Powell Pumkin Patch

The Powell Pumkin Patch is an annual tradition of ours we always have so much fun. We tried to change our tradition this year by going to the KC Pumkin Patch in Gardner, we heard that it had all these activities for the kids and was so much fun that we just had to go. So we did.
It was so crowded which being closer to the city we kinda expected this, but what we didn't expect was that on top of the price of the pumkins we had to pay $6 per person (even Cj) to just get in and this did not include the pumpkin which would have been an additonal charge (they charged by the pound.) CRAZY!!!!! I looked at James and said no-way. It was crowded and much to expensive. We talked about it for awhile and decided that it just wasn't for us, we are much simpler people than that. I think people forget the reason behind holidays and they try to market it too much. Our kids only wanted a pumkin not all that other stuff not that it wouldn't have been fun but it wasn't why we were going to the pumpkin patch.
Needless to say we chose not to go there since it was so commercialized and drove back to Louisberg to Powell's Pumkin Patch. We had a blast it wasn't crowded and the kids had so much fun trying to find the biggest pumpkin they could. After everyone got their pumpkins we went and played in the hay maze, climbed on the tractor tires and hay bales and just had simple fun. Nikki had her best friend Lilly with her and they laughed and gigled the whole time. Besides that we got 4 very huge pumpkins for less than it would've cost to just get into the other park.
We will never go anywhere else again (lesson learned).
On the way home we also stopped at the Louisberg Cider Mill and watched them make fresh apple cider and donuts (which we had to sample). It was an awesome day.
Next weekend we are going to go to Cedar Cove also in Louisberg for their Halloween Cat Walk kids 6-12 are only $2 and under that is free and adults are $5 they will get to tour the park and see the tigers and trick or treat.
We are really excited about seeing all the tigers, we have never been there so maybe this will be a new tradition for us.

Offense Taken

I was sent an e-mail from a friend that I thought was really a touching story. Until we had Conrad I looked at the world in a completely different way than I used to. Although we don't believe that Conrad has any mental disabilities he does have delays in other ways. He didn't start walking until he was over 2 years old and still doesn't really run he kinda just trots and he is also tube fed still.
He will eat a little by mouth now (when he is at school) but still not enough to sustain himself by any stretch of the means. It is so hard to answer some of the questions we are asked in regards to his eating like the most common one, When is he going to start eating? unfortunately no one can answer this question we will just have to wait until he is ready. The other famous question is, Why doesn't he eat? Well besides having an oral aversion we don't know this answer either.
Sometimes I feel like people think we have not tried hard enough or done the right things by their reactions. Although they are are not saying this sometimes I feel like that may be what they are thinking. Maybe I'm just thinking to much who knows.
We were at Wall mart today and Cj started retching and when he does this he starts gasping also and will sometimes spit out white foamy spit. (gross) Anyways, this woman gave me a nasty look then looked at him and asked if he was sick. NO!!! like I would take my sick kid shopping at wallmart. I realize that she was not aware of his situation but sometime I get tired of having to always explain it I suppose because I don't understand it myself sometimes.
I'm not sure why her reaction affected me so much because normally it doesn't bother me. Maybe I was just extra sensitive today.
Here is the e-mail address I hope it will work I tried to post it but couldn't figure out how to post the video. http://www.selfadvocacy.com/offensetaken
I suppose the point to my babbling is that we should never judge another person because we don't know where they have been nor do we know their situation.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Way to go Nikki!! We had Nikki's first parent teacher conferences for the year tonight and Nichole is doing just awesome in school. We are so proud of her. It is great to go into those things and find out that the teacher has absolutely no concerns with anything that she is doing.
They have these graphs that show where she should be by the end of the first grade and Nikki was way above that line and on her phonemic awareness (which is how she pronounces words and sounds while reading I think!) she was completely off the charts. Needless to say we were just beaming!
Her teacher said that if she were to need work on anything that it would be spacing in between words. We did find out however that Nikki did get a card pulled last month sometime for talking in class but the teacher said that she starting sobbing really hard when she was told to pull the card that she felt so bad she let her put it back.
Nikki is our emotional child she can cry on a dime, she is also the type of person who always wants to do the right thing so when she realizes that she did something wrong it just breaks her heart to know that you are disappointed in her. We had to laugh though because she did fail to inform us of this whole card pulling situation so when we asked her about it her response was that it didn't count since the teacher let her put it back. I suppose she somewhat has a point! Good job on your school work Nikki we are so proud of you and what you are accomplishing in your life. We love to see the excitement you are starting to gain about reading books it is so neat to watch you reading silently to yourself. Its hard to believe that a year ago you were learning sounds and now your reading chapter books. Keep up the good work. Hugs and Kisses. XOXOXOXO

Tagged

I was actually tagged several days ago and forgot to post it so here it goes.
About me

