Big Strides.....in the Pool!

Those of you that know Reagan well know that she is Perfectly happy playing on the stairs at the pool. She brings her barbie dolls and teacups and loves it. When I would try and take her in the water, she would have a tight grip with her legs and arms wrapped tightly around my body. She stopped crying when we would get in the water, but the death grip was there.

Last week, Cameron spent a few days at Nanna's and Grandadddy's. He loved it! He loves them and loves having his freedom there- candy too! Nanna taught him how to text so I received lots of fun text messages. I missed my little fella!

Anyway, back to the story. We went to Spartanburg on Friday to pick him up. It was Reagan's first day to swim since her last surgery, because she had to wait 10 days. She was SO ready to swim at Nanna's. Her cousin Katie was there too. Katie became a little fish this summer, and does not use her floats anymore. I decided to try Reagan in it- I could tell she was feeling a little brave that day. She not only got in the float, but also held only one of my fingers the whole time. She loved it! I was so proud because she was so proud.

She wanted to show off her skills to Rick yesterday so we took her to our community pool. Dad taught her that she was tall enough now to stand in the shallow end and she was so excited. She was showing all the kids at the pool her "cool trick." Of course, they just looked confused, but it was so big to her.

We are so lucky that God let her stay with us. We are so blessed to watch her grow up- Cameron too! I think every parent will agree it is so bittersweet!

If we go to the pool today, I will take the camera so you all can see her Cool Trick!

Can't keep a strong girl down!

So we are home. The surgery was quick and successful. No cast this time, only bandages. The screw seemed to want to be out as well. It looked like it had back up into the top of her foot, and was protruding a little through the skin. It was a hardware-looking screw, about an 1-1/2 inches long. Yes- Yuck! They cleaned it up and let her take it home.

Because she seems to get pneumonia or lung infections of some sort after being intubated, and since the procedure was a quick one, it was decided that they would "mask her" and keep her airway open, instead of the long tube down the throat. I was elated to hear this. Her lungs are already not the best, but after surgeries they are terrible.

She woke up quicker, in a better mood, and it was great! She slept the whole way home and then rested an hour or two on the couch. She decided to scoot on the ground while wide awake, then hopped into her car-de-car (as she calls a little push car that she can't seem to part with). A few minutes later, she hops out of car-de-car and starts walking.

I am amazed.

Guess what she says?????

AHHHHHHHHH, that feels sooooooooo much better without the screw!

That girl! We could all take lessons about the little pains in our own life- just deal with it and keep on playing!

Thanks for the prayers!

Last surgery of the summer??

Reagan's last surgery on her feet (for a while) will be on Tuesday. The surgeon is ready to take the screw out of her right foot. It has only been in for 2 months, but he did not want it in any longer.

I know SHE knows that it is coming out this week and she is glad. She favors the foot as she walks and says she can feel it. Gotta be a yucky feeling. However, she does not know that she will have to be put on the ventilator again. She will not be happy. It should be a quick procedure and, if everything goes well, we will be home the same afternoon.

Luckily, she can easily adapt to situations that are unpleasant. I hate that she has had to endure so much. Let's don't even go there. It is not for us to question why God allows others to endure more than most. We just have to be glad that HE is there to help us through things. I know I am glad. And we sure are glad that she is here too. It helps that almost every minute of her life is pure happiness. She is happy to be here- you can feel it.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy what is left of the summer! It sure is going by fast!

Loving Summer

Reagan is finally walking again, with a little hesitation, so we are catching up on our summer fun.
I do catch Cameron on camera -not very often- helping his little sister. They were playing in the sprinkler, and she asked him to help her walk. He grabbed her hand and didn't say a thing.



We enjoyed the beach last week with my family. The children had a blast! My little girl is growing up. She talked about riding the small rides in Myrtle Beach at Broadway. She asked if she could get on the rides with Cameron and Katie (her cousin)- NO ADULTS! It makes me happy for her but sad for me! The years are flying by!





Cameron had a great time, not on the kiddie rides, but on the "gerbil" ball as he called it. I was scared but he had a blast. We had video of Cameron in the ball, and the only thing we heard was a quiet voice begging to do it too. You guessed it- Reagan! I guess she had gotten into her "no fear" mode and wanted to do it too. Of course, mom heeded the warnings regarding heart and lung conditions. No way will I send my tiny one out there. I didn't even want Cameron out there but Rick overruled me on that one. Okay, maybe I am a little TOO cautious. Is there really such a thing?!?!



