Update

Well the boys and I have been here helping to take care of Mom since last Friday. Her knee replacement was a week ago yesterday, and she seems to be doing pretty well. Night time seems to be the most uncomfortable for her, so she's not getting great sleep. During the day she needs to change positions or do something different every 30-45 minutes, so we are keeping busy. Between daily stuff, exercises, physical therapy, getting labs drawn, and dr. appts, our days are pretty full it seems. She is working hard and doing really great though. It's hard for me to see her in pain, but I know it will get better.
The boys have been SO good, and I'm very thankful. I assumed that they might start acting up some with Levi being gone, but so far so good. The weather here is beautiful and cool today! I think the boys and I will go for a long walk when Dad gets home from work.
Levi is doing well in Iowa. As of today he will have had 3 heads and 2 hearts. He has to have 5 of each case from start to finish on his own before he leaves there. He is planning to come back down this weekend so we can celebrate the twins birthday with them. We had thought of going to see him and going to the Omaha zoo, but plans have changed for various reasons, and it seems like it will be best to celebrate here. We can't wait to see him again!!
The boys are funny. I asked them what they wanted for their birthday, Carson told me he wanted cake and balloons... Cole wants candles... I guess they aren't too hard to please huh? :)

Fun times and updates

Our sweet friend Ginger had us over one day for lunch and playing. She had bought everything for the boys to make their own pizza's, which they thought was SO fun! I looked over at Carson's pizza and he had a huge mound of ham on his...I guess he is a meat lover. After lunch the boys played with the biggest set of lego's I've ever seen! Also Ginger's dog, Bryant, kept the boys entertained as well. He knows all sorts of commands and tricks, so the boys loved seeing all that he can do.

Levi left for Sioux City, IA on Sunday morning. The boys and I left for church right at the same time...not sure that was the best planning, as I could have used at least an hour or so to put myself back together. It was a teary goodbye, but I'm glad...it should be that way. (obviously we're NOT cut out to ever be a military family) :) We will see him the next couple of weekends so that will be nice. If you think of him please keep him in your prayers. He will be doing hearts and heads on this clinical rotation for the next month, as well as getting lots of schoolwork done, and hopefully finding time to study for boards. In the last couple of weeks he finished his thesis, and in September he will go to South Dakota to defend it. I talked to him last night and he said most of the morning was orientation, but was scheduled to do a craniotomy case yesterday, and said it was pretty cool.

Mom had her knee replacement surgery yesterday, and it seems everything went well. She had a spinal, so she was able to think straight afterward, and even called me a couple hours after the surgery. When I talked to her last night she had already been up walking several times and was still doing ok. The physical therapist said that today would be her worst day, as far as pain goes. Please keep her and her recovery in your prayers. The boys and I will head down later this week to help take care of her when she comes home from the hospital.

Have a great week! Levi, if you're reading this, the boys say, " Hi Daddy!!!" Marcus also wants me to say that they are being good for me. ;)

Whistle while you work...

Happy about helping

Marcus taking the trash down for Mommy

Cole folding wash rags

The twins helping themselves to the CD player. They love to dance!

These little guys have been big "helpers" lately...sometimes they "help" themselves to things, and sometimes they are sweethearts and "help" Mommy with things around the house. Cole especially enjoys folding laundry and picking up toys. Carson picks up toys, but isn't quite as willing to fold laundry yet...but he watches Cole do it. Marcus is very good at his chores, which so far include making his bed, and bringing the trash down to me from the upstairs bathrooms, and cleaning up toys.

A Whirlwind Trip and Lake Fun

Marcus enjoying the day

They are all boy...and their Daddy was pretty amused.

The boys
Carson getting some sun
Cole trying to lift big rocks

Croc's also double as shovels

On Saturday the boys and I had the pleasure of attending a wedding reception of a lifelong friend of mine. Our parents have been friends since before either of us were even born, so we grew up living in the same neighborhood, going on vacations and camping trips together, and basically running in the same family circles. Since we're all "grown up" it's been several years since we've seen each other. They got married in Phoenix (where they now live) but the reception was in her parents back yard in KC, which is literally like a park...it was beautiful! To say Janet (her mother) has a green thumb would be the understatement of the year. The boys enjoyed the time, made a few friends, and especially enjoyed the chocolate cake they devoured.

Levi had to stay behind as he was on call over the weekend. He did, however, get to attend another wedding for a couple here in town. Both used to attend our church while they were here in med school, many people came from all over for the occassion.

Since he worked over the weekend, Levi was done pretty early Monday morning, which was SO nice. He came home, talked to the boys about what is going to happen next week (he will be leaving for a month for his hearts/neuro rotation)...to the best of their understanding I think they know the plan, even though their knowledge and sense of time is not the best yet. Marcus just always does better if you try to explain ahead of time how things are going to happen, rather than springing something on him. After this little talk, Daddy lightened the mood and asked if they would like to take a picnic lunch out to the lake and play in the water. Of course there were cheers all around... Here are a few pic's. Have a great week!

Fun 4th and Family Firsts

Uncle Chuck, my cousin Jim, Aunt Francis, and my Dad
Maven, Alexis, and Greg enjoying the day
Dad and Chuck

Levi, David, Vivian, Jason, Andrea, and Chuck

Levi, Vivian, and David

David, Jason, Andrea, Aunt Vivian, Uncle Chuck

My Family

Andrea and Jason

Cole

The boys and Allie and MaKaila (Andrea's nieces).
Having fun playing hide and go seek in the closet...

Aunt Vivian

The boys enjoying their lunch

Greg, Maven , and Alexis

The boys and I

We had a great weekend celebrating the 4th of July with my family in KC. The fireworks in my parents neighborhood were pretty amazing for a bunch of amateurs! :) After a pretty horrible on call schedule last week, Levi was happy to get some extra and much needed rest over the weekend too. Of course the boys had a great time as usual. On Sunday we were invited, by my cousin David, to the Royals game. We were able to take the twins to their first baseball game ever, and the situation couldn't have been more perfect! David had access to the FS suite, so we were able to watch the game and have the whole suite for the boys to run around in if they didn't want to sit still...which of course they didn't! :) (what 2 and 4 year old boys would?) Maven made good use of the room as well, keeping Greg and Alexis pretty busy following him around. It was a GREAT game, and they keep asking us if we can go to the baseball game again...I think it was a hit! Thanks David for making the day so special for our family.

To make the day even better, my aunt Francis and cousin Jim surprised us by "stopping in" to visit. They came in from California to go around and visit family for a while, and were able to join us all for the game.