Preschool Update

Well it's been a week and a half since Marcus started preschool and I'm happy to report it has been a huge success.  Each day he has been very excited to go, not had any tears since day 1, and on the weekends (he's off Fridays too) he's asking "how many days until I get to go back to school?"...I know THAT stage only lasts a while, but we are so thankful that he likes it and has fun while he is there.  He has made a few new friends and likes to talk about what they do each day.  Carson and Cole are enjoying their time alone with Mommy in the mornings as well.  Mostly this week we've just got things done around the house or errands ran while Marcus is at school, but normally I'm hoping to use the time to work with the twins a little on some learning activities and reading books.  They are pretty upset that they don't get to go to school yet, so we'll call it their "school time" to make them happy! :)

Levi had a good week back to work, and is really thankful to be back.  He's on call this weekend, but tomorrow the little boys and I are planning a quick trip to KC to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday with him.  It should be a fun time!  

Please be in prayer with us for Levi's Grandma and the rest of his family.  Last week we learned that his Grandma's cancer has spread even more, and hospice is now helping to keep her as comfortable as possible.   Levi's Dad is flying out to AZ next Saturday to spend time with her.  I know he would appreciate your prayers.

First Day of Preschool

Marcus with his teacher
Playing on the playground

Before school with the brothers

Our Preschooler

Excited to start the day

Our baby is growing up

Marcus started 4 yr old preschool today. I have to say it went very smoothly, and so much better than what we had anticipated or expected. It was funny, last night he had trouble going to sleep because he was so excited! This morning he was the first to awake, and all we heard was chatter between he and "the brothers" about school. Cole was a little upset he didn't get to go! Marcus made sure to impress on him that it was just he that was going, school's only for big boys... ;)

There were no tears shed until we were on our way there. He had a tough time saying goodbye, but his teachers were so good to get him interested in something while I left the room. A minute later I peeked in and he was as happy as could be! We are so thankful! I was really kind of concerned as to how it all might go down.

When I picked him up at 11:00 he was all smiles and took a quick picture with his teacher. He talked nonstop in the car on the way home...told me that they prayed to start the day, he made a friend but could not remember his name, they painted their names and then cleaned up, played inside, and played outside...oh, and "if you have to go to the restroom you should knock on the door first, then if no one answers you can go in". Life lessons... Thank you Lord for a good first day!

Back Home and Our Staycation

Boys at the Zoo
Mommy and her boys
The African Safari

Riding the train

Train fun

Marcus "helping" make the cakes

Cars rug that Gma Gpa Kelly got the boys

New bikes

Fun with Maven

Opening cards

New legos

Silly boys

Carson and Daddy

Fun on the Carousel

Carson

Cole

Funny bird that would run back and forth along the fence with the boys

Daddy and his boys

Brothers

Cole monkeying around...

Hippo up close to us...

Cole

Celebrating with Payton and Cade, after an afternoon of swimming

Birthday boy "A"

Big 3 year olds

Birthday boy "B"

Well as of last Friday we are all back home under one roof again. Levi did get all the required neuro cases but was still lacking 4 hearts. His director is able to send him to SD for a week in Sept to finish up that portion of specialty rotations. Things didn't go exactly according to plan, however Levi is satisfied with the new plan and at peace with it all. He has to go back for a week of conferencing in Sept anyway, so now this will just be added on to his other week, so at least he won't have to make the drive up there twice. We are thankful for God's mercy in all things.

Wow, the last month has whirled by in a hurry...Levi was able to come see us each weekend while we were in KC. On the boys 3rd birthday we took them to the KC Zoo, afterwards came home and had a family party. Grandma and Papa Ballew, Grandma and Papa Kelly, Greg, Alexis, and Maven were all able to be there. On their actual birthday we had the Minnis kids over for swimming and cake. This year I decided to make them each their own cake. They love to play ball, so Cole got a football cake, and Carson got a baseball cake. Marcus was such a good helper in making the cakes, but especially good at cleaning up! ;)

Tomorrow Marcus starts preschool, and he is very excited about it! I'll post some pic's of that in the morning. On Sunday we had an ice cream social at his school to get to meet the teacher. She is very nice, and we know Marcus will have a great time there. He will only be going 4 mornings a week for 2 hours. I'm expecting a few tears in the morning, so say a prayer for him if you think of him.

