Inspiration

4 years ago I looked like this...

I had no idea that things were going to change in a few days and soon, my life would look like this...

Parker - 5 days old. The day he was transferred to UNMC for a bowel perforation weighing less than 2 pounds. 

Payton, - 9 days old. Her first time being held at 1.5 pounds. 

6 months later I was a little lost. A year later, I didn't want anyone else to feel lost that had to go down this road. After an early morning meeting over bad coffee and greasy hash browns, I had an idea and one of my best friends did not think I was crazy. In fact, she said she was in on it. And so, my next baby was born with her help...

Then I got another push to take it further. So last year I took another step. I finished that step this week, completeing my degree...BS in Nonprofit Management. 

The week my last class started, Quiet Light was the cause at the Omaha Baby Fair. We saw a couple thousand moms and were able to tell them that if they have a day when the unexpected happens, they aren't alone, they don't have to be lost. The last day of class, I met with a new preemie mom who's having some struggles and was just a little lost and needed someone to talk to. I would say that this one perfect way to come full circle. 

Get ready kiddos, we're going to go far. 

P.S. Kristin - thank you for believing in my idea. You helped make this happen. 

Move over Beyonce

When Payton was a baby at home, I used to play this song and have her do a little dance to it, which Aunt Bo thought was hysterical -

They have seen the Chipmunks sing it and think it's funny. Then last weekend we heard it on the radio in the car, which they made me turn up loud so they could sing and dance.

Payton has been singing her own version for the past 2 days. (In case you can't tell what she's saying it is "I'm a single lady, I'm a single lady. Ahh ahh ahhh, ah ah ahhhh ahhhh"). Giggles!

What a weekend!

This weekend was packed with things going on. Seriously packed full. We headed out early Saturday morning to drive for a while for a big surprise for the twins. You know it's going to be a good day when as your heading out of town, you get to see this on one side of the car...

and this on the other...

They had no idea where we were going or what was going on. We arrived at the Boone & Scenic Valley RR & Museum. A train pulled in and I told Parker to look at the engine to see what it was. It took about 5 seconds as the train pulled in..."IT'S THOMAS!!!!" and he let go of my finger and took off running. Payton and I had to catch up!

 We even got to ride on the Thomas! I was a little nervous that Parker wouldn't like the noise of the train, but he did great. Payton was the one that was nervous and sat on my lap for our little ride. Parker wanted the window seat and pointed out everything as we rode by.

Today we had plans of a whole different type. We met our friends from respite care for Mighty Mavs. Two hours of playing in the UNO Field house on campus, complete with swag bags for the kids of school gear and TCBY with all the toppings anyone could ask for. We played soccer, basketball, t-ball, bowling.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Relay races with a UNO athlete escort. 

 Some of the basketball players lowered this hoop as far as it would go so all the little ones, and anyone in a chair could shoot easier. These two were in heaven. 

Perfectly happy rolling the ball back and forth. As she says "mom, I'm not so good at some of this stuff". 

Yep, on the move and a little blurry...

We got our shot in with Durango! It took some work, special maneuvering and the photographer had to move some of her stuff to make it work, but it worked! Yay!!!

They were in LOVE with playing soccer. They had the soccer players that were there pretty won over. 

One of the players asked if it was ok if they took a group picture with the duo. I said that was fine. Pretty soon I was holding 3 phones for pictures and the ones in the group who didn't have their phones were asking the others to send it to them. I love this picture. The players were great, relaxed, the kids went off and played without me having to be directly involved (which is beyond huge!) without any fear. So many reasons I will be forever grateful for this picture. And despite Payton's wrinkled nose, she was having a great time. 

Parker really wanted to dunk the basketball. One of the basketball players asked if it was ok to pick him up. When I said yes, I warned him about Parker's button, just so it didn't catch him off guard. Parker's such a runt and I knew the players giant hands would go all the way around his waist and I didn't want him caught off guard. After Parker's dunk, he pulled up his shirt and showed off his g-button. Parker told him "I have 2 buttons, see. It makes me special. Lots of my friends have things that make them special. What makes you special?" One of our friends from respite care was near by, and had to walk away so she didn't start crying. 

Thank you UNO, CRCC and everyone else that  made this event happen, giving all these kids a chance to play, and making sure they know what really makes someone special. 

On the move

These past few weeks have been PACKED with stuff. We've been all over the place. Here are our highlights (including a few triumphs).

Two of my all-time favorite art projects that came home from school. I can't get enough of them. Payton made sure to point out to me that her friend, Chris, has a really neat shadow outline because he has his trach on there too and so no one has a shadow outline like him. Love her.

Randomly dressing up like a bee...

Hitting the Labor Day parade where it is totally normal for storm troopers and princesses to be caught walking the streets. There was a little covering the ears for Parker, but nothing horrible. Alot of talking through the loud trucks but a total success.

Touch A Truck - one of our favorite things to do all year! Parker was wwaaayyyy more excited about it than Payton. But their names were written on a snow plow blade that will be cruising the city this winter.

It has been really, really, really, really, really hot here lately. Afternoons are pretty terrible, so the time to go out is in the morning. Last Sunday we cruised around town. They rode in the jogger and I was the manpower (which is why my face is bright red and theirs aren't). In what feels like 200% humidity and in already warm temps, that makes it a pretty good trip. 5.67 miles later, we were all still smiling so I'm guessing that means I can get them to go again with me.

Summer camps are over at school. This weeks topic is dinosaurs. They celebrated with a trip to the zoo for the dinosaur exhibit. All loaded up and ready to go! Payton was excited but Parker was a little nervous. Afterwards he told me "mom, I was bwave and I jus asked my teachers for help when it was jus a wittle bit scawwy."

Another week of over-the-top gorgeous sunrises.

And tonight of course as Payton is explaining that she wants a hot dog for dinner and I explained I didn't have hot dog buns, this is what happened. I had no idea this is where it was going to go...

Saturday there's a big surprise coming. Stay tuned. And Sunday afternoon we'll be doing this...pictures to come! :)
Mighty Mavs