Happy 4th Birthday Kam!

How wonderful life is now that you're in the world!

Just a few of my favorite pics of Kamby, then I attached a song that sums it all up.
Link to song...

How Wonderful Life Is Now That You're In The World

Happy Fifth Birthday Ky!

Five years ago today, my son Ky, gave me the greatest gift in the world. He made me a mom!
He has been such a blessing to me and I am so proud of the person he is growing up to be. He has always been an old-soul and has great empathy for others. His laugh is one of my favorite things about him and he already has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. Most importantly, he already loves and knows Jesus and enjoys reading the Bible every single day. He has been an inspiration to me in making time to spend with God each day!
Some of Ky's faves...
💙Fave color - Light Blue
💙Fave movie - Hop
💙Fave cartoon - Ultimate Spiderman
💙What he wants to be when he grows up - Spiderman
💙Where he wants to work - Senior Center (like his dad)
💙Fave food - Mac n Cheese
💙Fave animal - Alligator
💙Fave song -You Are My Sunshine

Did I mention, Ky is the best big brother of all time?  Well, he is...  Here are just a few of my favorite pics of Ky throughout the last 5 years.
Love you big guy!

Ky has the best kissy lips!

He loves to swim and has learned how to swim really well this summer.

Such a happy boy...

Mr. Cool, Easter 3 years ago.

My lil dreamer.

Best big brother award!!!

Ky, I found out I was pregnant with Kam shortly after this.

Kyler 2010

All Wrapped Up

This morning I was playing with the K's outside.  Not far in the back of my mind, was our upcoming busy season of life...  School/Daycare starting.

Their swinging became symbolic to me.  It reminded me that we get all wrapped up in our busy season and lose sight of what is important in life.

The anticipation and planning for the busy season often leaves me with a sense of dread of what is to come.  Within the next few weeks we have school starting, Kyler's birthday and party, one of my 5K's and Sea World.  (What was I thinking, right?)  But instead of enjoying each event independently, I am lumping them up into one big giant inconvenience.  Independently, I cherish each and every one of these committments.

 The K's were squealing with delight and anticipation as their game led up to the big climatic moment of the release.  I am taking a lesson from these two little guys and I am going to embrace and cherish these busy weeks and make the most of them.  I will enjoy and celebrate each event in the present moment.

 I will keep in mind that despite these busy times, I am promised no more than I alone can handle.

And in the end, the reward is worth it always, isn't it?

(btw, cute hair right?)

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Mama's Write Conference!!!

I am so excited and honored to be able to attend the Mama's Write Conference next weekend.  What is Mama's Write? you ask?

If you are a Christian mom who enjoys blogging, it would be perfect for you.
I was lucky enough to have been chosen by Michelle at SomeGirl's Website to attend as her side kick.  I get a free ticket, lunch, and fellowship with like-minded writers and moms who blog.  You can check out the post where I won the title of Michelle's official 'Tweeter' at the event.
http://somegirlswebsite.com/showing-love/2012/07/an-update-and-a-request-for-anyone-who-likes-to-tweet/

Also, here is the link to the actual Conference if anyone is interested in learning more info...
http://mamaswrite.com/

Kam's Swallow Study Update

Boy have we had a VERY BUSY summer! 
Kam had his latest Swallow Study last week, and we came out of there with lots of tears but lots of GREAT NEWS!
Thank goodness for Kam's very kind hearted Speech Therapist, Mrs. Jennifer.  She went with us to the study and helped us out so much.  Eventually, they had to kick mom outta the room due to Kam not being cooperative.  Unbelievable, I know (insert sarcasm).
What is a Swallow Study you ask?  Basically, they strap Kam into a carseat type contraption and have him sip different consistencies to determine if he is aspirating at all using Barium liquids and X-Rays.

The test determined that he was having productive swallowing function and NO LONGER NEEDS THICKENED LIQUIDS!  YAY!!!  He thinks he is quite the big boy now, and it is sooooooo much easier being on the go and not having to worry about grabbing the thickener.
We did receive orders for Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Feeding Therapy, which was no surprise.  Currently he is only receiving Speech Therapy, and I have to say, it is kind of nice.  Although I realize these therapies will benefit him, and he will eventually get them again (we are on waiting lists), it has been so freeing to not have weekly obligations, travels to Denton, schedules for therapies, assessments, etc...  Kind of enjoying it for the time being.
Here is my lil guy drinking from a big boy cup :-D!

