Summer 2013

Summer break came and went very quickly...It was not our typical summer filled with vacations,  play dates, outings, etc.. but we did manage to fill it up, keep everyone busy and sneak in a late weekend stay-cation...here is a re-cap with lots of photos :

She was supposed to be napping!

Best of Friends!  

7 months - moving and exploring everything,  so glad Grandpa Stoner locked up those cabinets 

Everett moved out of the high chair and over to the kitchen table.
Our family meals are more complete with a full table!

Caught!

During the month of July we had a special visitor spend a few weeks with us.  Blessings works for LIVE LOVE MALAWI and was one of the amazing people that Greg and Jackson met last summer on their mission trip to Africa.  Blessings was in the states this summer and we were fortunate to have him spend some time with us.

Family Stay-cation 2013 - Wildhorse Pass

This was our first vacation with all three kids!  It was fun, busy and quick!  Jackson had the opportunity to attend a Lego day with some friends while Greg and I hit the pool with our little ones.  

These two pictures of Everett and Ellie are my favorite!  Sibling love!!  Whenever she is close by, Everett reaches out to find her hand and holds it ever so sweetly.

A highlight for sure this weekend was the big water slide...Everett's smile says it all and the fact that Greg was able to carry him up the 2 flights of steps shows how well he's recovered from surgery.

The boys...having their morning milk in the hotel lobby while Mommy and Daddy share some coffee.

The Early birds...both awoke each other on vacation by 5am.   So while daddy and Jackson slept we went for a nature walk around the hotel grounds.  The next morning Daddy took them for a walk while Mommy and Jackson spent some 1 on 1 time together.

Our FIVE year old!  It was one of those things we'd talked about for a long time, but never really thought it would sneak up so quickly.  Everett turned 5 this summer and boy does he know it!  We love his personality and are so proud of all the things he can do - he surprises us daily.

For his birthday he got a new tricycle, some awesome new sneakers and some really cool outfits.  He is such a joy and beautiful addition to our family!  

In July, Everett was able to attend the Foundation for Blind Children's summer day camp.  He had the opportunity to spend two weeks with friends while Jackson and I got some "date time" together.

Every morning Jackson insisted on taking Everett into camp by himself.
Love how he takes care of his brother!

But before we knew it, the two weeks were over and it was time to start a new chapter.  Everett was ready to begin Kindergarten.  So we tearfully said good-bye to our FBC family, but promised we'd never really leave.  

Finally, one more photo our our little crawler.  She loves checking out new things. 

Recovery Update

June has been our recovery month and it is going very well.  We've enjoyed being home with Dad while he recovers and have kept busy.  There is always lots going on in our house and we have really LOVED having Grandma and Grandpa Stoner here to help and tag team the kiddos.

Jackson and Greg doing daily breathing exercises.

Ellie working hard on crawling.

We have discovered that Ellie would much rather play with anything Everett has.

This is a small preview of the construction that has been going on in our backyard!  Coming July 2013!

Father's Day breakfast!  Donuts with Dad!

Family Photo before church

Elianna was dedicated at church on Father's day.

There has been lots of playtime with these two - they keep us busy!

Jackson was even able to serve at the Live Love House last Saturday.

Preschool Graduation

On May 28th, 2013 Everett officially graduated from preschool.  It was a celebration indeed!  We are so grateful to the Foundation for Blind Children for making sure we did not miss this HUGE milestone in Everett's life.  Our relationship with the Foundation for Blind Children began when Everett was just 4 months old and will continue throughout the rest of his life.  Yet, this Fall will bring much change as Everett will begin attending school in Chandler.  We have LOVED our time at FBC and are so thankful to each and every staff member that has been a part of our journey.  Preschool for us was so much more than school, it was an extension of our family and where we have met lifelong friends who we can share this beautiful journey through Holland with us.  

Thank You to all the people we have met because of this very special child.  It certainly takes a village and we have been blessed with a team of people that I would have never known to wish for, but so grateful to have been given.  

Everett we are so PROUD of you!  You were given the award for "Classroom Explorer" and that speaks volumes about your progress.  You also showed us all how you can stand from your chair and there were many tears shared when you did.  WE LOVE YOU!!

Home

Greg was discharged Tuesday morning around 10am.  The hospital goal was to have him out by noon, but he was doing so great things moved along much faster.  I had to rush out of the house and head to the hospital so that he would not be discharged with no where to go (not that the hospital would have done that without me there, but it just would be sad to be ready to go and no family there to get you).

We were home and starting lunch before Jackson got back from VBS.  To look at Greg you'd never know that he just had open heart surgery.  He is doing remarkably well, still needs to rest and is on lifting/driving restriction for another 5 weeks.  However; having been through this surgery before, it is almost night/day the difference in how quickly he is back to himself.

It is so great to be HOME!  The kids are happy to have their daddy home and I know while there are moments of crazy around here, it is better for Greg to have them around while he recovers then to be alone in the hospital.

Thank you for covering our children in prayer throughout this experience.  Jackson has matured so much since the surgery two years ago and is able to articulate better with words what he is thinking and feeling.  One night when I was getting him ready for bed he asked, "How many more times does Daddy have to have surgery...?"  I assured him that it would be a very long time before we would need to discuss surgery again.  Jackson then followed up by stating, "like when he's 100!"  I agreed that waiting that long would be great with me.  And each night he prayed for Greg to get stronger and come home.

We are blessed!  I just don't know how else to say it or express the gratitude we both feel by the support, prayers, calls, and texts from all of the amazing people that have been put into our lives.  Our family, friends, Everett's teachers, the Ryan house staff, our life group, our church, our neighbors and Greg's co-workers.  All have checked in on us ready to address any needs that may arise.  We are blessed!  Thank  you!

This pillow was made by Everett and the Ryan House staff as a recovery pillow for Greg.  Look at those heart feet - my boy is growing!