Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Where did the time go? Sitting around my parents living room this year looking at every one, I realized that I have missed so much. Time has come and gone, and I can't get it back. I remeber when my brothers and sisters were little. (Not so much anymore!) They are 'all grown up' and have girlfriends and boyfriends and lives of their own now. What happened to the days of chasing each other outside, throwing snowballs, Brian and I picking on Cat, and doing cattle chores together. It is funny how most of our funny memories come from doing chores all together. If nothing else these past couple of months, I have realized how fast time goes and how precious that time is. I pray that God will help me to slow down and appreciate those loved ones around me.
What an amazing Christmas!!! God has TRULY blessed us with our wonderful families and an awesome, beautiful little girl. Every day I get to wake up next to a kind, caring husband and a little girl that always has the biggest smile for us when we pick her up. Tears came to my eyes this morning as I watched Matt pick Addi up out of her crib and to hear her laughter fill the whole upstairs from her excitement of seeing her daddy. What did I ever do to deserve this, Lord!?!?! As many times as I have failed Him, he never seems to give up on me. He continues to smile on our family and gives us a nudge to continue through life.
As I type, this precious Addi lays here with the corners of her eyes turning up as she smiles in her sleep. I pray that God gives Matt and I the wisdom, strength, and courage to bring up Addi in His word. Praise you God for having faith when we are faithless.
As I type, this precious Addi lays here with the corners of her eyes turning up as she smiles in her sleep. I pray that God gives Matt and I the wisdom, strength, and courage to bring up Addi in His word. Praise you God for having faith when we are faithless.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
So I know that it has been a long time since my last post. It has been busy as I am sure that it has been for everyone else. A lot has happen since the last then.
Addi has been doing well in her physical therapy meetings with Dayna. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. We did have to miss Thanksgiving at my Grandma's house in Clifton because Addi had a touch of the flu. Between Matt being sick and Addi being sick, as a mother and a wife, I am not sure which is worse. he, he, he
Last Thursday we had an exciting venture, Matt and I headed to KC to Children's Mercy for a follow up urology apptoinment. On the way, the transfer case on the expedition decided to go out. Addi also started having one of her episodes of her 'flu' like symptoms. (Three within a month, we were starting to figure out the doctors were leading us in the wrong direction telling us it was the flu.) So, with lots of phone calls-we continued to KC in Matt's grandma's car. THANK YOU DONNA! Not for the urology appt., by the way we missed, but doctors there had concern that Addi's shunt was having intermitin failure. After a traffic jam and being stopped in traffic, we finally made it to the ER at Children's Mercy. After a two hour wait, we were finally in to see a doctor. Praise God, after a CT Scan and a shunt series (x-ray of the shunt tubing), doctors told us that the shunt was still functioning great. Both of her ventricles have actually come down in size from when the shunt was first put in. Isn't God good?!?!?!
As far as the irriatabilty, crying, throwing up-they told us she had caught the flu virus again. So....home we came after a 30 minute detour on the outskirts of Kansas City. Between trying to help Matt follow road signs and look for deer in the dark and try to console a crying baby in a car seat, I wasn't for sure wether to laugh or cry. We made it home safely at 1:30 am.
Next morning at 9:30 am we were able to get into our peditrician here in Hutch. Who is great!! She had radiology run some x-rays on Addi's esophagus, stomach, and so on to make sure that there wasn't any blockages. We now know that Addi has really bad acid reflux. Poor baby!
She is now doing better. Matt has been our great go to guy!! We are finally able to put her down without her crying. Although I do have to admit, I am enjoying the cuddle time with Addi. Nothing feels better than her soft little face pressed up against mine. We did manage a few smiles and were able to grab and kick our ducks in the tubby tonight.
So after four night of no sleep, we are hoping that tonight brings a very restfull slumber.
Matt has been busy pushing snow early the morning and today. We received 4 inches of a dry, fluffy snow. It was really pretty watching from the windows. As I was informed by Matt...it was COLD!
