RSL!

As I was walking in to the Ronald McDonald House late one night to go to bed Shelby and I saw a sign advertising some donated tickets to Comic Con and a Real game.  David couldn't go to Comic Con because he had class so I grabbed some RSL tickets for David, Jeffy and Shelby.  Shelby was SO excited to go to her first game.  We have watched it on tv but haven't ever gone.  David was great and snapped pictures throughout.  

Walking in...

 So excited for the game to start...

 Meanwhile Kadence and I colored and watched movies...

 I gave the approval to buy the girls some jerseys (Last years were half off and I like them better)....

 GOAL!! It took until the very end of the game but Shelby was THRILLED!

I'm so glad that David and Shelby got to go and that Kadence and I had fun while they were out.  This last week we watched the game on tv and it was a pretty good game.  RSL scored twice in the first 10 minutes.  I was thrilled we were going to win....but the other team scored twice in the last 10 minutes.  Ha! We can't wait until we can all go to a game together next year!

More Visitors!

Grandma and Grandpa Joy came twice between the last visitor post and now and I STILL forgot to get a picture!  I've been trying so hard to remember everyone.

Kadence gets visits from therapy dogs, this is Tonka

 Desirea provided an Easter egg hunt for the girls and it was so fun!

 Desirea, Emi and Addilyn

  Josh and Hadlee

 Another of Addilyn and Emi because Kadence wanted one in front of Mike and Sulley

  Robby, Chloe and Naomi

 Sarah and Curtis

 Crista and Joe

Dusty, Megan, Davisson and Odessa

 Mrs Jill (Her husband came too)

 McKenzi, Byron and Lynne

 Byron and Shelby enjoyed the wagon!

Some may seem like repeats but it was the week for daddy's to be able to join too! Uncle Aaron also made it out but he will be in the Easter post.  :)

A Little Backed Up...

One day Kadence will kill me for writing this, but I just HAVE to write it down so I don't ever forget.  

As we all know, it is normal to be a little constipated after surgery, anesthesia and narcotics.  Well Kadence had all three of those so we were just waiting for her first poop.  The nurses kept asking me if she had pooped and I kept telling them I had no idea because she goes to the bathroom by herself.  We would ask Kadence, but she always said she didn't know.  Well she had some visitors (Davids aunts and cousins) so we were in the big activity area.  Kadence said she needed to go to the bathroom so I took her.  The doors to the bathrooms by the activity area are much heavier than the one in her room so we have to go with her so she doesn't get trapped inside.  I stood there for quite some time and then this was the conversation:

Me: Are you pooping or something?

Kadence: Ya, I was playing and all of a sudden I thought I have got to poo poo

Me: Or Poopy Doo (As I pointed to the diaper bags called poopy doo)

Kadence: Giggled

Some more time passed....

Me: Are you sure you need to go?

Kadence: Ya, its right there.  Its just hard because I like to squeeze and make a lot of little poops but when I squeeze the poop sucks back up!

Me: Laughing uncontrollably.....Well then just push the whole thing out instead of making little poops

Kadence: Ok, I'll try!

A LOT more time passed....

Me: Maybe we just need to pull up your pants and try in a little while, maybe you just don't need to go yet

Kadence: In a singing voice....Let it go, Let it go, Can't hold it back anymore! (Frozen reference) Then add some giggling.

Me: DYING laughing, bent over and about to pee my pants....I am going to go get your dad because I can't laugh anymore or I'll pee my pants!

I then left to go chat with family while David took a try at getting her to poop. He later explained how their conversation went...

David: Lets just pull up your pants and try in a minute

Kadence: Dad, I'm afraid I'll SHIT MY PANTS!

David: Dying laughing....Honey, don't say shit....more laughing

Kadence: Dad will you check and see if it's coming?!

David: NO I am not going to loo......Ok, yes I'll look.

He could tell it was there, helped her get it out (in a literal gross sense) and then was shocked at the size.

He had to take a picture to show me and she was mortified but he promised to only show me.  The best part of it was that surrounding this massive poop from a tiny girl were sequins sprinkled all around.  Her skirt had sequins and she waited to wear it until she knew she would have visitors.  The sequins fall off all over and we find sequins in her bed still after her not wearing it for weeks and changing her bedding. 

All in all it was hilarious and I'm so afraid I'll forget.  I'm sure that's what she  would prefer, but its too funny to not write down.  :)

Resurrection Rolls!

Another tradition we have is making resurrection rolls.  This is something we started to teach our girls when they were little and to have an Easter activity centered around Christ instead of eggs.  I didn't think we were going to be able to pull it off.  My girls knew we weren't going to do them this year and they were ok with it, but kept saying they couldn't wait until NEXT Easter so they could do resurrection rolls.  I think it is their favorite part.  (Which makes me happy because it's the part about Jesus)  I brainstormed and figured that if I bought a toaster oven and all the supplies we could do it right in her hospital room.  I had to find a Target which was interesting, find the food section that was really small, the cinnamon was oddly with the gatorade but I found it, make sure I had microwavable bowls....but I got it all!

