Update on Liem's eye...

So the results came back for the 2nd time as negative for Taxioplasmosis (sp) and the Opthamologist was shocked... She was certain he had been exposed and was glad but also stumped by the results. Liem is being referred out to a Retinal specialist in the next few weeks and he will look at him and maybe have a better explanation... Im hoping it is something minor and will not affect him anymore. I am hoping in three years from now Liem will be able to tell us he can see perfectly fine out of that eye even with the scaring.

On another Liem note he is well on his way to the terrible two's and if my memory serves me right it gets a lot worse at three. lol... I love this hands on stage but do not miss being on my toes at all times.

Luke's World.

Luke has been so interesting these past few weeks with his questions and comments. It reminds me each and everyday how innocent children get to be at least for the time being. The other day we were talking about God, a recurring convo lately, and I was trying desperately to explain that God takes care of people and that's why we pray and try to do good. Luke looked at me and said "Mommy no, God doesn't take care of us you do!", lol... Of course it melted my heart but I had to point out the bigger picture to him.

Luke has also been very concerned with Death and dying. He asks me all the time about it and why it happens. I think it scares him a little and of course I try to assure him we will be VERY old when our time comes but in reality who knows when it will happen. I really do not want him asking or thinking about death but he has and I cannot ignore it especially because important people have died in his life. So anyone with suggestions on this subject! lol...

Luke has also told me he loves me more than Mickey Mouse, the moon, the sky, the trees, and more than his toes. lol. He makes me smile on more than one occasion a day and for this time in my life I am thankful I get to live in a 3 1/2 yr olds world. Luke's world...

Baby Maddie

I have been following a blog that is touching and heartbreaking all in one. I came across this blog through one of my military wife forums and have been following since. It seems that this little girl, Maddie, and her parents Heather and Mike have thousands following, sharing stories of their own, and kind words of comfort and encouargment...

I can't help but wonder how many people have not heard of this little girl.

This is the link to Heathers blog.
http://www.thespohrsaremultiplying.com/

As a Mother I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow of losing my child, and yet this story seems to tear at me everytime I come across it. Heather and Mike are facing something parents should never have to know, or endure let alone live through. It makes me thankful time and time again for the life I have, for the life my children have. Reading about Maddie's love for life while enduring pain. Her heart was fuller at 17months than most people ever know. She fought with a smile on her face and know I can only picture her as a sweet angel in heavan.

I remember when Luke was sick in the hospital, and it is hard for me to think back on it. I think I chalk it up to another childhood illness but the bottom line it Luke was sick, very sick. We almost lost him and I remember thinking "I have no idea how to live my life without my little boy" on more than one occasion. I prayed harder than I have ever prayed in my life and I was more scared in those few weeks than I ever have been in my entire life. Reading about Maddie reminds me of arriving at the hospital thinking it was something minor when it ended up being so much more. As a parent you quiestion yourself, as I did, but as cliche as it sounds God always has a plan.

Luke's illness is nothing compared to baby Maddie's but after reading her story, her mothers story, anyone will find a way to relate.

I am writing about this because it was on my mind, and has been for a few weeks. It truly does break my heart, and it breaks my heart that her parents have to face this world without her. They have thousands of people following them and offering words but I figured a few more could not hurt. Take what you can and will from this, I just wanted to share Maddie's story.

A little of this and a little of that....

Well I know I have been slacking big time these days but amazingly we have been rather busy. The weather is finally Hawaiian feeling again and the boys and I have been spending time outside with neighbors and friends.

First Happy Easter!






It was a nice relaxing easygoing kinda day for us. I braved church and am a little nervous to take both of them back... haha... The boys seemed to have a ton of fun and liked all present the Easter Bunny brought.


Luke started basketball.



There are videos on dropshots. The whole thing is so cute. They are definitely not great but it is interesting to see them interesting in learning and trying their hardest. I have some better shots from this last practice but haven't uploaded them yet.

Everything else is going good. J and I bit the bullet and bought out tickets home to Ohio this summer... I'm praying with all I have everything else will fall into place. We definitely shaved a few days off where we could to try and ensure we would not have to change the ticket... I couldn't pass up the ticket prices... I am officially excited to know we will be in Ohio in less than two months... Scared of the plane yes but excited. lol.

I am so glad that the weather has shaped up a little around here although it will make leaving paradise even harder... I am ecstatic to get a new experience, to open another chapter, to move forward like so many of our close friends have, but I am sentimental about Hawaii... I am sure I will be sentimental about Cali when we leave there bur Hawaii was our first home together where we grew as a family... A lot has happened here. I'll miss Hawaii and as the time approached I find it harder to believe we are leaving here.

Bye Bye again...

(I love how happy Luke looks!)
I know I cannot complain since it is only 7 weeks and he could still be with 3/3 and just have headed out for 7months, but none the less the time apart stinks... Luke missed him and Liem is walking around the house calling his name... I guess that is what life is about having people to miss and getting the chance to miss them.
I am excitied that after this 7weeks we will FINALLY be done with seperations... We will finally get to start the next chapter and this time apart stands for something... I can only ask for thoughts and prayers that J has a safe time... The last thing we need is an injury...

Beach time

The wind and weather has been a little wild here lately and although nothing compared to snow it is still chilly for us. We had a nice day last week and decided to head to the beach for a little bit... Both boys loved it as usual!

Easter Bunny

We took the boys down to the NEX today to see the Easter Bunny. Luke was super excited and cute. He kept talking to the bunny during the picture. Liem on the other hand screamed but we managed to get a laugh out of him... We are thankful we didn't end up in it again this year!

Catch Up...

We've been a little busy latley although nothing to exciting... We had a family friends birthday party this past weekend and odds and ends to tie up before J leaves this weekend for California...

We got our advanced housing application in for Cali and we are #19 on the list for the brand new housing in San Onofre. We will probably get moved down quite a bit in the next few months because we cannot check in until July but when we get there we will move up on the list... It was one of my big stressors and I am glad we are atleast on the list...

I am trying to get all the other ducks lined up for the move but have to remember it is still 2months or so away...

Im anixous to get home and actually thought about flying home for a few weeks. My Grandma, my last living Grandparent, suffers from Alzhemiers and it is progressively getting worse. I was never exceptionally close to her but we were close. She is my Mom's mother and I would love to see her and say good-bye to her before she passes... The disease has to be horrible. It is to the point where she forgot how to talk and swallow... I do not want her to suffer anymore but at the same time I want to say good bye, and let her know she has people who remember and love her... I guess we will see...

The boys are good. Luke has been working on writting his uppercase letters and writing his name... He is good with L's and U's but has a hard time with the the K and E... Although O's are his favorite letter... We have also been working on the recognition of letters in books and what not. Liem is still hitting the potty training pretty hard. He usually goes a few hours in the AM without a diaper and we have some accidents but most of the time he gets on the potty. He is also starting to repeat a ton of words... I am a little concerned that most of them have to do with Dora the Explorer... haha...

We dont have a ton planned for this weekend. I think we will cook out, dye easter eggs with J, and see the Easter Bunny... I am hoping to have a lot of beach time while J is gone. Hope everyone has a good day!!