Makenna

Last week my little baby girl went to the doctor for her 9 month checkup. After the normal measurements were taken, the doctor came to the conclusion that Makenna is extremely underweight. I knew that she was small, but so are my other two children. She eats very well and nurses every 3-4 hours throughout the day. I wasn't shocked at the results, but truly unsure as to how to change things. I have attempted to follow doctor's orders and give Makenna formula in addition to nursing. No success yet with the bottle. A week later, I have now decided to improvise...Makenna now eats baby cereal with 2 oz of formula about 4 times a day...that gives her about 8 oz of formula extra a day. I am also feeding her 3-4 meals a day (I was doing this before, but I am giving her more now). The doctor wants to see her in a month...I am praying for good results!





Makenna is such a joy in my life! She is very happy, easy-going, and content with life. She is also a bundle of curiousity and energy. She loves having the ability to crawl everywhere! Right now we are working on saying "MAMA". Whenever I prompt her, she giggles and says "DADA"! I am not sure if she truly gets the joke...but Josh loves it!

Soccer, Soccer, Soccer

Didn't know that I played soccer...well, I do now. Yes, I am playing on a women's Indoor soccer league...with a bunch of other ladies that don't play soccer either. So we thought we would do it for the fun and exercise! Our team name is the tornados...yes, we thought we were going to be a natural disaster! Okay, so we had our first game last night. We played...Nampa High School soccer team. Are you done laughing??
Well, actually we did quite well. We were ahead for most of the game...unbelievable isn't! I even scored a few goals! Us "older" ladies got tired about the last 10 minutes (okay we were tired the first minute, but by the 40th minute we were wiped!) and the "young" girls caught up and we TIED! 14 - 14!
I am a little sore today, but overall...it was fun! Go Tornados!

It is a Miracle!

Living a legacy - part 2

Life has been a whirlwind lately. Last week I flew to Texas on Tuesday for my PawPaw's funeral. My brother Chris, Makenna, and I flew down together. We had a wonderful trip. It was my first experience of a family member's funeral (that I remember - my uncle died suddenly when I was five). It was also the first funeral I had been to where the deceased was ready to go (does that make sense? Not a sudden and unexpected death). It was a completely different experience. There was still sadness, but it wasn't for all that they were going to miss out on, but rather for the memories and the realization that we are all getting older. My dad did the funeral, and I might add, he did a fabulous job. He has such a way with words! It was great to spend a few days with my cousins...some of whom I have not seen since I was 9! Despite all of our differences and the reality of really not "knowing" each other, we love each other as family and enjoyed our visit as if time had never passed. Here are a few snapshots...

The last time I saw my grandparents...My Grandma died 2 years ago.


The 9 grandkids...past


The grandkids...present (minus my brother Rich)


How it all began...my dad is the one on the right!


You can't go to Texas without eating at Whataburger! We had some pretty awesome TexMex food as well!


Did I mention it was about 80 degrees there?? This picture was taken outside our hotel (on the beach)!

Proud to be Americans

Leaving a legacy...

Last night my PawPaw passed away. After being in a nursing home for many years, he is now walking in heaven with Jesus. I am sure that there is great rejoicing as he has reached his eternal life and has been reunited with the love of his life, my Grandma (whom Makenna "Muriel" was named after). My PawPaw was an amazing man of God. His life was filled with God's blessings! His passion was to preach God's Word! During his early years at the nursing home, my PawPaw kept his mind young by writing a book about his life. What a joy it was to learn more about my heritage and see life through my PawPaw's eyes. I am anxious to share this book with my children. Most of my memories with my PawPaw come from early childhood. My favorites were visiting he and grandma on their farm in southern Texas. My PawPaw was an excellent cook (just like my dad), especially when it came to TexMex and grilling! He was always so patient with us grandkids! He always had a heart to serve others...even up to his last few years in the nursing home. Even though I am sad that my PawPaw has left Earth, I am rejoicing with him as he has finally reached his destination! I know that he lived life to the fullest with Christ in the center! He has left a legacy for generations to come. I love you PawPaw!