Things are going well! Time has gone by so quickly. Addi seems to be changing every day!We are working on trying to get her to use her hand crutches, but she seems to do things at her pace on her time table! God is teaching me patience. She wants to help do everything so consequently everything seems to take a little bit longer to finish that it used to, but I am loving the help!! She repeats everything and cracks us up with new phrases! Yesterday she told me '*sigh*, Mom, I so tired, I need a glass of wine. Me:what did you say? Addi: I need a glass of wine mom, *sigh*' Cracked me up!!!! She has been hanging around her Nana Donna! LOL!! I can't imagine life without her!!!!!!
Farming is going well. Staying busy as always. Fertilizing, spreading lime, and getting ready to plant corn. Lots of prayers for our full-time guy, Craig! We have really missed him and pray for his quick return!! I think Matt is missing not only the help but the companionship that they have formed over the years.
We look forward to next weekend, my youngest brother Matthew is getting married! We are so happy for them!! *sniff* My little brother!!! YIKES, I guess that makes me old! Below are some pictures from the past couple months.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

It has been such a long while since my last post. I really need to be better at this! The summer and fall went by so quickly I am not for sure where the time went. Harvest came and went, wheat planting came and went, Addi's second birthday seemed like a blip in time. Addi continues to get bigger every day! Her words are free flowing as ever now, which is so much fun for us!
She seems to have mastered her walker now. We take it everywhere with us. To restaurants and stores. She loves to go shopping!!
We are looking forward to the holidays and are enjoying the small precious moments and loud laughter of Adders! God has truly blessed us with more than I could have ever thought possible! Through his grace and mercy we continue on each day!

The weather has been great here, a little windy but nice to see the sunshine! We have moved Addi to a big girl bed, which she loves! I was happy to see her take to it so well! Hard to see our little baby girl grow up. Where did the time go?

My heart is filled with such joy and my cup runneth over! God is so good and has provided in abundance for us. Matt has been busy hitting the farming trail running with both feet. The corn is planted and the wheat looks good. We are being careful not to count our chickens before they hatch though!
Addi is doing wonderful as always. God has truly blessed her with her own...how should I put this...attitude! My goodness, the past couples weeks she has become so independent! Her words are now flowing! Matt has had to learn that she repeats things now. No more naughty words, daddy. LOL!!! She is just a delight to be around with her fun personality and facial expressions.
She is doing fabulous in her walker. We got to go to the Hutchinson zoo the other day with our friend Emmie, which was truly a treat! Addi walked most of the time, she did get a little tired, but was a trooper!
We are actually in the process of moving Adders to a big girl bed. Hopefully that transition will go well. We put the frame and mattresses together tonight and Addi had a BLAST!! I didn't think she would really know what was going on, but she loved it. She talked nonstop! Clapped, jumped up and down on her knees. Geeezzz, who knew a 'big bed' could make such a difference. Now, if only I could make up my mind on the bedding we would all be a lot better off! Too many choices!
Time goes by so fast. Hard to believe that Addi will be two in June!!! Already?!?!?!?
We are loving every minute of Addi and farming. The sunshine has never felt better after a long winter. Addi and I are always anxious to get our house work done to go play outside. (Her attempts at helping are usually messing up my oh so organized piles of folded laundry!) Oh well, wouldn't want it any other way. Besides, daddy doesn't mind a wrinkled shirt here or there right?!?! As long as Addi did it!

All is going well here. Everyone is staying busy now that the feel of spring is here. Addi is growing bigger and bigger by the day! She is saying new words every time we turn around.
We are excited for Spring to be here so we can enjoy the nice weather.

How could I forget the best part of the trip.....last night all three of us were praying at bedtime and as always finshed up by saying Amen, Jesus! Next thing I know a pair of bright blue eyes looked at me and said "amen, ma ma? Amen?" Me.."yes, baby girl, amen!!!!!!!" Addi, "Amen!"

Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, NLT

Our heavenly father is so amazing!! We just got back from our trip to Nashville with our hearts full of joy and praise! Dr. Tulipan was very pleaded with Addi's progress. We are excitied to report that Addis ventricles have gotten smaller and the shunt is working well. He did mention that the shunt tubing is 'coming' out of the ventricle due to Addi's growth. As to be expected. Dr. Tulipan is not worried abs said that is may be possible down the road that she may no longer require a shunt. Wouldn't that be another blessing?!?!?! One day at time, remembering to be thankful for what we have been given. Being in Nashville, it may sound a little wierd, but feels comfortable. It holds such memories and emotions for me!! Some good, some less desirable but nonetheless like home away from home. It really brings to my attention God awesome grace and mercies that he gave us and continues to give us everyday! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We did visit some of our favorite restaurants and order our favorite dishes! Spinach artichoke dip and Matts favorite chicken fingers at Bricktops and also J. Alexanders where some famous individuals have been known to dine.
Each restaurant holds fun memories for me! How blessed were mom and I during our stay there to have such amazing choices if restaurants!
We also drove by the fun pond where mom and spent many hours walking and feeding the ducks and geese. Addi loved watching them from the car window since it was so cold with snow on the ground.
Addi as always was a trooper on the plane and in the airport.
We are headed to Childrens Mercy tommorrow for clinic. We will post tomorrow the results.
All glory to God!!!

