Been a little while....

It's been a little while since I posted any updates.

With the car issues, and school and sports and everything else starting the last few weeks, things have been at a standstill with Bryce. Thankfully, he's had a couple decent weeks. A sick day here and there, but the breaks have been a relief. It's been a BUSY few weeks.

School started this week. We now have all 5 in school. Sierra is now in 6th, Kai'Lani in 3rd, Phoenix in 2nd, Zion and Bryce are in preschool. This is Bryce's first year, and he's loving it so far. As long as his health is manageable, we'll keep him in it. If it gets to be too much with all the germs, then we'll pull him out till later.

Soccer also has started. Sierra, Kai'Lani and Phoenix are all playing. Ken and I are still trying to figure out our schedules with that. Ken is going to training next week to become a ref. And our schedules just get crazier!

On the 12th, Phoenix turned 7. He had a pool party at our house, and had a great time. He enjoyed spending his day with so many friends and family.

That's about it for now.

Thanks for all the continued prayers. Here are some recent pics of the kids. Much love to all of you.

 

This last picture is a poem that Sierra wrote for school. She had to answer questions about her past, then turn those answers into the poem. Was pretty impressed. :)

It reads:
"Where am I from"
I am from sagebrush, from Starbucks and rainbows.
I am from the clash, the sunflower and the seed.
I am from church... and loudness,
from mom and dad. I am the turtle and the skunk.
From no climbing trees and no climbing fences.
I am from Jesus, our Savior.
I am from Vegas, milk and cereal.
From a lost love.
Arianna, my sister, died of SIDs five years ago.
No pain she suffered, in her sleep she died.
Her brief life changed my life forever.
I am from irreplaceable, invaluable photo albums.

 

Thanks for everyone who kept our big kids in your thoughts and prayers while they were away at grief camp. It was a great success, and the kids are still talking about their experiences, and the people who surrounded them. Many more friendships were made, phone numbers were exchanged, and lots of  play dates are planned. On Saturday night, they each made luminary bags, and cut out designs for their loved ones. They were then all taken out on a boat, lit, and allowed to float in the water while each name was read. The kids were able to tell a part of their stories and of the person they lost. This seems to be the most emotional and memorable part of camp, as each kid has continued to talk about it. I can only imagine how beautiful, and yet emotional it was. So thankful for all the people involved in making this camp happen for all these sweet kids.

Here are some pictures from the closing ceremony.

 

The group from Gardnerville/Minden

Camp. (Grief Camp)

Three of our sweet kiddos are going off to summer camp tomorrow on the beautiful beach of Lake Tahoe. It's a grief camp, that allows them to camp out with other kids who have lost someone important to them, and allows them to express their grief in healthy and fun, creative ways, and in a very safe place. They also do things outside of grief...kayaking, hiking, swimming, games, play on the beach, etc. When Sierra went, she didn't know anyone at first (Then she found two sweet girls from church), but she made some great friends. This year, all the kids have been in the same grief group together, and have grown pretty tight, so I'm excited to see the healing and deeper friendships that will come from this. This is Phoenix and Kai'Lani's first summer camp, and of course first grief camp. Mommy's a bit of a wreck sending them, but I know they've got this. They're excited and ready to go. We let them make the decision on which camp they wanted to go to this year, and all wanted to go to this one. So I'm praying it does good for them.

Please keep them in your prayers as they spend the next few days digging deep and reflecting on their losses. I pray they feel safe to express themselves and to talk about their sister (and/or grandparents), and I'm praying they will feel comforted.

Thanks!

My kids all picked out these pictures to take and share.

Our precious Ari. Loved and missed more than I ever imagined possible.

 

Easter Sunday. Still in the NICU, so we brought her Easter dress to the hospital.

 

Sierra pretty much delivered Ari, as the doctor showed her where to put her hands to safely catch her. She was the first person to hold her, and was the one to cut the umbilical cord.

Kai'Lani in the NICU meeting Ari for the first time.

 



Phoenix loving his sister.