miss you and hope to see you before you go to Florida!

Enjoy all the pictures and of course the video of Carter getting his first good tackle! As you can tell clint and I are pretty excited in the back ground!!

Mallory's first volleyball Game!! This Girls Got Skill!!

Cavin Turns 6!!

6 years ago today we welcomed our 3rd son into the world. He came out kicking, screaming , a little blue, and with 2 big dimples on his cute little chubby cheeks. After they put him in my arms and I felt his tiny warm little body my heart that so badly ached for another daughter was instantly in love with yet another son. My life would not be complete without Cavin Trenton. He is my little shy guy always hiding his face when he is put on the spot or talked to by a stranger, he is a sweetheart always giving me plenty of kisses and hugs throughout my day. And those same dimples he was born with still attract lots of conversation and ahhhhhh's. He is a bit of a mischief maker and gets in a fair amount of trouble here at the homestead. Says his fair share of naughty words or hateful things to his siblings and spends time in time out daily. When he wants to help out he can really work hard. He is a wonderful big brother to Maxton and the twins when he isn't fighting with them or picking on them. And he loves any day when Mason and Carter include him in "big" boy play. He has already made a good impression on his sweet kindergarten teacher and he looks forward to going to school everyday!! Today we celebrate 6 years watching a amazing baby turn into a an amazing toddler turn into a great preschooler and now into a wonderful school age big kid and wondering what many more years will bring from this fantastic person we get to call our son!! Happy 6th Birthday Cavie!! WE ALL LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!

Mommy, Daddy,Mal,Mas,Car,Max,Cayne and Coy

So yesterday was day 4 of the new school year and it was a bit easier. Last wed. was a killer it started off with much excitement and anticipation and was fine til it was time for mommy to leave Maxton and go home that's when Maxton began to cry huge crocodile tears and beg me not to leave him which broke my heart into a million pieces the crying went on for what I am told was 1 hour or until they took him out for recess early to calm him down after which he was fine! The whole morning I cried I am not going to lie knowing my baby was upset and wanted me made me a basket case. I was thrilled when the clock hit 11a.m. so I could go pick him up and hug him! Cavin had a wonderful day loves his teacher and I think she is going to be Awesome!! Mason was thrilled as well when I picked him up at 3 he said his teacher is nice and he has a good friend in his class! Carter of course my go with the flow kid was happy, we have had his teacher before and she is AMAZING so I know we will have a good year for him! Mallory couldn't stop talking about her teacher and kept saying "and she believes this and this" it was like carrying on a adult conversation! Imagine that?? I see so much of me in her it's kinda scary! We are all adjusting to the early mornings well ok the kids better than mom and dad but we are getting there! The keeping up with the activities, homework, cooking/eating supper and going to bed on time is tricky... Carter is loving football he is the QB. Dad and him practice daily but I think they both enjoy it!! I can't wait for his first game!!! Mallory starts band today and she is over the moon about it!! She is playing the Trombone... I know a little strange but that's my daughter!! She is also going to start playing volleyball soon and is very excited about it! Volleyball wasn't my deal but maybe it will hers she certainly has the height for it!! This morning after all the bigs left t, I sat down in the chair and looked around at the mess left from breakfast and packing lunch and stuff not picked up before bedtime, I listened to the quiet (smalls still sleeping) and I almost cried because in that moment I felt so overwhelmed by all the things that needed to be done and wondered how in the heck will I ever get it done?? Think I will call Merry Maids :)!!!!

Carter goofy as usual! 2nd Grade look out!!

First Day of School 2011-2012

Maxton's first Day of Preschool he looks happy but not so much once at school.. :(

Mallory is in 5th GRADE!! Holy Cow!

Mason my Big 4th Grader!

Cavin Lookin Good First Day of Kindergarten!!