We are looking forward to finally getting to see my extended family in Clifton on Sunday to celebrate Christmas. Christmas Eve with Matt's family and Christmas Day with my immediate family.
Matthew, my youngest brother also graduated from Lineman School last Saturday in Manhattan, which we missed due to Addi and Matt's sickness. Sorry Matthew! We are VERY PROUD of you!!!
Oh, Addi also had her first couple bites of cereal tonight. Which she actually seemed to enjoy.
Just a follow up on the families that I have been listing on the blog...
Karson Schierling is doing well. He is finished with his third round of chemo and his latest MRI came back clean. Karson will also be a big brother in July.
Our other friends here in KS, that were pregant with a little boy who had multiple health problems, delivered Michael Tuesday of last week. Michael lived 1 1/2 hrs. then went to see his heavenly father. They say that Michael looked just like his dad.
Thank you for your continued prayers!! We love you!
Addi has been doing well in her physical therapy meetings with Dayna. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. We did have to miss Thanksgiving at my Grandma's house in Clifton because Addi had a touch of the flu. Between Matt being sick and Addi being sick, as a mother and a wife, I am not sure which is worse. he, he, he
Last Thursday we had an exciting venture, Matt and I headed to KC to Children's Mercy for a follow up urology apptoinment. On the way, the transfer case on the expedition decided to go out. Addi also started having one of her episodes of her 'flu' like symptoms. (Three within a month, we were starting to figure out the doctors were leading us in the wrong direction telling us it was the flu.) So, with lots of phone calls-we continued to KC in Matt's grandma's car. THANK YOU DONNA! Not for the urology appt., by the way we missed, but doctors there had concern that Addi's shunt was having intermitin failure. After a traffic jam and being stopped in traffic, we finally made it to the ER at Children's Mercy. After a two hour wait, we were finally in to see a doctor. Praise God, after a CT Scan and a shunt series (x-ray of the shunt tubing), doctors told us that the shunt was still functioning great. Both of her ventricles have actually come down in size from when the shunt was first put in. Isn't God good?!?!?!
As far as the irriatabilty, crying, throwing up-they told us she had caught the flu virus again. So....home we came after a 30 minute detour on the outskirts of Kansas City. Between trying to help Matt follow road signs and look for deer in the dark and try to console a crying baby in a car seat, I wasn't for sure wether to laugh or cry. We made it home safely at 1:30 am.
Next morning at 9:30 am we were able to get into our peditrician here in Hutch. Who is great!! She had radiology run some x-rays on Addi's esophagus, stomach, and so on to make sure that there wasn't any blockages. We now know that Addi has really bad acid reflux. Poor baby!
She is now doing better. Matt has been our great go to guy!! We are finally able to put her down without her crying. Although I do have to admit, I am enjoying the cuddle time with Addi. Nothing feels better than her soft little face pressed up against mine. We did manage a few smiles and were able to grab and kick our ducks in the tubby tonight.
So after four night of no sleep, we are hoping that tonight brings a very restfull slumber.
Matt has been busy pushing snow early the morning and today. We received 4 inches of a dry, fluffy snow. It was really pretty watching from the windows. As I was informed by Matt...it was COLD!
We are looking forward to finally getting to see my extended family in Clifton on Sunday to celebrate Christmas. Christmas Eve with Matt's family and Christmas Day with my immediate family.
Matthew, my youngest brother also graduated from Lineman School last Saturday in Manhattan, which we missed due to Addi and Matt's sickness. Sorry Matthew! We are VERY PROUD of you!!!
Oh, Addi also had her first couple bites of cereal tonight. Which she actually seemed to enjoy.
Just a follow up on the families that I have been listing on the blog...
Karson Schierling is doing well. He is finished with his third round of chemo and his latest MRI came back clean. Karson will also be a big brother in July.
