Sadie's 4th birthday... late

The begining of June, Sadie had her dance recital and since her Mimi, Nana, Chicher and Uncle Steve would be here we would a small impromptu birthday party.  We didn't have a large party this year, because we were taking the kids to the Gaylord to celebrate her birthday and Jeff and I's anniversary.  Here are a few pictures of her opening her presents and blowing out the candles of her cake.  And yes, she has makeup on in the pictures... we had just left her dance recital.

My snuggle bugs

Enjoying snuggles while watching Toy Story!!

The next step

I heard from Cook's Hematology this morning. They are over a month out on appointments. Our pediatrician felt safe with that. So our first hematology appointment is August 21. Please keep us in your prayers for patience and to stay calm. Please also be praying for the medical care Tripp, Jeff and I will be meeting that day, for their knowledge and that we would "mesh together" well. Thank you in advance!

Finally, the sheep came!

Last night after getting the news we were being sent to Cooks, I had to clean the house and myself and start cooking.  We were having Jeff's agency and their families over for dinner.  They are half way through the year and on pace to be a Platinum Agency for the year.  In the entire Texas Farm Bureau, there are only 15, as of now!  I'm quite proud of all of them!  Anyways, we had a wonderful time eating and talking with everyone.  We have been here almost 3 years, and their work force has truly become a family!  Everyone is getting along wonderfully!  We had a 3rd grader, 2 4 years olds, 2 2 year olds, and 2 8 month olds.  It was so much fun with all the little kids running around!  Needless to say, once most everyone left and I cleaned up, I was off to bed.  I crashed and slept hard until 7:30 this morning and both kids slept in!  Much needed rest from the night before!

We talked with our pediatrician's office today and they said that Cook's would be calling us within 48 hours (by Tuesday) to set up an appointment.  I think my hopes of getting in next week are over, but I've realized that thats ok.  I think my first lesson in this is going to be patience! I'm a doer, so its hard for me not to get frustrated when we aren't "fixing" a problem.  But, I have to remind myself a few things.  1) Tripp is not the only patient that any of these doctors offices are working with.  While yes, I want to be treated that way, its not fair to the other tons of patients.  2) I'm not in control!  Wow, that one is hard for me!  I've always felt that if I was in control, no one else can screw it up and if I do screw it up, then I've only got myself to blame. and 3) GOD is SOVEREIGN!  None of this is throwing Him for a loop.  He has a greater plan, in whatever it is... so basically chill out and pray!

What a peace, in every situation, #3 gives me!!!!

Blood work round 2

July 10, 2012
Well our little super hero had a 2nd round of blood work yesterday.  Sadie went and stayed at Leandra's apartment while Tripp and I went to the hospital, which Sadie was so pumped about.  They colored and painted toenails!  Tripp was so cute on the way to the hospital.  Kept telling me he wasn't going to cry and that he was tough.  When we were walking up he said, "I'm tough like Batman. I'm tough like Spiderman. I'm tough like Mickey Mouse."  It was adorable.  Well he did fabulous, again.  Flenched a little, but not a squeal, cry, nothing.  So tough!  Then we picked Sadie and Leandra up and headed to eat lunch at Montana's, a family favorite!  Then the waiting began.  By 4:00 I decided to call and find out if they got the results.  The nurse answered and said the dr. was on vacation until today and I'd hear something today.  Well, needless to say, I was on edge! Barely any sleep, and big headache!  This morning went on forever and I finally got a call at 2.  Tests came back showing both his PT and PTT clotting levels were high.  So, our next step is to go to Cooks Hematology.  Then my phone started acting crazy while I was trying to get everything handled and call Jeff and stuff.  Well, after getting off the phone and having a bit of a minor break down.  I calmed myself down and found out that I have to call back tomorrow morning and get something scheduled then.  MORE Waiting!  The bad thing is, we leave for Disney World next Friday.  I hope so badly that we can get our appointment in next week.  I don't want this to linger over my head the whole vacation.

Tripp is my little super hero!

July 2, 2012
Just like Batman, Tripp is my little superhero!  His strength in his little body, his bravery, his toughness, his determination.  They all impress me, and at times exhaust me!  My little guy has been just that, little for so long.  We've been watching his weight very closely since Oct. 2010.  Finally, this past Spring he showed enough weight gain that Dr. Miller decided we no longer needed to do weekly or bi weekly weight checks.  We go to Stephenville for the kid's pediatrician, so an hour drive there and back every week was not our favorite thing, but for Dr. Miller to care for our children... and hour is nothing!  Anyways... I noticed a bruise Tripp had several months ago, hadn't gone away.  I kept my eye on it and after 3 months, decided to make an appt for it with Sadie's 4 year check up.  By the time we went in, you could barely even see the bruise.  Its still faintly there, but with all of the swimming we've been doing, you can't see it so well through his tan.  I felt quite silly even taking him in.  Dr. Miller felt it would be good to just go in and do some blood work.  After Sadie's check up, which she did wonderfully at, we headed to the hospital.  Tripp sat up in the chair in my lap, like a champ.  Stuck his arm out, didn't flinch, cry, whine, nothing!  So proud!  They said we would hear something that day.  To be honest, the car ride home I felt even more silly for taking him in and having blood work done!  We pulled into Brownwood, drove to Jeff's office and Tripp and Sadie wanted to go say hi to all of the agents in the office.  On the way back to daddy's office, my phone rang.  Dr. Miller had called Jeff and I and said that while Tripp's blood counts looked good, his clotting levels were high.  So in 10 days we need to come back and do some more tests.  I'm quite proud of my little batman and know that all of his superhero qualities that God has given him are going to help him through whatever is on his journey!

Choose Joy!

My eyes are tearing up and I can't quite explain why!  I have followed Lil Blue Boo for a few years now and for whatever reason hadn't read any blogs in the passed few months.  Today I was reading and man I missed a lot!  Her blog is awesome.  Has great tutorials and she also has a shop with great sewing patterns ;)  You all know I'm a sucker for a great pattern!  Well, over the past year, her father has passed away and she has had a miscarriage and now is fighting cancer!  Throughout it all, her perspective has been amazing.  I read her posts and think, would I be able to find joy when all of my life is in turmoil?  I thought about this for awhile.  I have a hard time some points of my day to find joy and I've got no reason to be like that!  I thought about how blessed I am with an amazing family, sweet friends, my husband who, for whatever reason, adores me, and 2 healthy, sweet children!  God has blessed me with a life that I dreamed of!  And how in the world do I not soak it up like sunshine and praise him for it continuously!?!?

So today... I CHOOSE JOY!!!