One More Year! One More Year!

Today, Mackenzie had her quarterly Shriner's check up to monitor her club feet correction. If everything goes as expected, she will only have one more year in her brace!!!! Yes, a year is still a long way off, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Two years ago, I was a nervous wreck about having a baby with club feet. After all, in addition to bringing home a baby that required special care, we had a 4 year old and a 2 year old! I had no idea how I was going to be able to handle it all. A baby, no sleep, 2 wild boys and no sleep.

Then on January 28, we had the most beautiful 9lbs 4oz little girl with the most perfect club feet. From the first moment I held her I knew that I would be able to handle anything thrown our way.

At six days old Mackenzie was put in casts and we went every week to have them changed. We were only able to bathe her in between cast changes. After seven weeks of cast, she surgery to cut her Achillies tendons. She was in casts for a month then, on to her brace. She spent 23 hours a day in her brace for 3 months, then finally graduated to 12 hours a day. That is where we are now.

You know the saying, " God gives you what you need." Looking back now, her club feet were exactly what we needed. 1) Every Monday for 7 weeks, Chris and I got to spend the day with Mackenzie. That was out special day with just her. 2) As a new mom, I was excited to get out of the house once a week. 3) The boys got a special day once a week with the grandparents. 4) As a new mom, I was much more mellow with Mackenzie. I knew once I got up tight and started worrying about everything, I may lose it. 5) Our boys have become much more empathic to children with special needs. 6) We also learned that together we can and will get through anything. 7) Mackenzie is a very special child, as are our boys. Everywhere we go people comment on her whether it be her blue eyes/ blonde hair or her spunkiness. She has been a fighter from day one and her spirit gets stronger every day! Heaven help me!

When I start talking about our journey with Mackenzie's treatment- I get excited sharing our experience. When I see another child with club feet- I just want to grab their parents and say, "It is all going to be okay!"

It has been an amazing journey and we are 2/3 DONE!!!!

Roll Mackenzie Roll ( sorry bama just won!)

Dress for Success

I loved the idea of starting a blog. However, actually finding the time to sit down to write has been impossible lately. Right now it is way past my bedtime, but I want to get caught up.

Wednesday Cannon's elementary school had a "Dress for Success" day. I asked Cannon, "what do you want to be when you grow up". Immediately, he responded, " Just like my Daddy." Sounded like a great idea to me since I think the world of his Daddy.

Wednesday morning we picked out the outfit that looked the most like Chris. Khakis, a long sleeve polo and a red half zip sweater could not have been more perfect. Cannon looked just like Chris even with his hair perfectly combed. He even got a couple of his dental tools from his dentist play doh kit to make his outfit complete.

The boys lined up at the door like every morning. There was Chris's mini me dressed to the

'T" with his combed hair and then there was Beau. In his defense, his school did not have " Dress for Success" day. Beau was in a superhero shirt that was a tad too big, well it might have been Cannon's. He had on grey/ white striped sweat pants, which may or may not have matched his shirt. ( Depends who you ask. Boys think since something is the same color it matches and I pick my battles.) Instead of his tennis shoes ( which were covered in mud from Tuesday) he had chosen his brown Keens. He had his lime green Old Navy hoodie half way on or half way off depends on your outlook on life. His hair was perfect boy bed head that was beyond any combing. As I look down , I see that Beau's left pant leg is tucked into his sock. I said, "Beau pull your pant out of your sock." He looked at me and at the pant/ sock and decided it was way too early to put that much energy into anything and walked out the door.

I smiled as I watched them walk out behind Chris. Cannon perfectly dressed and Beau dragging his backpack and thought this is exactly how it will look 5 years and even 10 years from now. My first born perfectionist and my second born carefree spirit.

When I picked Beau up from school I asked, " How was your day." He responded, " I listened and I didn't sleep." Hours later we picked up Cannon. "How was your day?" Cannon responded, " Oh it was great, I was the assistant, I went to the treasure box, I went to my first grade reading class, and I think I did a good job learning."

