Brielle
So much has happened since April, and life seems to be full of reminders that we are so not in control. The most prevalent news is that our sweet Brielle was diagnosed with AML leukemia in the middle of April. After some routine blood tests (and Steph's mommy-instinct to have her checked further) they made this heart breaking discovery. Since then, she has endured three rounds of chemo, a couple of weeks with pneumonia and Cook's Children Hospital has become their second home. Blood transfusions, platelet counts and constant antibiotics have become a part of "normal" life for the Perry's, and they have been inspirational with their strength, endurance and positivity.
It has been SO difficult to live so far away from them during this time, and we look forward to making more frequent trips home after the baby is born to be there for them. We think of them every day, all day. I honestly think of them and what they are doing in almost every moment of my own life...and once again, Brielle is reminding all of us to be grateful. Stop complaining about the small stuff - traffic, money, the heat, the cold, too much of this, too little of that...none of it matters. Cuddling with our kids, really listening to each other, appreciating the love in our lives, remembering to be grateful for our health, being kind to one another, and staying in touch with the higher being you believe in all comes to mind for me. I certainly don't do all of these things well everyday...but the point is, Brielle's strength reminds me to try. I will always be grateful to have that little angel in our lives.
She is currently finishing up round three (of six) of chemo, and is battling things like fatigue, nausea, mouth sores, etc...but she always smiles regardless of how she's feeling. We are hoping she gets to go home and be with her family before her next round begins, and are always praying for no infection along the way.
Moab 2013
In May we went to Moab, UT for our annual camping trip. Kipper attends the Cruise Moab event with his Landcruiser club there, and the boys and I have started tagging along and making a week-long camping trip our of it. We've also loved having the Launais' join us these past couple of years, and have made some wonderful new friends.
This year, we headed back to Canyonlands National Park for a few days, and camped in Devil's Kitchen again. Campsite #4 is one of the most epic campsites on earth. It's nestled inside a large canyon cave (with open ceiling), and looks like something you see in adventure magazines and dream about. It's very remote and takes about an hour on 4x4 trails to reach. It feels like you are so far away from the chaos in the world, and really gives you an opportunity to focus on the people you are with and the beautiful nature that is thankfully protected in the national park. The boys loved having their cousins there, and loved yelling "don't bust the crust!" as we hiked through the park. We spent the rest of the week in a great condo in the town of Moab. We were so ready for showers, and welcomed the civilization by then!
Confluence Overlook
Owen's turn!
Niko & Bodhi
cousins...
Delicate Arch sunset hike
Windows hike in Arches National Park
Goodbye Kindergarten!
When we got back from Moab, we wrapped up kindergarten for Owen and Bodhi's first year of preschool. I can't believe how fast time flies when your kids are in school. The thought of Owen going to first grade and being there all day (he only went to half-day kinder) blows me away...and makes me a little sad. I love our lunches together, and I will miss him in the Fall.
Bodhi's Field Day
Last day of school breakfast (our new tradition!)
Texas
The first week in June , we packed our bags again and headed to Texas! We were missing our family and friends there, and desperately wanted to see Brielle, Reese, Ryan and Steph. I was counting the minutes to give them all a big hug. We got to be there for Ryland's 6th birthday party, and we were so glad to be there.
Our visit with the Perry's was really special, even though it was cut short with Brielle having to stay at the hospital after a quick check-up because of a small cut on her thumb. Staying at their house was really wonderful, and the boys loved playing in their big backyard and searching for worms, slugs, snails, lizards...and they even found a turtle! But watching what they are really going through first-hand was heart-breaking. No one sees the day-to-day details that go into caring for and protecting a baby with cancer. You can truly be brought to tears at any moment. Brielle wears a central line at all times. It's connected to her heart, and hangs off of her as a reminder all day of what she is going through. Steph and Ryan have to administer her meds 2-3 times each day, which includes knowing how to flush the line, keep it clean and do so with the correct prescription at the appropriate time. Her life depends on all of it, and they blew me away with their knowledge and commitment. When at the hospital, the nurses went over about six pages of details with Steph...medication names, doses, times of day to give it and reviewed her past prescriptions. Stephanie knew it all by heart, and I felt like a deer in headlights, I was so impressed with her. All while holding her sweet sick baby girl with no hair and mouth sores. I admire them so much for their courage and strength through all of it.
Reese is really something else too. She will crack you up with her imagination and stories, and she is on her way to being a rock star I think! If not a rock star, then some other job that involves being on stage! (I think she gets that from her Mimi Kathy!) We loved spending time with her, and although she seemed mostly happy, content and very loved, I could tell she missed their normal schedule.