The Fourth of July was fun too. The children loved the poppers and sparklers, and we enjoyed going out to the beach to shoot the bigger fireworks too. Rick made ribs and they were great!





Hope you all are enjoying the summer and spending special time with your children or loved ones as much as we are!

Catching up....

The past two weeks have been all about soccer. This week Cameron attended soccer camp. Soccer has been on the television a lot too. We are all in to the World Cup. It has been exciting. The children love to blow their vuvuzela's (soccer horns) during the games. We are sad that USA is now out of the finals, but we will continue to watch the games. I will continue to wash his Landon Donovan jersey because he wants to wear it daily!


Cameron and Reagan- enjoying watermelon!
Well, Reagan enjoyed making the watermelon balls, but did not like the taste.


We enjoyed the beach trip too! I remember the first day on the beach while we were playing in the ocean. Reagan said- I don't see how I can leave the ocean today mom. I am having too much fun!

Father's Day weekend was fun too. I took the children to my parent's house on Friday. I got to celebrate my brother's birthday that day. Saturday, my brother and sister and their families came over to my parent's house to swim. We had a cookout and started Father's Day a little early. I have the greatest dad. He is such a kind, gentle, giving person. I am lucky to have him!
We came back Saturday evening to make our plans for Rick's Father's Day. He truly is a wonderful father to my children and loves them so much. I love that he can not get enough of them, and they love to spend time with him too. We made breakfast for him, watched soccer, played games, went swimming, and grilled his favorite-cowboys. That is what his favorite steak is called (bone-in ribeye). It was yummy! What a fun day.

Last week, Reagan got another double lung infection. She sounds a little better this week, and is feeling completely normal. She is her happy self! She is walking a little more, but the right foot is still sore from surgery. The plan for her upcoming surgery in July is to take the screw out of her ankle. We hope that this won't effect her walking but only a few days. She does miss running and being so independent. As for me, my back really hurts! It's not too bad, I would do it forever if I needed too!

IOP, here we come!

I am up early this morning-okay who am I kidding. I am an early bird and always up this early! I am making our checklist so we can go to the beach today! For those of you that really know me, you know that I am addicted to making lists!

Reagan has been asking to go the beach after her casts were off. So we are off to Wild Dunes to the beach house this morning. They are so excited! I LOVE to hit the beach with my children. It is pure bliss to hear their laughter over the calm sounds of the waves. I could sit there all day! Cameron loves the water and the sand. He loves wave riding the most. Reagan loves sitting at the edge of the water and waiting for it to roll over her. She loves to dig holes to put her tiny feet in.

Okay, I am getting excited too!

We hate that dad can not make it this time, but can't wait to go again with him. He is fun to go to the beach with. I love it when Rick is so relaxed!

I'll post pictures when we get home Sunday. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week!

A long week....but a good one!

This past week has been a long one. We were able to get Reagan's pain under control, but it took a few days. After 100's of bad nightmares and lots of pain, she got a stronger medication two days after the surgery. When we gave her "the big guns", she was okay after 30 minutes. I could tell as soon as it hit. She looked around at all three of us and said "Okay, who wants to tell me a knock knock joke?" We knew she would be okay. I guess these heart kiddos have had so much medication, it takes a lot for them to be okay. She was then able to enjoy rolling around and being pushed in her wheelchair by her brother. We put the laptop in a spot that fit her tiny wheelchair perfectly. She has learned to play lots of games this week!

We were in Charleston on Wednesday for a followup appointment. I was excited that they took the casts off of her hands and feet. She hated the machine that did it and screamed the entire time. As soon as it was over, she stopped. Her sites were healing well so that was good news. Today she has practiced standing on her own when we are not looking. I am sure the feet hurt, but I really don't think that she will be on the ground for very long. She likes to go too much!

That is the reason for the title. She likes to go and has had no way to go. I feel as if I have lived two lives for the past week- exhausting! She was a busy beaver after she started to feel better. Not that I am complaining!

Wednesday was Cameron's last day at school. Rick stayed at home with him while the girls left for Charleston. This was a last minute decision to ditch us for the pool, a son/dad soccer match, and Frankie's Fun Park. Who wouldn't want to stay at home with all of that fun? Glad the boys enjoyed the first day of summer vacation! He really deserved it. Cameron is a great student that has learned so much this year. I can't believe that I now have a rising second grader!

I can't even begin to think about having a rising kindergartner too! I need to change the subject before I start crying!Anyway, we are looking forward to summer. Pool mornings, nap afternoons! Throw in VBS, a few beach trips, and we are happy!

Hope everyone is enjoying the week too!