A little late but worth the wait. Happy late Birthday Kate!

Happy Late Birthday, Kate! We love you!

Something worthy of a post. . . . finally!

Well, it's pretty obvious I haven't blogged in 3 months or so. I guess I didn't think I had much to blog about. But now, I do!!!
About 8 months ago, a good friend asked me to run a half marathon with her. For those of you who know me, I HATE HATE HATE running, with a passion far more than those who actually have a passion for running. That is, I used to. In March, I started to run. I was overweight and it was hard! A week or two into it, I decided that I was going to run a whole mile without stopping (I know, pathetic, right). It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But that mile changed my life, that and getting new shoes. I decided that I would start training for a half marathon, one that I never verbally committed to, for I am a non-committal kind of person (in unimportant matters). The half marathon came and went. I couldn't run it because I was on a trip to Idaho/Utah. I found another race to train for. 15 miles. To some, it seems impossible. I was one of those back in January. To others, 15 miles is just another long run on Saturday. But to me, it was a milestone that told me that I actually CAN commit and ACHIEVE! It was hard and time consuming, but I did it! I finished! And I actually want to keep running. The race was difficult, the uphills about killed me. Any race with a sign at the bottom of an endless hill that says "Capital Punishment Hill begins" should be seriously considered before running! But I ran my "half-marathon + 2 miles" (and I've lost 32 pounds in the process-extra bonus!!)
So for any of you out there thinking you can't do the unimaginable, unthinkable, impossible. . . . . . . . YOU CAN, because I did!
I can't go ANY further without thanking my personal cheering squad. Derrel has been extremely supportive of my crazy aspirations. He is my rock (well one of them=). And I couldn't have done it without Lydia and Kate, for showering me with flowers 11 miles into the race. And Grant learned how to clap at the race. I've been trying to get him to clap for MONTHS. Never would until the day I ran the race.

Here's Grant learning how to clap from seeing people clap for HOURS on end!

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Notice Lydia was ready with her shower of flowers for me. What a great support group I have!! Love it!

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OK, so my running form is kinda weird and I look a bit silly, but hey-I just ran 15 miles!

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Father's Day

   
        
 

These are the reason's why we love our daddy:

Lydia:  I love Daddy because he does nice things for me and I love him because he is a great dad.  Daddy is special because he always is nice.  He helps me when I get hurt and he helps me study science and he helps me play the piano.  And I love him.  Love, Lydia.

Kate:  I love Daddy because he teaches me some words and he loves me and he loves glasses and Emma's dad loves to eat clothes.  Ewww.  He teaches me how to go potty and he teaches me how ride cars and he teaches me how to put earrings on.  Daddy is special because he teaches me how to put eyeballs on so we can see and get the white stuff out of our eye because in Anastasia, the evil took his eye out.  What's his name again?

Grant:  I love my Daddy because he holds me up on the air and with his fingers he tickles me until I can't laugh anymore.  I love my Daddy because he throws me up in the air until I'm scared silly but I still laugh to make him feel good.  I love my Daddy because he let me help him fix his old pickup in Grandpa's shop.  My Daddy is special because he is always willing to change my poopy diapers and hold me tightly on the airplane so that I can't move.  I love it when he looks in my ears with the otoscope, I try not to cry but sometimes my eyes leak a little bit.  I love my Daddy and hope to be just like him one day.

Kim:  I love Derrel because he is such an amazing father to our three amazing kids.  He is always willing to do the dirty jobs at home that I don't always have the patience for. He is so selfless and dedicated to our family and our home.  He is such a special man with so many talents.  He is so patient and willing and supportive of my aspirations and helps me to be a better person.  I love Derrel, always have and always will, forever.  Love you. 

Happy Father's Day!

Lydia's Obsessions

Spring is here. . . with 94 degree weather and all. The 89 degree temperature outside is so much more bearable than inside our house. Lydia had her first spring concert. It was at the Metropolitan Theater downtown. She sang her little heart out and did a marvelous job. She really is becoming a little DIVA! Sometimes we have to bribe her to stop singing (is that bad?). We really do love it.

Lydia is usually very particular about the lighting in her room at night. We usually have the closet light on or a night light plugged into the wall. Her fixation lately is to put a makeshift eye mask on and to have all forms of night lights off. I don't know what it's all about but that's what she wants.