Happy Mother's Day 2012

Free greeting made with Smilebox

Kambell Update

I just love this pic of Kambell for so many reasons.  It just seems poetic to me and represents him running towards something better in his life.
We went to dinner as a family at Los Vaqueros Restaurant, which is rare for us.  The boys did great and Kambell even ate some of his dinner, :)  YAY!!!  He refused to keep his shoes on the entire time we were there, and of course we have learned to choose our battles, so we let this one go.  Here he is running throught the gardens of LV after dinner... barefoot. 
He has overcome so much in his little life and making leaps and gains all the time despite his SPD. 
He has been seizure free for over one year!  THANK GOD!!  He has not even had a breath holding spell in several weeks. 
His speech therapy is going well, and his fluency has improved.  His feeding still needs some work, but I have faith that he will get there.
He has another swallow study scheduled at Cooks' in June, so we will know more about his oral motor development then.
He still seems to have some anxiety/self injury behavior, but it has just become part of his quirky personality.  And his behavior in general is always a challenge.  Sigh...
He was not accepted into the Play Therapy Program at UNT long-term due to his inabiltiy to cope and go with the counselors.  He is currently on yet another waiting list for more behavioral/occupational therapy.  It is nice to have a break from therapy for awhile.
I am so thankful for Kambell, and for God blessing him with the BEST BIG BROTHER EVER Kyler.  Kyler is so mature and patient with Kam.  The daycare workers always talk about how much they love each other and comfort one another.  I love my boys so much.

Wordless Weekend: Dallas Cowboy Stadium

Wonderful Winter 2012

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Super Bowl Sunday 2012

I finally did learn that the Patriots are playing the Giants.

Besides watching the commercials...

I am staying busy fetching Pins!

Playing Words With Friends/Hanging With Friends! (Hit me up... Username: fairycon)

And indulging in some sinful snacks and a 'brown drink' or two...  Go football!!!

What are you up to?!?

Kamtastrophic!

Welcome to our life.  This particular meltdown began at Target this afternoon.  It was triggered by a little thing, his new shoes that he had on still had the plastic ring on one of them.  He insisted on wearing them but became more and more determined to have me take the plastic off of his shoes.  In anticipation of a possible meltdown, big or small, I knew I had a limited amount of time to get the heck outta there...

While leaving Target (thank goodness we were at least going out the door)  a scene similar to this one occurred.  I had to end up restraining him just to get him calmed down enough to even buckle him up.  I recorded this up to the point of him throwing things at me. (And YES, he is in fact calling me stupid)!  Prior to this video, he had already thrown his shoes and socks at me.  By the time we got home, he had escaped from his car seat and was throwing punches.  Both of us were in tears by this point.
Rest assured, he was disciplined when we got home.... But he has also been completely covered by his weighted blanket and self soothing with taggies, thumb sucking, etc.... for over an hour now.  Exhausted :/!

HomeMade Sensory Items for Kam

The boys have started their new daycare and while Ky is loving it, Kam has had a hard transition.  The daycare has already moved him to a new class after the first unsuccessful week.  The new class has only one teacher and half the number of children that the other class had - A much better fit for him.  I have been very pleased with their proactive approach to helping Kam out.

 This is a Picture Schedule I made for Kam due to him having a melt down every single morning because he wanted both mom and dad to take him to daycare.  This was effective the very first time we used it.  Yay for no more melt downs.

 This is a 'Lap Buddy' I made out of tube socks and a variety of sensory materials.  This one has 2 tube socks, wrong side out.  Each part is made out of a different texture and the whole thing weighs about 3 pounds.  The purpose of this is to put in his lap when he is asked to sit at a chair or at the carpet.  It is just a constant reminder for him to sit and gives him something to do with his hands as well.  Inside I put beans, macaroni, rice, and pillow stuffing.  I resisted the urge to bling it out b/c I didn't want it to be a distraction for all the other kiddos (and he is a boy).

 This one is a fidget toy and was fun to make.  Again, another tube sock.  I glued fidget items on there for texture/sensory needs and a strip of velcro.  I also tapered the ends to be 'taggie-like' for him.

This one is a shaker toy that I filled with water, food coloring, glitter, liquid soap, and the letters of his name (beads).  This has been his favorite one so far.  It has really helped him learn his letters so I might have to think about making these in Kindergarten as well ;).

Sensory Integration Disorder and GREAT INFO!!!

Found this great blog/link about a mom dealing with Sensory Integration Disorder or Sensory Processing Disorder. 
Great resource for both teachers and parents.

http://mom-blog.com/?p=2883

Santa Visits Early!

Santa left our family a new puppy this weekend.  The boys woke up Saturday to this letter attached to the cage in the following pic...

Dear Ky and Kam,

Paws and I needed a good home for Lennox. 

I heard your holiday wish and I knew you would

be the best family for her. 

Make sure you help your mom and dad feed her

and give her baths.  Give her lots of love and cuddles. 

 Love, Santa

Lennox is a 6 month old Shih-tzu/Pug aka Pug-Zu.  Although she is not potty trained AT ALL.... she is a very sweet girl.  She seems to be scared of the boys so she stays away from them so far.  I am so excited to have some pink in our lives :-)!  We will enjoy having Lennox as a part of our family and are already making memories with her. 
THANKS SANTA!!!!



Lennox - Welcome Home!!!

Boys Will Be Boys! (Even if they do scream like girls)

Mother of the year, I know ;) 

Wordless Weekend: Pics of Zoo Trip!

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