I hate a cluttered and unkept home.
I will not wash out poopy underwear they go in the trash
I don't like to speed
I have found that I love blogging
I haven't scrapbooked for some time and I'm like 3.5 years behind and running
I will not use someone Else's shower cushy ( not even my husbands)
I think bathrooms are gross
I have to sleep with earplugs because my husband snores really bad
I hope my children always have everything they dream of and that their lives are always filled with happiness.
I spend way too much on hair products
I organize the clothes in my closet (t-shirts,work shirts,slacks,tank tops etc.......
I love showtime late night shows (Dexter,Weeds,Californication)
I love reading my kids stories at bedtime
I try to always take one day at a time and not worry about tomorrow
I don't like to rush I would rather be late
I miss my family and wish we lived closer to Nevada
I wish my kids could know my family better
I love my house
My family is my life without them I'm not sure where I would be
I have the most wonderful husband
I love to hear my children laugh
I tell all of my kids every day how much I love them
Thinking about my children makes me smile
I wish I knew how to help Cj learn how to eat by mouth

FUNNY LITTLE MAN AND DENTISTS

OK I have to start writing about the funny! funny! things my children come up with because I will never remember them. Yesterday morning while getting ready for work Cj came downstairs and was sitting in the dining room watching me so I said..............................
Me: I love you sooo much
Cj: I love you too
Me: You do? How much do you love your momma?
Cj: (after much thought) 4 dollars.
He is such a funny man I just love the things he comes up with. If I'm having a bad day all I have to do is have a conversation with my kids and I start smiling and laughing again. I love you both so much. XOXOXOXOX
Well on the other hand Nikki has had several dentist apt. here lately. She has lost her 4 front teeth 2 on top and 2 on bottom as well as having 4 fillings. Her teeth are really soft so they get cavities easily. Anyways her dentist sent us to a pediatric orthodontist (she had that apt. on Tues.) because her adult teeth on the bottom are growing in behind her other baby teeth causing everything to twist and turn. Her jaw is too small for her adult teeth. Can you say $$$$$$$$$$$.
So now she has to have 2 of her bottom teeth pulled (which we do in 3 weeks) this will help make more room for the 2 adult teeth that are currently growing in as well as have a couple of teeth coated with something (I don't remember what it is called) since they are soft but have not gotten cavities yet, after the 2 teeth are pulled she will then have to have a pallet stretcher put in to widen her pallet I guess after it is put in we have to click it twice a day for several months. I hope it won't be uncomfortable for her, I'm not looking forward to this. After we get her pallet stretched she will then have to get braces on her top 4 teeth to pull them together to hopefully make enough room for her adult teeth on top. Whew! She is so so brave at the dentist office and sits so still and patient. I hope that all of this work we will be doing in the next year does not ruin this for her and make her afraid of the dentist. I wanted to wait until she was older but they said it would be easier on her now being young so we have to do this all within the next year. Stay strong baby girl mom and dad and Cj will be right here with you to help any way we can. We love you so much. XOXOXOXO

Horoscopes

I was sent an e-mail a couple of weeks ago about horoscopes and found it interesting that the kid's horoscopes were so right on.

Nikki is the Sagittarius, although I don't believe her to have Peter Pan Syndrome and I hope she doesn't enjoy gambling the rest is pretty accurate. She is definitely good-natured, social and outgoing. She knows everyone in her school and is friends with everyone. Last year during school conferences we found out that she protects the other kids from bullies as well as befriending the bullies and at the end of kindergarten she earned the friendship award. We call her our princess and she holds up her end of the bargain. She loves anything soft and shiny and definitely hates being confined and tight or bumpy clothes (this includes her socks). We love that she is so tender hearted and always tries her hardest to do what is right and is always willing to help out as long as it doesn't mean cleaning her room. lol:)

Sagittarius:
The Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21)Good-natured optimist. Doesn't want to grow up (Peter Pan Syndrome). Indulges self. Boastful. Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often fantasizes. Impatient. Fun to be around. Having lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like rules. Sometimes hypocritical. Dislikes being confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes. Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful inside and out.

Conrad is a Leo. I found it funny that it called him the boss because that is what I call him. He loves to be in charge and boss everyone around (especially his sister). He is very outgoing and loves to be the center of attention at all times and makes sure of this. He likes to help others as long as it is on his terms. He definitely has a creative energy that to this day still amazes me. He is going to be the class clown I can already see this since he loves to make people laugh. Tonight he was laying down watching TV when he just out of the blue started singing: Here comes the bride all fat and wide. We laughed till our sides hurt!! Not sure where he came up with this one nor why he started singing it. He is definitely full of himself in every sense of the word.

Leo:

The Boss (July 23 - Aug 22)Very organized. Need order in their lives - like being in control. Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything. Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing. Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive. Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving. Doing the right thing is important to Leos. Attractive.

I love my children so much ,they make my heart swell more every day as I watch them grow. I never knew it was possible to be so happy I would cry until they came into my life. I love to listen to there stories about there day and have learned to ask not how was there day but what did you do that was fun today? and they start talking non-stop. It is wonderful!! I love you both so much I hope you always know this.
I love you both forever and always
love mom
XOXOXOXOXO

Happy Birthday Madison

Madison Brook Rice

Born Friday, September 28th, 2001 at 11:08 am she was stillborn as my water had broke that Wednesday. The girls had there own sacks so it took some time to decide how to deliver her and keep Nichole safe they gave us less than a 5% chance of Nikki surviving the delivery of Madison.
Madison was 9.7 ounces and 9 3/4 in. long. She was so small but absolutely perfect.