Well Wednesday's the day.. The day of the new school year the day my kids go spend more time with other people in a day then they do with me. So many emotions go through me this time of year. I feel sad that summer is over and my time with them is going to be drastically cut, relief that for 8 hours a day I won't have to listen to the older ones fighting with each other or the smaller ones, I am nervous because I have at least 2 who don't want to go, fear that something will happen big or small to them while they aren't with me, joy at going shoe and clothes shopping with them and seeing how happy they are to be sporting some new things, and of course Anxious because of all the homework and activities that we will begin to have to get done and still keep up with bedtime so they get plenty of rest. This is definitely one of those times that I think I must have been crazy to have so many kids this and the day I pay for book fees, school supplies and shoes/clothes for 5 kids!!! I also feel blessed to be able to be here to pick them up everyday from school and hear about their day and help them with their homework and once again hear the fighting that will take place. As we sit at breakfast yesterday morning it was only Mal and Mas, Clint and I left at the table and Clint says can you imagine if we would have stooped at 2 this is what it would be like him and Mal went on to talk about the fancy stuff, vacations, big house etc. that we could have with only 2 kids finally I said Stop why would you even care? All that is just stuff what we have is sooooo much better, yes it is crazy and loud and hey we even get kicked out of places (Long story) but no offense guys 2 was never a number for me I needed wanted more and now I have it and I never want to think of what it would have been like not to have what I have because it's all I want.... I love you all so much!! Here is hoping for a good first day Wed. Pictures posted Wed. of the gaggle minus 2 sporting their new duds! Hope mommy can hold it together long enough to get out of the school.... Oh how I will miss you all my heartbreaks just thinking of Wed. morning.....

The Gaggle enjoying Seven Falls in Colorado Springs,Co.

Amazing....

Twiners on their 2nd Birthday!! Love these boys!

Look at the joy on his face.. You can't help but smile!

The Gaggle Enjoying the July 4th Parade!!

Sweetness.. Cayne Truitt 2 yrs old Today

Maccoy Truston one of my Loves

Cavin age 5yrs.. A firework went off to close to him and he started crying and told daddy to "it hurt my speakers(ears)"...

Maxton age 4yrs... calls kids mom's the kids name plus mommy i.e. "coopers mommy".. He asked me this morning if he could call me "maxton's mommy" instead of mom... silly boy

Birthday Cake!!

Twiners Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to the Cutest Twins EVER!!! Two years ago Today I delivered the most precious set of twins! It has been a crazy two years but I have loved just about every minute minus the heart problem of course! Boy oh boy do these little guys keep me on my toes. From getting into every single thing they shouldn't to loosing my diamonds :( to loving on each other or biting each other depending on the time of day they can always put a smile on my face by doing something extremely cute or saying something in their sing song voice! My day is never dull thats fore sure!! They love the pool little fish they are, they talk and run and throw balls, ride scooters and the newest thing drive the power wheel 4 wheeler, they love anything to do with the lawn mower and absolutely love being outside! They talk up a storm about everything and get very irritated when you can't figure out what they are saying. Maccoy has found a love of cars and race tracks and its so cute to watch him play and drive his little cars all over. Cayne is a mama's boy doesn't like to leave my side and you will pretty much find him by me unless one of the kids has something really cool to play with! They have loved the fireworks especially the poppers they throw. Today we have celebrated by eating donuts and having a water fight, heading to the pool for a quick swim and then off to a carnival and parade later, followed by some yummy ice cream cake and of course a BIG firework display!! They should sleep well tonight!!

I love love love you boys! Your an absolute joy! I thank God everyday for bringing you to me and letting me be your mommy! I look forward to many many many years of watching you grow! Remember always that I love you FOREVER!!

xoxoxoxoxo
MaMa

NO summer pictures would be complete without one of Carter doing his flips off the diving board!! This is why we call him Crazy Carter!!!

Water Babies

this kid hates me to take my glasses off I either have to have my regular ones on or my sunglasses on if I am in the pool. And if I take them off he screams "glassesssssss ONNNNNNNNNNNN" and cries until i return them to my face. He found this pair of mr.potato head glasses and thought he looked like mommy wore them around most of a day. so cute

Just for fun..

What a Cutie Pie!!

Maxton on his birthday. Notice the big piece of gum in his mouth.. Man this kid loves candy. He is so stinken cute! I love him so much!!

The Gaggle Getting Ready for a Swim

Love Love Love this picture of my Dare Devil!!! :)

Brotherly Love.. So Sweet!!