Lydia tells us over and over and over that she doesn't want to sleep with Kate. She even asked if Daddy could take out his saw and cut their bed in half!! We thought it was just a stage that she was going through. You can definitely see why she feels this way from these pictures.

Somehow they went from this:

To this:

I wouldn't want to sleep with someone who was always putting their leg over my neck. I don't know how Lydia survives=).

Lydia's last OBSESSION was having some kind of sale. She wanted to sell flowers- and not only flowers, but DANDELIONS! She would come home from school everyday for a week and BEG to have a flower sale. At first I just brushed it off. But she was determined. So I let her cut some of the daffodils off and she sold them.

We tied ribbons around the bunches and sold them in front of our house, on our lawn. She would wave to all the cars that passed by and point frantically to the flowers for sale, only to be disappointed. I almost called some of my friends to drive by and buy some.

But neighbors started coming by. One asked, "so how much are ya sellin' em for?" She responded, "fifteen cents!" He said, "fifty cents? Oh well I'll take two." He gave her a dollar!

You can't imagine how happy that made her. One neighbor across the street came out and gave her a ten dollar bill and said he was going to give the flowers to his girlfriend. She ended up making $18.35! We were flabbergasted! What a determined little girl.

She even got to pay her tithing!!! Way to go, Lydia.

Spring Break, Birthdays, Family and Fish

Grandma Easter  Aquarium Driving Annie Playing Games Lawson Laughing Sharks Candy Miranda Perudo Sea Turtles & Penguins Ice Cream Cake Steak & Salad Kids Crying Movies Easter Egg Hunt GPS Rocky Statue Mallory Independence Hall Flat Stanley Easter Bunny Kim Singing Buckwheat Pancakes & Pepperoni Rolls Lydia Kids Laughing Fun Derrel Soft Pretzels & Smoothies Progressive Rummy Brandon Apple Annie's Mandy Tour Guides Happy 30th Birthday Derrel Starting Perudo with 2 dice (instead of 5) Yummy Food Grant Jokes Dr. Horrible Liberty Bell Crazy Park Ranger with a "system" Spring flowers Target Kate Rain Nathan's Famous Spills & Messes Captain Hammer Amy Spring Break One Bathroom: 12 people Airport Delays Mexican Food "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do"

Bathroom, toilets and crawling

Well, with our tax return, we have decided to remodel the main bathroom in our house. It was REALLY outdated with an avacado green fiberglass bathtub and sink (if you want to see the tub, look at the picture of Grant in the tub below). The vinyl floor was speckled with gold. It was a sight to see! We have totally gutted it (these pictures don't show the sheetrock and floor boards ripped out). It's very exciting and we have a LOT of plans for it. I'll post after pictures when it's finished.

The next great news is that Kate is officially potty trained. It took 3 days and a 1 1/2 accidents (no poop accidents). If I had known it would be so quick and easy, I would have done it months ago. She is so excited to finally be able to go on the big girl potty. Yeah!! No more of these saggy DIAPERS for Kate!

Thirdly, our little boy is giGRANTic!! He is crawling and has been crawling for a few weeks now. This kid is HUGE! His hands are garGRANTuan. I LOVE it. He loves his big sisters. They make him laugh all of the time. He's adorable and has such a special place in our home. Here's a few pictures and videos of Grant. Just so you know, too, Grant just got his FIRST TOOTH. YEAH, what a fun age he's at!!!! Here's a few pictures and videos. Enjoy.

Kids, kids and more kids

Here's a post with lots of pictures and videos.  These kids are growing like weeds!  No one told me they were going to do that!  Grant had totally recovered and not once did his weight go down while he was sick.  He just keeps eating and eating and eating.  He is so happy and is almost crawling.  Kate is happy to be the oldest sibling at home while Lydia is away in Kindergarten.  She's a big help and is SLOWLY learning how to potty train (very very SLOWLY).  Lydia loves school and is learning so much.  She comes home with new knowledge every day.  We love listening to what she learns from her teachers and her classmates.  It's pretty colorful sometimes=) Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Shoes

Dear Shoes,

I am so excited that you have joined the dozens of other pairs of shoes in my closet.  I still have shoes from ten years ago sitting unworn and lonely.  But you. . . . you won't be that way!  Not if I have anything to do with it. . . . . for the sole reason I bought you was to get my body back into shape.  You are going to carry me through tough, unbearable workouts,  running around taking the kids (and husband) from one place to another, bringing lunch to Derrel, scenic strolls on the rail trail, cleaning my house or a puddle of throw up from one of the kids and maybe even mowing the lawn once or twice.  We'll go so many places.  It will be hard work but I'll make it worth your while.  