Our other friends here in KS, that were pregant with a little boy who had multiple health problems, delivered Michael Tuesday of last week. Michael lived 1 1/2 hrs. then went to see his heavenly father. They say that Michael looked just like his dad.
Thank you for your continued prayers!! We love you!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
We had another meeting with our physcial therapist, Dayna, today. Addi is now weighing 13 whole pounds. Makes me smile as some of our friends babies who are around the same age are quite a bit bigger. We love our Addi just the way she is!!!!
Addi decided not to roll over for Dayna today, but did awesome holding up her head and turning on her charm by talking up a storm and smiling.
Addi is attempting to 'stand'. When she does she is putting all of her weight on her heels instead of on her whole foot. Ever since Addi was born, she has liked to keep her toes/foot pulled up to her shin. With all of our strectching, she does have a wide range of motion-she just has to decide to use it. Kind of like rolling over. She can do it-she just has to decide to do it. I wonder where she gets her stubborness? So, Dayna gave us a couple of excersies to help Addi realize that she can put weight on her whole foot, just not her heal.
She also found her feet today with Dayna. She wasn't quite for sure what those things were to start with, now she is rolling all over the place on her back trying to grab them. She makes the funniest grunting noises, as her little puggy tummy is in way.
After physical therapy, Addi went with me for her first time at the election polls where we ran into Grandpa Harold. She decided it was more fun to play with Grandpa Harold than to worry about the election.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND TO PRAY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.
Addi decided not to roll over for Dayna today, but did awesome holding up her head and turning on her charm by talking up a storm and smiling.
Addi is attempting to 'stand'. When she does she is putting all of her weight on her heels instead of on her whole foot. Ever since Addi was born, she has liked to keep her toes/foot pulled up to her shin. With all of our strectching, she does have a wide range of motion-she just has to decide to use it. Kind of like rolling over. She can do it-she just has to decide to do it. I wonder where she gets her stubborness? So, Dayna gave us a couple of excersies to help Addi realize that she can put weight on her whole foot, just not her heal.
She also found her feet today with Dayna. She wasn't quite for sure what those things were to start with, now she is rolling all over the place on her back trying to grab them. She makes the funniest grunting noises, as her little puggy tummy is in way.
After physical therapy, Addi went with me for her first time at the election polls where we ran into Grandpa Harold. She decided it was more fun to play with Grandpa Harold than to worry about the election.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND TO PRAY FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY.
Monday, November 3, 2008
I received this through email and thought I would share.
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word
And I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
Both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
And attentiveness from one person
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.' God, you, and I dance.
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word
And I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
Both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
And attentiveness from one person
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.' God, you, and I dance.
It has been a really busy weekend with any even busier week already starting. Matt with help from friends has been busy trying to get all of the wheat drilled before we get more scheduled rain on Wednesday. Also trying to get sorghum and a couple of soybean patches cut. They have all been working so late at night and getting up early in the morning. We have really been blessed with some great weather here the past couple of days though!
Addi has had a cold the past couple of days so she has been sleeping quite a bit. In her wake hours she did manage to get a couple of laughs out. It took me surprise!!! It was pretty cute. I was running to tell Matt all about it over the radio's we have in the tractors.
I have been trying to teach Addi baby sign language, which Matt usually gets a good giggle out of. But, I think I am finally getting through! She gave me the sign for mommy on Saturday. I had showed her the sign saying 'mommy' at the same time. She did it back!! At first I thought okay, I am just a proud mom seeing things until she did it twice more throughout the night. She is catching on!
Today she finally decided to start rolling over on her own, front to back.
I would ask for your prayers for a few other families.
Karson Schierling (18 months) has been undergoing chemo for a couple of weeks now. They found a brain tumor on the right side of the brain which has been removed and the doctors do think that they got it all. Karson is doing well and still has chemo treatments left.