It's been along time!! Time is just flying by as is our summer vacation! We are staying busy even with no baseball/softball to play. There has been a lot of swimming, visiting parks, bike riding, the babies FAVORITE mower rides, a visit to grandma's, some sickies which wasn't fun at all, No ER visits yet (yippee!!) Maxton's 4th Birthday!!, some doctor visits with good results or no news which ever is better, some talk of vacation, LOTS and LOTS of fighting which mom doesn't like, many many late nights playing or watching movies, many hours of ds games and wizard 101 on the computer oh and endless hours of cleaning and searching for mommy's lost 3 stone anniversary ring that has been M.I.A. for over a week and is suspected gone :(... That is our summer in a nutshell! I will admit sometimes when I am feeling overwhelmed by the messy house, endless laundry and mass chaos that is this house I want to hide for awhile but I don't I just keep going sometimes I am a little grouchy I am not going to lie but I try to make the most out of these days with you kids I only get so many so I gotta make them count! The babies will be turning 2 in less than a week this is a hard one to swallow because in 11 years I have never gone this long without being pregnant, but I am trying to look at all the fun coming my way and that is exciting!! They are such sweethearts they talk talk talk! And fight fight fight!! I am so lucky to have gotten to experience the miracle of twins. They still sleep in cribs which for us that is unheard of before 2 the others were always in big beds, they are showing little to no interest in potty training all the others potty trained before 2 and really I am not even sure how to potty train twins it is proving to be difficult and time consuming. They love cars, race tracks, the lawn mower, reading books and of course their blankies!! Mallory is doing volleyball camp this week and she is having fun with that she gets older and older by the minute such a big helper and wonderful girl she is!! Mason is just lazy the only word for him for summer! Can't say my summer breaks were much different than that, sleeping in, eating, heading to the pool, TV, Sega/Nintendo, and then playing with friends, getting me to do chores/clean up after myself was nearly impossible just ask my mother!! Mason is so much like me he is also sweet, kind and such a lover! I know he loves his MaMa!!! Carter is crazy as usual always bouncing around seeing what new trick he can learn to make my heart stop! He is up to 2 back flips landing on his feet on the trampoline, he wants to go back to gymnastics, play football and soccer oh and lets not forget martial arts... Hmmmmm how is that going to work?? He is such a social butterfly makes friends with everyone and also a lover! He and Mason couldn't be more different but they are attached at the hip, hate to do things without each other. Carter loves to make me happy by doing chores and extra chores, he gives great hugs and loves his MaMa also!! Cavin oh my where to start? He is not afraid to say no to me, thinks he is still 2 and shouldn't have to help clean up, but once in awhile will surprise me and do it without tears/fighting! He loves to sit on my lap and hug me and fix my hair "sticky bicky" he is great with the babies and often entertains them, wants to be part of the big boy club but Mason and Carter won't let him in, to which I reply you have Max you guys have your own club and they do but better when the big boys aren't around. So glad they will still have their afternoons to play next school year since we decided to do just 1/2 day kindergarten for Cavin instead of paying for the whole day. Again this one loves his MaMa!! I knew what I was doing when I had all these boys!! BOYS LOVE THEIR MAMA'S!!! Last but never least is Big 4 year old Maxton!! I still can't believe he is 4!! He had his preschool assessment on June 9th the day I was sick as a dog in bed with the stomach flu so Clint played Mr.Mom and did a Wonderful Job!! I found out the results on the 23rd that he will go 2 days a week and have Cavin's teacher from last year!! They said he wouldn't be social with other kids and kept asking to go home to see his mommy :( and my response was he is very friendly has no problem talking to other kids when we are out and about but he is home with me 24/7 and I hardly ever leave him with anyone so I can see this being a problem. I am happy for him I think he will love preschool once he gets started!! He also had his dermatology check up for his vascular malformation and at this time he is stable and we will see the vascular team next year in June and have him evaluated by them and also get another MRI and of course they asked me if there had been any recent inflammation and I said no and wouldn't you know it Maxton a week later you woke up with your hand and fingers swollen and the veins looked enlarged we put on your pressure garment and you wore it very well for 3 days took it off and it was fine again so we just reported it to Dr.Knopper. Such a mystery kid!! His birthday was fun he got presents and balloons and BUBBLE GUM, went swimming and then our evening plans got canceled cause daddy was sick in bed with the flu :( but you got a big gun and bike so life was pretty okay!! So guys our summer is busy but I think we are still enjoying each other! I know I sure love all this time with you I will cherish it forever!! I love you all to the moon and back!

xoxoxoxox
MaMa

Another One moves on....