All I ask in return is that you cheer for me, keep me going, help me become a better, stronger person and achieve all the things I need to accomplish. You've got a large load on your hands, but we can do it together!  I hope that you can stay strong for the job ahead of you.  I promise I'll work hard if you do, too.  Thanks in advance for your support.  I won't let you down;)

Love,

me

Grant is HOME!

Sorry, I meant to post this a few days ago, but life is slowly getting back to it's normal self.  We are just so excited that Grant is home with us.  Derrel drove him home at about 9:15 on Tuesday morning and the home health person came at 10 am to show us (well, I guess just me) how to give Grant his antibiotics.  He'll be on them at home for at least 2 weeks.  I think he is thrilled to be home and out of the hospital.  It's like bringing home a new baby all over again!!!!  We are so grateful for our little boy and that he is on the mend.  Yea!  Merry Christmas to all and Happy Holidays.  Enjoy.

Our Christmas Wish

It's been our biggest Christmas wish for Grant to come home for Christmas.  Well, our wish is coming true.  The doctors said that he can come home tomorrow morning (Tuesday).  Yeah!!  We are truly excited and so elated that we get to spend Christmas Eve and morning in our own home.  We are so thankful.  We have to be home by 10 am because the home health team is coming to teach us how to give him his antibiotics.  We'll have to administer them through the PICC line (long-term IV) in his arm twice a day for a few weeks.  WOW, we are just thrilled.  Sure love you all, thanks for all the calls and prayers.  Grant is doing great and we are just so happy!

Livin' la viva hospital

We've learned a lot while staying in the hospital:

1. No privacy (in the PICU, there is a bathroom with a 1/4 inch gap in between the wall and the door and the wall with the door is actually just one big window). Sometimes, I would actually go out of the PICU to the public restroom to get a little more privacy.
2. No sleep (for some reason, the nurses take a rectal temp at midnight, take a blood sample out of his foot at 3 am and a chest x-ray at 4:30 am. And when he wakes up for these, they talk really loudly and think it's time to play with the baby-NOT THE CASE. So, he's up squealing between the temp taking and foot sticking!
3. It took a week to figure out that there was a volume on the alarm that beeped almost every time he moved (from the machine taking his vitals). I finally got consecutive hours of sleep with no beeping!
4. There is an office called Center for Quality Outcomes with a sign right next to it for the Smoking Booth.
5. Santa makes many appearances at the hospital!!!! The girls LOVED seeing Santa. Grant and the girls have been recipients of many many gifts, toys, books, crayons, stuffed animals, etc from many groups and people who are so kind to come in and visit the children at the hospital.
6. Cafeteria food is HIGHLY overrated. There is a salad bar that is somewhat healthy. No wonder people have to go to the hospital. It's the junk they eat.
7. It's really sad to watch a pregnant woman smoke, or see someone standing in their gown in front of the hospital that is dragging their IV fluids behind with one hand and holding a cigarette in the other.
8. I guess some people don't know the meaning of NO SMOKING BEYOND THIS POINT when they light up right outside of the hospital doors. Kinda frustrating.

Well, Grant continues to get stronger every day. He was transferred out of intensive care into the regular pediatric wing of the hospital today. That is great news for all of us. The doctors were able to take out his chest tube on Saturday and he continues to roll around and LOVES the new freedom of no stickers and tubes and wires attached to him. He is happier and we are happier especially with no gaps in the bathroom door! The doctors say we should hopefully be home before Christmas. We have no dates yet but maybe Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Here's hoping. At least we know we'll most definitely all be home for Christmas! What a blessing.

Goin' with the flow

Well, Grant was doing better yesterday and through the night. He's still in the PICU. The doctor came to check up on him and looked at his x-rays and said he was getting a little bit worse, again. Just a bit. So they will put more fluid (TPA) into his chest tube to see if he can drain anymore out of his lung. They were looking at him coming home on Saturday but now it's put back to at least Monday. All in all, he's doing OK, we're going with the flow, we are WELL taken care of between meals and care for the girls! Thanks to all! We love you all and will update you when there's more to tell. Here's a few more pictures of him in the hospital. Happy Holidays!