 The girls were so happy that I figured it out.  It was a little more chaotic than usual and we didn't read the scripture references like we usually do, but it was better than nothing.  I was concerned we were going to get in trouble.  Then because the toaster oven was new it started smelling like burning plastic.  I was freaking out!  Then a nurse Mimi came in and said "Well I'm ok with anything that makes the kids happy, but don't let engineering know."  We were so happy that she let us finish our cooking and just kind of ignored that we were doing anything less than fabulous.  She did say that we probably could do it, we just would have had to have engineering inspect the toaster oven before plugging it in.  (Who has time for that?)

 Pink Giraffe and Batman were the guards this year...

The best part wasn't that we were able to do something fun, that we ate something yummy, that we maintained a bit of normalcy...it was that we were able to maintain the one tradition we have at Easter time that focuses our attention on the atonement and all Christ did for us.  

Easter Eggs!

Every year we dye Easter eggs and I was kind of feeling horrible that we wouldn't be able to do it this year.  I just couldn't really figure out a way that would work. Luckily Aunt Rachel is smarter than I am!  She bought plastic eggs, dyed them and brought us some little Q-tip things filled with ink to color the eggs.  She also gave us some stickers.  We loved being able to continue one of our traditions and are so lucky to have great family who makes it possible.  

 As usual, Jeffy came and did eggs with us.  It wouldn't be the same without him!

 Jasmine was coming in like a "wrecking ball" (Miley Cyrus reference)

 We all had so much fun and I think we did a great job!

Shelby Delby

There is a reason why we didn't have just one kid like we thought would be a good plan and that is because Shelby was needed to complete our family.  Life wouldn't be the same without her.  She can make any of us laugh and is always the first person to notice if someone isn't having a good day.  If you mention your day is less than perfect you can count on a picture from Shelby within ten minutes.  If she doesn't have art supplies handy you will get a hug and/or snuggle.  Sometimes you get a snuggle AND a picture.  She is the most compassionate kid I have ever met in all my life.  She seems very in tune with others feelings and always tries to cheer them up when they are sad or nervous.  She knows how to calm Kadence down if she's scared and turn her nerves into smiles.  She is the best cheerleader a sister could ask for.  I don't think Kadence would be half as tough if it wasn't for her sister cheering her on.  Shelby has been praying for months that Kadence would be strong for her surgeries.  She knows it is hard.  I think at times she wonders why it isn't her.  She gives a lot of hugs, pictures and prizes to her sister to try to help out.  She doesn't mind being stuck in a hospital and hasn't complained once.  She is dying to play in the toy room at the Ronald McDonald house, but she knows that her sister needs her.  She is pretty selfless and will give of her own needs in order to make sure yours are met.  

I know that I have needed her hugs and silly moments to get me through the past 11 days and I know I can count on her to provide me with more for the next 20 or more.  I love her to pieces and I can't imagine her not being in our family.  She's amazing and I'm so happy she's mine!

This Girl of Mine...

I have always been in awe of Kadence's attitude toward life.  She just lives each moment to its fullest.  She knows what is truly important and cares so much for her family.  I have always known she is tough.  I have always known she is a fighter.  I have always known that she can surprise doctors and nurses and make them smile while she does it.  Still I somehow have been completely shocked and inspired by her the past 11 days in the hospital.  There hasn't been a single time that she has complained.  Not even once.  There haven't been any "Why do I have to wear this halo?", "Why me?", "It hurts.", "I don't want to be here in the hospital"....nothing.  Seriously not a single complaint.  Not only that, but the words "I can't" haven't really crossed her lips.  In fact quite the opposite.  I don't baby my kids and push them to figure things out with minimal help.  "I can do hard things" is a motto.  When things like this surgery arise you better believe I will baby them!  Well, I wasn't allowed.  I would ask if she wanted me to do something and it was "No, I can do it."  If I didn't think she could do something she would tell me "I will try."  She seriously has done far more than I ever thought possible in her halo...including riding a tricycle! 

As if this "I can do anything" attitude that refuses to complain wasn't enough, there are some seriously tender moments when she prays.  As she prays she thanks Heavenly Father for doctors and for nurses.  She thanks Him every single prayer.  She also thanks Him for letting her have the surgeries, for helping David and I know what is best for her and for the hospital letting her stay.  My heart just about bursts as her tiny little voice prays with the most sincere gratitude for the trial she is enduring.  Who thanks God for putting 6 pins in your skull?  Well this little girl does!  She has the most amazing attitude and she has taught me so much!  She is such a good example to David, Shelby and I and we are better people because we have her in our lives.  I hope that one day I can be half as tough as her with half her attitude and personality.  She isn't a cup half full kind of gal, she is a cup overflowing kind of gal.  She is just grateful for life!