(Cavin with his Amazing PreK teacher Miss Sarah)


Today was Cavin's Preschool Graduation. I am not going to lie and say it is easier this time around than with Mallory, Mason or Carter cause that would be a straight out lie. This mama cried a little before,during and after. I can't believe Cavin is going to go to Kindergarten in the fall. Where has all the time gone? On Thursday at 3:10pm. I will officially be the mom to a 5th grader(holy crap), 4th grader(Wow),2nd grader(No fricken way) Kindergartner (tear tear) and a preschooler PLUS of course twin toddlers... CRAZY.. I just took pictures of myself.. Have you ever done that? I then reviewed them and marveled at all my wrinkles that I am oblivious to having, how much older I look but yet looking at the picture of Cavin and I this morning I can't believe I am old enough to be his mom? I know another weird Melissa thought. Imagine that?? It is so weird to sit and think of what 10 years will bring because It excites me, scares me and saddens me all at the same time. I also realized today that the same year that I have my first kid in high school I will be sending my last babies to Kindergarten...Seems like a long time from now but it's not..Life just keeps speeding by even while I am hitting the brakes.

Best Friends

This morning when I got up I noticed a notebook on the kitchen table with writing in it so I read it. It was a letter from Carter to Mason and then Mason responded back. It brought tears to my eyes.

Here is what it says in case you can't read the picture:

To Mason.
I like you. I wish that we had a pet. If I had a pet I wood do the things for it. I will mish(miss) you win you are in hevin.

_____________________________________________________________________________________Hiy(hey) Carter Im writing back I will miss you when you move away. I agriy(agree) we should have a pet Dog. I will miss you when we are both in hevin.


these two really are best friends. They really do want and deserve a puppy but daddy still says no but we are all still working on it. And their love for God,Jesus and Heaven is Growing thanks to our new church and my reading the bible with them and talking to them about it which is good for ALL of us! I love seeing their relationship grow and change and it makes me so happy to know that I have given them the best gift ever each other. I love you big Boys!!

It's fun having all these kids different ages.. We carry on big conversations with Mal and Mas and still coo and ohhh and ahhh over the twins. You have the middles who are just funny and say funny things. Sometimes after a fun filled Sat. after spending time with each one or two at a time I realize this is so fun and think why would I not want more kids or more time with the kids I have?? Watching these little people that Clint and I created grow,change and learn is absolutely amazing!! Let me also say it is a lot of work and it is exhausting I am not going to lie. But most days doesn't the good outweigh the bad??

Maxton fell asleep with me on Friday night in my bed watching a cartoon and I guess I crashed too Clint said he couldn't pry my arm off of him so he left him at 6:00a.m. I get the best gift... Maxton still in a deeeeeeep sleep begins to laugh and laugh and laugh.. And it was so darn cute and if he would have been in his bed I wouldn't have heard it so glad Clint left him. I just wish I new what in his dreams was so funny!!

Ummmm... Feeling the need to update

It has been along time since I wrote something.. I find that life has gotten busy.. Imagine that?? The days just keep whizzing by at lightning speed. The twins will be two in less than 2 months.. How the frick is that possible? They talk talk talk.. Say words like disgusting and motorcycle. They look nothing alike or at least to me although I won't lie sometimes I still mix them up!! Funny huh? School will be out in less than 2 weeks for the summer and we are SUPER excited!! We didn't play any summer sports so we have the whole summer to just goof off and sleep in and of course our favorite SWIM!!! Many projects going on in the house right now! Which is both expensive and time consuming. We finally hired a guy to install the tile in the master bath that has been tore apart since last July and it looks wonderful, now just waiting on a shower door did you know those things are kinda expensive?? It really burns me up that we are having to do this type of work to a 5year old house but heck what do you do? We are now contemplating replacing our A/C and Heat.. Boy oh Boy is that not cheap? And of course living in a house full of rambunctious kids leads to broken things like windows which we have 2 of that need replaced. I am soooooo lucky to be married to a handy man if he only had the time to go with the skill I would live in a wonderful, finished, perfect house or as perfect as it can be with 7 kids living in it!! Mothers day weekend was great. I had the wonderful chance to spend sometime with my niece and nephew and parents while my brother and his wife attended a wedding, then my amazing husband stayed up all night smoking a brisket (my favorite), brought me breakfast in bed with a side of amazing diamond earrings, some great company, fun time with the kids and ended with a fun trip to culvers for ice cream and fries.. I love my little family I can't wait to see what each of my kids does with their life but yet I don't want them to grow up, I know it doesn't make sense but hey that's me!!! One of my friends said she is looking forward to the great things her 40's will bring(I know it will be great) but I can't imagine anything better than what I am living right now in my 30's knee deep in fighting, homework, dirty diapers, toys, and sweet open mouth kisses......