I thank God for these wonderfully opposite personalities. They are such wonderful well behaved boys, but different in so many ways. Not sure what Mackenzie has in store for use yet, but I have a feeling I am going to have a spunky independent little girl on my hands.

Bucket List

A text to Chris Thursday 12:46- " I have been thinking, if the Cardinals win tonight, road trip tomorrow. "

His response at 12:47 -" It can be quiet dangerous when you do that. Sounds good."

By the time he called at 1:00 . " I already called your mom and they will watch the kids. We will drop them off on the way to St. Louis. I already have Gunner set up at the kennel. Now I am looking for a hotel room."

My much more rational husband responds," It sounds great, but you realize they have to win tonight. And I might add, we already have a busy weekend planned."

I knew all that we had Halloween parties, Keenland, the UK Football game and a busy week ahead, but what he didn't know -there was no way I was going to let him miss this game. His favorite childhood team, The St. Louis Cardinals in the Game 7 of the World Series. His favorite player, Albert Puljos, who is a free agent next year and may leave next season.ABSOLUTELY NO WAY. The only thing I could not control was a Game 6 win.

(For those of you that don't follow baseball- you have to understand that the Cardinals were 10 games back in August- clinched the Wild Card spot and beat two of the top teams the Phillies and the Brewers to get here. They had the worst record of any team in the playoffs and were the least likely to make it this far)

If you watched game 6- you know what an emotional roller coster it turned out to be. They were down most of the game, could not catch a ball, tied the game, took it into the 11th inning and with the count 2 strikes, 2 outs and David Freese hit a home run to clinch the 10-9 and take it to game 7.

I will be the first to admit- I was frustrated and went to bed after the 7 inning. I was disappointed because I wanted this for Chris. Then at 12:48 am I hear an explosion downstairs, followed by Chris running up the steps and he jumps in bed yelling, " Were going to game 7!!!!" I awake from dead sleep, get my glasses and watch the celebration. We run downstairs and get our laptop. I booked a room and he was in charge of tickets.

Friday morning, " Are we really doing this?" We packed and got everyone ready in about an hour. I had to cancel all of our weekend plans and babysitter, left the house a wreck and hit the road.

We dropped off the kids, who were beyond excited to spend the weekend with their grandparents, and head the extra 3 hours west- St. Louis bound!!!!!

We made it to St. Louis along with the rest of the 48,000 people going to the game. We sat in traffic for a hour. We could see our hotel, but we had to go three blocks, down 2 blocks and up one more!! It was 6:30 when we got to our room. We changed and ran to Busch Stadium.

Then there we were in Section 130B, row 29 seats 15 and 16 for the first pitch of Game 7 of the World Series.

Half way through the game Chris looked at me and said, " I am so glad we did this."

Bucket List:

Top Ten : Attend a World Series game

Top Five : Attend a World Series game in which the Cardinals play.

One: Attend game 7 of the World Series and see the Cardinals win.- Check.

" Goodbye Mr. Fish" Part II

"Goodbye, Mr. Fish" or "Hello, new fish that looks just like Spidey." What did I do? Let's just say in retrospect, I realize I should have handled the passing of Spidey a little differently. In my head, I had imagined this beautiful conversation Cannon and I would have about the circle of life. I would explain to him about Spidey, he would be upset, I would comfort him, we would have a nice respectful commode side service and Cannon would feel much better. However, there were two factors I didn't take into consideration, Beau and Mackenzie.

I picked Cannon up from school as usual. He was talking non stop about his day, what special he had, who was the helper, and recess. Then before I could intervene, Beau turns around and says, "Hey Cannon, your fish died." (Until this point, I didn't even know Beau realized the fish was dead. ) Oh Crap!!!! The waterworks started. "Mommy, what does Beau mean, did my fish die. Oh no, I am the worst fish owner ever. Jesus is going be so upset with me. " This went on and on for the 5 minute ride home.