Grant's stats are on the right of the screen

Trying to be happy

So serious

Chest fluid, it may look yucky but the more the better:)

All tuckered out

Update on Grant

Just a little update on what is going on with our big G man. Since my last post, Grant just wasn't getting better, if anything he was getting worse. So our pediatrician transferred him over the the big hospital at the university here (we were in the smaller hospital). He had his first ride in an ambulance, something that even in my 29 years I still haven't done. Derrel rode with him and I met them at the hospital in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit). And that's where we are right now and will be for a little while. Grant has had quite a few doctors working on him. A great pediatrician, Intensive Care Pediatrician (which happens to be in our ward), awesome residents and even an Infectious Disease Doctor. We've also been blessed with great nurses, too. Last night, they decided it was best if we drain the fluid from the pocket that formed outside of his lung (effusion) and the Intensive Care Doc did that for us. It was great to have a doctor there that could help administer a blessing before the procedure. At the same time, they performed a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check if the bacteria had entered his spine (meningitis). The spinal tab wasn't clear and we still don't quite know if he has meningitis, but they are treating him as if he does have it. Better to be on the safe side. But for sure he does have Strep Pneumonia. All in all, he is improving, slowly but surely. Hopefully we will get Grant out of the hospital by Christmas so he can spend his first Christmas at home=). If not, we just want him to get well soon! We will get through this, I feel like we've been given similar trials before which makes this one just a little more bearable. Thanks to all who have helped with the girls, meals, thoughts and prayers. They are all so helpful and appreciated.

Right of Passage: Hospital Stay

Literally, our family just LOVES to visit the hospital. Almost every vacation, we have a hospital visit. Instead of site seeing, we visit the hospitals in varying cities across the nation: Rexburg, Provo, Liberty, Baltimore, we've seen it all. This time, it is our privilege to visit the hospital in our hometown. I should have known it was coming since the hospital here just opened up its brand new multimillion dollar section that we hadn't visited yet. It's for sure beautiful, if you can call a hospital beautiful. But in one of it's rooms is where our little Grant is. I brought him to the ER Sunday morning with a 105.2 degree temperature. After a few chest x-rays and some lab work, they quickly diagnosed him with bacterial pneumonia (yamonia-as Lydia calls it) and admitted him into the hospital. We've come to believe it's a right of passage for membership in the Derrel Walker family to stay in the hospital with pneumonia (which I have yet to do). Lydia and Kate both had RSV pneumonia and were hospitalized for 3-5 days, Kate only 3 months old and Lydia was 2. Derrel was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks in CA with horrible pneumonia (they almost took some of this lung out). I guess you could say we're getting used to this, it's not as shocking as it used to be. Here he is in all his chubby glory:

Grant's doing fairly well, I guess he had a pretty serious case of pneumonia. They gave him a heavy dose of antibiotics about 24 hours ago and they say it takes about that long to start really kicking in. I thought that he would be able to go home today but it's probably not going to be that soon, unfortunately. But he is well taken care and and Derrel is staying with him so I can get some much needed sleep. I slept 8 1/2 hours last night with NO interruptions (except the normal alarm clock that is supposed to wake Derrel up for seminary at 5 a.m.) I think I could be a somewhat normal person if I could sleep like that every night. Needless to say, it's been a while since I've had that kind of sleep. Grant is improving

Kate

I've been meaning to put a post up about Kate. She is now three and well into the three stage of life, if anyone knows what I mean=). She cries about everything but doesn't even realize it. Poor girl is just having a hard time. She is still cute as ever. Grandma and Grandpa Walker came to visit in the beginning of October and about 3 hours after they left, I gave Grant a haircut. I accidentally left the clippers and scissors out and went downstairs for a brief few minutes to do laundry. I came back and noticed a few clumps of hair all over the living room floor and realized she had CHOPPED her hair on the sides in the front. Luckily she only got up to her chin and no short bang action. I put the rest of her hair in a pony tail (it was really getting long-half way down her back when it was wet) and chopped her beautiful curly ponytail off. I was a little mad at first but the second I looked in her eyes, she started balling. I couldn't be mad, she was so sad for what she had done to her hair. The minute I finished cutting her ponytail off, she begged me to watch Rapunzel. Poor girl. I think the old sweet loving Kate was cut off with her long curly locks=). She can still be sweet but she's got A LOT of SPUNK!! And a new haircut to go with it! Check it out:

before:

during:

(look at how HORRIFIED she is)


after