Sweet Girl

Sweet Ava gained her angel wings and went to be with God On Thursday. My heart and prayers are with her parents,brothers,baby sister and extended family. I hope you will join me by saying a prayer for them also..

Hugging my kiddos a lot tighter and being a lot more grateful for all that laundry and bickering etc....

Praying for Sweet Ava

Please help Sweet Ava by saying a prayer for her continued strength and healing.. She is a 3 year old from my home town that got very sick a few weeks ago with Influenza and more she is fighting a really hard battle and could use all the prayers your willing to give..
Thank You
This Note is written by her mother


Good News/Bad News

.by Shana on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 5:48pm.Today didn't go as we planned, but we did end on a positive note with Miss Ava. Ava is still on the ECMO machine. Through the night her vitals (oxygen levels, CO2 levels, etc.) were not strong enough to take her off the machine. The drs. made the decision about 3:30 this morning and she is back fully on the machine. David and I were very disappointed, shed our tears and decide that today just wasn't her day and her day will come soon. Ava's internist presented her case to her other colleagues (some of who we have worked with on day and nights in the PICU) to seek additional input. They all suggested the things that we have been doing and that have been recommended. After the disappointment of not being off the ECMO machine the drs. wanted to do another bronchoscopy on her to see if they could loosen and suction any of the "crud" in Ava's left lung. We did that this afternoon and they were able to ride Ava of some of the material that has been sitting in her lung and there is some air in that left lung where it use to be predominately white. We were very excited to help clear some of her lung. The drs. are wanting to do that procedure every day to see what all they can rid of for her to help re-inflate the lung. The drs. are starting to get more aggressive with her treatments and one thing that they want to do is a CT scan of her. She has some swelling in her belly, they haven't seen anything of great concern via x-ray, have made some suggestions on what it is that could be causing it, but until they can get a CT scan they don't know exactly what and how to potentially fix it. Most of the time they don't do CT scans with patients on ECMO just because of the ordeal it is to have it done, but we have to determine what the issue is with Ava, so tomorrow morning Ava will be moved to radiology for the CT scan. It will take a team of people to move her because the ECMO machine, ventilator, tubes, etc., etc. etc. that have to go with her. I lost count after 15 they told me would be with her. It is very stressful for David and I just to see the 3 people it takes just to shift her in her bed, let alone what tomorrow will bring. We know that this is the best thing for her and what we need to do to help her. We are hoping to receive some positive news regarding Ava and any damage that may or may not have been done during her cardiac arrest and depleted oxygen. We are hoping and praying that the CT scan shows no major concerns or something that can be easily "fixed". She is being such a strong little fighter and we are so proud of her. We keep telling her how proud we are of her every single day! Thanks again for the all the kind thoughts, prayers, cards and messages. We feel very blessed!

Hug your children tightly my friends.. If there is one thing I have learned from having a baby with a major medical problem it's that It can HAPPEN TO ANYONE and It could be a lot worse.. Right now I know of at least 5 families dealing with horrible issues with their children and I know there are hundreds even thousands more..

