all clear

well, Matthew had his follow up appointment today after his surgery 11 days ago, and he got the 'all clear.' Doctor said everything looks perfect and he can go back to normal activities. Yeah! We made it!!

I keep thinking about last week though; it was possibly one of the longest weeks ever, so hard seeing your child in pain and feeling helpless since I can't fix it; I also started wearing thin on the compassion toward the end of the week. Not that I didn't feel bad for him, I did, terribly, however, being sleep deprived does not do wonders for me emotionally, nor physically. One day last week when Matthew started crying because he wanted goldfish to eat, and knew it would hurt too much, I started crying as well. Not a normal response, obviously, but keep in mind I was extremely tired, and pregnant!

Anyways, something positive did come from last week.... aside from getting the infected parts out of his body, and correcting his snoring like an old man, resulting in more restful sleep for all of us, something even more!

The compassion that I saw from Ben was something I'll treasure forever. Sometime during the week, as Matthew was laid up on the couch, a friend of Ben's came to the door to see if he could go out and play; we asked Ben if he wanted to go, and he replied, "no, I don't want to since Matthew can't." My heart melted. Now, don't get me wrong, they do have their moments as siblings where things aren't so picturesque, but most of the time, they really love each other to death. I posted a couple pictures of things they made for each other during the week; Matthew was missing Ben since he was off at school, and Ben just felt so bad for Matthew, and each day asked 'do you think Matthew's getting better?'

So many things about parenting are so hard, but one thing that I pray will continue is for their relationship to stay so loving and close. What a great support to go through life with. Something about the bond of brothers.

look out, here she comes!

Abby got this new bike for her birthday last month, and already has gotten so good at riding.

It's such a riot though, from our driveway to the one across, or vice versa, she crouches down like she's racing and yells out a "yee haw, yahoo..." It's so funny. (I'll try to catch it on film one of these days) I guess she's been watching those 2 big brothers for a little too long!

the bravery award

here's the patient....

sweet little guy. We are so proud of him for being SO brave yesterday. He had to have his tonsils and adenoids out, and the anesthesiologist didn't let us go back with him til he fell asleep with the mask, (which I was annoyed by, because that is scary stuff), but being the laid back little trooper he is, he gave us a hug and walked back with the nurse.

We saw him next when they wheeled him back up to his room where we waited for him and we just chilled for the rest of the day, and he had to do a few certain "jobs" before they let him come home.

We got home yesterday afternoon, and had a rough night, but he's doing pretty well and on the road to recovery.

We're so thankful that it went well, and so glad it's over!

signs of summer

ah, finally, a few refreshing signs that summer is, in fact, on its way.....

Ben's new buzz cut

watching the Cubs, while enjoying.....

Frosty Malts! mmm!!

The kids loved them, but asked why they were eating them with a stick?

We actually told them that it's just something mom and dad did when we were kids.

"it's just old-fashioned!"

twirl!

I never got around to posting about our Easter..... so rather than rehash it all now, I decided to just post this picture instead.

There's just something about a little girl twirling around in her fancy dress.

Adorable. But I'm biased, of course!