Sweet Moments

Hatcher is one of the sweetest little 3 year olds I think I've ever known. In that little body of his is one giant, bigger than life, sized spirit. He has been through quite the journey over the last 6 weeks. From open heart surgery, to being on an ecmo machine, to plastic bronchitis, this cowboy is one tuff cookie. It has been more than I could bear to hear what my sister and her little boy and their family were going through and not be able to be there for them .... or with them .... or anything! Finally this last week I was able to fly into CA to share in the craziness that their life is right now. Since the diagnosis of Plastic Bronchitis - the Dr.s and nurses have been on full attention to Hatcher's condition, since it is so rare and there is currently no known cure. The treatments he is currently undergoing are extreme, and frequent. He wears a vest that shakes the living daylights out of him every 3-4 hours as well as an inhaled Rx of TPA. Needless to say, he's not a big fan. But honestly, I had no idea that I would come on the scene to see a happy, witty, delightful Hatcher. He has had a really good week - and I feel so grateful to have gotten to spend the sweet moments that I did with him (as well as with Jaxyn, Britt, Randy, and my Mom).

He caught on quick to Candy Land and loved trying to make his way to King Candy first! It was so sweet to watch the way Jaxyn and Hatcher respond to each other, with so much love and tenderness. Jaxyn - I feel like we had a lot of bonding moments this last week, and I miss you SOOOOOO much! I hope when you start school at the hospital next week it is so much fun and you love it! I will treasure the times we played bananagrams, yahtzee, and uno in our pjs, snuggled, slept every night together, went on soooo many elevator rides, played in the playroom, made projects, read books, held hands, and watched you be the most amazing sister anyone could be. I love you so much.

They are really trying to put those calories on Hatcher - so many nights he got ice cream or a popsicle and he was always a big fan of that! Raise the roof buddy!

Everyday that I was there they got to take walks out onto the terrace and get a little vitamin D! It was thrilling to watch him slowly make his way down the hall and out those doors, shovel in hand! Randy was sure Hatcher got lots of time to do that - and I know it's helped him get so much stronger!

My favorite thing about this kid is that he is cowboy, true blue through and through! He got those chaps and all his gear on, that's when he felt the best. In spite of all the cords and rigamarole he was tangled with, he still managed to get on the gear. He's got spirit - but also this angelic quality that is endearing to everyone who meets him. All of the Dr.s and Nurses just love their family, but are especially enamored with Hatcher. Not only by what an amazing miracle he is, but also by what an adorable, charming little boy he is. (In fact I think Nurse Amy and Nurse Rachel are fighting over him as we speak!) Right now the future is unknown for Hatcher, but all I know is - his future is bright!

I love you Hatcher, Jaxyn, Britt and Randy. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your world this last week. You amaze me with your strength, patience, love, and especially your faith. All will be well. I hope the next couple of weeks bring answers and guidance to your hearts and minds. I miss you already.

Easter

Easter time is a lovely time of the year - a time to brush off the cobwebs of winter, get out the flip flops and watch the snow fall as we decorate Easter eggs! It has been one chilly spring this year, but somehow it never keeps Easter . . . or that Easter bunny from coming!

We did get to join in a little Easter hunt, but our highlights of Easter were the Easter baskets and having a wonderful dinner with all of our family and remembering our Savior.

HAPPY EASTER!

Quick Trip to Seattle

We zipped off to Seattle on a clear Friday evening to watch Peter play in his last rugby game of the season. We stayed at a hotel that night and the kids were DEELIGHTED - swimming when we woke up, breakfast in the hotel, cable TV . . . so fun!A fun fact about Peter's last rugby game was that they played on one of the fields he played soccer at many times growin' up! Robin and Greg came with their kids to watch which was so fun and the weather was even pretty nice! They played great and Peter once again got man of the match! I was bummed I didn't get a picture with he and his teammates - however Robin did represent and honor him with another of her "Amazing Cakes" - yes she is talented in so many ways.A spitting image, don't you think? And it was tasty too!

We also got to see 3 great grandmas and 1 great grandpa, which was quite the treat! We went up to Bellingham after Peter's game Saturday and got to spend the night with Mom and Dad. We enjoyed seeing Nan and Pop (I sadly didn't take any pics with them, what was I thinking?) and then Sunday morning got a quick visit with Grandma Carr.

We then hopped back in the car and headed to Whidbey Island where Peter's grandma is living. We haven't seen her in a really long time and now that she is battling Alzhiemers, she doesn't recognize us anymore. It was so good to see her though and for our kids to be with her. There is something so grounding about being with those who have given so much to making our family what it is today.

Of course Peter was able to talk about some memories with Grandma that did bring a light into her face and a little smile. He loved being with her and seeing her again, we all did.

Our family and Robin and Greg's family decided to explore Fort Casey before we left the island- what a cool place! Then after being blown to smithereens we were treated to delicious chili and hot chocolate at Rich and Myrna's house - it was exactly what we needed!

It was sure nice to escape the cold wind in this cool lighthouse - it was so beautiful! What a fun trip we had - and packed in SOOOO much! Thanks Mom and Dad for feeding us and having us crash for the night, just wish it was a longer visit! Thanks again for hosting us Robin, we loved sleeping over and playing all morning!

Spring Break

Since we get 2 weeks off for spring break it feels like we really get time to enjoy that time off. We didn't go anywhere special, just a few things here and there nearby. I think our favorite part of it all was just sleeping in and snuggling! The kids did have a blast when we took them to the Sun Mountain Fun Center and they got to play all the fun games, win tickets and get prizes! One other favorite day was when we saw "Tangled" at McMinnemons and they got to drink Shirley Temples! Love those special moments that cost so little but create such fun memories! Too bad I didn't have the camera that day!

We got the bumper cars all to ourselves
and we had a blast ramming into each other!