Happy 1st Bday Braden!

That's me just before delivering my triplets...haha...

It's hard to believe a year has passed since Braden's birth.

The delivery was so great compared to my first one! I thought we were gonna spend the next day there then head home with no problems....

Boy was I wrong! The next two pictures were taken only a little while before the little guy was put on an IV and flown out of my arms to TMC.

I only got to hold the little guy for maybe 30 minutes before He was hooked up and I couldn't pick him up. Without going into details (because I don't feel like crying this morning) it was the hardest thing I've had to deal with to date.

Jarom took off in his truck to meet him at the hospital. He stayed by his bedside the entire time. I went once but felt sick and came home, only to end up back in the hospital twice. They wouldn't let Jarom hold Braden for the first few days, yet he stayed in the chair next to his crib.

Eventually he got to hold him, and I even got to nurse him while I was there. The poor guy had so many bruises from all the pokes: IV's, spinal taps, etc. He was fed through a tube, his belly button...things no mom should see happen to her days old baby. He was born 8 lbs so he looked like a giant next to some of those preemies in the NICU.

This is him in his crib with the "Will work for food" sign the nurse had me make. It worked and I got to breast feed! lol

I was so unsure about everything. It was one of those, hope for the best, prepare for the worst times. He seemed to be doing better, but all I was getting was reports from Jarom on the phone. (I knew he was hiding any negative information from me.) I don't know how he held up. I think things would have been different if Braden didn't have his daddy talking to him and comforting him.

We were told different things by the doctors, so when he came home we were kind of paranoid. We didn't know when we could take him out. 2 months? 6 months? We put a sign on our door that said "no visitors." I felt so bad turning people away but didn't want to chance anything.

Now, one year later, I can't believe any of that even happened. He has been so healthy. Hardly a cold or flu! And not to mention-he looks like a beast! He is now saying words, walking, laughing, playing like the healthiest kid around!

Oh, I forgot about the time he was put in the hospital for dehydration. But he was a trooper! Handled it like a pro. If you can't tell from this picture, he's sayin, "Mom, I'm bored! This is nothin!"

For Brooke's 1 year bday I made this detailed Dora cake. It took a couple hours. The electricity went off and the frosting started melting half way through...I knew I wasn't going to attempt such a hard cake for Braden, so I scratched my head a while and came up with the most simple cake ever! I smeared some brown frosting on the cake and pan, found some of my brother's old tractors, crushed up some graham crackers and called it good. Less than 5 minutes!

(Thanks to my mom for making the cake and frosting the night before)

Apparently it took too long to frost! We were all having a good laugh at Braden while he was snoozin right before we were going to sing! Priceless!

It took him a while to dig in...

Sister showed him what she knew...

And the rest is history!

Guess he was a little excited for this present!!!!

His first photo shoot-He was kinda tired and grumpy, so I didn't get as much as I wanted to. I'll have to take him out again, but I did get some keepers!

I love this boy's guts! We are so blessed to have him in our family. What a test of faith the first few months. But we endured and for that I am eternally grateful. I can't wait to watch him this next year as he learns to talk and sing. I love my little man!

Happy Birthday Braden Jarom!

Peace

Just felt like posting a happy picture

~eternity~

I have started this post and erased, then re-started typing...erased...not knowing how to start it nor what to say. We lost our friend Kameron Haban yesterday morning. He'd been fighting in the TMC ICU for about 6 weeks now. His dear wife Jami has kept her blog and FB updated througout and I am amazed at her strength and faith. I know she is struggling and has felt pain that most people don't ever have to feel, yet she has remained an example to me. I have learned SO much in these last few weeks from her experience. I am sad that it takes the death of a friend to arouse these feelings, but know that Kameron's death will not be in vain. Today I wasn't as stressed that the laundry wasn't folded. I watched my kids interacting with each other a little closer. I noticed what made them smile, frown, laugh. I am flooded with emotions as I think of the people I love. Those I haven't seen in years. Those I see daily but don't tell them how much I love and appreciate them. I can't imagine losing one of them, or even more, my Jarom.

I am still out of words for this post and am not sure what it's purpose is. But I do know that things are going to be different. I am so grateful for my knowledge of eternity. This life is such a small speck on eternity's timeline...yet sometimes it seems like it's too long...too much to bear. Then I am humbled by an experience such as this one. What a glorious day it will be when we can all be together again-for eternity.

Jami, if you come across this post, I love you. I care, and I wish I could do more. Know that many prayers have and will be said on your behalf. I couldn't stop the tears as I read your most recent post. Thank you for your example. I know you are hurting deep, but I thank you for holding on to what you know is true.

If anyone would like to know more click on the "Support Kameron and Jamie" button at the top of the blog. The author said fundraising will start soon. There is also information there, where you can make a donation if you feel you can.

~eternity~

Time to catch up (not the kind you put on fries)

I haven't posted since the beginning of June...which is only 2 months but in my picture taking/sharing that is a lot of pictures!

This is Brooke and Grapa Skyler feeding the goats at Rebecca's house

Braden posing on a cool branch my dad found while we were camping

Hilarious!

Brooke and Gramma Wanna

Love the view from my inlaw's house in Duncan

Grapa Lunt (Supervisor Lunt) in the 4th of July parade

Braden and Dad watching the parade

Brooke dancing to the music!

Wearin Grapa Lunt's hat "I'm a cowboy that's a girl!"

She loved this big truck the most!

Some of the fam hanging out watching the kids swim

24th of July parade in Safford

Love

Us in our JJL's as Brooke calls our TShirts. She's proud to advertise for dad :)

I love that they play and entertain each other now!

Braden has this thing with trying to eat the keyhole on Jarom's desk. It's pretty hilarious!

My dad was cutting the foam that was hanging over and when he left Braden went and found a play knife and started copying him.

I started taking advantage of the HOT sun and hanging most of our clothes. It's easy, quick, saves money, and Brooke likes to help!

Brooke's first experience with Silly String. She wasn't quite sure what to think!

Brooke was running and tripped, hitting the corner of the window sill. She dented the corner bead thats how hard she hit! I tried hitting it with my fist and couldn't dent it! OUCH!! It was a nasty, bloody hamburger of a cut....blah...

Braden's first few steps in July

Brooke painting the pantry that Jarom built in our kitchen. When he finished she said, "Mom, look at the new house! Oooo, what a pretty door!"

On the way to lunch at "Grapa's old school." We took advantage of the free lunch program this summer. They loved it!

Brooke lickin the whip cream bowl clean!

A day at the park with Gramma Wanna

Well, there ya go. If you made it through, good job! Hopefully I can keep up to date so I can give more details with each picture. Can't believe Brooke is 2 and Braden will be 1 in 6 days! We are lovin life and learning everyday. The kids amaze me. They are so smart, funny, and kind. I am truly blessed with great kids. Jarom has stayed busy and has been a business owner for 1.5 years now! We count our blessings and are grateful for good friends and family who support us!