Recycling

As you can see I had a little "helper" the other day when I was cleaning out my bathroom cabinets. She wanted to spray, smell, and put on everything I set out.

I came across some old Mary Kay make-up holders - I kept asking myself why I had kept them. Well, I have found a new use for them - London would love to play with them. They kept her busy the rest of the afternoon while I was cleaning.

I put on make-up Ma-ma - where's my purse?

A Favorite Picture

This has always been a favorite picture. London is less than a week old here and two years/four months later I often see this same scene around our house.

A first for London today - she made it through the day with no accidents - dry panties at bedtime. I would of never thought two weeks ago that we would actually be potty training her - because at that time she wasn't interested.

This & That

Let's see - not much going on around here this week

A very calm week compared to last week

I don't think I have taken a single picture I went back to work and I have been taking pocket baby to daycare in the AM

Russ went back to work and as of today he is off all pain medication - Tylenol

London is doing very well potty training - she is in pull-ups during the day

I bought her some training panties today and she prefers those over the pull-ups

We have been watching the Olympics this week

No time for sewing - watching too much of the Olympics

Jay got his staples out on Thursday

and the biopsy on the kidney showed no sign of rejection

Kassade showed up Friday evening in interesting attire - it was spirit week

She was looking for snow cone syrup for homecoming on Saturday. I had 1 bottle

Keyton spent the weekend and said he got a D in participation in his science class because he had put glue on the back of his hand (I am sure there is more to this story).

Went shopping today - on the way to Wichita I experienced snow, rain and snow pellets

found some really cool Amy Butler towels - time to redo my bathroom

Rubber Ducky - I Love You

Do you think she has enough rubber duckies to play with?

London got to enjoy Leslie and Jay's wonderful tub while we were in Tulsa. Briana supplied her with plenty of toys. They have a beautiful spacious bathroom - plenty of room for the husband and wife - my space and his space - separate - apart. Russ and I do things differently - mine is neat and organized - his is all over. I am not saying one is better than the other. It is just how it is. That is why we also don't pack in the same suitcase - easy way to solve that problem.

She was so cute putting bubbles on her face

I think she is ready for swimming this summer - no problems dumping water over her head.

Happy Valentine's Day

Love comes in many ways and I would like to "HONOR" my husband today not only because it is Valentine's day and he is the love of my life but because it is National Donor Day. Wow - my husband is an organ donor! Never thought I would say those words.

Today is a day to honor those who have donated organs, tissues, blood and marrow to save the lives of others. It also honors the families of donors who have made the decision to allow organs of loved ones to give life to recipients.

Russ' story - the picture above was taken at 5:00 am on February 4, 2010 just before we left for St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK. Russ donated a kidney to his brother-in-law, Jay. Jay has dealt with diabetes for quite some time and last year he had to go on dialysis.

Russ felt that it was laid upon his heart to see if there was a way he could help Jay. In talking with his sister, Leslie, he found out that they had the same type of blood. After discussing this and much praying Russ wanted to see if he was a match for Jay. He began this lengthy process of appointments and evaluations. It was determined in November 2009 that they would be a good match and then in January of 2010 it was approved by the transplant board that Russ would be able to donate a kidney to Jay.

The day was emotional - filled with hope, tears, joy, gratefulness, love, anxiety - to name just a few of the emotions we experienced. I am very blessed to say that the transplant was successful. Russ and Jay are both back at their homes recovering from the surgery.

Why was this put on Russ' heart? Most of my readers know, in January of 2009 Russ' son, Konley passed away from a brain tumor. It was a very difficult and emotional journey for Russ to watch his son die and there was nothing he could do for him. When he learned about how serious Jay's condition was - he did a lot praying and thinking about what he could do to help. He did not want another family member to experience what he had gone through, especially if he could help them. In many ways he did it as much for Jay as he did for himself. Russ partly did this in honor Konley. We know that Konley would of approved of the decision and would be proud that his father could help another person in this way. Russ had known all along that it was God who laid it upon his heart and that it is his will.

Jay and Russ just 7 days after surgery

We want to continue to thank our families and friends for supporting us and praying for us during this time. We ask for prayer for their continued recovery and especially for Jay - that his body will accept the new kidney as they continue to work out his medications. We have been blessed in so many ways through all of this. To Jay, Leslie and Briana - we love you guys!

Valentine's day is the day of love and donation is the gift of life. Can you think of a more loving gesture than making today, February 14 the day you join thousands of Americans in making the donation decision? How can you help? Click HERE

Rose Hill School

This is cute girl is Briana and in February she and her classmates will be going to Rose Hill School in Perry, OK. They will get to experience what it was like to attend a one room school house back in 1910. Dressed in period clothing, carrying pails with their lunch in, they will experience the different exercises that children participated in. Briana told me that you better behave or else the teacher will draw a circle on the chalkboard and you will have to go up and put your nose in it. Her class has been doing activities (i.e. making quilt squares to cover their lunch pails) in class to prepare for this adventure.

I was asked to make her dress - this was a fun project to do. I do believe that Briana will be the CUTEST pioneer girl in her class. Briana - I hope you have a great time.