Matt and I just got back from a great trip to Orlando. The MKC board had some meetings there and I got to tag along to enjoy the awesome sunshine. Mae Mae Julie was gracious enough to come to Hutchinson and watch Addi for us while we enjoyed some much needed time together!
Mae Mae and Addi got along great and I think wore each other out!!
Orlando was fun to visit. Matt had not been to Orlando since he was a child and I had never been so it was a good experiecnce. In our time there we visited all four Disney theme parks and took an airboat ride on lake/swamp. We had a great guide! It was neat to see the landscape and we even got to see some bald eagles and aligators! Aligators were all sizes from 13 ft to 2 ft. We even managed to see some of Matt's favorite SNAKES!! He said that if the snack was coming in, HE was going out!! We had to tease him at every opportunity.
In the mornings while Matt was at meetings, I managed to catch in some rays and sneeked in a little bit of shopping! Great outlet malls!
Florida was a great place to dine on some YUMMY seafood!! The first night we got to sit outside by a pong with a water fountain! AWESOME!! Don't get that in Kansas very often! Each night our bellies were full of shrimp, lobster, crab claws or grouper. It was fun for everyone to get a different meal and get to sample some of everyones! We even managed some midwest raised beef the last night! Matt's grandpa and my dad would be proud!
The next couple of weeks are going to prove busy for us. We are headed to Vanderbilt for a checkup with Addi's neurosurgeon. A trip to Childrens Mercy to the spinal defect clinic and a trip to VEGAS with a group of our friends! Gamie Kim will be watching Addi for us as we head out west! I know they will have fun together.
We have switched Addi's neurosurgeon back to Dr. Tulipan; the surgeon that did Addi's shunt and fetal surgurey. We just really felt that we is the best fit for us. We know that God will provide as the increased monetary need arises with plane fares, hotels, and rental cars. We just want to give Addi the best care we can!
Children's Mercy still provides us with our pedi. urologist (who studied at Vanderbilt). Who we really like! Isn't God good?!?!?!
As far as Vegas...watch out! I know that it will be a great time had by all! We are going to catch George Strait and Reba in concert as well.

Just thought I would share these. God brought these verses to my attention knowing what was in my heart with leaving Addi.

Psalm 91:14-15, "'Because he loves me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation'"

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Wow!!!! Where did 2009 go? Hard to believe how fast it went as some of you already know that. When I think back to 2009 all I can think about it how truly BLESSED we are!! God has put me exactly where I want to be! Althought I never had 'planned' it this way. All those times, me planning and plotting where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do or be...God already knew what his plans for me were. To tell the truth boy am I glad. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than where I am now. Wife to an awesome husband who is kind, generous, and giving! He works so hard so that I can be a stay-at-home mom to our 'blue-eyed angel' as I call her! Addi is such a treasure and never a moment goes by that I don't praise God for her. I could have never imagined a child like her! She has a laughter and smile that just fills your soul! You can't help but laugh with her when she laughs. Thank you Father, for trusting us to be her earthly parents! It is only by Gods grace and mercy that we are so blessed!!!
Addi is doing wonderful!! She is pulling up to standing, cruising around furniture by herself, and walking in her walk with a little assistance. Her vocabulary has just take off by leaps and bounds, she know many animals now and recognizes them with the proper animal noises and repeats many other words now. She has such a tender heart giving out kisses for no apparent reason other than to just say I love you. She actually puckers up for kisses, it is the cutest thing!
She is fascinated right now with books! She can't get enough. She will sit for 45 minutes while we read books. Of course she has to have her own book in her hands to hold. Addi has gotten very independent, as she also likes to have her own fork and feed herself as well. She loves music! All kinds and does her best to dance to the rythm even after the music has stopped. She is pretty funny, when she sits at the table to eat, she will just bust out humming and dancing in her chair. I have to get it on video some time, but I am always too busy watching and laughing inside.
Matt has managed to stay busy with farming, still! He does truly love every minute of it!! He has picked up more custom cutting acres for next year and is already looking forward to wheat harvest this summer.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for checking up on us through the blog. I am going to try to post every week, my New Year's resolution!

Love to all, may you all have a blessed 2010!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ansleymclaurin

The above link is for a 2 1/2 year old little from Nashville, TN. She was diagnosed with cancer all over her body early December of 2009. The faith that her family has is tremdous. Her blog tells her story and the walk that God has chosen for them. The father has been the one writing the blog and what strength and faith he has. His words are so refreshing and speak such truth even through what they are going through. They are true encouragement for me to be better about having faith and reminding me how I need to be in my walk with God.
Please visit their blog and keep them in your prayers!!!!

A lot has happened since my last post. In August Matt and I took Addi back to Nashville for a one year follow-up for the study. Addi did wonderful on both the plane trips and through the testing. She did have a UTI at the time we went so we were unable to complete the urodynamics test, and did have to return one month later in September. Praise God the UTI was a 'fluke' occurrence and Addi's bladder and kidneys look awesome. He truly answered our prayers again!

Addi is progressing fast and furious!!! Hard to believe how fast and how much she changes daily!! She is pulling to standing now all by herself and walking while holding your fingers. We are going to try some little ankle braces to help support her feet. A far cry from some doctors recommendations (that wanted tall over the calf braces) but our physical therapist Dayna (who sees Addi every week) thinks this is best for Addi. We can give it a try and if it doesn't work, try something else, but at least we are giving her a chance to walk on her own. I am excited to report that Addi did talk a few steps by herself all together with a walker. The walker is not a permanent thing, but we are finding out that Addi is very independent!!!! :) She likes to do things her way and on her own. (Don't know who she got that from) :)

Addi's vocab has expanded dramatically as well. She now uses hi(loves to pretend talk on the phone), bye-bye, ball, puppy, down, ma-ma, pa-pa (for grandpa Wurtz), and daddy on a regular basis.

I have to admit I am enjoying thoroughly getting to stay home with Addi and be able to watch her take all of these 'small' steps in life.

We have also been busy helping Matt in the field drive grain cart,combine, cook, and help and drive things around to where they need to go. Addi is a trooper the whole time. God gave us the perfect child for us!!!! I know I couldn't have 'designed' a better child myself! She is truly a blessing.