When we get home, I sit Cannon down on the bench in the hall. I was prepared with my circle of life speech. As he is still crying, here comes Beau around the corner carrying the glass bowl that Spidey is in. He said, " Come on Cannon, let's flush him." ( I notice that Beau's left arm is dripping wet up to his elbow, then I realize he had tried to just get Spidey of the bowl.)

Cannon looks at me and says, " What does he mean flush it. Like Nemo was flushed down the sink. That was awful. Poor Spidey can't handle that. I don't want to flush him. " I realize this is not going as planned. Then Beau, who has put the bowl down and has his elbow propping himself on the wall, says, " Cannon, fish die. That is just what they do. Let's flush him."

At this point, I am trying not to laugh. Beau is just so excited about flushing the fish. Cannon continues on how he loved Spidey and he will never see him again. Cannon really wanted to just keep Spidey, but I finally made him understand that Spidey had to be flushed.

The bathroom scene itself was one of those moments when I believe there is camera recording things like this. Cannon was still crying, but able to get out a small prayer for Spidey. " Dear Jesus, please take good care of my fish. He is red and his name is Spidey. He loves to get rewards for being a good fish and he loves to eat. Please let him know I did my best." Meanwhile, in the background Beau was still chanting, "Flush him" every 5 seconds. Mackenzie, luckily had just learned to flush the commode was hanging on the handle laughing and repeatedly flushing it. If I closed my eyes for a second it sounded like a round, you know, "Row Row Row your boat." Instead it was " Dear Jesus take care of Spidey, " "Just flush him" followed by the sound of the toilet flushing with Mackenzie's little laugh.

It was then I decided that I should have gone to the pet store and gotten a new red fish. Cannon would go to college taking with him Spidey, the fish he got when he was 6.

"Goodbye Mr. Fish"

Cliff and Claire Huxtable, as TV parents come, they are by far the best. I have always said any life lesson I need, I can find in an episode of The Cosby Show. (I could go in to much more detail about how much I love the Huxtable family, but then you may just think I am strange.)

Anyway in Season 1 episode 1, "Goodbye, Mr. Fish," Rudy's beloved fish, Lamont, passes away. Cliff decides that they will have a funeral in the bathroom for Lamont. The entire family dresses up, Cliff conducts a small service and Lamont is well... flushed.

So as I sit her are my breakfast bar staring at Cannon's red beta fish, Spidey, float on his side, I wonder what I should do. 1) Follow the lead of the great Cliff and Claire and conduct a commode side service later today? 2) Be totally dishonest with my 6 year old and go buy a new red fish while he is at school?

Let me give you the back story on Spidey life and untimely passing.....

Spidey was a birthday gift from our dear friend, Andrea. The Saturday after Cannon's birthday, Andrea stopped by. Excitedly she brings in this glass bowl with a red fish, " Cannon HAppy Birthday!" I looked at her and she responded, " What beta fish are impossible to kill." (You must understand that there is a Bostick rule of thumb-if it is going to happen it will to us.) Anyway, Cannon feel in love with Spidey and spent the first couple hours in his room "playing" with Spidey. Spidey was given tokens for good fish behavior. After awhile the new wore off, but he did love Spidey.

So what caused this untimely passing? To be honest, there were a lot of ways I thought this would happen. 1) Cannon would over feed Spidey. 2) Beau, the 4 year old, would get Spidey out to play with him 3) the boys would wrestle and knock over the bowl and little sister, Mackenzie would get the fish. ( Please note, all those were child error.) But how did it really happen?

Spidey may have been cute, but quite frankly he stunk. His bowl just stunk up Cannon's room, even with proper cleanings. Cannon had an awful cough, so I thought maybe the smell was triggering his asthma. So I decided to" properly "clean the bowl. I put Spidey in a new bowl and cleaned his old bowl and rocks with soap and water. Looking back, maybe not the best cleaning method. Or it could have been the lack of chlorine or excess chlorine in the water, maybe the water was too cold or too hot. However it happened - it was momma's fault.

Looks like I need to pick Chris's suit up from the cleaners........