I only remember pieces of the story that the pastor read about two sisters that went on a walk when the younger one dropped her doll and when it hit the ground the doll broke and she cried because the older sister said that she could not fix the doll. I remember feeling broken when you received your wings and all I wanted was for you to be fixed. I don't remember the whole story, that day seemed like a dream that I was just floating through as I was also fighting to save your sister at the same time. I still miss you so much. I feel so blessed to have you in my heart, and wish you could be here with us. I dream of who you may have become and maybe that's what I am missing the most. I have the most wonderful angel above me and I just know that you are watching over us and that I will be with you when it's time. I'm sure your wings are sparkling and your laughter is like a beautiful song. I hope you know how much we love you and that you are a part of everything we do. Your dad and I talk often about how much fun it would have been to have you here with us but we know that it just couldn't be. Happy Birthday sweet angel we love you so much and think about you all the time. Love mom, dad, Nikki, and Cj.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Savannah's Song:

I wonder how do we get by? Grace has always found to be sufficient and leads to understanding in hard times. Though at times our hearts long for her presence and we wish just to see her once again, a bundle of treasures sent from heaven returned as part of a greater plan. Though her eyes never opened, to see this world I know she saw Jesus when he wrapped his arms around my little girl, and I don't mind that someone else holds her though it's hard that we never had the chance to look in her eyes, see her walk, laugh and dance now her little head is resting on his shoulder and I don't mind that someone else holds her.
Now we've learned that all things work together and when in full circle always for the good.
Strength comes from holding onto our truth and calvary's rock will always see you through.
Though her eyes never opened to see this world I know she saw Jesus when he wrapped his arms around my little girl, and I don't mind that someone else holds her though it's hard that we never had the chance to look in her eyes and see her walk, laugh and dance now her little head is resting on his shoulder and I don't mind that someone else holds her.
No I don't mind that Jesus holds her.

THE BIG 40!!!

It is official James will be 40 this year! OUCH!!!! Just kidding babe, you know that I love you. We will be Vegas bound for the big occasion I booked a show with Rodney Carrington on his birthday the 5th of November at the MGM Grand we will be front row and center, I think we are looking forward to this as much as anything he is a great comedian. I took James to see him in KC on one of his other birthdays and we just had a blast so this should be allot of fun. Although I won't be able to drink anything because at the last show a woman got up to go to the bathroom and he announced it the whole way. James says there's no way I won't have to get up. I sure hope not. Stay posted!!! LOL.... We also booked an all day tour of the Hoover Dam on the 4th so that should be fun also. I am looking forward to being back in Nevada and seeing how Vegas has changed (I'm sure allot), but as for James this will be his first time... He is really looking forward to the trip and I'm so happy to be able to do this for him. He is a wonderful husband and father and I just love him so much for all he does and sacrifices for our family.

Radiology Apointment

We had Conrad's appointment today with radiology and they just reran a test that we have already done. It's not really a swallow study but what they do is have him drink some juice with barrium (spelling?) while under an x-ray machine so they can watch what happens when he swallows. We were hoping the tests would help explaine why Cj wants to eat but he won't swallow his food, he just chews it up and spits it out. Unfortunatly the tests did not show us anything, except that he did have some minor refluxing but we knew that might happen when we loosened his fundo over the summer so we were glad that we chose not to loosen it more. Anyways I suppose it's back to the drawing board. We also chose not to have him scoped through the GI clinic and cancelled that appointment due to the fact the Dr. Ostile is not sure that there is anything that he could fix surgically. He did say that he would present his case this Friday during a meeting with other doctors to see if he could maybe get some suggestions on why he retches so bad when he has his tube feedings so maybe we can get some insight with that! if I hear of anything I will post.

September

I can't sleep!! I really don't like this month and would completly skip it altogether if I could. Not that I want to remove the memories for they are so predcious to me I would just love to remove the pain. I still rememeber everything so vividly and the closer we get to the 28th the harder the nights sttll get. You would think that 7 years later it would get easier and I keep waiting. I still remember the sono guy (Jason) telling me that there was no heart beat and the look on his face when he said he would look again or maybe he saw the look on my face. I remember not knowing how to feel and my ob asking if I was ready to hold her and I told him no and the nurses bringing her in anyways I am so gratefull that they did because those moments with her were amazing although too short. I wonder sometimes if she would have had the same personality and interests as Nikki or if she would have been just the opposite, or if they would have looked the same. Nichole speaks of Madison often and comments that she wishes her sister was alive still so that they could play dress up together and it makes my heart ache. Last year in kindergarten the kids all drew pictures of their families for a quilt and Nikki had drawn an angel in the sky to represent Maddi and it made me wonder if she still felt her presence within her. I will always remember Maddi and she will hold a special place in my heart forever.