Linkin's Eye Surgery :(

When Linkin was a couple of months old, I noticed his left eye would go crossed! I just kinda thought it would fix itself until his Doc in Utah said she wanted him to go see an eye doc at the Primary Children's Medical Center. So after a couple of months we got him in and they said he would need at least one surgery, maybe two. Then probably patching and several prescription eyeglasses! How sad! The Dr., Dr. Dries, said that if we get this all taken care of now while his little brain is learning sight then by the time he's a young man, he should have perfect vision! So on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 we took him to get his surgery done! It went very, very, well! He was super sad the day of the surgery but by the next day he was back to spitting and playing and being cute!! We can already see quite the difference just looking at him! I'm sure it's so nice not to have one eye always looking in the other direction!

Linkin's eyes before surgery

On our way in...

The "ele"vator :)

Kissin Daddy before surgery

Day after surgery! Lookin good!

Party Time

Drake & Kiowa had a little party for their birthday!! The girls of course chased all the boys and the boys shot nerf guns at all the girls!! They ate pizza, played "Red Rover, Red Rover" and jumped on their new trampoline!! What a blast!! Here are a few pictures and a little video of them!!

Kiowa & Drake

Drake's presents

Kiowa's presents

Typical girls :)

The BOYS!!!
Carson, Gunner, Dayne, Dax, Jaxson & Drake

The GIRLS!!!

Abby, Brenna, Kaitlyn, Madisyn, McKara, Alexis, Ryan, Kiowa & Peyton

Kiowa turned EIGHT!!!

What a doll! (Dakota, Kiowa, Drake)

Kiowa & her Mama
Justin, Kelli, Drake, Kiowa & Linkin

Kiowa's Scriptures

Oh my little baby girl!!! I cannot believe she is EIGHT!! It seems like yesterday she was a teeny baby in my arms...

March 9, 2001

On Thursday, March 8th, 2001 I went to my usual Dr.'s appt. and was told that I was dilated to a FIVE but since I wasn't "actively" in labor, they told me to just go home. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I could have gotten an epidural at that point!!! I was so mad but I went home and thought for sure at any moment my water would break or I would have horrible contractions, but nothing. So finally Friday morning I told my mom I was going to go to the hospital and tell them I was in labor and when they checked me, they would see I was at a five and would believe me!!! So I called Rex at work and told him I was going to go to the hospital at noon! He thought I was a little crazy but said he'd be there. So my mom and I headed up to the hospital and my little plan worked except when they hooked me up to the machine it showed I WAS having contractions!!! What the?!!! Well yay for me!! I couldn't feel a thing! I then asked the nurse if the doc on call would break my water and she said sure! So they got me all settled, broke my water and a couple of hours later my baby girl arrived!!!! I was so, so, happy!

I have always wanted a bunch of daughters since I had so much fun with all of my sisters!! However it hasn't worked out quite that way!! I can't complain though because she is the best daughter and little friend I could ever ask for! She loves to be with me at all times, whether I'm cooking, cleaning, or doing something fun, she is at my side! We have matching aprons so we can cook together and she LOVES to help me cook! It is so adorable!! She is the best big sister in the world and would do anything for her siblings! I don't know what I would do with out her! She even wakes up with Linkin on some Saturdays and lets me sleep in!!!! I am so very blessed to be her Mama and she makes every day a happy one for all those around her! I love you Kiowa Ann!!!

Drake turned TEN!!

Drake loves "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
Drake & his Mama

Baseball & Glove from Aunt Kristy
Kiowa, Dayne, Dakota, Tylan, Madi, Drake, & Linkin

Justin, Me, Kiowa, Drake & Linkin

Rewind back TEN years to Friday, March 5, 1999...

I was lazily laying in my bed as Rex walked out the door. I had asked him to leave his cell phone with me since I had the day off and I had errands to run since we were having our "house warming party" that night. I wasn't due til March 17th so no biggie. Anyway I yelled goodbye to Rex and then screamed "WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Becaussseee my water had just broken!! Literally seconds before Rex walked out the door and I wouldn't have been able to reach him for at least an hour! We rushed to the hospital where after a few short hours (I think from the time we got there til I had him it was a total of 5 hrs?) my B E A UTIFUL baby was born!!! Oh my goodness I LOVE that child! From the moment he was born he has been the sweetest, kindest and most handsome little thing!! He is such a joy in my life! I laugh every single day because of something he says or does. He loves to make me laugh and he is always telling me he loves me or that I'm the best mom ever or how much he loves to hang out with me! He's got the best imagination and creates a ton of games that not only he can play by himself or that others can play too. He loves to draw, eat pizza, play video games and read like crazy! He's also recently started playing basketball, football, baseball and loves to jump on the trampoline with his friends and cousins! He is such a talented little man and I am so, so, blessed to have been chosen to be his Mom! I thank God every day that he is in my life! Drake is an essential in my life and I look forward to everyday thanks to him! I love you Drakey-pooh!