My sweet sister-in-law, friends and mom put together this wonderful shower to celebrate our little #3, and we felt so blessed to get to see everyone. These moments in life are just so much better when you get to share them with the people you love.
We got to spend some time on the ranch with Mimi Darlene, Grandpa Trey, Steph, Ryland & Gunni. Of course we went fishing, and caught some big ones! (as well as a horrible case of poison ivy...which we brought home with us and battled for two weeks!)
We were lucky enough to have Steph, Ryland and Gunni come back to Colorado with us for a few days. It was awesome to spend more time with them! Owen and Ryland have such a special relationship and really love each other. They miss each other so much, and always pick up where they left off when they see each other.
After they went home, we went to Lakeside Amusement Park for Noah's 6th birthday, and I think they rode the roller coaster a dozen times!
We celebrated Father's Day, and it was well-deserved. My sweet husband is among the best dads in the world. He always puts us before himself, never lets our kids down, and when he tells them he's going to do something, he always makes it happen. I can see Owen & Bodhi watching him, and they are taking notes every day. I'm so proud that he is the guy teaching them how to be a man. I couldn't ask for a better partner in this crazy, hard, beautiful job as parents.
So, we are staying home now until our little guy decides he's ready to introduce himself. Staying local and enjoying this beautiful Colorado mountain weather!
Hiking in Eldorado Canyon with the Hermsen's
Rockies game
Kipper got the FJ40 running (and even drove it to work!)
Kipper ran the Dirty 30...a 50k race through Golden Gate State Park! We were so proud of his hard work and commitment!
Waiting for daddy...
The finish line!
The belly continues to grow!
I got to take advantage of one of these parking spots this summer! Ha!
Owen continues to set up "info stations" about dinosaurs, reptiles or rocks...depending on his mood!
The boys made me these wonderful garden boxes for our back deck for Mother's Day and they are growing fast!
Bodhi has mastered the old school Super Mario Bros game...
We saw the most amazing Zac Brown Band concert from the second row at Red Rocks...it was epic!
More hiking...
Guest suite!
We have also been working on building a guest suite in the basement. Kipper framed in the wall, and we have been busy setting up a comfy space in the basement for guests (since the extra room upstairs will be a baby's room now). Here are some shots of it!
the finished room...
Other random stuff...
Otherwise so far this summer we are enjoying the local farmer's markets, having the occasional lemonade stand, swim lessons (Owen can swim the length of the pool freestyle or back stroke!), and the boys are loving evening bike rides to the rope swing in the neighborhood, playing in the yard until dark with the neighbors and lots of frozen yogurt trips.
So, I think we're ready to be a family of five! At 36 weeks pregnant...I'm trying to remember to enjoy every second with this little guy in my womb, while watching Owen and Bodhi play and grow...I feel such a sense of gratitude every day. There really is no experience like pregnancy, and this will likely be my last time. Every time I feel him move, I'm grateful he is strong and thriving...regardless of whether he's keeping me up at night! The boys are loving watching my belly wiggle and love talking to their little brother and pretending their stuffed animals are newborns. They can't wait to see his face, feed him and snuggle him. They both love babies and have such nurturing, loving spirits, and I know they are going to both make such sweet helpful big brothers!
***
Owen recently came in to my room after watching Peter Pan, and started to cry. I asked him what was wrong, and he said it made him so sad that Peter Pan wasn't real. I asked him how he knew that, and he said, "because people can't fly, so he can't be real." It was heartbreaking for me as a parent to watch him come to terms with one of the many realities he'll face in life. We talked about imagination, and I tried to make him feel better and we talked about it for awhile. He eventually calmed down and went to bed, but it was a profound moment for him as a child, and I struggled with how to handle it, and how honest to be about things like this for my kids (Santa, Easter Bunny, etc). I am sure it's one of many moments like this to come.
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Bodhi recently asked me where the end of the road was...I said," which road?" and he replied "the end of the road at the end of the world" Hmmm...that was an interesting one.
***
Owen is eating a ton of food and growing so fast. Bodhi is a picky eater, and prefers everything to be chocolate flavored. He might get that from me.
***
We are still singing the Moon Song every night to Owen, and Bodhi changes it up...sometimes he wants you to make up a song, but he'll give you a topic such as "make up a song about ninjas," and sometimes he wants me to sing "You Are My Sunshine," and others he wants Kipper to sing Mona Lisa. He's a character, and is more so everyday!
We'll keep everyone posted on our little #3!
xoxo
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