Tonsils, adenoids, and a graduation...

 Happy Father's Day! Zanna dressed up special for Sunday...and then we had Papa Steve and Grandma-Stina over for Turkey burgers! Tim had a great Father's Day and had to accept his Father's Day present a little early....the kids and I sent him a package at work full of posters, pictures and all his favorite candies. He was perfectly embarrassed and blessed. SUCCESS!

Then, bright and early Monday morning, Promise and I headed for the hospital for Promise's surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. I googled info on what to expect and what foods to feed her....but when we got to the hospital, things were much different! They told me that she needed to eat burgers, tortilla chips, fries, toast instead of smoothies, ice cream, and freezies post-op! Sounds like torture!

However, the Doc was saying that healing is faster when the throat is subjected to rough treatment....the salt keeping infection away and making them thirsty so they would drink more, the protein/fat keeping the kiddos from getting too skinny from not wanting to eat as much, and the rough foods prohibiting scar tissue and clots from building up. OI! And no blowing your nose, drinking from straws, no school, no rough play, and no screaming....no bananas, little dairy (she's dairy and gluten free anyway), tomatoes, or citrus fruits....

 So, with Dora and blankie in hand, Promise dressed into her cap and gown, prayed with mommy, and waited for the anesthesiologist to meet with us...

 Despite being nervous, Promise and mommy had a gas texting with the Grandmas and Daddy while we waited. Then we were led to the operating room by a wonderful nurse. I placed Promise on the operating table and we prayed while they got her comfy and put her "Princess mask" on...as she breathed into the mask, I prayed that the Lord would give her good, peaceful dreams....and she drifted off to sleep...

 The surgery took a little over 40 minutes and then another 30 minutes for me to wait until the nurse called me in from the waiting room. Promise was still asleep with just a little blood drooling from her mouth....I was VERY happy to see her. :)
Then, after some arousal, the nurse let her pick some princess stickers and I gave her a little "YOU'RE BRAVE!" gift of Princess Ariel.

 While she couldn't talk, she definitely communicated her discomfort.
We stayed at the hospital for six hours while she proved to her Doctor and the nurses that she could eat, there was little or no bleeding and that she was safe to go home. Grandma-Stina bought her a Happy Meal and after the whole burger was consumed, she was ready to go home. :) She was so brave....she was even able to eat Tostitos right after! And of course, two popsicles.

Tuesday proved to be a bit more difficult as the pain meds wore off....lots of tears and "Mommy, there are boogers in my throat!" The clots feel like boogers hanging in your throat when they fall off apparently. Poor girl. She got very little sleep Monday night, so mommy and daddy got no sleep either. Tim took a sick day in Promise's honor. So, with antibiotics and pain meds in hand, Promise, Zanna and Mommy had an outdoor tea party with soy cheese, chips, granola bars, and gummies while Daddy took Toby to the park to run off some pent up stress and energy. What a blessing!

 Zanna is not dainty at tea parties....note to self.
Despite a lack of sleep and being told we cannot go anywhere, Promise dawned another cap and gown and went to her preschool graduation this morning...even with her sore throat and being overtired, she sang and danced, posed and pranced....ate cake and chips, drank juice and hugged her friends....see ya'll in KINDERGARTEN!

 Her teachers, Miss Marissa and Miss Rachel have been so fabulous this year....
They gave her a new Bible, a certificate, some treats and party favors to send her off....

As she heads into her academic life, she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up....

She will make a great mommy. I am thankful that I haven't ruined that aspiration for her! Ha ha ha!
I am so proud of my firstborn...my precious miracle girl. She has overcome MASSIVE challenges for a little girl and I am so blessed to be her mommy. I thank Jesus everyday for my Promise....my gift from God. She is so beautiful and I can't wait to see what God does with her!
Be blessed.

Oh, and if you think of it, please pray for a speedy recovery for her....the pain and food rules are for 14 days and we're on day 3, so we have a ways to go....and she has several birthday parties she desperately wants to go to, so she's gotta eat her burgers...and boogers, too, I suppose... and get healthy!
And also, please pray that the Lord provides us with a car/van...mine nearly died today and I know it is just hanging on by a thread....or a thread on a transmission...ha ha!

Happy Father's Day.....

Zanna is getting dedicated next week at our church....so Tim took the most lovely pic of her.

And Promise got her pic taken, too....what a princess....

 And then Toby....we tried to get him looking Prince-like or even decent. :) He is all boy, but he loves his daddy!

 Then we had to play with a few photos, too.....

 Pirate kids.

And Zanna's first tub bath....until now, we've been bathing her in the sink or with us in the shower. :) BIG GIRL, ZANNA!

