So Long, Farewell

Due to several reasons (which I won't get into too much now), today was the end of an era.

Today, the twins had their last day Children's Respite Care Center. They have gone there for almost 5 years, every day. 5 years. They have in so many ways grown up there.

We shared our 1st birthday here...

 We got loved on here...

We practiced standing here...

We learned about books here...

We started to love art here...

We played dress-up with friends here...

We played here...

We made first best friends here...

We were serious and goofy here...

We had our first field trip here...

We had special snacks here...

We had teddy bear picnics here...

We laughed and smiled here...

Dear CRCC,

You have played such a huge role in our lives. You were the answer to questions when they were so young and still so very tiny. You loved them, cheered them on and rooted for them - and did the exact same thing for me. You listened, helped, problem solved, and cared for them. You helped them learn to crawl, walk, talk and eat...and do so better than they ever were supposed to. They have excelled and you helped steer them. 

You nursed them when they were so tiny, through so many procedures, hospital stays, ER visits, and new medicines and diagnoses and helped make them well again. And every time you helped heal them, you unknowingly helped heal me too. 

You,all of you,  are a sweet, caring, happy place for us and you will always be. I don't know how you being to thank someone or explain how grateful you are when they take such wonderful care of you and your children. All of you are like our family. Thank you will never be enough. 

Until we come back to visit....

Amy

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of love rushes in.
-Kristin Armstrong

Let It Go

Before the snow started falling around here on Saturday, we went to Respite Care for breakfast with the Pancake Man and our friends. Some pancakes and face painting make for a good day.

 

Payton, their buddy Maya, and Parker



Payton and Maya checking out their new "ink"

 

The morning was topped off by a special visit from Elsa and Ana. Nothing is better than meeting the princesses from Frozen.

Payton and Maya getting autographs

Parker and Elena patiently waiting their turn


The girls got the chance to sing with Elsa and Ana (Parker chose not to because "boys don't sing").
This will be 2 minutes of the best minutes you have all day - I promise it's worth it.

 

A little bit of normal

After the whirlwind Payton's new medical stuff has caused, this past weekend we had a little bit of normal. Since it's an outside event, we hit up Touch A Truck ( or Touch A Tow Truck, as Payton says).

On Sunday, we went to Mighty Mavericks at University of Nebraska-Omaha with our friends from Respite Care. So much playing with all the athletes, so fun. Parker had a blast. Payton was a little whiny but was getting into it after a little while.

For those of you waiting....a Payton update coming later this week. Stay tuned!

Summer Nights

When everything is just as it should be on a summer night, it makes you happy and makes you feel like everything is just right. A warm summer night at a summer picnic with our friends from respite care - playing on a playground, running through the splash pad, eating, laughing, playing baseball, chasing beach balls - all worked perfectly to do this. And throwing in some cotton candy and snow cones always helps.

***Disclaimer*** Not every moment of the evening was wonderful...like the major meltdown Parker had that spiraled for a good chunk of the evening. But I refuse to let that ruin what was so close to being a perfect evening out surrounded by people that feel like home. #somedaysarejusthard