Maccoy's Heart Hero Cape.. (more details soon)

Maccoy and his Heart Hero Buddy Immanuel(TOF)

April 14th 2010.. Our first time seeing Maccoy after Surgery

Last Year on this day April 14th We handed our son over to surgery nurses. What at the time I thought would be the hardest part of the whole process. Handing him over knowing what was about to happen and not knowing if I would see him again. Oh boy was I wrong. The morning started off with a 6:45a.m phone call from the surgery clinic saying we needed to get there ASAP as the first case was having issues with blood so Maccoy would be Dr.OBrein's first case instead of his second. We flew around getting ready, I woke the kids so they could kiss and hug their baby brother and I stood in the corner sobbing at the scene before me.. The older kids were scared and Maccoy had NO idea what was going on. The drive to the hospital took a lot longer than the normal 30 mins it was rush hour. We arrived in the surgery clinic at 8:20a.m. they rushed us back to pre op holding where your typical wait can be at least an hour ours was 15 mins if that. They took us out a door that led to the OR hallway this is where we would give our last hugs, kisses and I LOVE you's. As they took him from me he just had a look of what where are we going they walked away and I just squeezed Cayne and cried, Clint and I held each other we were so scared. We made it to the waiting room and I sat in a chair and held Cayne and cried I didn't care who looked at me, I didn't hear anyone talk to me, I do remember one of the front desk volunteers offered me a room to go in and take a moment but I couldn't move. Clint left and went to get us a drink. During the surgery a CV nurse practitioner would come out every hour to give us updates. Our first update came at 9:40a.m. Lisa came said all his I.V's, wires, tubes etc. were in he was sedated and they were getting ready to make the first cut. I had asked my Best Friends to be there with us to help out with Cayne and of course being the wonderful women they are had agreed! Jennifer and Amy arrive right after the first update. I was in a daze. I don't really remember much just that they new what to do without being told, they could tell I was out of it. They asked some questions about feeding him and changing his diaper etc.. then took him to walk around. I realized I forgot something in the car so I made a mad dash to get it. I really went to loose it. I never told anyone that, everyone offered to go for me but I sad No then I went to the parking garage got in the car and screamed and cried and punched the dash..When I came back I had gotten a call from my parents that they were at the hospital so I went to find them, we got another update from Lisa just as I walked back into the waiting room all was going well that was around 10:30a.m. I had to pump and nurse Cayne. I tried to sit and carry on conversations with my friends and my parents but I almost felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I just kept thinking about how much pain my baby was in and how unfair all this was and why did it happen to him?? Our next update from Lisa came around 11:15 he was on bypass and all was still going well, she said it would be another 1.5 to 2 hrs before they began to close his chest.The next upade would come after 12 that things were still good, we asked Lisa some questions about the pulmonary valve but she said we would have to wait for Dr.OBrein. Around 1p.m. she gave us our last update he was finished they were closing him up and then she moved us from that waiting room to the Ronald McDonald waiting room from here we would go to the PICU waiting room. Once he was settled in the PICU we were allowed to go back to see him (only 2 people at a time and only people the parents had ok'd) This is another one of those times that I was so Thankful to have Jen and Amy around to take care of Cayne.. When I first laid eyes on Maccoy I didn't see the wires, machines, IV's or even that ugly chest dressing all I saw was the most beautiful baby ever oh how I just wanted to scoop him up and run, he was so swollen and lifeless. I was scared and worried. I cried and just laid my hand on his little hands and prayed.. The days in the PICU were definitely hard the watching and the waiting but the Care was AMAZING! Of course I have talked a lot about nurse Stephanie best nurse ever!! After the ventilator came out things started moving pretty fast and 2 days in the PICU we were on our way to 4 Southerland we moved there on Friday evening which I think was the first mistake because after we moved to the 4th floor our care wasn't good. As far as I am concerned that's when it all went down hill. Blown IV's, which required the flight team to come try putting one in and a trip to the OR recovery room where a on call anesthesiologist put one in only to have it blown on the first flush back on the 4th floor, it was also where I had to beg and plead to get pain meds and suppositories and finally I had to get a Social Worker to get everyone to STOP coming in our room and waking up a resting recovering baby.. But he had Clint and I there advocating for him he was NEVER alone unlike the poor heart baby across the hall that spent more time alone, crying and in a travel swing than any baby should have to :( The day we walked out of CMH was so happy! Although we know Maccoy's Journey is never going to be over he is here with us happy and "healthy" and we are so grateful! He is is my hero!!

HAPPY MENDED HEART ANNIVERSARY MACCOY TRUSTON!! WE LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK ALWAYS!!