Kidney Ultrasound

Kadence hasn't really had high blood pressure any time she's come to Shriners.  This time was different.  She had high blood pressure from before the surgery, after the surgery and days after the surgery.  The pediatrician assigned to Kadence tried to just wait it out.  She thought that possibly Kadence's body was in more stress from the surgery than it appeared.  She watched it for a few days, but it didn't budge at all.  In fact, it got higher.  Kadence stopped taking any pain meds at all because she was having no pain and yet her blood pressure was still high.  The pediatrician said that she doesn't even like waiting to treat when there is a child with hypertension but she was trying to be patient.  She started her on a blood pressure medication the Monday following her surgery and then ordered a kidney ultrasound be done.  She said that the two main causes of hypertension in a child would be obesity or a kidney problem.  Because Kadence has the opposite weight problem the dr was thinking her kidneys may be to blame.  After talking with us some more she found out that Kadence had an umbilical line when she was born.  I guess there are some links between having anything go through your belly button and kidney disease so this made her more alarmed.  She ordered some labs as well to check the hormone levels of her kidneys.  Kadence didn't even flinch and did so good!  The kidney ultrasound needed to be done at Primary Childrens because Shriners doesn't have a dopler ultrasound.  (no idea what that means, ha!)  It was scheduled for a Tuesday which is a day that David is gone all day.  He was willing to stay and help me, but I was pretty sure I could handle it.  Kadence was SO nervous.  No matter how many times we explained what would happen, she just got more and more nervous.  She knew it wouldn't hurt but I think she could sense that the pediatrician thought something was wrong.  I think she was more nervous about that than anything.  Shriners had to shuttle us over to Primarys in their van and our driver was super nice.  His name was Jake and Kadence actually remembers it which is a huge deal!  Jake was a patient at Shriners years ago and now is their shuttle driver.  He was so good to us and so helpful.  

 Kadence's wheelchair got all strapped in, but her wheelchair doesn't have a seatbelt which I found ironic.  Kadence also needed to wear a neck brace which she didn't love but didn't complain about.  I guess the neck isn't strong enough to hold up the hardware, especially when it hasn't really had to hold up any weight for a while.  They do it so that there isn't any damage to the neck.  

 Transferring her was tricky, but the ultrasound lady was super helpful at doing what I asked her to do.  we got Kadence all situated in bed and she did SO good!

 She had me take pictures of the screen since she couldn't see it.  Here is a picture of her kidney.

 And here's a picture of her aorta 

 I asked the front desk if they could wait to call Jake until we had a chance to run to the gift shop.  This may seem like a treat to many kids, but to a kid who hasn't left the same building for 6 days it was almost more of a treat to see new people than it was to get a gift.  She picked a giraffe with a giraffe blanket for herself and a small cat for her sister.  She was so brave and amazing at holding her breath so things went smooth....how do you not reward that?!

The labs came back and everything was normal.  Her ultrasound came back and everything was normal.  Basically they don't really know why her blood pressure went up.  It doesn't seem to matter if shes awake or asleep, active or resting, sad or happy, in pain or not....it just stays the same.  On the blood pressure medicine she is doing well.  She is in the normal range now.  She tends to stay on the high end of normal, but its normal so we can't complain!  The pediatrician anticipates us going home on it.  She wants to keep her on it unless it goes too low.  If it goes too low she is just going to cut the dose in half, but keep her on the med.  If it goes too low while on the half dose then she will take her off.  If any of that happens while we are still at the hospital we might not go home with it, but for now our plan is to go home on the med and follow up on it.  I'm so grateful for doctors who are in tune with what needs to be done in order to provide the best care for my baby.  

Easter Egg Hunt

We were so excited to learn that Target sponsors a big Easter egg hunt every year for Shriners.  I thought it would be a few eggs and that it would be nice but it was really BIG with TONS of eggs and a lot of volunteers. I know the pictures below aren't in any particular order but I just don't feel like getting them in the right order.  

Here we are before we left the room to go to the hunt...

 She was SO determined that she would get her own eggs...at least some of them on her own

 There was a petting zoo so she held a goat

 This is the haul Shelby got with intentions of sharing with her sister

 They both had so many eggs

 Shelby and a huge bunny!

 Kadence hugging Shelby while thanking her for sharing her eggs

 Spiderman came

 And Batman

 And the Easter Bunny

 And Max from Max Cares For Kids

 As we watched from our window I almost burst into tears.  This is only about a third of the volunteers that helped and I am so incredibly thankful for their service.  My girls loved every second of the hunt, but it will be one that I remember always.

 Dad had to help her hold them

 Getting ready to go!

Things like this remind me how truly blessed we are.  There are good people all over and you don't even need to look very far.  This was something my girls got excited about for the past week and would cheer them up when they were a little less happy.  It was such a great experience!