A family in AZ. Jody (mom)and Jacy (daughter,3) helped me tremendously throughout our time of need. Jacy also has spina bifida and Jody went through the fetal surgery in CA, three years ago. (She answered every ridiculous question that I could ever think of!! THANKS JODY) Children with spina bifida can get what is called 'tethered cord' where the spinal cord attaches to the scar tissue that was left from where they closed the opening in the back. They should be finding out results from a MRI today.
Another family in AZ. A little girl named Addison whom is 7 months old. She suffers from a rare heart condition called Shone's Syndrome. A syndrome that includeds four different problems with the development of the heart, so it requires a series of surgeries. She is still in the hospital and has her up and down days.
http://aztamsfam.blogspot.com/
Our other friends here in KS, that are pregnant with a child that has no lungs and only one kidney. The doctors tell her that their little boy won't make it after he is born.
Addi in her tutu and K-State outfit.
Addi has had a cold the past couple of days so she has been sleeping quite a bit. In her wake hours she did manage to get a couple of laughs out. It took me surprise!!! It was pretty cute. I was running to tell Matt all about it over the radio's we have in the tractors.
I have been trying to teach Addi baby sign language, which Matt usually gets a good giggle out of. But, I think I am finally getting through! She gave me the sign for mommy on Saturday. I had showed her the sign saying 'mommy' at the same time. She did it back!! At first I thought okay, I am just a proud mom seeing things until she did it twice more throughout the night. She is catching on!
Today she finally decided to start rolling over on her own, front to back.
I would ask for your prayers for a few other families.
Karson Schierling (18 months) has been undergoing chemo for a couple of weeks now. They found a brain tumor on the right side of the brain which has been removed and the doctors do think that they got it all. Karson is doing well and still has chemo treatments left.
A family in AZ. Jody (mom)and Jacy (daughter,3) helped me tremendously throughout our time of need. Jacy also has spina bifida and Jody went through the fetal surgery in CA, three years ago. (She answered every ridiculous question that I could ever think of!! THANKS JODY) Children with spina bifida can get what is called 'tethered cord' where the spinal cord attaches to the scar tissue that was left from where they closed the opening in the back. They should be finding out results from a MRI today.
Another family in AZ. A little girl named Addison whom is 7 months old. She suffers from a rare heart condition called Shone's Syndrome. A syndrome that includeds four different problems with the development of the heart, so it requires a series of surgeries. She is still in the hospital and has her up and down days.
http://aztamsfam.blogspot.com/
Our other friends here in KS, that are pregnant with a child that has no lungs and only one kidney. The doctors tell her that their little boy won't make it after he is born.
Addi in her tutu and K-State outfit.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
We had a visit today from our physical therapist that comes out every other week. She is very pleased with the progress of Addi!! She said that Addi is above schedule on the strength of neck, holding her head up on her own without it 'bobbling' around. Addi isn't quite fond of rolling over yet. She is just pretty comfortable lying on her tummy. The physical therapist not to worry about it just yet. Addi's strength is there, she just needs to make up her mind too roll over. She said that Addi is very laid back, that we might need to 'light a fire' under her. :)
Praise God, Addi is right where she should be developmentally!!
ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!
Praise God, Addi is right where she should be developmentally!!
ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
This weekend was full of activity and fun at the Brack household. Friday night Grammy Julie and Aunt Catherine came to visit. We all got up early Sat. morning and took Julie to the airport so that she could visit her family in Las Vegas for her grandma's 90th birthday. Catherine got to stay the whole weekend and play with Addi. They had a great time together. It is a good thing that Addi is little enough not to pick up on any of Aunt Cat's awrnyness. :) The weather was great, little windy, so we got to play outside a little bit and pretend to help Matt. Probably we were more in the way than we were help, but I am positive that Matt loved every minute of us.
This weekend Matt decided to take a break from farming on Sunday so that we could all enjoy some time together at a local pumpkin patch with some friends. Although Addi is still a little young, we decided to go ahead and start our family traditions. We had so much fun together.
