Our new friends

When I joined Facebook, I came across Hollie who had graduated the same year I did in college, and she has 2 boys living in the same city and likes the same sports teams we do. It was totally random, and so I messaged her. Over the past months we have become friends over Facebook, but had never met! Finally a few weeks ago we were able to get together and take the boys bowling. It was so fun to finally meet up, and our kids got along very well :)

Aiden and Noah

Dinnertime!

This was the first time Aiden had ever been bowling-and he loved it!

But of course the boys were having a hard time getting the ball all the way down every time, so they gave us a ramp which was cool!

Aiden and Dylan became fast friends!

Hollie and her husband Mike invited us all over for the 4th of July. Here we have the babies ready to see some fireworks for the first time! Noah cried a little which got Devin started-but it didn't last long for either of them, and they just sat back and tried to take it all in...

The boys enjoying the smaller fireworks before the big show in the back yard :)

So cute!

Noah! :)

Devin! :)

They thought it was too loud...haha!

I'll never get good pics...

The boys are wiped out!

And Devin slept all through the bigger ones...

We finally got the boys in the van and this is what they looked like...poor guys!

And this week we have a big festival going on in town with lots of activities. I just had dropped Micah off at the airport for his trip to Florida thinking that I was going to spend a lonely night at home when Hollie sent me a message asking us to go to the festival with them. We were all really excited to go, and I was happy to have something to take my mind off Micah leaving. All Aiden wanted to eat was icecream-like any other 3 year old-and this look says it all..."MY icecream!" :)

We let the boys play some games

And Aiden had to have the pink ball. So then Dylan had to have a pink ball...I have no idea why he chose pink...I'm not concerned ;)

Although on second thought...he also chose this flower as well that Devin is chewing on...

We had to play the fish game. And Dylan actually got a ball in a bowl! Of course Aiden was a little upset that he didn't "win" too-but the worker was very gracious and gave him a fish too! It was very thoughtful, and so now I have to go and get some fish food tomorrow if it survives the night!

Welcome Nemo to our home

Devin is excited about Nemo too :)

Watching the Helicopter take off with the fish by their sides.

And had to get our picture by the big Army truck :)
We had a great time and already the boys are begging to get together again. It's so great to meet new friends!

Phone

One of Devin's new games he likes to play is "Phone". Even though he doesn't talk when I give him the real one, like when Daddy is on call or the Grandparents call to check in. You know, when it counts :) But it's still cute to watch him put it up to his head-and he just grins. I had to get a few pics..

"Hey-the phone is ringing!"

"I better say 'Hello'"

"You're kidding me!?!"

"Hey Mom-it's for you!"

Swim Lessons

We had decided that it was time for Aiden to learn how to swim, so we signed him up for swim lessons. My friend Laura had the same thought, and so we figured it would be fun to sign our kids up for the same class :) Aiden had started lessons once a week for 6 weeks in July and now in the middle of that is his swim class every day for 2 weeks with James and Ally. I think Aiden has been doing really well, and hopefully by the end of all his lessons will really get it and can start swimming more on his own. I'm really proud of him, and he's really loving it, which is great!

James and Aiden waiting their turns

I'm sad I missed the jump...he loves that part

Kick kick kick!

paddling his way back-haha

James "saving" the toy animal

Time to float

I think Aiden is sad his turn is over

Free play time!

Ally is in a different class at the same time because she is a few years older

It's fun they get a few minutes to play all together

They're having a blast, and we have 2 whole weeks of it...fun!

hard workers

I was cleaning my bathrooms today and had a few helpers! Aiden really liked to scrub the toilet, and Devin-well he "helped" too...

By putting his hand in the "bubbles"!

Gross! :)
But as my friend Laura told me today...it's an investment in our future to "teach" them now and in time they'll get better! Anyway, I'm happy to have clean bathrooms now :)

Disappointed

I am feeling super disappointed right now because last night around 7:30 I got a phone call from my new doctors office informing me that my surgery that was scheduled this upcoming Monday has been canceled. I had just gotten the confirmation call a few hours earlier. Apparently the doctor was called to testify at a trial that day, and therefore had to cancel his surgeries. There were 2 other doctors willing to do my case 3rd on their schedule that day, however that was at 4pm if they are running on time. Meaning if all went perfectly, the earliest I would be out would be 10pm and then have another 3 hour drive home...It just wasn't going to work for us. And with the holiday weekend, all the offices were closed today, so I have to wait until Monday to try and reschedule :(
I'm really sad about it all, because this has become such a long journey for me. I've been dealing with this for most of my life, and finally got diagnosed back in March. I thought I was going to be "fixed" in May, and again in June...and now I have no idea when it will finally happen. And at that-if they can even be successful in completing the surgery! My emotions have been on such a roller coaster since my first meeting with the doctors, and I have been under a lot of stress with this as well as other things going on in our lives that I just feel like I just want to shut down for awhile and reboot in about 3 years!
I know everything happens for a reason, and in the end it will all work out. It's just really hard sometimes to give up our "control" and let things happen as their meant to. I'm trying hard not to stress about the schedule, as ours is getting pretty full these next few months, and I know the doctor has a full schedule as well. I know it will get done eventually. I just really wanted this to be all over before the summer really started and allow myself to kick things into gear. Now it looks like it will be the end of the summer at best before I get in...
Like I said, I'm just sad and disappointed. But I have had a lot of support from my family and friends, and I wanted to thank you all for that! You all mean the world to me, and I would not be able to get through all this if it wasn't for all of you...you are my rock and support and I love you all so much!
I'll keep you all posted when I find out more...

Random Aiden

Here are some fun pictures of Aiden over the past few months. We have really been enjoying the warmer weather now, and as any kid Aiden's age-he loves the water :) We now have him enrolled in swim class and lessons. So hopefully by the end of the summer we'll have ourselves an Aiden fish!

I'm happy to report that Aiden has really gotten the hang of his bicycle now! Once he started getting it, he didn't want to stop :)

swimming with Uncle Danno on his birthday

Aiden is begging me to take him back to Chuckie Cheese since he went for a friend's birthday recently.

He hasn't gone fishing himself yet... but I know he's dying to! And poor little guy got bit by a mosquito earlier, so he's all puffy :(

My good friend Laura took this picture-hers were better than mine ;)

can't get enough of the sprinklers!

As Aiden says: "1, 2, 3,....12, Blastoff!" He never wants to stop at 3 ;)

Hope you are all staying cool this summer! We sure are trying, and having a good time at that too :)

Random Devin

It's been awhile since I've posted. I have been keeping some cute pictures aside in my mind of Devin over the past few months. So here they are!

Oh, and by the way, we scheduled to have my surgery take place on July 6th. So, here's to hoping it goes well and is successful!

Touchdown!

He hardly EVER falls asleep in our arms...but it's so precious when he does ;)

He's got 'wings'

Dirty Baby!

Bless You!

Nope...I think I'll keep him :)

So zonked that he fell asleep in front of the couch-poor baby!

Sr. Mary Devin

not a happy camper...

My good friend Laura took this super cute photo for me

Enjoying the summer-hope you are too!