This week we are enjoying having Levi home with us, as he took a week of vacation. It has been at least a year and a half since we've had that much time with him. (He had 15 days to use throughout the whole program, and so far has only used a few) We are just staying here in town and enjoying being home. I have a mega TON of pictures from our last several weeks. Today is the first time I've been able to slow down and get them downloaded on the computer. Some are from birthday celebrations, and some are from our visit to the Zoo, none of which are in any specific order... Hope you enjoy!

Clinical Update and Bikers

Marcus and Carson

Cole

Carson's legs are just barely long enough to pedal, but that doesn't stop him...he's a very determined little guy

The boys...Cole was not happy about going inside
Happy Marcus

The twins

Biker gang

Marcus

Cole

If all was going according to plan, this coming week would be the last week of Levi's specialty clinical in Iowa. Due to some different circumstances beyond his control, he has been unable to get all of the hearts he needs, so unless 4 more come through the door this week he may be staying longer, or might be sent to S.D. to get them done. He has some things to work through tomorrow with his director. Please pray that the director can get him a situation that is both timely and would be the least costly to us. If he could send him somewhere else this week it would really be a blessing...just now sure how fast they can create a slot for him at another site. The Lord knows, and we are just trusting in Him.

With all of this uncertainty I know it was hard for Levi to relax much this weekend, but we managed, and it was a good time. He came back down here to my parents to see the boys and I. Marcus and I had worked with the twins quite a bit last week on riding their bikes, so they were able to show off their skills to Daddy this morning. We loaded up their bikes and took them up to a nearby school to ride on the big flat playground. There are some pic's here of the boys riding earlier in the week in Mom and Dad's garage...their driveway is pretty steep, so not very good for two little boys who are just learning to ride! ;) (but the garage is perfect)

Mom is doing very well since her knee replacement. She is now walking pretty well without a walker or cane. I took her on Friday to get the staples removed. Her incision is looking really good, and we've been very busy with trips to the doctor, the lab, and therapy. She's hoping to start driving again sometime this week. The boys and I have really enjoyed our time here, and especially being able to help Dad take care of her. We'll be heading home later this week.

I have several pic's from our time here (on my camera) that I will need to post when I get home. Mom took the ones above. Enjoy and have a fantastic week!

Happy 3rd Birthday Boys!!!

Carson and Cole, ready to go home for the first time.

Carson

Cole ready to go home from the hospital

Carson napping

Play time

Back when they looked a little more alike

Marcus holding Carson

Cole and Carson

Marcus, Cole, and Carson

We love you boys to pieces, and we are so happy to celebrate 3 years of your life! Over the past year you both have learned so much. Even though you communicated with each other just fine, you finally both let us in on your conversations by using a bit of english...and now blossoming into two little chatty cathies. We love to hear how you pronounce your words, and learn how to use new words...sometimes they are even big words, for example "ri-dic-er-lus"--used by Carson to explain Cole's behavior at church one night. (Did I mention that you are pretty funny guys too?)You both learned that you no longer need diapers and can potty like big boys, you dress yourselves...as a matter of fact you want to do EVERYTHING by "yourselves". You've both become so independent over the past year and you are growing up way too quickly for your Mommy and Daddy. We are proud of you for making it through the so-called "terrible two's"...though they were memorable, busy, chaotic at times, and crazy fun, they were anything but "terrible".

We love you more than you'll ever know, and we are so blessed to be your Mommy and Daddy. We thank the Lord for you each of you daily. Happy 3rd Birthday Carson Michael, and Cole Levi!

Love,
Mommy, Daddy, and big brother Marcus