Despite the wind, the pumpkin patch had so much to offer for everyone of any age! Matt and Jason had fun shooting the corn cob cannon. Jen and I decided we would try our talent on the two person bicycle, as well as Matt and Jason. Emmie, their daughter, tried a little bit of everything! We finished up the afternoon with snacks and picking out the perfect fall pumpkins and gourds. We plan to visit again next year!! 
Thursday, September 18, 2008
It has been awhile since our last update. But, I guess no news is good news, right? Addi has an appointment with Dr. Greene her neurosurgeon in KC at Children's Mercy last week. Matt was unable to attend as he was on a trip with Mid Kansas Coop. They went to Nebraska for Husker Harvest Days. It is like a State Fair for farmers. Anyway, my mom joyfully went along with Addi and I, and Addi got to see papa Bruce for awhile too. The whole appointment actually only took 10 minutes at the most. Dr. Greene said that she is doing well and would like to see her back in February, despite his six week recommendations that he gave us last appointment. YEAH!! So, up we went and back we came. (With a quick trip to surprise grandma Kim at school.)
It is hard to believe that Addi was 12 weeks yesterday. People always told me that time flys when you have children. I never really believed them until now. Addi is weighing 10 lbs. 5 oz., learning to roll over from her back to her stomach, and giving the biggest smiles she can muster. Smiles for mom come far and few between, but I really enjoy them when I get them. Smiles for daddy however, are always very readable. She definitely enjoys her daddy!!!! I think we have a Daddy's girl on our hands. :)
Matt has been busy preparing for fall harvest. The Lord has blessed us with bountiful rain for the crops, (with good fall crops, I can stay home for a year) now we just need some sunshine. Matt has also agreed to cut fall crops for a gentleman in Lyons. Addi has been getting in her combine rides with daddy. She loves being outside!
It is hard to believe that Addi was 12 weeks yesterday. People always told me that time flys when you have children. I never really believed them until now. Addi is weighing 10 lbs. 5 oz., learning to roll over from her back to her stomach, and giving the biggest smiles she can muster. Smiles for mom come far and few between, but I really enjoy them when I get them. Smiles for daddy however, are always very readable. She definitely enjoys her daddy!!!! I think we have a Daddy's girl on our hands. :)
Matt has been busy preparing for fall harvest. The Lord has blessed us with bountiful rain for the crops, (with good fall crops, I can stay home for a year) now we just need some sunshine. Matt has also agreed to cut fall crops for a gentleman in Lyons. Addi has been getting in her combine rides with daddy. She loves being outside!
Monday, August 25, 2008
How Can I Ask For More - Cindy Morgan
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************
There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more
**********
I am brought to tears!! THANK YOU LORD - how could I ask for more.
************
There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more
So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way
So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more
**********
I am brought to tears!! THANK YOU LORD - how could I ask for more.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Every time I look at our little girl, I can't thank everyone enough for their prayers! She is just so precious to us. She trying to hold her head up on her own and putting pressure on her feet and legs to attempt to support her up if you hold her. What a miracle! What did I do to deserve such a blessing?!?!?!?
Matt and I have some friends that are 18 months along in their pregnancy, and found out two days ago that their baby boy has no kidneys or bladder. My heart and prayers truly go out to them!!! I praise God that he gave us the experience that he did to be able to be there for them as they go through this difficult time. I pray that their family is as supportive and comforting as mine is and was. What we do without friends,family, and strangers that are willing to pray and comfort you-that you have never met?
The saying 'God brings friends/people into and out of lives for a reason', has never rang more true than these past few months.
With God's love-
Matt and I have some friends that are 18 months along in their pregnancy, and found out two days ago that their baby boy has no kidneys or bladder. My heart and prayers truly go out to them!!! I praise God that he gave us the experience that he did to be able to be there for them as they go through this difficult time. I pray that their family is as supportive and comforting as mine is and was. What we do without friends,family, and strangers that are willing to pray and comfort you-that you have never met?
The saying 'God brings friends/people into and out of lives for a reason', has never rang more true than these past few months.
With God's love-
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