Happy 1st Birthday in Heaven Kaiya!

I have been thinking about what to say in this post...because I have known this day is coming up and I have wanted to say something...put my thoughts into words in a meaningful way...but I just am not sure I know how.

I can't help but think of what would be going on in Kaiya's life today if she were here. The party would be huge....family would fly in....I know I would be there....and we'd all sing to her as she wears a cute outfit with a bow on her head and the biggest smile on her face...or maybe not...maybe she would be really sick and not able to be around people, or in the hospital waiting for surgery. I follow enough families of babies living with heart conditions to know that things are HARD for them and their parents. Everything is "touch and go" and waiting for labs results and procedures to be done and hoping for the best and never being certain of what the future holds. I also know that these parents are more in tune to the Spirit and rely on their Savior in ways that amaze me...and they have peace and hope. I have often told Angela that she is a member of an elite club. One full of people that everyone revere but also one that no one wants to be a member of.

So...Kaiya....if I could....I would give you a big hug and kiss today and thank you for all you have taught me. If I had to choose just one of the life lessons that I have felt deeply because of you...it would be to enjoy every moment. That sounds so cliche...but if I could learn to savour every second that I have with my loved ones without worrying about the "what if's"...like your mommy did with you...I know I'd be able to have and share more joy...and my life would be more fulfilling because of it.

..Angela "introduced" me to....(through his blog), to Paul Cardall who is celebrating life with a new heart. If for you ever want to be inspirered about living life...visit his blog! I am going to pledgerize here for a second and paste in something from a recent post of his.

"Often, so many of us are oblivious to what’s happening next door or in our own homes.

I hope I never forget or lose sight of the fact that there are children and adults throughout the world in need of our kindness, love, prayers, and a little help.

My scars are reminders.

You and I can only do so much. We can improve the world by choosing to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.

I believe God will guide us to where we need to be to serve others.

If I've learned anything at all through my experiences it is that I know God is the Father of us all. He loves his children more than we can imagine. We can trust in Him.

No matter how much we do or try to do to help in the end it's the love of God that is going to help ease the pain and suffering of others. I felt His love through the kind acts of others.

Of course we need seasons to celebrate!"

I read this today and thought (amoungst other things) that..."Today is a day to celebrate!"

I bought some balloons...one for every color of the rainbow...because I remembered a post Angela did about Rylee seeing "rainbow clouds" and saying that it was from Kaiya.

I had wanted all three of my kids to let the balloons go...but by the time Kaitlyn got home from school...Weston was sleeping, so we just did it! It was sweet to hear the girls say good bye to Kaiya's balloons and speculate over where they might land. The yellow balloon, however, only made it to the neighbors tree...but that's okay! Kaitlyn hopes one of hers makes it to Spain. I just hope that someone will find one of them...and read the note...and get to know Kaiya a little and maybe want to become more aware of the people around them...like Paul said.

* Ang! It was good to talk to you today! You sound great and I hope you guys have a wonderfuly amazing family bonding time on the rest of your trip!...Also...I am worried that my description of Kaiya and her surgery that I put with the balloon isn't quite accurate...I should have called and asked you about it...sorry. Love ya! {[HUGS]}*

When I heard that there was snow in the forecast...I really didn't think it would snow enough for it to stick. But, I was wrong! How crazy is it that we got snow before Halloween!? There's enough to play around in...but it wasn't enough for the schools to have a snow day...or even late start. (darn). I hope Kaitlyn gets to play in the snow at recess...because it will probably be gone by the time she gets home from school.

For you mom's out there...

I discovered this at Wal-Mart. Not like they don't sell it other places...but anyways. It was like $5....but I think worth it. It's great for kids because unlike other saline (salt water) nasal sprays, they don't have to inhale....it just sprays right up there! My kids don't really mind it too much. The first couple times, they pulled back and almost got shot in the eye...but now I have them turn around and lean against me...and they can't pull back. Oh...and make sure keep a tissue handy for when the yuckies start running down! I was glad to remember about saline sprays because it is a great way to clear out the nasal passage and doing that will help make it so that viral things can't grow in there. My girls have also been gargleing with salt water every night...because I have heard that clearing out your throat at least once a day will help keep the viruses away too. Who knows...my kids will most likely still get sick this flu season....but I feel like I am doing something to help prevent it. OH....and with the salt water....make sure to stress the fact that they are to spit it out after wards! Addie swallowed the first time! (yuck)

(Totally unrelated... but Weston is here in the office sitting on a track of the eliptical machine saying, "This is the BEST wild horse EVER! LOL!)

*Oh and P.S.!*... The bottle of Simply Saline says to not use it on more than one person....but I just get a cotton ball with alcohol on it and clean it off between kids. Hopefully that makes it okay to share. The saline only comes out...it doesn't suck back in...so I think it's fine to share if you clean it. (I hope.)

The other day, Adelin was climbing the apple tree...(the same one from the pictures I posted of Weston...he was using the branch as a horse...) anyhow...Addie was in the tree and hollered to me to "bring my camera and take pictures of her"....so...I did!

The ever adorable Adelin....messy hair + a stained shirt...and she still looks cute!

Now...

Check out THIS outfit! How can you get this look you ask!?All you need is a baseball hat, "cowboy shrit", basketball shorts and cowboy boots...oh...and don't forget your accessories (aka...paci in the mouth and a horse for each hand)!

Double click on the image to make it bigger.

I saw this inspirational video on Nie Nie's blog....and loved it. Hope you all have a fun weekend!

This morning Weston was laying in my bed next to me and he said, "It time to go get Kaikin." (I had just bearly gotten her out the door). I said, "No, She just left to go to school."...and he said, "Kaikin not at school...silly goose!" It look me a second (and him calling me a "silly goose" a few more times) to convince him that "Kaikin" was at school.

Oh....I forgot to write about this the other day. So, Sunday, I was laying down with Weston for his nap and he didn't have socks on, so I got up and got him a pair. After I put them on him he said, "These are my ballet socks". (daddy will love that)

.....silly goose!