Monday, Promise gets her tonsils out, Thursday she graduates from preschool and then the summer begins....it will be full of adventures and craziness.
I have beautiful kids. I am so grateful for them.
Be blessed.

A month in pictures....

 My dad reminded me that I do have a blog and that I have not updated it in some time. Sorry...things have been hairy around here. :) Here is the merry month of May in pictures.....
above, Promise went to her "Ready. Set. Learn." day at her future elementary school on May 2. She will start kindergarten this fall so visiting the school and playing in the "get to know you" games was such a blessing. She was told all the things she will come to learn in kindergarten. She was surprised that they knew her name already and had even made her a crown to wear. :)

 Then, bright and early Friday morn, we drove to Oregon to hang with Grandma Con and Papa Jim while Daddy went to Kal Tire training in Vernon, BC for two weeks.  Above is their backyard on our first day there....getting out the post 5-hour drive googlies.

 Then we went to my mom's "Mothers and Others Tea" that she hosted at her church along with Aunt Ruth and cousin Gracie pictured above! It was a great time of tasty treats and fellowship....

 And here is Papa Jim getting to know miss Zanna-goo. She liked Papa.

 And Grandma Con, Zanna and Promise enjoying the patio in the sunny afternoon.

 the boat pool...

 Then we went to the Oregon Zoo with Grandma and cousin Levi.....

 Promise petting the sea lion.

 Levi riding the sea lion!

 In the bird sanctuary....

 Spotting penguins! They were the biggest hit. I have a video of the kids walking and talking just like them!

 And I visited an old friend of mine and her hubby....they gave me a new pacifier for Zanna! :) I laughed so hard. Then my dad took me out for a movie (in a THEATER!!!) while my mom watched the kids! What a treat! It's been at least 5 years since I've seen a movie in a theater and even longer since I've had a date with my dad!

 We even got to visit Blue Lake Park with Uncle Andy, Aunt Ruth, all the cousins and Grandma and Papa! But they didn't allow kids under 5 to swim in the lake for sanitary reasons.....gee, little kids don't go potty in the lake, do they??

 Just before Toby was told to get out of the lake....sigh.

 So he played in the water park instead!

 Zanna just sat around looking cool.

 And then we ate....

 That made Promise happy!

 And Zanna loopy!

 The day was so pleasant that even Promise and Toby were kind enough to hold hands all the way to the car on the way home!

 And then joined with Grandma and Papa!

 On this trip: Zanna learned to sit up
                     Play "Hi-One" with Promise
                     Eat solid foods....

                   Learn to Captain a ship....

                  Read a book.....

                And smile for the camera....gorgeous girl.

 On Mother's Day, Tim sent me flowers from Vernon!

 And a card, too!

 And we got to go to cousin Ben's Birthday party....

 Wrestle on Grandma's bed....

 And go out for Mother's Day lunch!

 She may be fair-haired and blue-eyed, but Promise has learned a few things from me!

 The cousins!

 Back home with Zanna!

 Then Toby burned a hole right through his favorite blanket....it was perfect for impressions of Jabba the Hut, tho.

 The sisters.....

 Waiting for Daddy to return home....

 When Daddy got home, we got the kids bunk beds in hopes that Zanna will sleep in her own room....the bunk bed lasted two weeks and now Promise and Toby are in separate rooms again...sigh....we'll try again next month....

 Zanna's first swing!

 She's miffed cuz mommy stopped pushing her....

 Asking for fries at McDonalds....NO, I don't give them to her!

 She's gorgeous and I love my little 7-month old.

 Had enough of Zanna? Here's beautiful Promise all ready for her Ballet Recital! She did soooo great!

 Zanna waiting with Daddy for Promise's recital to start!

 Promise with her Ballet teacher, Miss Jenn.....dressed as Rainbow Brite! Ha ha ha!

 Summer has begun and we are outside most of the day....I love summer evenings after 7 pm...Daddy is home and playing outside is joyful and silly.

Zanna is learning self care early....

So that's a month in pictures! This week Toby had the flu and passed it to all of us, then it was immunizations with allergic reactions causing hives, then prepping Promise for getting her tonsils out in a week and a bit, Father's Day prep, and chaos. Life feels as though it's speeding by. I can't imagine the women who have two toddlers and an infant and maintain a career! ACK! And yet, the stay-at-home moms I know are either trying to find work, work from home and if they don't, they homeschool! I must really be a lazy, loser mom....I am just trying to keep the peace between the four-year-old and the antagonistic two-year-old while breastfeeding the 7-month-old while cooking dinner while vacuuming while folding laundry......I am tired! Coffee? Yes, please!
I love my kids...thank you, Jesus, for my kids.
Be Blessed.